E-Connection from Forrest Burdette, 03/10/25

E-Connection

March 10, 2025

Joe Kenaston, Sr. Pastor

Prayer is a path that God opens to be in relationship with us. Prayer connects us to God in a way that transforms our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Prayer uses words, silences, images, repetition of scripture, singing, meditation, and listening. Prayer encompasses all our life. You can pray kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, running, driving (please keep your eyes open), and while doing chores. Since prayer is a conversation and relationship there is no time that is inappropriate to pray.

Jesus modeled prayer when he gave us the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus’ life was marked by prayer: when he would go up a mountain by himself, when he would pray with someone, when he would pray in a worship service, when he would pray with a meal, when he would fast and pray, when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane, and when he was on the cross. In fact, he prayed for us during the Last Supper (John 17:20-21).

Prayer is the language of our soul. It is not hard, but it can be intimidating if you have perfectionist tendencies and you are blocked by your desire to get it right. It can be as simple as a conversation with a loved one (in fact that is exactly what it is). Prayer is intentionally spending time with God. Some people share that they have a day long conversation with God and others have set formal times. I have a mixture of formal times and conversations. Often, they are silent, but sometimes I pray aloud.

In addition to sharing with God our desires, needs, confessions, and thanksgivings, prayer can transform us into a new person in Christ. Kathleen Norris writes “I have learned that prayer is not asking for what you think you want but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine” (Amazing Grace, p. 60). This Lent, I invite you to explore the depths of prayer. Try to be intentional and conversational (which includes listening) in your prayer life. I look forward to this Sunday, when our worship series, “Living Like Jesus,” will focus on being “E-ager to Pray.”

I invite you to stop and pray this prayer by St. Aidan (7th century):

God is within

God in my head and in my thinking

God in my eyes and in my seeing

God in my mouth and in my speaking

God in my heart and in my loving

God in my hands and in each action

God in my feet and on each journey

God within me and without me

God in the heart of friend and stranger

God in the other who comes to me.

Are you interested in writing a brief devotion for one of our Monday E-Connections? If so, please contact the church office to be scheduled!

Coming Up This Sunday

This Sunday's sermon, “E-ager to Pray,” continues our Lenten series Living Like Jesus and will be based on John 17. Please read the scripture to prepare for worship, and invite someone to join you as we continue to walk with Christ.

Sundays at 10:30 a.m., join us in person,

or participate in our live-streamed worship service

on either our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/forrestburdettemumc

or our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/ForrestBurdette/videos

Sunday School classes for all ages begin at 9:15 a.m.

Make sure to pick up a Lenten bow for your home the next time you're at church!

Grace upon Grace: A Laity-Led Devotional Series

In John 1:16-17, we find a powerful affirmation of this theme: “From his fullness we have received grace upon grace...so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.” Join the West Virginia Laity of the United Methodist Church as they present an online Lenten Devotional Series. Access these daily readings through the conference website or through the “WV UMC Laity” Facebook page.

The Grand Sweep:

365 Days from Genesis through Revelation

We are reading through the Bible with Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett. The Grand Sweep, developed by Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas, is guiding us from Genesis to Revelation.

Week 11: March 9—March 15

3/9/25 Deuteronomy 27-29

3/10/25 Deuteronomy 30-32

3/11/25 Deut. 33-34, Psalm 52-53

3/12/25 Joshua 1-3

3/13/25 Joshua 4-6

3/14/25 Joshua 7-9, Psalm 54

3/15/25 Joshua 10-12

UMW Easter Egg Orders

The United Methodist Women are now receiving Easter Egg orders! Click here for a single order form to print, and click here to print a form for multiple orders (workplace, school, neighborhood, etc.). Note that all five fillings are available in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate again this year. Please mark your orders accordingly. Orders are due by Friday, April 4. Eggs will be available on April 12, at the annual Spring Fling.

If you would like to help make these eggs in the Forrest Burdette "Egg Factory," save the dates: April 7-10.

JOY Fellowship (55+): March 20th

Joy Fellowship (55+) will meet Thursday, March 20, at 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. Our speaker will be Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards. Bring a dish to share and a friend, and join in a wonderful meal.

Attention: Parents of Youth

There is a survey online where you can list your family's available days in June, for summer trips. Please click here for the survey.

PipeSounds Presents:

Spring Fling Vendors & Crafters

If you or someone you know is interested in applying to sell items at our annual UMW Spring Fling, which will be held on Saturday, April 12, you may find printed copies of the registration form at the Connection Center desk, or click here for an electronic copy of the form.

Your Prayers & Thanksgivings

We welcome your regular prayers and continued giving. Prayer requests to be included in the Sunday worship announcements are to be submitted via our website, or you can click here for a quick link to submit joys and concerns. Click here to access the online giving instructions from the Forrest Burdette website. Thank you so much for sending your offerings! If not online, then please mail your regular offering to 2848 Putnam Avenue, Hurricane WV 25526. To save a stamp, you may deposit your offering in our locked mailbox on Putnam Avenue. Open the top door, and slide your envelope all the way to the back of the box, where it will fall into the locked area. Thank you for your support of this ministry.

This Week at Forrest Burdette

Monday, 3/10

7-9:00 a.m. Open Gym for Walking*

10:00 a.m. Preventicare—Byrd Hall

6:00 p.m. District Committee on Superintendency—111

6:30 p.m. Children’s Ministry Task Force—213

6:30 p.m. Scouts BSA 236—Scout Hut

6:30 p.m. Cub Pack 236—Byrd Hall+

7:00 p.m. AA—308

Tuesday, 3/11

7-9:00 a.m. Open Gym for Walking*

8:00 a.m. The Stone Table—225B

9:30 a.m. Y.A.H. Quilters—Byrd Hall

10:00 a.m. Community Cupboard

6:00 p.m. Basketball (Landin)—Gym

6:30 p.m. COM Board Mtg—111

7:00 p.m. Civic Chorus—Sanctuary

Wednesday, 3/12

7-9:00 a.m. Open Gym for Walking*

10:00 a.m. Preventicare—Byrd Hall

10:45 a.m. Midweek Bible Study—213

6:00 p.m. Youth Group—225A

6:30 p.m. Adult Classes: Cunningham— 213; Kenaston—201/CR; Philyaw—Chapel

7:30 p.m. Praise Team—Sanctuary

Thursday, 3/13

7-9:00 a.m. Open Gym for Walking*

8:00 a.m. Our Way—Byrd Hall

4:00 p.m. Math & Reading Buddies—FH

6:00 p.m. HABL—Gym

6:30 p.m. Scouts BSA 360—Scout Hut

7:00 p.m. Choir—Chapel

7:00 p.m. Dancer’s Choice—Byrd Hall

Friday, 3/14

7-9:00 a.m. Open Gym for Walking*

10:00 a.m. Preventicare—Byrd Hall

10:00 a.m. Community Cupboard

Saturday, 3/15

COM Training

1:00 p.m. Basketball (Scott)—Gym

Sunday, 3/16

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Handbell Practice—Choir Rm

6:30 p.m. Living Last Supper Rehearsal— Sanctuary

*If you are coming to walk in the mornings, please note that you must use the preschool entrance before 8:30 a.m.

This Week's Birthdays

3/10—Terry Floyd, Jim Kahre, Scott Ramey, Tim Stanley

3/11—Brittany Cochran, Shannon Dean, Bryan Larch

3/12—Linda Anders, Lisa Vance, Doug Ward

3/13—Marvin Lively

3/14—Sierra Fisher, Lori Sublett

3/15—Lily Haught, Olivia Haught, Reece James

3/16—Caleb Bowers, Jason Haught, Lindsay Jones

Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church | 304-562-5903 | 2848 Putnam Avenue, Hurricane WV 25526 | www.forrestburdette.com