“Where Will You Go?”

With the smell of palm ash from our Wednesday service still lingering in the air, our Lenten journey has begun.  Each year, as we seek a different way to observe the season of Lent, be it through fasting, committing to a new spiritual discipline or some other means, we go on a journey.

This Lenten season, I invite you to join us as we go on a journey with Jesus.  Our messages will be themed around the idea of “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”  Each of these next six weeks we will focus on one of the events during Jesus’ final week on earth.  In his final week, Jesus entered many places – Jerusalem, the Temple, homes of sinners and leaders, the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane – and in each place he shared with us important lessons. 

Throughout these next six weeks, we will explore the history behind the stories of Holy Week and consider the risks taken not only by Jesus, but also his followers.  As we do so, I hope you will allow yourself to enter these stories, these places, and Jesus’ teachings.  I pray that as we take this journey together, God speaks to you in a new and significant way.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will begin our Lenten message series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”  This week we will look at entering Jerusalem.  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21, verses 1-11:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethpage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at one you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say to them that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

We will begin our service with a video of the song Great Things by Phil Wickham.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Jesus Calls Us, and Take My Life and Let it Be.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Mighty to Save, performed by Laura Story.

COVID Precautions

Please remember the COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are now required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (approximately 50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang around too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.

We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:30 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

Announcements

Thank You! – We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the Children’s and Youth ministries this past Sunday at the annual Spaghetti Dinner.  Despite new practices, the turnout was fantastic!  Also a big thank you to all those who worked so hard, donated items, and prepared and served food.  You made this possible, thank you!

Inclement Weather Policy – As recent weather events have shown, our winter weather in Missouri can be challenging!  And while we encourage our members to attend worship as frequently as they are able, we also know that when it is treacherous to travel, the wiser long-term answer is to stay safely at home.  The Trustees do have a contract with a service to clear our sidewalks and steps when it snows, so if the city has cleared the roads, we will have worship services. 

If a decision is made to not hold Sunday services because of inclement weather, an email will be sent out to notify the congregation of a cancellation, we will notify the local television stations KMIZ and KMOU and have them add it to their reports.   Additionally, we will post the closing on our Facebook page and church website.  If you do not have access to email, or if you do not have access to the media (because of power outages), call a church friend before heading out. 

Events this week:

Sunday, February 21: First Sunday of Lent

Monday, February 22: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, February 24: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, February 25: Baby Grace, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Sunday, February 28: Youth Group, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.”– Henri Nouwen