St.

Thomas Newsletter
February 2010
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FROM THE PULPIT
LENT
The word LENT is an old word derived from the Middle English ‘lente’ which means ‘springtime’.
It is the 40 days preceding Easter and always begins on Ash Wednesday. In the early church,
during LENT, candidates for baptism prepared for an Easter baptism. In the Middle Ages,
Christians strictly observed a 40 day fast (no meat or other foods), and were not allowed to
attend any festive celebration. Today the emphasis has shifted to prayer, worship and reflecting on
the meaning of Easter.

The LENTEN period of the church year allows us time for self-reflection. It is an intense time for
meditation, prayer, singing and hearing the Word proclaimed. It is a good time to increase our
understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. The LENTEN season offers a perfect time to
renew baptismal vows and recommitment to the Christian life.

The heart of LENT is inner penitence and reconciliation with God. Spiritual renewal is only possible
if you are willing to repent of your sins and change your life for God. One outward symbol of this is
placing of the ashes on the forehead at the Ash Wednesday service. More congregations all the time
are practicing this ancient ritual of the church. The palm leaves from the previous Palm Sunday are
saved, burned and used for this. All of this should help you in your journey of faith as you continue
to grow.

Here are some helpful hints to make your LENT more meaningful:
1. Observe lent with others. It is a great time to ‘get back to church’ with the family or friends.
2. Try giving up something or adding something to your life. What about no family TV or computer for 40 days?
3. What about helping at the community meal or helping a needy family for 40 days?
4. Study the Bible and have personal or family devotions during this time.
5. Find out what other church activities there are during lent and make a promise to yourself to attend them.

ASH WEDNESDAY on February 17th begins Lent. Father Mike

 St. Thomas Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays
February 5th Caitlin Riley February 17th Sean Riley February 25th Eva Agnes Grenci
February 11th Matt Quayle February 21st Sue Homsy
Anniversary
February 10th Amy & Eduardo Cantu
Ministry Schedules

St. Thomas Lector Eucharistic Minister Ushers/Greeters Accompanist

February 7th Mike Mabee Mike Mabee Bob & Ann Butcher Bonnie Daniels
February 14th Bob Butcher Donna Becker Jeff & Joy Roth Anne Butcher
February 21st David Barnes David Barnes Mike & Nancy Mabee Bonnie Daniels
February 28th Bob Butcher Bill Quayle Debbie Barnes Julie Quayle

                

Dates to Remember
February 2nd – ELMS meeting Noon at St. Thomas

February 6th – Winter Convocation – Holiday Inn French Quarter, Perrysburg See Bulletin Board for
more details.

February 16th – Friends of the Park Pancake Dinner at St. Thomas 5:00 – 7:30 pm

February 17th – Ash Wednesday Services: St. Thomas, Noon Peace Lutheran 7:00 pm
St. Thomas will have Stations of the Cross every Wednesday at Noon during Lent
Peace Lutheran will have a Lenten meal every Wednesday 5:30 – 6:30 pm with
a Lenten service following at 7:00 pm. The first session with be “Jesus is the Meal”
beginning Wed. Feb. 17th.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND BOTH SERVICE.

February 18th – ELMS Community Dinner 5:00 to 6:30 pm

Saturday March 6th - FATHER MIKE’S INSTALLATION – 11:00 am with Bishop Persell presiding.

March 7th – Service Time Change - St. Thomas 9:00 am Peace Lutheran 11:00 am

April 1st - Maundy Thursday St. Thomas: 5:30 foot washing Peace Lutheran: 7:30 Communion

April 2nd – Good Friday Port Clinton Community Service will be held at St. Thomas from
12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
Peace Lutheran 7:00 pm

April 4th - Easter Sunday Service: St. Thomas 9:00 Peace Lutheran 11:00

June 17th – Pictures for the new St. Thomas Church Directory 2:00 – 9:20 pm Details to follow\
 St. Thomas Episcopal Church

214 East Second St.

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

Contact information Sunday Scripture Readings

Feb. 7th – Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13]; Psalm 138;
1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Feb 14th – Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99;
214 East Second Street
2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:2;
Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
Luke 9:28 [37-43a]
419-734-3404
Feb. 21st – Deuteronomy 26:1-11;
419-734-0334 Fax
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 18:8b-13;
st_thomas@cros.net e-mail
Luke 4:1-13
www.episcopalportclinton.com
Feb. 28th – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27;
Philippians 3:17 – 4:1; Luke 13:31-35
Service Time: Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Fr. Mike Wiechers – Pastor

419-960-7052 IN THE HOSPITAL
wiechersmike@yahoo.com Please remember to call Fr. Mike if
Office Hours: someone is hospitalized.
Monday & Wednesday – Peace Lutheran
9:30 -12:30 a.m.
Tuesday & Thursday – St. Thomas
9:30 – 12:30 a.m.
Friday – Day off