Bethany Renew
Midweek Email Devotion
5 March  2016   
Greetings!

WELCOME!  
I welcome you to Bethany Renew! This is our church's weekly online spiritual connection.
Every midweek, you will receive a devotion, a prayer, or an essay that are intended to stir up conversations and ideas of how we will proceed on the path of renewal. Feel free to forward this email to anyone who you think will be interested in receiving these readings.  You are welcome to respond or make comments, or otherwise just sit back and enjoy your weekly readings and reflections!  
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
(Special Sunday, March 6)
We will start to celebrate the 6-Special Sunday of the UMC. The next one is called, "One Great Hour of Sharing" on March 6. Aside from your weekly gift, please consider bringing an additional small amount to participate in One Great Hour of Sharing
To learn more click 

 
PRAY & GIVE
Pray and consider giving to Jeremy's sister's Haiti Mission. 
Click here for more information.
 
 
NEW DIRECTORY 
A special shout of thanks to Jean for giving us a new directory! There are new copies in the church office. Come and get one! 


SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
DURING LENT:

1.LENTEN STUDY
"Give Up Something Bad For Lent." 
Wed. at 6pm
Starts: Feb. 10

2. COVENANT GROUP
A weekly meeting that values deep sharing, accountability, and prayer (FRI. 6-7 pm)

COMING SOON:
GROUNDING
MEDITATION
With Dr. Patti Robbins
After the Lenten Season, Patti will be offering a meditation class. Details, including descriptions, time, and small cost will be announced later.
(I'm personally looking forward to this). 

UPCOMING HOLY WEEK EVENT! 

Palm Sunday
11:30 a.m. 

Maundy Thursday 
6: p.m. 
Special Play and Holy Communion

Good Friday 
6: p.m.
Tenebrae

Sunrise Service
(TBA)

Easter Worship Service 
11:30 a.m.




LET GO OF THE RAFT

During Lent each week, I will share devotions from various Lent authors. This one is from Peter Scazerro 

Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:59-62

There's an old story about a boy who, having grown up at the edge of a wide, turbulent river, spent his childhood learning to build rafts. When the boy reached manhood, he felled some trees, lashed them together, and riding his raft, he crossed to the far side of the river. 

Because he had spent so long working on the raft, he couldn't see leaving it behind when he reached dry land, so he lashed it to his shoulders and carried it with him, though all he came upon in his journeys were a few easily fordable streams and puddles. He rarely thought about the things he was missing out on because he was carrying the bulky raft-the trees he couldn't climb, vistas he couldn't see, people he couldn't get close to and races he couldn't run. He didn't even realize how heavy the raft was, because he had never known what it was like to be free of it (Lori Gordon).

Question to Consider
What heavy "raft" might you be carrying as your seek to climb the mountains of God has placed before you?

Prayer
Lord, I too prefer to not look at or remember the painful past. Show me O God, the heavy weights and rafts I am carrying due to my past. Help me to learn what it means to honestly face my past, lift it up to you, and allow you to use it as a means to my maturing and growing in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)

(AUTHOR: Peter Scazerro)

I apologize for the lateness of this email. I've been under the weather.  
 
I just want to remind you that on Sunday (March 6), aside from your regular offering, consider bringing an extra small amount to support  "One Great Hour of Sharing." 100% of your gifts will go to the mission field of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. They say that if each UMC members will give $1 or 2 for our special offering, we will exceed our goal of doing our mission globally.
 
Second, please remember March 17, 7 p.m. Rev. Cara Scriven, our superintendent will come and talk to us about our progress. Remember the conference gave us an 8-month timeline for discernment and reevaluation. Pray that it will be a good healthy conversation. And please attend.
 
Lastly, one important season when we can witness about Christ or invite someone to church is the Holy Week. If you know of a friend, neighbor, family member who is looking for a place to experience Lent, invite them to our: Palm Sunday or Maundy Thursday, or Good Friday, or Easter Worship
 
Remember the Letter U I shared with you? It doesn't just reflect our journey from decline to emergence. It also reminds us that revitalization will not happen without "u." 'U" are the people called Bethany UMC. Pastors come and go. But you stay. You are the common denominator between all the pastors and the seasons of this church. You are what make Bethany a place of real fellowship, mission, and service.

FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE
Please like our new Facebook Page at Bethany United Methodist Church.
Please click here.
Visit our website for other church info, and you can listen to sermons: bethanytacoma.com
 
Pastor Ferdie Llenado
Bethany United Methodist Church
personal email: [email protected]
new church email: [email protected]
visit us at bethanytacoma.com
 

Sitka United Methodist Church | 303 Kimsham Street | 1104 Edgecumbe Drive | Sitka | AK | 99835