Week of February 12, 2023
Yesterday’s Scripture:
Psalm 119:1-8
Matthew 5:21-36
Yesterday’s Service:
Click here to watch via YouTube
Randy Lee shared a great message with us yesterday, emphasizing how God wants us to not just follow God’s law, but to focus on the spirit of the law in our hearts as well. No smiling and nodding while thinking about how ridiculous that person is that you disagree with, no giving in to that “righteous” anger. Focus on God’s desires, not your own, for when you focus on what YOU want, as opposed to what GOD wants, you are putting yourself above him.
You really need to hear it from Randy. Click the link above to hear this message as he gave it.
There is something in education called “Bloom’s Taxonomy”. When we teach, we are to take students through a framework beginning with the Knowledge level, through Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and finally the Evaluation level. This is to ensure that students gain the most they can from what they are to be learning.
During Randy’s message on focusing on God, the spirit of the law, and keeping the focus on God in your heart, I thought I was doing pretty good. I knew what he was talking about (knowledge level), I understood it (comprehension), thought I could apply it (application) (and did you catch the part he talked about in John 8:1-11? How Jesus handled the situation with the adultress that was brought to him?) and I thought, yes, I can do that. I can hold to the spirit of the law and treat others with kindness and compassion. I have done it. It’s all good. Gotta work on those top three levels of Bloom’s, but I’m doing okay.
Then I participated in a discussion after the service, relayed a situation from when my kids were in school (several years ago now) and how angry I still was about how some things were handled. On my way home it occurred to me that I totally blew the application of what Randy was trying to say for this situation. Holding on to my ever-so-righteous anger was putting my temper and indignation ahead of God’s will. Wow. Ouch. Guess I have some work to do.
But the best part? Jesus tells us the same thing he said to the woman who had committed adultery. Go and sin no more. He treats us with kindness and compassion and gives us another chance. I am grateful for this every day.
Have a blessed week.
Announcements
New Member Class – There will be a class for anyone who wants to join our church, wants a reminder of what it means to be a United Methodist, or wants to mentor a new member. Classes will begin next Sunday February 19 at 11:45 am. Please let Pastor Brad know or leave a note in the office if you’d like to participate. All are welcome!
The Leadership Team has been rescheduled. The team will be meeting Monday February 20 at 6:30 pm.
The Worship Committee has also been rescheduled. They will be meeting Monday February 27 at 7 pm.
LENTEN PROGRAM – Lent will begin with an Ash Wednesday Service on February 22 at 7 pm. We will continue with four Meeting Between the Bread evenings (beginning March 8 at 6:30 pm) with dinner followed by a study series on Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley. Have you resisted, defied, or tried to bargain your way out of what you thought God wanted? You aren’t alone. Scripture documents similar stories. In this Easter video study Andy Stanley looks at some of the people whose lives intersected with Jesus in the weeks leading to his crucifixion. Each of them had an agenda that put them at odds with God and Jesus. As you’ll see there’s a little bit of them in all of us. Each evening begins at 6:30 pm.
The schedule is: March 8 “The High Cost of Following Christ”
March 15 “The Risk of Surrendering to God”
March 22 “The God Who Can Be Trusted”
March 29 “The Foundation of Our Faith”
Dinner menus and the Holy Week Schedule are on the way. We look forward to spending time in fellowship with you this Lenten season!
Serve Our Church by Volunteering to be a Counter. You may not think about it, but we have a very dedicated team that counts the funds that come into the church on a weekly basis. They then prepare and make the bank deposit. It’s time for us to expand this team. We are looking for six to eight members to serve as counters. By increasing the number of counters we will have three to four counting teams to serve on a rotating schedule. With four teams, counters will only have to serve every three to four weeks. Count day is flexible as long as it is within forty-eight hours of receiving Sunday’s offering. Training will be provided. Please contact Pastor Brad Luck or Shirley Massingill if you would like more information or are willing to serve in this important church position.
Calendar of Events
Tuesday February 14 – 10 am Prayer Group
7 pm Choir practice
Wednesday February 15 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Grief Share
Sunday February 19 – 9:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Morning Worship Service
11:30 am Third Sunday Potluck
11:45 am New Member Class
Monday February 20 — 6:30 pm Leadership Team
Tuesday February 21 — 10 am Prayer Group
7 pm Choir practice
Wednesday February 22 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Grief Share
7 pm Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday February 26 – 9:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Morning Worship Service
11:45 am New Member Class
Monday February 27 — 7 pm Worship Committee