My heart is steadfast, O God;
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the clouds.
Psalm 57:7-10
 

Lent is forty days of reflection on the spiritual disciplines. It’s a time when we focus on the basic things we are called to do as Christians – to worship God, to serve our neighbors, to pray for one another, to study scripture, and to love all of God’s children. 

These disciplines are vital to our spiritual lives together. But spiritual disciplines aren’t a punishment. They aren’t something we do sadly in a room alone, something we do out of resignation or obligation. These disciplines open our hearts, wake our souls, and free us to be who we are created to be!

This year, we come into Lent under the theme of “Awake, my soul.” Worship, service, prayer, scripture study, and love: these are active ways we are called to get up and live our faith in the world. We can wake up, take action, and be empowered together!

The Easter EGGstravaganza is fun for the whole family!
 
Join us on April 13th from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Heard-Craig Carriage Garden.  The garden is located next to Church Street Auditorium.
 
We will have a picnic lunch, egg hunts, face painting, and more! Invite friends and neighbors!
Every Easter, instead of purchasing lilies to decorate our sanctuary, we buy “virtual lilies” to support Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti. Your donation is a wonderful way to remember or honor a loved one. 
 
Forms and payment are due by 4/6!
We need your help! Easter Sunday is going to be a big day, and it won’t happen without volunteers. From holding open doors to following up with first-time visitors, there is so much that needs to be done. Please fill out our Easter Volunteer Form!  For more information, email Kathy.
New Video Devotional Series!
 
Every Tuesday until Easter, you’ll hear a different pastor give their thoughts on how we can wake up and worship, serve, pray, learn, and love one another.
 
COPIES AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT DESK!
Lent Coloring Page. Color in a section for each day of Lent as you worship, serve, pray, learn, and love! Image by Amanda Beller.
 
Lent Calendar for Families. A calendar filled with opportunities to pray, give, love, and share! 
 
Family Devotional Guide. This is a weekly reflection guide for your household with scriptures, prayers, and activities.
 
Written Devotional from Pastor Ed. As we go through times of change in our lives, we need kindness and compassion from our friends. Maybe offering that kindness can be your Lenten Practice!
 
Jesus at the Table. Melissa UMC is taking a 40-day journey through the Gospel of Luke, all set around a table. How did Jesus share meals, share grace, share community? You can follow along with their scripture reading guide.
 
Breath Prayers          Finger Labyrinth           Nature Walk Prayer          Five Finger Prayer
This Lenten season, we will have many small ways for you to get involved in hands-on ways with missions!  Read more below and watch this space for new opportunities all Lent!
FEEDING FRIENDS & FAMILY
We are collecting hams for our Easter Feeding Friends & Family food distribution.  We need at least 75 hams and they are $25-$30 each.
 
Would you like to contribute?
 
Want to get involved and volunteer at FFF? Check out our volunteer page.
FOOD DRIVE FOR LUNCH BUNCH
We pack weekly lunches for our unsheltered neighbors, and we need some supplies!
 
Please drop off the following to the front desk:
-Individually wrapped Slim Jims (or any individually wrapped beef jerky)
-Tuna salad kits
-Chicken salad kits
-Fruit cups
-Apple sauce cups or pouches
-Individually wrapped peppermints
 
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LIFELINE
We support the Community Lifeline Center in several ways.  One is financially.  Our April communion rail offering is for CLC as they have had massive budget cuts.  You can give online and put “CLC” in the memo.
 
Community Lifeline provides boxes of food for our twice monthly Feeding Friends & Family food distribution.
 
You can help with this ministry.  Email Pam for info!
TOOL DRIVE
We are collecting new or gently used tools for Cultiv8 Community.  Their volunteers use them to take care of their land and keep their habitats healthy.  Click to order from the wishlist. 
 
If you would like to donate tools, drop them off at the front desk at the church.
 
Ash Wednesday - click here to worship
 
If you missed our Ash Wednesday service, you can still worship with us through the recording of the service. You can find the bulletin here.