This Sunday, February 24th, Rev. Scott Hoffman will lead us in worship. The sermon will be "Dos and Don'ts". The scripture readings are Genesis 45:3-11, 15 and Luke 6:27-38. The Word in Music will be Lord, I Need You arr. D. Angerman. Please see below for preaching text and questions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ministry Expansion Announcement
The Session is pleased to share that, at the January meeting, it voted unanimously to approve the general contractor's Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for our Ministry Expansion Plan construction project. The maximum cost for CMPC has now been locked in and includes a 3.7% increase in costs since our last announcement in November. Anyone interested in hearing more about this is invited to attend an informational meeting rescheduled for Monday, February 25 at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like more information please let us know (office@cmpcusa.org) and we will be sure to get you the information following the meeting on the 25th.
Men’s Breakfast
March 2nd, 8:30 a.m.
All men of CMPC are invited to join our monthly Men’s Breakfast held at Bob Evans (4900 Beaver Run Ct, Ellicott City, MD 21043). RSVP to Pastor Scott (pastor.hoffman@cmpcusa.org) if you plan to attend.
Extending the Table
The elders and deacons of the church will be taking communion to members of the congregation unable to be with us in worship so that all brothers and sisters can be part of the body receiving the sacrament. This will take place each month on the Sunday we observe the Lord’s Supper during morning worship. After worship, teams of 2-3 elders and deacons will visit with those who have indicated they would like to receive the bread and the cup. If you or someone you know would like to be included in the visits on Sunday, March 3rd please contact Pastor Scott at pastor.hoffman@cmpcusa.org by Wednesday,
February 27th.
Our next GIFT (Generations In Faith Together) gathering is a movie night to watch “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” the Mister Rogers documentary. The movie is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and language. According to Rotten Tomatoes (98% rating) this is “an emotional and moving film that takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.” The movie night is for all ages and we suggest that parents read reviews from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/wont-you-be-my-neighbor to decide whether it’s appropriate for their children to watch. There will be an alternative movie (VeggieTales) for young children to watch in the nursery.
A simple pizza dinner will be provided. The event is free but we will accept contributions toward the cost of the meal. Bring your own portable chair or sleeping bag and pillow. We will be in the carpeted open space underneath the sanctuary. Please RSVP to gift@cmpcusa.org by March 6 so that we know how much pizza to buy.
Women for Women
March 23rd, noon
Please join the W4W group for lunch and a little history in Ellicott City on Saturday March 23.
We’ll meet at 12:00 noon for lunch at the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, 8308 Main Street
(http://www.ellicottmillsbrewing.com/). Following lunch, we’ll walk to the Howard County
Historical Society Museum, 8328 Court Avenue (http://hchsmd.org/). Those who wish to carpool
can meet at the church at 11:30.
Please RSVP to womenforwomen@cmpcusa.org, or to Linda Shields, lbshields@verizon.net,
by March 16. All are welcome to join us. If you would not be able to navigate a flight of stairs,
please email Linda with this information so that we can arrange for appropriate space in the
restaurant.
The museum has recently opened a new exhibit, “A River Runs Through It”, which illustrates
the numerous flood events that have plagued Ellicott City throughout its history. The building
itself is worth seeing – it was the home of the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County
from 1894 to 1959, and the museum has maintained the sanctuary, with beautiful stained
glass windows and an 1800’s pipe organ, to use for concerts and lectures.
CMPC Welcomes the Westminster College Concert Choir!
CMPC is fortunate once again to host the Westminster College Concert Choir on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. in our sanctuary as part of their spring tour. Westminster is the Alma Mater of our own Pastor Hoffman, member Allison Miller, and friend of CMPC Rev. Bob Culp! After the concert on the 14th, we will have the opportunity to provide housing for the night and will serve guests breakfast the morning of May 15th prior to their departure for their next concert. If you would be willing to host some students in your home the evening of the 14th please contact Joy Exner after worship or via email (joyousmusic@yahoo.com) to give her your name, contact information, and how many students you are willing to host.
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
Please join us as we begin the Lenten season with a service on Ash Wednesday in Fellowship Hall. Worshippers of all ages are encouraged to attend. The imposition of ashes will be offered
BBC Lunches—Break Bread & Connect!
The next BBC Lunch will be at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 7 at Whole Foods Market in Columbia. No RSVP required. All ages welcome. To join the private Facebook group called “BBC Lunches--Break Bread & Connect” or get more information please contact Laura Frantz at frantz4ever@gmail.com.
Capital Campaign
If you missed the opportunity to participate in the Realizing the Vision Campaign and would like more information feel free to pick up a campaign packet on the table outside of Fellowship Hall. Please direct any questions to Bob Clemens at 240-381-7083 or bobclemens3@yahoo.com.
Care and Wellness Committee
If you have a friend, family member, or know of someone that needs a little cheer and would like them to receive a card from “their friends at CMPC”, please email carecards@cmpcusa.org with their name and address. CMPC’s Care and Wellness Committee will see to it that they receive a caring card from “their CMPC friends” or “their CMPC family”. CMPC cares!
Ministry Group Prayers
Friends, our Presbytery ministry group (named “West Side Story”) has asked each congregation to lift up in prayer another congregation from the group each week. This week, please join in prayer for our sister congregation, First Presbyterian Church of Howard County.
Luke 6:27-38
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Preaching Questions
What were the most important rules in your house as you were growing up?
How do you stand up to these do’s and don’ts? Where could you use some improvement?
