As we come to the last couple of weeks before Lent begins (2/26), I would like to give you encouragement in growing your commitment to discipleship. We are given the wonderful love of Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God with out daily lives. During Lent we will be invited into deeper transformation that enhances our capacity to respond to God’s calling to us. For now, let us face the challenging question of commitment. Are we committed to serving Christ?
God will not leave us without resources, guidance and support in our service, though we may face trials and troubles along the way. God’s love will under gird us every step of the journey.
Our task is simply to choose the life that comes from faithfully responding to God with our commitment of daily living. How will we respond then?
Rev Ralph W Howe, Pastor
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR LENTEN BIBLE STUDY!
During Lent, Sundays in March and April 5 we will hold a discussion of Adam Hamilton's book Simon Peter, Flawed but Faithful Disciple. Please sign up as soon as possible. We have 12 books and can order more if necessary. The discussion will take place from 11-12 after first worship. Participants are encouraged to read a chapter a week and participate in most discussions. For more information talk with MaryEllen Pariseau or Pastor Ralph.
10 Ways to Improve Your Prayer Life
Moses went to a mountaintop to hear God. Jesus fled to the desert.
But for many Christians, their most regular place for praying is whatever pew they sit in on Sundays. Work, children, chores and other duties make stopping for prayer seem a luxury.
In today's culture, some even joke that that Charles Wesley's quote "pray and never faint," refers to passing out from an overloaded schedule.
"We forget to intentionally make space for prayer," said Betty Kay Hudson of First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, S.C.
That's not the way it's supposed to be. Souls, like vines, tend to grow wild and weak when untended.
No matter the season on the church calendar - Advent, Lent, Easter, Pentecost -- or all of the times in between, prayer is the gasoline that fuels Christians.
"Prayer is the catalyst," says the Rev. Jeffrey Kersey, a United Methodist minister in Lexington, S.C.
Prayer, like tennis, takes practice to become accomplished. Spiritual guides and sages, pastors and other church members are filled with advice and counsel.
Here's some of that wisdom condensed into 10 tips about prayer:
You are worthy.
Do not feel guilty about the quality of your prayer life, or fall victim to doubts and despair about your worthiness to talk to God. Each of us has a spiritual gift. So remember John Wesley's words: "In Christ we gain more than in Adam we lost."
The more you pray, the richer your prayers become.
To deepen your prayer life, don't be a slacker. Like anything in life, to become good at prayer you must be disciplined. Just as running is an exercise in physical fitness, prayer is a spiritual discpline.
Prayer is active.
Prayer involves action; namely being attentive to God's voice in your life. Listening for God means stopping and sitting still. It means paying attention to what God may be saying to you at any point in your life.
Prayer should not be an afterthought.
Prayer was the backbone of Jesus' ministry. Often, he broke away from his disciples to spend time with God. In the same way, prayer is essential to individual lives and to the life of the church. Break away from your daily routine for quiet time in prayer.
Surround yourself with people who are seasoned at praying.
People who've established prayer routines have much to teach those wanting to draw closer to God. Seek out those who can help guide and encourage your prayer life.
God doesn't require eloquence.
Don't worry if you fumble for words when you pray. God is not looking for Toastmaster's graduates, but sincerity (not that you can't have both at once). If the words won't come, God still knows what's in your heart. Lift up that desire.
Prayer need not involve words.
The great Christian saints all write of prayer as a time of sitting quietly with God. Jesus even went off for 40 days of prayerful solitude. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Follow the breath as it flows in and out of your body. Think of it as the spirit of God breathing life into you.
Prayer is a time for conversation with a friend: God.
Whether you see that friend routinely or just every once in awhile, know that whenever you turn to God, you're turning to someone who loves you.
Ask God for help if you get stuck.
Maybe you've hit a dry spell. There's no shame in asking God to guide you to pray in a new way.
The three Ls of prayer: Listen, listen, listen.
Listening for God is central to prayer, according to the great saints. It's so critical that St. Benedict began his famous Rule with this command for monks: "Listen with the ear of your heart."
And remember, prayer can happen anywhere -- it doesn't have to take place in a church.
*Hogan is a freelance writer based in Chicago. Emily Cooper and Jan Surratt of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate did reporting for this story. This story was originally published in 2009.
News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
JOIN A VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TRIP TO PUERTO RICO!
The UMC churches of Dalton, Lenox and Pittsfield are teaming up for a VIM trip to assist with Hurricane recovery work in Puerto Rico, hopefully this spring. Anyone 18 years old or more can participate in this trip. We will be led by Rev. Craig Fitzsimmons, who has led many a VIM trip to PR and elsewhere. Please contact Pastor Ralph or Rev Craig to get more information!
FUMC Church Service - 2/9/2020
Christian Center Birthday Party-On short notice
We just found out that this Friday, 2/14, at noon for lunch and cake is the "birthday" of The Christian Center--128 yrs old. We'd love to spread the word to invite folks for a celebratory lunch and cake. If you could pass on the invitation, I would appreciate it and please join us if you can!
RSVP Thanks, Betsy Sherman
Director@ccofp.org _____________________________________________________________
Our thanks to Greater Neck Cub Scout - Pack 178 for their generous donation of $150.00 for the use of our dining room. Papa Joe's catered with comfort food after a day on the snow at Jiminy Peak.
Our food pantry needs your help!
In order to get variety of items, would families whose last names begin with:
A to K consider bringing cans of soup;
L to P bring cans of vegetables;
Q to Z bring cans of fruit.
Any donation is truly appreciated!! Thank You! Merci!! Gracias!!!
Dear colleagues and friends,
I am writing because I want to let you know that I've resigned as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield. My last Sunday will be March 8.
As you all know, the last (almost) nine years have been a wild ride, and I've loved every minute of it. This has been a great call.
On March 16, I will begin a call serving as pastor of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in New York, New York.
For you that are local, I would love the opportunity to greet you sometime in the next month. I know that some sort of goodbye something is cooking up at Zion for March 8, although I don't know any details yet.
Thank you all for your friendship.
Take care,
Tim
The Reverend Timothy Weisman (he, him, his)
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield
74 First Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Friday, February 14 Happy Valentine's Day
Monday, February 17 President's Day Holiday
Monday, February 24 Hillcrest Commons Nursing Home - 2:30 pm. Share some joy as we sing, read scripture and pray with the residents of Hillcrest Commons nursing home. Contact Alice Rose to join in.
Tuesday, February 25 SPRC Meeting – 6:30 pm in Jane's Room. Please contact Bob Ericson if you are unable to attend.
Wednesday, February 26 Mt Greylock Nursing Home - 10:00 am. Another opportunity to share your faith with those who can't get to church. Contact Alice Rose to join in.
