Week 3 of LENT
Joel 2:1-2 & 12-1, Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, and Matthew 6:1-6 & 16-21
Wise words:
“If you are uncertain (in your journey) of which path to take…
choose the one on which the shadow of the cross falls.”
–Hugh Walpole
Check out Matthew’s gospel (verses listed above). It invites us to not be hyprocrites—from the Greek word meaning actor. Instructions in this lesson are pretty darn clear regarding our attention to piety (our reverent attention to our faith):
-don’t announce your fabulousness
-no acting
-put yourself together & be pleasant
-be about God, not you
What if we reinstate piety as a term of respect—and give attention to our faith with great love? Giving attention to our Lenten sacrifices helps us see God, allows us to empty ourselves, and in having less (nothing), we might possess more (everything).
Jesus’ warning is about more than material wealth–it includes one’s efforts to amass personal importance. We live in a time where the “cult of busyness” binds us to the matters of the world, and where we are tempted to spend more time and more resources cultivating the reflection of how others see us instead of our relationship with our creator and our relationships with those we have been entrusted with.
God has designed us to be useful and durable, not self-centered, disgruntled, and flung into a constant state of trying to keep up.
To perpetuate this self-absorbed, grumpy, and turbulent lifestyle is to disregard covenant with God. Turn to regarding God’s loving promise—and honor this in everything.
Lent is an invitation to Christian life.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, let us keep a Holy Lent.
-hkgd
“Community means trusting that someone else will be available to the person in need.” -Parker J. Palmer
LOVE in action. What’s in your refrigerator?
On Sunday, March 13th our young people packed 120 sack lunches for OPEN DOOR. They were distributed on Monday, March 14th with a hot cup of coffee to folks in need who visited OPEN DOOR downtown (402 E. 2nd St. N.). The DONUT DOLLARS that are collected on Sundays fund this project.
A special thanks to: Chris, Diana, Craig, Ashton, Kati, Kaylee and Zaina for lunch-packing! And, to Wes for delivering the lunches to OPEN DOOR!
Thank you, Chapel Hill!
1 paper bag + 1 napkin + 1 spoon + 2 ziploc baggies + 2 slices of bread + 1 slice of cheese + 4 slices of sandwich meat + 1 cup of applesauce + 1 bag of chips + 3 cookies
= 1 lunch, packed with love
DONUTS have returned! Thanks for adding some sweetness to your life and supporting our youth and young adults!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8th “Dig Deeper” gathered to celebrate Advent and Christmas.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12th we packed 120 lunches for OPEN DOOR. Thank you, Chapel Hill for continuing to support our volunteer work in the community. At UMYF on Sunday afternoon we celebrated with a Christmas Party!
Sunday, Dec. 5th: Zaina Salman, Dallas Dismuke, Lucas Smith & Addi Gutzmer
ILLUMINATIONS on Sunday, Dec. 5th:
Illuminations set-up at BOTANICA, Sunday Nov. 14th:
Thanks for volunteering in our community!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31st featured our Youth & Young Adults in worship. Thank you youth & young adults for your leadership and service!
Enjoy the service with this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obTKeh4HTnk
Sunday School at 9:30 & Worship at 11:00! Sunday School is a time to catch up with friends & youth sponsors, see what’s on the horizon, learn, grow in faith & be in Christian community.
PRAYER:
Almighty God,
may the transforming power
of your Gospel
be at work in my life today and always.
Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________
*CALENDAR NOTES:
Sunday School: Sundays @ 9:30 a.m. Middle School (6th-8th grades) & High School (9th-12th + grades)
Worship: Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.
UMYF (Youth Group):
- Sunday, Mar. 20th UMYF 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. We are back from SPRING BREAK!
WEDNESDAYS: “Dig Deeper”
- Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in LL6. All high school and college young adults are welcome!
Mid-week re-fresh via newsletter
May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Shalom. -Numbers 6: 24-26
God is Good. All the Time.
Heidi K. Greenwood Doell Director of Youth & Young Adult Discipleship