Manassas Church of the Brethren. March ReLentless. March Schedule. by Chris Bowman, Pastor Emeritus 1-3

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1 March Schedule Youth at Roundtable NO Doughnut Breakfast Lunch Bunch (Arby s Liberia) LENT BEGINS CAN Dinner Generation Gap Choir Practice New Windsor Service Project Wampler Agape Chili Party NVFS SERVE Bowl-a-thon Hot Breakfast Deacons Meeting Executive Committee & Church Board Meeting Lunch Bunch (Arby s Liberia) Forgetful Friends Chorus CAN Dinner Generation Gap Choir Practice 14 Bridge & Cards Club Lunch Bunch (Arby s Liberia) CAN Dinner Generation Gap Choir Practice 21 Retirees Luncheon Talent Show Lunch Bunch (Arby s Liberia) Forgetful Friends Chorus CAN Dinner Generation Gap Choir Practice 28 Bridge & Cards Club Bridgewater Choir Concert Service Sunday / Manassas Church of the Brethren March 2019 ReLentless by Chris Bowman, Pastor Emeritus Free from work schedules, retired folk often lose track of dates and times. Silly as it seems, Tuesday look surprisingly like Thursday without a schedule, a to-do list, or the eb-and-flow of recognizable rhythms of lifewith-others. Yelling Thank God it s Friday makes no sense when one s work-week is replaced by seven-day weekends. To see life more deeply, it is important to experience time more fully. We can get lost in a monotonous plodding through life without really living. So, I appreciate the seasons of feasting and fasting found in the Christian calendar. What else reminds us that Christmas is more than a frenzy of gift buy? How else will we notice the give-and-take of God amid the win-at-allcosts world? Who else calls us to consider saying no to our physical appetites so we can learn how to say yes to the Spiritual Bread? Christians are not required to observe Lent. In fact, Lent isn t even mentioned in the Bible. Early Brethren chose not to celebrate Lent because they resisted all formalism. They didn t want their worship prescribed or scheduled by some authorized specialist or ecclesial bureaucrat. And I appreciate the freedom shown by our church forebears. But as the society around us has lost touch with the seasons of life and faith, I m glad that our church observes Lent. For us, the season of Lent has nothing to do with Lent itself. We don t celebrate Lent because it is Lent. We celebrate because it helps us see life more deeply while experiencing the time more fully. Lent is less about the season than what the season reminds us to remember---only, always, Christ, Crucified --- the self-giving love of God. Consider this season of Lent for yourself. It is an opportunity, not an obligation. Let it interrupt your world with an alternate reality. See in it a pattern of feasting and fasting your way toward the Good News of an eternal kind of life.

2 Pastors Page Sometimes, I find myself needing to pray but not exactly knowing how or what to say. Have you ever felt this way? Last month, I was able to attend worship at River of Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Connie Thomson. She led a Children s Story on prayer, where she invited the children to hold their hands together in prayer. As they looked at their thumbs, which is the finger closest to them, she invited them to pray for the people in their lives closest to them their friends and family. Then, she invited the kids to look at their pointer finger and pray for God to give them guidance and point them in the right direction. Next, she had the kids look at their middle finger, the tallest of all fingers and she invited the kids to pray for people in authority and people in leadership positions in our community, nation and around the world. Next she told the kids that their ring finger is the weakest of all fingers. As the kids looked at their ring fingers, they were invited to pray for the weakest among us the poor and the hungry. Lastly, with their pinky finger, the kids were invited to pray for themselves. It s a simple prayer that guides children into a conversation with God, knowing that God is always listening and ready to answer. Recently, I attended a 12-step meeting with a friend. We were reading through the 11th step about the importance of prayer and meditation. As we went around the room, individuals were invited to share what praying meant to them. One person responded, God always answers my prayers with a yes, a no, or a wait. Another person said that praying for them was to focus on their breathing. I change my breathing until my breathing changes me. And yet, for another, prayer was simply stopping and counting to ten before opening his big fat trap. I don t believe that there is a right or wrong way to pray. There are no right words or wrong words. There is no right position or wrong position, or a right or wrong time. God is with us always. God knows our thoughts and our heart before we even speak. God hears us when we pray and James 5 reminds us that prayer is powerful and effective. Whenever we hear tragic stories in the news, often times our response is to offer our thoughts and prayers to the victims. Our prayers are very much needed in these moments. Over the past year, I have found that I have changed the way that I pray during these times. Not only do I pray for the victims and everyone affected by the tragedy, I also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me to do something so that I may put my faith into action and be the hands and feet of Jesus for these people in these moments. As we enter into this season of Lent, let us enter it as a time to pray, to be in conversation with God, to talk with God and to listen to what God has to tell us. - Pastor Mandy March 3 Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13) Preacher: Pastor Mandy Leader: Germain M. Themes March 24 The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) Preacher: Pastor Mandy Leader: Jacob P. March 10 Communion Sunday Forgiveness The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Preacher: Pastor Mandy Leader: Jaylin K. March 31 Service Sunday Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17) Preacher: Pastor Mandy Leader: Terrie C. March 17 The Rich Young Man (Matthew 19:16-30) Preacher: David S. Leader: Chris E.

3 Events Come one and all to our 2019 Annual Talent Show! Agape Chili Party Join Paul and Priscilla W. at their home on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm. for their annual Agape Chili Party. Open to those 60 years and older. Enjoy fellowship and fun, and please bring a salad or dessert to share! For questions, please contact Paul & Priscilla at March 24, :00 pm Sanctuary Take part in our mission to help strengthen families in the Greater Prince William area! The Strikes for Stronger Families Bowl-a-Thon takes place on Saturday, March 9, and all proceeds benefit NVFS SERVE Campus. Create a Team Gather up to five of your family, friends and coworkers to help support vulnerable local families on their journey toward self-sufficiency. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers. To join the MCoB Team, contact Kim K. or Steve H. For more information, please visit: Bridgewater Choir Concert* Saturday, March 30th 7:00 pm Sanctuary Includes Bridgewater College Concert Choir, Chorale, and Handbell ensembles Directed by Prof. Curtis Nolley * Please let us know if you can provide breakfast, and a spare room or two for members of the choir

4 Homeschool sports teams thank MCoB Northern Virginia Homeschool Athletic Association (NVHAA) presented Pastor Mandy with a photo collage and team sweatshirt in thanks to MCoB for use of our facilities.

5 The Deacon s Program Committee is trying to organize a trip to see the performance of Jesus, at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster Pennsylvania. The performance covers Jesus life beginning with his teaching and concluding with his resurrection. For those of you not familiar with the Sight and Sound Theatre it opened about 40 years ago, and each year it covers a personality from the Bible. This is the first year that a performance drew such a big audience that it had to run a second year. To get seats together in the theatre and get the group rate and to book a bus, we need to plan way in advance. We are look at going August 10 th. The trip will last all day. We will leave at 9:00 AM and arrive back at 9:00 PM. We will have Lunch at Miller s Smorgasbord Restaurant upon arrival in Lancaster and will attend the 3:00 PM performance of "Jesus." Depending on how many people we have going, the cost will run about $150 a person counting the discount. Children 10 and under is about $40 less. With enough people the cost can be less. Hopefully enough people will be interested in attending to make this trip a reality. For further information see Leonard P. or write him at LPumphrey54@gmail.com Group Spotlight Bridge & Cards Club On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 1:00 pm in the fellowship hall, our members get together to play Bridge and other card games such as; Five Crowns, Kings on the Corners, and Manipulation. Attendees say they enjoy the fellowship with other church members and friends.

6 THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE MONTH OF MARCH ACOLYTES March 3: Bridget R. March 10: Alexander P. March 17: Grace S. March 24: Clark C. March 31: Owen B. Service Sunday Sunday March 31st Look for more details to come! USHERS Rob D. (Head Usher), Illana N., Rick A., Nancy O. INFANT NURSERY/PRESCHOOL March 3: Donna B. & Kailea N. March 10: Joan K. & Carla B. March 17: Lavonne & Mike H. March 24: Luke & Karen Cr. March 31: Rose C. CHILDREN S CHURCH: March 3: Rose C. March 10: Luke C. March 17: Kim & Christian S. March 24: TBD March 31: No Children s Church Thank you for your Service! Pick up your family s 2019 Lenten Devotional!

7 We are FAMILY Blanket Sunday Blanket Sunday was extremely successful with over $1600 being donated to the Church World Service. With our donation, 160 blankets can be purchased by CWS to be used to help those around the world. Donations are still being accepted for a couple of more Sundays. If you would like to make an offering, please use the Blanket Sunday envelopes in the pews and in the Narthex. MARCH IS NATIONAL CROCHET MONTH! March is national Crochet Month and the Crochet Guild of Prince William County welcomes church members to come visit and join us on the third Monday of every month from 7-9pm. The Crochet Guild of Prince William County is a local chapter of the Crochet Guild of America whose mission is "to "educate the public about crochet, provide education and networking opportunities, and set a national standard for the quality, art and skill of crochet through creative endeavors. The guild also makes and donates items for charitable organizations such as SERVE and Warm-Up America. SERVE FOOD PANTRY Food of the Month: Boxed Macaroni & Cheese Please drop off your donations in the wicker baskets under the welcome center in the narthex. ALL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME Valentine s Dinner 2019 What better way to spend Valentine s Day weekend, than with your loved ones, family, and friends? Thanks to Sonny and Terrie C. for their beautiful meal, Rose C. for the planning, and the youth for making this magical night happen! A good time was had by all, and over $1400 was raised for youth ministry programs.

8 Our 3rd-5th grade class will be discussing membership and baptism in the Church of the Brethren. They will be using the Curriculum Heart, Soul, and Mind. In four units of study, our youth will explore what Brethren should know about the Bible, church history, living the faith, and church membership. The Leaders guide includes reproducible handouts, ideas for a mentor program and an apprenticeship program. The Membership Handbook for students contains readings, exercises and journal starters. HOT BREAKFAST SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 YOUTH ARRIVE BY 8:30AM! 7 Reasons to Serve in the Church Nursery Too often serving in the church nursery can seem like a thankless job. One of the key tasks for children s ministry leaders is to help volunteers understand their importance. With that in mind, I offer these following 7 reasons why serving in the church nursery is important. Reason #1: God is there. This may come as a shock, but the Bible has specific promises about God's presence when children are welcomed and loved in Jesus' name. Reason #2: It helps others. Your service in the church nursery allows church goers to focus on worship, rather than worrying about their children. In a way, your ministry makes it possible for the pastor to fulfill his or her ministry. Reason #3: Baby's first impressions. The first (and sometimes lasting) feelings a child will have toward church is formed in the nursery department. A positive experience in the church nursery is essential. Reason #4: The most special assignment. When you serve in the nursery, you are being entrusted with the most important (and vulnerable) members of the church family. There is no greater treasure on this side of heaven than the little ones God has given us. You must be someone special to have a job that is so important. Reason #5: Your own growth. Your service is essential for your own spiritual growth. You may have never looked at it this way, but a growing Christian is always a serving Christian. Jesus was known for putting others first, when you serve in the church nursery you are walking in his example. Reason #6: Visitors first impressions. The church nursery is the first contact young families will have with your church. Your friendly greeting and exceptional care for their children can make a great first impression for your church. If they don't feel like their children are safe, they will not return- and rightly so. Reason #7: Front-line prayers. Your service in the church nursery is a powerful opportunity for prayer. If every nursery worker would spend several minutes praying over the children in their care, imagine how God might begin to change this coming generation. There is no better way to create an environment of spiritual nurture than to pray while you serve in the nursery. Please Contact Rose Cox if you have any questions regarding sign-up or details. Thank you all! List provided by:

9 10 9:00 am Hot 24 9:45 am 4 2:30 pm Bible Study in :30 am New Windsor 21 1:00 pm Retirees March 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Breakfast 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am 12:30 Deacons Meeting 17 9:45 am 11:00 am 11:00 am 2:00 pm Talent Show 31 Service Sunday 11 2:30 pm Bible Study in 207 6:15 pm Executive Committee Meeting 7:00pm Church Board Retreat 18 2:30 pm Bible Study in :30 pm Bible Study in :00 noon Lunch Liberia Arby s 12 12:00 noon Lunch Liberia Arby s 6:30 pm Forgetful Friends Chorus 19 12:00 noon Lunch Liberia Arby s 26 12:00 noon Lunch Liberia Arby s 6:30 pm Forgetful Friends Chorus 6 Lent Begins CAN 6:00pm CAN MEAL 6:45pm Generation Gap 7:30pm Choir 13CAN 6:00pm CAN MEAL 6:45pm Generation Gap 7:30pm Choir 20CAN 6:00pm CAN MEAL 6:45pm Generation Gap 7:30pm Choir 27CAN 6:00pm CAN MEAL 6:45pm Generation Gap 7:30pm Choir Service Project Day 14 1:00pm Bridge & Cards Club Great American Steak & Buffet 28 1:00pm Bridge & Cards Club 1 Youth to Roundtable 8 6:00 pm Agape Chili the Wamplers pm Bowl a Thon :00pm Bridgewater Choir Concert

10 MANASSAS CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN NOKESVILLE ROAD MANASSAS VIRGINIA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 2-DON K. 3-JOAN K. 4-SCOTT C. 4-GEORGIA K. 4-BILL K. 4-JOE W. 6-SUSAN H. 8-SAVON C. 8-TAMIKA P. 9-JANE K. 10-AL H. 13 TERRIE C. 13-STEVE F. 14-ABDULLAH N. 17-STEPHEN F. 17-BRANDON R. 17-CHUCK R. 17-HEATHER C. 18-AVA K. 21-CARA E. 25-MADELYN K. 26-LEO R. 27-GINA P. 28-LARRY M. 28-EMILY E. 29-BILL E. 2-JEFF AND SHARION R. 12-JOHN AND PATRICIA G. 16-DOUG AND JEANETTE S. 17-JOE AND CAROLYN W. 22-SCOTT AND RHONDA C. 25-BART AND MARY ELLEN C.