The Lenten Newsletter can be found here —-> Lent 2016 (1) A reminder that the Annual Report submissions are due this weekend to Rob Brownlee.  Contact the church office to obtain his email address.

 

A reminder also that tomorrow (Tuesday February 9th) is Shrove Tuesday – or as we like to call it – Pancake Tuesday!  The AOTS invites you to come on out and for some pancakes, sausages and coffee or tea served from 5 – 6:30 pm. $8 Adults, $4 under 12 or $20 per family.

 

As we prepare to enter into the season of Lent, some of you may be asking – what is Lent all about anyways?  

Lent is the 40 day period of time before Easter – excluding Sundays – because Sunday is often considered like a little Easter – Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter. (Ash Wednesday this year is February 10th)

The last day before Lent (referred to as Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday Carnival, or Fasching) is sometimes celebrates as a last fling before the more solemn time of Lent. For many it was customary to abstain from meat, which is why some people call the festival Carnival – which can be translated from Latin to “farewell to meat”. Pancake suppers were held to use up all the milk, fats and eggs before beginning a period of fasting. 

 

Many people take the period of Lent to reflect and renew their relationship with God.  Some people choose to give something up or take something on. 

 

Looking for something to try for Lent?  Here are a few ideas:

 

* An electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day every week. 

* Delve deeper into the Bible. Join a bible study or plan to do a self-guided study of the bible.

*  Try a daily practice of silence. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Read a daily devotional – You can borrow one from our library or find many online.  St. Andrew’s United Church has produced a wonderful Lenten resource which should be on the table in the narthex this week.

* Cultivate a life of Gratitude and Generosity:  Write thank-you cards or lists of things that you are grateful for each day – Give more love, time, or money to places in our community that need it. 

* Try a carbon fast:   Eat and live more simply, pray for the earth, walk or take public transit, pack litterless lunches. (resources can be found online.)

Peace be with you,

 

Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship at 10:30 am.  Following the worship service, Trinity Families invites you downstairs for a special “Sloppy Joe” lunch. Trinity Families decided to try something a little different for a change!  Lunch is by free will offering with all proceeds going towards the Family Day Retreat Weekend.

 

Mustard Seed rehearsals begin this Sunday from 12:30 – 2:30 in the Sanctuary.  If your child would like to be a part of the musical, they are welcome to come and be a part of our chorus.  Please speak with Lisa Blais to arrange for a CD and a script.

 

This Tuesday February 9th is Shrove Tuesday – and the AOTS invites you to the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.  Pancakes, sausages and more will be served from 5 – 6:30 pm.  $8 Adults, $4 under 12 or $20 per family.  

 

Next Sunday February 14th, please join us as we begin our journey into Lent.  We begin Lent with a Communion service and welcome Rev. Kathy and Trinity’s Licensed Lay Worship Leaders.  Rev. Kathy and Rich McCallum will kick off our Lenten Musical Journey with their own musical offering. 

 

You will find a two page flyer illustrating some of Trinity’s upcoming events just below.  Please feel free to share!

 

 

Hope to see you Sunday!

Winter blessings,