STEP INTO CHRIST S JOURNEY TO THE CROSS WITH STOPS AT STATIONS ALONG THE WAY

Transcription

1 STEP INTO CHRIST S JOURNEY TO THE CROSS WITH STOPS AT STATIONS ALONG THE WAY 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Lenten Schedule 1 From the Pastors 2 Mission News 3,4 Misc. 5 Music Notes/ 6 Women s Circle Book Club 7 Tidbits 8 Calendar 9 March 1, Imposition of Ashes, in our Sanctuary, 7:30 pm Station 1: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus March 5, First Sunday in Lent, in our Sanctuary, 10:00 am Station 2: Jesus is Condemned by the Religious Council March 8, Midweek Service, in Jubilee Hall, 7:30 pm Station 3: Jesus is Denied by Peter March 12, Second Sunday in Lent, in our Sanctuary, 10:00 am Station 4: Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate March 15, Midweek Service, in Jubilee Hall, 7:30 pm Station 5: Jesus is Scourged and Mocked March 19, Third Sunday in Lent, in our Sanctuary, 10:00 am Station 6: Jesus is Condemned by the Crowd and Bears the Cross March 22, Midweek Service, in Jubilee Hall, 7:30 pm Station 7: Jesus is Helped by Simon of Cyrene March 26, Fourth Sunday in Lent, in our Sanctuary, 10:00 am Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem March 29, Midweek Service, in Jubilee Hall, 7:30 pm Station 9: Jesus is Crucified Each time of worship centers around Word and Sacrament, Scripture and Holly Communion, and each offers special music and opportunity for reflection and contemplation.

2 Dear Sisters and Brothers, Come along with us on a journey that sweeps us up into the way of the Cross in the journey of Lent! We embark on Ash Wednesday, March 1, traveling with our Lord Jesus as He turns His face to Jerusalem. The trip, as we know, is one of Passion: as He spends His life to win our eternal life with Him forever. What we may not yet fully know is the richness of slowing down the journey; getting off the high-speed travel and deeply immersing ourselves in the story of His walk to the Cross. What we hope to do is to tarry along the way, taking rest stops and entering His story fully and faithfully, and learning the lessons each pause may teach us. And so we are setting a new itinerary for this Lent and it promises to be helpful for us as we grow in closeness to the One Whose journey makes ours complete. Each service during Lent, both Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, will focus on a stop along the journey: a station along the path. Known as the Protestant and Presbyterian Stations of the Cross, we will project a piece of art work that will focus our attention on the major steps to Golgotha: the betrayal of Jesus by Judas with a kiss; the trials before the Jewish council and Pilate; the carrying of the Cross by Jesus helped by Simon of Cyrene; the words of Jesus to the penitent thief; and others. Each service will provide us with the means to see that event as it relates to our connection with Jesus, our Savior. How do we betray Jesus though outwardly we embrace Him? Do we, as one of our Bible class participants recently expressed, help carry the crosses of others as Simon helped Jesus? Can we be confident that the words spoken to the thief, Today you will be with Me in Paradise, will be spoken to us when He comes to tap us for Heaven s home? This rich and ancient practice of observing the Stations of the Cross has much to bring us. Entirely Biblical in content, our observance relies on Scripture to tell us the greatest love story ever known and to see with ever wondering eyes the human and divine nature of Jesus Who loved us to His end and Who opened for us the beginning of our forever life. Please, please make the commitment now to walk this journey with us each Sunday and Wednesday. You will not want to miss one station along the way. It is the trip of a lifetime. And your passage is booked already as you know. Blessings and our love, Pastors Lolly and Bunny Page 2

3 Mission Outreach Report A big Thank You to everyone who participated in our Christmas Card Giving. A check in the amount of $1, was sent to Niles Food Pantry. The Marion Medical Mission received a check in the amount of $1, The Mission Team sent an additional $ to the Niles Pantry and Shallow Wells. The library in Tong, Ghana seems to be completed. Furniture has been built and books were ordered by the Peace Corp. Adrienne will be home in the United States in March, her two year commitment to the Peace Corp will be completed. On Wednesday, January 18, nineteen lap blankets were completed. Our next lap blanket session will be Saturday, March 25th from p.m. Our church will once again sponsor a Morton Grove Little League Baseball Team. More information will be available in the coming months. The following financial transactions were completed: $1, $ Niles Food Pantry $1, $ Marion Medical Mission, Shallow Wells $ Morton Grove Park District Baseball Team $2, Sponsoring Jeff and Christi Boyd, our Mission Partners in the Congo $ fabric for lap blankets, Phil's Friends One Great Hour of Sharing One Great Hour of Sharing started in 1949 when Christian Leaders saw the devastation of World War II and recognized a responsibility to their sisters and brothers in Europe and Asia. They organized an hour long nationwide radio broadcast on the last Saturday evening in March and invited people to give generously through their church the next morning. The response was overwhelming, so the offering was held again the next year, as it has been every year since. Our participation in One Great Hour of Sharing begins the week of March 26th and continues until April 16, Easter Sunday. Sunday bulletin inserts, DVDs and speakers will share the successes of the program as well as areas of constant need. As in the past, we will support all three of the One Great Hour of Sharing programs, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Self Development of People Program. The funds collected provides relief to individuals and families uprooted by domestic and international disasters. It also assists in the self development of the poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people and works to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes in this country and internationally. These ministries are at the heart of Christ's call for all of us to renew our lives by giving to others. Today as we continue the tradition, we stand with our partners in the face of suffering and we walk with God's children toward a more hopeful future. Sharing our resources will change and bless both our lives and theirs. We invite you to give joyfully and generously. Page 3

4 LIVING FAITH MISSION GROUP of MGCC SERVING OPPORTUNITY Page 4 FEED MY SHEEP (SOUP KITCHEN) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1177 Howard Ave. Des Plaines Wednesday 3/1/17 4:15-6:45pm (First Wednesday of Every Month) Come join us as we serve dinner to those in need in our neighboring community. Soup Kitchen time frame includes set-up(4:15-5:00), serve(5:00-6:00) & cleanup(6:00-6:45). However, if you're not available for the whole time you may volunteer for a portion of the time as your schedule allows...any help is appreciated! Save the Date Join the Fun Workshop to Tie Fleece Blankets for Cancer Patients Saturday, March 25 10:00 am in Church Parlor Bring a Friend

5 Page 5 "And now we begin to see what it is that the New Testament is always talking about. It talks about Christians being born again ; it talks about them putting on Christ ; about Christ being formed in us ; about our coming to have the mind of Christ. Put right out of your head the idea that these are only fancy ways of saying that Christians are to read what Christ said and try to carry it out as a man may read what Plato or Marx said and try to carry it out. They mean something much more than that. They mean that a real Person, Christ, here and now, in that very room where you are saying your prayers, is doing things to you. It is not a question of a good man who died two thousand years ago. It is a living Man, still as much a man as you, and still as much God as He was when He created the world, really coming and interfering with your very self; killing the old natural self in you and replacing it with the kind of self He has. At first, only for moments. Then for longer periods. Finally, if all goes well, turning you permanently into a different sort of thing; into a new little Christ, a being which, in its own small way, has the same kind of life as God; which shares in His power, joy, knowledge and eternity. From Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis Saturday, March 11 Please remember to set your clocks one hour ahead before going to bed. Ted Lucas 1 Kevin Honaker 1 Carolyn Garlich 6 Deb Rodeghero 7 Adrienne Masterton 11 Gene Okamura 16 Sharon Hauptly 17 Lauren Toy 19 Bill Springborn 21 Ron Houston 22 Larry Earle 24 Jack Harris 25 Allen Cuya 26 Kara Priban 29 Carolyn Masterton 30 Dottie Earle 31 Louie Toy 31

6 This month marks the beginning of Lent, a powerful season that follows our Lord to the Cross. In keeping with the importance of Lent, the musicians of MGCC will be working hard to bring you equally powerful music. Special music will also be provided at our Wednesday night services, which we hope heightens your worship experience. We look forward to worshipping with you, and your continued support as a congregation has meant a lot to us this new year. It encourages us and assures us that our music is having a positive impact on your worship, which is the fulfillment of our mission! Thank you so much for that. Be well and have a nice March, Jason Nelson, Minister of Music Come to Women s Circle March 14, 2017 Church Parlor 1:30 PM Lesson: Who is Jesus according to Hebrews? Key Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-2 Key Idea: In the book of Hebrews the author encourages believers to hold fast to their faith in times of adversity, to remain firm in their commitment to Jesus who has run this race before us and now reigns in glory with God. Need a ride? Call Judy Lucas Page 6

7 . MARCH AND APRIL SELECTIONS FOR THE BOOK CLUB Our March 13 th selection is A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman. A fun book to read Ove is a curmudgeon of the first order. His world is turned upside down when new neighbors move in next door, a young couple and their two boisterous daughters whose very first act is flattening Ove s mailbox with their U-Haul. Ove s controlled world changes quickly. The driving lesson alone will make you laugh or cry or both! Our April 10 th selection is THE WHISTLING SEASON by Ivan Doig. In the unforgettable fall of 1909, Rose Llewellyn and her brother Morris Morgan, bring west with them several kinds of education - none of them of the textbook variety and life is never the same again in Marias Coulee, Montana. A charming story that makes reading a pleasure The book club meets in the Fellowship Room at 7:30 pm. All are welcome. Page 7

8 TIDBITS Page 8 Bible Quiz In John 4, Jesus talks with a woman about living water. Where does that conversation take place? A. Sychar B. Samaria C. Galilee D. Jacob s well (answer: see back page) A different beautiful Brenna Westlake, now 5, was born with a condition that makes her skin grow too fast, become thick and inflexible, and look red and scaly. While managing Brenna s complex care and helping her master developmental milestones, her parents have made new discoveries about beauty. Sometimes the most beautiful things come from the unexpected parts of life that encourage us to search a little harder to find where the beauty lies to put aside preconceived notions about what beautiful is and what it isn t, writes Courtney Westlake in A Different Beautiful (Shiloh Run Press). There is a different beautiful than the perfection our culture often worships. That beautiful is found not when we open our eyes but rather when we open our hearts. That different beautiful is found in the uniqueness God has bestowed on every single one of us and the gifts he has placed within us to be shared with the world. The key of the day Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night. George Herbert

9 MARCH Page 9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 26 10:00 AM Worship 27 BIBLE STUDY CAN- CELLED :30 PM Bell Choir Practice 7:30 PM Choir Practice 3 9:30 AM Christian Ed Team Meeting 4 4:15 PM Living Faith Mission Group Serving Opportunity 7:30 PM Ash Wednesday Communion Worship 5 10:00 AM Worship 11:30 AM Hospitality Team Meeting :00 AM Bible Study 7:30 PM Church Health Team 13 11:00 AM Bible Study 7:30 PM Book Club :30 AM Communication Team Meeting 11:30 AM Care Connection- Covenant Village 7:30 PM Lenten Communion Worship Service :30 PM Women's Circle 6:30 PM Bell Choir Practice 7:30 PM Choir Practice :30 PM Lenten Communion Worship Service Practice 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:30 PM Choir Practice Newsletter Deadline 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Ministry Training Session 19 10:00 AM Worship :30 PM Mission Outreach Meeting 22 7:30 PM Lenten Communion Worship Service 23 6:30 PM Bell Choir Practice 7:30 PM Choir Practice 24 10:00 AM Media Team Meeting 25 11:00 AM Bible Study 5:30 PM Worship Team Meeting 7:30 PM Finance Team Meeting 8:30 AM Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM Tie Blankets for Phil's Friends :30 PM Lenten Communion Worship Service :00 AM Worship 11:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Session Meeting 6:30 PM Bell Choir Practice 7:30 PM Choir Practice

10 We are on the Web! Morton Grove Community Church 8944 N. Austin Avenue Morton Grove, IL Please join us for Sunday Worship Services at 10:00 am followed by a time of fellowship. COMMUNITYNEWS is published monthly by the Morton Grove Community Church 8944 Austin Avenue, Morton Grove, IL Website: mgcc@mgccpresbyterian.org Rev. Lolly Dominski and Rev. Bunny Hughes, Co Pastors Jason Nelson, Minister of Music Pat Cobb, Administrative Assistant John Frake, Custodian Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am-2 pm Rev. Lolly Dominski s Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday 8:30 am-12:30 pm Afternoon-offsite Rev. Bunny Hughes Hours Jason Nelson s Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 8:30 am-12:30 pm Afternoon-offsite 9 am-noon Evening-Choir Practices Newsletter Deadline for Apr. issue: Mar. 18, 2017 Answer : A, B, & D (See John 4:4-7)