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Pastor’s Pen - March

Lent comes every year, and every year it still seems to sneak up on me. Beginning with ashes and ending at the empty tomb, Lent is our time to follow Christ and his disciples to Jerusalem and the cross. It is also our time to reflect on our relationship with God and one another, and examining our personal calls to discipleship.

Lent is simultaneously a very personal and communal season. During this journey, we each carry our own crosses, we carry the crosses of our community, and we pick up each others crosses when the weight causes our brothers or sisters to fall. It is a powerful and beautiful season.

I knew my preparation time for Lent would be limited in January, though I had no way of knowing just how limited it would be. Of particular concern for me was the production of the Lenten Devotional (available this Sunday!). Usually, I spend many days outlining a theme and constructing a framework of scripture for the devotion to follow. Christmas hadn’t even come, and I was wracking my mind and pressing my spirit to find the elusive Lenten theme. What kept coming to me was ‘community’ and the communal aspect of the journey.

With a theme in mind, I started to think of scripture texts. One December morning, while walking the dog - a twice daily activity where, incidentally, my best thoughts tend to occur - the idea came to me to ask each contributor to offer a reflection on the scripture passage that has spent the most time on their heart. ‘Community’ became ‘Sharing Our Story’ - our personal stories of faith and hardship, of anger, of joy, and of comfort.

As I write this letter, I have snuck the first copy of the devotional off of Angie’s desk to take a peak. I’m finding it difficult to put down. I’m loving this devotion and the beautifully personal and thoughtful reflections within.

Our lives continue to change, for better and for worse. Our world continues to favor violence over peace and tribalism over a shared humanity. Our Churches continue to build barriers, cause harm, and break relationships. I am grateful that this faith community offers a place of welcome and affirmation for every child of God. I’m grateful for a church family that seeks, even in our imperfect ways, to follow the heart of Jesus.

Jesus who broke barriers and stayed in relationship with a whole spectrum of human beings. Jesus who cared more about extending love to marginalized people than rejecting them with judgment. And it's because of Jesus and the spirit that animates us all in our shared journey and shared stories, that we have hope.

Lenten Blessings,

Rev. Will
Community

Lent Devotional
Available in the narthex.  Thank you to Peggy Wilson for gathering and organizing the devotionals and to everyone who contributed their time and talent!

Sunday School
Adult Sunday school meets every Sunday, at 9:30am.
Children's and Youth's Sunday school meets every Sunday during worship.

Join a Team
Team meetings are Sunday, March 3rd after church.   Please consider getting involved!

Tai Chi for Health
Every Monday, at 6pm, in the fellowship hall. Free, open to the community.  Suitable for all levels and can be done seated. Call Cynthia Mealer for further details or questions at 833-1746.

PW Day & Night Circles
The Day Circle will meet Tuesday, March 5, at 10am in the library.  The Night Circle will meet at the home of Elaine Williams located at 1067 Welchshire Place at 7pm.

Ash Wednesday
Join us March 6, at 6:00 p.m. for burning of the palms. Dress appropriately. The imposition of ashes; an invitation to Lenten discipline.  No dinner.

Singers and choristers, now hear this!
Come and experience the hippest choir around, and hang with some excessively groovy people!!  Join us every Wednesday, at 7:30pm, in the sanctuary.

Sausage Biscuits
The Formation Team will be offering sausage biscuits (and plain biscuits) for sale to raise funds for the annual St. Luke's Christmas Dinner.  They will be offered Sunday, March 10th and will cost $3.00.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

Session Meeting
Will meet Sunday, March 10, at 12pm here at the church.

Wednesday Night Dinner
Please join us for dinner at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall on March 13th and 27th.  There is a sign up sheet in the narthex or feel free to email the office.

Saturday Supper
On Saturday, March 16th, come serve at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Highland @ Mynders. Plan to stay from about 3:00 pm to about 5:30 pm. Call Susan Baldwin with questions 605-7704.

Knitting Group
Will meet March 24th, at 2pm, here at the church.

SuperLo & Kroger Cards
Please see Shelley Gray after worship each Sunday to sign up for the Rewards programs.  Our last quarter Kroger rewards totaled $296.74!  

Mustard Seed
Don't forget to stop by the store after worship.
 
Food Pantry
Cans of main dish items with meat are needed.
 
 
Please remember Shady Grove in your will.
MICAH’s March Meetings

The Education Task Force will meet Monday, March 4, from 6-7:30pm, at Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies located at 2181 Union Ave., Memphis,  38104.  

The Immigration and Intercultural Equity Task Force will meet the same day and time at The Commons on Merton located at 258 North Merton St., Memphis,  38112.

 
Prayer List

Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Ann Miller
Gloria Zotkiewicz
Carol Bizot
Claudia Rutkauskas
Sandra and Ned Smith
Laura Flippin
Teresa Robinson
Steve Alsobrook
Janet Baldwin (Susan Baldwin’s mother)
Chuck Cambell (Friend of Sonny and Avalon)
Anges Sanders (Avalon’s sister)
Jane Sohm (Sarah Strong’s mother)
George and Darlene Gray (Nancy Gray)
Sandy Smith (Ned and Sandra Smith)
Polly Heimburg
Lynn Douglas (Shelley Gray)
DeAnn Pace (Ann Miller)
Rosalind Walker (Ann Miller)
Amy Waddell (Ann Miller)
Marie Johnson
Sharon Harrison
Gaye Hazel (Angie Wagner's aunt)
Darrell Willis (Carolyn King's friend)
Pat Rohrbacher

Prayers for the Grieving
Margaret Myers and Family

Prayers for Peace and Comfort
Meredith Walsh and Kyle Tingley

Prayers for the Human Condition
All affected by gun violence
Immigrant communities and families seeking asylum
Copyright © 2019 Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, All rights reserved.


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