T h e M u s t a r d S e e d

T h e M u s t a r d S e e d March 2013 Prayer and Fasting The whole of the month of March lies within the period of the Liturgical Calendar known as Lent. The term Lent is derived from the old English lenckten, meaning the spring. Lent is defined as the forty days prior to Easter Sunday excepting the six Sundays. The forty days are to be days of fasting and the six Sundays are to be days of feasting. It is apparent that Lent is derived from the practice in the early church of having candidates for Easter baptism fast for forty hours prior to their baptism. The forty hours became forty days sometime around the seventh century. In 2013, not many people engage in fasting but many do engage in abstaining from something, almsgiving, and acts of devotion as preparation for the Easter Festival. The whole tradition of Lent is not part of God's revelation to man nor are any of its practices meritorious. The practice of fasting, the root of abstinence for Lent, is a discipline the people of God have practiced. One of the first references to fasting is in Judges 20:26. During the dark days of the Judges the citizens of Gibeah, of the tribe of Benjamin, had committed atrocities and the Sons of Israel punished the guilty. It was during the process of discipline that all the Sons of Israel wept, fasted and offered sacrifices (Judges 19, 20). One of the last references to fasting is Paul's record of the challenges he endured as a minster of Christ (II Corinthians 11:23 33). Prayer and fasting are often joined as activities done as one (I Corinthians 7:5). Why should God's people fast? Fasting is one means of chastening the soul (Psalm 69:10). Fasting is a means to humble the soul (Ezra 8:21). Fasting is a means to discern the Lord's will (II Chronicles 20:3,4). Fasting is a means to prepare for spiritual warfare (Matthew 17:21). When should God's people fast? Fasting is a proper response to God's judgment (Joel 1:13 20). During periods of mourning fasting is appropriate (I Samuel 31:11 13). Broken communion with Christ is a proper time to fast (Luke 5: 34, 35). There will be those who rise up maliciously against the people of God, but the people of God will respond with prayer and fasting (Psalm 35: 9 16). Often God's child will be overwhelmed with a personal concern. Such concerns should drive God's child to his God. This may result in fasting (II Samuel 12:15 17). When Jehoshaphat sought the will of God, he was driven to seek the Lord's will because he was afraid of an impending danger. As Jehoshaphat fasted in the face of danger, so ought we (II Chronicles 20:2, 3). Often the people of God will be called on to wage war against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Prayer and fasting may best prepare us for such warfare. Discerning those whom God has equipped to lead His people is a most precarious business. False teachers abound and it is impossible for us to discern another's motives therefore it is prudent to fast prior to setting apart one to the ministry of the Gospel (Acts 13:2,3). Prayer and fasting are often joined in the Scriptures. Note that Ezra, because he boasted in His God, was afraid to ask the king for an escort to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem. Therefore Ezra and others fasted and prayed. God granted them wisdom and protection (Ezra 8:22, 23). Nehemiah heard some disturbing news. His reaction to the news was not to wring his hands in despair nor to grumble and complain, but to fast and pray to discern how the Lord would have Nehemiah respond (Nehemiah 1:1-11). The Psalmist responds to false / malicious witnesses with prayer and fasting (Psalm 35:11 13). When the Seventy years of Exile were approaching an end, Daniel prayed and fasted confessing personal sin and corporate sin (Daniel 9:1 20). Anna spent her life serving God within the confines of the Temple by fasting and praying (Luke 2: 36-38). The church at Antioch fasted and prayed before they ordained Barnabus and Saul (Acts 13:2, 3). Elders were appointed in the churches after prayer and fasting (Acts 14:23). A husband and wife are not to deprive one another of the conjugal relationship except for a time to devote to prayer and fasting (I Corinthians 7:4, 5). What was your response when: you had an important decision to make, faced danger, mourned, had a deep personal concern, or engaged an evil spiritual force? Do you know your God / Lord that you boast in Him thus becoming ashamed to ask the wicked for help? How do you discern between false teachers and those that proclaim sound doctrine? How do you discern the Lord's will? Why does a physical fast have spiritual benefits? The stomach is so demanding it may become a god (Philippians 3:18 21). Consider some who succumbed to the cry of the stomach as it drowned out the voice of God: Adam in the Garden of Continued on Pg. 3

PAGE 2 THE MUSTARD SEED Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013 Sunday School - 9:15 am Worship Service - 10:30 am Maundy Thursday, March 28, 1013 Worship Service - Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 Sunrise Service at Silver Lake - 6:30 am No Sunday School Order your flowers to help beautify our Sanctuary for Easter. The form is on page 6 and are due with payment by March 17th. See Jennifer Coviello if you have any questions. Thank you! Our theme this year Sacrifice of Praise based on Hebrews 13:15, 16 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased

Growing In Our Faith In Jesus Christ & Sharing It With Others PAGE 3 Pot Luck Luncheon Diaconate invites you to join together on the 3rd Sunday of the month for a meal & time of fellowship together as a church family. Next potluck is Sunday, March 17th. Bring a dish to share for our gathering. Thanks! March Coffee Hour Schedule March 3 - Home Bible Studies March 10 - Flowers, Mission & Friends March 17 - Potluck Luncheon March 24 - Palm Sunday-Music Ministry & Friends March 31 - Easter Sunday Pastor Kent has started a blog on our website to encourage us as we read through the Book of Proverbs. He encourages you to read through a chapter of Proverbs each day. He will highlight a verse (s) and give us some thoughts to help us study the Scriptures. Comments are welcome. Check it out and let him know what you think. Thank you. Praying & Fasting Continued from Pg. 1 Eden, Noah after the Flood, Isaac when he asked Esau to prepare a meal so that Isaac could bless Esau, Esau when he sold his birthright for a pot of porridge thus becoming the epitome of a profane man (Hebrews 12:16), and the Israelites as they longed for the fleshpots of Egypt. No doubt all have given in to the appetites of the flesh, at one time or another. But, one of the new things in the New Creation is that God will destroy the stomach as well as food (I Corinthians 6: 13). Controlling one's appetite and voluntarily refraining from some or all food can be understood as a counteraction for sin, a purging of the soul as well as a purging of the body. Extra fat, waste, decaying tissues are digested and eliminated. Following a fast, the digestive system is cleansed and the spirit is cleansed through prayer and mortifying the flesh. If the fast was entered into and endured for the Glory of God (Matthew 6: 16 18), there will be an impact for the Kingdom of God and He will be glorified. Given how tough things appear to be, given that we may expect them to get tougher, should we not, as the people of God, gather together to fast and pray? Should we not boast in the God that we profess to serve and eschew the wisdom of the world? It may be that we do not see the power of God in our midst because we listen to the world and listen to our own fleshly appetites. What would things be if we had the confidence of Ezra in the God we profess to serve and were ashamed to ask the world for help? In Service to Christ & His Church Pastor Russell

PAGE 4 THE MUSTARD SEED Cub Scout Corner It has been a busy time for the Cub Scouts, working on their badges and planning the food drive. They did a great job collecting goods for the Wilmington Food Pantry. The food drive was the same day the Church was defaced. Cyrus Rich and Jose Rojas-James worked to help clean up the areas so it would be presentable for Church on Sunday. Thank you to both of those boys for their hard work. It was a great community project which they took upon themselves without asking. Thank you Pastor Kent and the Church family for recognizing the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts on Scout Sunday. We should be proud of our very own Webelos Scout who has worked hard to earn his way to become a Boy Scout. On Feb, 27 Jose crossed over to be in the Boy Scout program. This is a very proud moment for us, the James family. This took place at the Blue and Gold banquet. The Blue and Gold Banquet is a celebration of the birthday of Boy Scouts. We celebrate it on the same night as the pack meeting in which the boys receive their badges and pins for their achievements. Thank you to all the boys and the leaders for all their hard work. We are blessed to be a part of their lives. May Jesus Christ guide these young men in serving him and helping others. Boys Scouts Corner We had a great time serving at St Paul's kitchen in Lowell. It was a great meal enjoyed by many families. Thanks to all that prepared food, donated goods and served. It was a pleasure to put on the pancake breakfast once again in thanking the Congregational Church, our Charter holder, for supporting the Boy Scouts. We look forward to and appreciate all your support. We thank Pastor Kent for his kind words for the Scouts on Scout Sunday. He delivered a great message in his sermon. Adam Maienza will be receiving his Eagle Scout Award on March 3. Congratulations to Adam for his dedication and hard work. May God Bless you Adam on your achievement. The Boy Scouts will be off for a ski trip enjoying this great snow. We have several boys that have passed over from Webelos to Boy Scouts from Pack 361. It is always great to have these young men continuing to be a part of Scouting. Submitted by Peter James Charter Committee: Chairman, Dick Grinder Committee Members Steve Lyons & Peter James

Growing In Our Faith In Jesus Christ & Sharing It With Others PAGE 5

PAGE 6 THE MUSTARD SEED EASTER FLOWER ORDER FORM NAME: DEDICATION: Phone: Please indicate quantity of what you would like in line next to item Native Lilies Double Stem $12.00 Quadruple Stem:$ $24.00 Farolito Lilies (Lt. Pink) Double Stem $12.00 Quadruple Stem:$ $24.00 Mona Lisa Lilies (Pink/White) Double Stem $12.00 Quadruple Stem:$ $24.00 Serada Lilies (Yellow) Double Stem $12.00 Quadruple Stem:$ $24.00 Azaleas (8 pot) Lt Pink $16.00 Red $16.00 White $16.00 Hyacinth (6 pot) Pink $9.50 Blue $9.50 Tulips 7 pot $8.00 8 pot $10.00 10 pot $16.00 Garden Mums 6 pot White $10.00 Yellow $10.00 Orchid $10.00 Cineraria 6 pot Mixed colors $12.00 Hydrangea 8 pot Pink $19.00 Blue $19.00 White $19.00 Please put check or payment with this form, noting for flower order, and place in offering plate or give to Jennifer Coviello, or put in Flower Committee Mailbox by Sunday March 17th. Some Flowers are limited quantities, if your order is later, and I hear from the greenhouse they are not able to fill the item you want, I will contact you to ask if you would like a different item.

MARCH 2013 3 Communion Sunday 10 Day Light CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN WILMINGTON Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 17 9:15 am-sun. School Savings Begins 9:15 am-sun. School 9:15 am-sun. School Potluck Luncheon following service 24 Palm Sunday 9:15 am-sun. School 31 Easter Sunday 4 6:00 pm - Cub Scout Committee Mtg. - Brass Band 11 6:00 pm - Boy Scout Committee Mtg. -Diaconate - Brass Band 18 -Stewardship - Brass Band 25 - Brass Band 5 12 19 26 Boy Scouts Boy Scouts Boy Scouts Boy Scouts 6 13 6:00 pm -Choir -Cub Scouts 6:00 pm -Choir -Cub Scouts 20 1st Day of Spring 27 6:00 pm -Choir -Cub Scouts 6:00 pm -Choir -Cub Scouts 7 10:00 am-bible Study 6:30 pm-bible Study 6:30 pm - Handbell Rehearsal 14 10:00 am-bible Study 6:30 pm-bible Study 6:30 pm - Handbell Rehearsal 21 10:00 am-bible Study 6:30 pm-bible Study 6:30 pm - Handbell Rehearsal 28 Maundy Thurs. 10:00 am-bible Study 6:30 pm - Bible Study 6:30 pm - Handbell Rehearsal 1 8 15 22 Bible Study Bible Study Bible Study Bible Study Phone: 978-658-2264 E-mail: office@wilcong.org Website: www.wilcong.org 2 9 Don t Forget to before bed 16 Cub Scout Pit Row Derby 8:00-2:00 pm 23 29 Good Friday 30 Men s Breakfast & Study 8:00 am

Congregational Church in Wilmington (EFCA) 220 Middlesex Avenue Wilmington, MA 01887 Moving? Please notify the church office of any address change. Please help us keep our mailing list up-to-date. Thank you! Pastor: Russell Kent Secretary: Heidi Kumm Office Hours Mon.-Thurs. - 9:00-3:00 pm Phone: 978-658-2264 E-mail: office@wilcong.org www.wilcong.org April Newsletter Deadline March 20, 2013 The Mustard Seed-A publication of the Congregational Church in Wilmington, 220 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887. Editor: Heidi Kumm. The Mustard Seed is published monthly, excluding the month of August, to keep members and friends informed of programs of the church and to report news about the congregation. Deadline for copy: Third Wednesday of the month.