On the last Sunday of Epiphany our church year crosses a threshold from the great seasons of Christmas/Epiphany and into the new seasons of Lent/Easter. And placed at this threshold each year is the story of Jesus' Transfiguration. No better image could capture what we have celebrated since Christmas or what we are preparing to celebrate in Easter. For in Jesus transfigured we see what the incarnation means and what resurrection will look like. And not just for Jesus. For Jesus is a signpost of what God has done for us and all that he promises yet to do.
Music Notes for this Sunday
Our choir anthem for this Sunday, “Ave Maria” (Hail Mary), also called the Angelic Salutation, is a prayer of the Roman Catholic Church which is comprised of three parts addressed to Mary. It was originally used as a salutation among Christians until its use as a devotional prayer. Read More.
Introduction to Godly Play- This Saturday 9 am to 12 noon
This Saturday, we welcome Linda Clapp from St. John's Episcopal Church in Stamford, CT. Linda will introduce us to Godly Play, our new Sunday school curriculum that begins this weekend. All are welcome to come and experience Godly Play firsthand. A light breakfast and registration will begin at 8:30 am in the parish hall and the program will go from 9 am to 12 noon.
This Sunday,
Sunday School will start at
10:00 am
Starting this Sunday, Sunday School will begin at 10:00 am in the Godly Play room on the stage. We invite everyone in the parish hall to please be QUIET as the children begin their lesson. Parents, please bring your children promptly by 10:00 am, as the door to the stage will be closed once the storyteller begins.
Ushers Safety Meeting - This Sunday at 9:00 am
This Sunday at 9:00 am there will be a meeting with all Ushers and those that wish to help with this ministry to go over protocols for safe church practices. This is an important meeting that Bishop Hughes has asked all churches of the diocese to have so that we may be intentional about safe church practices. Thank you. Fr. Michael
Pancake Supper - Tuesday Feb. 25 6pm - 8pm
All proceeds of the Pancake Supper will support the St. Peter's youth for their trip to West Virginia. Suggested donations are $8 per person or $15 per family.
Ash Wednesday - February 26
To begin our Lenten observance, there will be three Ash Wednesday Communion Services with the Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 am, 12 noon and 7:00 pm all in the church.
PRAY
ALL WAYS - A Lenten Series on Prayer
To prayall ways is the unspoken invitation in the admonition of Jesus to “pray always”. Join Michael Norrie, a hospice chaplain and former Benedictine monk, for this five-week Lenten teaching series on developing an effective prayer life. We will meet on Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1 from 6:30– 8 PM. The sessions will be held at COTS, St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes and St. John’s, Boonton.
Each session will begin with a soup and bread supper, followed by teaching on prayer practice, concluding with compline. You are welcome to come to each or all sessions as you are able. The sessions are:
March 4 (Church of the Saviour) Prayer: An Introduction A teaching on the Lord’s Prayer and the Prayer of Jesus in John 17
March 11 (St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes) Prayer and Discernment
March 18 (St. John’s, Boonton) Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer
March 25 (Church of the Saviour) The Book of Common PrayerWith a group exercise on how to write a collect
April 1 (St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes) Praying with BeadsThe Anglican Rosary
Jesus’ invitation to go to a quiet place for rest comes in the midst of life-changing ministry for all who were near him. I imagine some of the disciples may have wondered why Jesus would lead them to a quiet place and rest when they had just returned from starting new ministries. They returned full of stories and may have been ready to do more. But before they could start something new Jesus suggested rest in a quiet place. Read More.
Grocery & Gift Cards
St. Peter’s offers grocery cards, Amazon gift cards, Visa giftcards, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts cards for purchase each Sunday. They are available from Sabrina Giordano after the 8:00 service and from E.V. Janopaul or Marguerite Smith during coffee hour in the parish hall after the 10:15 am service. These cards generate income for our parish. E.V. also oversees the Scrip program which offers electronic gift certificates. To view full list of card options, denominations, use this link and scroll to bottom for Retailer List:shop.shopwithscrip.com.
E.V. can tell you about how this program helps our church. Contact her at ejanopaul20@gmail.com.
Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
It’s time to sign up to host a Coffee Hour! This offering of hospitality and fellowship continues to be a vital part of our parish life. Please sign up in the parish hall or call the office to claim a date.
