Dear Friends in Faith,
During this Season of Lent our worship series is focused on grace. So far we have explored Grace for our Brokenness and Grace for our Weakness. This Sunday we will consider Grace for Foolishness. While Lent is a season for considering our failings, it is also a season to give thanks for God’s grace. Without God’s grace we could never overcome our human frailty. Thankfully God’s grace is an undeserved gift, and not something that we have to earn.
Last Sunday I experienced God’s grace through you when you forgave me for a rather unwise hymn choice! During Lent we put away our “Alleluia” so it will be special on Easter morning. Yet, for last Sunday’s closing hymn I chose one with several “Alleluias” PER VERSE! We were able to laugh and change our hymn mid-course. While I was embarrassed at the time, I see it now as a wonderful lesson in the meaning of Lent – recognizing our failings and changing course. Thanks be to God!
Below you will find a prayer reflection by St. Augustine of Hippo. Scroll further down to learn what’s happening in your Faith community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
O Lord,
The house of my soul is narrow;
enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it!
It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know.
But who shall cleanse it,
to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord,
and spare Your servant from strange sins.
~ St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)
Sunday, March 4 – Third Sunday of Lent
Theme: Grace for our Foolishness
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Sermon: “Who Are Those Fools?”
Family Sunday and Holy Communion
What is Family Sunday?
This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and “Family Sunday.” Family Sunday is an opportunity for families to worship together – children and adults! Family Sundays generally occur on the first Sunday of the month (with a couple of exceptions). There will be no FLOCK classes on Sunday and the service is designed with children in mind. This will give our younger folks the opportunity to become familiar with the worship service and receive communion.
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule March 5-9
Monday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits
Tuesday – Office in the Morning, Lunch Meeting, Afternoon Visits and Meetings
Wednesday – Tending the Fire Class in Montpelier, Visit, Tending Faith 7pm
Thursday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits and Meeting
Friday – Pastor’s Day Off
Celebrate 124 pounds of food delivered to the Food Shelf for February!
New Member Conversations – Starting THIS SUNDAY March 4
Come join the new member conversations! The first class will be after worship on March 4. Other classes will be after worship on some Sundays in April. Come if you are curious – You can decide to join – or not – as classes proceed.
Tending Faith ~ Wednesday, March 7 at 7pm – Leadership Empowerment and Development
Our next “Tending Faith” will be Wednesday, March 7 at 7pm in the Upper Elementary room. Tending Faith is a gathering for current church leaders and those who are discerning a call to leadership in the church. All are welcome! It is an opportunity to come together for reflection, leadership discussion, tool-building, and prayer in a one-hour format. Speak with Pastor Kristabeth for more information. Also, mark your calendars for April 4 and May 2 for upcoming Tending Faith gatherings.
To All Knitters and Crochets’ – A Message from Bonnie Machia
Fred Sanford gave me Gail’s yarn, needles, and pattern books. There is a lot of all! I am thinking it would be a nice memorial to Gail if the yarn is used to make hats, scarves and mittens for the 2018 mitten tree at church. There is way too much for me to use it all, so I would like to start a knitting/crochet group. We can meet monthly or weekly, needles and yarn will be provided. I have tried several of the many patterns that are simple, so any level of knitting ability is welcome. If you are interested, please be in contact: marilynmachia@comcast.net (put “knitting” in the subject line) or call 802-863-3557. Let me know time of day and days of the week that work for you.
Faith United Methodist Women Meeting – SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH
There will be a meeting after worship on March 11th for anyone interested in having a bazaar this year. We need to decide whether to continue or explore other fundraising opportunities. Please come with ideas and suggestions.
METHODIST MIXER – NEW LOCATION
The Methodist Mixers will dine Saturday, March 24th, at the Windjammer Restaurant at 5:30pm. Mark your calendars and contact Beth or Rod Williams at 658-6468. You may also call for more information. This is a group of Methodists from area churches who meet a few times a year for fellowship and food. Anyone is welcome, singles or couples. Please join us!
Men’s Breakfast – 1st Saturday of the month at 8am at Denny’s
Women’s Breakfast – 2nd Saturday of the month at 9am at Trader Dukes
