Sundays in February
February 5, 2012
For the next three weeks, we will have a sermon series on Cooperative Ministry. The pastors from Narberth, Bala Cynwyd, and Ardmore United Methodist Churches have been meeting for a while talking about the possibility of doing more cooperative ministry among our churches. With the pending merger of Narberth Church, that possibility is coming closer to reality. Today, I will talk about what cooperative ministry can be, based on my experience working with the Frankford Group Ministry (FGM) in Philadelphia.
We will share some highlights from this weekend’s winter retreat. The Men’s LIFE group meets this morning, and the Journey Class meets after church, studying the works of CS Lewis. The communion offering goes to the Souper Bowl of Caring. The money we give will support our day of service, serving soup and chili at the Mary Jane Enrichment Center.
Read: Isaiah 40:21-31, Mark 1:29-39
February 12, 2012
Today’s sermon, Cooperative Ministry: Reaching Beyond Ourselves, continues the series by focusing on some of the difficulties of cooperative ministry. There are advantages to churches working together, multiplying the possibilities for ministry. But what happens when cultures clash and there are people you really don’t care for, or who cause problems without contributing to the partnership?
The confirmation class meets today after church. Today is also Evolution Sunday, the birthday of Charles Darwin (as well as Abraham Lincoln.) This day reminds us that our faith need not conflict or contradict our scientific understanding.
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Mark 1:40-45
February 19, 2012 Mardi Gras Soup Luncheon
The final sermon in this three part series is Cooperative Ministry: Tearing off the Roof. We will examine how the obstacles to working cooperatively with other churches can be removed so that ministry can be multiplied. Today after church we will share soup with each other during our Mardi Gras soup luncheon. I plan to make peanut butter soup to share with the church. What is your favorite soup?
Read: Isaiah 43:18-25, Mark 2:1-12
Ash Wednesday February 22, 2012
Today there will be a traditional Ash Wednesday service at 1 pm at Bala Cynwyd United Methodist Church, 314 Levering Mill Road, in Bala Cynwyd.
In the evening, there will be a service in an emerging style at Narberth Church, Essex and Price Roads in Narberth at 7 pm.
Read: Isaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Feb. 26, 2012 First Sunday in Lent
This morning we begin a new sermon series, Prayers in the Wilderness. These five sermons will highlight 5 different kinds of prayer that support and challenge us in our wilderness journey through the Lenten season. As we prepare ourselves for Easter, we will spend time in prayer and we will encourage each other to try different kinds of prayer each week. Today we begin the journey talking about The Power of a Blessing.
Read: Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15
