The Second Sunday of Lent is here. How are you doing with your Lenten commitments? Don’t worry if you’ve waned, the Lord always welcomes your time of fasting, charity, and prayer. Speaking of prayer, don’t forget to click on the link in the left column for our weekly prayer list, to keep the needs of your fellow brothers and sisters in your hearts and on your lips.
THIS SATURDAY IS OUR INTERNATIONAL POT LUCK!!!!!. WE REALLY HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! See below for information about our “International Dinner” on February 20.
Please take the time to read the articles and information in this week’s “GOOD NEWS” including clicking on our prayer list and pray for the requests there. Feel free to forward this newsletter to a family member or friend, or share it on your facebook page or twitter by using the “like” and “share” icons at the top of the page.
This weeks readings and question of the week:
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:
The apostles on the mountain were informed “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” How well will I listen to God’s Chosen Son this week?
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:20-4:1
Luke 9:28-36
Philippians 3:20-4:1
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Things to think about
Are you looking forward to Jesus Christ’s return to earth?
What will happen when Jesus returns to earth?
What are some of your views on end times’ events What are your hopes?
Heavenly Citizens
By telling the Philippian Christians that they were citizens of heaven,[1] Paul was, in effect, saying that just as the Roman colonists never forgot that they belonged to Rome, the Philippian Christians must never forget that they belong to heaven. (Barclay 2003:81)
Christians have a double allegiance.We should be loyal to our earthly government, and we should be be good citizens of our countries and communities. Even more important, however, is our loyalty and duty to our heavenly government – the Kingdom of God. Especially as we are already part of God’s kingdom; we are already living the eternal life with a real foretaste of its eternal privileges and glorious perks.
Saturday, February 20 – 6:00 pm – Pine Room
All Souls wants to celebrate our family of diversity! Prepare your favorite food to showcase your cultural heritage! Or bring your favorite fare from around the globe!
If you can, print out some information about the particular food and/or cultural heritage highlighted by what you bring! Then share this info with others during our potluck.
Sharing food and knowledge – while enjoying the fellowship of your All Souls family! We hope you can join us! Mark it in your calendar today!
A Good Thyme for Life -Tuesday, March 1
A Good Thyme For Life is an annual dining out event to benefit Co-County Wellness Services. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Click below for more information
As mentioned in Henry’s “Lenten Pastoral Letter” – we will be collecting a special Lenten offering. We encourage you to set your extra change aside during the 40 days of Lent. We will collect the change at the end of Lent and use this for some of our special outreach missions like Opportunity House; Family First; etc.
We do have special plastic containers that you can use – just pick them up at this Sunday’s service if you did not get it last week or at the Ash Wednesday service.
A stone,
no feelings
no heart
no shame
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
NEW ROTAS – NEW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! FINDING YOUR MINISTRY
At All Souls, we are ALL MINISTERS! We welcome everyone to participate in the ministry of all Souls. Besides our periodic outreach ministry opportunities – we also have ways you can be part of our ministry each week.If you can come early, we need help setting up each Sunday or clean up after the service. Hospitality, reading scriptures, greeting, sharing musical talent, helping with children education, and even helping provide rides for individuals or families that need a ride to or from the church. You don’t have to do these things every week – but even if you volunteer once or twice a week – that would be great!
We will also be doing a training course for those wanting to explore being a Lay Assistant later this spring.
You can click on the ROTA links to the left to see where we have current openings for various Sundays. Or talk to Ben Renkus or any board member about how you can get more involved in the ministry of All Souls.
WINTER/SPRING POT LUCKS – Save the dates!
We had a great January Pot Luck Game Night. We had rousing round of UNO!
Please make plans to join us for our remaining Winter/Spring Pot Lucks!
February 20
March 12
April 16
If you have ideas for future pot luck activities – please let anyone on the board know your ideas!!!!
HOSPITALITY UPDATE:
Jay and Jasmine have volunteered to take over as Hospitality Coordinators! Wendy, Val and Danny will assist them but we still need other volunteers to help out. If you would like to help out with our hospitality ministry before and/or after service please see Jay, Jasmine or Wendy.
We can still use some help with transportation ministry as well. If your willing to pick up parishioners from time to time and bring them to church, please let Jerry know. This is a great way to build friendships – its amazing how you can get to know someone or a family with a short 10 minute drive.
Reminder about Winter Weather:
Just a reminder that if service is cancelled this weekend or anytime this winter – we do put a notice on WFMZ-TV / Channel 69. We will also post on our All Souls Website and send out an email via Constant Contact. Of course these only work if the electricity is on. If you are still unsure, you can call the church phone @ 610-621-1738 – again, if we are able to, we will update the message if service is cancelled or not.
OF COURSE – ALWAYS USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AND INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO DECIDE IF YOU FEEL SAFE TRAVELING. Depending on where you live – you may have more snow or ice (or vice-versa). We also take into account if Calvary has had time to shovel and/or plow the sidewalks and parking lots. We will make this judgement call no later than 11 am on Sunday – earlier if possible.
How are you doing answering this past week’s
question of the week?
How can I say no to selfishness and power over others and yes to placing myself in God’s merciful hands?
