There will be a Finance Committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday, February 18, 2010) at 5:15 pm; a Church Council meeting on Monday, February 22 at 5:15 pm; and a Pastor Parish Relations Committee meeting on Thursday, February 25 at 5:15 pm. The Vision Team meeting for Wednesday, February 24 has been canceled.
Voice of the Day: Elaine Puckett
Via Sojourners:
When we think about laying down a life for another we usually think in terms of a singular event. But it is possible for us to lay down our lives over the course of a lifetime, minute by minute and day by day. And it is the work of the Spirit to empower us as we seek to lose ourselves in acts of lovingkindness and sacrificial living.
— Elaine Puckett,
professor at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia
Lent Begins Tomorrow
Let begins with Ash Wednesday tomorrow. We’ll be having a traditional service that includes the imposition of ashes at 5:15 pm in the chapel.
UM's donate $8.5 million to Haiti relief
From United Methodist News Service:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)—Through individual gifts, special offerings and innovative fundraising activities, United Methodists have donated $8.5 million for Haiti through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, according to Melissa Hinnen, UMCOR director of communications. In addition, the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot distribution center in Baldwin, La., has received 350,000 health kits.
Our local church’s share of that was $1391.00 and a total of 81 health kits (although many of those came from outside our local church).
A Very Sincere Thank You
A very sincere thank you to everyone who has been letting us know when a member or friend of the congregation takes ill. These notifications help us respond quickly to those in need of pastoral care. Thank you.
Lenten Conversations — Updated
You are invited to bring your lunch and come to the church on Mondays during Lent to discuss the devotional book, Get Over Yourself; God’s Here. We will meet in room 102 (right across the hall from the church office) at 12:00 pm, beginning Monday, February 22, 2010. Please feel free to come and join us over your lunch hour, even if you can’t stay very long. Books are available in the church office, with a suggested donation of $12.
Update: To clarify, the conversations during the lunch hour were added after we decided to encourage the reading of Get Over Yourself; God’s Here. You’re encouraged to read the book for Lenten devotions regardless of whether or not you choose to participate in the conversations.
Ash Wednesday Service
We’ll begin the observance of a holy Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service (including the imposition of ashes) this coming Wednesday (February 17, 2010) at 5:15 pm.
Committal Service for Mary Ellen Jordan
A committal service for Mary Ellen Jordan will be held at 2 pm on Friday, February 12, 2010 at Restlawn Cemetery. Mary Ellen died on the morning of Sunday, February 7, 2010.
Getting Better
Posting has been light because I’ve been sick for the past couple days, but I got a prescription for antibiotics and I’m on the mend. I’m staying home, resting, and reading for Sunday’s sermon but I do plan on making it in for the Vision Team meeting this afternoon.
Bishops Support Death Penalty Repeal
From the Kansas Area Communications Office:
In a letter to the Kansas Legislature, eight bishops of the Episcopal Church, Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church in Kansas signed a letter asking for reconsideration and repeal of the Kansas death penalty.
“As bishops leading the Episcopal Church, Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church in Kansas, we write to share our deep concern about the continuing practice of condemning persons to death in Kansas,” the letter said.
Voice of the Day: N. T. Wright
In the book Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision, N. T. Wright makes a point that has been made before but always bears making again:
The theological equivalent of supposing that the sun goes around the earth is the belief that the whole of Christian truth is all about me and my salvation. … Do not misunderstand me. Hold the angry or fearful reaction. Salvation is hugely important. Of course it is! Knowing God for oneself, as opposed to merely knowing or thinking about him, is at the heart of Christian living. Discovering that God is gracious, rather than a distant bureaucrat or a dangerous tyrant, is the good news that constantly surprises and refreshes us. But we are not the center of the universe. God is not circling around us. We are circling around him.
— N. T. Wright, Justification, 23.
This Sunday's Sermon
Jenny’s preaching this Sunday (probably to the relief of many). Her text will be Luke 5.1-11, in which Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to leave everything behind and fish for people. Her sermon title is “Do Not Be Afraid.”
Update: I just read Jenny’s sermon and it looks very good.
