Dear Parish Family,

Spring forward!

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins this Sunday. This is the time when we set our clocks AHEAD one hour. The idea of DST is often credited to Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1784, writing to our French allies in Paris, suggested that it would save lamp oil and candles.

I bring up DST to recall Bishop Garrison’s recent sermon when he referred to the lengthening of the days in Lent as a sign of Christian Hope. Even in our penitence, God gives us the gift of the light of His countenance.

And do remember to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night! It is better to “Spring Forward” than to be late for church!

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael Durning

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN This is an invitation to all women of Nativity. We will be having a planning meeting on Wednesday, March 13, at 11:00am in the Library. We look forward to having new thoughts and ideas for this year’s events.

ST. PAT’S DINNER Traditional Irish St. Pat’s dinner with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and bread pudding will be held on Sunday, March 17, at 5:30pm. Sign up at the One Stop Sign Up board in the Parish Hall. A big thank you to M.O.N. (Men of Nativity) for sponsoring this event. Even if you are not Irish, come out and pretend you are for the day/night!

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm Sunday: March 24, 8:00am & 10:15am services (No Adult Ed) Maundy Thursday: March 28, 7:00pm Good Friday: March 29, 7:00pmEaster Sunday: March 31, 8:00am & 10:15am services (No Adult Ed)

ANNUAL SHREDDING Shredding of all your unwanted and outdated paperwork is coming soon in April to a Parish Hall near you. Details to follow!

WED. EVENING LENT PROGRAMS On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. The theme is “Watch and Pray”.March 13: Jackie Overton, Youth Minister of Church of the Redeemer, will share her story.March 20: Marcia Hardy will do a presentation on Icons in the Christian tradition.

SUNDAY A.M. LENT PROGRAMS The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY Bible Study at 10:00am, in the Library. All are welcome. This week they will be covering Psalm 90.

ESTATE PLANNING Have you remembered the Church in your estate plans?

Dear Parish Family,

Today is February 29 and we are given he gift of an extra day this year!

While totally unrelated to the astronomical event, I thought it might be fun to look at the number of times the word “LEAP” is mentioned in the Bible.

Here are just a few……

• 2 Samuel 6:16: “David leaped and danced”
• Psalm 28:7: “My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him.”
• Luke 1:41: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

May you receive today as a special gift — another day to praise God!

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael Durning

Coming Events

MEN OF NATIVITY: A meeting of MON (Men of Nativity) will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Ron Hurley will be presenting a program. Also discussion of the St. Pat Dinner will be held. Come join the Men of Nativity for coffee, treats, and fellowship.

WED. EVENING LENT PROGRAMS: On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. The theme is “Watch and Pray”.

• March 6: Bill Stoner will share an online resource for studying the Bible.
• March 13: Jackie Overton, Youth Minister of Church of the Redeemer, will share her story.
• March 20: Marcia Hardy will do a presentation on Icons in the Christian tradition.

SUNDAY A.M. LENT PROGRAMS: The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY: Bible Study resuming tomorrow, March 1, at 10:00am, in the Library. All are welcome. This week they will be covering Psalm 89.

ESTATE PLANNING: Have you remembered the Church in your estate plans?

Dear Parish Family,

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our Flower Festival and English Tea and I hope to see you there. Here in Florida, the best climate of the year occurs during Lent and it is hard to be penitential when the weather is so spectacular! This is a simple fact of life and I am well aware that we all want to take advantage of this time to make ourselves known to the wider community. Therefore, and I probably do not have the power to do this, I would like to pronounce a “lifting of the usual Lenten disciplines”, so we can all enjoy the color, the creativity, the music, and the culinary magic that comes with this annual celebration. Special thanks to all who have labored so hard and so faithfully for our success.

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

Funeral Service

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we announce the passing into the arms of our Lord, Richard Cooper. A long time congregant and loving friend to many. A Memorial Service for Rich will be held on Monday, February 26, at 11:00am. Come out to support Veronica and her family.

Flower Festival Volunteers

REMINDERS for ALL Flower Festival volunteers:

• Check the sign-ups to be sure of your day and time. Please be prompt.
• PARK your vehicle at the north end of the driveway or on the front lawn (good advertising).
• WEAR your Nativity name badge and a SMILE.

Men of Nativity

A meeting of MON (Men of Nativity) will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Ron Hurley will be presenting a program. Also discussion of the St. Pat Dinner will be held. Come join the Men of Nativity for coffee, treats, and fellowship.

Wednesday Evening Lent Program

On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. This starts on Wed., Feb 21, and ends on March 20.

Sunday Morning Lent Program

The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17.

Stations of the Cross

Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

From Father Michael Durning

Dear Parish Family,
Today is the first full day of the 2024 Lenten season. The word “Lent” derives from the celestial reality that daylight “lengthens” here in the northern hemisphere. Another celestial reality is the calculation of Easter, the Sunday after the first full moon that follows the vernal equinox.

As the people of the first century could not “google” such information, they looked to the heavens for help when setting aside these dates to share. As this holy season gets underway, let us also look to the heavens “from whence comets our help”.

May we approach this holy time with anticipation and true repentance.

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

This Week February 18, 2024 1st Sunday in Lent CONFIRMATION 8:00am Holy Eucharist (no music) 10:15am Holy Eucharist (with music)(Livestream) Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison Fr. Michael Durning

WED. EVENING LENT PROGRAMS On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. This starts on Wed., Feb 21, and ends on March 20.

SUNDAY A.M. LENT PROGRAMS The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17. Feb. 25: “An Exhortation”, BCP Page 312.

CONFIRMATION On February 18 Bishop Michael Garrison will be here to confirm three of our congregants: Linda Lobo, Gail Clay, Bruce Simington.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

BREAD FOR FLOWER FEST Thank you all so much for the donations of bread for the English Tea. And, thanks to all of you, we have reached our goal and won’t be needing any more bread. YAAAAAY!!!

OFFICE CLOSED The office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of President’s Day. We will reopen on Tuesday.

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY Bible Study continues tomorrow, Friday, February 16, at 10:00am, in the Library. This week’s study continues with Lesson #6, focusing on Psalm 73. ALL are welcome!!

February 18 Music: Opening Hymn: 146 Now Let Us All With One Accord Sequence Hymn: 121 Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized Offertory Hymn: 149 Eternal Lord Of Love, Behold Your Church Communion Hymn: 370 I Bind Unto Myself Today Recessional Hymn: 143 The Glory Of These Forty Days February 18 Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-91 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15

Dear Parish Family,

On Sunday the 18th (the First Sunday in Lent), we will welcome Bishop Michael and Carol Garrison to our Parish. Both Bishop Michael and Carol are active in supporting “Our Little Roses”, a residential school for girls in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The need for such a school for girls was made evident when it was discovered that young homeless girls were being sent, without legal cause, to the Honduran prison system for care and feeding.

You can hear more about this ministry by coming to the Parish Hall at 9:00am on Sunday the 18th. I hope you can join us! 

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

Upcoming Events: ASH WEDNESDAY: This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday on February 14 (aka Valentine’s Day). We will be having two services: 12 noon and 7:00pm. See you at one of them. SHROVE TUESDAY: Also around the corner is Shrove Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday) on February 13. Plan on a Pancake Dinner at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall. CONFIRMATION: On February 18 Bishop Michael Garrison will be here to confirm three of our congregants: Linda Lobo, Gail Clay, Bruce Simington. FUNERALS: The Lord has chosen to take home the following loved one: Helena Stephens, service on February 10 at 11:00am.