510 West Main Street | Franklin, TN 37064 | 615-790-0527 | info@stpaulsfranklin.com

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday Feb 17 is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Season of Lent, a penitential time in the church. Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence. From the Middle Ages it became the custom to begin Lent (the forty days before Easter) by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The reminder that we are dust turns our attention to the creative power of God, and God’s ability to heal the brokenness in our lives when we offer that brokenness to God. That turning to God is the work of Lent, preparation for the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection on Easter Day.

Ash Wednesday Online Noon Service

“You are dust and to dust you shall return.”

Ash Wednesday Noon Service Bulletin

Lenten Meditations

As Lent approaches this year, we lament.

We lament all those whose lives were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our hearts break for all of the people who are no longer with us. We also lament other losses that include jobs and livelihoods, the opportunity to travel to visit loved ones and the ability to worship together in our church buildings. So much was lost, with little or no time to lament that which was lost. Because of the magnitude of these collective losses, Episcopal Relief and Development is focusing on lament as the theme for the 2021 Lenten Meditations.

You are invited to meditate on these reflections daily and to engage the “Four Steps of Lament,” by resting, reflecting, repenting and ultimately being restored to God and to one another. Many of the authors share deeply personal and painful experiences related to a variety of issues including disease, violence, racial injustice and poverty. You are invited to come to these meditations with an open heart. What you read may challenge you and give rise to unexpected or uncomfortable feelings. If you would like to subscribe to receive these meditations daily in your inbox, please subscribe here.

Lenten Devotionals

Be sure to pick up a copy of Steadfast Love – a Lenten Devotional booklet with daily scriptural reading accompanied by the writings of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Look for them in the Narthex or pick one up at Ash Wednesday Drive-thru.

Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Spend some time this Lent digging deeper into scripture and “Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark,” a bible study led by Adam Dawkins, Seminarian assigned to St. Paul’s. Explore the Gospel of Mark, gathered with others, via Zoom each Thursday in Lent beginning February 18 from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Please email shannon@stpaulsfranklin.com if you need the Zoom phone number, otherwise, click the Zoom link here.

The Bedtime Book Club

Parents of Young Children, join us during the season of Lent for our very first Bedtime Book Club! We will gather via Zoom each Wednesday in Lent beginning February 24th at 8:30 pm. We will read and discuss Cindy Wang Brandt’s book Parenting Forward: How to Raise Children with Justice, Mercy, and Kindness. We will keep each session to 45 minutes. Feel free to come late or leave early-and pajamas and wine are welcome!

If you’d like to receive the Zoom Link, contact Libby at libby@stpaulsfranklin.com.

Life Matters

For many people, thinking about death can be a difficult topic. On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our mortality as we are marked with ashes. Lent is a season for us to think about life as a gift. Ultimately though, our time on earth will come to an end, yet we are promised that death is not the final end, for there is everlasting life in God. But now, how do we prepare for the transition and what does end of life planning ensure for those we leave behind? Beverly Headley, RN, CCM and Barbara Greene, LCSW will facilitate a class via Zoom on Wednesday March 17 from 7:00-8:00 pm offering insight, facts, and helpful information along with important documents about planning for end of life.

For more information contact Monna at monna@stpaulsfranklin.com

Seekers Class

You are invited to join our annual “Seekers” Class. This is traditionally a class given for those adults who wish to join the church through Confirmation or Reception. However, please know that all are welcome, especially current congregants of St. Paul’s who would like a refresher course.

We will look at church subjects such as worship, church history, and Episcopal theology. The class will meet via Zoom (the Zoom invitation will be posted on our website by tomorrow at 5 PM), each Sunday, beginning the Sunday before Lent, from 11:15-12:00 noon. The course will last six weeks with an additional post-Easter roundtable discussion class on April 11. The diocesan bishop will then make his annual visit to St. Paul’s for Confirmation on April 18. If you have any questions please contact Rusty via email: rusty@stpaulsfranklin.com or by phone 615-790-0527.

Click here for the Zoom link and more information.

Our Doors Are Always Open

Welcome to St. Paul’s

Everyone — whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey — is welcome at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

We are open and welcoming of all regardless of your age, health, education, ethnic or regional background, gender, sexual identity or orientation and no matter what your religious or secular background.

Our doors are always open.