ARLINGTON - St. James' Episcopal Church will present a series of Lenten Worship Services on five Tuesdays in Lent. Entitled "Journey to Joy," the series provides opportunities for people to gather informally to celebrate the Eucharist, share a simple meal and to reflect on the lectionary selections for five of the Sundays in Lent.

Participants will meet in the St. James' Rectory (next door to the church) at 5:30 p.m. and begin with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Congregants will share a simple supper following the liturgy and continue our reflections until approximately 7:30 p.m.

The dates for the gatherings are Feb. 19 and 26 and March 5, 12, and 19. All are invited to participate. You need not be an Episcopalian to join the gathering. Individuals may attend one, two or all of the gatherings.

There is no requirement to attend all five.

The form of gathering for this Lenten experience is derived from the oldest traditions of Christianity. The earliest metaphors of the Gospel speak of discipleship - following the teaching of Jesus - as transformative through an alternative community and the reversal of conventional wisdom. This is an opportunity to experience, in our own contemporary times, an alternative style of worship that looks back to the Christian community's earliest form of worship. In issuing the invitation for all to participate, Father Scott B. Neal, Rector of St. James,' said "ultimately, our Faith journey is about changed behavior and

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self-sacrifice. Christianity is a way of life, fed and nourished by daily prayer, scriptural reflection (Bible study) and corporate worship. Christianity is about transformation, a new birth, a new set of eyes to see the world. Let us walk together during these Forty Days of Lent and Holy Week and commit ourselves to a deeper connection to Christ as we anticipate the heavenly joy of Easter - the Journey to Joy."

The scriptural texts and the schedule are as follows: February 19: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 February 26: Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 March 5: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 March 12: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8 March 19 Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 Printed copies of the scriptural texts to be read and discussed will be available for each participant in advance.

For a complete schedule of "Journey to Joy" or for more information about the Lenten Worship Series or any other service or program at St. James' Episcopal Church, contact the St. James Parish Office at 802 375-9952; send an e-mail to stjamesparishoffice@gmail.com, visit their website at www.stjamearlingtonvt.org or find them on Facebook. All are welcome.

Established in 1764, St. James is the cradle parish of the Episcopal Church in Vermont. The present church building was consecrated in 1833, built after an earlier one was destroyed by fire.