February 14, 2008

February Concert to Feature John Michael Talbot

John Michael Talbot will be performing in Collierville on Thursday, February 21at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Incarnation. The concert is free but seating is limited. Tickets can be obtained at the church, located at 360 Bray Station Rd. in Collierville.

With a 30-year musical career, four platinum albums, and a loyal following numbering in the millions, John Michael Talbot has produced original albums of virtually every musical style, from classical and orchestral to contemporary, to Gregorian chant to jazz and blues. He is most widely known by Christian music lovers for his quieter, meditational guitar and vocal styling, and has just released his milestone 50th recording, "Living Water."

Talbot has performed for large and prestigious audiences including the late Pope John Paul II, the late Mother Teresa, and several massive World Youth Day audiences. John Michael's numerous awards include nine Dove award nominations, a Dove Award for the album "Light Eternal," and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) President's Merit Award for "Song of the Poor."

Popularly known as the Troubadour for the Lord, Talbot has been bringing the Lord's message to the masses through music for more than three decades.

For more information about the February 14 concert, call 901-853-7468.

Church of the Holy Spirit Hosts Anointing Mass, Lunch

On Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m., during Mass, The Church of the Holy Spirit will offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for those who are ill, disabled or elderly.

The Mass will be followed by a lunch in the Batson Center. The lunch is free of charge.

The church is located at 2300 Hickory Crest Drive in Memphis. Call the Parish Social Ministry Office at 901-757-9140 for more information.

Lenten Soup and Study Series Offered at Ascension

For the fourth consecutive year, the Church of the Ascension will host a Lenten "Soup and Study" series led by pastor Father Robert Marshall. The sessions will held on five consecutive Monday evenings from February 11 through March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Ascension, located at 3680 Ramill Road.

This year, the topic will be The Psalms. Perhaps the most popular and most frequently read book of Sacred Scripture, the Psalms provide great insight into the spirituality of the people of ancient Israel and _ by extension _ into the faith of the early Church.

Prior to each evening's session the parish will sponsor a simple meal of soup and bread beginning at 6 p.m. Participants may register for course credit toward catechetical certification. There is no charge for the program, but participants are asked to pre-register by calling the parish at 901-372-1364.

St. Peter Church Sponsoring Lenten Study Group

Following last year's Lenten discussion series, Chocolate for Lent, this year St. Peter Church will feature Amazing Grace for Lent. The series will focus on the 2007 film Amazing Grace, the true story of William Wilberforce, whose faith inspired him to work for the abolition of the British participation in the slave trade 200 years ago. The series opened on Ash Wednesday with a screening of the film. Amazing Grace is available for rent or purchase at local video stores.

On the next four Wednesday nights, February 13-March 5, following 6 p.m. prayer and a simple supper, Father Tom Condon, pastor of St. Peter Church, will lead a discussion on the themes from the film, along with film clips and Scripture passages. Since this is an election year, it's a good time to reflect on how faith influences political choices. It's also an opportune time to think about Wilberforce's spiritual journey as the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Martin Luther King will be observed this year.

For a listing of weekly topics and a downloadable study guide for this series go to the St. Peter Church web site at www.stpeterchurch.org .

St. Peter Church is located at Third and Adams, downtown. For more information, call the church office at 901-527-8282.