I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:33
Try, Try, Try Again
God keeps trying with us … Maybe that’s the message of Lent. God keeps trying new ways to reach us. When one thing fails, God goes to Plan B, Plan C, Plan …
It all starts great. Genesis 1, we learn that God’s creation in Good, Good, Very Good. But in subsequent chapters, humanity is quickly kicked out of the garden and then marked by murder. By Genesis 6, God regrets having made humankind and “it grieved him to his heart”.
Plan B involved Noah and his family and a boat constructed in the desert without sail, oars, or rudder. God takes a shot with one righteous family and all sorts of animals. The end result leaves God satisfied enough to place a rainbow in the sky sealing a Covenant of peace. Of course, this doesn’t last, Noah uses his vineyard to make wine and get drunk. By Genesis 11, God is scattering all the peoples of the earth with different languages after they try to build a tower to storm heaven.
In Plan C God decides to work with a single couple. Abraham and Sarah are to be the parents of the Chosen People. They will keep a personal covenant with God. This is a bumpy ride which includes a variety of deceptions, thefts, and the selling of brother Joseph into slavery, but the end of Genesis, the 12 Sons of Israel wind up surviving famine by arriving in Egypt.
This plan, too, collapses because Pharoah and the Egyptians enslave the Israelites. God goes to Plan D, escape into the desert under Moses’ leadership. 40 years in the wilderness and the 10 Commandments prepare the people for the Promised Land.
You know that the story takes several more twists. There’s a Kingdom and a Temple and then split. Assyrians and Babylonians wreck the government and the religious sacrifices. This brings us to Jeremiah 31.
The Prophet Jeremiah, who spends most of his writing telling us how bad it all is, hears God initiate a new plan. God goes straight for the heart, writing the plan inside of us. In a beautiful image he says: “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
Jeremiah is not the last word from God, but it is an important one. God is willing to do whatever it takes to draw us in. God desires to live with us in love and God desires that we live together in love. As you get ready for Holy Week, take some time to think how God has reached out to you. It may be in nature or the care of friends. God may have touched your heart as you sing or listen to a stranger.
God does not give up. In Jesus, God has provided us with the words of love spoken by one who knew our frustrations, our aches and even our anger. So reach back to the one who has done everything to reach you.
Peace,
Mark +
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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IN PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE
STARTING
SUNDAY MARCH 21st at 8AM
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Easter Flower Offering
If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one or give thanks for a special someone in your life with a flower offering for Easter Sunday, please CLICK HERE to contribute.
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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Please pray for: Lorraine Aaron, Al Athey (RIP), Avery, Anne Barr, Margie Blood (RIP), Aubree Burton, Jerry Catron (RIP) -Mike Catron & Family, Chris, Lynn & Scott Clark, Joan Coleman, Hammy Collins (RIP), Bill Coppage (RIP), Deny, Ella-3-year old, Jim Ewing, Mike Faulkner, Elizabeth Fehrenbacher, Susan Fralic, Debby Freburger, Woody Garrison, Jr. (RIP)-Tom Christensen & Family, John Gilbert (RIP)-Wyna & Family, Steve Guy, Phil Horney (RIP)-Joyce & Family, Benjamin Janes (RIP), Chalk Jewell, John David Jerome (RIP)-Fr Mark, Mimi & Family, Larisa, Rose McMonegal, Heidi Mlynarski, The National Guard, Tess Nelson (RIP)-Tim Aland & Family, John Perkins, Bill O’Rourke, Rob Ray (RIP), Michael Robertson, Lois & Bud Rys, Zuhair Sadiq, Jeffrey Thomas, Becky Unger, Geoff Young (RIP)
Prayer Requests can be sent to prayer@ccpki.org
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Christian Formation
This week we begin to prepare for what will happen on Good Friday and Easter. The story told comes from John 12:20-33. Jesus said “the hour has come for the Son of God is glorified.” Jesus explains what this means by using seeds to illustrate the idea that life can come from death. Luckily in our Lenten activity baskets we have seeds, soil and a planting pot. We take a closer look at the seeds that look dried up and lifeless and with great expectation and anticipation plant those seeds in hopes of seeing green sprouts appear in the near future.
We continue our Lenten journey on “Wednesdays with Winnie” by reading from a book called ”Make Room”- A child’s guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alrary. This book highlights all the Lenten practices we have discussed since Ash Wednesday which include prayer, fasting and giving as we search for the Kingdom of God.
Winnie and I hope you have a blessed week.
Peace,
Miss Lisa and Winnie
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Save the Dates
Lenten ZOOM Book Study Mar 23
Membership Class Sundays through Mar 21 at 5:00 pm
Please contact Fr. Mark for more information on joining Christ Church. frmark@ccpki.org
Communion Pick-Up: Sat 9:30 to Noon and Sun 8:30 – 9:45am
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Haven Ministries Shelter Meals Needed
We are asking your help by providing an evening meal for our guests at Haven Ministries April 1-2. We need a main dish-meat and veggie casserole or pasta type casserole with a side of bread/roll. A green salad would be nice also. We are serving 12 guests now- no allergies. We cannot use the kitchen at KIUMC for any type of cooking so the casseroles should be fully cooked and ready to serve when dropped off. If you would like to volunteer for any of the nights please contact Leslie Schneider at 410-310-4085 or lschneider3@msn.com
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TRY OUT EfM??
Want to find out what EfM (Education for Ministry) is all about? Attend (via ZOOM) two EfM sessions during Lent (on Tuesday, 3/30, & Tuesday, 4/6, 6-8 PM) with absolutely no commitment to join or go any further with the Program.
Here’s how it works: Every year our EfM group has two periods we call “Interim Reading”. We stop what we’re studying individually (Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Modern Theology), and we all read a selected short book which we then spend two sessions discussing. We invite guests to join us.
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This year’s “Interim Reading” book is "Entering the Passion of Jesus” by Amy-Jill Levine. If you want to join us on 3/30 and 4/6, you’ll need to obtain a copy of the book (borrow from a current EfM member or buy used on Amazon.com) and read it before 3/30.
Let one of the EfM Mentors listed below know if you’re interested. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience EfM and see what you think. It may open doors to new growth for you! efm@ccpki.org
EfM Mentors:
Connie Clark, Bluette Blinoff, Adele Sadiq, Ann Sieracki
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BROAD CREEK CEMETERY NEWS
66 bags of mulch will be delivered to Broad Creek Cemetery on Friday, March 19. We are looking for volunteers to help unload the truck. If you can help, please call or text Charlie Schwan at 443-262-1074 for details. Thank you!
March 20, 2021 - clean-up
March 27, 2021 - rain date for clean-up
April 5, 2021 -meeting
May 3, 2021-meeting
June 7, 2021 - meeting
June 19, 2021 - Service of Remembrance - held at the cemetery
Clean-up jobs can include: painting the fence, picking up sticks and branches, mulching, weeding, oiling the benches, raking, setting cornerstones ...
There are some tools there or you can bring your own comfortable ones. Tools needed: rakes, shovels, chain saws, loppers, snips, hand tools
Betsy Sipes, Secretary 410-643-4083
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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Haven Ministries would love your help at Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, our new Food Pantry Truck, and the Hope Warehouse.
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Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, located at 425 Thompson Creek Road, in Stevensville, (in a small strip mall near Cracker Barrel), needs volunteers to work 3 hour shifts one or more times a month. The store is open Monday through Saturday with one shift from 10 am to 1 pm and the other shift from 1 pm to 4 pm. Three volunteers usually work each shift, sorting and putting donations in the shop, selling, and arranging displays. Lifting is not required. To volunteer or get additional information, please contact Liz Bazzell at 410-353-0455. If you cannot volunteer, feel free to come in and shop! You may make donations by calling 410-353-0455 for an appointment.
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On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Haven Ministries Food Pantry Truck is on the parking lot of Faith Bible Church in Sudlersville serving those in need in that area. Two people work each of the following shifts: Tuesdays: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm - 7 pm; and Fridays 8:30 am - 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm - 7 pm. Volunteers are requested to work one to two shifts per month. Volunteers assist clients with checking in, getting groceries into their car, and answering their questions, help restock and straighten shelves, and assist with monthly inventory count. Volunteers need to dress for the weather, do some lifting of food, and wear comfortable closed-toed shoes. The food bank is a very rewarding opportunity! If you would like to volunteer or want more information please contact Gail Lundberg at 410-443-7696.
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The Hope Warehouse, located at 6527 Friels Road, Queenstown (pink and white dome-shaped building off of Rte. 301 near the Queenstown Outlets) would also love some additional volunteers. Volunteer shifts are from 10 am to 1 pm, and 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Volunteers usually work in pairs greeting and helping customers and donors, ringing up sales, sorting and displaying donations, and answering the phone. Volunteers able to move furniture are especially desired, but all volunteers are welcome! To volunteer or get additional information, call Susan Phillips at 410-490-8498.
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Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org |
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