Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Sunday we celebrate the fifth Lenten Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, not to be confused with Palm Sunday ,marks the beginning of Passiontide, which is a name for the last two weeks of Lent, beginning on Passion Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday.
Please join us this Sunday as we continue to prepare our hearts and our souls for the celebration of Easter!
Jim Cain
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March 18, 2010
Good Morning!
Margaret Wise Brown is known for her simple yet profound books for children. One of my favorites is the Runaway Bunny. It’s about a little bunny who tells his mother he has decided to run away. “If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you – for you are my little bunny.” She goes on to tell him that whatever he becomes or wherever he goes, she will be persistent and ever pursuing. He says, “Shucks, I might as well stay here and be your little bunny.”
This story reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 139, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? Your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.”
Let’s be thankful for God’s relentless love for us – ever pursuing, ever-present, and ever guiding. Thanks be to God.
Jim Wall
Margaret Wise Brown is known for her simple yet profound books for children. One of my favorites is the Runaway Bunny. It’s about a little bunny who tells his mother he has decided to run away. “If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you – for you are my little bunny.” She goes on to tell him that whatever he becomes or wherever he goes, she will be persistent and ever pursuing. He says, “Shucks, I might as well stay here and be your little bunny.”
This story reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 139, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? Your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.”
Let’s be thankful for God’s relentless love for us – ever pursuing, ever-present, and ever guiding. Thanks be to God.
Jim Wall
March 17, 2010
Good Morning!
Spiritual leader and writer, Brother Roger of Taize, writes the following, “God weaves our life like a beautiful garment with the threads of his forgiveness.”
We can look back over our lives and see the evidence of God’s forgiveness. We see the many ways in which God has forgiven our sins, and we see how God has led us to forgive others who have hurt us.
Forgiveness is one of those topics that sometimes makes us cringe. Forgiving others is difficult and sometimes forgiving ourselves is the hardest thing of all.
Contrary to popular belief, time does not make forgiveness any easier, and we never truly forget the wrongs of others.
However, God’s grace can transform even the torn places of our garment that are in need of forgiveness.
May you go today and notice those beautiful threads of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness.
Spiritual leader and writer, Brother Roger of Taize, writes the following, “God weaves our life like a beautiful garment with the threads of his forgiveness.”
We can look back over our lives and see the evidence of God’s forgiveness. We see the many ways in which God has forgiven our sins, and we see how God has led us to forgive others who have hurt us.
Forgiveness is one of those topics that sometimes makes us cringe. Forgiving others is difficult and sometimes forgiving ourselves is the hardest thing of all.
Contrary to popular belief, time does not make forgiveness any easier, and we never truly forget the wrongs of others.
However, God’s grace can transform even the torn places of our garment that are in need of forgiveness.
May you go today and notice those beautiful threads of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness.
March 16, 2010
Good Morning: Did you ever hear the story of the little boy who came home from church and told his mom they had sung about "Gladly, the Cross Eyed Bear" that morning? Now his mom had heard a lot of hymns, but had never heard one about a Cross Eyed Bear named Gladly. Turns out the song was "Gladly, the Cross I Bear." Trouble is, we do come in contact with people who act like cross-eyed bears or even we ourselves act that way. On those grouchy days, we have gone cross-eyed and lost our focus on the Lord. We're not seeing things clearly through God's eyes. God's words tell us plainly to "look to Jesus." When we look to Him, he sharpens our focus, clears up the fuzzy edges, and straightens us out. So, don't be a cross-eyed bear today. Look to the Lord for help. And if you meet up with one of those cross-eyed bears, surprise him with a big old bear hug. It might just help to straighten him out and make you feel better, too. Have a wonderful day!
Glenda Thomas
Glenda Thomas
March 15, 2010
Two weeks from now we will be in the midst of HOLY WEEK. Holy Week is the annual observance of the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem; on Maundy Thursday we participate in Holy Communion and recall Jesus’ “Last Supper” with his disciples in Jerusalem; on Good Friday we experience the trauma and emotion of Jesus’ crucifixion, and on Easter we finally we celebrate the mystery and wonder of Jesus’ resurrection.
Many congregations across Meridian and Lauderdale County will be observing Holy Week in various ways. On Easter Sunday, Central United Methodist Church will hold 3 worship services – one at 8:30, one at 9:45, and one at 11:00.
If you don’t have a place to worship on Easter, I invite you to join us this year at Central, where everyone is welcome.
Rev. Bob Rambo
Many congregations across Meridian and Lauderdale County will be observing Holy Week in various ways. On Easter Sunday, Central United Methodist Church will hold 3 worship services – one at 8:30, one at 9:45, and one at 11:00.
If you don’t have a place to worship on Easter, I invite you to join us this year at Central, where everyone is welcome.
Rev. Bob Rambo
March 12, 2010
The Apostle Paul in the third chapter of Ephesians prays, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Are you a dreamer? Even if you are not a dreamer, imagine the most impossible thing you could do to honor God. Then realize that God can do far more through you than that -- more than you can even begin to imagine! And the power to do it? The power at work within you? Ah yes, you guessed it: it is the power of the Holy Spirit! At Central United Methodist Church we are following Jesus Christ, wanting to dream His dream for us. Seeking to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to accomplish his will. And expecting to honor God in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine. I invite you to come be a part of what God is doing in our lives.
Rev. Bob Peden
Rev. Bob Peden
March 11, 2010
In the Old Testament, the prophet Joel says to the Israelite people, “Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”
Our hearts have been pulled to love things other than God. We have been burdened, wounded, broken, scattered and confused. We too are in need of God’s unfailing love and forgiveness.
We are in the middle of the season on Lent, where the message of God for us is the same as it was to the Israelite people long ago, “Return to the Lord your God!” God longs for us to return with your hearts.
God calls us to return:
Return to worship. Return to covenant faithfulness with God and each other. Return to justice and reconciliation.
During Lent, let us intentionally focus on returning to God and committing ourselves once again.
Rev. Amy Roller
Our hearts have been pulled to love things other than God. We have been burdened, wounded, broken, scattered and confused. We too are in need of God’s unfailing love and forgiveness.
We are in the middle of the season on Lent, where the message of God for us is the same as it was to the Israelite people long ago, “Return to the Lord your God!” God longs for us to return with your hearts.
God calls us to return:
Return to worship. Return to covenant faithfulness with God and each other. Return to justice and reconciliation.
During Lent, let us intentionally focus on returning to God and committing ourselves once again.
Rev. Amy Roller
March 10, 2010
Good Morning: If someone asked me what my favorite food is, I'd have to say fudge--in any form. Have you ever thought about other ways we "fudge" on things? We fudge on our time. We fudge a little on the truth. We fudge a little on trust. For instance: "I got up a little late this morning, so I'll just skip church." OR "I just told a little white lie-surely that doesn't count!" OR "I know I need to trust God totally, but what if?" You know, God never fudges. He is always faithful to us! We can count on him to be right on time to meet our needs. We can rely on the truth of His word that never changes and we can trust Him totally for the big and little things of our lives. That's our God! So every time you eat a bite of fudge, let it remind you that God never fudges. He loves us and is always there for us. Psalm 34:8 says: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who trusts in him." Now, go and eat some fudge and have a wonderful day!
Glenda Thomas
Glenda Thomas
March 9, 2010
In a world where violence and terrorism may strike anytime, any place, where can we find security?
The Bible says that our security is not in human protection, but in God. The book of Psalms contains more than 40 references to taking refuge in the Lord, many of them from David’s experience of being pursued by his enemies. In his prayers for help, he centered his hope in the Lord. David writes, “You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To you, O my strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.”
God doesn’t guarantee protection from difficulty and harm, but God promises to be our refuge in every situation. Remember as you go through this day that you will forever and always be a beloved child of God.
Jim Wall
The Bible says that our security is not in human protection, but in God. The book of Psalms contains more than 40 references to taking refuge in the Lord, many of them from David’s experience of being pursued by his enemies. In his prayers for help, he centered his hope in the Lord. David writes, “You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To you, O my strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.”
God doesn’t guarantee protection from difficulty and harm, but God promises to be our refuge in every situation. Remember as you go through this day that you will forever and always be a beloved child of God.
Jim Wall
March 8, 2010
A family had a hobby of putting together jigsaw puzzles. The father often brought home puzzles of greater and greater difficulty. One night he presented his family with a puzzle of over one thousand pieces. Immediately they began working on it. After an hour, however, the family was frustrated. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t figure the puzzle out.
The father then discovered that he had accidentally switched the box top with the top from another puzzle. The picture they were looking at wasn’t the puzzle they were working on.
Often, we feel frustrated with ourselves because we don’t believe we live up to what others want from us or even what we think God wants from us. God created us to be different. We all have our own “box-top picture”, and the only way we can ever be successful in life is to be ourselves, allowing God to use us just the way we are.
Jim Cain
The father then discovered that he had accidentally switched the box top with the top from another puzzle. The picture they were looking at wasn’t the puzzle they were working on.
Often, we feel frustrated with ourselves because we don’t believe we live up to what others want from us or even what we think God wants from us. God created us to be different. We all have our own “box-top picture”, and the only way we can ever be successful in life is to be ourselves, allowing God to use us just the way we are.
Jim Cain
March 5, 2010
Today is the World Day of Prayer. We are in the Christian season of Lent, in which prayer is a point of focus.
I invite all of us to make these next weeks leading up to Easter an intentional time of prayer: There are a variety of methods and types of prayer. Here are some to consider:
Intercessory prayer for our loved ones, our community, and our world; confessional prayer in which we confess our sins to God, repent, and accept God’s forgiveness; prayers of thanksgiving; conversational prayers where we just tell God how we’re doing and we listen and reflect on how God is speaking to us.
Also consider silent prayer, where we do nothing other than rest and yield ourselves to the loving and transforming presence of God.
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many ways we communicate with God. Regardless of how you pray, may these next few weeks be a holy and reflective time and may we all pray “God’s will be done.”
Amy Roller
I invite all of us to make these next weeks leading up to Easter an intentional time of prayer: There are a variety of methods and types of prayer. Here are some to consider:
Intercessory prayer for our loved ones, our community, and our world; confessional prayer in which we confess our sins to God, repent, and accept God’s forgiveness; prayers of thanksgiving; conversational prayers where we just tell God how we’re doing and we listen and reflect on how God is speaking to us.
Also consider silent prayer, where we do nothing other than rest and yield ourselves to the loving and transforming presence of God.
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many ways we communicate with God. Regardless of how you pray, may these next few weeks be a holy and reflective time and may we all pray “God’s will be done.”
Amy Roller
Sunday School
March 4th
My very first remembrances of God’s love for me come through memories of my childhood Sunday School. I am quick to tell anyone, that in large part, I do what I do today because of the love and nurture I received as a young child at church. At Central, we are excited about our new rotation Sunday school program, Crosswalk, for elementary children. This program is based on the different learning intelligence of children. On any given Sunday, children may be learning about Bible concepts or stories in our cinema, cooking or science lab, drama or art room, or the computer lab. As they enter the children’s area of Central, they are met with storybook like murals depicting the many Bible stories that will remain with them for a lifetime. While it may be a beautiful, fun and enchanting place to be, our main goal is to equip children with an understanding of God and to love them through the first steps in their spiritual journey and growth in God’s love. If you would like more information on our program, you may visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org, or call the church office. Go today in the claiming that we are all, indeed, children of God!
Sabrina
My very first remembrances of God’s love for me come through memories of my childhood Sunday School. I am quick to tell anyone, that in large part, I do what I do today because of the love and nurture I received as a young child at church. At Central, we are excited about our new rotation Sunday school program, Crosswalk, for elementary children. This program is based on the different learning intelligence of children. On any given Sunday, children may be learning about Bible concepts or stories in our cinema, cooking or science lab, drama or art room, or the computer lab. As they enter the children’s area of Central, they are met with storybook like murals depicting the many Bible stories that will remain with them for a lifetime. While it may be a beautiful, fun and enchanting place to be, our main goal is to equip children with an understanding of God and to love them through the first steps in their spiritual journey and growth in God’s love. If you would like more information on our program, you may visit our website at www.cumcmdn.org, or call the church office. Go today in the claiming that we are all, indeed, children of God!
Sabrina
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Fudge
Glenda Thomas
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Thundering Forty
But let your statement be, `Yes, yes' or `No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.” Matthew 5:37
In the year 320, Licinius, Emperor of the East, ordered his soldiers including the Thundering Legion to denounce Christianity on pain of death.
Who was the Thundering Legion? When the Emperor Marcus Aurelius led an expedition against the Quadi in 174, his army, exhausted by thirst, was on the point of falling to the enemy. It was then that soldiers of the 12th Legion prayed to God for help. Soon a thunderstorm arose, relieving the Romans, while terrifying the barbarians. Therefore, earning them the name “thundering.”
40 of the “Thundering Legion” refused so they were stripped & herded onto a frozen lake, being told, they could come ashore when they were ready to deny their faith. They stood firm praying: “Lord, we are forty who are engaged in this combat; grant that we may be forty crowned, and that not one be wanting to this sacred number." One broke and ran to the shore. However, a guard on the bank was so moved by their commitment that he removed his clothes and joined them leaving the # at 40.
Where do you stand today?
Jim Cain
In the year 320, Licinius, Emperor of the East, ordered his soldiers including the Thundering Legion to denounce Christianity on pain of death.
Who was the Thundering Legion? When the Emperor Marcus Aurelius led an expedition against the Quadi in 174, his army, exhausted by thirst, was on the point of falling to the enemy. It was then that soldiers of the 12th Legion prayed to God for help. Soon a thunderstorm arose, relieving the Romans, while terrifying the barbarians. Therefore, earning them the name “thundering.”
40 of the “Thundering Legion” refused so they were stripped & herded onto a frozen lake, being told, they could come ashore when they were ready to deny their faith. They stood firm praying: “Lord, we are forty who are engaged in this combat; grant that we may be forty crowned, and that not one be wanting to this sacred number." One broke and ran to the shore. However, a guard on the bank was so moved by their commitment that he removed his clothes and joined them leaving the # at 40.
Where do you stand today?
Jim Cain
Monday, March 1, 2010
Chaos
Bob Peden
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