THE LENTEN JOURNEY

We begin now our journey together toward Easter Sunday. These days of preparation (the season of Lent) are j Sam's Picture ust that-days to be spent in prayer, meditation, self-examination, and honest, open searching-that we might enter into the newness of Easter and be the very people whom God has created us to be. We prepare that we might genuinely be Easter People on Easter Sunday!

I hope you'll make every effort to be present in worship. My sermon series will focus on the newness which God's spirit brings to our lives and the potential to find life and hope when life seems so dark and dreary. The series will come from the Old Testament and invite you to read ahead each week.

LENTEN SERMON SERIES:

MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

March 9: Genesis 2:5-17; 3:1-7 (Adam and Eve) 1. A New Reality
March 16: Genesis 12:1-4a (Abraham's call) 2. A New Task
March 23: Exodus 17: 1-7 (Israel in the wilderness) 3. A New Certainty
March 30: I Samuel 16: 1-13 (David anointed king) 4. A New Metric
April 6: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 (Valley of the dry bones) 5. A New Life
April 13: Isaiah 50: 4-9 (Palm Sunday) 6. A New Messiah
April 20: Matthew 28: 1-10 (Easter) 7. A New Beginning

I hope to see you here. Pray for your church and for one another during this profoundly significant time.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

You are invited to ring a handbell or chime after both services this Sunday and to find out more about the Handbell Ministry at Marietta FUMC. Members of the handbell choir will be available at the bell tables to answer any questions you may have about the instruments. (Arie Motschman, ext. 7818)

A new Grief Support Group will meet Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Registration is encouraged. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Dementia Caregivers Support Group will meet this Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

"Swing Out Saturday Night," a new show hosted by the Dramatic Arts Team, is set for Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Tickets are $15 ($12 senior citizens) and are available at the Reception Desk. (Arie Motschman, ext. 7818)

Special Blessings Support Group meets Wednesday, March 12 at 4:15 p.m. in Room 259. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Senior Adult Ministry will host a breakfast at Come and Get It on Wednesday, March 19 at 9 a.m. Bring two guests and eat for free! (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)

Senior Adult Ministry will host a St. Patrick's Day luncheon on Thursday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $10. Arie Motschman and Brenda Brent will provide music. RSVP by Tuesday, March 11. (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)

The Youth will sponsor the annual Youth Mission Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser (complete with homemade sauce!) on Sunday, March 16 in the Family Life Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Choir Tour and the spring break mission trips. Tickets are $10, and donations are welcome. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

A mission trip team is forming to minister to the children of LaSenda children's home and school in Guatemala. The trip is June 1-6. (Martha Lee Sanders, 770-428-8115)

Register now for VBS and summer camps! Dates for VBS are Monday through Thursday, June 16-19. Summer camps begin Monday, June 2 and end Friday, August 8. Register here. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

A Parent's Night Out is Friday, March 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $10 for one child and $5 for siblings. Children from nursery to 5th grade are welcome. RSVP by Wednesday, March 19. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

This Week

Our Ash Wednesday Services will be tomorrow, March 5 at noon and 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Church Family Supper will be at 5:15 p.m. in the Reception Hall.

The next Power 45! is this Sunday, March 9. Meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall to go bowling. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

MFUMC's semi-annual Lil' Lambs children's consignment sale is this week in the Family Life Hall. The pre-sale is on Thursday from 6-8 pm. There is a $5 entry fee. Friday and Saturday are free and open at 9 a.m. on both days. Saturday is half-off day! (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)

A meeting about the mission trip to the Republic of Georgia will be held tomorrow, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 201B. The trip is planned for April 21-30. We will work with a school for internally displaced persons. Contact Patty Mozley for more information.

Our 2014 Habitat for Humanity build begins this Saturday, March 8. Learn more here. Contact Forrest Cate at ext. 7806 or Jeff Kundrat for more information.

The Florida State University Singers will perform a free concert next Monday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Family Night Supper is served at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

March 5: Marinated grilled chicken, Tonia's macaroni and cheese, green beans, tossed salad, rolls and desserts. Kids: chicken nuggets with same sides as adults.

Save the Date

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 5

Republic of Georgia

Mission Trip Meeting

Wednesday, March 5

Lil' Lambs Consignment Sale

Pre-Sale

Thursday, March 6

Lil' Lambs Consignment Sale

Friday and Saturday,

March 7-8