Newsletter

Lenten Observances Begin February 19

Lenten Study: Ways to Pray
Explore different ways to pray using basic practices of Christian spiritual formation such as prayer, meditating on the Lectionary Scriptures, journaling, and soulful listening. Each week learn a different way to pray to practice in class and throughout the coming week. Come nurture your relationship with God and grow in your faith and discipleship. Rev. Kathy Wadsley will lead this six-week study on Sundays, February 19, 26, March 4, 18, 25, April 1 during Church School 9:45-10:45 a.m. Bring your Bible. All are welcome.

Lenten Calendars
Everyone is invited to use the Lenten Calendar included in this Circuit Rider as a part of your family or personal devotions. Do the suggested activity and color the symbols each day.  The calendar written by Kathy Wadsley uses the lectionary scriptures that are read in worship.  Learn about the symbols on the back side of the calendar.  Extra calendars are on the narthex table.

Pancake Supper, February 21, 5:00—7:00 p.m.
Clyde Draughn will once again be preparing our delicious meal and our ASP team will be serving you in Fellowship Hall.  All proceeds will help send our youth on their mission trip this summer.  Tickets will be available after church services on February 5, 12, and 19.

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 p.m.
Our Lenten season will begin with the traditional service including choral music, congregational prayers and singing, reading and reflection on Holy Scripture, and the Imposition of Ashes.  The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship, and the Imposition can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation.  This practice is the historic focus of Ash Wednesday observance and gave the day its name.

Wednesday Evening Soup and Prayer
Beginning February 29, each Wednesday between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week (5 Wednesdays) there will be a Soup and Salad Supper in Fellowship Hall from 6:00-6:45 p.m. (provided by UMW Circles) followed by a Prayer Service in the Sanctuary from 7:00-7:30 p.m.

The Wednesday Prayer services will include singing, silence, reading of scripture, lighting candles, and prayers.

Daily Devotional Booklets
Devotional booklets, including daily scripture passage, reflection, and prayers, will be available for your use through the season of Lent.  The booklets will be available in the narthex beginning Sunday, February 19.

Easter Flowers
Flowers may be ordered in March.  Watch the March newsletter for additional details.

Holy Week Preview

Palm/Passion Sunday          April 1

Maundy Thursday Worship  April 5

Prayer Vigil                           April 5-6

Good Friday Worship           April 6

Easter Celebration                April 8
Sunrise Communion—6:30 a.m.
Breakfast—7:15 a.m.
Worship—8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Rev. Ginger’s Pastoral Ponderings

It always seems that the time between Christmas and the beginning of Lent blows by like the winds of mid-winter, fast and furious and in the blink of an eye… And, frankly, it seems that time flies by like that a lot, especially around this part of the world where schedules are so full and expectations so high. There is often very little time to just BE or to reflect on our lives. Yet, during the season of Lent, it is that very thing that we are invited to do: to your life…slow down…pay attention…evaluate your priorities…confess your sins…claim your gifts…follow your heart…spend time with God.  Lent, you see, is our annual journey to the cross, the tomb, and Easter morning. Our ancestors in faith understood that in order to experience the transforming power of Easter, we human beings need to walk through “the wilderness.” Just as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years before they entered the Promised Land, just as Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days before entering into his public ministry, so too do we journey through the 40 days (not counting Sundays) of the Lenten season. During these days, we are called by God to go into that wilderness place that is our own soul, to wander around a bit with the Spirit in that space, and try to discern where God calls us to grow, to go, to change.

There is a lot of diversity among us at St. Matthew’s UMC, but one of the things that most of us have in common is that our schedules are full. Sometimes we put the most important thing at the bottom of the priority list. Therefore, I am encouraging three things during the Lenten season this year:

1)Attend worship regularly—either on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening; make spending time with God and giving praise to God a priority.

2)Participate in a Sunday School class or a Bible Study—you might make Lent the time to form that book group you’ve been wanting to start—make learning about your faith a priority.

3)to a spiritual practice—such as prayer, contemplation, serving others, fasting, simplicity, or generosity—make practicing and deepening your faith a priority.

I pray that we will experience a blessed 2012 together and that our journey through the wilderness time of Lent will lead us to the fruits of transformation and deeper love for God, ourselves, and others.

Peace be with you as we embark on the journey!
Ginger+

To the Saints of St. Matthew’s

As we enter the month of February we are living out the last of the Christmas Cycle in the Christian Calendar. The Season after the Epiphany is the church season between January 6, the Day of Epiphany, and Ash Wednesday. Epiphany reminds us that the Wise Men’s visit indicated Christ was born for the whole world. The altar cloths are green, the common color of nature, signifying hope and growth. Epiphany is a time for us to come, worship and grow in our faith as we “Go into the world and share the light of Jesus Christ.”

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 22, and lasts until Easter Sunday, April 8. Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter. The 40 days of Lent are a time of renewal, a time to remember Jesus – to walk with him as individuals and family and to grow in our faith through study, prayer, worship, and service to others. The color purple is used to signify penitence, preparation and royalty.

See the many opportunities in this Circuit Rider and Sunday bulletins that invite us to worship, study, grow spiritually and serve.  In a world that is looking for hope, let the light of Jesus Christ shine through you. Invite others to come with you to worship and learn about Christ. Prayerfully take time to nourish and feed your soul through a balance of worship, education, mission and service so you can continue to grow on your spiritual journey.

—Rev. Kathy Wadsley

Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Comm. Report

The Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) held its first meeting of the new year on January 10, 2012.  This meeting was one of transition—leaving the committee after a collective service record of over fifteen years are Jackie Gerard, Pattie Klein, Steve Smith, and Linda Cooper, Lay Leader/Lay Member of the Annual Conference.  These members have played vital roles on the committee throughout the years and their dedicated service will also be acknowledged at a future S/PPRC event.

In the ensuing months of 2012, the S/PPRC plans to increase communication with the congregation and welcomes any SMUMC member’s attendance at the beginning of any meeting if there is a concern or interest that needs to be brought to the committee’s attention.  The 2012 schedule of meetings will be bimonthly at 7:00 p.m. in room 127 on March 13, May 8, July 10, September 11, and November 13.

The new members of the S/PPRC (Class of 2014) are as follows: Melissa Neace, Ed Darnell, and Harold Patterson.   The new Lay Leaders/Lay Members of the committee are Dawn Henry and Dave Monroe.  Carl Long, in his role as reserve Lay Leader, is also a committee resource.  Members who are continuing on the S/PPRC include Alexandra Calloway, Ann Fauconnet, Mary Lou Walden, Stephen Hill, Bob Matthews, and Eileen McCall, chair.

The S/PPRC looks forward to continuing its “primary responsibilities to work with the staff so that the mission of the church is realized.”

One of the fastest ways we can offer more fellowship and interaction amid our congregation and other churches is by getting more involved in Social Media.

Social media is huge these days. Social media isn’t just Facebook and Twitter. encompasses a whole host of interactive Internet activities and websites. include social networking (e.g., Facebook), video sharing (e.g., YouTube), photo sharing (e.g., Flickr, Picasa),  social bookmarking (e.g., Reddit), blogs, forums, discussion boards, Wikipedia, reviews and ratings.

Social Media is not a substitute for the forms and modes of fellowship we already have. Small group, church picnics, and other church groups are still very important. Social media is just another  way that we can enhance spiritual interaction among our members.

Please join us on Facebook and share with us. (facebook.com/smumc)  If you’re active in social media, I would love to hear from you!

—George Wood, Communications Chair

St. Matthew’s Leadership Retreat

St. Matthew’s recent Leadership Retreat was a weekend in the mountains for learning, uplifting, and creating a stronger community of faith within and among many of the leaders of the church. From teen to seventies, we represented the great spread of our family tree.

It was a treat to welcome the Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills, our District Superintendent,  to bring us a rich look at why people need “the church”, why people need Jesus, and why people need St. Matthew’s.  We could see a future of multi-cultural diversity that is multi-generational and family oriented.  We are working toward a goal where 60% of the members actively engage in ministry and mission work—so get ready to jump on board ‘cause this train is truly bound for glory!  The leadership of St. Matthew’s was touched and honored to be able to represent this spiritually rich congregation and looks forward to linking hands with each of you for future growth.                                 —Linda Cooper

Fair Trade Sales Benefit UMCOR

The St. Matthew’s Coffee and Tea Buying Club provides a way for us to purchase Fair Trade, Organic, and delicious products. Fifteen cents from the purchase of every pound of coffee and tea from our supplier goes directly to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. In addition, our local pricing makes a little extra on everything we sell at our church by rounding up to the closest 50 cents or $1. This “extra” is collected throughout the year and we donate it directly to UMCOR via the Missions Committee.

For 2011, I am happy to report that through your support of our Buying Club, we were able to send $500 to UMCOR’s Sustainable Agriculture and Development (SA&D) program. SA&D supports economic and social development in rural communities through agricultural production and other related activities.  Thanks so much to everyone who purchased our coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, and olive oil throughout the year!

—Pattie Klein, Missions Chair

Learn About Women’s Heart Health

A representative from the American Heart Association will be at St. Matthew’s on Saturday, February 4, to present a program on women’s heart health.  The program is open to all of St. Matthew’s as well as family and friends.  It will run from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in Room 222.  Light refreshments will be served.  There is no cost to attend this program.  For further information, please contact Christin Vare.

Luke 8 Ministry Puts Faith into Action

Philippians tells us “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” newly formed Luke 8 Ministry Team is a wonderful opportunity to put you faith into action! are a visitation ministry formed to assist Rev. Ginger with visiting those in our church family who are ill, homebound, or otherwise suffering.We believe that by simply reaching out to people, we can help them heal.

If you would like to be a part of this ministry, our next training session will be February 3-4. more information or to sign up for the training, please contact Jen McClurg (301-262-1408 ) or Karen Hastings.

Family Valentine Party is February 12

Children and their families are invited to the Family Valentine Party on Sunday, February 12, after the 11:00 worship service, about 12:10 – 1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Enjoy light refreshments; make valentine cards to share with your family and friends.  Everyone is welcome. Bring friends.

—Sponsored by the Children and Families Council

The Good Steward

In the Creation story, we learn that since God created everything, then everything belongs to God.  In fact, he created humans to take care of His creation—to be stewards.

To recognize our stewardship, we must first understand our responsibilities, and then discover new ways to make a difference in terms of God’s Word.  The GREEN CHURCH study program is helping us understand what “going green” really means for the person of faith.  As it turns out, attending to the health of the planet is a core biblical value and GREEN CHURCH approaches environmental concerns and plans of action from the perspective of Scripture.

In January, we learned that God has delegated divine authority to us, that we are co-creators who may rule and have dominion over the earth for the good of all creation.  Yet parts of the earth are crying out to us through polluted air and water, profuse trash, mass extinctions, extreme (unseasonal) weather, and changing landscapes.  We asked ourselves, “What has gone wrong?”

This month, we will learn how to reclaim our stewardship over God’s creation; to answer the question, “Is it too late for us to make a difference?”  The next session of GREEN CHURCH is Sunday, February 12 between worship services. A makeup session will be held on Monday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Rm. 126.

St. Matthew’s Support of Food Pantry is UP!

As usual, St. Matthew’s continues to pour themselves out in generosity to the Bowie Interfaith Pantry & Emergency Aid Fund. The “Food Pantry” is one of our Outreach Ministries. The Food Pantry provides emergency food and monetary assistance, as well as referrals to other social service programs. They directly help those in our immediate local area who are experiencing need, without regard to race, creed, or gender.

In 2011, the saints of St. Matthew’s increased their monetary contributions to the “Food Pantry” by 70% over 2010. Wow! Moreover, this doesn’t even include the food we contribute on each month’s Food Pantry Sunday.  The congregation has increased their contributions steadily over the past four years. We know that the need in our area is great due to the economic downturn and have responded to that need.

Please consider contributing even more in 2012 to the Sunday Food Pantry collections of canned and boxed goods. Please prayerfully consider this as part of your call to Extravagant Generosity, so that we will make an even bigger difference in our world.

—Pattie Klein, Missions Chair

Christmas in April Begins Work Early

Christmas in April is a program that fixes and repairs up to 100 homes of limited-income seniors and the disabled on the last Saturday of April each year with the help of hundreds of volunteers. St. Matthew’s has participated since its inception 22 years ago in the program. The work needed on many of the houses, however, is more than can be accomplished on one day.

This year, we need your help to make another Bowie house decent and livable. It belongs to an 88-year-old man with dementia who has suffered a stroke and lives there with his caretaker. When it was inspected in November, they had been living without running water for two years. A break in the plumbing had caused flooding in two rooms, ruining wallboard and flooring. The bathrooms and kitchen are in need of repair. Mold is present in several rooms and it needs cleaning and painting, in addition to outside work.

Because of the house’s condition, in December the Mission Committee approved beginning work on the house immediately in order to make it habitable for the winter. Through the generosity of church members, the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Fund, and local businesses,  the plumbing was repaired;  the water bill was paid; and a new hot water heater, garbage disposal, kitchen faucet, bathroom toilet kit, and sink faucet were installed.  We installed a new stovetop, a used wall oven, and donated clothes dryer and washer.

Much still remains to be done. Please consider how you can help make a positive difference in the life of these community members. Skilled (e.g., carpentry, plumbing) and unskilled helpers alike are needed now and through the winter and spring, as well as on Saturday, April 28. If you can help, please contact us.

Dan Blades                            Bruce Thoman

Mission Team Traveling to Liberia

For several years our church has been supporting a school (K -12) in Logan Town, Liberia which is a suburb of Monrovia. With your help, we have been providing scholarship money and we funded the expense of a new tin roof for the school. We helped purchase two electric generators so they could have lights. This permitted them to go to a double shift and increase the capacity of the school. Last year we had a concert which raised money to help build a Kindergarten so that young people could start school before they were put to work.

This year we are sending a team of volunteers to the school to see this work in person, bring the Love of Christ from this congregation to them, and determine what else we may do for this community. Our pastor and Jen McClurg will be joined on this trip by Cliff Knoll, George Telis, Bill Greaves, Linda Cooper, Lori Robertson, Ray Orocco-John, Pete Saderholm, Gene Saderholm, and Harold Patterson. We depart on March 15 and return March 24.The next project identified by the school is to have a clinic. We have already sent $6,000 to start work on this facility and with some luck we may be able to lay a few bricks toward its completion. The total estimated cost of the clinic is $26,000 and so our effort is only a start. If others want to help see this effort move forward, they are welcome to contribute.

In addition, we are looking forward to spending time with the students and faculty at the School. We have not yet been informed about specific activities they might want us to perform, but we think it will be important to begin establishing a community-to-community bond with this School. We hope to sing with them, play with them, talk to them, and pray with them. This will be an exciting time for our Mission Team. Please pray for us on our journey and while we are in Liberia.

—Pete Saderholm

Gathering Reveals Shared Memories

On Sunday, January 8, long-time members gathered in the Parlor to remember what happened in the 60’s and 70’s in establishing our church.  They shared their memories of gathering around the piano in the parsonage on Stonehaven Lane and later at Belair Junior High School before a choir was formed.  Building the first portion of our church was quite an endeavor for so few people.  Flying ahead in time, the controversy over building the Sanctuary was explored.

The next gathering of members will be those who attended in the 80’s.  Please come to the Parlor on Sunday, February 5, between services along with your memories.  If you missed the first session, feel free to attend this one. The hour is taped and we hope to compose a DVD of recorded testimony to go along with the 50^th Anniversary History Book 2013.  Bring any souvenirs or pictures to share. Refreshments will be served.

—Kay League, Historian

Back by popular demand, Martha Circle is again sponsoring a used jewelry sale to defray costs of printing the 50^th Anniversary St. Matthew’s  History Book.  All donated jewelry, purses, and scarves will be sold at $3.00 and some pins at $1.00.  Please place donated items in the box provided in the coatroom any time.  The sale will be on Sundays, February 19 and 26  following each service.  The UMW has graciously allowed Martha Circle to sell the used jewelry alongside their Book Sale in Fellowship Hall.  Call Kay League or Linda Harbaugh for pickup or questions.  Thank you for your participation.

VBS Dates:  July 23-27

Mark your calendar and save the dates for another awesome, evening Vacation Bible School at St. Matthew’s. If you are interested in helping, teaching, being a teen helper, or being on the director’s team to select and plan VBS, please contact Rev. Kathy immediately at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net.

Life Changes

Deaths:

Pat Cone, wife of Steve; Don Walton, long time member of St. Matthew’s; Tom Gann, Randy’s father; Edna Brown, Barry’s mother;
Woodrow Wilson (Woody) First, husband of Margaret and a long time member of St. Matthew’s; Christine Furgason, partner of Justine Ameral and daughter of Margery Furgason; Rev. Stanley Bice, husband of Churalene and brother-in-law of Gloria and Glenn Swisher

Births:

Rubie Wassana Gingell-Manosa,  daughter of Weeravat and Darcie, born December 1, 2011;

Bryant Mahlon Meadows, son of Phillip and Lisa Meadows of Mesa, Arizona, born on January 6, 2012.  Lorri and George Meadows are the proud grandparents.

Can We Move to Life with Less Fossil Fuels?

For years we have been paying dearly for the cost incurred burning fossil fuels. Our benefits have been heated and cooled homes and workplaces, electrical conveniences and transportation to get us where we need or want to go. Our government has even subsidized the costs.  Part of what we reaped from fossil fuel burning has come back to us in health care costs caused by polluted air and water, loss of fish in streams and rivers, and effects from climate change.

Transitioning from a fossil fuel era to a more sensitive to the environment way of living would give us a more challenging and more sustainable lifestyle. We pray for a peaceful transition to a life with less fossil fuels.

—Elizabeth Buckner

Did You Know???

How many pastors has St. Matthew’s had?  How many are still living?

St. Mathew’s UMC has been privileged to have had nine pastors minister to us.  Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli is our ninth pastor and our first woman senior minister.  Two pastors have gone to their reward:  Rev. Ted Bowen (and his wife, Lee), and Rev. Bill Wyatt.

—Kay, Historian

St. Matthew’s Rocked During Advent Season!

Advent is a season of hope and joy. It is marked by people in the congregation donating food and clothing to the needy, in the Christian spirit of love for those less fortunate. Below are some of the activities we participated in during the 2011 Advent Season.

• We can be very proud of the church’s youth and their contributions to our Warm Nights guests. The youth spent a total of $350 (!) on warm hats and scarves for the homeless.
• The St. Matthew’s church truck was used this Advent season on three occasions to help distribute food boxes to help aof facilities and organizations working with the poor, the homeless, and the disadvantaged.
• During Warm Nights week (December 24 – January 1), Pat Clunies and all her helper elves hosted 26 people, including a family of 9! We provided a warm place to sleep, meals, showers, laundry facilities, and a loving environment during Christmas.
• Once again, St. Matthew’s came through with over 360 filled Christmas sacks for the children whose parents are incarcerated in the Prince George’s County Correctional Institution.
• We also provided 163 sweatshirts for children of all ages who attend 11 Bowie schools.
• On December 15, several men of the church planned, cooked, and delivered a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for 35 men at the PG County Men’s Shelter.
• St. Matthew’s provided food and gifts for 18 holiday families. Our church family was very generous during the Advent communion offering as well as donating dry goods, turkeys, and toys.

LENT…

In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year’s income to some holy use.For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year’s days.After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus.During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves.

If you had to bet everything you have on whether there is a God or whether there isn’t, which side would get your money and why?

If you had only one last message to leave to the handful of people who are most important to you, what would it be in twenty-five words or less?

Of all the things you have done in your life, which is the one you would most like to undo?Which is the one that makes you happiest to remember?

Is there any person in the world, or any cause, that, if circumstances called for it, you would be willing to die for?

If this were the last day of your life, what would you do with it?

To hear yourself try to answer questions like these is to begin to hear something not only of who you are but of both what you are becoming and what you are failing to become.It can be a pretty depressing business all in all, but if sackcloth and ashes are at the start of it, something like Easter may be at the end.

—Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter’s Dictionary, HarperSanFrancisco, 1988, pp. 82-83.

St. Matthew’s Dinner/Dance Social returns on Friday, February 24, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Crofton Country Club.  This year’s theme will be “Black and White Society Ball.” This fun evening is designed for all adults—singles, couples, and groups.  Tickets are $50 per person and will be sold after services by Fellowship Hall, through Sunday, February 12.  Entrée selections will be available at that time.  There will be a cash bar.  For additional information or to place music requests, please contact Karen Hastings.

Used Book Sale Returns Feb 19 & 26

Don’t forget the United Methodist Women’s Used Book Sale on February 19 and 26after each service in Fellowship Hall.  Bring your good, readable books (including the books you purchased and read last year!)—but please, no textbooks, yellowed paperbacks or old cookbooks.You can leave your books in the coat room bins any time before the sale.The books you donate are considered non-cash contributions and are tax deductible.  The proceeds go toward various UMW mission projects. Thank you for your support!

An invitation to attend any of the circle meetings is extended to all women.  For specific information, please contact Christin Vare.  Looking ahead, please mark your calendar for the Empty Bowls fundraiser in DC—it will be on Tuesday, March 6; more details coming!

EXECUTIVE Board:  Sunday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor.

AGAPE Circle:  Thursday, February 2, at 9:30 a.m. at the church in the parlor.  Please read chapters 11 and 12 of our study book.

MARTHA Circle:  Friday, February 10, at 9:30 a.m. at the church in the parlor. We will discuss Chapter 5 of our study book, Cultivating Contentment.  Babysitting is available during this circle—call Linda Harbaugh by February 6.

EVENING Circle:  Monday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the parlor.  We will discuss Chapter 4 in Listening for God; the story is by Tobias Wolff.

SUSANNA WESLEY Circle:  Wednesday, February 15, at the home of Debbie Gammill.

ESTHER Circle:  Sunday, February 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the parlor.

KOINONIA Circle:  Monday, February 20—due to the holiday, we will go to a movie.  Contact Lisa Klein about the time and place.  Babysitting will not be offered this month.

Please note:  the new Circuit Rider editor, Brooksann Epiceno, will begin with the March issue.  Please submit all articles to circuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.org.  Thank you!

Youth News

—Jen McClurg, Youth Director

Both UMYF groups will be playing in our annual Middle School vs. High School Superbowl game on February 5.  On February 12 and 19 our Middle Schoolers will plan and practice their worship service and on February 26 will lead us in worship.  We will not meet that evening.

High School will have Dinner Theater practice on February 12 and 19 and ASP Rules and Paperwork night will be on February 26.

Both UMYF groups will be serving at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 21.

We have planned a Middle School Mission Trip for this summer – if your middle schooler did not already receive information about the trip, please contact Jen McClurg.

Groups Needed to Sponsor Shelter Meal

Is your group looking for a worthwhile and rewarding project?  St. Matthew’s provides the Prince George’s County Shelter meal the third Sunday of each month. It is time now to prepare the schedule for 2012.  If your group can provide a great Sunday supper and spread some St. Matthew’s warmth, please contact Marian Eisinger to schedule your month.

Lectionary Readings for February

These are the Scripture Readings, one or more of which is read each Sunday.  The sermon will be based on one of the readings.  Reading ahead of time will help you prepare for worship.

February 5 – 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

February 12 – 6th Sunday after the Epiphany
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

February 19 – Last Sunday after the Epiphany
2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

February 26 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Communion Sunday
February 5
Human Relations Day 

Your Human Relations Day offering supports vital community ministries that teach and advocate for justice, especially among people struggling to survive in the margins of society.  The Human Relations Day offering receipts will be allocated and administered as follows:

a)   Community Developers Program: 57%;

b)   United Methodist Voluntary Services Program: 33%;

c)   Youth Offender Rehabilitation Pgm: 10%.