Piety Hill Musings

The ramblings of the Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit. Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 160 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

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Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Quinquagesima Sunday - Rector's Rambling for February 11, 2024

     

    Beginning this week things will be getting even busier around St. John’s!  Being Quinquagesima Sunday today, it means that by mid-week Lent begins, and the additional devotions and disciplines take full effect.

Before the fasting begins, we do have one last feast with some frivolity.  On Tuesday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, we will be serving pancakes, sausage and ice cream as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday.  Additionally, we have our second annual Trivia Contest!

On Wednesday Lent begins, and there are three opportunities for worship to make a right start of Lent with the imposition of ashes: 12:15 and 6:00 PM Holy Communion, and 4:00 PM Evening Prayer.

Included in the Order of Service today is our Lenten Brochure outlining how to keep a Holy Lent in the  various opportunities offered here at St. John’s.  The extra weekday services start Thursday with weekly Adoration of Christ in the Sacrament, and then NEXT WEEK on Friday we add an extra weekday Holy Communion service at 11:15 AM, as well as Stations of the Cross at Noon.  Educational opportunities include Adult Education with our Alpha Course on Sunday at 11:45 AM and the addition of the Lenten Lunchtime lessons and Wednesday Evening Lent teaching.  These last two are online, in addition to the Daily Morning Meditations.

Our Sunday Lenten worship begins next week the Litany in Procession, alternating each week with the Decalogue.  It is my hope that we will have a 100% attendance day next Sunday to get Lent off to a good start.  The weather hasn’t been the most cooperative lately (snow, fog, etc.), but even on the pleasant weather Sundays attendance can be better..

Lent is a wonderful time to re-evaluate and re-set our spiritual life.  Take advantage of these opportunities by jumping in with both feet: regular Sunday Service attendance, weekday Mass attendance, Bible reading and prayer at home, preparing to make a confession, and keeping the Lenten Fasts and Disciplines to make this an Holy Lent.

 

posted by StJohnsPriest | 4:00 PM