Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Hey Everyone!

I hope you’re all warm and safe on this chilly Saturday afternoon. If you hadn’t heard, Silas and I were under the weather this week and have thus been laying low. Both of us, however, are feeling better and are grateful for all your prayers and support this past week. We are blessed to be a part of this community. 🙂

Although it was a slower week, I have done some prayerful thinking about our upcoming Lenten season together. I believe Lent offers us an incredible gift of which we don’t take full advantage. A season of thoughtful reflection about our sense of call and who we are as Christ’s disciples in the world is time well spent.

To that end, I’m excited to share that we’ll be dipping into the book The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a prominent 20th century, neo-reformed, German theologian who was both a leader in the confessing church movement of the mid-1930s and involved in a plan to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Consider journeying with me through various chapters from Discipleship on the six Tuesdays of Lent (February 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4). More information to come, but if you’d like to purchase a copy of the book, we’ll be using this version (although any version is fine).

Tomorrow, Sunday, January 29th will be the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany and the last Sunday for our Christmas decoration. Details on un-decorating the church can be found in the Announcements below. During tomorrow’s service, I’ll be preaching from the New Testament text, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. If you’d like to read the texts prior to the service (or during the week), you can find them in the downloadable Order of Worship below.

Beyond those highlights, here are your Announcements for the week ahead:

Intergenerational Study of the Bible for Youth
Our intergenerational study of the Bible meets tonight Sunday, January 29th from 4:00pm to 6:30pm in Darley Hall (note the length is one hour longer). Tonight, we’ll be finishing The Ten Commandments. A bowl-ognese dinner will be offered with the movie. Participants are encouraged to bring microwave popcorn and movie snacks. 

Un-Decorating the Sanctuary
Thursday, February 2nd is Candlemas, the holy day when we observe the Presentation of Christ. Join us at 10:00am in Darley Hall as we take down the inside decorations. 

Wednesday Bible Study
Join us for our weekly Bible Study on February 1st at its usual time–5:00-6:30pm in Darley Hall and on Zoom. This week, we’ll be look at the Apocryphal additions to Daniel: Azariah, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Men’s Prayer Breakfast is happening this week on Groundhogs Day, Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00am.

Cost of Discipleship Lenten Reading Group
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd and will continue until Easter Sunday, April 9th. This Lenten season, you’re invited to join Jason on Tuesdays (time to be determined) in Darley Hall and on Zoom as we explore The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Next Sunday, February 5th we’ll celebrate the Eucharist and have our first of the month potluck. Decorations will be in a Valentines theme, so let’s see if you can work that into your potluck dish. 😉

And, here are your links for this week:

Sunday Worship Service:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88489308747?pwd=RHVFY1BybkU0a1RXZE9GRlBZWWpNUT09

Wednesday Evening Bible Study:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83431443393