March 2024 Family Ties

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Because of God’s great love we are not consumed, for God’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  —Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

When we are lost and confused, when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, when we are downcast and in despair, when shadows stretch and hope seems a faint flicker, Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us God’s love endures and knows no end. Because of this, we are not consumed, for God’s compassions never fails. God’s faithfulness is great. God’s mercies are new each morning.

In the tangle of life’s struggles, it is easy to lose sight of hope. Yet, even in our lowest moments, God’s love remains constant, an unwavering beacon in the storm. God’s love, a boundless ocean, never dries up, never falters. It persists through trials and tribulations, doubts, and fears. God’s love endures and transcends even the limits of our own understanding.

“We must accept finite disappointment, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “but never lose infinite hope.” Each dawn brings with it new possibilities and promise—a fresh canvas for God’s goodness, grace, and mercy. Since 1832, God has invited the American Baptist Home Mission Societies to paint our portion of that canvas each day—cultivating leaders, equipping disciples, and healing and transforming communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

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Hospitality Closet Update

Thank you for always donating to our Hospitality closet. We’ve helped out many people who come in need of supplies and we are running low again. We invite anyone to give what they can and bring it to the church office. Here are some things that we are in need of:

• Laundry detergent
• Tissue/Kleenex
• Tools for cleaning kitchen/bathroom (ex. steel wool, sponge)  
• Pads/Tampons
• Dish Soap
• Kitchen trash bags
• Hair products (binders, clips, combs)

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Wednesday Evening Lenten Series

This year Ash Wednesday – which marks the beginning of Lent – was on the same day as Valentine’s Day. This seemed like a reminder that Lent can be seen as a season of love – because Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were all gifts of love. On Wednesday nights Pastor Sheila offered a series of Bible studies titled “The Days of Love and Lent.” Each week we gathered to look at the last week of Jesus’ life through the eyes of love – talking about the different events of that week and how they match up with the characteristics of love listed in I Corinthians 13:4-7.

Here are the topics for each week:

Week 1: What is Ash Wednesday? What is love according to I Corinthians 13:4-8?

Week 2: Love does not brag. Palm Sunday – two very different parades.

Week 3: Love is not happy with evil. Jesus throwing out the money changers as an act of love.

Week 4: Love is not selfish. The stories of two women giving generously.

Week 5: Love is not proud. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.

Week 6: Love patiently accepts all things. Jesus prays to God in the garden.

Week 7: Love does not count up wrongs. Jesus is betrayed many times and forgives.

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