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 The Bicycle Man
For five years, Suzanne and I lived on a small island off the coast of Georgia. I was serving as the pastor of Jekyll Island Community Presbyterian Church. It was such a small island that if you sneezed on one end, someone would say "
Gesundheit" on the other. There were no secrets on such a small spit of land and speculation and rumors made for good entertainment.
One winter, a man on a bicycle appeared at the foot of the bridge to the island. He was there for weeks in blowing rain, bone chilling cold, unseasonable warmth. No matter what the weather he wore a colored parka - sometimes red, sometimes blue, sometimes yellow. A hood always shrouded his face, adding to the mystery of his presence. For lack of a better name, the islanders referred to him as "The Bicycle Man." When asked, "Who is he?" the island was rife with whispers of speculation and imagination. No one seemed to know. "Maybe he was Jesus, returned to see who would notice him." "He is an angel, just like in the movies." "He is a homeless person with no place to live." "A mental case, maybe schizophrenic." "You noticed his eyes, didn't you? A drunk looking for a handout." "He is a victim of unrequited love, waiting for the return of his true love." From the celestial to the romantic, people were guessing.
For months, I noticed him, but I didn't
see him until Suzanne pointed him out. Then, I could not
not see him. I found myself looking for him, wanting to see what color he would be wearing and where he would be standing. I was amazed at myself - how for weeks prior, I had passed him by, this roadside apparition, paying no more attention than I would to a tree or bush. I am reminded of a phrase Jesus used in one of his parables, "
Seeing they not see, and hearing they may not hear.
This week we entered the season of Lent, a time in which we are to sharpen or powers of
observation. Our initial field of view is internal, not external, for it is our inner life that we first focus upon. As theologian Henri Nouwen has said, "The death and resurrection of Jesus is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place within our own heart when we are willing to be attentive to it."
What are those roadside apparitions that you pass by within your own life, that you see but do not see, hear but do not hear? "True repentance," says Nouwen, "is an interior attitude in which we are willing to let go of everything that prevents us from growing into spiritual maturity." What happens if we take for granted, pass by without noticing, those stumbling blocks within our internal journey that prevent us from growing to spiritual maturity? Lent offers us a wonderful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. Let us make the most of our inner journey this Lenten season, so that being observant, we can experience renewal within, and then share that new life with those around us.
I saw a pickup truck with two men in it stop and pick up the Bicycle Man. Did they take him to a shelter or a hospital? Could they have brought him news about his long lost love? Or, did he ride with them in the truck only long enough for him to bless them and then miraculously disappear along their journey?
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Increase Drive
Once again we have seen the amazing generosity of the St. Andrew church family. Thank you to those who have submitted a "For Our Future" card and indicated an increase to your 2016 pledge, w
e are now $25,000 closer to balancing St. Andrew's 2016 budget! The remaining amount necessary to balance our budget is $42,000.
In order to sustain programs at their current levels, our budget must balance.
If every giving unit were to increase their 2016 pledge by
$35 per month
, St. Andrew's 2016 budget would completely balance.
$35 per month
is roughly the cost of going out to dinner or the amount saved on a tank of gas with today's fuel prices.
Join us in prayerfully considering an increase to your 2016 pledge and completing a provided "For Our Future" card by February 15, 2016.
Stewardship Campaign Squad
Brian, Nancy, Trish, Karen, Perry, Vera, Sara, Kim
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Communion in February
Communion will be observed at St. Andrew on Sunday, February 14 instead of on Sunday, February 7.
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Parents' Night Out
Saturday, February 13, 4pm-9pm
Parents' Night Out is a program for the young families of St. Andrew. The program has a two-fold purpose: it gives parents an opportunity to spend quality time together without their children and it gives the children an evening of fun, with age-appropriate activities, with their friends at St. Andrew.
The evening begins at 4:00pm-8:00pm, for infants-3 yr. olds, in the Nursery. In the Rec. Center, 4 yr. olds-elementary age will meet from 4:00pm-9:00pm. Children may bring dinner.
The older children's activities will include outdoor play (weather permitting), planned craft activities, snacks, and gym play. The activities are supervised by Nursery Staff. We ask parents to make reservations no later than Thursday, the week of PNO. This ensures the evening will be properly supervised. Please email Ms. Sue at:
toddlerqueen2@gmail.com, or call at
940-300-9262, for reservations.
We have a donation basket, near the sign-in sheet. Donations are used to cover the cost of the staff. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sue.
Spring Dates: 2/13, 3/12, 4/9/ 5/14
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Women's Lenten Book Study
The study will began on Ash Wednesday using The Book of Genesis: A Biography by Ronald Hendel as the starting point for our lively discussions of life, faith, and the implications for how we live as people of faith. Genesis is the very foundation of our faith and is an important lens for the very way we view our past, present, and future reality. If you're traveling and can only attend a few sessions, don't let that keep you away, because you can enter the discussion at any point. Come and join the group! Questions? Contact Lisa Patterson at lisa@saint-andrew.com.
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Small Group Bible Study
The members at St. Andrew are committed to our common life together, which is born from our connections to Christ and His Church. Because of this, we will be offering small group Bible studies where people can come together in fellowship to learn more about the Bible, explore questions of faith, and examine our role as Christ Followers in today's society. Small groups will meet on Thursday evenings beginning February 18. To sign up or for more information, please email Kirsten Brown at
brownke@lisd.net.
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The Children's Place Fundraising Dinner
Please join us in Fellowship Hall Thursday, February 25 from 5:30 until 8:00 for the annual fundraising dinner for The Children's Place Preschool. This is our major fundraising event of the year. The dinner will be catered by Cartwright's and Olive Garden. Take out and childcare will also be available. There will also be a silent auction and raffle. Please come and support this wonderful preschool! Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and are available at the door that evening. Thanks for your support!
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Chancel Flowers
Sunday, February 28 is available for sanctuary flowers. If you are interested in giving the flowers that day, please sign up on the flower roster. It is located on the bulletin board next to the office door.
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Help Wanted
Volunteers to spend 30 minutes a week refreshing and updating the Children's Worship bags. For more information or to volunteer - email Catherine Pennell @ cpennell4gab@outlook.com.
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Worship through Work was a tremendous success! We were able to pack 22,680 meals together. Thank you to all who joined us. To view more pictures from Sunday morning, stay tuned to our Facebook page. To view coverage from the Denton Record-Chronicle, click here.
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Thank You for Tackling Hunger!!
The Denver Broncos may have won the Super Bowl, but St. Andrew won the Souper Bowl! Thanks to all of your kindness and generosity, St. Andrew donated 97 pounds of food and $506.88 to Our Daily Bread from Super Bowl Sunday. This was in addition to the 22,680 meals that the congregation, Boy Scouts and Rotary members packaged during our Worship Through Work efforts Sunday morning. What a wonderful day of helping those who are hungry. Thank you all so much!
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Be Holy Lenten Devotionals Available in the Narthex
Lent is a holy journey with God, but what does it mean exactly to be "holy"? In
Be Holy
,
Presbyterians Today
's new Lenten devotional for 2016, pastor and author Brian Coulter has penned a series of brief daily reflections, paired with a short, ancient form of praise and petition called a breath prayer, to explore what holiness means for Christians today. He invites us to receive from God this blessed gift that makes our lives more compelling, more enjoyable, and more faithful. Please pick one up in the Narthex.
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Supplies for Denton Christian Preschool
Your Diaconate committees are gearing up to begin a new year. The Community Outreach Committee strives to provide opportunities for members of St. Andrew to assist with community needs through donations and volunteer opportunities. We have several projects during the year, almost one per month! We are currently looking to determine if there are additional ways for the congregation to participate in the many needs of our community.
For the months of January and February, our project is to provide supplies for the children of Denton Christian Preschool. Current needs are: glue sticks, liquid hand soap, dry erase markers, safety pins, large crayons, construction paper, lunch bags, paper plates, toilet paper, children's toothpaste, AA batteries and 9V batteries.
Please leave your donated items in the bins next to the Coke machine downstairs. If you have any questions, please call June McNeill, 940-591-6080.
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From the Music Director
The "Glory to God Hymnal Fund" is closing in on the halfway point to our goal. Thank you so much to all of you who have already given generously! We would very much like to complete the process of acquiring the new hymnals and have their dedication be part of our service on Trinity Sunday (May 22).
Please consider what you and your family can contribute to help make this happen!
-Jeff
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February Give-a-Meal
Spaghetti and Canned Sauce, Canned Green Beans, Canned Fruit
Optional: Coffee, Cereal, Dry Milk
Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
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Calendar
Men's Book Study
Thursday, February 11
8am, Cartwright's Ranch House
Parents' Night Out
Saturday, February 13
4pm-9pm, Rec Center
Stephen Ministry
Monday, February 15
6:00pm, Room 206/208
Tuesday Afternoon Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, February 16
1:30pm, Room 206
Super Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17
Theology on Tap
Monday, February 22
6:30pm, Oak Street Draft House
Session Meeting
Wednesday, February 24
7:40pm, Room 206/208
Youth Sunday
Sunday, February 28
10:30am, Sanctuary
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