Issue #23 - March 2008
Lenten Devotional
Someone once said that to recognize the signs of God, pay attention to your stirrings. Look closely when you feel the swell of joy within, or the tightness as your throat closes up in sorrow. Live in that moment, poke around in its corners, and feel the texture of its walls. Sit with it for awhile, long enough to sense the presence of God sitting with you.
For many of us, this attention falls in the realm of discipline. We are so consumed with the goings-on around us that slowing down and looking inward requires a determined act of will. For Christians, Lent is a time to do exactly that.
Beginning 40 days before Easter, Lent has traditionally been a time of looking inward, a time of self-evaluation and self-examination in order to identify one's sins and go through a process of repentance and renewal. Many Christians have fasted during portions of Lent, others have found ways to mark the days by "giving up" something that is particularly delightful to them, even if not sinful. For some it's giving up sweets or red meat, for others cigarettes or alcohol, habits which oftentimes are picked up again when Easter rolls around.
In recent years, there has been less emphasis on giving up and more emphasis on taking on. Some will choose to go to church more often, or serve the poor, or be more disciplined in meditation.
Using this Lenten calendar is another way to observe this season with intention and presence. Each week of Lent is devoted to reflections on Lenten themes: stillness, examination, attention, prayer, suffering, hope, and new life. As you work through the days and weeks of the Lenten season keep in mind three things that may help you develop interior peace:
First, live attentively. The Buddhists call this mindfulness. All it means is to be aware of life. Hear the silence of the snow. Feel the cracks in the earth. Look into one another's eyes. Pay attention to every single moment and that moment alone. Feel it. Take it into your bones. Let it transform you.
Second, learn to let go. Start to simplify your life. Simplify your possessions, your thoughts, your desires, your expectations. When you can let go, your arms are open and ready to receive all the good things God longs to give you.
Third, develop intimacy with God. Gather in yourself a phrase or thought. Let the thought or phrase filter through your heart and mind throughout the day. Say it when you stand in the grocery line, when you eat your lunch, when you scrape ice off your car. Let it settle deeply in your heart so that it can work from within to bring you into closer intimacy with God.
Lent need not be a time to live in guilt and shame. Instead it may be a time when we find ourselves in the place where we pay attention to our stirrings-in that place of deep stillness where the hunger of our souls and the heart of God meet.
- From www.explorefaith.org
Gospel Sings Scheduled
April 20 --- 4PM
The Greater Love Quartet
May 18 --- 4PM
The Churchmen
June 22 --- 4PM
Bob Stone and the Virginia Gospel Singers
August 24 --- 2PM
The Connors
Youth Group Goals for 2008
The Youth Advisors, with some help from Matthew, have come up with new goals for the youth ministry of Louisa Christian Church in 2008. All of 2007's goals were achieved. The same high hopes are held for 2008. The youth group appreciates the help of the church's adults and leaders in all of it's activities and aspirations.
If you want to help achieve these goals, go ahead and jump in with the youth ministry!
- To grow the Youth Advisor Program into a solid, mature group of Christian leaders.
- To focus on growing spiritually. Our events, meetings, and budget should reflect this focus.
- To perform more service projects for our church and community.
- To support one charity of our choice.
- To prepare for a mission trip in 2009.
- To hold one contemporary worship service as a youth group.
Board News
Recent board news:
- A concern about parking was raised. Until the parking lot can be sealed, please be careful while parking. If you are unsure where you may park, please talk to someone in church.
- The storage building behind Denny's house has been paid off through generous donations from church people and David Jacobs at Southern States. Only about $200 had to be paid from the church's account.
- Appreciation was expressed to Pat Purcell, Steff Throckmorton, and Wilbur Williams for their new roles they are filling in Sunday School.
- The church is working to find someone to maintain the grounds throughout the grass cutting season.
- Chairman Perkinson asked that everyone be aware of what committees they are on. If you are uncertain, please, contact him.
Wedding Celebration
Kenneth Smith and Betty Wolfrey will be married at the church on April 5 at 1 PM. Everyone is invited. Please, do not bring any gifts.
Sunrise Service
Easter Sunrise Service
Johnson Pond
(John & Pat Purcell's)
7:00 am
Youth Fund-Raiser
A Vera Bradley bingo will be held on Saturday, March 29 at the Moose Lodge. This will be a fund-raiser for the Youth Ministry of Louisa Christian Church. As always, help is needed and greatly appreciated for the tasks that the youth cannot perform.
The money that is raised will be used to fund Community Youth Night, a mission trip in 2009, camp scholarships for Craig Springs Camp, and much more.
Talk to Matthew (540-748-4188) or Steff (540-748-3098), if you would like to volunteer or bake something. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Please, help us to get the word out.
Schedules
Acolytes
March: Andrew P. and Sarah C.
April: Kris D. and Linda D.
May: Abbey S. and Corey S.
June: John P. and Sam P.
July: Katelyn P. and Jack P.
August: Abbey S. and Corey S.
September: Andrew P. and Meagan C.
October: Kris D. and Linda D.
November: Amber W. and Ginny B.
December: Katelyn P. and Jack P.
Nursery
A list has been sent around for nursery volunteers to sign up. Please, consider volunteering with our nursery. Even keeping the nursery one Sunday a year would be helpful. If you have not been through the background check, it is very simple to do and the only personal data needed to perform it is your birthday and name.
Thanks to all of our nursery volunteers!
Comic Relief
Three stupid guys just died and are at the pearly gates of heaven. St. Peter tells them that they can enter the gates if they can answer one simple question.
St. Peter asks the first man, "WHAT IS EASTER?" The man replies, "Oh, that's easy, it's the holiday in November when everybody gets together, eats turkey, and is thankful..."
"WRONG," replies St. Peter, and proceeds to ask the second man the same question, "WHAT IS EASTER?"
The second man replies, "No, Easter is the holiday in December when we put up a nice tree, exchange presents, and celebrate the birth of Jesus." St. Peter looks at the second man, shakes his head in disgust, looks at the third man and asks, "WHAT IS EASTER?"
The third man smiles and looks St. Peter in the eye.
"I know what Easter is. Easter is the Christian holiday that coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the last supper and He was later deceived and turned over to the Romans by one of his disciples. The Romans took Him to be crucified and was stabbed in the side, made Him wear a crown of thorns, and He was hung on a cross. He was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed off by a large boulder. Every year the boulder is moved aside so that Jesus can come out, and if He sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter."
"A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Prov. 17:22)
www.easterhumor.com
Lectionary
March 2, 2008
Fourth Sunday in Lent (Purple)
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
March 9, 2008
Fifth Sunday in Lent (Purple)
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
March 16, 2008
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion/Palm Sunday)
(Purple; Red or Scarlet as alternative for Holy Week)
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
March 17, 2008
Monday of Holy Week
(Purple; Red or Scarlet as alternative for Holy Week)
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
March 18, 2008
Tuesday of Holy Week
(Purple; Red or Scarlet as alternative for Holy Week)
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 71:1-14
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 12:20-36
March 19, 2008
Wednesday of Holy Week
(Purple; Red or Scarlet as alternative for Holy Week)
Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
March 20, 2008
Holy Thursday
(Purple; Red or Scarlet as alternative for Holy Week)
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
March 21, 2008
Good Friday (No Color or Black)
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
March 23, 2008
Easter (White or Gold)
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-18
or Matthew 28:1-10
March 30, 2008
Second Sunday of Easter (White or Gold)
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Come help with our Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:15 PM by driving, cooking, or just hanging around.
Upcoming Youth Activities
3/3 (Monday) ... Dinner at a Richmond restaurant and a Taize Prayer Service at Richmond Hill in Richmond 7:30 PM ... Bring dinner money. Open to everyone. Leave the church at 4:30 PM.
3/9 ... No activities
3/15 ... No activities
3/25 - 3/26 (Tuesday to Wednesday) ... Youth Spiritual Retreat at 5 PM Tuesday until 11 AM Wednesday.
3/29 (Saturday) ... Vera Bradley Bingo at Moose Lodge 6 PM
3/30 ... Youth Sunday
Louisa County Public Schools
March 21 - March 28
Birthdays
Shirley S. Bishop 4/27
Arlene B. Bowles 4/5
Sherry G. Brookman 4/17
Lunsford L. Duke 4/20
John Harry Fleshman 4/9
Ricky Glass 4/1
Harry L. Jackson 4/3
Carley Knight 4/18
Mae S. Knight 4/3
Max Lunceford 4/26
Mallie E. Maples 4/30
David Perkinson 4/4
Eric F. Purcell 4/5
Joseph S. Purcell 4/27
Katelyn P. Purcell 4/19
Ruth Seay 4/7
Ann C. Short 4/7
Brittany Short 4/19
Kenneth B. Smith 4/6
Stephanie C. Throckmorton 4/28
Tiffany N. Vawter 4/23
Kilburnie Wright 4/26
If we missed a birthday, let us know.
In addition to last years favorites: Trefoils, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs, All Abouts and Thin Mints; we have two new favorites: Lemon Chalet Cremes and Sugar Free Chocolate Chip.
Worship
Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon
Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM
Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093
Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email
Rev. Ricks: 540-748-4188
Email