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St. Stephen News – Page 39 – St. Stephen Presbyterian Church

Sheep and Wolves and Ashes, Bread and Puppets

Wednesday, March 9, was Ash Wednesday, and it was amazing.

It started with our “First-ever Ash Wednesday Service for Children and Families.” This was held in the sanctuary at 5:15 and was built around Jesus’ teaching: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Fifty-one participants of all ages trooped down the aisle carrying sheep puppets. Mark Scott led us in singing the Taize song “Jesus the Good Shepherd.” Two teen crucifers “protected” the sheep from some very vicious wolf marionettes.Sheep and Wolves and Ashes, Bread and Puppets

People Who Wear Robes

 

by Diana Logan

 

Diana Logan is a nurse practitioner and a member of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church.

 

It was ten years ago in a different church, in another state, that I began to fear the people who wear the robes.

 

It started one October day when a member of the 9th grade Sunday school class I was teaching at the time asked to speak to me privately. I will call him Jason.

 

“I’m leaving,” Jason said bluntly. I was puzzled. I had know Jason since he was a baby and his parents were good friends. His mother had not said anything to me about the family moving away. When I questioned Jason about this, he replied: “No, I mean I am leaving this church. After last Sunday’s sermon I am afraid to come here anymore because I think I am gay.”People Who Wear Robes

Pink Velvet Jesus

It all started as a joke–a joke of which my husband did not approve. David and I were Christmas shopping in the hill country town of Fredericksburg the weekend after Thanksgiving. It was in a little novelty/toy shop that I spotted the Pink Velvet Jesus. He stood about a foot high, and his purpose was to give anybody who shook him up and then turned him upside down the answer to any question. I was charmed. I recalled the old “eight ball” fortune telling toy of my childhood. I shook the ball, turned it over, and there was the answer as to whether I was going to pass my geometry test, or if the boy who sat next to me in geometry liked me. The eight ball knew all.Pink Velvet Jesus

Two Worship Services

Wednesday, March 9 5:15 – 6 p.m. Worship Service for Children & Families The church staff and the Worship Committee invite all parents and children to attend the “child-friendly” and multi-sensory Ash Wednesday Service for… Two Worship Services

Fourth Friday Book Group

Friday, February 25, Noon Where – Eastminster Room Book – One Man Great Enough: Abraham Lincoln’s Road To Civil War Author: John C. Waugh Discussion Leader: Louise Parker