tHE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHes Millersburg FIRST Presbyterian and Clark Community

MARCH 2017 newsletter

Every Lent some of us talk about what we are going to give up. We speak of giving up chocolate, soda,

Facebook, or cursing. In some ways, I think we see Lent as an opportunity to correct bad habits and develop new ones—

to make ourselves better people. However, that is not what Lent is all about. Lent is about remembering that it was our

sin that put Jesus on the cross, and that it was Jesus’ act of self-sacrifice on the cross that freed us from slavery to sin and

death. When we give up something for Lent, we are not giving it up so we can build better habits. We are giving

something up because we want to honor and give thanksgiving for the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Therefore, what we

give up for Lent ought to be something that challenges us. Jesus’ sacrifice was not easy. Why should our Lenten

sacrifices be easy?

When you are thinking about what to give up for Lent, think about what would be the most challenging thing for

you to give up. Maybe, it’s time. Time is the most precious commodity we have. It is a gift from God, and something

that we don’t possess. Each of us only have 24 hours in a day, and each of us is given a set number of years to live on this

planet. What if we returned to God a portion of the time he has given us by reading scriptures each day of Lent? We

might find ourselves growing closer to God. Below I am including the “40 Days of Scripture Challenge” from Glenn

McDonald’s book The Disciple Making Church: From Dry Bones to Spiritual Vitality—New, Revised, and Expanded

Version. These short readings take you through the major stories and themes of the Bible in 40 days. The readings start

on Ash Wednesday and end the week before Easter.

Maybe, the most challenging thing for us to give up is Facebook. What if we gave up Facebook for 40 days and

replaced the time we spend on it with time with family and God? We might find that after a few days we don’t miss it

that much.

Let’s all challenge ourselves this Lent. Personally, I am returning the gift of time to God in order to keep focused

on my nightly spiritual practices of reading Scripture from my chronological Bible and writing down my favorite moment

of each day—practices that sustain me. What will you do?

Pastor B’s Corner: Challenging Ourselves for

Lent

40 Days of Scripture Challenge1

March 1: Creation, Eden, and the Fall (Genesis 1-3)

March 2: Noah and the Ark (Genesis 6-8)

March 3: Abraham and the Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)

March 4: The Story of Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37-45)

March 5: Moses in the Nile and at the Burning Bush (Exodus 1-4)

March 6: The Ten Plagues, Passover, and Red Sea (Exodus 7-14)

March 7: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

March 8: Joshua Confronts the Walls of Jericho (Joshua 1-6)

March 9: The Misadventures of Samson (Judges 13-16)

March 10: The Love Story of Ruth (Ruth 1-4)

March 11: David vs. Goliath (1 Sam. 17)

March 12: Job’s Plight and God’s Response (Job 1-3, 38-42)

March 13: The Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23)

March 14: David’s Personal Confession (Psalm 51)

March 15: Psalms of Worship and Praise (Psalms 93-100)

March 16: God’s Intimate Love and Care (Psalm 139)

March 17: Soaring on Wings Like Eagles (Isaiah 40)

March 18: The Messiah as Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)

March 19: The New Covenant is Predicted (Jeremiah 31)

March 20: Three Men in an Oven (Daniel 3)

March 21: Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)

March 22: The Story of Jonah the Reluctant Preacher (Jonah 1-4)

March 23: The Christmas Story (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2)

March 24: The Word Became Flesh in Jesus (John 1)

March 25: Jesus Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

March 26: Jesus Feeds 5,000 and Walks on Water (Mark 4)

March 27: Jesus Talks to Nicodemus (John 3)

March 28: Parables of the Good Samaritan and Lost Son (Luke 10, 15)

March 29: Jesus Prediction of the End of the World (Matthew 24)

March 30: Palm Sunday, Last Supper, Trial and Crucifixion (Mark 11-15)

March 31: Jesus Rises from the Dead (Luke 24, John 20)

April 1: The Holy Spirit Arrives on Pentecost (Acts 2)

April 2: Paul Meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9)

April 3: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love (Romans 8)

April 4: Love is the Greatest Quality (1 Corinthians 13)

April 5: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5)

April 6: Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philippians 4)

April 7: The Hall of Fame of Faith (Hebrews 11)

April 8: Because God is Love, We Should Love One Another (1 John 3-4)

April 9: Our Future in Heaven (Revelation 21-22)

1 Glenn McDonald. The Disciple Making Church: From Dry Bones to Spiritual Vitality—New

Revised and Expanded Edition. (Grand Haven, MI: Faith Walk Publishing, 2007), 159-160.

Church News for Everyone

Lenten Bible Study: John: The Gospel of Light and Life This Lent we will be doing a six-week Bible study on the Gospel of John. The Bible study will meet on

Thursdays at 6:30 PM in the lounge of Millersburg First Presbyterian Church beginning on March 2. It is a

book, video, and discussion based Bible Study. A donation of $13 is suggested to cover the cost of the book.

Checks may be made payable to Millersburg First Presbyerian with a note saying “For Bible Study Book”

Youth Group Meeting on March 19 at 5:45 PM at Millersburg

First Presbyterian Church.

Millersburg Participants for March

March Liturgist Nursery Ushers

5 Elaine Hand Ruth & Kevin Vaughn Kate & Dave Findley

12 John Estill Vicki Wile Jim Wilson, Tim Fair

19 Nikki Roach Tom & Laurie Vaughn Ruth & Kevin Vaughn

26 Tim Fair (Volunteer needed) Sam Steimel, Vicki Wile

Mark Your Calendars for these Lenten and Easter Activities

March 1 at 7 PM: Ash Wednesday Service at Clark Community

Presbyterian Church

March 2 at 6:30 PM: John: The Gospel of Light and Life begins at

Millersburg First Presbyterian Church and continues until April 6th

.

April 9: Palm Sunday Services at both churches

April 13 at 7 PM: Maundy Thursday and Tenebrae Service at

Millersburg First Presbyterian Church

April 14 at Noon: Community Good Friday Service (TBD)

April 16 (TBD): Easter Sunrise Service at Clark Community

Presbyterian Church

April 16: Easter worship services at both churches

Millersburg March Birthdays 1 Lamar Denlinger 2 Dolores Wilson 3 McKenna Miller 5 Teri Norman 11 Lin Croskey 11 Katherine Findley 16 Eldon Trubee 18 Debbie Jewell 18 Tom York 21 Lanny Cole Croskey 28 Jadon Baker 29 Nicholl Casey Bricker 30 Kyle Vaughn 31 Kati Tuitama

Church Family,

Thank you for the arrangement of snaps,

lilies, carns, and tulips. They were beautiful

– Karen loved our church.

Thanks again,

Tim

Millersburg First Presbyterian Church News

REPORT ON SESSION MEETING - FEBRUARY 15th

The budget for 2017 was approved in the amount of $162.132.62. Copies will be available on February 26 at

the Mardi Gras event following the church service. Our per capita for this year is $29.11.

The Children's Director position has been posted to several locations.

Ash Wednesday service at the Clark Church, March 1 at 7:00 pm

Lenten Bible Study on the Gospel of John begins on Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 pm at the church.

The MOM Committee is planning to participate in Antiques in the Alley again in May.

There was discussion of details for the service for Mary Kay Welsh, who passed away on February 15. It is be

held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 18 at the church.

Pastor Burnetta presented a report of her activities for the month of January.

SERVICE OF CELEBRATION FOR THE LIFE OF MARY KAY WELSH

Mary Kay Welsh, long time member of the church, passed away on Wednesday, February 15 at the age of 76

yr., following an extended illness. The service was held on Saturday, February 18 at 11:00 am in the church

sanctuary. Pastor Burnetta Armour officiated. Mary Kay served the church as Financial Secretary for a number

of years and also served several terms on the Board of Deacons and also served on Session. She assisted in

events in the church in many other capacities as well. In the community she was active in the Love Center Food

Pantry where she organized a program to supply diapers for families with young children. She was also active

in the Friends of the Library. She will be missed in the church and the community for her service and

March 1 @ 7 PM: Ash Wednesday Service at Clark Community Presbyterian Church March 2 @ 6:30 PM: John: The Gospel of Light and Life Bible Study begins at Millersburg First Presbyterian and continues through April 6 March 15 @ 6:30 PM: Session Meeting March 16 @ 5:30 PM: Thursday Night LITE March 19 @ 5:45 PM: Youth Group Meeting at Millersburg First Presbyterian Church

dedication. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Brad and Melissa Welsh and grandchildren, Katie,

Reagan and Jack. Daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Thomas Weber and grandchildren, Glenn and Kelsey.

Clark Community Presbyterian Church news

Session has designated March as Home Missions Month. During this month, members of session will have a moment for mission during worship to discuss how our Home Mission fund helps those in need in our community. Session asks that you prayerfully consider a donation to the Home Mission fund. Envelopes will be available in the pews, or you can simply mark your check with “Home Mission Fund” in the note section.

March 1 @ 7 PM: Ash Wednesday Service at Clark Community Presbyterian Church March 2 @ 6:30 PM: John: The Gospel of Light and Life Bible Study begins at Millersburg First Presbyterian and continues through April 6 March 14 @ 7:00 PM: Session Meeting March 16 @ 5:30 PM: Thursday Night LITE at Millersburg First Presbyterian March 19 @ 5:45 PM: Youth Group Meeting at Millersburg First Presbyterian Church

Clark March Liturgists

5 Becky Baker

12 Sandy Wagers

19 Nick Gerber

26 Ann Stotler

Clark March Birthdays

3 Gary Robb 4 Amber Martin 5 Suzie Robb 12 Lynn Brown 16 Eldon Trubee 22 Harriett McCune 24 Nick Gerber 28 Mary Anderson

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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C– QUILTERS 8-11

C- CHOIR 7 P

M – CHOIR 5:15

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SERVICE 7 PM

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FELLOWHIP

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M- BIBLE STUDY

6:30 PM

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CLARK 9:30 AM

ADULT SS 9:30 AM

MILLERSBURG 11:00

COMMUNION

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Al-Anon 7:30 p

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6:30 PM

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Clark Community Presbyterian Church

Millersburg First Presbyterian Church

90 South Clay Street

Millersburg, Ohio 44654

330 674-1566

Email: mbgpres@embarqmail.com

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