Congratulations to the Dzekutes!
Grant Owen Dzekute was born last Wednesday, February 10. He weighed 8 pounds and measured 20.5 inches long. We send all our love to Jonathon, Becky, Logan, and Mikaela along with proud grandparents Amy and Richard Cassidy! Grant is also the great-grandson of one of our church's longtime members, Cal McGregor.
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Today's Sunday Morning Update
Our cold morning began at 8:30 with the latest weekly gathering of our Adult Zoom Sunday School Class.
During our 9:45 Worship Service, we explored Transfiguration Sunday and saw Jesus revealed as never before on the mountain top with Peter, James, and John. As we begin our Lenten pilgrimage, we do so with complete assurance that we are indeed following the Son of God. This is no impostor, no pretender, but the very Son of God who was revealed in this amazing and awesome mountaintop experience.
If you missed the service, a recording can be found (plus other recent services) anytime on our website and our Facebook page (find links to both below).
At 11am, our Sunday School classes for all ages met throughout the church. Remember, they meet on the 2nd & 4th Sundays. Our CORE & JAM Youth Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays at 11am and will resume next Sunday.
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Thanks for Supporting
"Sweets for Your Sweetheart"!
This morning, our Connecting Ministry held a "Sweets for Your Sweetheart" Dessert Drive-Thru Sale to raise money for the annual "Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive." The $10 boxes included three types of tasty treats and sold out quickly. THANK YOU! You can still support the 29th annual "Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive" collecting cleaning and personal hygiene supplies for area people in need. Drop off boxes are available at our church through March 7.
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Weekly Devotions
(from this week's "Taking Faith Home")
Read Mark 9:2-9. Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah present is a heavenly moment as Jesus and his disciples make their way to Jerusalem, Golgotha, and the empty tomb. And, perhaps, that is what is so valuable and instructive about it. Jesus is headed to rejection, persecution, and a painful and shameful death. In our daily life as sojourners on earth and followers of Jesus, we, too know suffering of various kinds. We need - yes, perhaps even Jesus needed - a reminder that the road of life leads not just to suffering and death but to the fulfillment of God’s promise of life and salvation. The heavenly voice that spoke at Jesus’ baptism speaks again about Jesus as God’s Beloved Son. What is added here is the critical admonition to listen to Jesus. In both Hebrew and Greek, to listen conveys the element of obedience. You listen to the one you are willing to obey, and the one you obey you hear with full attention. As we follow our crucified Lord through life, let us pay attention, listen closely, and seek faithful obedience to Jesus, the one who bestows on us God’s heavenly glory.
How do you listen closely to Jesus?
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, may we see glimpses of your glory that day by day we may listen and obey our Lord Jesus Christ with faith and confidence. Amen.
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Our “Taking Faith Home” publication is a great resource for exploring your faith all through the week. It provides daily readings, prayers, devotions, and service opportunities following the weekly lectionary readings. Click here for this week's complete new edition.
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Contemporary Readers February Plans
Our Contemporary Readers Group gathering for February is planned for this evening (February 14) at 5:30pm via Zoom. Steve Warner will be leading the discussion of Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild. The New York Times called is "(a) smart, respectful, and compelling book."
Here's how you can join the discussion:
* For a video link this evening at 5:30, click here.
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Youth Bible Study Tonight!
Tonight at 6pm all youth are invited to join our online Zoom Bible Study of the book of James.
Here's how to join the gathering:
* For a video link tonight by 6pm, click here.
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Lent Begins This Week
Lent begins this Wednesday (February 17) and lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays) as we journey toward Easter. We hope many of you were already able to pick up your “Lent in a Bag” resource. If not, they're available for you in the church office and on Sunday mornings during worship. If you cannot pick yours up, contact the office to have one delivered to you.
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Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru Ashes
Ash Wednesday starts us on our journey through Lent with a public act of confession and repentance. We acknowledge that we all sin, fall short of the glory of God, and express our own morality, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). This Wednesday (February 17) from 10-10:30am or 6:30-7pm, you can drive up with your mask on, and Pastors Luke and Meggan will apply ashes on your hand or forehead with a clean Q-Tip and give you a resource to take home to read. Hope to see you there!
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A Communal Sharing Request for Maundy Thursday
Our Worship and Music Ministry is creating a special video presentation for our upcoming Maundy Thursday service, but we need your help to make it happen. We're asking for video clips (or photos) of people sharing a meal (in communion) in any way. Click here to watch a short video for more details. Questions? Contact Alice Wood avicwood@gmail.com or 785-393-9990
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Wednesday Night Zoom Check In
Please join us next Wednesday (and every Wednesday) from 7-7:45pm to fellowship with one another. This is a great way to beat the winter blues and stay in touch!
Here's how you can join our gathering:
*For a video link next Wed., click here.
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Pastors in the Family Life Center
Looking for something to do this Thursday at 10am? Why not stop by the church and visit with some of our members and friends. This is a great and safe way to connect for a short time each week and have some safe "in person" contact. We sure hope you'll stop in and visit with us this week!
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Monday (2/15) - Leo Wood
Thursday (2/18) - Brenda Gauger
Friday (2/19) - Kaen Schmidt
Saturday (2/20) - Brandon Macklem, Alex Johnson, Jocelyn Blahnik, & Callan O'Konski
Next Sunday (2/21) - Judy England
Why not call, email, or send them a card?
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> Contemporary Readers Group (Zoom) - This Evening (2/14) 5:30pm
> Youth Bible Study (Zoom) - This Evening (2/14) 6pm
> Primary Election plans (Family Life Center) - all day Monday (2/15), Tuesday (2/16), and Wednesday (2/17)
> Session Meeting (Zoom) - Monday (2/15) 6:30pm
> Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru Ashes - Wednesday (2/17) 10-10:30am & 6:30-7pm
> Weekly Zoom Check In - Wednesday (2/17) 7pm
> Pastors in the Family Life Center - Thursday (2/18) 10am
> Adult Sunday School (Zoom) - next Sunday (2/21) 8:30am
> Sunday Worship - next Sunday (2/21) 9:45am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website)
> CORE/JAM Youth Groups (Middle High Room) - next Sunday (2/21) 11am
> Presbyterian Pantry Grocery Bag Packing (1st Pres. Church - 200 S. Ashland Ave.) - Monday (2/22) 9am *Contact Susan Leiber (337-0979) or Julie Mackey (337-0890) for more information.
> Children's Lent Gathering (Zoom) - Monday (2/22) 6:15pm
*To schedule a meeting at the church, contact Tori in the church office. To schedule an online Zoom meeting, contact Pastor Meggan.
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