MORGAN CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

March 6th, 2025

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Greetings Morgan Church of the Nazarene!

      We have entered into the Lenten Season. We aren't a particularly liturgical church, but I still find value in paying attention to the "liturgical calendar." In the season of Lent we "journey with Jesus to the cross." It is a season of self-reflection, a season of self-denial, a season of walking closely with the Lord. Just as Jesus had to die before he was raised to life, in this season we "die to ourselves" in order that we too may live a new life. This often looks like fasting from certain foods or activities, or possibly adding new activities or habits. It isn't something we make anyone do, each one must decide for themselves.

     We still have plenty of Devotional books, My Cup Runneth Over, available for anyone to use during this season. On Sunday mornings at 9:30am we will be using this book to guide discussion. There will be ONE adult class (combining our usual 2) that will meet in the gym for the next 6 Sundays - and then we will return to our normal 2 classes.

 

This Sunday we will be in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to suffer and die, and that anyone who desires to follow him must be willing to give their lives as well. It is a sobering word.

9:30am - Sunday School

10:45am - Worship service 

                  Kids will remain in the service

                  Scriptures: Deuteronomy 26:1-3, 9-11; Luke 9:18-26

1:00pm -  Servicio de adorar en español.

 

Prayer: a prayer by Henri Nouwen, in "A Cry for Mercy," found in The Only Necessary Thing.

Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let die the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn to you and see through you the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thoughts can become a hymn of praise to you. I need your loving grace, to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self and to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom... Amen.

 

Announcements: (For more details, see the bulletin, check out our Facebook page, or just ask!)

Compass Weekend - March 22 -Our Annual Compass weekend is coming up! It is only 1 day this year, Saturday, March 22, 8am-12pm. We will spend our morning focusing on the mission of our church, to BE and to MAKE Disciples, consider the current ministries of our church, as well as imagine and discern what new things God may be calling us to. Please RSVP - Let us know if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly. This year it will be a bi-lingual event and a great time to get to know those in our church who attend a different service.

Sunday, March 23 - Blake and Lindsey Berry (and family) will be with us in just a few weeks (for both services) to share about their work as missionaries in Africa. The Berry family is from our church and have been missionaries for the past 5 years. Make sure you are here that day, and be prayerfully considering how you might support their work (we will be receiving a special offering for them that Sunday).Baptism: Please let me know if you are interested in being Baptized! On Easter Sunday we will have a Baptism service! 

Compassionate Services: We could use help with compassionate services. We could use help staffing it on Tuesdays from 2-6:30pm, or at least part of that time. We can also use help ANY TIME to keep the clothing room organized. Please ask me any questions you may have about this.

Membership: If anyone is interested in joining the church (becoming "Members") please let me know.

Keeping Up with the Building - Most weeks we could use some extra help cleaning the church in preparation for Sunday services (cleaning on Friday/Saturday). If you ever find yourself with some time you would like to donate for these purposes, just let us know! 

Youth Rummage Sale Fundraiser: May 3. We will begin collecting items for our annual rummage sale April 1. Proceeds will help our students get to summer camp.

 

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Kent