Greetings, Blessings, and GOOD NEWS! May you be blessed by this weeks readings, and enjoy reading this weeks edition of GOOD NEWS. Lent is always an meaningful and joyful time in the life of the Church. We hope you will join us as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter!
We hope you see you soon! Feel free to pass on your Weekly All Souls Good News to a Friend! Seeing this for the first time? Click on “JOIN OUR MAILING LIST” over on the left hand blue column to get this directly to your email.
This weeks readings:
Take time to mediate on God’s word and prepare for worship this Sunday. And as you meditate on them, consider the question of the week: “We have been granted the grace to enter a new season of renewal. What time and place will I set aside for my Lenten journey inward? Where will my outward Lenten journey take me?”
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
Psalm 25:1-9
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Let none who look to you be put to shame; let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
Show me your ways, O LORD, and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
Gracious and upright is the LORD; therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly.
This is one of those Psalms that does not need much exposition. Instead, I challenge you to make this part of your daily prayer for the next three days. Say this Psalm out loud as prayer for next three days. Slowly, thoughtfully, and prayerfully. Repeat it more than once. Let the wonder and joy of it fill your heart and mind!
GOD loves us and wants to show us the way; not just to eternal life – but to a better life now. We just need to abide in his love and forgiveness – and trust him!
Next Potluck – Saturday, February 21
We love spending time with our All Souls family and we are a family that enjoys food. What a blessing it is when we combine the two at our pot-lucks.
Just a reminder, our next pot luck is tomarrow! Saturday, February 21 – 6:00 pm in the Pine Room (basement). Valentines Day Themed! hmmmmmm
Pastor Candidate Q & A
Following the annual meeting in November, a review of the job description & associated parish profile, and a search within the ECC community – the church Board of Directors would again like your input. We are presenting to the congregation, Fr. Henry Pruski as a candidate for our next Pastor. We welcome you to present questions to both the candidate and the Board this Saturday at the Potluck and on Sunday, February 22 following the service. We will also discuss the next steps in the process. Please plan to join us for this very important decision process.
LENTEN SERVICES – WEDNESDAYS, 7:00 pm
We will have Lenten Services February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25. Join us if you are able for some time of prayer and reflection. Service will begin at7:00 pm in the Chapel.
LENTEN OFFERING
We will have special containers for you to sacrifice for Lent with your offering. Any amount contributed will go towards the cost of preparing meals at Opportunity House this winter and spring.
Help Support Co-County Wellness Services – March 3
17 Berks County restaurants host A Good Thyme for Life, a special dining event raising funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Each restaurant generously donates a percentage of their evening revenue to Co-County Wellness Services.
Certain members of the board have been tasked with making the decision to cancel services or not. We try to carefully watch the weather, predict what might happen by 1pm service time, and make a careful decision. If canceled we will post as early as possible on our Facebook Page, send an email, and we do have an account with channel 69 news and you can see those closings at wfmz.com
Of course if power or internet becomes a problem, you may also call the church phone and the voice mail will be updated as well. If your still not sure, then always better safe than sorry. Spend some time meditating on the weeks scriptures in the safety and warmth of your home.
How are you doing answering this past week’s question
of the week from the bulletin?
How will my Lenten observance respond to Jesus’ twofold challenge to seek healing myself and then, once healed by God’s grace, become an instrument of healing for others with the “hands-on” compassion of Jesus?
