Dear Friends,
What a wonderful time of worship and celebration this past Sunday! We were blessed by the music of the Chicka Chaka band; as always, it is great for CRUMC to see some of our young people using their gifts to glorify God. Keep praying for our congregation to nurture musicians and artists and that we may provide a place for contemporary worship in the near future.
On Sunday, I left you with the imperative to “pass the bread, please.” We talked about Christ as the Bread of Life. Jesus is essential to a satisfied life whether we are aware of our hunger or not. So, how do we share this Bread of Life? The answer may be more obvious than you think…around a table, of course! There are many stories of Jesus sharing a meal with people, and often he talked about bread—his life—as they broke some! If there’s nothing else that you consider doing during Lent, I encourage you to share a meal with someone. Invite a co-worker to your house, have your college students’ friends over, reach out and get to know someone in the church. Whether you talk about Jesus directly or not, your hospitality is an act of sharing the Bread of Life. In a world that can be inhospitable, we can share God’s love and grace through a simple meal, just like Jesus did.
You are invited to an Ash Wednesday service at 7pm to begin the season of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period of reflection and self-denial with the purpose of growing us closer to Jesus, closer to resembling our Lord and Savior. Of course, this only happens through the grace, not by our works during this time of year or any other. I heard Ash Wednesday described as the “most uncomfortable night of the year” because our we asked to be repentant of our sins—for the things we do and the things we fail to do—and even to be mindful our of own mortality. But the night is also marked by grace. For while we still sinners, Christ died for us. We will be marked, literally, with the sign of the cross, the sign of God’s never-ending grace. It is moving and meaningful service and I hope to see you there.
Peace,
Pastor Amber
· Choir Rehearsal will be held after Ash Wednesday service at 8pm.
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Thursday, Feb. 16, at 9:30am our Preschool and Kindergarten will be having an Open House for New and Returning Students. This is a chance to ask questions, get fall registrations, tour the school building. Meet in the Fellowship Center. Tell your friends and neighbors!
· This Sunday, February 21- Pot Luck Lunch and Reception of New Members to follow the church service. Bring a meat or side dish to share! If you are interested in joining the church or have questions about the United Methodist Church, please contact Pastor Amber. Everyone is invited to enjoy lunch and fellowship that day!
· Next week on Thurs. 2/25 and Fri. 2/26 will be a Used Book Sale sponsored by and benefitting the Preschool. This week you may bring in any donations of gently used books for all ages. The sale will be in the Fellowship Center from 9am-2pm. All books $2 each.
