MPC Monthly Newsletter March 2019 Looking Ahead to Lent On Ash Wednesday, March 6, we begin the holy season of Lent. During Lent we are invited to reflect on the events of Jesus’ last week, to examine our own sinfulness and mortality, and to consider our need for the cross. God’s invitation to us in our Lenten Scripture texts is to repent of our old way of life and turn to God for a new way of life. Some find this season somber and challenging. Indeed, it is, as we are asked to take a hard look at the truth about ourselves, to remember that we are dust, and to dust we will return (Genesis 3:19). At the same time, it is a hopeful and graceful season, for as we journey closer and closer to the cross (and then to the glorious empty tomb) we are also reminded of an even greater truth: “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). During Lent many Christians practice some form of fasting or “giving up” something – a particular food, social media, TV, etc. I encourage us not just to think of “giving up” something, but of “taking on” something. Before we respond, “I can’t possibly take on one more thing,” let me explain what I mean: Take time to breathe this Lent. In the midst of all the Lenten introspection and the difficulties, uncertainties, and disappointments life may hold, take time to breathe. Take regular time this Lent to breathe in God’s Spirit and all that is life-giving, and to breathe out all that is life-depleting, all those things that keep you from really living – sin, guilt, regret, resentment – anything that holds you back from the life Christ is dying for you to experience. That is my prayer for us this Lenten season. Take time to breathe – and as we do, may God fill us with His breath of life. In Christ, Nicole Lenten Worship Series: Questions of Jesus’ Last Week Beginning on March 10, the first Sunday of Lent and continuing through Holy Week, our Lenten worship series will focus on questions Jesus was asked the week leading up to his crucifixion, such as: “Why this waste?” – Mark 14 “Surely, not I, Lord?” – Matthew 26 “What shall I do with Jesus?” – Matthew 27 “What is truth?” – John 18 “Who is this?” – Matthew 21 In exploring these questions asked in the first century, we might find these are the same questions we’re still asking in the twenty-first century. As we examine Jesus’ response, may we grow in our understanding of the Savior and of what it means to call him Savior. Staff Rev. Dr. Nicole Lock Interim Pastor Destiny Williams Director of Youth Ministry Sophe Pope Director of Children’s Ministry Julie Garcia Director of Children’s Choir Jason Montague Director of Music Jane Robinson Organist Greg Smith Pianist Tammy Hortman Administrative Assistant ELDERS Dottie Wise, Clerk Danny Brown Ellen Foster Julie Garcia Priti Griffin Heidi Hicks (Youth) James Livermont Mary Plishker Chuck Standard Eddy Smith George Stellings Kara Rogers John Wadsworth James Withers DEACONS Ruth Rucker, Chairman Micky Camp JG Humphries Christy Maddox Tony Okrutny Bob Phillips Dusty Pope Judy Prophet Jerry Repp Jill Shedd Christina Snider (Youth) Ruth Rucker Jean Williams Tim Wirt
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MPC Monthly Newsletter March 2019
Looking Ahead to Lent
On Ash Wednesday, March 6, we begin the holy season of Lent. During Lent we
are invited to reflect on the events of Jesus’ last week, to examine our own sinfulness and
mortality, and to consider our need for the cross. God’s invitation to us in our Lenten
Scripture texts is to repent of our old way of life and turn to God for a new way of life.
Some find this season somber and challenging. Indeed, it is, as we are asked to take a hard
look at the truth about ourselves, to remember that we are dust, and to dust we will return
(Genesis 3:19). At the same time, it is a hopeful and graceful season, for as we journey
closer and closer to the cross (and then to the glorious empty tomb) we are also reminded of
an even greater truth: “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ
died for us” (Romans 5:8).
During Lent many Christians practice some form of fasting or “giving up”
something – a particular food, social media, TV, etc. I encourage us not just to think of
“giving up” something, but of “taking on” something. Before we respond, “I can’t possibly
take on one more thing,” let me explain what I mean: Take time to breathe this Lent. In the
midst of all the Lenten introspection and the difficulties, uncertainties, and disappointments
life may hold, take time to breathe. Take regular time this Lent to breathe in God’s Spirit
and all that is life-giving, and to breathe out all that is life-depleting, all those things that
keep you from really living – sin, guilt, regret, resentment – anything that holds you back
from the life Christ is dying for you to experience.
That is my prayer for us this Lenten season. Take time to breathe – and as we do,
may God fill us with His breath of life.
In Christ,
Nicole Lenten Worship Series:
Questions of Jesus’ Last Week
Beginning on March 10, the first Sunday of Lent and continuing through Holy Week, our
Lenten worship series will focus on questions Jesus was asked the week leading up to his
crucifixion, such as:
“Why this waste?” – Mark 14
“Surely, not I, Lord?” – Matthew 26
“What shall I do with Jesus?” – Matthew 27
“What is truth?” – John 18
“Who is this?” – Matthew 21
In exploring these questions asked in the first century, we might find these are the same
questions we’re still asking in the twenty-first century. As we examine Jesus’ response,
may we grow in our understanding of the Savior and of what it means to call him Savior.
Staff Rev. Dr. Nicole Lock
Interim Pastor
Destiny Williams
Director of
Youth Ministry
Sophe Pope
Director of
Children’s Ministry
Julie Garcia
Director of
Children’s Choir
Jason Montague
Director of Music
Jane Robinson
Organist
Greg Smith
Pianist
Tammy Hortman
Administrative Assistant
ELDERS
Dottie Wise,
Clerk
Danny Brown
Ellen Foster
Julie Garcia
Priti Griffin
Heidi Hicks
(Youth)
James Livermont
Mary Plishker
Chuck Standard
Eddy Smith
George Stellings
Kara Rogers
John Wadsworth
James Withers
DEACONS
Ruth Rucker,
Chairman
Micky Camp
JG Humphries
Christy Maddox
Tony Okrutny
Bob Phillips
Dusty Pope
Judy Prophet
Jerry Repp
Jill Shedd
Christina Snider
(Youth)
Ruth Rucker
Jean Williams
Tim Wirt
MPC Monthly Newsletter March 2019
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNION: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
will be celebrated on Sunday,
March 10th.
MEN’S BREAKFAST: The monthly men's breakfast will be held at
8:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 9, in the
Anchor. Men of all ages are invited for
food and fellowship.
Red Cross Blood Drive: will be Monday, March 25, 2019 from
2:00- 7:00 PM
GREEN SUPPER CLUB NIGHT: is March 10, 6:00.
BULLETIN DEADLINE:
Church Office will finalize the weekly bul-
letins at 2:00 PM on Wednesdays.
MESSENGER DEADLINE:
Church Office will finalize the weekly
Messenger on Mondays by 12:00 PM.
SAVING GRACE CIRLCE
Saving Grace Circle will meet on March 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the home of Judy Zubka.