A Light on the Mountain

Transcription

1 A Light on the Mountain Locust Valley First Church of God February April 2019 In This Issue: Pastor s Letter p. 1 Worship Notes p. 2 /Easter Worship Schedule p. 3 Missions p. 3 Announcements & Events p. 4 Prayer List p. 4 Calendars p. 5-6 A Light on the Mountain is published quarterly by the Locust Valley First Church of God, issued in February, May, August, and November. Locust Valley First Church of God Established 1852 Pastor Richard Frederick 1236 Mountain Church Road Middletown, MD Mailing: 7012 Mountain Church Road Follow us on Facebook! Pastor s Letter: Power April showers bring May flowers. brings resurrection power. Both bring a refreshing aroma to our lives. I want to know Christ, yes, the power of Christ s resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) Sometimes we forget the power that the resurrection demonstrates. The women arrive at the tomb to embalm the body of their beloved Lord, Jesus, who they saw crucified on that cruel Roman cross. At the entrance to the tomb they experienced the thrill of a lifetime. The angel gave them the great news. They felt the power of the resurrection. Jesus is not here. He has risen. The women were in shock and disbelief. Yet, they hurried to tell the other disciples. Jesus was alive. Jesus appears to many different believers before His ascension. He encourages. He eliminates any doubt. He wanted those who knew Him to know the power of the resurrection. This is the power, the wonder working power. This power can t be explained in a naturalistic or psychological manner. We can t ignore the facts recorded on that first Easter morn. This is part of the believer s faith walk. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29) We are in that blessed group. We have seen and believed not with the eyes of flesh but with the eyes of faith. Faith brings power. In the power of the risen Christ we go forward into the world. Let the truth of the resurrection, the fact Jesus is alive, grip you this en season. He s alive. He rose from the dead. Your heart should rejoice. You must live the power of the risen Christ. Your faith will demonstrate the power of the resurrection. Show that you know the resurrected Lord. Share that knowledge through word and deed as you serve the risen Savior. He is in the world today. You know He is living no matter what men may say. You see his hand of mercy and you feel his touch of grace. May God grant you mercy, love, and grace. Amen. Pastor Richard A Light on the Mountain pg. 1

2 Worship Notes Ashes to Alleluias! This Worship Notes is inspired by a 2018 piece written by Rev. Adrien Dawson of All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland. Love and dust are actually the primary ingredients for human beings. Without love, we would just be a lump of clay. Without love, we would return to dust and never make our song, Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia! The season of calls us to introspection, taking a step away from the hustle of everyday life to truly discern God s message to us. In the church, we sing contemplative hymns, remove the usual adornments of the sanctuary, and veil the cross to remind us of the darkness from which Christ came to redeem us. The practices of repentance, fasting, and devotional prayers, however you chose to observe, may lead us to a harsh view of ourselves or the world around us. But leads to a glorious conclusion and should not entrap us in a sense of despair or self-loathing. While repenting makes us feel guilt for our sins, we emerge from the darkness knowing that God loves us and has already saved us by His grace. As stated in Rev. Dawson s quote above, without love, then we have no hope. As begins, we are called to face our mortality and consider that we are dust, and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19). From this hallowing realization, our en observance comes to a conclusion when we celebrate the greatest expression of love, the glorious miracle of Easter. We truly journey from ashes to Alleluias! Yet, for so many people, hopelessness is present every day of their lives. Addicts, prisoners, people facing significant physical or mental illnesses confront the negative forces of life that seek to pull us down daily. For them, the trap of selfloathing, guilt, and darkness can last far beyond the 40 days of. What then are we to learn from our en observance? In our prayers, we should seek to hear God s voice calling us to greater love for one another. We should seek to be more empathetic to others who face unknown challenges every day. When we have the opportunity to help those who struggle, we need to make a special effort to do so. And what do we say to those facing these immense challenges? The journey from to Easter shows us that no matter who you are, you are so deeply loved by God that despite the darkest of circumstances, the Light of the World is there, shining forth with grace, mercy, and healing. We may be brought to life from ashes, but it is God who molds us into His creation, so indescribably loved that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise from the grave to guarantee that love always wins over evil. Our flaws and imperfections are what make us human, and they are honored by the One who made us. Leonard Cohen brilliantly summed up this idea in his song Anthem when he sang there is a crack in everything, that s how the light gets in. So let this be a time where you realize that while we came from dust, we no longer have to fear languishing in darkness without hope, because God s love assures us that there is hope. Journey with us from ashes to Alleluias in our, Holy Week, and Easter worship opportunities outlined on the next page of this newsletter. Jody Brumage, Elder A Light on the Mountain pg. 2

3 and Easter Worship Schedule 2019 Sundays in (March 10 April 7, 2019) 9:00 am Worship services during include a scripture meditation based on the theme of our en devotions, paired with hymns which contemplate Christ s love and sacrifice. Palm/Passion Sunday (April 14, 2019) 9:00 am This special service begins with the procession of the palms, recalling Christ s triumphal entry and ends as we reflect on the crowds who s cries turn from hosannas to crucify him! Good Friday (April 19, 2019) 7:00 pm The darkest day, reflecting on Christ s passion, death, and burial, will be marked with a Vespers Service of Tenebrae. Easter Sunday (April 21, 2019) 7:30 am & 9:00 am Celebrate Christ s victory over the grave and sin on Easter Sunday! We will begin the morning with a Sunrise Service of Light and Word at 7:30 am, followed by a light breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. At 9:00 am, we will regather in the sanctuary for worship with the sermon and Holy Communion. Missions en Missionary Collection During, we will be raising funds through coin boxes to support the Cumberland Valley Missionary Celebration. This annual fund, raised by Churches of God congregations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, supports missions work in the United States and abroad. Last year s celebration distributed funds to Bangladesh, Latino Ministries, and the Eastern Regional Conference s Church Planting initiative. Coin boxes will be distributed on March 7, 2019 and will be due back to the church by Easter Sunday. The Missionary Committee would also like to thank everyone who contributed to our angel tree donation drive in November 2018, which provided a nice monetary gift to the Hosler Family just in time for Christmas. Locust Valley has directly supported the Hoslers for the past couple of years since they began their ministry helping the people of Haiti. Despite significant health issues for Stephen and Amy this past year, they are still dedicated to serving Haiti and we thank God for their work and our ability to support them and their family. A Light on the Mountain pg. 3

4 Announcements and Events Transfiguration Sunday March 3, :00 am This Sunday celebrates one of Christ s most mysterious miracles from the Gospels and marks the final Sunday in the Season before we enter. en Devotional Guides We will be providing weekly prayer guides for this year to support your daily devotions. Devotional prayer guides will be available beginning on Sunday, February 24, The devotional guide will also be available for download on the church website. Church Council Meeting March 3, :00 pm The church council will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 1:00 pm. Easter Flower Drive March 10-April 7, 2019 Envelops will be distributed on March 10 th to collect donations to purchase flowers to decorate the sanctuary for Easter services. Donations can be made in honor or memory of loved ones and friends. Donation forms and envelopes can be placed in the offering plate or given to Jody Brumage until Sunday, April 7 th. Prayer List We encourage you to remember these people in your prayers: Our Church Family: Clyde Ward Eleanor Orr Jimmy Lerch Doug Bohrer Damien Flanagan Doug Miller Dale and Nancy Bohrer Sgt. Paul Miller Terri Kline Velma Sheppard Claire Moser Mamie Butts Grace Garver Linda Crummitt Fern Sigler The Adkins Family The Beachley/Stovall Family Keith Murray Mary Evelyn Johnson Mary Johnson & Family Donna Bowling Rosemarie Jameison Allen Kline Sara Morton Our Worldwide Family in Christ: The Church throughout the world, its leaders and members Those who face oppression due to their race, gender, orientation, nationality, or for any other reason Members of the Armed Forces and their families Refugees, migrants, and those fleeing persecution in hopes of a better life Families impacted by violence and terrorism in this country and the world The poor, homeless, and people facing physical or mental health issues The departed and their families left behind to grieve A Light on the Mountain pg. 4

5 February 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday th Sunday after th Sunday after Valentine s Day th Sunday after 18 President s Day th Sunday after March 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Transfiguration Sunday Council Mtg. 1p 4 5 Shrove Tuesday 6 Ash Wednesday st Sunday in nd Sunday in rd Sunday in 4 th Sunday in A Light on the Mountain pg. 5

6 April 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday th Sunday in Palm/Passion Sunday Maundy Thursday 19 Good Friday Vespers Service 7:00 pm 20 Holy Saturday 21 Easter Sunday Worship 7:30 and 9:00 am 28 2 nd Sunday of Easter A Light on the Mountain pg. 6