Weekly Update

Greetings, in the matchless name of Christ!
Since last Sunday morning, some of you have mentioned your desire to have our annual Chili Cook-Off and Superbowl Watch Party. I asked what you wanted to do, and you responded. So we will plan to meet in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday evening, Feb. 7, for this event. Our basic schedule will be...
4:30 pm - Begin bringing chili for competition to Fellowship Hall
4:45 pm - Sampling and voting on chili begins (also start filling out your just-for-fun "score card" for predictions about the game). Plastic gloves will be supplied to handle the serving spoons.
5:40 pm - Superbowl LV kickoff, live on the big screen
Halftime - Praise and Devotional service
Second Half - Live on the big screen; Awards for the chili voted best will be distributed, of course!


Here are a few more things to remember:

• Bring a canned good with you to donate to Living Hope Food Pantry in Maysville.
• Don't forget the desserts!
• If you don't care to watch the game, bring board games and other activities to play as we enjoy the fellowship together.
• All times are approximate and subject to change without notice.
• This will be our first time back in the Fellowship Hall with the new floor, so we will need to move tables and chairs to FH and empty items out of the old sanctuary and back to FH, kitchen, and pantry. 

TOMORROW is THE LORD’S DAY and some of you may know of Arthur Bennett's book of Puritan prayers entitled The Valley of Vision. As preparation for tomorrow, consider the words of this prayer entitled The Lord's Day.
"O LORD, my LORD,
This is thy day,
the heavenly ordinance of rest,
the open door of worship,
the record of Jesus' resurrection,
the seal of the sabbath to come,
the day when saints militant and triumphant unite in endless song.
I bless thee for the throne of grace,
that here free favour reigns;
the open access to it is through the blood of Jesus;
that the veil is torn aside and I can enter the holiest
and find thee ready to hear,
waiting to be gracious,
inviting me to pour out my needs,
encouraging my desires,
promising to give more than I ask or think.
But while I bless thee, shame and confusion are mine:
I remember my past misuse of sacred things,
my irreverent worship,
my base ingratitude,
my cold, dull praise.
Sprinkle all my past sabbaths with the cleansing blood of Jesus,
and may this day witness deep improvement in me.
Give me in rich abundance
the blessings the Lord's Day was designed to impart;
May my heart be fast bound against worldly thoughts or cares;
Flood my mind with peace beyond understanding;
may my meditations be sweet,
my acts of worship life, liberty, joy,
my drink the streams that flow from thy throne,
my food the precious Word,
my defence the shield of faith,
and may my heart be more knit to Jesus.


Scriptures to meditate on in preparation for the Lord's Day Morning service are linked here:

• Fighter Verse: Romans 12:1-2
• Call to Worship: Psalm 111
• Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
• New Testament: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
• Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 1:9
• Sermon Text: Luke 3:15-20
• Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14

THIS WEEK

• Monday, 4:30 - 6:30: Community Supper and Groundhog Watch Party, Maysville UMC. Pancakes, sausage, juice coffee, hot chocolate, for free will donation. Eat in or pick up curbside. All donations to benefit Judy Hardin.
• Monday, 7 pm: "Sunday School" on Monday via ZOOM. See Pastor Kyle about receiving an invitation to join, or just log in to ZOOM at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09

This week begins study through a new book of the Bible, so it is an excellent time to start.

• Wednesday, 6:30 pm: Midweek Service of Scripture and prayer, in person and via ZOOM, also at the above link. We have started working through a series entitled "Basic Bible Studies" which are intended to help newer Christians increase their grasp of the essential teaching of Scripture and to help more mature Christians be equipped to evangelize and disciple others. This week, we are looking at what the Bible says about Creation, Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17; Psalm 33:9; Genesis 1:1,31.
• Saturday, 10:30 am: Bible Quiz Team leaves from the church parking lot for monthly competition with Midland Ministries at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph. Please be praying for our team "Contagious" as they prepare for this event.

COMING UP

• Saturday, Feb. 13, 6 pm: MACH 4 ministry supper at Oak Christian Church. The ladies are also invited to this, but they would like a head count so they will know how much food to prepare. Men, this would be an excellent way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your wife. Contact Mitch Parkhurst at mitch.47.mp@gmail.com to RSVP.
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 pm: Deacon Ordination for Robert Kendall followed by reception in the Fellowship Hall. Ordaining council will convene at 2 pm prior to the service.

SAVE THE DATE

• Builder's Mission Trip to Carrollton, IL, July 5-9, July 12-16. Constructing a church fellowship hall. Contact Ronnie Stahl or the church office. Non-builders needed also.
• SJBA Camps at Grand Oaks: Youth Camp, July 5-9; Children's Camp, August 9-13

ICYMI:
Last Sunday’s Message from Luke 3:1-14 John the Baptist Prepares the Way




READ THROUGH THE BIBLE
We are ready for Week 5; of the 5-Day Bible Reading Plan, the first week of February. On this plan, you will read through the entire Bible in a year. Or if you want to just read through the New Testament, read the italicized portion. Here are the readings:
Day One: Exodus 1-3; Galatians 5
Day Two: Exodus 4-6; Galatians 6
Day Three: Exodus 7-9; Psalm 105; Ephesians 1
Day Four: Exodus 10-12; Ephesians 2
Day Five: Exodus 13-15; Psalm 114; Ephesians 3


Visit the website for more up-to-date information!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE
I want to say "thank you" to all those who have enquired about my parents' health and living situation. We placed mom on hospice January 16 when she came home from rehab. She is not terminal, but she has had significant decline. Hospice affords the better options for someone in her circumstance, and especially for my dad. The fact is, even with hospice, she is in need of 24-hour care which is not provided. Those services are contracted separately, and they are not covered by medicare or their private insurance. He cannot do it on his own, so we are exploring what options are available to them. Your prayers are much appreciated as I take this journey with them, largely solo.

Please continue to remember in prayer those who are unable to worship with us in person who are are at-risk due to age, infirmity, or immuno-suppressed conditions.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg