Lent is upon us! Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. I invite all of you to journey together this Lent. I encourage everyone to consider giving up or taking on something this Lent that will redirect your thoughts and your attitudes towards the hope of resurrection. The Kingdom is near!

Watch Sunday’s Service
Yesterday was Scout Sunday which featured guest preacher, Larry Coppock, former director of UMC Scouting. You can watch a recording of the service on Facebook by clicking here.

Wednesday: Ash Wednesday Services
Join us at either noon or 6pm for Ash Wednesday services. We will have communion and imposition of ashes. There is no better way to start Lent than with this beautiful communal expression of our human condition.

Thursday: Bible Study with Pastor Steve
During Lent, Pastor Steve will be leading the Thursday morning bible study. All are welcome. The topic will be on walking with Jesus in his last week. From the Triumphal Entry to the Cross to the Tomb. Come and see. Starts at 9:30am.

This Sunday: First Sunday of Lent
In the name of penitence we will be celebrating communion each Sunday in Lent. I believe telling and retelling the story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection will help sustain us through this season of spiritual discipline.

Journey to Freedom Returns in Lent
Starting in Lent we will be offering Journey to Freedom small groups on Wednesday Nights. There will be two offerings: Journey to Freedom (with Me and Jenny Barnes) & Journey to Transformation (with Scott Reall and Heather Lefebvre). For those who went through Journey to Freedom last fall and would like to go deeper in their recovery, Journey to Transformation is a tremendous opportunity to work on your spiritual health with the author of the book and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Groups will run February 21 – April 10th (5:30 – 7:30) and are open to the public (spread the word). Registration has begun! To register, email me and simply tell me which group you’d like to be in: steven.lefebvre@twkumc.org. Registration is just $20 and includes the book.

New Office Hours
After six months of being on the job and learning what I need to connect, administrate, and prepare a quality sermon on Sunday, I have decided to put that beautiful office in the parsonage to use and take Monday as a work from home day. What this means is the office will be closed on Monday. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience. We will of course still be open 9-1 Tuesday – Friday.

Save the Dates
February 14th – Ash Wednesday (Noon & 6pm)
February 15th – Lenten Study with Pastor Steve begins (9:30 – 11:00am).
February 21st – April 24th – Journey to Freedom Small Groups (5:30 – 7:30pm)
February 22nd – BUNCO (6pm)
February 25th – Kids Club (5:00 – 6:30pm)

Holy Week
March 24th – Palm Sunday (10am)
March 28th – Maundy Thursday Service (6pm)
March 29th – Good Friday Service (Noon) & Stations of the Cross with our Baptist neighbors (time TBA)
March 30th – Easter Egg Hunt (time TBA)
March 30th – Easter Vigil Service (6pm)
March 31st – Easter Sunday (Sunrise Service at 7am, Easter Worship at 10am)

Y’all. Yesterday was so special. On Sunday, we capped off our Stewardship Campaign with a new member service. We welcomed 11 new people into our fold. It was such a beautiful moment of unity and love in the name of Jesus. Also, thank you all for your pledge cards. I have a stack of them on my desk and I look forward to reading them and dreaming about all the new mission and ministry opportunities they will bring.

Watch Sunday’s Service
I preached with no notes this week, which means you can’t read it. You can, however, watch a recording of the service on Facebook by clicking here.

Thursday: 55 & Alive
All are welcome to join the 55 & Alive monthly lunch. We will be meeting at Torinos in Springfield at 11am.

This Sunday: Scout Sunday
During the 10am service we will honor our scouts and celebrate their commitment to help others and serve the community. If you have ever been in Scouts and still have your uniform we welcome you to wear it.

Also This Sunday: Super Bowl Party at the Parsonage
Come over to the Parsonage to watch the big game, fellowship, and eat! Please bring a party dish to share. The game starts at 5:30, so feel free to stop by anytime after 5pm! All are welcome. 

Journey to Freedom Returns in Lent
Starting in Lent we will be offering Journey to Freedom small groups on Wednesday Nights. There will be two offerings: Journey to Freedom (with Me and Jenny Barnes) & Journey to Transformation (with Scott Reall and Heather Lefebvre). For those who went through Journey to Freedom last fall and would like to go deeper in their recovery, Journey to Transformation is a tremendous opportunity to work on your spiritual health with the author of the book and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Groups will run February 21 – April 10th (5:30 – 7:30) and are open to the public (spread the word). Registration has begun! To register, email me and simply tell me which group you’d like to be in: steven.lefebvre@twkumc.org. Registration is just $20 and includes the book.

New Office Hours
After six months of being on the job and learning what I need to connect, administrate, and prepare a quality sermon on Sunday, I have decided to put that beautiful office in the parsonage to use and take Monday as a work from home day. What this means is the office will be closed on Monday. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience. We will of course still be open 9-1 Tuesday – Friday.

Save the Dates
February 8th – 55 & Alive Lunch at Torinos in Springfield (11am)
February 11th – Super Bowl Party at the Parsonage (5pm)
February 14th – Ash Wednesday (6pm)
February 21st – April 24th – Journey to Freedom Small Groups (5:30 – 7:30pm)
February 25th – Kids Club (5:00 – 6:30pm)

Holy Week
March 24th – Palm Sunday (10am)
March 28th – Maundy Thursday Service (6pm)
March 29th – Good Friday Service (Noon) & Stations of the Cross with our Baptist neighbors (time TBA)
March 30th – Easter Egg Hunt (time TBA)
March 30th – Easter Vigil Service (6pm)
March 31st – Easter Sunday (Sunrise Service at 7am, Easter Worship at 10am)

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ to you all today! I want to thank Amanda and Beth for leading our first ever Kids Club. It was a sweet night of fellowship and learning to love in the way of Jesus. If you haven’t seen the pictures yet, check out our Facebook page. Kids Club will meet on the fourth Sunday of every month and it’s a great outreach opportunity for young families in the community.

Read Pastor Steve’s Sermon 
On Sunday, I preached on love being at the heart of our service. Read it here.

Special thanks to Beth, Bill, Daina, and Anne for sharing their testimony these last four weeks of our stewardship campaign. It has been a special month of worship together.

This Sunday: New Members Service and Luncheon
This Sunday we are wrapping up our stewardship campaign with a New Membership Service. We will share communion and recommit our baptismal vows together. It will be a spectacular service with a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall after the 10am service. This service and luncheon is open to new and old members as well as curious visitors. All are welcome to come and celebrate God’s great big family this Sunday.

Don’t forget to pray about and return to church on Sunday with your pledge cards! If you forget or weren’t there on Sunday we will have extras.

Next Sunday: Scout Sunday
During the 10am service we will honor our scouts and celebrate their commitment to help others and serve the community. If you have ever been in scouts and still have your uniform we welcome you to wear it.

Also Next Sunday: Super Bowl Party at the Parsonage
Come over to the Parsonage to watch the big game, fellowship, and eat! Please bring a party dish to share. The game starts at 5:30, so feel free to stop by anytime after 5pm! All are welcome.

Journey to Freedom Returns in Lent
Starting in Lent we will be offering Journey to Freedom small groups on Wednesday Nights. There will be two offerings: Journey to Freedom (with Me and Jenny Barnes) & Journey to Transformation (with Scott Reall and Heather Lefebvre). For those who went through Journey to Freedom last fall and would like to go deeper in their recovery, Journey to Transformation is a tremendous opportunity to work on your spiritual health with the author of the book and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Groups will run February 21 – April 10th (5:30 – 7:30) and are open to the public (spread the word). Registration has begun! To register, email me and simply tell me which group you’d like to be in: steven.lefebvre@twkumc.org. Registration is just $20 and includes the book.

New Office Hours
After six months of being on the job and learning what I need to connect, administrate, and prepare a quality sermon on Sunday, I have decided to put that beautiful office in the parsonage to use and take Monday as a work from home day. What this means is the office will be closed on Monday. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience. We will of course still be open 9-1 Tuesday – Friday.

Save the Dates
February 4th – New Member Service and Potluck
February 11th – Super Bowl Party at the Parsonage
February 14th – Ash Wednesday (6pm)
February 21st – April 24th – Journey to Freedom Small Groups (5:30 – 7:30pm)
March 31st – Easter Sunday (Sunrise Service at 7am, Easter Worship at 10am)