The Proclaimer. Get Real. I Am Providence Holy Week Youth & Family

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1 providencecongregation.org March 2015 In this issue I Am Providence Holy Week Youth & Family Get Real Meal & Contemplative Prayer 5:30pm March 4 & 18 Sunday Schedule 9:00am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 11:30am Deeper 2:00pm Pine Park 4:00pm Worship Meal is a publication of: Providence Baptist Church P.O. Box 6476 Hendersonville, NC pbcsecretary@bellsouth.net Providence Baptist Church Sunday, Mar 8 7:00 p.m.

2 From the desk of Pastor Julie... Recently, a friend of mine yelled at me, Take down that wintery sign of yours in front of your house that says, Let it Snow. Enough already! Of course she was joking, well sort of. There s a reason we don t want winter to last forever. Or the hot sweltering days of summer either. Nature runs in cycles or seasons. Thanks be to God. We need seasons for a variety of reasons, but nature teaches us these are not just preferential, they are necessary. Similarly in our spiritual journeys, we go through different seasons. We have seasons of our lives where we feel closer to God, and seasons where God feels more absent. In our church life, we observe the seasons of the church calendar to honor the rhythms of life we need for our spiritual sustenance as well. These are seasons of fasting and feasting as I ve mentioned before. We have just begun the season of Lent. It s a season of reflection and preparation as we imitate Christ s journey into the wilderness for forty days. In this forty day season, we have the opportunity to take inventory of those things that entangle our spiritual development, that which malnourishes us. We are reminded specifically in this season that after taking time to identify what keeps us from growing: to repent, to confess, to let go. As I mentioned in my sermon on the first Sunday of Lent, this season is learning to take a lesson from nature. As my friend Pastor George Mason said, Lent mirrors nature s season of cultivation. We put a spade in the ground and turn over the dirt. We get it ready for spring by breaking up the clods. We give the earth room to breathe after protecting itself all winter long. It s painful work to be that intentional with ourselves, to be that attentive to our condition. But just that makes growth possible. 2

3 Providence, this Lent, let us together learn what it means to break up the clods, turn over the dirt, and make room for the Holy Spirit. The good news is we are not alone in this season. We are learning together as a congregation. In small groups, in worship, in our classes, in ministry teams, we are learning together how to do this intentional work, and we gain strength from hearing each other s stories and experiences. It may be somewhat painful at times, but as Mason said, that s what makes growth possible. Here s to making room ~Julie Holy Week Palm Sunday, March 10:30am Maundy Thursday, April 6:00pm Good Friday, April 7:00pm Easter Saturday, April 10:00am Easter Egg Hunt Brunch at the Hales Lent mirrors nature s season of cultivation Easter Sunrise Service, April 7:00am - Jump-off Rock Breakfast to follow at First Congregational Church Easter Sunday, April 10:30am Worship w/ Communion All are welcome to bring flowers for the Easter Cross 3

4 I Am Providence -A Partner in Renewing God s World with Core Purpose with Pastor Julie Merritt Lee Click on the link above to watch this video Celebrating the CBF story is celebrating God's work in the world. It's a story of partnership between individuals and 1,800 congregations around missions and ministries, locally and globally. Across the Fellowship, Cooperative Baptists are Forming Together - forming spiritually and forming through collaboration. The CBF story celebrates the autonomy of individuals and congregations while inviting collaboration. We are forming as one and forming together. Formation is the essence of the Fellowship. CBF encourages individual growth while growing local churches (like Providence Baptist Church in Hendersonville NC); it helps Christians form into their faith as well as live out their faith. The New CBF graphics, including our new logo, represent the individuals, congregations and partners that comprise the Fellowship. It is visual representation of "forming together." As a combination of squares, circles and the cross, each having a visual purpose and a deeper meaning within the context of our mission, vision and work. Squares represent individuality and foundation. Circles and curvature represent community and the formation of unified partnerships that renew God's world. The Cross in the "f" signifies that we bear witness to God's work in the world. We Are God's Witnesses Click on the link above to watch this video Learn how Cooperative Baptists are Renewing God's World, 4

5 Children, Youth, & Family February s Game Night & Soccer Ball Mission Project was a big kick! Thank you PBC family for your support and sharing your faith with our youth! SPRING into FAITH 9:00am! The Spring Sunday School program begins March 1st! Thursday, March 10:45am VBS Planning Meeting at Grace One or two volunteers are dearly needed to represent Providence! Contact Jill Wingard ext344 or gracedcfm@bellsouth.net Mark Your Calendar: VBS June 15-18, 9am-12pm at Trinity Presbyterian Easter Egg Hunt Brunch ~ For All Ages! Saturday, April 4 10:00am at the Hales 5

6 Click here to learn more about Lectio Divina Get Real Wed, Mar 5:30pm Potluck Wed, Mar 5:30pm *Dinner At Providence we have a rich Spiritual life with a commitment to contemplative prayer and the Spiritual disciplines. On the first and third Wednesday of every month at 5:30pm we gather to participate in the Spiritual practice of sharing a meal. Following the meal we assemble in the sanctuary for a centering and meditative worship service typically involving the practice of Lectio Divina. *Dinners are no cost, donations appreciated. Sacred Space: Thinking About Where We Pray Without a doubt we can pray anywhere, but there is something to be said for having a space that is reserved for prayer. One thing we see in Scripture is that folks like Jacob are commanded to mark the sacred space where God met them, to remember. As we look at spaces like a chapel or a shrine in the Holy Land, we remember not the magic of a physical space but the magic of what God did and who God is; we are reminded that this entire planet is filled with sacred spaces where God meets people. Consider creating a space where you can get on your knees in the secret chamber and be with God. -from the book, Common Prayer 6

7 Josh Bledsoe Member of Providence Baptist Church, receives the NC State Human Rights Award. In February 2015, Josh won the Human Rights Campaign North Carolina s Equality award, but his journey of a lifetime began as a speech and communications teacher 5 years ago. Most students from this rural Henderson county area have had little exposure to the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) and as time progressed, Josh would hear stories of fear from his LGBT students. In response, Josh decided to confront these issues and began teaching the importance of refraining from homophobic language and listening to those who are different. In time, his teachings began making an impact. A former student who had used homophobic language told other students that hearing Josh s stories made him think: I never knew I was hurting anybody, it s just all I have known But when my son said That s so gay, I thought of my friends (referring to LGBT classmates). I explained to my son that when you say that s so gay, you re insulting people. It s not right. The room was silent. A lesbian student who had previously shared her story of discrimination walked back to this former student and hugged him. Josh eventually came out as bisexual. It wasn t received well. His car and home were vandalized; spray painted on his door were the words Leviticus 18:22 with a rough cross painted beside it. In spite of this, he has continued his work while never giving up on his Christian Faith. He eventually brought The Laramie Project to campus and led a talk-back discussion about its impact. Several days later a student told Josh he wanted to apologize, seeing the play helped him to realize that even people with differences have something in common. We are all God s children, he said. Josh is the founding faculty advisor of the organization PRiSM (People Representing Sexual Minorities) which is a welcoming and affirming space for LGBT college students in Henderson County. In addition to his role as an advisor, Josh also serves as a co-chair for the Western NC GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) Initiative. This initiative is a collection of GSA advisors from around the Asheville region, and this initiative is raising awareness about LGBTQ youth homelessness in Western North Carolina. 7

8 Scripture Readings - *Free For All Verse March 8 Exodus 20:1-17 / Psalm 19 / 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 / *John 2:13-22 March 15 Numbers 21:4-9 / Psalm 107:1-3, / *Ephesians 2:1-10 / *John 3:14-21 March 22 Jeremiah 31:31-34 / Psalm 51:1-12 / Hebrews 5:5-10 / John 12:20-33 / *TBA March 29 Isaiah 50:4-9a / Psalm 118:1-2, / Philippians 2:5-11 / *Mark 11:1-11 April 5 Acts 10:34-43 / Psalm 118:1-2, / 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 / John 20:1-18 Mark 16:1-8 / *TBA *Free For All Every Tuesday at 8:30am at the Dandelion Eatery, 127 5th Ave West. Join us as we discuss the upcoming Sunday's scripture reading. Mid-day Prayers at Providence House Every Tuesday & Thursday 12-12:20pm Join us for a time of prayer, song, reading, and reflection. Open to people of all faiths. Come, rest, and reconnect with the Holy Spirit! PBC Men's Group - Friday, March 13 Meets the 2nd Friday of every month at 8:30am at Blackberry Mountain Café, 1908 Haywood Road Join us for Bible Study and Fellowship. PBC Women's Fellowship Group - April TBA Meets every other month for a luncheon. April location TBA, watch for details in the Providence Weekly E-news. The Women's Group is currently seeking a leader/coordinator for 2015, contact Pastor Julie. 8

9 Adult Sunday School Living the Questions The class in the Providence House lower classroom is beginning the second part of a 3-part video series called "Living the Questions This video series is a small group exploration of progressive Christianity featuring premier religion voices of our day. Reclaiming the World Beginning March 1, Annette Hudson will facilitate discussion of the seven sessions in the "Reclaiming the World" section of LtQ2. The topics in this section are: Restoring Relationships, The Prophetic Jesus, Evil, Suffering & A God of Love, The Myth of Redemptive Violence, Practicing Resurrection, Debunking the Rapture, and Honoring Creation. Each video is 20 min long and offers time and provocative material for discussion and exploration of biblical themes. Epistles The discussion-based class in the Providence House upper classroom is working through the epistles at the end of the New Testament. Psalms Beginning March 1, Michael Lee will take this class through an exploration of Psalms. 9

10 Church Directory Need to update your info? Contact the church office if you need the password March Birthdays 1 Eleanor & Parker Beasley 2 Altha Satterwhite 6 Ira Rubin 10 Brian Price 12 Arbuna Wiggins 14 Johnny Bevill 16 Mike Bauer 29 Warren Nuss 31 Layne Smith 10

11 General Fund Cumulative 2015 February Totals Plan - $24,762 Offerings - $22,817 (8% below plan cumulative, 16% above 2014) Expenses - $25,518 March Preaching Schedule 3/1 - Maria Swearingen 3/8 - Julie 3/15 - Julie 3/22 - Michelle 3/29 - Julie Contact: julie@providencecongregation.org michelle@providencecongregation.org Church Office: Ana Vogel, Admin & Financial Asst. Tues-Wed-Thurs 9:30am-3:30pm / pbcsecretary@bellsouth.net Our Values Going to the Other Growth ~ Hospitality ~ Inclusiveness Simplicity ~ Worship Choir Practice Tues. Mar 10 & 7pm Want to share your musical & instrumental talents? Join us every other Tuesday at 7pm in the sanctuary. Contact Robert Hudson 11

12 Providence Baptist Church 1201 Oakland Street Hendersonville, NC Postage TO: IAM ~ March Donations Food: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Canned Meats, Instant Potatoes Clothing: Men s & Boy s Jeans, Athletic Shoes, and Boots Other: Towels & Washcloths Donations can be dropped off in the bin located near the main entrance of the church or large donations may be taken directly to IAM, 210 Ehringhaus St, Mon-Fri 9am-3pm. 12