Friday, February 16, 2018
Good day, dear church family!
If you haven’t had a chance to read our Bishop’s letter since the School tragedy in Florida, I encourage you to read this short reflection here:
Our focus for worship includes Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, & Mark 1:9-15.
Remember the “Best Financial Practices training at TUMC, tomorrow, Sat, Feb 27, 10 am- Noon, and our Congregational meeting after worship this Sunday to gather input on a proposed memorial garden and our 2018 Finances.
A few folks have expressed wonder about the UMC sermon series called “Rehab” and the Wednesday evening Lenten small group that will focus on the scripture and sermon from the previous Sunday. Let me assure you that this time will focus on the idea that we each have “stuff” to work on, with Lent being a purposeful time to “rehab” our spiritual lives and focus moving forward. Here’s a little more detail:
The core of the learning in rehab, like the core of the learning in Lent, isn’t cognitive. It’s behavioral. In rehab, we learn how to live differently, to set a “new normal” for ourselves and our relationships after a period of time or perhaps a crisis has made it clear to us it is impossible to live as we had before. Likewise in Lent, we focus on helping those coming to faith in Christ for the first time, as well as those making their way back to Christ and the fellowship of the church after a period of absence or neglect, primarily in concrete, behavioral ways. Our goal for all who engage this period of time is that the way of Jesus becomes either the “new normal,” or, for those who have been consistent in the journey over time, is strengthened as our normal.
On each Sunday of this journey, the Scriptures provide the core guidance for the work of the week to come in our own lives and with others in midweek formation groups.
See you soon, & please remember to pray for our church family.
Peace~
Nancy+