As we prepare for Christmas, we light a new candle each Sunday; as we prepare for Good Friday, we extinguish candles each Sunday to remind us of the approaching darkness of betrayal and death.
We have begun our journey with Christ as He sets His face toward Jerusalem. This is a time of prayer and fasting . During the Lenten season, we think of those who turned away from the light of Jesus. It is through prayer and self reflection we remember that we, too, turn away in a variety of ways. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.
Keep on the journey with Christ and with each other! It is through experiencing this season that one encounters the True joy of Easter morning!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Ash Wednesday
February 17th, 2010 starts the season of Lent with what is called Ash Wednesday.
"Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ."
"The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation." -UM Book of Worship
Rockport UMC will be offering the Imposition of Ashes at a 7pm service which immediately follows our first Meager Meal which consists of soup, bread and butter at 6pm. Prayerfully consider starting your Lenten journey with us.
"Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ."
"The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation." -UM Book of Worship
Rockport UMC will be offering the Imposition of Ashes at a 7pm service which immediately follows our first Meager Meal which consists of soup, bread and butter at 6pm. Prayerfully consider starting your Lenten journey with us.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, Feb. 14 we will be looking at the scripture that describes the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Peter, John and James. This story will be found in Luke 9:28-36 (37-48)
Please note Lent begins with Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 17th. Please join us at 7:00pm in the sanctuary as we begin our 40 day journey with Christ to Jerusalem with the imposition of ashes.
Please note Lent begins with Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 17th. Please join us at 7:00pm in the sanctuary as we begin our 40 day journey with Christ to Jerusalem with the imposition of ashes.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Goin' Deeper
Wow! Are you enjoying the ride? I must say, the content of the messages (according to lectionary) have been linked together so wonderfully. Lets recap a bit:
Recently we have heard how baptism forms our identity in Christ. Then, as we receive the Holy Spirit, we also receive spiritual gifts in which we are to use wisely with passion. Following that, we hear how Jesus spoke of prophecy being fulfilled TODAY and how we are to be making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world TODAY! This past Sunday we recounted the story of expectation those in Jesus' hometown had of him. Then we were challenged to be who God would have us be, and how that may not fall into expectations others have of us.
Coming up, Feb. 7th, Tina Berardi, Certified Lay Speaker will give a message on Luke 5:1-11. It is in this scripture after an amazing catch of fish in the deep waters, Jesus calls Peter to follow him and be fishers of men! There is a process that Jesus takes Peter through in this text that helps him embark on a journey in finding who God would have him be, a fisher of men. We are "Goin' Deeper!"
Join us as we rejoice in God's unconditional love and sacrifice of His Son through Holy Communion.
Recently we have heard how baptism forms our identity in Christ. Then, as we receive the Holy Spirit, we also receive spiritual gifts in which we are to use wisely with passion. Following that, we hear how Jesus spoke of prophecy being fulfilled TODAY and how we are to be making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world TODAY! This past Sunday we recounted the story of expectation those in Jesus' hometown had of him. Then we were challenged to be who God would have us be, and how that may not fall into expectations others have of us.
Coming up, Feb. 7th, Tina Berardi, Certified Lay Speaker will give a message on Luke 5:1-11. It is in this scripture after an amazing catch of fish in the deep waters, Jesus calls Peter to follow him and be fishers of men! There is a process that Jesus takes Peter through in this text that helps him embark on a journey in finding who God would have him be, a fisher of men. We are "Goin' Deeper!"
Join us as we rejoice in God's unconditional love and sacrifice of His Son through Holy Communion.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Who are you?
Excellent message in worship this past Sunday given by Pastor Myers. Based on the text Luke 4:14-21, Jesus returned to his hometown, read from the prophet Isaiah and stated the prophecy is fulfilled in their hearing of the words. He has come to preach the good news to the poor. He is sent to pardon the prisoners and restore sight to the blind and set the burdened and battered free and announce, 'This is God's year to act!' (The Message)
Now is the time to be the church. TODAY is when we need to be doing the work Jesus did, and calls us to do. Be the messengers TODAY!
Of course, there are obstacles along our way...
We will hear the crowds reaction to Jesus' statement coming up this Sunday, January 31, in Luke 4:21-30. This encounter with citizens of his hometown remind us of the price we sometimes have to pay for living a life of faithfulness to God. They knew Jesus as Joseph's son. A son of a carpenter. A youngster who played with our kids. This is who He was in the eyes of the hearers. The idea of him being the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy was ludicrous! Does he live up to their expectations of who they say he is or risk disappointing them to the point of anger in order to be faithful to who God says he is?
Who are you?
Stay tuned...
Now is the time to be the church. TODAY is when we need to be doing the work Jesus did, and calls us to do. Be the messengers TODAY!
Of course, there are obstacles along our way...
We will hear the crowds reaction to Jesus' statement coming up this Sunday, January 31, in Luke 4:21-30. This encounter with citizens of his hometown remind us of the price we sometimes have to pay for living a life of faithfulness to God. They knew Jesus as Joseph's son. A son of a carpenter. A youngster who played with our kids. This is who He was in the eyes of the hearers. The idea of him being the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy was ludicrous! Does he live up to their expectations of who they say he is or risk disappointing them to the point of anger in order to be faithful to who God says he is?
Who are you?
Stay tuned...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Gifts of the Spirit
Last week we took a look at Jesus' baptism and the encouraging words that were given Jesus by His Father. We were encouraged to remember our own baptism, our own identity with Christ as son's and daughters of God. We heard the words, "Come touch the water. Go touch the world" as we left the sanctuary.
It is the Holy Spirit that lives within each one of us (through our baptism) guiding us each in a different way to "touch" the world. We are each created uniquely by God to first love Him. Out of that love, He graces us with spiritual gifts that when used according to His purpose can transform the world.
This Sunday's scripture comes from I Corinthians 12:1-11. This text explains how through the Holy Spirit we are each given spiritual gifts. Though we may have different gifts, they all come from the same Holy Spirit.
Come and hear the Good News and be blessed by God's word. Scott Welsh, Local Lay Speaker, will be delivering the message.
It is the Holy Spirit that lives within each one of us (through our baptism) guiding us each in a different way to "touch" the world. We are each created uniquely by God to first love Him. Out of that love, He graces us with spiritual gifts that when used according to His purpose can transform the world.
This Sunday's scripture comes from I Corinthians 12:1-11. This text explains how through the Holy Spirit we are each given spiritual gifts. Though we may have different gifts, they all come from the same Holy Spirit.
Come and hear the Good News and be blessed by God's word. Scott Welsh, Local Lay Speaker, will be delivering the message.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Words of Baptism
Sunday, Jan. 10th, we will be taking a look at Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. This scripture documents Jesus' baptism. It was written by Luke, a companion of Paul the apostle. Luke describes the Holy Spirit descending in bodily form as a dove, and voice from heaven is heard. It is this voice of encouragement that still speaks to us today, that we can share with each other.
Come join us this Sunday as we remember our baptism, claim our identity as children of God, and be empowered with the Holy Spirit to be sent out to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Can't wait to see you there!
Peace,
Tina
Come join us this Sunday as we remember our baptism, claim our identity as children of God, and be empowered with the Holy Spirit to be sent out to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Can't wait to see you there!
Peace,
Tina
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)