I asked my neighbor when her birthday was, and she said March 1st. Been marching for half an hour now, and she still hasn’t told me.
So excited to be part of First Congregational Church of Huntley. If I didn’t have a chance to meet you in January (for the trial sermon and congregational vote) please feel free to introduce yourself as we begin the season of Lent.
Speaking of March, listed below is both our Lenten Bible Study outline and Sunday sermon scripture with themes for the month (with no marching required).
Our Lenten bible study focuses on the Old(er) Testament which serves as the foundation and informs the New Testament.
Wed. March 2 – Ash Wednesday service – 7PM
Sun. March 6 – Lent # 1 John 22:14-20 “Marked Desire” Communion
Sports Theme Sunday (Wearing favorite Sports team gear – it goes with sermon)
Wed. March 9 – Lenten Bible Study # 1 OT Torah PP w/handout – 6PM
Sun. March 13 – Lent # 2 John 4:4-30, 39-42 “Well Women”
Wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day
Wed. March 16 – Lenten Bible Study # 2 OT History PP w/handout – 6PM
Sun. March 20 – Lent # 3 Luke 14:15-24 “Broken Worthiness”
Bring a friend to church Sunday
Wed. March 23 – Lenten Bible Study # 3 OT Wisdom PP w/handout – 6PM
Sun. March 27 – Lent # 4 Won’t you be my neighbor?
PJ Sunday (Kids & Adults)
Wed. March 30 – Lenten Bible Study # 4 OT Major Prophets PP w/handout – 6PM
Blessings,
Pastor Michael
- Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022
- World Day of Prayer, March 4, 2022
- Daylight saving begins, March 13, 2022
- First day of spring, March 20, 2022
A Prayer For Lent
This year, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on March 2. During worship services that day, pastors in many Christian churches dip a finger in ashes (often made by burning branches from the previous Palm Sunday) and make a cross on parishioners’ foreheads.
Why ashes? Traditionally, they’re a sign of mourning, humiliation and penitence. Ashes also represent the frailty and temporary nature of human life (“You are dust, and to dust you shall return,” Genesis 3:19). Christians are pained because our sins led to Jesus’ death. With repentant hearts, we begin the season of Lent, knowing that it leads to Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.
For Ash Wednesday — and throughout the 40 days of Lent — ponder this prayer from an Italian sacramentary, or liturgical book: “O God, you know how fragile is our human nature, wounded as it is by sin. Help your people to enter upon the Lenten journey strengthened by the power of your word, so that we may be victorious over the seduction of the Evil One and reach the paschal feast in the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
Love that Welcomes All
Actor Tom Hanks once said, “There’s no substitute for a great love who says, ‘No matter what’s wrong with you, you’re welcome at this table.’” Although I don’t know that quote’s context, those words could well describe Jesus and Holy Communion, as well as God’s unconditional love.
For when Jesus first invited his followers, “Take and eat; this is my body. Take and drink; this is my blood,” he didn’t exclude Judas, who would betray him, or Peter, who would deny him, or any of the others, who would abandon him as he was arrested and executed.
Indeed, no matter what’s wrong with us — what sins we’ve committed, what flaws we try to hide — Jesus welcomes us to the communion table. And he’ll welcome us to the great heavenly banquet at the end of time. For the great love of God declares, “You’re all welcome at my table.” —Heidi Hyland Mann
Our Stain Remover
From sanitizers and soaps to solutions and sprays, many products promise to eliminate germs and grime. Unfortunately, they often fall short. Just think how many items in your closet or kitchen have been ruined by stubborn stains.
What if we were that concerned about ridding our lives and hearts of sin? What if we spent as much time confessing and repenting as scrubbing and laundering? The good news is that with one “application” (the cross), Jesus makes us “whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). Praise be to our unblemished Lamb, the perfect stain remover!
Facing Life’s Giants
During the NCAA basketball tournaments, many fans enjoy rooting for an underdog, hoping a Cinderella story will emerge. First-round March Madness matchups often are billed as David vs. Goliath events, with perennial powerhouses facing off against little-known schools.
Underdogs play key roles in the Bible: Moses takes on Pharaoh’s army, Daniel defies a king and David squares off against an actual giant. Being an underdog didn’t faze David, who knew the source of his strength: “For the battle is the Lord’s,” he says in 1 Samuel 17:47. What assurance as we battle life’s “giants”!
In Goliath Must Fall, Louie Giglio writes, “Our giants keep taunting us, so we need to hold God at his word: that he is already victorious.” Instead of “staring at our giant,” we must “lock eyes with Jesus” and remember that “life is short and God is big.” With bold hearts, adds Giglio, we can worship with “holy urgency” while giants fall.
Faith & Service
“Faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” —Mary McLeod Bethune