Lent - the forty days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays) that has been used by the church for self-examination and intentional spiritual growth
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I need Lent. I need Lent because I need to be re-claimed once again by the spiritual practices of the Church. Lent compels me to take a deep look at myself and ask the tough questions required for self-examination. Questions such as: How is my prayer life? Am I walking with God? Am I treating others the way Christ commands? Am I using my resources for the sake of Christ or I am indulging myself at the expense of others? How is it with my soul? Lent enforces spiritual disciplines upon me akin to an audit of the soul, and I need that audit.
I need Lent so that I do not stray too far for too long. I need lent so that I must tend to the things that most need to be tended to. Without Lent I could keep walking my own pathway oblivious to the fact that I left God’s well marked trail for one of my own devising. Thank God for the practice and accountability of Lent.
As a congregation we will be focusing our attention on one aspect of spiritual practice, prayer. Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ prayer life was so remarkable that his own disciples asked him to teach them how to do it, and he did. This tells me that Jesus wants us to grow in our praying and that we can indeed learn how to pray better and more effectively.
Starting Ash Wednesday
(March 6, 7 pm service)
we will begin exploring prayer with our next sermon series
“When You Pray.”
Each message will focus on one key word to shape the teaching/preaching for our services through Lent. Here is the schedule of words, services, and Bible verses:
Ash Wednesday
- Repent (Matthew 6:1-6)
March 10
- Believe (Mark 9:14-29)
March 17
- Ask (Matthew 20:29-34) also a Communion Sunday
March 24
- Wait (Psalm 5:1-3)
March 31
- Persist (Luke 18:1-8)
April 7
- Listen (Proverbs 2:1-5) also Palm Sunday
April 18
- Surrender (Matthew 26:36-39) Maundy Thursday
Blessings,
Pastor Steve
I will be out of town Monday, March 4th through Friday, March 8th serving as a chaperone for my daughter Elizabeth’s 8th grade class trip. We will be visiting historic sites in Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Pastor Anita is available for all pastoral needs and snub is leading worship for Ash Wednesday. Mike Sciascia, DUMC’s Student Minister will be preaching for Ash Wednesday. I regret not being present with my church family as we begin Lent but I greatly appreciate your understanding as I take this time to be with my daughter.
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Delegates to the Special Session of General Conference approved the Traditional plan that affirms church policies on homosexuality and strengthens enforcement by a vote of 438 to 384. Several petitions included in this vote were ruled unconstitutional by our Judicial Council, so the full implications of this decision are not yet known. The General Conference then voted to request a declaratory decision by the Judicial Council on the constitutionality of the petitions passed. The motion passed 405-395. The Judicial Council will review this request at its next scheduled meeting on
April 23-25
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We know that some are pleased with this outcome and others are saddened and in deep pain. Let us show love and care toward one another as a visible witness that ALL people are valued and of sacred worth.
On Friday,
March 1
, Bishop Leeland and the leaders of our Western North Carolina delegation, Jennifer Davis and Kim Ingram, will share a video message to our Conference on what happened and what’s next.
Bishop Leeland will also gather with our districts for a time of worship and Holy Communion in March and April.
- March 3, 1:30 p.m. at First UMC Hendersonville – Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain Districts
- March 10, 2:00 p.m. at Assurance UMC in Huntersville – Metro District
- March 16, 10:00 a.m. at Main Street UMC Kernersville – Northern Piedmont and Yadkin Valley Districts
- March 31, 3:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s UMC in Hickory – Catawba Valley and Appalachian Districts
- April 6, 10:00 a.m. at Central UMC in Albemarle – Uwharrie District
As this General Conference comes to an end, please know that God’s call is for the United Methodist churches of the Western North Carolina Conference to continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in our churches and be in mission with our communities and the world.
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Know & Be Known High School Retreat
- Over the weekend, we dove into Paul’s encouragement to the Romans that followers of Jesus are “adopted” by God. However, in the same way that it takes an earthly child a while to bond with their new parents, the same is true for us in our relationship with God. Legally, by the blood of Jesus, we have been brought into relationship with our Father. Our position as sons and daughters of the most high God never changes but it takes time and learning to enjoy the fullness of relationship with Him. The image above perfectly captures who we want to be as a youth ministry: a family surrounding and praying over our ten seniors who will be “sent out” to follow Jesus in new places in the fall.
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Acknowledging dedicated Church Nursery Volunteers
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Christie Warlick
, serves in our toddler nursery at the 9:30 service, Christie has been joyfully volunteering for over
17 years!!
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Nicky Carnley
, serves in our infant nursery for the 9:30 a.m. service and continues to bring smiles to our little ones now for over
28 years!!
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THANK YOU
to
ALL
of our wonderful
Harbor Kids Volunteers
who serve; in the church nursery, teaching Sunday School, Children's Church, Vacation Bible School and our Special Events such as the upcoming Easter Eggstravaganza. You make it all possible. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact Jennifer at
jennifer.ingalls@denverumc.org
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Grace Break exists so that women of all ages can come together for spiritual growth, fun, and community. If you need a minute to get away, recharge, and refresh your soul, this is designed
Just. For. You.
We'll enjoy dinner, meet some new friends, explore prayer and worship together. Open to everyone so grab your friends and join us for this FREE event
Saturday, March 9th at 6:00 p.m.
You may sign up online or at the Ministry Table.
You must sign up by March 4th for childcare.
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"
Coffee With Pastor Steve
"
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JOY
invites you to "Coffee With Pastor Steve" Thursday,
March 14th
at 11:00 a.m. in the CORC. Join
J
ust
O
lder
Y
outh at an open forum where Pastor Steve will share his thoughts, plans and dreams for Denver UMC. Light refreshments will be served.
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First Thursday Lunch
is this Thursday,
March 7
, from 11:00 - 1:00 in Denver UMC's Family Life Center. Please come and invite your friends! All proceeds help local children and their families. To pre-order whole chicken pies or baked spaghetti contact the church office, 704-483-1601 by Wednesday. Join us Tuesday,
March 5
, to pick chicken. Contact Carol, 704-530-2442, with questions.
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Our deepest sympathy to the family of
Mary Alice Sigmon
who passed away on February 21st and
Miriam Oxendine
who passed away on February 22nd.
A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Miriam Oxendine will be held Saturday,
March 2
at 3pm in the DUMC Sanctuary. The family will receive friends prior, beginning at 2pm.
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Altar flowers are a wonderful way to honor a special occasion or remember loved ones and friends who have passed away. Is there someone that you would like to honor? Contact Faye Helton at 704-451-8869 for more information or to sign up.
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Income Received to Date:
2018 $172,774
2019 $165,753
-4% change
(Total Operating Budget 2018 = $1.288,807)
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THE SACRED INVITATION
Living from the Center Out
Held quarterly at Starrette Farm Retreat Center in Statesville, this 12-month curriculum is for those who long to deepen their relationship with God, respond to the Spirit’s invitation to live out their sacred purpose and be part of a kindred community to nurture them in the process. At the deepest level, this work frees participants to identify and follow their God-given passion and fulfill their highest purpose. Applications requested by April 1, 2019. Reach out to Ann at
AStarrette@davidsonumc.org
or Tom Peckham at
tompnc@gmail.com
. For detailed information, participant impact, and online application process please visit
www.davidsonumc.org/Sacred-Invitation
.
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"NO ACT OF KINDNESS,
NO MATTER HOW SMALL,
IS EVER WASTED"
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Listen Again
!
Did you miss the sermon last Sunday? Want to share a sermon with one of your friends?
or on our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/DenverUMC/
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