Skip to main content

Wrong Ways to Participate in Lent, Speaking at St. Mary's, Re-issued Giving Statements (Pastoral Emphasis for 2/17)

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Leviticus 14-15 

Lent came early this year. We are fasting and praying as a church family for Lent.  Now if you have not started, don't worry...here's the Good News: the Lent party is a Gospel party! The Gospel does not discriminate against when you got here but only beckons you to come as you are.  So you can start fasting now for Lent.  Now I want to warn everyone that there are some wrong ways to participate in Lent.
  • Fasting because it's Lent and everyone is doing it. Just giving up something does not mean you will draw closer to God. 
  • Fasting to appear devout to others by always talking about what you gave up. 
  • Fasting to manipulate God to do something.
  • Fasting but not praying. Lent is not only about giving up things but about adding things, God-things. 
 Thanks to everybody who attended our Theological Seminar on yesterday.  I hope that your understanding of Justification has deepened and drives you to greater worship of our God who is both just and the justifier of sinners. 

Today, we are going to minister at Clare Bridge Assisted Living on at 2:00pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

On 2/26, I will be speaking at St. Mary A.M.E. Church (Apex) on the second night of their revival. The theme for their revival is Discipleship/Evangelism. Everyone is invited.  Due to this speaking engagement, elder-led prayer for that evening is canceled.

Have you submitted your idea for an Adult Ministry event? The Adult Ministry is taking submissions until 2/28. Stop by the Welcome Center to submit your idea.

We have re-issued all giving statements for members' taxes to include the statement that "no goods or services were provided in consideration for the contribution".  If anyone who made a single donation of $250 or more and does not have that statement, then if you happen to get audited by the IRS, your charitable giving claims will be disallowed. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact our church administrator, Elder Wayne Bullock.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Youth Sunday, J. Allen Lewis Scholarship Winners, A Word to Our Graduates (Pastoral Emphasis for 6/14)

  Today was Youth Sunday , where our children and youth were leading and participating in the worship service. Our children read scripture, prayed, sang, and ministered a fine arts piece. We heard a message from a youth speaker, Abigail Campbell, who encouraged us to work hard and leave the rest to God.  Celebrating Our Graduates We also recognized and celebrated all of our graduates. Whether you completed high school, earned a college degree, completed graduate studies, or achieved another educational milestone, we rejoice with you and thank God for your hard work and perseverance. We are also grateful for the impact of the Delta Academy and GEM programs , which have been meeting at Mt. Zion. We appreciate the investment these programs make in developing and encouraging young people, and we thank Ms. Daniel and Ms. Owens for their leadership and partnership. J. Allen Lewis Scholarship Recipients Congratulations to this year's J. Allen Lewis Scholarship recipients: ...

July Birthdays & Anniversaries, Summer Bible Study Series, New Sermon Series (Pastoral Emphasis for 7/5)

 Recently Came Forward We rejoice in sharing that Chris Walker has rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. What a wonderful reminder that God continues to pursue His people with grace and mercy. We celebrate Chris's renewed commitment to follow the Lord and pray that God will continue to strengthen and encourage him as he walks in faith. Please join us in praying for Chris and encouraging him in this new season of discipleship.   July Birthdays & Anniversaries Happy Birthday, July Babies! We want to wish all of our July birthdays a very happy birthday! We thank God for each of you and pray that this new year of life will be filled with His grace, peace, and abundant blessings. Happy Anniversary to Our July Couples Congratulations to these couples celebrating wedding anniversaries this month: Howard & Earlene Evans – 3 years (July 14) Curtis & Jacky Martin – 8 years (July 18) Elder Bobby & Tracy Dunn – 10 years (July 16) Deacon Preston & Dana Clark – 24 years...

Bereavements, New Year's Eve Service, 2026 Church Theme (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/28)

 Bereavements We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to several members of our church family who are grieving the loss of loved ones: Elder Bobby Dunn , in the passing of his father Deaconess Susan Fortenberry , in the passing of her sister Deaconess Peggy Credle , in the passing of her sister Sister Nancy Frater , in the passing of her ex-husband and the father of her children Please keep them lifted in prayer during this time. May God’s peace and comfort surround each of them.   Bible Translation Donation Update We want to express sincere thanks for your generosity toward our Bible Translation Project . Through your contributions—and with the church’s matching gift—we are joyfully donating $5,648.00  to Pioneer Bible Translators, which will support the translation of 161 verses of Scripture into the heart languages of people around the world. Thank you for helping bring the Word of God to those who have yet to hear it in their own language!   New Year’s E...