Table of Contents 1

Rector’s Letter 2

Turning Points 3

Letter from Donald

White

4

Events 5

Scrip Program 6

Birthdays,

Anniversaries,

& Events

7

Sheridan

Wednesday

Services

8

Celebration Day 9

Money Matters 10

Devotional

Meditation

11

Closing

Information

12

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church

(St.MM)

The Way

February/March 2019

The E-zine for a Way of Life

Page 2

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:16-17).

Dear Church, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I want to thank the whole congregation for your support and patience as we soft-launched the Gateway service. We are still working out the kinks, but the service is going well. Please continue your prayers as we refine the service and prepare it for its full launch on Easter Sunday. Remember that the Gateway is an evangelism program for the whole church.

I was recently asked where the name “Gateway” comes from. In Genesis Chapter 27, Jacob steals the blessing from his brother Esau. To be fair to Jacob, Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. The scriptures later (Hebrews 12:15) point out that he was “unholy” for selling his birthright and lost his inheritance. (Beware of being led by the flesh and not the Spirit.)

Now back to the story: Jacob fled Esau and ended up in the wilderness. Some believe the location was mount Moriah (the future site of the Temple). He put his head on a rock and fell asleep. Then he had a dream of a stairway (or ladder) going to heaven, with the angels ascending and descending from heaven to earth and earth to heaven. God spoke to Jacob and renewed the promise he made with Abraham. Jacob was going to be a part of God’s redemptive plans on the earth. Jacob awoke and proclaimed, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it," and, “this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." So, the “House of God” is also the gate or “Gateway” of heaven. This is the reason we named our service the “Gateway”.

It is our prayer, and vision that the Gateway, along with all of our services, will help un-churched people to do three things.

• Experience Jesus or Catch the faith.

• Know Jesus or Grow in faith.

• Follow Jesus or Go in faith.

If we continue the story of God’s people, Jacob received a name change in Genesis 32, and was now called Israel. Israel had 12 sons who became the 12 Tribes. The story continued with Israel becoming a nation and building a Temple (a House of God), and it was the locus of God’s activity on the earth - the location where earth meets heaven and heaven meets earth.

Eventually, Jesus (John 1:51) told Nathanael, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jesus claimed the identity of the “House of God” and hence the “Gate of Heaven” for himself. After his death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell on Jesus’ followers on Pentecost. Luke, in Acts 2, wrote that there were tongues of fire over the disciples and a strong sound of wind. In the book of Hebrews, we read, “Of the angels (messengers) he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire" (Hebrews 1:7). The outward signs at Pentecost are wind and fire. So, the church (the followers of Jesus) are now “The House of God” and the “Gate of Heaven.”

As we continue in Lent, let us all pray and ask God how we can better help people experience Jesus, know Jesus, and follow Jesus. As St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, we need to be holy, not unholy like Esau. To be “holy” is to be set apart for God’s service. Let us all grab hold of God’s purposes and vision for us. Let us become a place and a people who help others get touched by heaven. Let us all continue to catch, grow, and go in faith.

In Christ, Fr. Jim+

Rector’s Letter

Page 3

Thanks for the gift cards you so graciously donated for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the low income and homeless who go to Turning Points. The people on the team can testify how happy the people were when they received them. Although we can't show all of them in the newsletter, we thought you would enjoy meeting some of the people who joyfully received the cards.

Turning Points

Tim MacDonald with

Jamie McKinnon

David Dumont with

Ronnie Mitchell

Bill Alden with

Terry Wimmer

Evelyn Downing with

Cynthia Duncan & Jaylen

Toles

Sharon Alden with

Nate Martin David with

Gabriel Givens

Kubissa Kaitlin with

her pink tennis shoes

Additional winners of the gift cards in November and December: Audrellia Live, James House, Bruce Bingle, Zee Collins, Bill Cox, Kerry Burke, Anna Lopez, Sam Gibson, Brian McCarthy, Nateva Martinez, Ellen Hernandez, Joseph Lingle, Leonard Mabry, Lawrence, Thomas Pisco, Margaret Hernandez, Kimberly Rosenwinkle, David Pritschow, Simon Hernandez, Eva Santos, Abel Orozco, Bob Kochler, Tom Toegeman, Nate Martin, Michael Dailey, Ezell Dawes, Margie Lawrence, Juan Alfaro, Paul Wizieck, Kipp Kelly, Darrell Washington, Larry Simons, and Thomas Tico.

Team members not pictured: Sharon Bolan, Cynthia Kubissa, Carl Meskimen and Susan Fischer.

Page 4

Letter from Donald White

For those of you who don’t know Donald White, he graduated from High School last spring and went into the Navy early February 2019. Donald is on our prayer list under Our Military Soldiers. Please keep Donald and our military soldiers in your prayers.

Donald White

Page 5

Events

Movie Night

St.MM will hold a free movie night on Saturday, March 16th, we are having a movie called The Mighty Macs. This movie is rated G and based upon a true story. The movie will start after the sun goes down. Popcorn will be provided. If the weather is good, the movie will be shown outside. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and drinks, and don't forget to invite a friend or two. This event is open to anyone and everyone!

The Mighty Macs is a family movie about a young woman who becomes a basketball coach and leads the team of a nearly bankrupt Catholic women's college to their first national championship. See you at the movies!

Buttonless Workshop

April 13 We all have “buttons.” No--not the ones on our clothing, but those sensitive areas in our lives. When we have a mountain reaction to a mole-hill problem or incident, it means somebody pushed one of our “buttons.” We have these reactions (anger, fear, anxiety, loneliness, addictive behaviors, etc.) due to the hurts, and unmet needs of our lives—going all the way back to childhood. And often our coping mechanism have a limited effect. Can we be free from our “buttons?” YES! Christ came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He came that we might be free. God wants us to have joyful, fruitful, and shalom filled lives. Christ has the ability to heal these past hurts and issues of our lives. On April 13, we will be having a workshop on how to pray for a “button-free” life. The workshop begins at 9AM and will end at 3PM. Snacks will be provided, but lunch will be on your own. Please sign-up in the Narthex or call the church.

Healing School Level 2 May 2nd - 4th

at St. Mary Magdalene

Teaching Titles:

• Suffering

• Understanding Generational Healing

• Conception to Birth

• Depression Healing Families

• Healing of Abortion and Miscarriage Addictions

• Generational Eucharist

Participant $150, $280 Couple Team - Contact Donna Threet for Code and Cost Additional workbooks $15 To Register go to AmazingLoveHealing.com

Teachers

Gerry Gardner Pastor Jim+

Page 6

Scrip Program

The Scrip Card Program allows you to buy gift cards (at the full value) from a huge variety of stores, while donating to St. MM. Some of the gift cards available are: Amazon, Applebee’s, Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, Burger King, Home Depot, Outback, Sam’s Club, Starbucks, Sweet Tomatoes, Texas Roadhouse, Wawa, and Whole Foods. You can give these gift cards to people for graduation, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries or just for fun! You can also use them in your everyday life for grocery shopping, filling up your gas tank, home improvement projects, shopping, or going out to eat. Fill out the Family Order Form and follow the instructions on the form. Turn in your completed form and check to me, Cindy Hart. I would like to try doing more Sundays this year and see if we can increase our gifts to our Lord. Below is this year’s scrip schedule.

God Bless! Cindy Hart

2019 Scrip Schedule:

Scrip Coordinator: Cindy Hart

Phone: 585-313–1791 Email: luchart95@gmail.com

March 10th & 31st April 7th & 28th

May 5th June 9th July 28th

August 4th September 8th

October 6th November 3rd & 10th

December 1st, 8th & 15th

Page 7

Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Events

February Birthdays 1 Patti Norris 2 Marianne Strimer 2 Kay Upthegrove 5 Steve Organek 8 Nina Fay 8 Alyce Faye Grant 12 Carol Upthegrove 14 Lauren Strimer 20 Mesa Serbin 21 Dave Williams 22 Sarah Augustine 22 Joshua Rosenauer

March Birthdays 2 Donald Rollins 2 Ann St. George 2 Cindy Morris 6 Bud Turner 6 Mary Irving 8 Collin Borg 11 Mike Downing 11 Kelly White 12 Greg Wiedeman 13 Shelley White 15 Joy Griswold 20 Don Teahan 21 Gracie Wiedeman 24 Janelle Lopez 26 Clifton Williams 27 Sharon Alden 28 Bob Young 30 Yahkub Augustine

February Anniversaries 27 Sal & Laura Serbin

March Anniversaries 6 Adam & Marianne Strimer

February Events 3 Celebration Day! 5 LaLeche Meeting 6PM 10 Scrip Sunday 12 Vestry Meeting 7PM 13 Daughters of the King (DOK) 9:30AM 23 Turning Points 10AM

March Events

5 Pancake Dinner/Shrove Tuesday 5:30PM-7PM 5 LaLeche League 6PM 6 Ash Wednesday 12:15PM & 7PM Services 8, 15, 22, & 29 Stations of the Cross 7PM 9 DaySpring Camp Day Sneak Peek@DaySpring 10 Scrip Sunday/Daylight Savings Time Begins 12 Vestry Meeting—7PM 13 Daughters of the King (DOK) 9:30AM 16 Movie Night: Mighty Macs 23 Turning Points—10AM 31 Scrip Sunday

February—March 2019

Page 8

Sheridan Wednesday’s Services

On Wednesdays at the Sheridan,we have service at 11:00AM in the Sheridan’s Entertainment Room. During December, 2018, the residents at the Sheridan acted out the coming of the Wise Men’s visit to Jesus, as described in the gospels. We occasionally act out something from the Bible while it is read, since it brings greater understanding of the passages for everyone, including those who are memory-challenged.

Thanks, Susan Fischer

Page 9

Celebration Day February 3rd, 2019

I want to thank all the wonderful people who gave of their time, talent and funds to help our Celebration Day Barbecue. Our Congregation is very generous and caring. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I never had to ask twice, worry about commitments or concern myself with getting help setting up and cleaning up. What a joy it is to be a member of St.MM!

Thanks, Beth VonEnde

Page 10

Personal Financial Stewardship

Manage Credit Cards Wisely God Blesses Us for our Giving

By faith, we understand that the best investment we can make with our money is investing or giving it to God. Throughout Scripture, when a command to give is stated, along with that command is a reference to the blessings that the giver will enjoy. These blessings come in many forms. For example in Proverbs 11:25, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” In Proverbs 19:17 Solomon tells us: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and [God] will reward him for what he has done.” God has ordained that, when we give generously, we receive generously.

Through Malachi, the Lord offers a double blessing to those who will be obedient in bringing their tithes to the temple. God promises to reward them materially through plentiful harvests, and if they will honor him with their tithes, God will prosper them beyond their dreams. Their crops will produce abundantly and none of their fruit will spoil on the vine.

The second part of the blessing is that surrounding nations will see this and realize the special protection that God gives them. “Test me in this,” God said. Are you willing to test God with your earnings? Are you willing to bring your tithes to your church before you pay your bills?

Are you worried about the mortgage, the clothes, the groceries, and the transportation? Jesus said, “ . . . do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:25, 32-33). Test him!

Remember this: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Corinthians 9:6). Are you willing to sow generously? You are free to sow generously and then to receive God's promise that you will also reap generously. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). It is inevitable that, when you give, you will receive, for that is the way our giving heavenly Father has planned it. Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do . . . to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full" (Matthew 6:1-2).

God pours out spiritual blessings on us when we least expect them. When you are giving out of a desire to obey God's command and to help others, you will find blessings heaped up and running over. These are blessings not understood by those outside the faith.

www.parishpublishing.org

Money Matters

Page 11

Devotional Meditation

Scripture Reading:

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Don’t Forget!

Chapter 13 of Hebrews contains several exhortations to Christians and church leaders. Love one another, we’re told. Honor marriage and don’t fall in love with your money. Don’t get carried away by false teachings. Obey and submit to your leaders and pray for those who endeavor to bring the Word of Christ to all. Don’t forget to entertain strangers. Remember those in prison. Remember those who speak God’s Word to you. Don’t forget to do good and share with others.

Be strengthened by grace and not by empty ceremony, for it is Jesus, our High Priest, who makes us holy. It is his holy, innocent, precious blood that was shed as a once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins. All the silver and gold in the world could not cover the cost, could not redeem one lost soul. Therefore, we gladly, proudly confess his name; we continually praise our Father in Heaven for the gift of his Son. We eagerly serve him by serving others “for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Discussion Questions:

Read Hebrews 7:23-28. In what ways does Jesus differ from the Old Testament high priests?

We no longer have to offer sacrifices to atone for our sin. Our worship life consists of a new kind of sacrifice – the “sacrifice of praise.” What does that mean?

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Jesus, our great High Priest, who has sacrificed himself in order that we might come to you unhindered, that we might grow in grace, and that we might one day enjoy eternal joy with you in Heaven. In the name of Christ we pray with thanksgiving. Amen. www.parishpublishing.org

11315 Palmbrush Trail

Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202

Phone: 941-751-5048

Fax: 941-751- 4174 officesaintmarymagdalene@verizon.net

ST. MARY MAGDALENE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

We’re on the Web! Click this link:

St. MM’s

OUR STAFF

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Diocese of SW FL The Rev. James E. Hedman, Rector

Neil Keith, Music Director Carol Whitfield, Organist/Choirmaster

Bridget Rochon, Publications Karen McGee, Parish Administrator

Michelle Tarte, Nursery

SUNDAY

8:00AM—Holy Eucharist (Rite One)

9:30AM The Gateway Service w/ Nursery Care

9:45AM Children’s Chapel

11:00AM—Rite Two/Traditional Service w/Nursery Care

11:15AM Children’s Chapel

MONDAY

6:15PM—Al-Anon New Members

7:30PM—Alcoholics Anonymous,

Alateen & Al-Anon

TUESDAY

7:15PM—Worship Practice

WEDNESDAY

10:00AM—Healing Service

11AM—Sheridan Service

THURSDAY

10:00AM—Quilters

1:30PM—Bible Study at the Sheridan

5:00PM—Choir Practice

7:30PM—Al-Anon

FRIDAY

7:30AM—Men in Christ Men’s Bible Study

Recommended Web

Sites:

Diocese of Southwest Florida

Episcopal Relief and Development

The Text This Week

(A collection of resources for your own

Bible study.)

Bible Basics

(A great pronunciation guide - a voice

reads the word out loud to you.)

The Bible Gateway

(The entire Bible in different translations)

The Daily Office (A “high-tech” way to join in the daily

prayer of the whole Church)

The Book of Common Prayer

Do you have something for The Beacon?

E-mail (by the 19th of each month please,

and mark it “For BEACON”) to

publicationsstmm@verizon.net