Our “Love Kindness” yard signs are here. Send an email to office@abilenefirstumc.org or call 785-263-2623 if you would like one delivered by the youth group, or you can stop by the church during office hours and pick one up. (The signs are free either way.)
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
You can download a bulletin and the sermon notes at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/.
You can view (and download) this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
You can download a bulletin and the sermon notes at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/.
You can view (and download) this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
We’ll have three options for observing Ash Wednesday tomorrow (February 17, 2021): an in-person service at 10:30 in the sanctuary that will be available on Facebook, Vimeo, and our website later in on the day (hopefully by 5:00 p.m.). We’ll also incorporate the Ash Wednesday liturgy into our 6:00 p.m. Zoom communion service. If you participate online from home, I would encourage you to gather some soil, or dirt, or dust if you can.
Barb Hawk has passed away. Funeral arrangements are pending. Please pray for her family and friends.
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
You can download a bulletin and the sermon notes at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/.
You can view (and download) this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will not have the traditional imposition of ashes this Ash Wednesday, but we are planning to observe the day. We plan to have the in-person Ash Wednesday service at 10:30 on February 17, 2021. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get a video of that service posted to Vimeo and Facebook by 5 p.m. If you plan to watch the service online, I would encourage you to get a bowl of dirt, one that you can leave sitting out until Easter.
At 6 p.m., our regular communion service (over Zoom) will incorporate the Ash Wednesday liturgy. For that service, you’ll probably want bread, grape juice, and dirt. We can provide all three if you need us to; just let me know. You can find the Zoom link at: abilenefirstumc.org/zoom-meetings/. — John Collins,2/14/21
I recently got an email from KWCH 12 out of Wichita that included the following statement:
“Chief Meteorologist Ross Janssen is forecasting that much colder air is set to push south by the end of the week and right through the weekend. Chances for snow are quite promising beginning Friday afternoon and continuing all the way through the weekend. Travel will be difficult at times. If you feel the need to cancel services this weekend, we wanted to send out a reminder to use our automated system for your closings.”
As of right now, I’m still planning on services Saturday and Sunday, but that could change given the forecast of snow and bitter, bitter cold. Please check the blog or text me or call me before heading in to worship.
Below is a tentative schedule for our book study on Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. — Introduction through Chapter 4
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Chapters 5 through 8
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Chapters 9 through 11
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Chapters 12 through 15
I got my copy of the book from the local Rivendell bookstore, but copies can also be ordered online in hardback, electronic, and audible formats. Let me know if you would like me to order one for you at 620-252-9622 or john@revcollins.com.
We’ll use the Zoom Link that we used for our Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke. You can find the information under the heading “Wednesday Book/Bible Study” at: abilenefirstumc.org/zoom-meetings/.
If you’re having trouble streaming our worship videos, you may want to simply download the entire video to your device and then play it. You can do so with this link.
You can download a bulletin and the sermon notes at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/.
You can view (and download) this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
The Mission and Justice Team met last Tuesday night and heard reports about the Shepherd’s Run, the Hat and Mitten Tree and the Little Free Pantry. It was noted that a lot of kids have been using the Little Free Pantry and that has created demand for kid-friendly items such as snack bars. Pastor Collins shared that we have a donor offering to purchase “Love Kindness” yard signs for an outreach project. The design is below.
I’m looking forward to preaching a sermon of comfort and joy from Isaiah 40:21-31 this coming Sunday (February 7, 2020). Ancient Christian scholars of the Bible sometimes referred to the book of Isaiah as “the fifth Gospel” and I’m eager to proclaim the good news.
