Renegade Gospel: The Radical Road to the Cross (based on the book by Mike Slaughter)

Series Synopsis:  Have we dumbed down what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?  Too many churches consist of members who have little to do with following Jesus.  We have turned 'church' into a noun, a stationary building that we visit once a week (or maybe once a month for many of us), instead of a living, functioning, working community of Jesus-following believers.  In his time, Jesus was a rebel, a renegade, and his teachings (and example) shook the foundations of the status quo.  Practiced with conviction today, they still do.

•  February 22 - Renegade Gospel: "Discovering the Rebel Jesus"
•  March 1 - Renegade Gospel: "Revolutionary Lifestyle"
•  March 8- Renegade Gospel: "Who Do You Say I am?  The Power of Multiplication"
•  March 15 - Renegade Gospel: "Seeing Jesus Today-The Power of Expectation"
•  March 22 - Renegade Gospel: "The Way of the Cross"
•  March 29 - PALM SUNDAY / PASSION SUNDAY: A dramatic retelling of the events of Passion Week
•  April 5 - EASTER SUNDAY

We are encouraging you to interact with this series as part of your deeper spiritual growth focus for Lent. You can read the book (available at Amazon, Cokesbury, or from the table in the back of the worship space for $10.00). You can also participate in a Wednesday night small group study based on the book and led by Eddie Pipkin for five weeks from February 25th through March 25th at 7:00 p.m. Eddie promises to creatively poke at your faith and make you think very hard about what it is you believe and how you live it out. To find out more or sign up now, email him at [email protected]. 

Our next Eagle Scout project is the construction of a Ga-ga Ball court by Peace youth member Saul Arias.  Ga-ga ball (popular at youth and children camps) is played on a low-walled octagonal court and is a fast-paced variation of dodgeball.  Youth and children's ministries are very excited about this enhancement that will be constructed in the field on the other side of the playground (along with another project on the Eagle Scout future schedule, a volleyball court).  Saul needs to raise about $800 for this effort, so on February 22^nd, we are hosting a Ga-ga for Barbecue! Barbecue cook-off in the portico (just like the chili cook-off we do for VBS.  You'll do the tasting and vote by making donations on behalf of your fave.  If you would like to enter your barbecue recipe, email Eddie at [email protected] (you can also donate directly to this project on our website).

Join our "Dressed in Hope" ministry this February.  We are making dresses and dolls for little girls around the world who live in poverty.  Our sewing workshops will be on February 26, and every Thursday in March - all starting at 9:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary.  Please bring your sewing notions and machines; we will have most of the supplies on hand.  We always need donations of elastic 3/4", 1/2" and 1"fabric: quilter's cotton and cotton dress goods, and colored flannel (scraps 9'' and larger).  We have about 50 finished dresses for this year's mission projects and many more kits that are ready to sew.  Come and join us for fellowship, serious production and maybe lunch.  For more information, contact Janice Adams at 407-240-9568. 

TIPS FOR WORSHIPING WITH YOUR CHILDREN:  During Advent the sanctuary if decorated with tradition.  The same holds true during the season of Lent.  Families be on the lookout for the color purple which during this season represents mourning and penitence. This year we are practicing the tradition of burying the Alleluia which means through the entire season of Lent we will not sing or speak of this "A" word.  There is Palm Sunday with the palm crosses, the Seder Meal where we celebrate the Last Supper, and of course, Good Friday where we leave the sanctuary in silence and darkness.  All of these traditions help to make Easter Sunday more celebratory and special.  For children, simply being in the room and walking through the rites and rituals of the season reassures them that they belong. Families worshiping together claims the Christian faith and in some families may be the only time where kids see their parents express their faith in a visible way.