Not much to report but here are a few things-
Lent is a season to get us ready to celebrate the Good Friday and Easter. It’s a time to pay extra attention to our lives with realism and honestly. This is why it’s a penitential season that invites us to fast. Fasting reveals in us deeper truths about where we place our comfort and security. Seeing ourselves more truly allows us to deepen our love of God and others in our journey of discipleship. Consider what sort of fast from good things might benefit you. Traditionally it has been food, whether whole meals or certain foods. Perhaps a fast from the news cycle, social media, or other screens. Or maybe it’ll be a practice of engagement: more time devoted to prayer or friends.
Looking ahead
Holy Week
April 14th: Maundy Thursday Worship, 7 p.m.
(Community Easter Dawn Worship in the Coltrain Funeral Home parking lot (tentative))
Easter Worship: 11 a.m.
Youth Christian Education – 10 a.m. Classes PreK-Kindergarten, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th, and 7th-12th grade.
Adult Christian Education: New 6-week session starting March 6th. Sundays, 10 a.m. Reading Scripture & Authority- Questions and Issues.
Who do we read the Bible? Why do we call it scripture? How is it like other texts? And how is it different? Is Scripture accurate in all things? some things? Is it a record of humans attempt at god? Or is our reading the problem? We’ll wonder about how understand these issues in a time where trust in authority in general is shifting.
Consistory Meeting Thursday, 3/10, 6:30 pm.
News from Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan’s Purse Update on Relief Efforts for Ukraine (Issued 2/28/2022) Samaritan’s Purse has deployed Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) specialists to Poland and Romania to prepare to help fleeing Ukrainians. These teams are conducting rapid needs assessments in multiple countries neighboring Ukraine to determine how we can meet emergency needs.
Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for our teams as they seek ways to help in Jesus’ Name.
Samaritan’s Purse works with over 3,000 churches across Ukraine. In 2013 and 2018, some of our shoeboxes were sent to Ukraine. It is our hope that the children who received our gifts and heard the Good News are clinging to Jesus as their very present help in their time of need.
Shoebox Goals for 2022
- 307 gift-filled shoeboxes
- a “love note” to be included in each shoebox
- a photo of our church family in each shoebox
- variety of quality WOW gifts
March Gift Suggestions
- Purchase or make a WOW gift such as: soccer ball and pump, pillow case dress, doll, car or truck…. Check out clearance items for good deals! Not sure what to buy? Use these two criteria:
- Does it fit in a shoebox along with other gifts?
- Would my child/grandchild/niece/nephew like to have it?
- washcloths
Giving with Gratitude
$56 was collected in February to go toward the $9 donation requested for each shoebox to be used for shipping and ministry costs. Thank you for GIVING WITH GRATITUDE! If you wish to join this effort, collection containers for coins are by the offering plate.
OCC Crafting Days – Second and Fourth Mondays beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
We work on a variety of projects. There is something for all skill levels and the fellowship is wonderful! Hope to see you there!
Deveral Watson is leading our jump rope project this year. Your old, clean, 100% cotton t-shirts will be transformed into toys for children! Clean out your dresser drawers and donate the shirts you no longer wear. You may leave them in the box provided in the foyer.
Thank you for supporting Operation Christmas Childwith your prayers, resources, and talents!