March 2019
2019 Lenten Study Wednesday after Ash Wednesday –
this is a family affair
Each Wednesday a child friendly light meal will be served in the social hall. At 6:30 our Director of Children, Faith Bailey, will lead the children in an interactive experience with fun, Bible, and crafts.
Adult weekly study topics:
Pastor Jane will lead the adults in a discussion of Adam Hamilton’s 24 Hours That Changed the World
In addition to Hamilton’s study we will also look at the characters involved in the study and how their story parallels our own.
March 13 – The Last Supper - meals with Jesus.
March 20 – The Garden of Gethsemane - betrayal, looking at both Peter and Judas.
March 26 – Condemned by the Righteous - silence during accusations and blame was God’s way of opening doors.
April 3 – Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate - What is truth?, Pilate asked to Truth himself.
April 10 - The Torture and Humiliation of the King - the one who could have called upon a legion of angels from heaven received the worst we could offer. Then he transformed it into grace
April 17 – Stations of the Cross - a visual journey with prayer and silence. Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Looking for resurrection in our midst
Children’s study - led by Faith
The Names of God. God is each one of the following things. We are made in the image of god. How are we each one of these things?
Week 1 - God is the Holy One - Holy is perfect. Practice makes perfect. How can I practice being holy? 10 Commandments is a good place to start!
Week 2 - God is our Teacher/Rabbi
What did Jesus teach? How does Jesus still teach us today?
Week 3 - God is a friend - How do you know someone is a friend? how do you know Jesus is your friend? How can you be a friend like Jesus?
Week 4 - God is our Helper/parakletos - Can we FROG? (Fully Rely On God)
Week 5 - Jesus is Messiah - Jesus was chosen by God for a special purpose. What’s something you’ve been chosen for? How did it feel?
Week 6 - we will join the visual Stations of the Cross
This Lent – Looking for Signs of Resurrection
Over the past weeks during worship the children and I have been looking at fruit and what St. Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. The image of fruit on a tree first begins with a seed from a ripe piece of fruit. Thinking further we took the seed full of potential right down to the roots of the tree, giving life to the trunk or vine that flows through the branches, which supported the new blossoms, that became baby fruit: grapes, an apple, and mangoes all started as a seed full of promise and potential.
Galatians 5:22-23 calls the fruit of the Spirit as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience that flow out of our lives of faith because God put these very seeds full of potential within us. Each week I reminded your children that God loves them dearly and that love is a seed full of potential that they can share with others.
From a tiny seed, like a mustard seed, or a huge seed like a mango seed, comes the same potential for growth. The seed that comes from fruit, dies, is buried, then grows deep roots, sprouts, then grows into a vine or tree that generates branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruit. This is the symbol of God’s good work growing within you.
The One who began a good work among you will bring it to completion. Phil 1:6
These fruits of the Spirit are signs of Jesus’ resurrection
alive within you, now.
It may seem odd to discuss signs of resurrection at the beginning of the season of Lent, but this is exactly the right time to begin noticing God’s resurrection power already at work within you.
Traditionally people give up something for Lent, this year I suggest you add a new practice: keep a journal, notebook, or simple list of signs of resurrection for the 40 days of Lent. Learn to notice where life abounds with the grace of God. It may flow through you, something you do surprises you with the generous Spirit of God. Something someone else does may surprise you or touch you with the generous Spirit of God. Keep a log, learn to notice. The seed filled with possibility and potential is already inside of you by God’s grace. Let it take root, grow, sprout, and bear fruit in Jesus’ name.
One with Christ, with you, Jane
Deacon’s Change Sunday - March 10.
Each new season when we change our clocks for Daylight Savings or Regular time, the saints of Plum Creek traditionally bring special donations (CHANGE) for our Board of Deacons. Your donations help support our Helping Hands Ministry, fruit and flower baskets for shut ins and other special deacons ministries. The offering will be collected on Sunday, March 10, AND don’t forget to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night!
Celebration of Women Victorian Tea - April 13
Doors will open at 11:00, come wearing a hat (it is optional), sample tasty homemade tea cakes and treats, and enjoy lunch with friends. The program will begin at 1:00. Jean Kanouf will present a history of hats for women and men. Tickets are $15 a person are will be on sale in the narthex.
The Ark Encounter - hosted by Evangelism and Fellowship committee - coming this fall
E&F is working on a buss coach trip to Williamstown, Ky, to enter the replica of Noah’s world aboard the massive ark - The Ark Encounter. There are three decks with exhibits and stunning visuals of Noah and his family. On the same trip we will see The Creation Museum which gives a sense of walking through biblical history. Dates and more information will follow.