CONNECTING WHO WE ARE
TO WHAT WE DO

March 22, 2023

50 people aged 10 yrs to 70+ planted, mulched, and protected 54 trees on Sunday! Thanks to Chris Hornsby, Mimi & Russ Heldman, and Jim Russell for helping make it happen. We learned so much! Check out Cumberland River Compact and Root Nashville, where you, too, where get free trees for your home! And while you're there, learn about No Mow Month and how that can help our world.

THIS SUNDAY

Fifth Sunday in Lent
Holy Eucharist, 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

This Sunday, join us for Holy Eucharist at either 8:30 or 11 a.m. After communion at each service, the prayer desk will be open in the alcove near the altar rail. The 8:30 service will be live-streamed and available on-demand later. For Families: The nursery will open at 8:15 a.m. for ages 0–3 years, and the 8:30 service will include a children's homily for 3 yrs–6th grade.

FORMATION HOUR

Christian formation continues for all ages at 10 a.m. including children and youth. This is the last week of our lenten class for adults, Songs for Lent: The Psalms of Ascent. Thank you to Pat Bowlby and Shannon Truss for leading us through the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120–134). Join them this week for one last psalm.

THE SHAPE OF LENT

This week we are fasting as a community from coffee, alcohol, tea, or sugary drinks and serving St. B's in a new way. Download the Lent guide >>>here or pick one up at the church. We also offer Lent playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

DAY OF RECONCILIATION

NEXT Wednesday, March 29, 4–8 p.m. by appointment. The sacramental rite, Reconciliation of a Penitent (BCP p. 447), will be offered on March 29. The rite creates space to confess to God, in the presence of a priest, the ways we miss the mark, and receive to the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution. Clergy will meet you at the altar rail in the sanctuary to hear your confession and offer forgiveness on behalf of the church. Preparation sheets will be available ahead of time. Please email Rev. Serena to make an appointment at ssides@stbs.net.

HOLY WEEK

Our Lenten journey culminates in Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding in the Great Triduum, the three-day celebration of Jesus’ passion and Resurrection. Holy Week offers the invitation to walk with Jesus through the last week of His life and to actually find yourself in the story of salvation. Wave a palm, cry crucify with the crowd, pick up a towel, walk the path, kneel before the cross, wait at the tomb, light a candle, and see the Risen Lord. Read details about each service listed below >>> here.

Palm Sunday, April 2, 8:30 & 11 a.m. Find yourself in the story by waving a palm branch and singing Hosanna and crying “crucify” during the reading of the Passion narrative. The nursery is open at all morning.

Palm Sunday, April 2, 10 a.m. In place of formation classes please join us in celebrating Sally & Matt Chambers-Rhea and Sally's 12 years of vocational ministry at St. B’s. Plan to come early or stay after the service for palm-cross making, tasty treats, and an opportunity to say thanks to Matt & Sally. You can express your thanks through a note or card (either sent in advance or at the party) as well as by contributing to a financial gift, as is our custom. Read more details on how to say thanks >>>here. Sally’s last day on staff is March 31 and we are grateful they will remain part of St. B’s.

The Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil is one service held over three days. Nursery for 3 yrs and under is available each evening with an RSVP to nursery@stbs.net by Sunday, April 2. The Triduum will also be live-streamed.

Maundy Thursday, April 6, 7 p.m. Find yourself in the story by washing feet, gathering at the table, and watching the sanctuary stripped bare.

Good Friday Liturgy, April 7, 7 p.m. Find yourself in the story of Holy Week as we kneel before the empty cross and pray the solemn collects.

Easter Vigil, April 8, 7 p.m. Find yourself in the story by sitting in the dark and watching the light fill the sanctuary, hearing the story of salvation, renewing our baptismal vows, and celebrating the first Eucharist of Easter.

Easter Sunday, April 9, 8:30 & 11 a.m. Find your place in the story by standing with Mary at the empty tomb, declaring Christ is risen again. The early service will include a homily and be live-streamed. The nursery is open all morning. Egg hunts for children will be held at 10:15 a.m.

THINGS OF NOTE

The church office has become aware of a new scam impersonating Rev. Serena. Please be aware that Rev. Serena will never ask for money, gift cards, or anything similar through email or text message.

We are having technical difficulties with the phones at the church. If you’ve called, left a message, and not received a response, please try via email or one of the staff’s cell phones.

Mark your calendars for Confirmation Sunday and the Bishop's annual visitation on Sunday, April 23. If you are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church and have not already, please contact Rev. Serena.

Dates. Dates. Dates. Every year, St. B’s is required to submit a parochial report to our Bishop who then sends a copy to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. This report is the official data-gathering instrument for the entire Episcopal Church and includes information on the number of services, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, mission, outreach, formation opportunities, and basic demographic information. You can see 2021’s data compiled here.

We need your help to improve the accuracy of our report by providing your birth date and baptism information. If you consider St. B’s your home, please fill out this form. Thanks in advance for your help.

Easter Egg Collection For each child wishing to participate in an Egg hunt on Easter Sunday, please bring 12 eggs filled with non-chocolate candy. You can either 1) fill your own eggs at home or 2) pick up empty eggs from church to fill at home. Leave your filled eggs in the donation bin between March 19 & April 2 in the parish hall lobby.

Pilgrimage to Montgomery | Friday, April 28–Saturday, April 29 | Join parishioners from St. Bartholomew's & St. George's on a prayerful pilgrimage to learn and grow in our understanding of the complexity and importance of racial reconciliation. This overnight charter bus trip will include visits to the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, with time for reflection and fellowship at historic St. John's Episcopal Church. Two meetings before the trip will be held at St. George's to prepare our hearts and minds for the pilgrimage. Register here. Questions? Contact Nancy Cason at ncason@stbs.net or 615-202-0488.

St. Luke's Food Pantry March Items: canned beans, baby food, formula, toiletries, feminine products and individual servings of cereal. Please leave collections for St. Luke's food pantry in the cabinet beside the doors to the gym.

PRAYERS & THANKSGIVING

MEALS & SUPPORT FOR BONNIE BASHOR

Bonnie Bashor has recently come home from a hospital stay. Bonnie lives alone and is still recovering. If you are able to provide a meal, please sign up here. If you would like to visit Bonnie, please email Butch at pastoralcare@stbs.net.

PRAYER REQUESTS

If you have a prayer request or would like to add a name to the prayers, please email Butch at pastoralcare@stbs.net.

Receive prayer on Sundays after communion at the prayer desk in the alcove nearest the lectern or on Wednesdays after the 12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist.

PRAYER FOR THE RECTOR SEARCH

Almighty God, giver of every good gift; look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for St. Bartholomew’s that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)