We will prepare for Lent this year with an age old tradition - the Shrove Tuesday Meal.
February 21st - 6:30 - 7:45 pm in the gym
As a time of penance and fasting, people didn't have parties or eat rich foods such as butter, milk, eggs, or sugar during Lent. These perishable foods would not keep through the 40 days of Lent and rather than waste precious food, they used it all up on the Tuesday before Lent began. So many high fat content foods were consumed, that day also became known as "Fat Tuesday."
At Abiding Presence we'll celebrate Shrove Tuesday with our annual Pancake Supper and Burning of the Palms. The middle and high school youth will cook and serve pancakes raising funds to help with summer confirmation camp expenses. Bring your whole family to share in this meal.
During the evening, we'll also venture to the outdoor worship area to burn palm branches from last year and prepare the ashes to be used for the Ash Wednesday worship services the following day.
Let the Children Come
On January 18th, Pastors Steve and Dawn invited families to participate in first communion instruction. In one of our largest groups, fourteen young people learned that "All are welcome at this Lord’s Table!” It is our commitment as a congregation to welcome people of all ages and all stages to receive the means of grace - the sacrament of Holy Communion.
First communion instruction offers children and their families a time for conversational, hands-on instruction. We learn the story of Jesus’ Last Supper (the words of institution) and learn how to participate in Holy Communion (the distribution) with our family and our friends. When we are very young, we can understand that we belong and that there is a place for us with everyone else -- even those who are “bigger” than we are. Little hands reach out just as big hands reach out. To experience belonging is to know the loving grace of God!
First Communion Class is for children of any age, and their families. Talk with Pastor Dawn if you are interested in participating in first communion instruction. Classes are offered several times each year.
People were bringing even infants to Jesus, that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Luke 18:15-16
Pastor's Installation Service
Members and friends
of Abiding Presence
are invited to celebrate
the Installation of
Pastor Dawn Silvius
and
Pastor Steve Cox
We will celebrate this blessed occasion through worship,
with God’s Word and Meal
On
Saturday, January 21st at 5:30 pm.
Rev. Sandra Leifeste, Dean of the Alamo Conference will officiate.
A reception will follow the worship service. Your presence will make this event a memorable experience for
Pastors Dawn and Steve and the entire APLC family.
Walk to Jerusalem
While people in other parts of the world walk a lot, most of us who live in San Antonio don’t walk enough. We ride to our destinations in cars – usually “door-to-door” – and the result is unhealthy.
There is another road!
During Epiphany we will begin a congregational program called Walk to Jerusalem. This program encourages all of us to begin walking every day, and to use that walking time to meditate on a Bible passage and to learn to know our community and its needs better. We will keep track of the distances we walk so that we can add up the miles. Our goal – as a group – is to “walk” the distance from here to Jerusalem - a distance of 7,240 miles. You can post your walking distances on our Facebook page, in the attendance pads in the pews each weekend, or on the poster hanging on the “What’s happening at APLC?” bulletin board in the narthex hallway.
Get your shoes warmed up and let’s start walking another road!