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Centre UMC Newsletter, Vol. III, Issue 2
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CentreNews Rev. Mark Gorman, Pastor
Lent Begins
Lent begins early this year. We barely had time to get through January, and February 10 is already Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent invites us to pay special attention to spiritual practices, the things we do that, by God’s grace, draw us closer to God. And this year I want us, as a congregation, to focus on the spiritual practice of prayer.
Prayer is essential to Christian discipleship. Prayer reminds us of the Source of our life and the gifts we have received. Prayer connects us more deeply to God. Prayer changes our perspective and is the only real hope we have of a life transformed for the sake of Jesus Christ.
We pray in worship every week, but I believe all of us (certainly myself included) could be more faithful in our prayers and more attentive to praying. Many of us struggle with how to pray, what to say or do, and how to persist in prayer.
This Lent I offer three ways to draw us deeper in prayer. First, I will be preaching a series on the Lord’s Prayer for most of Lent. This prayer, which we say every week in worship, lies at the heart of all Christian prayer. It has much to teach us about prayer and about the relationship between prayer, discipleship, and participating in God’s mission.
Second, a new short-term prayer group is forming. We will meet twice a month after Sunday School from February through July to pray for Centre. We will be praying for vision and for a new sense of our place in God’s mission in Forest Hill. Our first meeting will be February 14.
Third, I will also be leading a short-term study about prayer on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:00 throughout Lent. During this time we will discuss different ways to pray. Each session will close with a time of prayer, when we can put into practice what we have learned. We will be guided by Richard Foster’s book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home.
I hope you will heed this call to prayer in Lent. I sincerely believe a continued dedication to prayer is the source of our renewal in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
In Brief…
*Youth group is at Centre this month, starting February 14. No youth group February 7 because of ROCK.
*Youth parents are asked to met with Pastor Mark and Nicky Barthel during Sunday School on February 14 for a mid-year check-in.
*The Thursday Lunch Workgroup will meet the 2^nd Thursday of this month, February 11.
*Ash Wednesday services this year will be at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. on February 10. Both services will include the imposition of ashes, marking the beginning of Lent. The 7:00 service will also include Holy Communion.
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Announcements
Psalm 130: This month Pastor Mark is challenging us to memorize as much of Psalm 130 as we can. Here is the New Revised Standard Version translation:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Wednesday Night Lenten Study: Pastor Mark will offer a short-term Lenten study on prayer each Wednesday night from 7:00-8:00 p.m. beginning February 17. Guided by Richard Foster’s book Prayer, we will discuss and put into practice together different ways of praying. A light supper will be provided each week. Please let Pastor Mark know by February 14 if you would like a copy of the book.
Supper is needed for youth group this month. If you would be willing to provide a meal for our youth on either February 14, 21, or 28, please let Pastor Mark know.
Directory Update: If your address has changed in the last year, please email ** centreumc@gmail.com (mailto:centreumc@gmail.com)
or send a note to the church office with your new address. Please note the following change:
Sue White and Shawn Moskowitz
723 Annatana Drive
Forest Hill, MD 21050
A number of churches in our area have come together to form a North Harford United Methodist Men’s group. This group has invited the men of Centre to join them on the morning of March 12 for breakfast, devotions, and a potato drop. After breakfast, a truck will drop off 2 tons of potatoes which will then be distributed to area ministries that can use the food for those in need. If you are interested in joining this effort, please speak with Pastor Mark.
On February 12 Ahmed Attia, a member of Mt. Tabor UMC, will speak about Islam and Christianity. Mr. Attia is an Egyptian-American who converted to Christianity from Islam. He will speak at Mt. Tabor starting at 7:00 p.m.
Newsletter Deadline: If there is something you would like included in the February newsletter, please submit it to Pastor Mark by January 28.
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