UMW Reading Group

2016 Reading Group is underway!

From the UMW website:

Extended Reading List!
The Reading Program encourages members to think critically about current issues through an annual selection of member-reviewed books. It offers an excellent opportunity to deepen your spirituality and to broaden your understanding of our mission work. 

The Reading Program Leads to Action!

For 140 years, United Methodist Women have been involved in mission that includes prayer, study and action. The Reading Program is a study opportunity, but it should also lead to action. The purpose of the program is to encourage United Methodist Women members to:

• Expand understanding of and participation in God’s mission.
• Increase sensitivity to all human beings—their needs, interests and concerns.
• Encourage critical thinking about issues facing humanity today.
• Grow in understanding of Scripture as it relates to Christian faith in contemporary life.
• Enhance self-knowledge and act from that knowledge.
• Strengthen involvement in local and global Christian mission.

Read the UMW Newsletter story on the discussion held about the Reading Program book The Round House.

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday in Holy Week:
5:00 pm, UMW Reading Group
6:00 pm, Lectionary study   
6:00 pm, Trustees

7:00 pm, Living Clean   

Tuesday in Holy Week: 
7:00 pm, Choir practice    

Wednesday in Holy Week:   
8:00 am, WIC   

10:00 am, Wired Word     
2:30 pm, Girl Scouts
6:30 pm, Youth Group 

Maundy Thursday: 
7:00 pm, Worship

Good Friday:  
10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris T.'s (lesson #4)  

7:00 pm, Worship

Holy Saturday

EASTER SUNDAY   
7:00 am, Easter Sunrise service @ Dr. Linda's

8:00 am, Easter Breakfast
9:30 am, Easter Egg Hunt (on front lawn)

10:15 am, Praise singing    
10:30 am, Easter Festival Worship Service  

Prayer for Monday in Holy Week

God of love,
My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on You.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to You
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others.

Amen.

Creighton University online ministries

Holy Week has begun

Spring has arrived in the Bitterroot Valley

Paul leads the praise music

Our service begins

Making joyful music for the Lord

Holy Week and the first day of spring arrived this morning and with it wonderful opportunities to learn, worship, and fellowship.

The Lenten study took us to the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus. We won't be meeting next week but will conclude the study on April 3.

During the worship service, the chime choir shared the offertory and the choir shared the anthem. Pastor Charles' sermon was based on Luke 19:29-40, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of the week that defines who we are as disciples.

Lectionary readings for Easter Sunday

Church of St. Augustine - New York City

The lectionary readings for Easter Sunday are:

• Isaiah 65:17-25  • 
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24  • 
• Acts 10:34-43  • 
• John 20:1-18  

Lenten study prayer

Participants in the Lenten study, Ponderings from the Heart: A Mother's Reflections, are using prayer beads, an ancient prayer practice, as part of their Lenten discipline. 

Touch the first bead, offer that line of the prayer, pause for contemplation, move to the next bead and repeat.

The Prayer for the sixth week:
Bead 1: Crucified Lord,
Bead 2: Draw me near to Your side.
Bead 3: Keep me near the cross.
Bead 4: Let me not turn away
Bead 5: From the pain which You bore.
Bead 6: How and where do You suffer today?
Bead 7: Let me follow You there.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer for Palm/Passion Sunday

Jesus Entering Jerusalem (in the Scrovegni Chapel) by Giotto

Loving God,
I am just beginning to realize how much You love me.
Your son, Jesus was humble and obedient.
He fulfilled Your will for him by becoming human and suffering with us.
I ask You for the desire to become more humble
so that my own life might also bear witness to You.
I want to use the small sufferings I have in this world
to give You glory. 

 

Please, Lord, guide my mind with Your truth.
Strengthen my life by the example of Jesus.
Help me to be with Jesus in this week
as He demonstrates again His total love for me.
He died so that I would no longer
be separated from You.
Help me to feel how close You are
and to live in union with You.

Creighton University online ministries