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Dear Friends,

Ash Wednesday, February 22, marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  Lent is a forty-day season of spiritual preparation for celebrating Easter.  The Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline from the Ash Wednesday Service from The United Methodist Book of Worship, says:  “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holy Lent:  by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.”

Jesus also began his public ministry with a time of prayer, fasting and self-denial.  I am inviting you to join me in a practice of self-denial and fasting during the season of Lent.  Each week I will fast one meal, using the time to prepare and eat the meal as an additional time for prayer, Bible study and reflection, and then donating the cost of the meal as an additional gift to be given to our covenant partner church in Mozambique.  We will have Lenten offering boxes available at church the next two Sundays as well as at our Ash Wednesday service to remind you of your fast and to save the cost.  You may return your accumulated gift to the church on or after Easter.

I realize that not all of us can have the luxury of fasting even one meal a week, because of health issues or concerns with medications.  You can still participate, only in a different way, by making a weekly sacrificial gift (in addition to your regular giving) of the cost of one meal.  You may use your Lenten offering box to remind you of your commitment, and then return your accumulated gift to the church on or after Easter.

As we remodel and update our sanctuary and facilities, I am reminded of the humble facilities our partner church in Mozambique worships in.  Its mud walls and thatched roof are often damaged in storms and requires ongoing maintenance.  And while I don’t want to tell them how to spend the money we will collect for them, I know their ministry continues to thrive and grow even in a challenging context.  I want them to know that we care and share in this ministry with them.  And I believe that would be a way for us “to observe a holy Lent.”

Blessings,

Rusty

8th Annual Bowling Tournament is this Saturday, February 18 Join us at Ward Parkway Lanes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  $15 will give you three games, shoes and prizes, not to mention great fellowship with others from our congregation.

 

Women’s Retreat is this Saturday, February 18

All women who have pre-registered will join together at the church between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

 

All Church Potluck Dinner, Wednesday, February 22

Every one is invited to join us in the Family Life Center at 6:30 p.m. for a church-wide potluck dinner.  Please bring your own table service and a favorite dish to share.

 

Ash Wednesday Service

Stay after the potluck dinner and join us for our annual Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. 

 

Lenten Studies begin on Wednesday, February 29

“Gospeled Lives” will meet at 1 p.m., facilitated by Kathy Ozenberger.  This study will focus on New Testament individuals who encountered Jesus during his ministry and consequently how their lives were forever changed.  This study will meet weekly in the Fellowship Hall through April 4.

“Reaching Toward Easter” will meet at 6:30 p.m., facilitated by Terry Clark.  This daily devotional study follows the Gospel of John as a guide.  Books are available now or may be picked up on Sunday or Ash Wednesday so participants can keep the daily devotions during the first week of Lent.  This study will meet weekly in the Library through April 4.

New Sunday School Class to Form

On Sunday, February 26 a new Sunday school class is forming which will meet in the Library at 9 a.m.  Kathy Ozenberger will lead the class and it is open to adults of all ages.  Participants will have very little preparation outside of class.  Topics and subjects will change every 6 to 9 weeks.  If you are not currently attending a Sunday school class, check this one out.  Children and youth classes are also held at this same time as well as three other adult classes.