Where is Myanmar?

The world is vast.

Its needs are huge.

We can get overwhelmed.

But we remember God so LOVED the WORLD and Jesus lived a life of empathy and care for the world.

So let's pause.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

And let us pray.

We can pray for Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) as it works through the effects of a devastating earthquake and civil strife.

We can pause. We can pray.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This week I spoke with someone who had to make a big decision. But they prayed about it. And they trusted the data, the resources and, with time, the sense of where to go. Prayer - a channel for wisdom.

I shared these beads (picture) on Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if they were a symbol of prayer. I got them in Myanmar years ago when I walked there on a dirt path in from Thailand where I had been living.

Let's continue to tell little stories that ground us in reality, hope and prayer.

God gives humans the capacity to think and care. Let prayer unite us. Let it change our hearts so that we say and do helpful and faithful things with every breath we take.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Sarah

Map - Myanmar & earthquake

PS This is also a good time to remember to support our yearly One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

Joyful Inclusion

2024-2025

In everything Discovery does

Worship

Sundays 10:30 AM

For all ages & understandings

In person, streaming, recorded

& in this newsletter

Sunday Ministries

Pray, Act, Study, Support, Help

Season of Lent

Carry the Cross Together

March 30- Lent Sunday

Reflections on Prayer

April 2 - Lent Meal & Fellowship

6:00 Meal 7:00 Gathering

April 6- Lent Sunday

Rich Man ends up in Hades

HOLY WEEK INVITATIONS

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Easter

+ Summer Campe and other info

Mission

One Great Hour of Sharing!

Welcome Corps: Rides & Support

Mutual Aid Ministry

Pantry, Good Samaritan support continue

Community

Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories

Community Meal

Wednesday

April 2

6:00 PM

Provided by the Session

Lower Level Fellowship Hall

All Welcome!

This is 1 of 4 different meal nights across the season. Watch for other dates.

There will be a main meal

plus PB & J for pickier eaters.

Gathering Time

Wednesday April 2

7:00 PM - Lower Level

(or 6:45 if running early)

Share names

Share your day

Share the text from Luke

Listen for God and to each other.

Learn to carry the cross together.

Midweek gatherings: March 19, April 2 and Maundy Thursday April 17

Discovery repairs the breach

There are gaps in the world. And there are ways to address them. The yearly One Great Hour of Sharing offering does this--near at hand and globally. OGHS provides disaster assistance, disaster prevention, community building and sustainable, loving, intelligent methods.

Please give to this special, trustworthy offering this Lent season. We can be a part of repairing the breaches and gaps in society. You can use a special blue envelope or note it on memo line.

April 13 - Palm Sunday

10:30 AM Worship

We will have fresh eco palms for everyone!

Palm Sunday celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem where there was a big party scene.

Discovery worship ends dramatically setting the stage for our final journey to the cross.

April 17 - Maundy Thursday

6:00 Meal

7:00 Worship -with 21 readers + Communion

Maundy Thursday is one of Discovery's biggest and most unique events. We move from dining together to communion at those same tables. 21 voices will be reading Luke chapters 22 & 23 aloud together. Get ready to carry the cross.

If you would like to be a reader, see Kailey on Sunday or email Pastor Sarah sarah@discoverypc.org.

EASTER

April 20 - Early Bird Service

7:00 AM - Meet in Commons

We share an informal worship together and then have 15 minutes of personal reflection. You can take a walk outside or have a meditative activity indoors.

EASTER

April 20 - Potluck Breakfast

8:00 AM - Commons

You can stay after the early service or just come in at 8:00. We have a sign up for items to share.

EASTER

April 20 - Celebration Worship

10:30 AM Sanctuary

Love to see you in person.

We also love our live streamers!

Links available like usual.

PDF printable Study Page

If you would like to print this Luke study guide out at home, here is a PDF version.

Also: On Ash Wednesday we will hand out brochure versions of this along with spiritual guidance for the Lent Season.

Lent Study Guide - 2025 PDF

Lent Spiritual Practice

On Ash Wednesday we will hand out a brochure with the Carry the Cross Spiritual discipline. Here is a copy of that in PDF form. We will also have copies here at church. This will be the basis of our Wednesday gatherings and something you can do on your own, too.

Lent Cross Carry - Spiritual words 2025 PDF

Carry the Cross Together

Sundays - Special liturgy, texts and activities

Midweek Fellowship (every other week)

DATES:

March 5, March 19, April 2

& Thurs April 17 (Maundy Thursday)

6:00 Meal provided

7:00 Gathering time

April 13 - Palm Sunday

Fresh eco palms!

April 17 - Maundy Thursday

6:00 meal

7:00 worship with readings by you all and communion

April 20 - Easter

7:00 Early Bird informal worship

8:00 BREAKFAST

10:30 Celebration

Study: Gospel of Luke - full study guide in this newsletter & in Lent Brochure

Do you have a special cross?

Janet Sanders wore a special cross. It was a gift to her from a high school classmate.

Do you have a special cross in your home?

Do you have a special picture of a cross?

Do you have a special cross story?

Would love to hear about it!

Share your pictures, stories -or actual crosses- with us at church!

We will feature them here or on Sundays.

Keep your eyes on the lookout for crosses, too.

Share with Pastor Sarah

sarah@discoverypc.org

Thank you!

Sunday April 6: Mutuality

(or Rich Man Reports in from Hell)

We need each other. It's non-negotiable.

Text: Luke 16:13, 19-31

Is there any biblical reason a rich person should help a poor person? Well, this paints a pretty clear picture by a visit to the afterlife.

10:30 Worship

With extra activity before, during and after

Divisible: April 8 6:30

Our Presbytery is part of the sponsorship of this important, eye-opening documentary about "redlining" which will be screened at the Omaha Conservatory of Music.

Follow this link for more information.

Movie - Divisible - more information

Feel free to share this invite with anyone!

And you can also ask around to see if other Discovery friends want to carpool or caravan there.

Event hosts ask that you reserve a free ticket.

Follow this link to reserve a free ticket.

Divisible - free ticket registration

AFTER EASTER

Sunday April 27: Walking & Talking

There is a lot to process after Easter.

The story of walking to Emmaus gives us time to think and talk.

Text: Luke 24:13-35

What helps you process things?

10:30 Worship

With extra activity before, during and after

Book Club Book is:

"Educated" by Tara Westover

A gripping memoir about growing up in an extremist family.

When: Sunday May 11

4:00 PM

Where: Covenant Lounge

Discovery Presbyterian Church

Discoverypc.org

Snacks Welcome.

Come even if you didn't read the book.

Who: All welcome! Community Read! come for the snacks and the fun.

Questions? Got Ideas? See Elaine Wallick or call or text her 402-758-0438

Planning ahead:

Next, next book: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (this is part of the young adult Hunger Games series)

Mutual Aid Ministry

Discovery has a Mutual Aid Ministry.

This is a place where we can

1 Share needs and

2 Share offers

We'll put information here in this newsletter and we've started a board at church (the board across from the upstairs kitchen).

NEEDS

-Rake for yard care

-Microwave (let Sarah know-someone already offered one - we forgot who!)

OFFERS

-Bedding

-Holiday kitchen towels

(see details at the church board)

Beginning Guidance:

-This is for the Discovery Community

-Please keep items at your home until exchange plan arranged (and please label to also help)

-We have small forms that we can use to post needs/offerings on the board. Yellow = need; Green = offer

Mutual Aid Coordinators

Paden Derr (308)379-4318

Kaaren Hagge (402)880-5807

We are learning as we go!

How do you feel about money?

Prayers for anyone feeling financially insecure this day. Our Luke story points to mutuality - sharing what we have with those in need. What do you think is the purpose of money? What is your theology of money? What did Jesus have to say about it?

Luke 16:13, 19-31

Break the ice by asking others about their lives, listening closely and being vulnerable. This is a way to practice joyful inclusion.

Sunday 10:30 AM Worship

All are welcome.

We are joyfully inclusive.

Join the kid liturgy any week.

In person & livestreamed (see links in Worship materials later in this newsletter)

Sunday Learning

Before worship: Learn the worship skit

During worship: Lead liturgy

During sermon: Bonus activities in the Commons

After worship: Fellowship, conversation, snacks and meetings

Welcome Worshipers!

Discovery is committed to worshipers near and far. We have a new website host and we don't want to miss anybody amid some changes.

(Maybe check with your friends, too, to make sure they are connecting ok with the changes)

Here are our current BEST TIPS for connecting to our 10:30 Sunday worship & other events.

1 Use Facebook (address, link below)

discoverypres

Discovery Facebook page link

2 Use our website (address, link below)

discoverypc.org

Discovery Website

3 Try our other website (address, link below)

discoverypc.online

Discovery Website - Another Route

4 Subscribe to this newsletter

Worship links are always here

5 Try, try again

Sometimes you have to keep clicking on the link

6 Email Pastor Sarah and she'll connect you with a tech helper sarah@discoverypc.org

You are always welcome to come in person also and enjoy fellowship & treats afterward. You can sit on the couches or by kids' activity areas in addition to the sanctuary.

If you have tech limitations and would like a weekly mailed packet, see Pastor Sarah or call the church office and get on that list. 402-731-7222.

We know there are many

who are looking for a church

that values kindness

and joyful inclusion.

Please continue to share

this good news with others.

Worship in many ways

*Worship in the sanctuary or in the flexible spaces just outside

*Worship through singing, lighting the lamp, listening, coloring, being in Time for Discovery, praying, or doing the extra activity during the sermon.

Color, play, and be able to watch and hear worship at the same time.

Discovery has extra near-the-sanctuary seating/activity spaces- for those who want to color or need extra table space to sit at and still be near the worship service.

5 Items such a success - Let's continue!

1. Peanut Butter
2. Jelly
3. Breakfast Items (Cereal, Oatmeal packets, toaster pastries)
4. Toothbrushes
5. Toothpaste

Please drop off items in the box by the pantry or in the Covenant Room.

THANK YOU!

Here's the pledge packet in PDF format

Pledge Invitation - Pictures, Calendar, Letter

Pledge Card