eChurchlight March 2009
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Contents |
Dates to remember |
through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer
According to Lazarus
(a poem by William Coleman)
The light said stand, the cave said sleep.
The cave said look, here are the eyes
that mocked you, the hands that cast you out,
said sleep, your sisters need their grief.
The light said rise, step out of your sorrows,
let them follow only if you choose.
the light said choose.
Because the light outside was simple,
because its urgency was born inside,
and because the cave could replace me,
I chose and rose into morning.
We have entered the season of Lent, the time for choosing. It is a serious time of self-examination but it is only firstly about what we need to know about our need to turn to God and is ultimately about how God has already turned to us and offered to us, through the fog of our misunderstanding, the light of the reality that is more real than anything else we have ever known and will know. We are not unlike Lazarus who has died but has a choice to live again. In our caves we consider the comfort of our own deaths, the care free quiet of disengagement with the world and the life of others with all of their troubles and ours against the light that calls us to stand and live and care and engage the living, suffering, crazy world of trouble and love again and again. Lent is the time for consideration. Will we live as those who are dead or alive? Will we seek and follow the light? Will we go where loves calls us? Or will we sleep undisturbed and free of the burden of living? Lent comes to us with the coming of spring. New life is offered but we can choose.
These are secrets words,
Say them after me.
May all the plants and flowers rise
And all people rise from death.
(The little girl in South Dakota who never said a word out loud in Kathleen Norris' writing class.)
For you consideration: Please look over this website concerning five year old Jasmina, a little girl with a big disease, leukemia. Jasmina, and others like her, needs a bone marrow transplant. It’s easy and the website explains how you can help.
http://www.oneforjasmina.com/
A Letter from the District Superintendent
Dear Rev. Wimmer & Belmont UMC Church Family:
I am writing to express my appreciation for your recent decision to provide support to a sister church in the MBH. Because of your support this congregation has survived a crisis situation and they are moving forward with hope. Your willingness to share so generously demonstrates the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for being Christ-like in a time of great need.
I pray that God will continue to grant favor on your ministry as you seek new and exciting ways to make disciples for Jesus Christ in a challenging world. Because of your generosity, one church feels less alone and more connected to the larger church family. Alleluia and Amen!
All My Prayers,
Reverend Martin McLee
Announcements
From Barbara…
What’s Happening?
Our next All Church Lunch will be Sunday, March 8. Join us after coffee hour for a time of fellowship and fun as we gather for lunch in the Social Hall, followed by our Hoop Shootout in the Gym. We’re raising money for Nothing But Nets, a combined effort by several organizations, including the United Methodist Church, the National Basketball Association, and Sports Illustrated, to eradicate malaria. Every $10 we raise sends a specially treated mosquito net to Africa and protects a family for about 4 years. Volunteers at the shootout will have 2 minutes to see how many baskets they can make from the free throw line – come prepared to pledge any amount of money per basket for your favorite shooter(s), to shoot some hoops yourself, to help out with timing, scoring, or rebounding, or just to show your support for staff members Larry, Casey, Bob, and Barbara, who have all volunteered to try their luck and/or skill. A good time is guaranteed for all! As always, our thanks to the volunteers who will be preparing the meal for Bristol Kitchen the night before, and who will make extra for all of us.
Our regular monthly lunches won’t be held in April or May, to make room for other special events – stay tuned!
Holy Habits for the Holy Season of Lent, devotional booklets for the whole family, are available at the church. The author, Rich Bimler, has included a brief reading, scripture selection, and prayer for each day from Ash Wednesday (February 25) through Easter (April 12). The readings are an uplifting and thought-provoking look not at what we should give up, but what we can pick up – habits such as amazement, rest, hope, and laughter! Get your copy at church, or email or call the office to have a copy sent to you.
The Women’s Book Group, which meets the last Thursday of every month, has selected books for the next few months:
March 26: The Shack, by William P. Young
April 30: Sarah’s Daughter, by Ruth Bass (Ruth, a classmate and friend of Janet Coombs at Bates College, has accepted Janet's invitation to be with us on that night!)
May 28: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp.
As always, if you have ideas, suggestions or questions about our programs, feel free to talk to me any time at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org
Have You Noticed?
Our Social Hall is looking pretty spiffy these days…our thanks to the Grimm family who volunteered their time to add some paint detail to the back wall, wax the floor, and generally give it a face lift, and to Bruce Pahlm, who donated his talents to solve the problem of those buzzing fluorescent lights! Be sure to thank them the next time you see them!
March 2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
March 1st – ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
March 8th – DEFG, coordinated by the Ghiozzi family
March 15th – HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
March 22nd – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
March 29th – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
March 2009 Worship Services
March 1st: 10:00 a.m. First Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10 (UMH 756); 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
March 8th: 10:00 a.m. Second Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31 (UMH 752); Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
March 15th: 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19 (UMH 750); 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
March 22nd: 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 (UMH 830); Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
March 29th: 10:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12 (UMH 785); Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
Sunshine Page
March Birthdays
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3: David Coombs |
14: Susan Haller |
March Anniversaries
4: Ron and Cindi Bourque
15: Bruce and Diane Pahlm
If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office.
