New Years Eve!

Blue Christmas: Longest Night Service

Welcome to this Blue Christmas, a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the "blue" feelings we have at Christmas time, the reasons for them, and offer them to God. This time has been called the "long dark night of the soul" and "the winter of our discontent" in which memories of past experiences and the pain of present experiences can become overwhelming. For some, Christmas Day is the most difficult. For others, Christmas Eve, or New Years Eve, or the beginning of another lonely New Year. In this service, we'll have some singing appropriate to the Christmas Season, recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone. We will invite you to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, and the sadness you may feel and offer it to God for healing and transformation. We pray that you will find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Always remember that God knows your pain and loves you unconditionally.”

Psalm 22 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest. 

In you, our ancestors trusted. They trusted and you delivered them.

It was you who brought me from the womb,

you who kept me safe on my mother's breast.

Since my mother bore me, you have been my God. 

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

God does not despise the affliction of the afflicted.

God does not hide from me.

When I cry to God, God hears me.

Thanks be to God.

Advent Wreath:
We light this first candle to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember clearly, their faces, their voices, their bodies. We embrace and give thanks for the memories that bind them to us in this season of expectation, when all Creation waits for the Light. We remember them with love. May God's eternal love surround them. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

We light this second candle to remember the pain of loss: loss of relationships, loss of trust, loss of jobs, loss of health, loss of faith, the loss of joy. We acknowledge and embrace the pain of the past, O God, and we offer it to You, asking that into our wounded hearts and open hands You will place the gift of peace, shalom. Refresh, restore, renew us, 0 God, and lead us into Your future. To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us years, that have been heavy with our burdens. We accept and lay before you, God, the sharpness of memory, the sadness and grief, the hurt and fear, the anger and pain. We accept and lay before you the ways we feel we have fallen short, and the times we have spent blaming ourselves, and you, for all that we have suffered. We accept and lay before you the time we have walked alone, in darkness; and in knowledge of our own mortality.
the light itself has not failed. We remember that though winter be upon us and though the night be dark, with the turning of the Wheel the dawn will come, and dawn defeats the darkness. O come thou day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by thy advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

We light this fourth candle to remember faith, the gift of light and hope that God offers to us in the stories of Hanukkah and of Christmas, which both also began in abandonment, insecurity, and humbleness, in a time of war and in a poor stable. We remember that the loving God who kept the light shining in the temple and who came to share this life with us promises us comfort and peace.
and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows. Bid then our sad, divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Prayer:
God of wisdom, we come to you this Christmas Season tired, in turmoil, and in pain.
As the nights have grown longer, so has darkness grown and wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of longest night, we ask your healing blessings upon all that we carry in our hearts -- sorrow we fear may never end, wounds we cannot even put into words. Lord, hear our prayer, And in Your merciful love, answer.

God of mercy and compassion, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been. Death or loss or terrible hurt has changed our experience of Christmas. We remember that once it was a special day for us, too, but someone or something precious has gone away from us in this life. We have lost a beloved, a job, a goal, a cause, a dream. We find ourselves adrift and alone. We are weary from the journey, and we have found no room at the inn. We come to you seeking rest, and peace, and shelter from the storm. Lord, hear our prayer. And in Your merciful love, answer.

God of grace, in the spirit of the season, grant us all that we need to comfort us as we journey through this Christmas season. We ask that you shelter and sustain all those of us, both here and throughout the world, who wander or want or weep or are heavy laden, that we may be lifted up in courage and journey on in Thy peace. Lord, hear our prayer. And in Your merciful love, answer.

God of love, in this Christmas Season we embrace and offer up to you all that used to be which is now lost to us, and cannot be again. With celebration all around us, memories of what was, and fears of what may be, weigh heavy on our hearts. Please hold us close in your embrace, be near to us this night, until the light returns and morning comes. Lord, hear our prayer, And in Your merciful love, answer.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for thy love's sake. Amen.

Psalm 121 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord,

who hath made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;

he that keepeth thee will not slumber;

behold, the God that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon at night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil and shall sustain thy soul.

He shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in,

from this time forth and even forevermore.

Another day will come, 0 God. I know not what it may bring forth, but make me ready, God, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, help me do it gallantly.  Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of thy Peace. Amen.

O God, support us all the day long in this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then Lord, in thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.

Blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and forever more. Amen.

Christmas Eve!

December Happenings!

Check out what we are doing this month!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

November Happenings!

Check out what is happening in the Life Works Ministry this month!

Trunk or Treat!

October Happenings!

We have a lot going on this month! Check out our newsletter!

September Happenings!

Click the link for our September Newsletter!

Click HERE

Eclipse Party!!

Join us on Monday, August 21 for a Solar Eclipse party! 

All ages are invited!

We will watch the eclipse, have lunch, eat moon pies and have some solar eclipse fun along the way!

Parents - are you working? No worries! Drop your children off when you're headed to work and pick them up when you get off. Not working? Join us! 

Please let us know if you are going to be joining us so we can get enough supplies.

August News

School has started and we are revising our monthly newsletters. Check it out!

This Summer!

We are excited about this summer and all that we are going to be doing during the eight weeks of summer break! This year our theme is I Wonder! Wonder Wednesdays for short. We have all been asked the questions from kids and know that they are naturally curious. They ask questions like I wonder what this tastes like? I wonder if this will work if I put it here? I wonder what it would be like to do it this way? I wonder who made me and why? This summer we are going to answer some of their wonder questions and ask some more I wonder questions together.

June       1:30 - 3                                                     6 - 7:30
7             Community Helpers                                Scavenger Hunt
14           Ms. Juanita - Food                                  Cooking Adventure
21           Imagineer Day!                                       Vacation Bible School
28           Ms. Juanita - Food                                   Camping

July
5            Red White and Boom                               Red White and Boom
12          Marion County Public Library                 Art!
19          Marion County Public Library                 Making Music!
26          Water Day!!                                              Water Day!


You are welcome to join us as times as you are able! All events are subject to change but we will have something every Wednesday at 1:30 - 3 and 6 - 7:30.  Watch our Facebook and bulletin for changes. Each of these events is being planned by Sheri Clark and Bekah Franklin. See them for more details.

Please RSVP for our events this summer, we are in need of numbers to be able to buy supplies and also let our speakers know how many people to expect. There are three ways to RSVP, one is through our Wonder Wednesday Online registration, two is the sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall and three see Bekah or Sheri.

Hope you can join us for one or all of our Wonder Wednesday events!

He Is Risen!!

Happy Easter!! He has Risen! He he tomb is empty!

It is finished...

Jesus died.

The disciples thought all hope was lost but God had a greater plan and a huge surprise. But just like all good things, they and we have to wait....

Darkness

Darkness comes over the land as Christ spends the last few hours of his life of the cross.

Good Friday

What's so good about it?
It remembers a day of suffering and death. It also brings us these two things. One, it is a good day because God fulfilled his plan to save his people from their sins. Second, it is when wrath and mercy met at the cross. And Jesus took on our sins (forgiveness) because he loves us unconditionally.

Who do you need to forgive today?

Who is this Jesus?

As this Holy week and season of Lent comes to an end I asked a question of a couple of the kids. Who is this Jesus that we talk about? After the giggles and the "Ms Bekah you know who Jesus is" comments they answered simply, he died for us and we will get to be with him in heaven when we die. All of them answered that. 

I double dog dare you to ask your children, wait through the silly answers and you might be surprised how deep they get! If you do this please tell me what they say, I would love to hear the answers they give you!

Tomorrow!!

Invite a friend!

Happy Meal

Children's Moment from Holy Thursday Service

Tonight we pull out our suitcase for the last time as we are reaching our destination. We have been journeying to the cross during these past few weeks. We began our journey on Ash Wednesday and tonight we cross the goal line. Tonight I have one last item in my suitcase that I am sure any American child and adult can tell me what it is. (pull out box and show to kids) It is a Happy Meal box! As a child, I loved taking journeys to places because it meant we would stop at McDonald's on the way to where ever we were headed. Tonight we are going to share a Happy Meal together but not the kind we get from the restaurant it is our Saviors Happy Meal. Let me explain by reading you a poem.


The Savior's Happy Meal

This Happy Meal doesn't look like much,
And it doesn't come with a toy.
It may not fill my stomach,
But it fills my heart with joy!
The bread and juice remind me of
The Savior's love for me;
When he died upon a rugged cross
On a hill called Calvary.
There is no way I can describe
The gratitude I feel
Each and every time I eat
The Savior's Happy Meal!

Thank you, Father, for your son Jesus. We thank you that you loved the world so much that you gave your one and only son to die for our sins so we could have a new life. Send the Holy Spirit to help us remember as we eat this Happy Meal tonight that you love us and are our cornerstone. Open our hearts and minds to all you would have use to learn tonight. Amen.

Holy Thursday

As we are nearing the end of our Journey to the Cross join us tonight for a Communion Service at 6:30 in the Sanctuary. Childcare will be provided for children 6 weeks to 3 years old.

Maundy Thursday Scripture

Maundy means command. On this day we read the stories about the last supper. During the last supper Jesus washed the disciples feet and gave a command for them to follow his example. 

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Luke 22
The Last Supper

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

After that they sat around the table and Jesus broke bread and shared a cup commanding them to do this in remembrance of him every time they gathered together.

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Holy Wednesday Scriptures

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guardand discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Holy Wednesday Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-3New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow wearyand lose heart.

This Week

Holy Tuesday

Answer to the questions the kids have asked over the last few weeks:

Why is Easter not on the same day every year?
Unlike Christmas, Easter is on a different day every year. It always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. The date of Easter is the first Sunday after the paschal full moon on or just after the vernal equinox (March 21).  This was established by the Council of Nicaea. Interesting fact, Easter is delayed by a week if the full moon is on a Sunday. This decreases the chances of it falling on the same day as the Jewish Passover.

Why do we hide eggs?
Eggs are a symbol of new life. Jesus' empty tomb brings us hope of life everlasting with him in Heaven. New life.

Why is there an Easter bunny?
Going back to the Egyptian time of Joseph, bunnies are the symbol of fertility.

Why do we call it Easter?
The word Easter is derived from words meaning "rising" or "dawn." It is traditionally believed that Jesus rose at dawn.

When is Easter next year?
April 1, 2018
April 22, 2019 (almost the latest it can be!)

Holy Tuesday Scripture

Isaiah 49:1-7New International Version (NIV)

The Servant of the Lord

49 Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
    from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
    and concealed me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
    and my reward is with my God.”

5 And now the Lord says—
    he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
    and gather Israel to himself,
for I am[a] honored in the eyes of the Lord
    and my God has been my strength—
6 he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

7 This is what the Lord says—
    the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
    to the servant of rulers:
“Kings will see you and stand up,
    princes will see and bow down,
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Holy Monday Scripture

Luke 19:45-47: Jesus at the Temple

45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Why do we shout Hosanna??

The word that we used in worship yesterday isn't one that we use every week or even very often. The word Hosanna is one we use a lot on Palm Sunday. The children sing songs about it. We shout it as we wave our palms. It is in our hymns. It is even in the scripture that we read. On Palm Sunday we remember when Jesus was met by the people of Jerusalem as he entered the city to celebrate the Passover. The people were excited to see him. They had heard about how he had raised people from the dead, healed the sick, and had done many miracles. As he came into two on the back of a donkey they saw the miracle worker. They shouted Hosanna and laid palms leaves before him. It was a joyful day. Jesus was coming into the city and was going to save them. 
The word Hosanna means "save me, I pray." They not only were celebrating that Jesus was there in the city of Jerusalem, they were asking the one they had heard raised Lazarus from the dead after being dead for days to save them. They knew that he had the power to save them. He still does. It isn't something we just believe we know. We call him Jesus our Savior. 

Psalm 118:25 "LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!"