Good Friday - 2010

Why do Christians call this day “Good?” How can the day that Jesus died be considered good?

The answer lies in the Good that comes from this day. From this day come Easter and the resurrection! From this day come forgiveness and life everlasting!

As God always does, God draws good from this day. God draws good from whatever ever happens. Perhaps from the worst of all events, God draws the very best.

One of things we often hear said, when something bad happens, is that God caused the bad to teach us something. I don’t believe that for a minute! God does not cause bad things to happen – ever! But, as a result of freedom and our bad choices or the bad choices of others, bad things do happen. We see this truth in the world around us.

Yet, God uses all things for good – even the bad things that happen in each and every life. God draws good from all things. God brings life from death. When we look at our lives, often, the bad events find special meaning because of the good that eventually comes.

This good may not be apparent at first. It may even take years to find, but we usually find it. God takes whatever happens and offers good. Our lives are transformed again and again by this truth and the good that God brings.

Why do we call this day Good? Because God drew from this day, through Jesus death, all the good that we celebrate on Easter Day. God brings forgiveness of sin, and life from death from the events of this day.

We call it good because looking back, we can see what God did with the evil that happened this day and how God transformed it.

We can see how God’s love shown to us in Jesus has the power to change the worst things that happen into the best. We see how God changes the sorrow of this day into gladness. We see how God brings life from death. Amen.

Holy Week and Easter 2010

St. Andrew's and Church of the Redeemer will have a very active Holy Week. This is fitting since it is the climax of the Church's year. Our schedule is as follows:

Palm Sunday:

Holy Eucharist at Oak Woods – 1:00 p.m.
FUEL at St. Andrew’s – 4:00 p.m.

Holy Monday:
Fr. Whit - Holy Week Lunch – 12:00 Noon - First United Methodist Church, Bastrop
Evening Prayer – 6:30 p.m. - Begin Holy Week by joining us as we read Evening Prayer.

Holy Tuesday:
Fr. Whit will be away for the Mass of Collegiality at St. James’ in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Evening Prayer – 6:30 p.m.

Holy Wednesday:
Holy Eucharist – 6:00 p.m.
Adult Education Class – 6:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday:
Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing – 6:30 p.m. - The Maundy Thursday Liturgy is a beautiful service that includes foot washing. We learn about servant-hood.

Good Friday:
Good Friday Liturgy – Noon - The Good Friday Liturgy remembers the death of our Lord.
Stations of the Cross – 6:30 p.m. - This is a moving service of prayer, reflection and contemplation.

Holy Saturday:
Community Egg Hunt – 10:00 a.m. - Join us in Oak Ridge behind the Masonic Lodge for the hunt!
The Great Vigil of Easter - 7:30 p.m. - This is the Church’s ancient first celebration of Easter. Come and experience this wonderful liturgy.

Easter Day:
Easter Day Holy Eucharist – 9:30 a.m. - A wonderful celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. Come celebrate with us!

Please join us and bring a friend!

Easter Lillies

If you would like to make donation for lillies as a memorial or gift for the church's Easter celebration, now is the time. Please contact Ken Brodie or Fr. Whit to make your donation and specify who is to be remembered. There will also be a sign-up sheet at the church and an envelope for your contribution.

Thanks for your help in making our church beautiful at Easter!

Holy Week and Easter

Please join us for one or all of the following chances to worship during Holy Week and on Easter:

Palm Sunday:
Holy Eucharist - 9:30 a.m.
Stations of the Cross for Teenagers – 6:30 p.m.

Holy Monday:
Evening Prayer – 6:30 p.m.
Begin Holy Week by joining us as we read Evening Prayer.

Holy Tuesday:
Fr. Whit will be away for the Mass of Collegiality.

Holy Wednesday:
Holy Eucharist – 6:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday:
Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing – 6:30 p.m.
The Maundy Thursday Liturgy is a beautiful service that includes foot washing. We learn about servant-hood.

Good Friday:
Good Friday Liturgy – Noon
The Good Friday Liturgy remembers the death of our Lord.
Stations of the Cross – 6:30 p.m.
This is a moving service of prayer, reflection and contemplation.

Holy Saturday:
Community Egg Hunt - 10:00 a.m.
Join us in Oak Ridge behind the Masonic Lodge for the hunt!
The Great Vigil of Easter - 4:00 p.m.
This is the Church’s ancient first celebration of Easter and traditionally includes baptism. Come and experience this wonderful liturgy.

Easter Day:
Easter Day Holy Eucharist – 9:30 a.m.
A wonderful celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. Come celebrate with us!

Please join us and bring a friend!

Bishop's Visitation

Bishop MacPherson will make his annual visit to St. Andrew's and Church of Redeemer on March 8, 2009. Because he is visiting both churches, we will have a simple early brunch at St. Andrew's beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Following the Eucharist, the Bishop and Fr. Whit will travel to Redeemer for the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist. Redeemer will also host a small reception for the Bishop following their worship.

Members of both churches are encouraged to attend one or both of the events. Stay tuned for more information.

Bishop's Ball

All college, high school and middle school students in the Diocese of Western Louisiana are invited to attend this annual event hosted by the Bishop and his wife, Susan.

This year's event will be held on February 14, Valentine's Day from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Alexandria. Complimentary bus transportation is provided and our bus will leave from Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe at 4:00 p.m. We will return late that evening.

Cost of Admission is 2 canned food items (to be donated to the local food pantry). For more information contact Fr. Whit.