CANDLEMAS PROCESSION & EUCHARIST

Tuesday, February 2

6:15 pm

“What is Candlemas?” you may ask.  It’s the old (and catchier) English name for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the final event in our celebration of Jesus' birth and infancy and a sort of "last taste of Christmas." According to the biblical account (see Luke 2:22), Jesus' parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth, as the Law prescribed. There they encountered the aged prophet Simeon, who declared the baby to be the long-awaited Savior, "a light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."  The book Lesser Feasts and Fasts helpfully summarizes the meaning of the day:

The title, 'The Presentation," reminds us of the Jewish Law (Exodus 13:2; 22:29) that every firstborn son had to be dedicated to God in memory of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt....When Mary placed her small son into the arms of Simeon, it was the meeting of the Old and New dispensations.  The old sacrifices, the burnt offerings and oblations, were done away; a new and perfect offering had come into the temple.

The name Candlemas refers to the custom of a procession with candles in honor of our Lord, the "Light to enlighten the nations."  It may also refer to the medieval custom of blessing candles on this day for use throughout the year. It is a part of Immanuel’s tradition to celebrate the Presentation of our Lord each year with a Candlelight Procession and Eucharist.  I encourage you not to miss this dramatic and joyous service. Join us as we sing John Ellerton's classic words (Hymn 259):

O light of all the earth, thy children wait for thee!

Come to thy temples here, that we, from sin set free,

Before thy Father's face may all presented be.

Please invite a friend and bring your favorite sweet or savory to share. Jack Burnam

Matching Grant for Haiti: We have a special opportunity for our gifts to support relief work in Haiti to be matched. The Church Pension Fund has generously offered to match the first $5,000 raised by each Trustee for Haitian Relief work. All the money raised will be contributed to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) to support the work they are doing in Haiti. Holly and I have already made a contribution.

If you would like to have your gift matched, please send a check to:

The Bishop's Discretionary Fund

Diocese of Delaware

2020 N. Tatnall St.

Wilmington, De 19802

Make sure that your checked is marked "ERD/Haiti." If you have questions, or need further information contact Mary Ann Brillhart in the Bishop's Office (302) 656-5441, ext. 103 or mabrillhart@dioceseofdelaware.net

Thanks again for all you are doing to help such an important ministry.

Faithfully,

Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware

Kathleen Kelley, Vestry Person of the Day: Each week a vestry member is assigned as Vestry Person of the Day. This enhancement to our Sunday morning schedule is designed to promote awareness of our lay leaders at both services and to further improve our welcoming embrace.

Palms: Please bring in your palms for burning into ashes for use at the Ash Wednesday services. There are boxes marked for you to deposit the dried palms. Sunday, February 14^th is the last day for this collection. Thank you. Altar Guild

2010 Lenten Program: This year, Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent, falls on February 17th. Lent is a time when people of faith have willingly sought additional spiritual discipline as part of their preparation for Easter. In the spirit of the invitation to keep a holy Lent, I invite you to join us here at Immanuel each Wednesday evening in Lent beginning Feb. 24th. We will be offering a simple supper at 6:30 PM followed by an educational offering. Britta will be coordinating the youth program and I will be coordinating the adult program. We will conclude by 8:00 p.m. each week, ending with Compline. Thank you! Fr. Kim

New Flower Memorial Chart: The 2010 Flower Memorial Chart is posted in the foyer by the Epistle transept door. Please sign-up to donate flowers as a thanksgiving or memorial for your loved ones.

Day of Reflection on the Holy Spirit in the Hebrew Scriptures: Please join us in the church on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 9:30 – 3:00 p.m. for Day of Quiet Reflection. The day will be led by Barbara Tucker, an experienced spiritual director, who studied at the Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C. Barbara is active with the Episcopal Diocesan ministry of Spiritual Companions, a ministry designed to provide resources for spiritual growth, knowledge and inspiration, and she serves as a spiritual retreat leader. Barbara has served a leadership role in contemplative prayer groups at Christ Church Christiana Hundred and Immanuel Church –Highlands, where she has been co-convener of a weekly group for over a decade. Throughout the day there will be three brief reflections, as well as an opportunity for individual prayer and reflection.  The day will conclude with worship and Eucharist.

Epiphany Paper Drive for Friendship House: During Epiphany, we are again collecting rolls of toilet paper for the many ministries led by Friendship House for homeless people in Wilmington and New Castle County. Last year, we collected 566 rolls of toilet paper! Please put your donations under the foyer table and we will deliver these throughout the next month. Friendship House now uses over 400 rolls of toilet paper a month in the Men's and Women's Day Centers, the Clothing Bank of Delaware, Winter Hospitality, Code Purple Winter Sanctuary, Andrews' Place, the Newark Empowerment Center, and its eight transitional houses for men, women, and women with children. These in-kind donations are critical to helping Friendship House meet the needs of the many homeless folks who are unable to find employment during the recession. The Outreach Ministry

The New Orleans trip this program year will be March 6-13, 2010! The following folks have already signed on as volunteers: Vicki Anthos, Byron Hobson, Ryan Day, Debbie Long, Sophie Day, Ron Pierce, and Eve English. There are eight slots remaining. Come join the fun and hard work for those still in need in Louisiana. Please see me to sign up. Vicki Anthos

Calling all Keys: If you have a key to the church that you no longer have a need for, please return it to the office.

Thanks!  Fr. Kim

Friendship House Job Readiness Volunteers: Volunteer Opportunities are available for computer literacy tutors, Math & English tutors, Job coaches and Computer Lab monitors. Volunteers do not need to be experts, but must have some experience and competency in basic computer or employment skills. Flexible hours. Time commitment as little as two hours twice monthly. Orientation is provided! Contact: Kathy Graham at (302) 588-7712 or email fhvolunteer.coordinator@verizon.net.

DELAWARE COMMUNION ON-LINE:

            The news page: http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/news2.html

The Delaware Communion page: http://www.dioceseofdelaware.net/communion.html

IMMANUEL, HIGHLANDS CALENDAR ON-LINE:  http//immanuel-highlands.org

Contact Information for Fr. Kim:                   Highlands Voice Deadline:

Church Office: 302-658-7326 x14                       4:00 pm each Tuesday for the next week’s issue.

Home Phone: 302-777-5418                               Phillip Stephens, Parish Administrator and Highlands Voice Editor

Cell Phone: 973-945-4293                                  Office hours: 8:30 – 1:30, Monday through Friday.

Email: kfcapwell@verizon.net                            Phone: 302-658-7326 x 10

                                                                        Email: PStephens@immanuel-highlands.org