GREETINGS                                 FEBRUARY 15th, 2018
 
                                            SHOWER THE PEOPLE
 
               "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a right
                               spirit within me." [Psalm 51:10]
 
Whatever translation or version you might use, Psalm 51 is all about cleansing. Purification was a significant spiritual objective in ancient Judaism and remains so for our Jewish neighbours to this day. I'm not too big on having guilt laid on very thickly; but I am okay with working out one's flaws and imperfections, with learning from mistakes, with accepting failure and seeking to improve or be transformed into a better me. Sometimes, that might mean some serious scrubbing. Otherwise, it's more like a shower to remove sweat and grime and loose epithelials. At other times it's about emptying, yielding, and letting go. It's all part of being made new. That's how a time like Lent can serve us as blessing and gift, being open to being bathed and re-born by God's transformative and caring love.
 
In a United Church devotional book for Lent published in 2004, I came across some helpful reflections by Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett of Halifax. He notes that in the middle of Psalm 51, there is a shift in tone as the author prays for a renewal of spirit. In Hebrew, the word for "spirit" also serves as the word for "breath" and "wind". We need God's life sustaining breath and wind just to live as well as to empower us in faith.
 
With such fresh breath, we "can rise to new life", said Bartlett. "We can find our way back to the light and recognize what needs to be done. When we dare draw close to God in the dark and the desert, we find ourselves. We can look to the needs of others, and the cycle of new life begins again. We have seen the secret part of ourselves that is unique, holy, fragile, and vulnerable. That secret heart of ours is much the same as the secret heart of the person next to us. We all worry about being exposed for who we are while at the same time praying that someone will really know us and like us anyway. We all seek for purpose in life and wait in the night and look for someone with whom we can rejoice".   (Lamentations for Lent, page 10)
 
Lent is a good time to take to turn inward while also turning to God. Let us bathe in God's love and light. Seeking to walk in God's ways is about discerning "how to live and die in a world where the only wind that matters is God's wind." (Bartlett, page 11)
 
THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
In our thoughts and prayers are Judy van Duzer, Connie and Keith Kuntz,  Diane Paton and Patricia Bradshaw's grandson, Daniel.
  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Reminder
A reminder to ticket holders from the cancelled Luncheon/card party on February 9th -  The rescheduled date is this week on Wednesday February 21st at noon.
 
Notice of meeting
A congregational meeting will be held on March 4, 2018 at 10:00 am (between services) to receive and consider the recommendations from the Search Committee to call an ordained minister to Marshall Memorial United Church. Please plan to be part of this important decision-making time in the life and work of our congregation.
 
Tax Receipts
Please pick up your 2017 tax receipt from the box in the foyer.

Parlour Renovations
We will be renovating our church parlour in a major way in the coming months.  Before we start our renovations on DEMO DAY, Monday February 26th, we will be selling off most of the items in the room via a silent auction process. From today and until Sunday February 18th, we will take bids for the items listed on the sheets placed in the foyer and parlour.  The highest bidder will win the item and must have it taken away from the premises before Friday Feb. 23.  Good luck and may the highest bid win!

Time Out With Jesus
"Time out with Jesus" will resume in the church parlour  in February, Tuesdays at noon (until the renovations begin).
 
Humans of Marshall 2018
Share with us.  Look for a sheet in the pew to fill in with some info on one of the topics listed or another topic. Check off whether you will send us a pic or if you want us to take one of you after church. Leave the sheet in the offering plate before you leave. Simple as that!
We will be presenting your first name only, picture and info at the beginning of each of the services throughout the year as well as on our Facebook pages. Let's get to know each other!

Board Minutes
The minutes from the January Board Meeting have been approved and are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.  They are forthcoming on our website.

EVENTS

Ancaster United Churches - Lenten Study
 
During Lent four Ancaster United Churches (Marshall, Ryerson, Bethesda and Jerseyville) will participate in a study of the Book of Mark. The study will be held each week on Thursdays at 1:30 pm. It will rotate between the four churches, with leadership provided by the ministers of each church.  This is a wonderful time of preparation as we approach Easter and an excellent opportunity for us to get to know others from neighbouring United Churches in our community.
  
                                                      MARK-ing TIME
A Six-Week Travelling Bible Study sponsored by Ancaster area United Churches
   
WEEK 2: "Introduction to a Gospel"                    Mark 1:1-15                                           Thurs. Feb. 22   1:30-3:00 p.m.                                 Marshall Memorial United Church
 
WEEK 3: "Looking Forward with Vision"            Mark 8:22-10:52
Thurs. March 1   1:30-3:00 p.m.                                      Jerseyville United Church
 
WEEK 4: "Teachings and Object Lessons?"       Mark 11:1-13:37                                         Thurs. March 8   1:30-3:00 p.m.                                     Bethesda United Church
 
WEEK 5:   "Dinner, Distress, Denial"                       Mark 14:1-72                                         Thurs. March 15   1:30-3:00 p.m.                                     Ryerson United Church
 
WEEK 6:   "Darkness Descends"                           Mark 15: 1 - 47                 
Thurs. March 22   1:30-3:00 p.m.                                   Ryerson United Church