No Holiness But Social Holiness

The General Rule of Discipleship (To witness to Jesus Christ in the world, and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.) shapes the life and work of Covenant Discipleship groups, class leaders, and the congregation. 

It helps them live as witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world as they follow his teachings, summarized by him in Matthew 22:37-40:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). The Christian life is shaped by obedience to Jesus’ teachings.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Unite the pair so long disjoined,

Knowledge and vital piety:

Learning and holiness combined,

And truth and love, let [us all] see

In those whom up to thee we give,

Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.

~ Charles Wesley

Rend Your Heart: A Blessing for Ash Wednesday

"Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing."  

- Joel 2.12-13a

To receive this blessing,

all you have to do

is let your heart break.

Let it crack open.

Let it fall apart

so that you can see

its secret chambers,

the hidden spaces

where you have hesitated

to go.

Your entire life

is here, inscribed whole

upon your heart’s walls:

every path taken

or left behind,

every face you turned toward

or turned away,

every word spoken in love

or in rage,

every line of your life

you would prefer to leave

in shadow,

every story that shimmers

with treasures known

and those you have yet

to find.

It could take you days

to wander these rooms.

Forty, at least.

And so let this be

a season for wandering

for trusting the breaking

for tracing the tear

that will return you

to the One who waits

who watches

who works within

the rending

to make your heart

whole.

- written by Jan L. Richardson and posted on The Painted Prayerbook blog

What is Lent and why does it last forty days?

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians.

Today, Christians focus on relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter." This is why you will see the designation "Sunday in Lent" rather than "Sunday of Lent" in the naming of these Sundays. On each Lord's Day in Lent, while Lenten fasts continue, the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

This content was produced by Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.

Scripture lessons for February 22 - Palm Sunday

Starting February 22, Pastor Charles will offer a Lenten sermon series that will use each day of Holy Week as the focus of his sermons. We will begin the series with   lessons from John 12:12-15 and Mark 11:1-11 and the events of Palm Sunday.

The series will conclude on March 29 with Good Friday. 

Transfiguration Sunday / Imposition of Ashes today

The scene is set

The season of Lent approaches

Imposition of Ashes

Kraig K. is today's reader

Our journey together

We observed Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday this morning and included the Imposition of Ashes (we're not having an Ash Wednesday service). Copies of the Lenten Devotional were distributed as well.

Joys

+Bob S. gave out boxes of Valentine’s chocolates to each person at church today.

+The congregation thanks God for Bob S.’ generous spirit.

+Sid T.’s jokes today.

+Laughter in church – carbonated holiness – is celebrated.

+This year’s Lenten devotionals are being distributed today.

+Rita W. thanks God for the beautiful warmer weather we are enjoying today.

+Bob and Gloria S. talked with someone in town who commented on how lovely is the sight of battery-operated lit candles in the church windows at night.

+Sandy D.’s grandson Ethan made the President’s List for his great grades at the Albert Lea Riverland Community College.

+Donna D. celebrates her great grandson Nash’s phenomenal sports achievements.

+Donna D. thanks God for the arrival of baby Charlotte Ann in the family.

+Nancy and Roy B. thank God for their son Rory and his wife’s wedding anniversary celebration.

+Pastor Charles thanks God for Kraig and Korla S. faithful service in changing the paraments for today’s worship.

+Cheryl and Mike R. thank God for the fun time they had at their twin four-year-old grandsons’ birthday party.

+Korla S. celebrates the new floral decorations in the sanctuary.

+Korla S. thanks God for Kraig S.’ successful surgery last week. They were so impressed that his surgeon prayed for Kraig before his procedure.

+Korla S. thanks God for her cousin Jessica’s recovery after having a new heart and lung transplant surgery.

+The congregation is thankful for Kraig S.’ service as Scripture reader and Bob S.’ service as usher this morning.

+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved pianist/organist, Renae H.!

Concerns:

+Praying for Pat R.’s husband Craig who is in the hospital, dealing with medical treatments. Also, praying for Pat to have the strength to provide Craig the support he needs.

+Praying for the family and friends of Pauline Perleberg who died February 11.

+Praying for family and friends of Lydia Mittag who died February 12. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 19, at 2:00 p.m. at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and for an hour prior to the service.

+Praying for the family and friends of Arlynn Anderson who died February 13. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the church. 

+Praying for the family and friends of Arletta Woods who died January 27. Shelley G. is her daughter. Her funeral service is scheduled for this Saturday, February 21 at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Renae H. will serve as pianist.

A Valentines Day Prayer

"Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things."

– 1 Corinthains 13:4-7 (CEB)

Lord, because love is patient…

Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen. Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

Because love is kind…

Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please" and "Thank You" because those little things still mean so much.

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…

Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking…

Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…

Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…

Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

Because love always protects and always trusts…

Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

Finally, because love always perseveres…

Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means. Amen.

Author Unknown