The View from the Pulpit – 2/15/10

Dear Church Family

We celebrated God’s presence in the midst of our ministry with Boy Scouts as we gathered to worship on the Lord’s Day.  They helped us worship by serving as greeters, ushers, readers, and acolytes.  We awarded “Good and Me” badges to Jonathan Jain, Marshall Brown, and Bodey Ellis and we celebrated with Ben Collins who is the latest member of our church be reach the rank of “Eagle Scout”.

Thanks to Charlie Brown, Mindy Brown, Robert Craig, and Tracy Ellis who were the adult leaders in uniform who helped organize the day and who represented all the adults who walk with these boys through the Boy Scout program.  It was a good day filled with all the things that make Sunday holy.

In Christ’s Love….Gary

We’ll Meet at The Door

All young adults (defined as 19 to 30 years old, but what do they know?  If you feel young and aren’t currently involved in a Sunday School/Christian Faith Formation Group then you’re in) are invited to gather at “The Door” this coming Sunday at 9:40am.  Our plan is to talk about ways 1^st UMC can help this unique group mature their faith in Jesus Christ.  Traditionally we’d help by organizing a new Sunday School class, but we’re open to other ways of helping everyone learn about their place in God’s house.

“The Door” (also called “the Wesley Room”) is across from the Church library next to the Sanctuary.  Come join us.

Ash Wednesday Times Two

This coming Wednesday is the first day of the Christian season of Lent.  Most of us grew with a Lenten season that emphasized how far we were from what God intended us to be.  The days were filled with sacrifice and penance and time spent in the ashes of despair facing the reality of our mortality; from dust you came and to dust you will return.

I have to admit penance gets old pretty fast.  It is true and a good place to begin but I’m finding I need another way.  I read some words recently written by a Lutheran Pastor who suggested a more life-giving vision of Lent.  The Lent of “a springtime of the spirit, of renewal, or adjustment, of turning, returning, and reorienting, of metanoia.  A lent not of paralysis but of action: fasting, prayer, and acts of love.   A lent of journeys, along the life of faith to the baptismal font.”

You are invited to the beginning of this journey this coming Wednesday.  There are two options; at the start of the day or at the end.  We’ll gather in the Chapel (first floor – Education Building) at 7:30am and 8:30pm to begin our Lenten journey with Psalm 51 and the ashes of repentance and new life offered to all who come.

Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:30am and 8:30pm in the Chapel.

UMC Cluster Lenten Worship

United Methodists in the Missouri Bootheel will gather this coming Sunday at Hayti’s First United Methodist Church to worship together and rejoice in God’s promise of an Easter Son-rise.  If you’d like to ride the church van, we plan to leave at 3:15pm (Gary’s the Preacher) and will return after a time of fellowship and refreshment.

UM Cluster Lenten Worship at 1^st UMC Hayti beginning at 4:00pm.  Come and follow.

Dr. Ed Landry will be our special guest on Sunday, February 21^st at 10:30am

Dr. Landry will tell of his recent trip to Haiti after the earth quake.  He’ll be with us during the 10:30am “Celebration”.  Come join us this coming Sunday at 10:30am.

24 Hours That Changed the World – MidWeek Study begins on Ash Wednesday

According to author Adam Hamilton, “The aim of this book is to help you better understand the events that occurred during the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life, see more clearly the theological significance of Christ’s suffering and death, and reflect upon the meaning of these events for your life.  Writing this book and creating the videos on location in Jerusalem have deepened my own faith and my sense of love and gratitude for Jesus Christ.  I pray that reading this book will have the same effect on you.”

No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.  During the season of Lent each weekly lesson is designed to help you experience the last day of Jesus life in a way you never have before.  Whether you are a longtime Christian or simply curious about the story of Christ’s crucifixion, you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Classroom each Wednesday evening at 6:30pm.  Come and See.

Lenten Lunch

Kennett’s 1^st Christian Church will host this year’s Tuesday Lenten Lunches.  We’ll meet at noon each Tuesday during Lent beginning February 23^rd to eat a simple meal and hear a short Lenten devotion offered by a pastor serving a Christian Church in Kennett.  We’ll be finished by 11:50pm.  Come and See.

What’s Happening This Week 2/15 – 2/21

Monday              2:00pm – Susanna Wesley Circle meets in the Parlor

6:00pm – Trustees meet in the Fellowship Classroom

7:00pm – Church Council meets in the Parlor

Tuesday              6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday        7:30am – Ash Wednesday Worship in the Chapel

9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

6:30pm – Children’s Choir Rehearsals in the Ed. Building Choir Room & Parlor

6:30pm – Youth Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary

6:30pm – “MidWeek Bible Study” meets in the Fellowship Classroom

7:30pm – Adult Choir Rehearsal meets in the Parlor

8:30pm – Ash Wednesday Worship in the Chapel

Thursday                        8:30am – Mature Methodist Travelers “Eagle Tour” at Reel Foot Lake

Friday                 4:30pm – Confirmation Class leaves for Confirmation Weekend with the

Bishop in St. Louis.  Will return on Saturday

Sunday                8:30am – “UpWords” Worship

9:30am – Sunday School for All Ages

10:30am – “The Celebration of Worship” with Dr. Ed Landry

4:00pm – “Bootheel Cluster Lenten Worship” at 1^st UMC Hayti – Gary will preach