FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
“Since you asked for some proof of the Christ who speaks through me, you’ll find that he’s no sissy around you, but is dynamite within you. True he did not put up a fight when they lynched him, but now he is loaded with God’s power. So it is, we too share in his “weakness,” but we too are loaded
with God’s power in our relations with you.
-2 Corinthians 13:3, 4
The Cotton Patch Version of Paul’s Epistles.
True he did not put up a fight when they lynched him!
I love this version of the scripture. Clarence Jordan wrote this version in 1968. It was about the time of the racial unrest in the South. He compares the prejudices in Paul’s time with that time in the South.
True he did not put up a fight when they lynched him!
His wording is nothing that we expect. He paraphrases the scripture in no-nonsense language and it hits you, as scripture never has before. Using part of ourselves when they come to the end of their life.
True he did not put up a fight when they lynched him!
No, he did not fight it! He set his face to Jerusalem and to the outcome that he knew would happen. His disciples tried to keep him from going. His family worried about him and even considered that he might be just a little bit crazy.
He had been insulting the powers-that-be for three years. He had dismissed some to the ideas that were sacrosanct to all Jews. He talked about individuals instead of the “people of God.” He hung out with those who were considered unclean. He went to dinner with tax collectors and defended prostitutes.
As Clarence Jordan states it, He wasn’t a ‘sissy, ‘ was he? Why did he do it? Why did he give up his life? As we walk through another Lenten season, let us be reminded of what Jesus’ mission was all about. God loved us so much that he gave his only Son. (John 3:16).
God has always wanted a perfect relationship with His children. However, no matter how he tried to explain what that meant we didn’t get it. He sent prophets and judges and kings and still we could not understand. God wanted us to know love! So Jesus walked right up that hill to Calvary and showed the ultimate gift of love!
When you think things aren’t going too well, just be still, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember the gift of love. Has anyone ever loved you that much?
So it is, we too share in his “weakness,” but we too are loaded with God’s power in our relations with you.
- Pastor Marilyn
THE CHURCH OWL
Laws on the Books: Bus companies in North Carolina have the legal right to provide free transportation to blind preachers.
– You Can’t Eat Peanuts in Church, by Barbara Seuling
Bible Facts: The name of Jesus is mentioned 1,281 times in the Bible.
-Bible Trivia
Announcements
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Adult Bible Study with Pastor Joe Travis – Sunday evenings at 6:00pm
Choir Practice Every Saturday at 9:30am
Sunday, March 4th - 2nd Sunday in Lent
Thursday, March 8th – Prayer Shawl Ministry Group meets at Carolyn White’s – 7PM
Sunday, March 11th - 3rd Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 11th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, March 11th – Girl Scout Sunday
Monday, March 12th - Presbyterian Women meet in the Community Building at Noon
Saturday, March 17th – Family supper in the Community Building – 5:30 pm
Sunday, March 18th - 4th Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 18th – Brunch in the Community Building following Worship
Tuesday, March 20th – First Day of Spring
Sunday, March 25th - 5th Sunday in Lent
Tuesday, March 27th – Newsletter Deadline
Sunday, April 1st – Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 8th – Easter Sunrise Service at the White’s – 7:30am, Breakfast to follow at the Community Building at 8:00 am
A THANK YOU BRUNCH !
All of us are given gifts from God and when we began to explore the gifts of the church family, we came up with over 90 of those gifts that are shared with the rest of us. Surprised??? We were too.
Well, we think it’s time we all thanked each other for what happens here on the hill. So, as a thank you to EVERYONE, we are celebrating by having a Brunch on Sunday March 18th following the worship service. We are keeping it very simple so as little work as possible has to be done by us, but no one should leave hungry. So, mark your calendar to stay after worship on the 18th and plan to enjoy, eat, and not work.
Session would like to begin a card ministry, the idea coming from an article in a recent Presbyterian Today magazine. If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Janet Decker. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Janet will address the envelopes and mail them. You can reach Janet at
570-967-2343 or email her at rdecker31@stny.rr.com