In a few moments, you will be invited to come forward for the imposition of ashes.  As I apply them to your forehead, I will say the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 

Remember.  Re-member.  Re-connect all that has been and all that is to come.

Of course the words point to the fact that God created humankind out of the dust of the earth, and that all of our bodies will die and become dust once again.

But, it is not so much the dust that has captured my imagination this year; it is the cycle of the dust.

Do you remember the first time you attended an Ash Wednesday service?  If you were a youth like I was, you may have felt a little like giggling when bits of the ashes fluttered downward to tickle your nose.

You probably noticed the variety of the shapes of the smudges on the foreheads of those around you.  And, right after the service, you might have run to a mirror to see what you looked like with that dark mark on your face. 

Then what?  Did you wipe the ashes off immediately, or did you leave them on until bedtime?  Either way is fine, because, no matter how long we wear the ashes, we have felt them and others have seen them on our foreheads, and all of us have been reminded of the cycle of the dust.

This is a solemn and symbolic day, meant to be treated with utmost reverence and holiness.  I have known people to come forward to receive the ashes with tears streaming down their faces, obviously deeply aware that Lent is calling them to examine the ways they have disappointed God and themselves.  I have also known people, especially children, who come forward to receive ashes with smiling faces all a-shimmer with joy.

Ash Wednesday includes both.  First and foremost, we come here, honestly, truthfully acknowledging our need for forgiveness.  We wear it on our foreheads for all to see.  But the ashes signify something else, as well.

          We also come here today for the promise of what is to come.

We’ve talked about this before, many times.  The story of our salvation is a story of the cycle of life, death, entombment, resurrection, and ascension.  The tried-and-true adage is that we can’t have Easter without Good Friday.  All the phases of the cycle are pieces of the whole. 

But, more importantly, there’s not just one Easter and just one Good Friday.  For us Christians, the cycle is continuous.  Jesus models the cycle for us and, in so doing, teaches us the way of salvation.

Each time you and I acknowledge our need for forgiveness, we experience a death.  Each time we make amends, we experience resurrection.  Each time we reconnect to the past yet move forward from it, we soar closer to the fulfillment of the kin-dom of God.  And, today’s ashes are a reminder that we repeat that cycle over and over again.

It is no accident that Lent begins as winter is dying so that spring can be born, that winter darkness is giving way to more light in the sky. 

It is no accident that the moon God created shows us the cycle of salvation each month.  In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel The Lacuna, an old man teaches a younger one how to appreciate that cycle.  He says, “If the moon is shaped like a “C,” it is like Cristo dying on the cross.  If the moon is like a capital “D”, it is like Dios, growing to fill the sky with light.”

Death, resurrection.  Letting go of the old to make room for the new.  Beginning as dust and returning to dust.  Repenting, then embracing what is freshly holy.  Seeking forgiveness and being showered with the love of God.

Quite by chance last week, I was by a radio during a segment of The Writers’ Almanac.  Garrison Keilor read a poem by Jennifer Maier named “Meditation from 14A.”  I think she wrote it for you and for me on this Ash Wednesday.  Listen.

And what if the passage out of this life

is like a flight fromSeattletoSt. Louis–

the long taxi out of the body, the brief

and terrible acceleration, the improbable

buoyancy, and then the moment when,

godlike, you see the way things fit

together:  the grave and earnest roads

with their little cars, stitching their desires

with invisible thread; the tiny pushpin houses

and backyard swimming pools, dreaming

the same blue dream. . . .

                                      . . . And how

you would like to close your eyes, if only

you could stop thinking about that small scratch

on the window, more of a pinprick, really,

and about yourself sucked out! anatomized! –

Part of you now (the best part) a molecule

Of pure oxygen, breathed in by the farmer

on his tractor; by the frightened rabbit

in the ditch; by a child riding a bike

inTopeka; by the sad wife of a Mexican

diplomat; by a dog, digging up a bone

a hundred years in the future, that foreign city

where you don’t know a soul, but where you think

you could start over, could make a whole

new life for yourself, and will.

Amen.

“Meditation from 14A by Jennifer Maier, from Dark Alphabet, SouthernIllinoisUniversity Press, 2006.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU to everyone who participated in the visioning retreat last weekend!!!  Stay tuned for news about our follow-up steps.

Father Brian Taylor, rector of our mother parish St. Michael & All Angels, will be our preacher and presider this Sunday, February 12.  Please come and give him a gloriousSan Gabriel’s welcome!

Mission Council will meet this Sunday after worship.  All San Gabrielites are invited to attend and share their thoughts and ideas about our ministries.

The 9:00 Sunday Class is studying some of the women in the Bible.  Come and learn from these remarkable teachers:

            February 12     Tamar (King David’s daughter)

            February 19     Mary Magdalene

There are hand-outs on the bulletin board in the fellowship area telling where to find these stories in the Bible; or, email the Vicar for a full schedule.

Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year.  We will share Eucharist with imposition of ashes at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. that day to begin our observance of a holy Lent.

And, make plans to attend the Lenten series:

Experience the Psalms with C. S. Lewis – The celebrated musings on one of the most intriguing books of the Bible:

An important portion of the Book of Common Prayer, the Psalter contains such rich expressions of our human experience and relationship with God that it should be approached differently from other scripture.  This five-week Lenten series will be based on C. S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms as we explore the various themes and reflect on ways we can enrich our daily life and worship.  As Lewis said in the Introduction, “[We] can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.” 

            Join us for a Feast of Psalms.

            We will begin the evening with a light snack (bring something to share if you choose), learn together, and end with Compline – a perfect opportunity to give attention to the Psalms that close our day. 

            The series will meet on the Wednesdays of Lent:

February 29 – March 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

San Gabriel’s Annual Meeting will be after worship on March 11.  We will learn about and discuss our 2012 budget, our history as a mission church, and our plans for future ministries.

The Weekly Prayerful “Sit” meets every Friday at 11:00 a.m.  We begin with a period of contemplative silence, then engage in discussion of a passage from Holy Scripture, and close with Noonday Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.  All are invited. 

As always, there are hungry people who need our help:  The non-perishable food you bring for the Roadrunner Food Bank barrel goes directly to our neighbors in Corrales; the microwaveable food you place in the basket in the worship area helps the 78 men at Albuquerque Opportunity Center who are transitioning out of homelessness.  Thank you for your continued support of our sisters and brothers who are in need.

San Gabriel‘s is a pledging church.  Our ministries happen because of your time, talent, and treasure.  If you haven’t yet completed a pledge card for 2012, there are extras in the chair slots, or ask Vicar Rhonda for one.

Wednesday evenings in Lent: 29 February – 28 March, 6:30-8:00 PM

Experience the Psalms with C. S. Lewis –the celebrated musings on one of the most intriguing books of the Bible.

An important portion of the Book of Common Prayer, the Psalter contains such rich expressions of our human experience and relationship with God that it should be approached differently from other scripture.  This five-week Lenten series will be based on C. S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms as we explore the various themes and reflect on ways we can enrich our daily life and worship.  As Lewis said in the Introduction, “[We] can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.”

Join us for a Feast of Psalms.

We will begin the evening with a light snack (bring something to share if you choose), learn together, and end with Compline – a perfect opportunity to give attention to the Psalms that close our day.

The series will meet on Wednesday evenings in Lent: February 29 – March 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The day-long, required Diocesan Retreat about San Gabriel’s becoming a parish is THIS Saturday, February 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Even if you haven’t signed up, please consider participating.  Lunch and snacks provided.  Your presence will be invaluable – please give our beloved church the gift of your time and talent that day.

The monthly Eucharist with Anointing and Prayers for Healing will be on Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.  Join Father Paul Strid for this time of hope and peace.

Father Brian Taylor, the rector of our mother parish St. Michael & All Angels, will be our preacher and presider on Sunday, February 12.  Please come and give him a gloriousSan Gabriel’s welcome!

The 9:00 Sunday Class is studying some of the women in the Bible.  Come and learn from these remarkable teachers:

            February 05     Delilah

            February 12     Tamar (King David’s daughter)

            February 19     Mary Magdalene

There are hand-outs on the bulletin board in the fellowship area telling where to find these stories in the Bible; or, email the Vicar for a full schedule.

Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year.  We will share Eucharist with imposition of ashes at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. that day to begin our observance of a holy Lent.

And, make plans to attend the Lenten series:

Experience the Psalms with C. S. Lewis:  The celebrated musings on one of the most intriguing books of the Bible

An important portion of the Book of Common Prayer, the Psalter contains such rich expressions of our human experience and relationship with God that it should be approached differently from other scripture.  This five-week Lenten series will be based on C. S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms as we explore the various themes and reflect on ways we can enrich our daily life and worship.  As Lewis said in the Introduction, “[We] can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.” 

            Join us for a Feast of Psalms.

            We will begin the evening with a light snack, learn together, and end with Compline – a perfect opportunity to give attention to the Psalms that close our day. 

            The series will meet on the Wednesdays of Lent:

February 29 – March 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The Weekly Prayerful “Sit” meets every Friday at 11:00 a.m.  We begin with a period of contemplative silence, then engage in discussion of a passage from Holy Scripture, and close with Noonday Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.  All are invited. 

Copies of a pastoral letter from Bishop Vono are available in the fellowship area if you’d like one.

As always, there are hungry people who need our help:  The non-perishable food you bring for the Roadrunner Food Bank barrel goes directly to our neighbors in Corrales; the microwaveable food you place in the basket in the worship area helps the 78 men at Albuquerque Opportunity Center who are transitioning out of homelessness.  Thank you for your continued support of our sisters and brothers who are in need.

San Gabriel‘s is a pledging church.  Our ministries happen because of your time, talent, and treasure.  If you haven’t yet completed a pledge card for 2012, there are extras in the chair slots, or ask Vicar Rhonda for one.

The day-long, required Diocesan Retreat about San Gabriel’s becoming a parish is Saturday, February 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Sign up on the sheet in the fellowship area (or let Vicar Rhonda know you will attend) so that we can plan well.   Lunch will be provided; if you’d care to bring drinks or snacks to supplement the goodies, let Karen Pound know.  Your presence will be invaluable – please give our beloved church the gift of your time and talent that day.

The monthly Eucharist with Anointing and Prayers for Healing will be on Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.  Join Father Paul Strid for this time of hope and peace.

Father Brian Taylor, the rector of our mother parish St. Michael & All Angels, will be our preacher and presider on Sunday, February 12.  Please come and give him a gloriousSan Gabriel’s welcome!

The 9:00 Sunday Class is studying some of the women in the Bible.  Come and learn from these remarkable teachers:

            January 29        Deborah and Jael

            February 05     Delilah

            February 12     Tamar (King David’s daughter)

            February 19     Mary Magdalene

There are hand-outs on the bulletin board in the fellowship area telling where to find these stories in the Bible; or, email the Vicar for a full schedule.

Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year.  We will share Eucharist with imposition of ashes at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. that day to begin our observance of a holy Lent.

The Weekly Prayerful “Sit” meets every Friday at 11:00 a.m.  We begin with a period of contemplative silence, then engage in discussion of a passage from Holy Scripture, and close with Noonday Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.  All are invited. 

Copies of a pastoral letter from Bishop Vono are available in the fellowship area if you’d like one.

As always, there are hungry people who need our help:  The non-perishable food you bring for the Roadrunner Food Bank barrel goes directly to our neighbors in Corrales; the microwaveable food you place in the basket in the worship area helps the 78 men at Albuquerque Opportunity Center who are transitioning out of homelessness.  Thank you for your continued support of our sisters and brothers who are in need.

San Gabriel‘s is a pledging church.  Our ministries happen because of your time, talent, and treasure.  If you haven’t yet completed a pledge card for 2012, there are extras in the chair slots, or ask Vicar Rhonda for one.

I’m sure we all have had our own epiphanies throughout our lives.

We are now in the liturgical season of Epiphany.

But what is an Epiphany?

–the festival commemorating the Magi visiting the Holy family on each January 6.

–a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.

–a moment of sudden revelation or insight.

And;

– a moment when the right brain becomes aware of the Eternal Now, when boundaries vanish

and The One is experienced.

For example; please allow me to share one of my favorite tales with you this morning:

It seems that a toddler found out his mother was going to have a baby. He kept asking to talk to

the new baby, but of course that was not possible. Finally the baby was born, brought home and

placed in a crib in the nursery. Again the toddler insisted on talking with the new born. The

parents agreed and took the toddler into the nursery. The toddler insisted that he wanted to talk to

the baby alone. Because there was a monitoring system in the nursery, the parents agreed to the

toddler’s request. The parents hurried into their bedroom and sat and listened…… Here’s what

they heard, “Baby. Baby, tell me about God, I’m beginning to forget.

Every time I tell that story my heart wells up in my chest and tears come to my eyes. I have just

experienced the One. My right brain is alive and well!

On Jan. 6th the Gentiles, that is the non-Jews, were introduced to Jesus; son of Mary and Joseph

as the One Foretold.

On the first sunday of Epiphany we heard the reading from Genesis: God creates Light and the

first day was brought into being.

In the gospel on that Sunday we heard the story of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist and

God said, “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

The second Sunday we heard of the calling of some of the disciples, particularly the story of

Nathanael. Jesus tells him he saw him under the fig tree even before Nathanael was called by

Phillip. Nathanael responds with, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

This Sunday we heard the accounting of after John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,

proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “ the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God

has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Then Mark’s Gospel tells the story of the calling of Simon and his brother Andrew who were

fishermen. Jesus tells them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” They did exactly

that! They left their nets and followed Jesus. A little farther down the road Jesus saw James and

John who were sons of Zebedee. He called to them and immediately they left their father with

the hired men and followed Jesus.

Now let us look at what epiphanies have been going on.

The first Sunday we find Jesus is a follower of John the Baptist and when he is baptized, he

experiences, “ You are my beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus has an

enlightenment; an epiphany.

The Second Sunday we heard of Jesus’ calling of Phillip and Nathanael. Jesus and Nathanael

have moments of enlightenment; epiphanies. I wonder: has Jesus learned a little more about his

purpose? Do you think He continues to learn a little more as we are told in the Gospels?

We come to today’s gospel (as well as last week’s.) I wonder what Jesus felt when John the

Baptist was arrested? Did he think, “Well, he is gone, it is up to me now.” Or do you suppose he

might have been a little sad or a little fearful?

Remember, Jesus was fully human and fully God…………

Something surely happen that got him going, an epiphany? Could be….

But notice in the second and third Sunday’s Gospel readings Jesus knows he cannot do it alone.

He starts to call his followers.

And, what happens? The men called have their own epiphanies and make a drastic change in

their lives. When called, they followed.

As Christians, Jesus calls each one of us to follow him. Not just on Sundays or special feast

days, No!

He calls us to worship him?

No, he calls us to Follow Him!

That is; to do as he did and he promised us that we may even do more than he did.

For example:

Look at medicine; it seems to have improved a little bit from the days of being possessed by evil

spirits to mental diseases and the treatment of them.

Cancer was a death notice not so many years ago, now many ‘miracles,’ that is cures happen

where only death occurred before.

How about our understanding of the Universe?

Cosmology tells us that our universe is billions and billions of years old. the exact age is around

14.5 billion years. We and all of creation are ‘children of the stars.’ That is; every atom of our

makeup, as well as all of creation, came from the creation and destruction of the stars.

I could go on and on with examples of what we have and are learning that in the not-so-distant

past was deemed magic or witchcraft.

the question is, “How do we follow Jesus?”

He gave us the answer: Love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and being; And, Love your

neighbor as yourself.” Not just here at San Gabriel on Sunday, or just those we like, but all our

neighbors. That is All of God’s creation! Yes, even those people we simply cannot stand. By the

way, all of creation includes all the animals, plants and yes, even mother Earth.

Albert Schweitzer said, “ It doesn’t matter is an animal can reason. It matters only that it is

capable of suffering, and that is why I consider it my neighbor.”

Does our mother earth and all living things suffer? I believe the answer is, “Yes, most definitely

yes!”

So how are we doing?

Have we had an epiphany?

Do we see the light?

Or do we ignore it?

Or, will we follow the Light of The World?

Amen

The day-long, required Diocesan Retreat about San Gabriel’s becoming a parish is Saturday, February 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Sign up on the sheet in the fellowship area (or let Vicar Rhonda know you will attend) so that we can plan well.   Lunch will be provided; if you’d care to bring drinks or snacks to supplement the goodies, let Karen Pound know.  Your presence will be invaluable – please give our beloved church the gift of your time and talent that day.

The 9:00 Sunday Class is studying some of the women in the Bible.  Come and learn from these remarkable teachers:

            January 22        Tamar of Genesis

            January 29        Deborah and Jael

            February 05     Delilah

            February 12     Tamar (King David’s daughter)

            February 19     Mary Magdalene

There are hand-outs on the bulletin board in the fellowship area telling where to find these stories in the Bible; or, email the Vicar for a full schedule.

Sunday morning refreshments:  We all enjoy the snacks after worship on Sundays, and we depend on our fellow San Gabrielites to provide them.  Are you feeling called to help with this ministry of hospitality?  Guidelines are on the mirror by the coffee/tea table, and the sign-up sheet is there, too.    

The Weekly Prayerful “Sit” meets every Friday at 11:00 a.m.  We begin with a period of contemplative silence, then engage in discussion of a passage from Holy Scripture, and close with Noonday Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.  All are invited. 

Copies of a pastoral letter from Bishop Vono are available in the fellowship area if you’d like one.

Stewardship at San Gabriel’s:  The total of financial pledges for 2012 has reached $70,000!!  The Holy Spirit is surely moving around and amongSan Gabriel’s.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Mission Council will be formulating a budget for 2012; please speak up if you have suggestions on how to be good stewards of the abundance God has provided.

The Diocesan Bishop’s School is offering three courses for clergy and laity beginning in late January:

            New Testament Greek

            A Historical Study of the New Testament:

                                    The Letters of Paul

            Anglican and Episcopal Liturgy

The cost for each course is $200.  For details, contact the Director of the School, Canon Richard Valantasis at rvalantasis@ dioceserg.org  or  881-0636.

An Ecumenical Prayer Service:  Join our friends from throughout Albuquerque to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Rio Grande Presbyterian Church (600 Coors Blvd. NW) on January 25 at 7:00 p.m.  For info:  831-1143.

As always, there are hungry people who need our help:  The non-perishable food you bring for the Roadrunner Food Bank barrel goes directly to our neighbors in Corrales; the microwaveable food you place in the basket in the worship area helps the 78 men at Albuquerque Opportunity Center who are transitioning out of homelessness.  Thank you for your continued support of our sisters and brothers who are in need.

San Gabriel‘s is a pledging church.  Our ministries happen because of your time, talent, and treasure.  If you haven’t yet completed a pledge card for 2012, there are extras in the chair slots, or ask Vicar Rhonda for one. 

                        For more information about any of the above please contact:

The Rev. Rhonda Smith McIntire, Vicar

505/933-5938   or    rhonda.mcintire@q.com

Web Site:   www.sangabrielnm.org

San Gabriel the Archangel Weekly E-Mail Bulletin

Publisher:  Bill Everett – 453-0554

We also had a very successful Fall Pledge Drive, chaired by Tad Pound.  As of early January, the pledge total is $70,000, a remarkable increase from previous years.  The Finance Committee is currrently preparing a budget for  2012, which will be presented to the full Council on February 11. 

Much of our energy has been spent working with The Rev. Canon Kathy McNellis, Canon to the Ordinary, on our application for parish status.  Plans are underway for a retreat on February 4 that is the next required step in the process.

All those who care about San Gabriel’s are always invited to attend and offer input at the Council meetings on the second Sunday of each month after worship.   And, if there are any questions about how we administer our church, please ask!

And, thanks to Beau McCormick, we have our Roadrunner Food Bank barrel back.  Fill it with non-perishable foods, which will go directly to our neighbors in need here in Corrales.

A first-hand account of recovering from homelessness can be found at http://donbarrett1.blogspot.com.  Don tells the story of how Albuquerque Opportunity Center literally saved his life.  He is even publishing a book about it soon.  You are encouraged to read his words to better understand the plight of our homeless brothers and to appreciate our ministries at AOC.

BRING YOUR BIBLES!!!!

 January

15               The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:7-42);                   The Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24-30)

22               Tamar #1 (Genesis 38:6-30)

29               Deborah and Jael (Judges Chapter 4)

 February

05               Delilah (Judges 16:4-31)

12               Tamar #2 (2 Samuel 13:1-17)

19               Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3 and John 20:1-18)

26               The First Sunday of Lent

                   More Mary Magdalene

 March

4               Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21 and Numbers 12:1-15

11               Rahab  (Joshua 2:1-21 and 6:22-25)

18              Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

25              The unnamed woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

 April

1                 Palm Sunday – The class will not meet this day.

8                Easter – The class will not meet this day

15               Class resumes – be there or be square!