Propers for the Second Sunday in Lent.

The Book of Common Prayer 1928.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Thess. iv. 1.

WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

The Gospel. St. Matt. xv. 21.

JESUS went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said. Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. 

The Announcements for the Week of Sunday, March 5th, 2023

If you are visiting us:

Welcome to Christ Church Anglican, Southern Pines! Thank you for being with us. We are very pleased to have you, and hope that your worship here is a blessing to you. Please sign the guest book on the table in the narthex, and provide appropriate contact information. Include your email address in order to be placed on our parish email list: you won’t be bombarded with mail, but it’s a good way to keep in touch. And may God bless you!

Easter Lilies – Anyone desiring to purchase Easter lilies, to the glory of God or in honour or memory of a loved one, can place an envelope in the offering plate labeled “Easter Lilies,” with your name and the names of those you wish to honour, or contact Susan Saulsbury at 410-984-4401. The cost (recommended donation) is $19.

Lenten Study – “Being an Anglican”: 9:00 Sundays in Lent, except Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Don’t worry if you didn’t attend the first one, we’ll have “cheat sheets” available to catch you up!

Stations of the Cross – 5:00 Fridays of Lent, except Good Friday.

Dinner and a Movie – Our showing of “JESUS” (Sight and Sound Theater Productions), this past Wednesday, seems to have been well-received.

This Wednesday, March 8th, we will be viewing “Paul, Apostle of Christ” at 6:30 p.m., starring James Faulkner as Paul the Apostle, Jim Caviezel (who portrayed Jesus in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ) as Saint Luke, and Olivier Martinez as Paul’s Roman gaoler.

All are welcome! Bring a friend – or as many as you’d like. There is no charge for this, and dinner will be provided (there are rumors Father Tom will be making chili…). So we would be grateful if you would let Susan Saulsbury (410-984-4401) know if you plan to attend, so we have an approximate count. Many thanks!

Clergy Lenten Retreat – If all goes according to plan, both Fr. Tom and Fr. Terrence will be heading to Conyers, Georgia, on Tuesday for a diocesan Clergy Retreat with Bishop Hewett and a number of other clergy from the Diocese. The retreat will be conducted by the Rev. Canon Steven Dart, of the Anglican Province of Christ the King. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please contact Senior Warden Chris Gerry (919-356-6672); he will have the means of contacting us. And your prayers are very much appreciated, for a holy and fruitful retreat. Many thanks!

Note: Because of the aforementioned retreat, there will not be a service of Holy Communion on Wednesday, March 8th. Our midweek Eucharist will resume next week, on Wednesday, March 15th. Thank you for your understanding.

Holy Days for This Week

Monday, March 6th – David of Wales, Bishop (544); transferred
Tuesday, March 7th – Perpetua and her Companions, Martyrs (202)
Wednesday, March 8th – Thomas Aquinas, Friar and Theologian (1274)
Thursday, March 9th – St. Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop (c. 394)
Saturday, March 11th – John and Charles Wesley, Priests (1791, 1788): transferred