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.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Shrove Tuesday (named for the shriving or confession and absolution of the faithful) is the Church’s name for the day proceeding Ash Wednesday. Most of us in Louisiana know it as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. It is one last day to celebrate before the more penitent days of Lent. On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, St. Andrew’s will host its Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. We’ll have the pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee and ask you to bring your favorite toping or syrup. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall!

Ash Wednesday Liturgies

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2009. St. Andrew’s will have two liturgies that day. The Ash Wednesday Liturgy with Eucharist will be held at Noon and 6:30 p.m. Join us for the imposition of ashes and Eucharist as we begin our Lenten preparation.

A Letter from the Altar Guild Chair

Dear Members and Friends,

As you may or may not know, I have been asked to chair the altar guild of St. Andrew's Church. It is the time of year that we need to make a new schedule of the upcoming year. I would like to ask anyone who would like to serve our Lord and our church in this way to please let me or Fr. Whit know.

I personally have found that serving God in this way is very meaningful and fulfilling, It only takes a small amount of time and effort to serve in this way.

I would also like to ask you all that if you have a special occasion in which you would like to serve on the altar guild or if you would like to provide flowers please contact me and I will be glad to help you.

Ken Brodie

Calendar Now Online

St. Andrew's current calendar of events will now be posted at the bottom of this page.

To add an event to the calendar, just contact Fr. Whit or Ken Brodie.

New Co-Editor

Ken Brodie will also be editing and contributing content to St. Andrew's weblog now. This along with our newsletter improvements should help keep the church informed about upcoming events and news. Look for posts with my name on them and be sure to let me know if you have something to contribute to our blog.