This can be a rich time of spiritual reflection and growth. Fortunately, we have been able to arrange for an impressive array of services for our parish, as we finish up our spiritual preparations of Lent and look forward to celebrating the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, at Easter. We hope you can attend at least some of the following activities at our church. Bring a friend along, as many churches do not provide for such an array of services from which to choose.
Friday, April 11th at 7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross, wherein we can meditate on Jesus' love for us how he suffered for us.
Sunday, April 13th at 10:00 AM - Palm Sunday - Sunday School, Nursery School, Blessing of the Palms and Holy Eucharist. Mark your calendars and plan to be here for this festive service which reflects the joy of the people of Jerusalem as they welcomed Our Lord into their city. This is a good time in Lent reflect on how we are doing at letting Jesus into our lives today. Karen Testerman will sing "The Palms."
Thursday, April 17th at 6:30 PM - Maunday Thursday - At this time we remember Jesus' institution of the Holy Eucharist for the spiritual strengthening of His followers and His desire for us to love one another, even to the point of washing one another's feet, if need be. Some churches don't have a service on this important day. Invite someone to join you.
Friday, April 18th at 6:30 PM - Good Friday - At this service of Evening Prayer we will have the opportunity to meditate on the crucifixion of Our Lord, his complete giving of Himself for us upon the Cross. In this mystery, was our salvation gained.
Sunday, April 20th at 10:00 AM - Easter Day - Let us join together to celebrate the triumph of Christ's resurrection and the hope of eternal life which it offers to those who care to unite with Him and be a part of His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Let joy abound and may we all enjoy the New Life He wants for us all. Nursery School will be available.
Do you realize that Friday, March 29th marked the fifth anniversary in our very own church building! Yes, Easter Sunday six years ago was March 29th and that was the day that we held our first worship service in our new church building. How fortunate we are!
At the Annual Meeting held in January, your Vestry presented a proposal that included establishing a vision of who we are at St. Luke's and what we would like to see ourselves doing over the next five years or so, to enable this vision. This concept was approved at the Annual Meeting and the Vestry has begun to spend considerable time on this issue, including extra meetings ably led by Junior Warden Dave Testerman! The draft version is:
...in the Sebago Lake, Maine area. Anyone interested in attending should contact Father Dean. We expect to have several scholarships available. Camp attendance is usually a prerequisite for children desiring to be confirmed. Speak to Father Dean. The price hasn't been set yet, but it will be less than last year's.
Thom and Danielle Simmons and their six children? For the past four years they have lived in Westmoreland, NH, which is west of Keene. They both are originally from Long Island and graduated from college down there. Interestingly enough, they also lived on Martha's Vineyard for nine years. They have six children and five of them still live at home. Victoria is 14, Lydia is 13, Nathanael is 10, Abigail is 9 and Andrew, the youngest, is 6. Derek, the oldest, is 19 and has moved back to Martha's Vineyard that is really where he grew up and works as a house framer.
Somehow Danielle finds the time to "home school" four of the children. She also makes and sells baby carriers. Ask her and she'll tell you about them. Thom teaches Economics at both Keene State College and Greenfield Community College. I must add that his final comment after the quick interview was that Danielle was a "wonderful wife and mother!"
Do take a few moments and introduce yourself to this wonderful family.
Walter D. Kilian, Editor "Tidings"