Daylight Savings Greetings to All!

That’s right.  It’s already time to “spring forward” this weekend.  Not that any of us will really notice losing 60 minutes of precious beauty sleep this Saturday night…but the people who have to look at us might!  So set your CLOCKS FORWARD Saturday night…or just plan on a really full 11 o’clock service. 

Speaking of Sunday, there will be an INTEREST MEETING at 12:45pm for everyone interested in CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.  We’re making a number of changes in this area of ministry as the Lord continues to bring more children.  We’ll enjoy a little pizza, talk about the proposed changes and answer any questions you may have.  So please join us for about an hour after 2^nd service as we work to disciple the next generation.

LENT:  This period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday (this past Wednesday, March 9^th) to the Saturday before Easter (April 23^rd) has just begun.  Lent for the Christian church has traditionally been a period of preparation for the annual commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, celebrated during Holy Week. 

            Let me encourage you to ask the Lord how you might use these next 40 days to DISENGAGE from some normal activities (watching TV, eating certain foods, cutting out electronics use for a period of time, making times of silence in each day, etc.) so you can ENGAGE with God in some special ways (prayer, serving others, Bible reading, giving more, etc.).  This relatively short period of time is a great opportunity to seek God in very personal and meaningful ways. 

As I write this, I’m watching the tragic and astounding video coming over the news of the devastating tsunami and earthquake that has just struck Japan tonight (8.9 magnitude).  The devastation is astonishing and still unfolding.  Let’s pray for the suffering people of Japan and many other places in the Pacific Ocean that is sure to be experiencing this tsunami in the hours to come.    

Prayerfully,

John