SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 13, Ordination of Fr. Deacon Chris Fish to the priesthood, more details to come.

Lent II: In God’s Strength We Put Our Trust

“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.”

This Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent is an English translation by Cranmer from the Sarum Rite, and first appeared in the Gregorian Sacramentary in the 6th Century.  The composition of this prayer reflects the troubled times of not only early Medieval Italy, but the Reformation Era as well.

We are invited into a moment of reflection on our frail natures and our dependence on the strength of God. The words express a recognition of our limitations, both in the physical realm and the inner workings of our souls.

The acknowledgement portion of the collect, "Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves," sets the tone for a humbling realization of our insufficiency. It echoes the wisdom found in Scripture, reminding us that apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

The petition portion of the prayer, with its plea for God to "keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls" reflects a desire for comprehensive protection. This is an understanding that the challenges we face are not limited to the external world; they extend into our souls. The collect recognizes the connection between our physical and spiritual well-being.
The aspiration part of the collect,  “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,” addresses the dual nature of our limitations. We are vulnerable to both external trials and internal struggles, and this prayer seeks God's protection in both spheres.

We are invited to surrender ourselves wholly unto God and His Mercy. The acknowledgment of our inability to help ourselves becomes the foundation for an earnest plea for God's sustaining might. It's a recognition that, left to our own devices, we are susceptible to adversities and the assaults of our broken world.

The pleading, or closing words of the prayer, "Through Jesus Christ our Lord," is common to many collects. It reminds us of the mediator through whom we approach the Father. In Christ, we find the embodiment of God's love, mercy, and strength. Our dependence is not a weakness but a recognition of our need for the divine source of all strength and goodness.

As we reflect on this Lent II Collect, let us create a spirit of humility and trust. May we acknowledge our limitations with joy, for in turning to God, we find the source of true strength, both in our bodies and in our souls. And while it is increasingly difficult to use cash to pay for anything these days, when you do… look down at that slogan, “In God We Trust.”  Do not take those words for granted.

--Fr. Deacon Chris

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break throughnor steal.

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SERVICES & EVENTS.

This evening and every Friday evening at 7:00PM  -- Stations of the Cross and Lenten Supper. – If you can provide a soup and bread supper on one of these Friday evenings, please so indicate on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the undercroft

Saturday, MEN'S GROUP, 8:30 AM, breakfast by Chef Extraordinaire Claude Crump, Grits by Fr. Roddy, Bible study by Fr. Bragg.  Great food, Bible study and fellowship

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Monday February 26, 7:30 PM, Vestry meetings, members of the parish are always welcome

Wednesday, 12 noon, Holy Communion and anointing for healing

Wednesday, 7:30 PM, Bible study with Father Bragg, church undercroft, "The Gospel of Saint Mark in the World of Saint Mark"

Saturday, March 9, 2:00 PM Requiem Service for Robert S. Boyd followed by a reception in the undercroft

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 13, Ordination of Fr. Deacon Chris Fish to the priesthood, more details to come.

 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)

MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 In Bold and  * are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5*, & 6*)
Lovies
Baby wipes*
Diaper rash ointment
Spring/Summer Clothing: 0-3 month*, 3-6 month*, 2T
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets*
Bibs
Formula: Simulac Advance Formula*
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded towels
Grocery gift cards*

Food Donations 
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
• canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• tuna
• canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
• individual fruit cups (low sugar)
• canned fruit (low sugar)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
 

 

 
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625