Friday, March 7, 2025

As we prepare for this first Sunday of Lent, I read these words in 2 Corinthians…
 
              “Each one should give….. not reluctantly or under compulsion,
                for God loves a cheerful giver.”   (2 Corinthians 9:7  NIV)
 
How can we be sure when and how much to give? After all, our resources are limited. Our own needs feel so great that it’s hard to think about the needs of others. How can we possibly feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the widows, and clothe the naked? And giving away your coat to whoever asks for it seems a little extreme when you have a family to provide for.
  
Our minds have difficulty grasping that whatever good deed we do will be rewarded by the Lord – that anytime we give things or blessings in any way, it is regarded by God as if we’ve done the same thing to Him. What if the stranger that asks for a nickel was Christ himself? What if the poor person in the Third World was Jesus crying out for our attention? Have we left Christ in some prison? Have we neglected Jesus by neglecting the needy? I believe we should let God show us what it is we should do whenever we are asked to give. 
  
So, when strangers ask for money or someone in our congregation has a need, or we feel overwhelmed by the requests in our mailbox, join me in praying…

                           Guide me in my giving, O Lord. Amen.
 
+++ On Sunday we will worship at 8:30am and 10:00am as we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent. Our Lenten theme this year is, SAVIOR, SERVANT, FRIEND and each week we will look at a role that Jesus fulfills for each of us. On Ash Wednesday we looked at how Jesus is our Forgiver and this Sunday we explore how Jesus is our Healer. Coming up we’ll see Jesus as our encourager, our listener, our protector and our comforter. And after some Facebook updates, we think we have solved the technology bugs once again! Join us for our “live-stream” on the church’s Facebook page at 10:00am and then for the “uploaded” recording of the worship service on our YouTube channel. 

+++ DON’T FORGET TO SPRING YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE BED ON SATURDAY NIGHT. Otherwise, we will see you when the closing hymn starts on Sunday morning!

+++ We’ll enjoy our Second Sunday luncheon on Sunday. We hope you signed up and we look forward to the good food and fellowship the second Sunday lunch always offers! 

+++ We have a good supply of Lenten devotional materials for adults and kids alike on the table in the Narthex that go along with our Lenten theme. Be sure to grab them on Sunday after worship!

+++ Our Lenten Mission Project this year is to support the work of Sleep in Heavenly Peace! You will find Lenten coin boxes for your self-denial offerings and other information about the work of this group on the table by the coffee area. Just look for the miniature bed on the table when you get your refreshments on Sunday!   
 
Make this day a great day and always pray,
                         Guide me in my giving, O Lord. Amen. 
                                                                                       Pastor Jack