The Living Faith in a Historic Chapel

Once again our Lenten season will begin with Ash Wednesday service in the Mt. Moriah Chapel. We will assemble in the chapel to begin our spiritual journey. The chapel is a historic place of worship; Baptism, Holy Communion, weddings, commissioning and much more. Red carpet reminds us of the blood of Jesus while white altar reminds us of the purity.

Come to the chapel join the long line of Christians who assembled on Ash Wednesday. Open yourself to the mystery of God. Join with other Christians for worship.

Jesus the Son of God arose from the tomb Easter Sunday over 2000 years ago. History and faith, fact believe all combined in the risen living Savior Jesus. Christians throughout the world come together on Ash Wednesday to begin the season of Lent. This Christian season is 40 days of preparation for Easter remembrance of the resurrection, celebration and relief because we have a risen Savior.  Retelling the story of what Jesus did for us. Sharing the stories of our faith with a new generation and claiming it for ourselves. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 9 March 2011 and ends on 23 April 2011, which is the day before Easter.

This is a season for soul searching, seeking Christian spiritual enlightenment, focus on the love of God seen in Jesus, God with us.

I am looking forward to Ash Wednesday and all that flows to Easter.

Randy

You tithe your financial gifts faithfully every Sunday in church, and you are happy to do so, because, as it says in the Bible in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  But what about when you are sick or on vacation and misschurch? Do you always make sure to get your weekly offering to the church, no matter what? If you're like many, you probably don't, because it slips your mind, or maybe it seems like too much trouble to contact someone and drop off the offering through the week.

What if you had a way to make sure your offering got to the church every week no matter what was going on in your life? That would be nice, wouldn't it? Well, you do! It's called First Fruit Giving, the direct payment process offered by the West Ohio United Credit Union. When you participate in  this process, you ensure that your weekly (or monthly) offering is automatically deducted from your personal account, wherever you bank, and deposited in the Mt Moriah account at West Ohio United Methodist Credit Union.

If you would like to sign up for electronic giving, pick up a form in the church office, on the information table in the Sanctuary, or call the West Ohio United Methodist Credit Union at 513-528-1521 and ask f or Kim McMillan.

Remember, you don't need to change banks to sign up for electronic giving!

Thank you for your financial gifts to Mt.Moriah. We know the church is blessed, because, as it says in the Bible in Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

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 Mt. Moriah partnering once again with Inter Parish Ministry and the Freestore Foodbank's Mobile Food Pantry program

Wednesday March 30  10am-12noon

Let us know if you are able to come out and help during the 2nd Mobile Food Pantry here at Mt. Moriah.  Watch the bulletin for more details...or call 561-3932 and speak with Chuck or Claire.

Jesus told us we must come as little children (Matthew 18:1-5) humble open to learn, and love. Children ask a lot of whys. Go to bed- why, wash your hands- why, don't hit -why? Children explore, climb trees, examine, test, for they believe there are joy filled mysteries with answers waiting to be discovered.  God invites us to ask questions, to explore His Word and see his interactions with people like you. God is not afraid of why questions or any question we ask.

Want to explore? Want to discover and learn? Then "Fearless the Courage to Question" will feed your soul. This Small group study will build friendships, faith, and fellowship as important faith questions lifted e.g.-Jesus, Fully Human? Fully Devine?. Plus, you will explore questions lifted by member of your small group along with your questions.

Register today: online mtmoriahumc.org, email mtmoriahumc@fuse.net, plus you can complete a registration  at worship, and by phone 752 - 1333,

Small Group leaders so far:

·         Sean Byrd                    ·         David Heflin

·         Missy Whitaker           ·         Jeff Cattran

·         Randy Lowe 

Experience the joy of spiritual disciplines. Feel the satisfaction of daily devotions, personal time with God, reading the inspired word of God, journaling, and worship.

The Upper Room daily devotional is available in the sanctuary on the "Information Table". Make reading the Upper Room a part of your daily lifestyle. The Upper Room is written each day by a different author real people like you, me, with a story for inspiration, scripture and prayer focus.

Online -- the upper room is available each day at http://www.upperroom.org/devotional

You may sign up for a daily devotional to be e-mailed to you by: The Upper Room.

February 24, 2011 devotion is one that I could identify with; a small child waking in the middle of the night with a bad dream. His mother coming to him to give comfort beyond that image was her insight into how we adults have restless nights and frightening dreams and it is God's word that comes to comfort.

What are you waiting for an invitation? This is IT!          

God is our Blessing

 Randy

On Friday evening, February 11, the Reflections Youth Group met to support our Nation's Military.  Mr. Keith Maupin, father of Matt Maupin and co-founder of the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, spoke to the group about what it means to our military men and women overseas when they receive packages and cards from "home".

Not only did our kids support the discussion with their attention and questions, but together they filled an entire table of items from the Soldiers' Wish List sent to us by the Yellow Ribbon Support Center and also included notes and cards especially homemade from each student.  Mr. Maupin was so amazed by the generosity of our kids and assured them that each item would be received and appreciated with the love with which they were sent.

The Reflections Youth Group was so excited about this program and really outdid themselves with the energy and big-heartedness of their gifts.  The Soldier's Wish List includes items requested by the troops themselves and when asked why Beanie Babies were on the list, Mr. Maupin said that the soldiers gave them to the Iraqi children so that the children won't be afraid of them (our soldiers).

The Yellow Ribbon Support Center, located in Eastgate, has a mailing list of over 150 men and women most of which are local troops serving overseas.  They package and mail all of the donations they receive.

Crusaders Youth group isexcited towelcome Amanda Smith as one of the new leaders!  Amanda's first meeting with the group will be February 27^th   where we will learn about the origin and meaning of our names as well as all the names for Jesus.  Please come to our next meeting on March 13^th and welcome her if you don't get a chance in February!  We are still looking for someone to work with Amanda in the youth group and 2 adults to teach the high school Sunday School class.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact Kris Byrd in the office.  

 MMUMC MEN & 2011 CONFIRMATION! WHAT A GREAT COMBINATION

The 2011 Confirmation Class would like to send a great big THANK YOU! to the United Methodist Men for letting them hold a bake sale during the Men's Spaghetti Dinner.  Also, a special thank you to the parents and grandparents who helped set up and supervise.  The bake sale was held to help the kids raise funds to offset the cost of the Confirmation Retreat to CampOtterbein. All 10 of the confirmands either brought baked goods or helped work at the bake sale as part of their service hours needed for Confirmation Ruth Phelps, one of this year's confirmands offers "Thank You UMM for letting us hold our bake sale so that Brent and others may be able to go to Camp Otterbein.  It was extremely fun and I loved the food!"  "Thank you UMM for letting the Confirmation Class hold a bake sale so that I and many other kids may go to CampOtterbein.  The food was extremely scrumptious! The funds are going to a great cause so thank you once again" adds Brent Thornton.  The Confirmation Class, along with other churches from the Conference, will be going to CampOtterbein March 11-13.  Please pray for safe travels and open hearts as they continue their Confirmation journey.

The time has changed but the invitation is the same.  Join us in the sanctuary each 4th Thursday evening at 6:45pm for a time of fellowship and music celebration.  Then join in "The Conversation" dialogue that begins at 7:00pm.  We will have guest speakers, guest musicians, guests from the community visiting and the most important guest in any conversation, God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  So be our guest, bring a guest and be a part of "The Conversation". 

 Thursday, March 24

6:45 Music and Fellowship

7:00 Conversation

March topic

"Taming the Tongue"

Wonder Full World is an unforgettable travel-themed retreat the women of our church are doing together. It includes worship, Bible study, and time for laughter as well as time for quiet reflection.

If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,

1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose?
2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?
3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it? In order to know his will, you should,
4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.
5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing "scripture can only be understood thro' the same Spirit whereby it was given." Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.
6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short.

And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.