February 15, 2007

 

Holy Sonnet XV

 

Wilt thou love God as he thee? Then digest,
my soul, this wholesome meditation,
how God the Spirit, by angels waited on
in heaven, doth make his temple in thy breast.
The Father having begot a Son most blest,
and still begetting—for he ne'er begun—
hath deign'd to choose thee by adoption,
co-heir to his glory, and Sabbath' endless rest.
And as a robb'd man, which by search doth find
his stolen stuff sold, must lose or buy it again,
the Sun of glory came down, and was slain,
us whom he had made, and Satan stole, to unbind.
'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
but, that God should be made like man, much more.

 

John Donne, priest and Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London (1572-1631)

 

 

Spiritual Living Book Club…The Spiritual Living Book Club is offered as an adult spiritual enrichment activity at Beloved Garden and as part of the adult formation offerings of Church of the Beloved.  It is open to the community as well as those attending the church. More than a book club, it offers a communal context in which to encounter others, God, and our true selves.  The Rev’d Dr. Sally Brower, Assisting Pastor of Formation at Church of the Beloved and a trained spiritual director, will select contemporary books and authors that challenge us to look at our lives as a spiritual journey.  Her approach will be experiential, using various group process activities in addition to discussion.  Join us as we travel together on a sacred journey peopled with close companions, fellow pilgrims, and soul friends.

 

 

The first Spiritual Living Book Club selection is Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  The book, reviewed online by Beloved’s own Dan Hood, is available locally and on-line and should be purchased in advance. The group will gather on Monday evenings from 7-9 PM at Beloved Garden on February 26 and March 5, 12, & 26.  To register, click here. 

 

Beloved Garden is located in the Terraces at Park Place shopping center on Park Road at Pineville-Matthews Road.  For directions to Beloved Garden, click here.

 

 

 

Palm Burning…This Sunday, February 18^th, bring your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration to be burned during Christian Formation time in preparation for this year’s Ash Wednesday celebration.  There will be extra palms present so that everyone who desires to take part can participate.  Sunday Christian Formation will resume next Sunday, February 25^th.  To see the Christian Formation Beehive schedule, click here.

 

 

Fat Tuesday…Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is the day before Ash Wednesday when people used to rid their pantries of all the fattening foods that they would not be consuming during the 40-day Lenten season.  On Tuesday, February 20^th, Beloved join folks from across the South Perimeter in an “all you can eat” Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5:30-7:30pm in the Christian Life Center at Providence Presbyterian Church (10140 Providence Church Lane, just north of Ballantyne Commons Parkway on Providence Road).  All donations for the meal go to support the local efforts of Habitat for Humanity.  What better way to prepare for all that fasting than with a little preemptive feasting!

 

 

Ash Wednesday…On Wednesday, February 21^st, we will begin our forty-day preparation for Easter called Lent.  Our 7pm Ash Wednesday liturgy will be celebrated at our worship space in Community House Middle School.  Like all Beloved worship, it is designed for all ages in mind.  Ash Wednesday is a fast day in the calendar of the Church.  Those who are physically able are encouraged to abstain from food.  (Remember that children and those with other physical needs can observe a medically appropriate modified fast.)  When your stomach rumbles, that is your reminder to pray!

 

Around Beloved…Bishop Curry has announced that the Right Reverend William Gregg, Ph. D. Bishop of Eastern Oregon, has accepted his call to serve as Bishop Assistant in the Diocese of North Carolina.  Bishop Gregg, who will serve as bishop assistant for the Charlotte region, will begin his work among us in May.  To read more, click here.

 

 

Thanks to the efforts of Michele Nichols, a wonderful Lenten devotional booklet, created by the Society of St. Andrew, will be distributed for each household beginning Sunday at worship and at Beloved Garden during the week.  Whether you live alone, with another, or with a many others, please use this enriching resource daily to connect more deeply with Jesus during this Lenten season.

 

 

The Men of Beloved will meet for a meal at Encore Restaurant (Blakeney) on Monday evening, February 19 @ 7pm. 

 

The Women of Beloved will meet for a meal at Encore Restaurant (Blakeney) on Wednesday evening, February 28 @ 7pm. 

 

If you haven’t already signed up for either of these events, there will be another opportunity on Sunday. Come join the fun and fellowship!

 

 

The Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion are meeting today through Monday in Jangwani Beach near Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  There are 38 Primates (Archbishops, Senior Bishops, Presiding Bishops, Moderators) of the Anglican Communion representing some 77 million Anglican Christians from around the globe. As first among equals, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams chairs the meetings and gathers his brother and sister Primates together for Bible study, worship and conversation on the current state of affairs and mission in the global church. Archbishop Williams has stated that he is looking to the Primates for guidance on matters relating to the upcoming 2008 gathering of all Anglican Bishops as well as looking at the Episcopal Church's response to the Windsor Report.  Please keep this gathering in your prayers.

 

 

Beloved’s Worker Bees, the youth group for those ages 9-12, will be going to a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Friday, February 23rd.  Those attending need to bring $6 to Miss Anna or Miss Michele (Nichols) by Sunday, February 18.  Meet at 6:30 at Beloved Garden (eat before you arrive).  We will return to Beloved Garden by 9:30pm. 

 

 

Beloved’s metamorphosis, the youth group for those ages 12-15, will gather for a light meal and Movie Night on Saturday, February 24 from 6:30-9pm.  Bring $3 for food and a friend. 

 

 

Last Sunday…Attendance: 142; Basket Offering: $3,638

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar This Sunday…Angel Army Team 4 (Captain: Fred Mellon; Administrator: Claire Kraft; Pastor: ministry available; Convener: Linda Mellon); Acolytes: Garreth Floyd, Madelyn Ricket, Lauren Widener, Jackson Widener; Altar Bread Baker: Kris Leinenkugel; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Kris Leinenkugel & Wes Nichols; Offertory Basket Passers: Holly Burnett, John Mark Dygowski, Emma Kraft, Katie Kraft; PowerPoint: Paige Wilson; Presenters: Dave & Liz Wilson; Reader: Brian McCarthy

 

 

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Exodus 34:29-35 & Luke 9:28-43a

 

 

In our Prayers…The Anglican Primates meeting this week in Tanzania…Jack, Susan Miller’s father who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer…Bertie, Bonnie Lowder’s mother who is in Hospice care…Janie and Samuel Wooten who are each healing from broken bones…Michelle Dezzutto who is with her terminally ill sister, Joan…Clifford King Harbin who is in Wisconsin for her on-campus work in Church History and her trip home this weekend…Jeannie, dear friend of the Floyd family who has throat cancer…Mike Montagnino who is recovering from surgery…John and Bob, Lee Frickhoeffer’s father and uncle…Elizabeth, Shari Wynn‘s sister…Kevin, Deb and Dan Blackwood‘s nephew…Phyllis, Linda Mellon‘s mother who is undergoing surgery this week…Mike, Dick Reif’s brother as he recovers from cancer treatment…Melissa, Donna Elyea’s cousin…Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter…Michel, Catherine Atwood’s father…those serving in Iraq, especially Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s nephew, Jared, Wes and Michele Nichols’ nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law...Palmer, Betsy Fox’s teenage cousin…Jessie Powell…Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents…Pat Kitts, friend of Beloved…Mary Ann Ingram, friend of the Scheppegrell family, who has liver cancer… Debbie, friend of Ann Calandro who died recently…Penny Crawford as she works in Memphis, TN for the next several months…Chris Morley as he seeks employment...the staff and students of Community House Middle School.

 

 

Upcoming Calendar…click here