Sneak peek - "From the Rector" for the Lent/Easter 2014 Edition of The Eagle (parish newsletter).

On March  23rd the Bishop of Michigan Confirmed seven members of  St. John’s Church.   Of  those seven one was an adult, Dennis Lennox.  Of the sixth teenagers, three were baptized here at St. John’s and three of them baptized by me as babies/young children. Congratulations and blessings to Dennis, Carissa and Micah Bracker, James and Robert Burton, Caleb Dagle, and William Kelly.  This is a big milestone for a Rector who has been at a parish for a long period of time; presenting for confirmation those whom you’ve baptized as a baby.  Now the milestone question is who will be the first teenager I presented 13 or 12 years ago for Confirmation to get married?

Looking forward, we have a busy time ahead of us in mid-April.  With a late start to Lent this year, Holy Week begins on April 13th with the celebration of Palm Sunday.  Then Wednesday through Sunday are busy with the great worship of Holy Week: Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day.   It is a rigorous schedule, but one that is to Glorify God and is good for your soul’s health!  Take advantage of as many, if not all, of these opportunities to worship and to be built up in The Faith. 

This year’s baseball outing will be on May 11th, which is Mothers' Day.  I tried my best to avoid that day, but all other Sunday home games through mid-June (when the choir was available to sing the National Anthem) were either taken, sold out, or on Easter Day.  I am hoping that there will be lots of moms who will want to make a trip to the ballpark the beginning of their special day celebration (along with the 10am Service at St. John’s). 

The baseball outing to the Tigers game isn’t just a way to show off the choir and cheer on the team.  It is also a great opportunity for you to invite your neighbors and friends to join us for Church so that they can park in the lot, enjoy our hot dog luncheon, and then go over to the game with us.  John Barge frequently rounds up upwards of 100 friends and co-workers to join us each year.  Others invite 10 or 20, and some even buy  their tickets as an enticement to get friends to worship with us and experience St. John’s.

Finally, I know that 2014 started off with a string of snowy, icy, Sunday mornings.  I hope that those who have gotten out of the habit of regular Sunday attendance will get back into the habit ASAP!  God wills it, it is good for your soul, and we miss you!  And when people are absent it diminishes the experience of worship for others. A church with more people praying and singing is a great support and encouragement!