you like to share with others?" Angus's thoughts would not "give" others the "right path." He would give them a blank map and a machete and let them figure out their own path. He would not give them an advantage. He feels it is better to let people make their own way and learn from their experiences.
Angus attributes his success in life to a very supportive family. They always provided him with a loving and caring home. They were suburban parents who worked to make Angus’s life more comfortable. Angus’s father was a Farm Machine Dealer in Billings. Angus’s father graduated from Montana State College and served in the military. He volunteered for the army at the age of 19. Angus’s father was injured at the Battle of the Bulge. As a result of his service, he was injured and had shrapnel in his body the rest of his life. He also worked at a camp in the southwest and helped move German soldiers back to the East coast for repatriation to Germany. His father didn’t know what happened with those repatriated. Angus’s father had a very creative mind and used it to make equipment that made Angus’s life easier with his handicap. Angus still has a wooden tray that his father designed for his wheelchair. Angus used the original wooden tray daily and eventually it wore out, so his father arranged to have a new one made. While Angus’s father made many creative items for Angus to use, he never did it for profit. They were one of the items made especially for Angus. Angus took them to school to share with others. The engineers of handicapped equipment were amazed at the uniqueness and creativity of the designs for Angus. Angus’s mother was a special education teacher. She started out by teaching who children were limited in their learning capability. She wanted to give more to others, so she switched to teaching first and second grade as there was more long-term potential in their learning process. She worked closely with the State Board for the handicapped both physically and challenged. She received many awards for her accomplishments in that area. She made sure that the school lived up to its standards and held their feet to the fire to ensure that Angus received all the support the state provided for his education. She knew “where what to do to dig up what was necessary to get things done properly. She made sure, through her activities, that Angus was given the proper support for his learning process.  Please join us Sunday, April 9 at 10:00am for Easter Services followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. After a fun filled Egg Hunt we will congregate in the Parish Hall for lunch and coffee. Please invite your friends and family, and join us celebrating this beautiful day.
1 Peter 1:3: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  As the Lenten Season is coming to an end, we would like to invite you to our Good Friday service, April 7th, starting at 10:00 am with a reading from the Passion of John and prayers.
 On Ash Wednesday, we are invited “in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; . . .” (BCP, p. 265)
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent. Blessed ashes, obtained by burning the palms used on the previous Palm Sunday, are placed on the foreheads of worshipers in the shape of a cross. Ash Wednesday and the liturgy of this day, can evoke for us reminders of the things that are important. It tells us to not take a moment of this time for granted, to live and love to the fullest, to treasure this precious world, and to treasure those we love and those who love us. It is a day to remember that God loves us so much as to make sacrifices for us when we are unable to do so ourselves. It is a day to allow God in Christ to forgive us so that we might live the residue of our lives reflecting the very love that God has for us and for all of creation. It is a day that we may remind ourselves with great humility to love God and love all others.  Today we celebrate Valentine's Day with all our loved ones by sharing chocolates, cards, roses, and more. We also are beginning the season of Lent. Both provide the time to focus on love and presence. Both offer invitations to go deeper into God's love for us. In the days ahead I pray that you find invitations to present to yourself and to others. Listen for God's voice in the quiet and in the encouragement from friends and family.
God of wonder and of joy; grace comes from you, and you alone are the source of life and love. Without you, we cannot please you; without your love, our deeds are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love. That we may worship you now with thankful hearts and serve you always with tilling minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ahem.  The annual congregational meeting will be January 22 in the parish hall, right after the Sunday service. We will start by sharing a meal. Darlene will bring soup. Other dishes, bread, salads, or desserts will be welcome. As always, the annual meeting is essential to having a successful year. Your attendance and participation are so important; please make plans now to attend.
There will be a review of 2022, the 2023 budget will be presented, and there will be opportunities for everyone to ask questions and share ideas for the future of Christ Church. An important part of the meeting will be the election of new Vestry members and our two congregational representatives to the Montana Diocesan Convention. It may be that a Vestry or Convention delegate position won’t work for you this year, if not, there are many other ways to contribute to the life of this community. Help is always needed and welcome in a variety of ways. This is just a short list of ways you might contribute:
 We would love to wish everyone a Happy New Year! There are many new changes happening at Christ Church in Sheridan Montana and we are very excited to share them with you. Please keep your eye on our new website. Have a wonderful New Year!
 Come on down for our Christmas Eve service held on December 24th at 5pm.
|
