Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church 

Lent Banner 4
Greetings!

The Journey of Lent - "We're All In This Together"
I can imagine the many people of Pleasant Valley in our many places of living, working and residing finding ways to journey together through Lent.  Whether we are from the East, West, North or South in our community, we are connected through our place of missional commitment, Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.  It's important to remember that on our bad days and also on days where everything is going our way.
 
Most of all, no matter where you live or where you are on your faith journey, you do not have to do it ALL alone.  We're all in this together.  In our Christian journey we need to be constantly reminded that we have a deeper connection than comes from letters, phone calls, Facebook or even texting.  Our connection comes through the living body of Christ, the church.  We are reminded of this connection each week by both connecting together in worship and study and seeing the reflection of Christ in our work, home and neighborhood.  We're all in this together. 
 
RETHINKing CONTINUES
 
Rethinking church,
Nathan D. Stanton
Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church
 
 
 
24 Hours Sunday School Class Begins Sunday
 
This past Sunday, 75 people joined together in Fellowship Hall to begin studying the book "24Hours that Changed the World."  If you missed last week, no worries!  Join us this week to learn more about the last day of Jesus' life. 
 
Three things people learned last week:
1)  Of the people there, we now know who is over 60 years old and who is not!
2)  We learned what a triclynium is.  (the table that was used at the Last Supper)
3)  A deeper connection and understanding of what it means to receive the Lord's Supper, or, Holy Communion.
 
The "Builders" Sunday school class has agreed to supply hospitality this Sunday morning.
 
Class continues March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 11
 
No class on Easter Sunday because of worship schedule.

Cross and Flame

Means of Grace for your Lenten Journey
 
Sundays:  Corporate worship 
 
Mondays:  Prayer  Read Mark 14: 53, 55, 61-68, 70-72
 
Tuesdays:  Fasting  Read Isaiah 55:1-9.  This is a prophetic song in which God promises mercy, pardon, and abundant provision to those who repend and trust in God.
 
Wednesdays:  Constant Communion  Read Psalm 63:1-8.  A Psalm of trust.  "My soul thirsts for you , my flesh faints for you...my soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, my mouth praises you with joyful lips."  This psalm enables us to sing an dpray with deep physicality in response to the offer of abundant provision for all who will repent and trust in God.
 
Thursdays: Search the scriptures  Read I Corinthians 10:1-13.  The patter of the baptized life is to be one of continual repentance, trusting that God iwll not test us beyond our strength. 
 
Fridays:  Spiritual Discipline and Reflection  Read Luke 13:1-9.  Time is available for repentance and response--the fig tree and the gardner. 
Spend time reflecting on your Lenten journey this week. 
Did you worship God this week?  Were you part of a community of faith?Did you pray this week? 
Did  you fast this week? 
Did you participate in communion with Christ? With others? 
Did you read your Bible this week? 
Did you spend time with Christ through the study of scripture, devotional reading and prayer?
 
Saturdays:  Works of Mercy  
John Wesley taught people to be Christians in both word and deed, in order to express the love of God. 
We invite you to spend some time each Saturday in service to others.  Help a neighbor. Visit a nursing home. Let someone in front of you in traffic. Help someone with their bags at the store.  Donate items to charity. Offer to babysit.  Practice the Golden Rule.  Read to a child.  Give of yourself. 
 Feeding the 3,000
The PVUMC community will be in mission together by seeking to feed 3,000 families.  Take time to purchase and donate either cans of tuna or boxes of macaroni and cheese.  We are trying to raise 3,000 of each.  Drop them off at the front of the sanctuary.  Mission and service will be organizing them each week to help us know where we are on our count.  
Our progress so far.  Remember to drop them off anytime at the church. 
lent 2 macaroni and cheeselent tuna week 2
Let's "Feed the 3,000" families and do a great work for God!
superstars banner 
 BE A SUPERSTAR!
Did you know it takes many people to make worship go every Sunday morning?  Besides the pastor and the choirs that typically lead worship there are other roles as well.  Here are several:
Liturgist - leads the congregation in prayers and reads scripture
Greeters - these people are posted at the doors to welcome people to worship on Sunday with a spirit of radical hospitality
Ushers - Hand out bulletins and help people get people seated in the sanctuary to prepare for worship
Mugger - individuals who deliver mugs to first-time visitors following their first worship experience at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church
Connecting Point - people to be available at the Connecting Point to answer questions of members and guests.
Communion Servers - Help others receive communion on the first Sunday of the month and other special services.
 
These are just a few of the ways that you can be a SUPERSTAR on Sunday mornings.
 
You're invited to be a SUPERSTAR at Pleasant Valley.  
All you have to do is find a star with the ministry opportunity you would like to help out with, put your name on it and drop it in the box on the table.  You will by contacted by the ministry coordinator of that SUPERSTAR opportunity and included in a training session in the coming weeks.
 
Look for other ways to be a SUPERSTAR at Pleasant Valley in the coming weeks and months.
 
Reverend Nathan D. Stanton