January 29, 2015

 

Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:

 

Instead of addressing the theme of this Sunday's coming sermon--which by the way will focus on the 3rd Cardinal Virtue of "Fortitude" (courage, strength)--I want to raise our awareness concerning some Christian Growth and Worship special opportunities coming in the next two months. With it being cold, dark, and snowy outside, these are good opportunities to focus inside our hearts in seeking a closer life with Jesus. So, here they are:

 

What's Love Got to Do with It? (Wednesday nights, January 28 through March 25, 7:00 p.m., City-View Room): Tina Turner famously sang, What's love got to do, got to do with it? What's love, but a secondhand emotion? What's love but a sweet, old-fashioned notion? Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken? To the contrary, love's got everything to do with it! Please join Bob Jamison and me for a look at love as the heart of the Christian life. We'll investigate why "the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13), and how this greatest of things can transform our life with God, ourselves, and others. Oh, and by the way, why not come at 6:00 p.m. for our Family Fusion dinner before class - just $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Got kids? There's nursery, children's ministry, and youth ministry occurring from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. while you join Bob and me. Don't miss it!

 

Theology on Tap (Wednesday nights, January 28 through March 25, 7:00 p.m., Pub & Pizza on Castle Shannon Rd): Pastor Steve has done it again! He's gathered together some of the most interesting and current Christian thinkers in our area to come give presentations. The topics are geared both to grow your Christian life and to appeal to people interested in learning about our Christian faith. In fact, we hold it at Pub & Pizza so that non-Christians as well as Christians can feel comfortable in the setting. Why not come yourself? Why not bring someone who may be searching for new life in Christ? After all, we Christians are called to be in the world, but not of the world, for the sake of the world. This is an excellent opportunity to live it out. By the way, join us in the Fellowship Hall for Family Fusion dinner first at 6:00 p.m., then head on over to Theology on Tap. What a great evening!

 

Griefshare (Wednesday afternoons, February 11 through March 25, beginning at 4:30 p.m., in room F-101): We lose a parent to death. We lose a spouse, a child, a grandchild, or a dear friend. Perhaps even some of us lose a beloved pet which has been our faithful companion for years and years. And it leaves a hole in our hearts. Sometimes it can be hard to move on, to move forward, and to feel fully alive. We need strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. And we need others to help us. Does this sound like you? Like someone you know and love? Then Griefshare can be part of the answer. This small group experience will be led by elder Rosalba Hughey and James Hilton (Principal of Jubilee Christian School). Please contact Lay Pastor Linda for more information (lpokrajac@mlepc.org). And immediately following Griefshare at 6:00 p.m., join us in the Fellowship Hall for our Family Fusion dinner, too.

 

Jesus' Final Week: Lenten Small Groups (Sunday mornings during Sunday school hour, Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., throughout Lent): The season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 18th, is a time of preparation for Holy Week, March 29th through April 5th. We annually hold 5 week long small group experiences to help us journey spiritually with Jesus to Jerusalem, to betrayal, to suffering and death and to glorious resurrection. This year, we actually will investigate 5 of the major events of Holy Week, so as to be more ready to experience them during Holy Week. Sunday morning small groups meet on February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22. Come for both worship and a small group! Wednesday evening groups gather on February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25. Come for Family Fusion dinner and a small group! Sign up begins in early February.

 

Ash Wednesday Worship Concert with Lori Matta (Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.): A number of years ago, Lori Matta was a member of our MLEPC worship team. It was plain to see that she had a marvelous gift for leading people into God's Presence. Since moving to Ohio, Lori has gone on to be a worship leader in a church, to write original music, and to release very soon her first worship CD. Best of all for us, Lori still loves our church and is coming to lead a worship concert as we begin our journey through Lent on Ash Wednesday. Come for Family Fusion dinner at 6:00 p.m. and then join us in the sanctuary with anticipation that we shall meet the very Presence of God's Spirit.

 

MLEPC members and friends, we are incredibly blessed to have opportunities such as these. During these days of winter, let us take full advantage. Let us draw near to Christ, knowing that He desires to draw near to us.

 

Pastor Tim 

 

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