St. Luke's Episcopal Church
224 Northwest D Street
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
(541) 476-2493

February 2008 Luke's Log

The Anglican Digest reprinted an article on Lent I wrote a year or two ago.  I like it well enough that I offer it again in Luke's Log.  It reminds me, as I sometimes need to be reminded, that our business is learning to love God and neighbor.  And what a glad business to be about.

Love to you all.  Have a happy and Holy Lent.

A RULE FOR LENT
By The Rev James T. Boston
(Printed in the Anglican Digest-Lent 2008)

          Lent got its name because the days are getting longer in Northern Europe.  And as the days become longer, at least in Northern climates, we Christians are invited to lengthen, deepen, and broaden our engagement with God.
          Isaiah denounced the observances of the Jewish year, “Sabbath and new moon and festival.”  Yet people in every culture have found it helpful to have special days and times.  These days and times invite us to celebrate, to remember, to re-energize and re-focus.  Isaiah’s problem was that for too many in Judah the cycle of religious observances had become disconnected from the rest of life.  Rulers could sacrifice to the God of Israel and forget to trust in God in their foreign affairs.  Businessmen could worship in the temple and then gouge the poor.  Comfortable women could adorn themselves for the Sabbath and leave the widow and orphan in misery.  Only when such wrongs are corrected, said the prophet, would their worship be acceptable.
          The days of Lent are our annual invitation to connect our faith with our behavior.  We are citizens, neighbors, and members of families.  In each of our roles we find opportunities and responsibilities. Our God wants to journey with us through them.  God has provided Scriptures, the wisdom of Christian tradition, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.  We are promised forgiveness when we fall.  We are nurtured by the sacraments.
          God’s business is saving the world through Jesus Christ.  Our business is to take the roles God gives us. And in every part we play we are called to be lovers.  You and I get to be channels of God’s love.  Our Lenten disciplines of worship, study and self-denial are provided to help us be better lovers.
          Most of us cannot do everything we would like to do in Lent.  Each of us can still make Lent a holy season, a season of renewal as we move toward the celebration of God’s victory over sin and death in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
          So, make a rule, your own plan for a holy Lent.  Keep it as well as you can.  And connect your faith and God’s love to everything else you do.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
224 NW “D” Streets
Grants Pass, Oregon
541-476-2493

CLERGY

The Rt. Rev. Johncy Itty, Bishop of Oregon
The Rev. James T. Boston, Rector                                                     479-0452
The Rev. Randel Livingood, Associate                                               941-7581
The Rev. Joani Bristol, Deacon                                                          773-7808

STAFF AND OTHER OFFICERS

Parish Administrative Assistant            : Jean Middleton                      474-0760
Altar Guild Directress              : Joan Collins                           476-6169
Choir Director                          : Edla Stephenson                    761-6490
Organist                                   : Donald Corbett                      955-7262
Memorial Trust Board President          : Mike Dawson             479-4459
Parish Nurse                            : Frances Osborne                    955-8777
St. Luke’s Guild President       : Crista Yilek                            659-9208
Senior Warden                         : Dennis James                         476-8126
Sexton                                     : Dave Flick                             862-2698                     Treasurer                                 : Mike Dawson                          479-4459

MEMBERS OF THE VESTRY

CLASS OF 2009
Dennis James                                                                           476-8126
Theron Middleton                                                                    295-0710
Tim Roberts                                                                             955-0209

CLASS OF 2010
Bev Kane                                                                                 955-9897
Pat Murray                                                                               956-9999
Diane Leonard                                                                         660-3023

CLASS OF 2011
Susan Hall                                                                               955-1710
Scott Swindells                                                                       479-1642
Eileen Widdison                                                                      471-6092

CHRISTAN SERVICE NETWORK NEWSLETTER
Friends in Christ:
            It’s been a whirlwind year for 2007 here at CSN.  We continue to see increasing numbers of people becoming homeless in our Community.  The job market here is lower paying and yet the housing costs have soared.  More and More families are losing the battle and becoming homeless.
            This past year we furnished 625 showers and had approximately 1050 people come into our office for help.  Some of these were referred to other agencies who could better meet their needs.
            We are so grateful for the support and contributions made by your congregation.  Taking care of the poor and homeless is not a popular cause.  The donations you provide are being used every day to give someone a small sense of dignity and hope.  It shows them that someone somewhere cares about them.  Your church is truly blessed with the Spirit of the Lord!!
            THINGS WE COULD USE:  Volunteers for Monday & Thursday each week.  Shampoos (personal size works best), soaps, razors, feminine products, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
            Thanks to all you in the participating churches who have the hearts to reach out to those less fortunate, living in their cars on the Wal-Mart parking lot or where ever.  Thank God for the hearts at Wal-Mart who provide this service.
            We are always seeking to increase the funds coming into CSN.  While our donation base comes from the 23 churches that support us, we also need for some individuals to take an interest.  If you know of anyone looking for a mission to help, please let them know about us.
            Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love of Christ and helping us to serve those He loves.
           
            God Bless,
            Christian Service Network Staff

AS LENT BEGINS
By The Rev. Laurens A. Hall,
St. John the Devine, Houston, TX
(Printed in the Anglican Digest-Lent 2008)

The healthiest people I know never look back.  They shut doors and close chapters to their past.  They forget, or at least ignore, previous errors in judgment, wrong decisions and missed opportunities.  They resist memories which tend to paralyze present action.  The phrase “if only” doesn’t appear I their minds nor does it roll from their lips.
            Preoccupation with past attainments is avoided.  These people seldom become victimized by complacency, vain confidence, and pretentious displays of self-sufficiency.  They recognize and accept their weaknesses with apologies and assertively compensate with known strengths.  The healthiest people I know let go of the past.
            The healthiest people I know look resolutely to the future.  They see life as an adventure.  It’s the classroom where learning occurs, not a prison where a life sentence is served.  They concentrate on present realities, but are alert to the teeming possibilities before them.  Their direction is toward set goals.  They move forward with a driving passion, powered by the ideal.  Their eyes are on the course, but their attention is on the present steps.  They do take time to smell the flowers along the way.  The healthiest people I know take hold of the “yet to be.”
            The healthiest people I know, know God.  By spending time with him, their busiest days are better managed.  His counsel is regularly sought.  He is a guide; He is a companion.  Healthy people are happy people because they balance their work and play with spiritual contemplation.  They would agree with Archbishop Bloom who described Christian obedience in this way: “A Christian should be like a sheepdog.  When the shepherd wants him to do something, he lies down at his feet, looks intently into the shepherd’s eyes, and listens without budging until he has understood the mind of his master.  Then he jumps to his feet and runs to do it.  At no moment does the dog stop wagging its tail.”
            The healthiest people I know “forget what lies behind, and press toward what lies ahead” and do so as companions with God.  Healthy people are not hard to find.  They are here.  They are there.  As Lent begins, why not be one?

WHAT’S ON THE CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY:
February 5:      Strove Tuesday; Pancake Dinner 5:30 pm
February 6:      Ash Wednesday           ; Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist  10:00am & 7:00pm            
February 13:    Lenten Preaching Service with lunch  12:00 noon
February 20:    Lenten Preaching Service with lunch  12:00 noon
February 27:    Lenten Preaching Service with lunch  12:00 noon

LENT 2008 – NOON SERVICE AND LUNCH

Our Wednesday series of five Lenten Preaching Services begins February 13, 2008 at 12:00 noon.  A complete schedule of topics and speakers is listed above.  Please note the sign-up sheet on the kitchen door bulletin board for the traditional Soup & Bread lunch which follows the services.

We’ll need teams of two or three people to prepare the food each week, with others to serve and help setting the tables and clean up.  Please contact the office or Fr. Jim for additional information at 476-2493.

FROM OUR PARISH NURSE
 
Frances Osborne

GETTING A HANDLE ON CHRONIC ILLNESS

            Chronic illness is plaguing our lives like the plague.  Whether its diabetes or hypertension, or arthritis or a host of other chronic non-curable illnesses.  These illnesses are not curable but they are manageable so that you can lead an active healthy life for many years.  The question always arises when do you start treating these problems, how do you treat them, and how do they treat you?
The best time to start treating them is before you are born, in utero, when your mother eats good food, gets plenty of exercise and keeps a positive attitude about the coming event.  Or when you are an infant and a small child and your parents feed you nutritious food, see that you get plenty of exercise that is appropriate for you age, and support you with a positive attitude and plenty of opportunities to explore the world around you.  As a child, your parents teach you about good nutrition and the importance of exercise, and provide you plenty of opportunities, besides school, to grow not only physically but to experience the world around you in a meaningful way.  This is a good time for parents to start teaching about the hazards of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.
As a teenager, you become more aware of the larger world, and learn through supportive parents to make good choices about exercise, nutrition the hazards of using of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.  This is the time for people to begin to take charge of their health.  Hopefully, if you are well taught and supported by your parents, they will make good choices as you move into adulthood.
As an adult, you should demonstrate good health habits of proper nutrition, exercise and life style to enhance your health, because, that is what you have learned at home by the example your parents demonstrated.  Keeping track of your own health by taking advantage of screening tests such as pap smears and mammograms assures that you will maintain good health.  Aging is inevitable but by monitoring our health as we age we can avert serious illness by seeking treatment early.  You should not wait until a chronic illness starts to affect your feeling of well being before seeking medical care.
Nevertheless, it is never too late.  Even while recovering from a serious heart attack or a stroke you can still strive to regain a greater level of good health.  Your physicians, nurses, therapists, family, clergy and friends can all be a part of your health care team; these individuals can help you live a healthier life as well as add quality to your life. 
Good health takes planning, persistence, and a lot of determination and with Gods help and your healthcare support team you can maintain a healthy, happy life.

FOR ADULTS:

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Deacon Joani’s Wednesday, February 6th class is cancelled due to Ash Wednesday, and also on February 20th.  Deacon Joani’s Wednesday morning Bible study will meet on February, 13 at 10:00am in the Guild Room. Joani and the group are working their way through the Bible.  All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
There will not be Bible study Wednesday, February 6th, in observance of Ash Wednesday.
The Group will resume Wednesday, February, 13th at 7:00pm and has moved to the home of Al & Lucille Fitchell, 1258 Ironwood Cir, Grants Pass.  New comers are welcome.  Call Al or Lucille at 955-4623 if you have any questions or need directions to their home. 

ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 27th was a celebration of the life of St. Luke’s.  Even though we ended the year with a deficit, St. Luke’s accomplished many wonderful things this past year.  If you were unable to attend the meeting, copies of the 2007 Annual Report are available.  You can either pick one up or call the office at 476-2493 and we will be happy to mail you a copy.

MEN’S MONDAY MORNING BREAKFAST        
The Men’s breakfast meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and occasionally on a 5th Monday. Breakfast is at the Gold Miner Cafe on the corner of 7th and “M” streets at 8:15. If you have any questions, you can call the office at 476-2493

HOW TO DO LENT:

Lent is like Spring Training for Christians—a time to do things, and to give up others, in order to strengthen our relationship with God. As with athletes, we begin training by making a plan. We all have, consciously or unconsciously, a “Rule of Life,” a pattern by which we fulfill our religious duty to ourselves, to God, the Church, and our neighbors. Lent offers the opportunity to review one’s “Rule,” and to make it more deliberate. A prayerful assessment of your present Rule will help you determine what, if any, changes will draw you closer to God during these weeks. Whether you need a more challenging rule, or a more relaxed one, here are some basic elements for Lent:

WORSHIP: You may change your pattern of worship, perhaps coming more regularly on Sundays, or adding a weekday service. You may offer worship alone, too, at the church and at home, using resources available in the Narthex. Of course, we never really worship alone, but in union with the whole Church, in Heaven and on earth.

PRAYER: Perhaps you will pray more often, or just a little more quietly and thoughtfully. Having set times can encourage daily prayer. So can having a friend with whom you can share your spiritual journey.

STUDY: Read the Bible, or a spiritual book. (The library has lots of good ones.) Join a study group, or start one. Use Forward Day by Day. Read a book to young children, such as C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Listen to the sermon. Think and talk about it.

SERVICE: Volunteer, at church or in the community. Do something kind—perhaps for someone with whom you live or work, one to whom you owe an obligation (such as a letter or a kind word), or even someone who annoys you. Examine the result and repeat.

ALMSGIVING: This is giving beyond your regular tithe or pledge for the advance of the Gospel or the relief of those who suffer. It may be made possible by the next item.

SELF-DENIAL: Make it possible to add these changes by cutting back elsewhere, maybe giving up a TV show, or hot-fudge sundae. Simple measures, such as meatless Fridays (a fine and ancient custom), prepare us for more productive forms of Self Denial. Our Church particularly asks the faithful to fast (which means to eat less than usual) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Other days are okay, too, health permitting.

A word of caution: You may not succeed fully in keeping your Plan for Lent. The point of Spring Training is to grow, not to feel guilty. Assess your progress as you go, and just keep at it, making adjustments as necessary. Have a happy and blessed Lent.

                            SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER & CARNIVAL

John Kirschner heads the team that will prepare the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 5th! A Children’s Carnival is also being organized by Laurel Samson and several capable assistants. The festivities begin at 5:30 PM. In keeping with the spirit of Carnival, children (and adults if they wish!) are invited to come in costume, or to create one after they arrive. There will be good food and fun activities for the whole family. There’s no charge for this event, so come and bring a friend! Offering baskets will be available for gifts toward defraying the costs of the meal.  John and his crew will be serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, applesauce, juice, and a new surprise.  There will also be milkshakes for the kids.

SHROVE TUESDAY
            Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day heralds the beginning of fasting in Lent.  On this day (so historians say), there were feasts of pancakes to use up the supplies of fat, butter and eggs … foods hat were forbidden during austere Lent.
            Pancakes are the traditional treat of the Jewish Hanukkah festival.  They are fried in oil to commemorate the oil found by the Maccabeans when they recaptured Jerusalem from the Syrians, two thousand years ago.  The one day’s supply of oil for the temple lamps burned miraculously for one week.  And, tradition says, the wives of the soldiers hurriedly cooked pancakes behind the lines for their warring husbands.
            In England, there are several celebrations on this day, but perhaps best known is the Pancake Day Race at Olney in Buckinghamshire which has been held since 1445.  Only women wearing a dress, an apron, and a hat o r scarf, may take part in the race.  Each contestant must toss a cooking pancake three times during the race.  The first to complete the winding 375 meter course and arrive at the church, serve her pancake to the vicar and be kissed by him is the winner.
            In various parts of France, there are different customs.  In Provence, if you hold a coin in your left hand while you toss a pancake, you’ll be rich.  And in Brie, the first pancake (which is never very good anyway) is always given to the hen that laid the eggs that made the pancake.  And it’s always regarded as bad luck to let a pancake fall on the floor while tossing it.
            St. James, Kent, Washington

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES
Lent begins on February 6th, with services of Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Plan to come for a time of quiet reflection at the beginning of our annual journey to Easter.

SITTERCIZE CLASSES
As people age their level of exercise drops, especially if they develop a chronic illness.  However, people who use walkers or canes or wheelchairs need exercise and they can exercise effectively with a program called Sittercize.  Sittercize is a series of exercises that can be done sitting down or standing up.

There is a program on Public Television during the week at 11:00 am.  Or, you can join the Parish Nurse to learn how to do Sittercize on your own.  There will be a four-week class starting Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11:30am in the Parish Hall.  There will be handouts so that participants can workout at home and develop and exercise plan to fit their needs.  So, if you have issues with mobility or balance, this is the exercise program for you.  I hope you will join us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Joshua Flick  2/2           Derek Seals 2/19

If during the past year we have missed any child’s birthday, we apologize.  However, we do need to update our birthday list. So, please call the office with the child’s name and birth date.  Thank you.

BISHOPS BALL 2008

The 2008 Bishops Ball is a weekend of “Socializing, Service Outreach, Worship and Ball” for youth grades 6th – 12th grade.  This is the first time that the middle and high school groups will be combined. You will get to enjoy great fellowship, meet the Bishop, and dress up for an awesome dance. 
           
WHEN:            Friday, February 29, 9:00pm – Sunday, March 2, Noon
            WHERE:          St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 166 E. 13th St., Eugene, OR

 To sign up, contact the youth director, or Catherine Healy at the Bishops office 800-452-2562

NEWCOMERS (and old timers) CONVERSATION WITH THE RECTOR
February 21, 7 pm
Newcomers, and others, are welcomed to gather in the Library/Guild Room on Thursday evening, February 21 at 7 pm for conversation on the life of St. Luke’s Parish, and the life of faith.  We will be doing a formal inquirers class/confirmation class after Easter, but this is a chance to bring your questions as well as to meet others who feel new to the parish (which might be anyone!) and anyone else who cares to join in the conversation.  Light refreshments will be on hand.

FROM THE ALTAR GUILD
Thank you to all of you who have signed up for flowers and Sanctuary candles for 2007.  The new 2008 flower calendar is up on the door to the Parish Hall. If you would like to give flowers for an anniversary, birthday, thanksgiving, or other remembrances, please sign on the date you would like to give flowers.  The cost for is $35.00 and for candles is $5.00.   Please call the office at 476-2493 so that it may be noted in the Sunday Bulletin. 

We have openings on the flower chart for, March 30th and April 1st, 13th, 20th and 25th.  If you have any questions about flowers or the candles, please call Flo Graham at 479-1493. 

THANK YOU
To Juliette Melia and Crista Yilek for the lovely offering of Dance on Sunday, December 23rd and Christmas Eve.

DEREK SEALS
Please keep Derek in your prayers.  He is doing well and we are hopeful as he has a major check-up in February. A web site is available for everyone to check on his progress.  You can go to: www.caringbridge.org and click on visit and then type in derekseals and enjoy the site.  Amy will be updating the site.  If you would like to help the Seals family, an account has been set up at U S Bank in Derek’s name.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Daughters of the King meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00pm.  All women of the church are welcome.  Please check the calendar in the Log or call the church office at 476-2493.

MUSIC NOTES

Choir
Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm.  We hope to be able to do some a cappella pieces, as well as things incorporating other instruments, such as handbells, drums, strings, the praise band, flutes, guitars, etc.  Please come and join us.

Bell Choir
The Handbell Choir rehearses at 4:30pm on Wednesdays.  New members are welcome.   We hope to get bigger and better.  Children are encouraged to join us.  If you would like to learn more as well as have a lot of fun, call Edla at 761-6490

Praise and Worship Musicians
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pat Mahoney at 660-4513 for practice times.

Children Choir
Our Children’s Choir has been learning together after the 10:30 service, and will continue to do so on most Sundays.  New singers are welcome.

TRACTS IN OUR NATHEX
            Stop in the Narthex as you enter or leave the Church and look at the multitude of short publications available on the Tract Rack.  You’ll see leaflets about church history, personal spirituality, and practical aspects of living the Christian faith.  Some will answer questions about the Episcopal Church, some will address Christian marriage and parenting, and others are suitable for giving to someone in the hospital or may be going through difficult times.  Also the January 2008 edition of Forward Day By Day is available.  Help yourself.  Suggested prices are marked on each and you may leave your contribution in the labeled basket.     
            In addition to Forward Day By Day, Forward Movement also provides liturgically seasonal publications.  For this Lent, two may be of special interest: “Holy Island: a Lenten Pilgrimage to Lindisfarne” and Forty Days of Lent: Different Shoes”.  To learn more about these booklets, you can check on-line at www.forwardmovement.org and click on Lent 2008.  Either or both of these may be an excellent addition to your Lenten discipline.