P.O. Box 548, Colorado Springs, CO 80901
www.graceepiscopalcolosprings.org
grace.episcopal.church@gmail.com
719/328-1125
O Almighty God, who in the place of Judas didst chose thy faithful servant Matthias to of the number of the Twelve: Grant that thy Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer page 188
| Saturday, February 16 | Southern Colorado Handbell Festival | 7:00 pm |
| Sunday, February 17 | Adult Education | 11:30 am |
| Middle School Youth Group | 11:30 am | |
| Choral Eucharist at FCC | 12:45 pm | |
| Children's Sunday School | 1:30 pm | |
| Chamber Orchestra of the Springs | 3:00pm | |
| Tuesday, February 19 | Holy Communion | 10:00 am |
| Father Michael's Bible Study | 10:40 am | |
| Brown Bag Lunch | 12:00 pm | |
| Grace Notes Handbell Choir | 7:15 pm | |
| Senior High Cawfee Tawk Tuesday | 8:30 pm | |
| Wednesday, February 20 | Lenten Noontime Reflections | 12:00 pm |
| St. Nicholas Choir Rehearsal | 4:30 pm | |
| St. Cecilia Choir Rehearsal | 5:30 pm | |
| Taylor and St. Stephen's Choirs Rehearsal | 7:00 pm | |
| Thursday, February 21 | Healing Service | 12:00 pm |
| Sunday, February 24 | Adult Education | 11:30 am |
| High School Youth Group | 11:30 am | |
| Choral Eucharist at FCC | 12:45 pm | |
| Children's Sunday School | 1:30 pm | |
| Coffee and Fellowship | 2:00 pm | |
| Youth Confirmation Class | 2:00 pm | |
| Feast of St. Matthias |
To see this in a printable calendar layout, click here.
Many in our parish have asked me to expound on the “Fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5), especially during this season of Lent. In St Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he also talks to them in chapter 5 about the “Sins of the Flesh”. Below is a document (edited by me) that is used by my Franciscan Order of Divine Compassion (unfortunately, no reference to authorship is given—how Franciscan!) to help the brothers and sisters better grasp the significance of what God is wanting to see in our lives as a Charism of Love.
My prayer will be that, as we are being stripped of sin and set apart (sanctified) for good works, we will allow these fruits to be abundantly evident in our lives and in our parish—especially among the leadership. The writer of Hebrews says that we should "consider the outcome of the leader’s way of life and imitate it". In other words, as St Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of the Lord Jesus.”
Our sole authority as leaders comes from leading changed lives that resemble Christ. If leadership doesn’t look, sound, behave like Christ, do not follow them! Because, according to our Lord’s own words, “they are false shepherds, who make people twice as fit for hell (by their poor example) as they are themselves.”
Therefore, let’s avail ourselves of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit this Lent, so that the world will know we are Christians by our LOVE.
Love (agape)—a type of love fueled by the need of its recipient which provides what is highest and best for them.
For God so agape the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I Corinthians 13 describes agape: Patient (makrothumia—a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so); Kind (chresteuomai—to show oneself useful); does not envy (zeloo—zealous/passionate jealousy); does not boast (perpereuomai—a braggart); is not proud; is not rude (ashemoneo—to behave in an ugly, indecent, unseemly or unbecoming manner); not self-seeking—(seeks the highest best for the other); not easily angered; keeps no record of wrongs; does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
[But] always protects (stego—to cover over in silence); always trusts (pisteuo—having faith in someone); always hopes (elpizo—to expect with desire, to trust, expect the best from them); always perseveres (hupomeno—to remain under, “hangs in there”); never fails (ekpipto—to be without effect, to be without vanity); agape (love) is never without effect or in vain.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not agape (love), my words will be meaningless noise. I Corinthians 2:1
In other words, no agape means a fruitless ministry.
Joy (chara)—joy, rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment, bliss, and “to celebrate”… We (the Church) are catalysts of joy for others; and relating God’s way to God’s people
Peace (eirene)—peace of mind, tranquility
Patience (makrothumia)—to be long-suffering, forbearance, self-restraint before proceeding to action, able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so, patience in respect to persons, is inspired by mercy (eleos), which means mercy, compassion, active pity, with the sense of goodness in general, especially piety.
We can not both judge others and be patient to them. The opposite of makrothumia is kirino (to pass judgment upon, condemn, take vengeance on). Mercy is fueled by forgiveness. Forgiveness greatly impacts the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Kindness (chrestotes)—tender concern for others; Has nothing to do with weakness or lack of conviction; rather, it is the genuine desire of a Christian to treat others gently, as God loves both. A tender heart, nurturing spirit, harmless as a dove. Tenderness. The chrestos of God is healing.
Love,
Fr. Nicholas, n/FODC (alias: Michael O’Donnell)
Servant-in-Charge
Due to an editing error, some of the links for RSVPs in last week's Tidings did not work. Please RSVP to Sherry Brown at 488-9783, Nel Benton Hough at 577-9426 or Susan Stoner at 548-9254.
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