Good Friday Tenebrae Service – Fri, March 29, 7:00 pm

To help us focus our hearts and minds in a special way during the holiest week of the Christian year, we will have a Tenebrae service next Friday at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. “Tenebrae” means “shadows” or “darkness” in Latin. This service of prayer and Scripture reading will gradually go from light to darkness, reminding us that Christ's crucifixion was an attempt to extinguish God's light from the world. But the world does not stay dark, and the service will end with the light of hope. As always, it is open to anyone.

The Prayer Ministry Team Needs You!

After a pandemic hiatus, we’re ready to restart our Prayer Ministry. It is such helpful work that shares support, love, and encouragement with so many people—through prayers, notes, cards, and concern. Were you on a care team in the past? Then sign up again! If you weren’t, then now’s the time to learn about it. Everyone can do it; it only takes a heart that cares about helping other people. We provide instructions, guides, supplies, and information about current needs. And as we restart it now, we’ll be thinking of ways to get creative—if your schedule didn’t allow you to participate in the past; don’t let that hold you back this time.

Anyone who is interested in signing up or learning more about the Prayer Ministry can contact Sandra Bishop-Ray (call the church office at 645-6720 if you need her contact info).

Lent Devotional Bags

It is time to prepare our hearts for Easter. That is what the season of Lent is for--to focus our hearts and change whatever needs to change. To help with that, there are Lent Devotional Kits for everyone to have and use at home. They are on a table in the Fellowship Hall, so please come by and get one, or let us know and we're happy to mail one to you. They have interactive devotions for every day on our journey to Easter.

A Prayer about What to Do

By Thomas Merton, from his book Thoughts in Solitude:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to love as Christ loved does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.

A Prayer Song of Yearning – “Refine Me” by Jennifer Knapp

So often, we know what we want ourselves to be, but then we let ourselves get pulled away toward so many distractions. We know we want to be close to and connected with God’s Spirit, but we end up going in other directions out of fear or selfishness. This song helps us pray for God to refine our souls so that we can be purified, cleansed, and freed.

“Refine Me” by Jennifer Knapp 

I come into this place
Burning to receive your peace.
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain.
You're my God and my Father;
I've accepted your Son,
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?
 
[chorus:]
Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me.
Lord, my will has deceived me,
Please come and free me; refine me.
 
My heart can't see
When I only look at me.
My soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears.
They are gone in a moment
You're forever the same.
Why did I look away from You?
How can I speak Your name?
 
[chorus]
Come rescue this child.
For I long to be reconciled to You.
 
It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray.
 
[chorus]
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You.
Refine me, refine me.

Need a good book? - Staff picks: Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner

Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner

Recommended by: Regina Johnson

In this memoir, author Frederick Buechner lays bare some of the deepest secrets in his life. He shares the secrets and explores the ways they have impacted him. He believes that as humans we all share similar secrets. By being honest with ourselves about them and with one another, we will grow. It is in sharing these secrets that we can become closer to each another and closer to God.

The church staff has pulled some resources from our Church Library and put them on a table in the Fellowship Hall. Come by (8-3:30 Mon-Fri), choose something(s) you would like, write your name on the card along with the date, and return it within 3 weeks. It’s a great time to READ!

A Song of Comfort – “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” sung by Rich Mullins

Everyone goes through ups and downs on the path of their lives. These days, we’re all struggling and worried as we walk. But every step and all the way, God’s presence and Jesus’ life leads us. We might not even know where we’re going or if we’re going anywhere at all, but the Lord is with us no matter what—giving us the strength we need to keep going, and to find joy.

“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – sung by Rich Mullins 

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate'er befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
 
All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see
 
And all the way my Savior leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love
Perfect rest in me is promised
In my Father's house above
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way

A Song of Mending - “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong Worship

The bangs and drops of life make us feel broken, like we’re walking around in pieces. God knows that, and loves us so much as to always be working to mend us. We don’t have to worry about being perfect and all put together; we are set free from such shallow worrying. Through God’s amazing grace, we become vessels of holiness, and can finally see true love out in the world.

“Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” – by Hillsong Worship

All these pieces, broken and scattered,
In mercy gathered, mended and whole.
Empty-handed but not forsaken,
I've been set free. I've been set free
 
[chorus:]
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see.
Oh, I can see it now.
Oh, I can see the love in your eyes.
Laying yourself down, raising up the broken to life.
 
You take our failure, you take our weakness,
You set your treasure in jars of clay.
So take this heart, Lord. I'll be your vessel,
The world to see your life in me.
 
[chorus]

A Song of Belonging - “For Everyone Born”

We’ve all felt like we didn’t belong, at different times in our lives. Like we weren’t good enough to be loved, weren’t normal enough to be accepted, or weren’t special enough to succeed. This song reminds us that you—no matter who you are—are loved by God, accepted into the kingdom, and can make a holy difference in the world. So remember that no matter what, you are always invited to God’s table.

“For Everyone Born”

For everyone born, a place at the table.
For everyone born, clean water and bread.
A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing.
For everyone born, a star overhead.
 
chorus:
And God will delight when we are creators
of justice and joy, compassion and peace.
Yes, God will delight when we are creators
of justice, justice and joy!
 
For woman and man, a place at the table.
Devising the roles, deciding the share,
with wisdom and grace, dividing the power.
For woman and man, a system that's fair.
 
[chorus]
 
For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song.
The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong.
 
[chorus]
 
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be.
To work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free.
 
[chorus]

A Song of Longing - "If I Could Just Sit with You Awhile"

Sometimes, after we have let go of trying to control everything, when the heaviness of the world is just too much, all we can do is collapse in the presence of the Lord. When we can let our souls abide in God’s Spirit, then we will find a peace that is deeper than whatever challenges we face in the world. So let us spend more time just sitting with God, moment by moment.

“If I Could Just Sit with You Awhile”, sung by Jami Smith
 
When I cannot feel, when my wounds don't heal,
Lord I humbly kneel, hidden in You.
Lord, You are my life so I don't mind to die,
Just as long as I am hidden in You.
 
[chorus:]
If I could just sit with You a while, if You could just hold me.
Nothing could touch me though I'm wounded, though I die.
If I could just sit with You a while, I need You to hold me.
Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by.
 
When I know I've sinned when I should have been
Crying out "my God" and hidden in you.
Lord I need you now, more than I know how.
So I humbly bow, hidden in you.
 
[chorus]

A Song to Pray for Ourselves

What were we made for, and what does the world need? God has things that we are called to do, things that change people’s lives. And they will know us by our love.

“By Our Love” by Christy Nockels

Brothers, let us come together,
Walking in the spirit, there's much to be done.
We will come reaching out from our comforts,
And they will know us by our love.

Sisters, we were made for kindness,
We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us.
We will come reaching with a song of healing,
And they will know us by our love.

chorus:
The time is now, come church arise.
Love with His hands, see with His eyes.
Bind it around you, let it never leave you,
And they will know us by our love.

Children, you are hope for justice.
Stand firm in the truth now, set your hearts above.
You will be reaching long after we're gone,
And they will know you by your love.

[chorus]

Mid-Week Bible Study – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28

We finish reading through 1 Thessalonians today, as the Apostle Paul shares some final thoughts for how to live strong as children of the light. Lots of good advice here for us to remember and apply to our own lives. "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances...test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." Definitely good things to remember!

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28 by clicking here.
(To start the 1 Thessalonians series from the beginning, click here to watch the first introductory video.)

Mid-Week Bible Study – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3

In this passage, Paul answers questions that the Thessalonians were having about what will happen to people's souls when they die. Good questions to ask. We'll think about that and also think about what our lives should be like in the meantime.
Click here to read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3.
(To start the 1 Thessalonians series from the beginning, click here to watch the first introductory video.)

Mid-Week Bible Study – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

In chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul encourages us to live out the good characteristics he's talked about in the letter already. Basically, it all boils down to living a life that pleases God and loves other people. Having those as our attitude priorities will help us lead our best lives.
(To start the 1 Thessalonians series from the beginning, click here to watch the first introductory video.)
Click here to read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12.

Mid-Week Bible Study – 1 Thessalonians 2:9-14

Paul continues mentioning good character traits of Christian example. In these verses he encourages hard work and the kind of supportive encouragement that good fathers have. So how can we be inspired, like the Thessalonians were, to demonstrate good characteristics like that, and have loving relationships in our own lives?
(To start the 1 Thessalonians series from the beginning, click here to watch the first introductory video.)
Click here to read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-14.

Mid-Week Bible Study – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

We’re reading and thinking about Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians these days, and we start chapter 2 this week. In these verses, Paul describes the mission work that he does, and it offers wonderful examples of what integrity looks like. Integrity is honest and upright, strong but gentle. Paul wants the Thessalonians to recognize those characteristics and practice them. We should too! So Pastor Stuart gets all sappy at the end.
:-D

Click here to read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8.