Tuesday, April 27 - Day of Fasting and Prayer.

The Diocese has been notified that the Texas Second Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments regarding our Petition for Writ of Mandamus at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27. This is very encouraging news.

We will be represented in the hearing by the Hon. Scott Brister, who stepped down from the State Supreme Court last September in order to return to private practice. The court is located in Fort Worth on the ninth floor of the Tarrant County Justice Center.

Bishop Iker is calling all clergy and lay people of the Diocese to a day of fasting and prayer on the hearing date.

Attorneys representing plaintiffs have indicated that they will be seeking a postponement. If the court revises its schedule, we will announce the change.

All proceedings in the suit against us, which were under way in the 141st District Court, remain stayed until the appellate court issues a ruling. If the appellate court grants our Petition, the rival diocese and corporation will be removed as plaintiffs in the suit.

Please continue to pray for our legal team, for the 141st District Court, and for its judge, the Hon. John Chupp.

Daughters of the King Lenten Retreat

This year the DOK retreat at Camp Crucis will focus on methods of praying.  The address is 2875 Camp Crucis Court, Granbury, Texas 76048.

The retreat is February 26 to 28, 2010.  Registration runs from 4:00 to 6: 00 pm on Friday, Feb 26.

A parishioner of St. John's and Christian author Julie Cosgrove will lead the retreat from her book P.R.A.Y.I.N.G.  A copy of the book is included in the registration.  The following link will take you to the Retreat Schedule.  http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=26418508

Growing Deeper in your Faith and Theology!

The Adult Inquirer's Program is geared to those who desire:

1. to be confirmed Anglican this Pentecost when Bishop Iker makes his Annual Visit to our parish this year on Pentecost Sunday at the 9:00 am service;
2. to learn more about the faith and customs of Anglicanism;

Fr. Klein encourages confirmed members of the Church to join us in the study as an excellent way to refresh your knowledge and understanding of the faith.

We will meet on Sunday afternoon following the 11:15 service and each session will run 60 to 90 minutes.  There will be a simple lunch provided.  Fr. Klein will be the instructor.  The dates are April 11, 18, 25; May 2, and 16.  We will not meet on May 9 as that Sunday is Mother's Day. 

"Inviting God into your Life"

Our Wednesday evening Lenten program this year is on prayer.  Fr. Klein will teach the prayer method called "the Examen Prayer."  This prayer method comes from St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Wednesday Evening Schedule

• 6:00 PM - The Holy Eucharist and Healing
• 6:30 to 7:00 PM - Lenten Dinner of soups, salad, bread
• 7:00 to 8:00 PM - "Inviting God into your Life."
• Nursery is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

What is the Examen Prayer?  This is a five step prayer method.  The steps are:

1. We give thanks to God for the blessings of the day just lived;
2. We ask for grace to see and to overcome our failings;
3. We review the day using prayer to see our spiritual expereince/responses throughout the day;
4. We seek God's forgiveness where necessary;
5. We make a spiritual plan for the coming day.

This prayer method helps us to close the day and to acknowledge the presence of God during the day.  It can raise our level of awareness of God's daily life with us, and to our interior spiritual journey.

• Feb. 24 - Introduction to the prayer and the power of desire!
• Mar 3 -   Steps One and Two.
• Mar 10 - Steps Three and Four.
• Mar 17 - Step Five and Conclusion: talk on flexibility, prayer setting, identifying fruit of Examen prayer. Hand out prayer card.

At the conclusion of this program you will have learned a method of prayer that will help you keep the eyes of your heart open to the love and presence of God!  Join us.

Choir and Programs Cancelled tonight.

The following programs are canceled due to bad weather and driving conditions:

1. St. Elizabeth's Guild
2. Clergy Study Group
3. All choirs

See you Sunday!