Hello Church,
It looks like there will be six more weeks of winter. The groundhog saw his shadow this morning and as legend tells us, that means six more weeks of winter. And looking out my office window at church and seeing the snow on the ground I would agree with Phil. I love looking out my window today and seeing the little kids from the preschool run up and down the hill as they play in the snow. I might have to join them one week!
Thank you to Carolyn Cacho Bowman for leading and preaching this past Sunday. I look forward to watching the recording once it is up on our website. Remember if you ever miss a Sunday, you can go to our website and find our services there.
This coming Sunday, we finally welcome Torrianna Foster into our service. She will be sharing a message with us based on the Isaiah 40:21-31 text for the week. While she will not be with us physically, she will be Zooming into our service from North Carolina. I am grateful for her in sharing a part of herself with us all and sharing the message for the day.
The following Sunday, February 14th, we will be celebrating Jazz Sunday. While it will not be like Jazz Sunday’s of the past, we will still be doing some of the traditions that you all are used to. You still have a week to submit any pictures that you would like to submit for our “Alleluia Video”, they need to be in by February 9th if you would like to be included.
On Wednesday February 17th, we will gather on Zoom for our Ash Wednesday service. You can start picking up your Lent Devotional Bags on Monday February 8th, they will be on the table next to my office. Inside you will find a small container of ashes, a packet of flower seeds, a Lenten Devotional Packet, communion for March 7th, and your new Church directory. Those that live out of state will receive theirs in the next few weeks, if you are unable to come up to church and get your bag, please let me know and we will make arrangements to get it to you.
Plans are still being made for Holy Week. There will be a special Holy Week bag that you will be able to pick up later in March that will have your supplies for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Our scriptures for the week are: Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39
Our prayer for the week comes from Howard Thurman and can be found in the United Methodist Hymnal number 489
For God’s Gifts
O Holy God,
open unto me
light for my darkness,
courage for my fear,
hope for my despair
O loving God,
open unto me
wisdom for my confusion,
forgiveness for my sins,
love for my hate.
O God of peace,
open unto me
peace for my turmoil,
joy for my sorrow,
strength for my weakness.
O generous God,
open my heart
to receive all your gifts. Amen.
May this week land gently on you all.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Megan