Good Morning Whitesburg UMC!
My feet are cold this morning! And when your feet are cold, there’s not much you can do for the rest of you! Everything is cold!!!! So, I am thinking today about all those people who have to be outside working in this cold weather. People like construction workers and roofers and dog catchers and the guys that have to stand in the same spot all day turning the STOP!/SLOW! signs around for us as we travel in our warm cars. People like the Carroll EMC guys who got your power back on last Sunday. When you read this, say a little prayer for them. Pray for their families and their safety. Pray they have on two pairs of socks. And make sure you thank God for them and all the others who face the discomfort of weather to make our world keep turning.
It reminds us once again of the fact that we need one another. I was surely reminded of that last Sunday. I knew we had had a bad storm. But I had no idea power was out around Whitesburg. So, when it got to be 10:55 then 11:00 AM, even though I knew some were away on break and some were traveling with family, I couldn’t imagine where the rest of you were! We had a small but mighty group and we carried on……. But even after I was told about the power outage, I felt like a mother hen who didn’t know where her chicks were.
We need one another. That’s what Jesus was saying as he preached his famous “sermon on the plain” in Luke. But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who abuse you…… Do to others as you would have them do to you. We looked at that last Sunday and will be there with Jesus again on Sunday. What does it mean to turn the other cheek, or to give away your shirt, or to treat others the way we want to be treated? What does it really mean to need one another?
So, your mother hen would like to proclaim that I need you….. and that this Sunday is officially “coming home” Sunday. Let’s make it a point to come and check in with one another. We will set aside a few minutes in the service to do just that – to check in and let one another know we are safe. Take care, my friends! Hold one another and the wonder of all God’s creation in your hearts. All is well.
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A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sunday School meets at 9:45 AM. We are just finishing up a series of lessons on the minor prophets. On March 2 and 9, Jim Dye will lead a lesson from James Moore who has written countless books including “Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, and I Have Several Excellent Reasons”, and “God Was Here and I Was Out to Lunch”. Stacey Thornton will lead a Lenten Study that she has created from March 16 through April 13.
Our Spiritual Gifts study will conclude this Sunday as we combine our last two sessions into one. Please make sure to complete and score your Gifts Inventory and be prepared to share your outcome and your reflections with us. I have enjoyed this experience so much and hope this will be the beginning of many more learning opportunities as we grow together in discipleship.
Mark your calendars for our Ash Wednesday service at 6:00 PM here at the church on March 5. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the church year. The service will last about 45 minutes and will end with the imposition of ashes as we go into this holy season.
Congratulations to Alan Caldwell who has a book of poetry about to be released. It’s title is “The Only Verse”, and it promises to tell the story of loss and grief….. and ultimately the self-love we all seek. We are proud of you, Alan! And we love you!
Take care, everyone! Sunday’s comin’ and so are 70 degree temperatures!
Remember to COME AND CHECK IN on Sunday! I can’t wait to see you all!
Please pray for me…… I am surely praying for you! Love you!
Rev. Martha