E-Connection from Forrest Burdette, 03/17/25

E-Connection

March 17, 2025

Luke Spurgeon

Minister of Youth & Young Adults

Walking in Love: Carrying Each Other's Burdens

As a family of believers, we strive to reflect the heart of Christ by walking alongside those in pain, offering comfort, hope, and the strength that comes from our faith in Jesus. Forrest Burdette is a family, and we are there for those God tells us to help, guided by His love and wisdom. The Bible reminds us in Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." This verse encourages us to support and uplift one another in times of need. We are called to be a community that holds each other up, offering prayers, encouragement, and practical help as we navigate the storms of life. By sharing in each other's burdens, we mirror the love of Christ who shared in our pain and sorrow through His sacrifice. It is through our shared faith and love for each other that we can find healing and comfort, knowing that Christ is with us through it all. We fulfill His command to love one another. Let us walk in love and grace, helping each other find peace and hope through every hardship.

Scripture to pray about this week

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Grant us the strength to walk alongside those who are hurting and the wisdom to know how best to offer encouragement and support. May our community be a place where Your love shines brightly, and where all who are in pain find refuge and hope in You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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, “S-haring Grace,” continues our Lenten series Living Like Jesus and will be based on Mark 5:14-43. 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 12: March 16—March 22

3/16/25 Joshua 13-15

3/17/25 Joshua 16-18

3/18/25 Joshua 19-21, Psalm 55

3/19/25 Joshua 22-24

3/20/25 Judges 1-3

3/21/25 Judges 4-5, Psalms 56-57

3/22/25 Judges 6-8

JOY Fellowship (55+): This Thursday!

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.

PipeSounds Presents:

Photos from Girl Scout Sunday, 03-16-25

Cookies for Kairos

A Kairos Prison Ministry weekend will be held April 3-6, and we welcome your donations of homemade cookies for the weekend. Tubs for your donations will be available in the back of the Sanctuary on March 23 and 30.

There are specific guidelines for cookies. Types of acceptable cookies: oatmeal, peanut butter, molasses, chocolate chip, ginger, and sugar. Cookies should be between 2 to 2.5” in diameter and not more than 1/2“ thick. Do not use: icing, sugar, or any other coating on the outside of the cookies. Do not add any kind of fruit or nuts to the cookies.

The key ingredient is prayer, over the ingredients and as you bake the cookies. Ask God to use your cookies as a source of his love to shine on the prisoners and staff on the Kairos weekend. Pray that each cookie brings the inmate, officer, or warden who eats it closer to God.

Bag thoroughly cooled cookies in a quart sized Ziplock bag, a dozen cookies to a bag. Label each bag with the cookie type inside. Questions? Please see Tim Landin. Thank you for your cookie ministry!

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.

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.

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, 3/17

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

10:00 a.m. Preventicare—Byrd Hall

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, 3/18

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. GS Troop 10117—Byrd Hall

7:00 p.m. Civic Chorus—Sanctuary

Wednesday, 3/19

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, 3/20

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

8:00 a.m. Our Way—Byrd Hall

12:00 p.m. JOY Fellowship—FH

4:00 p.m. Math & Reading Buddies—FH

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, 3/21

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

10:00 a.m. Preventicare—Byrd Hall

10:00 a.m. Community Cupboard

Saturday, 3/22

1:00 p.m. Basketball (Scott)—Gym

Sunday, 3/23

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:45 a.m. Handbell Practice—Choir Rm

3:00 p.m. PipeSounds Concert (followed by a reception, Fellowship Hall)

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

3/17—Emily Hall, Sandra Turley

3/18—Caroline Harris, Ezra Scott

3/19—No birthdays on record today

3/20—Warren Faulknier

3/21—Sue Bennett, Dustin Fisher, Justin Williams

3/22—Liam Anderson, Kimberly Slappe, Morgan Sword

3/23—Karla Atkins, Judy Clendenin, Alex Cremeans, Terri Stull

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