Spring is in the air! We’re a month into Lent!  We’re heading towards Resurrection Sunday, or as we more often say, Easter.  The road to resurrection for Jesus was always in view for him. Jesus knew where he was headed from the beginning. Our Savior and Messiah already had the road map, knew the terrain, every hill, every mountain, and every step he would take throughout his life to the cross.  Jesus knew the people he would meet, John the Baptist, the one who prepared the way for his journey. Jesus knew the disciples who would journey along with him, whom he would train and prepare to continue the journey. Jesus knew every person he would heal, and he knew them inside and out.  Jesus knew all who would oppose him, ridicule, reject, and judge him. Jesus knew those who would follow and those who would not. He knew the woman at the well, the woman who he saved from being stoned, the woman who was too busy, sweet Martha, and the women who would sit at his feet, Martha’s sister Mary, and the woman with the alabaster jar, bathing his feet with perfume and wiping them with her hair.
Jesus was always moving forward, always praying, always seeking the Father for the next step, the next set of instructions, and always trusting the plan laid out from the beginning to save all of humanity from themselves. Jesus never gave up, never failed a test, and even when he weakened for a moment, “Father, take this cup from me,” he remembered where and why he was headed to the cross, “Father, not my will but your will be done.” Jesus took each step, each thought, each task, and surrendered them to the Father so that all might be saved.
Jesus lived 33 years and accomplished, out of his humanness, more than I could ever think or imagine.  Jesus, after all, is the Son of God, fully human but also fully God.  But in his time with us, he didn’t operate out of the fullness of his deity, he operated out of his humanity, always following the way of the Father, full of the Holy Spirit, and empowered through seeking, asking, and knocking as he trusted in the One who gave him the ability to fulfill his purpose and bring healing physically, spiritually, and emotionally to all who asked, who believed, and who followed him.
As we journey to the cross in this season of Lent towards Resurrection Sunday, what are you seeking from the One who can deliver, heal, and change lives?  What places or persons in your life are in need?  How might Jesus meet you on the road to the cross?  I think the bigger question for many of us is, how might we journey with Jesus, with one another, and with the Holy Spirit to fulfill our purpose as we too journey towards the fulfillment of Resurrection, here, now, and eternally?
As I look outside and see the trees budding, the crocus blooming, the forsythia showing off their yellow cheer, I am reminded that God renews us daily, not just on Resurrection Sunday, and not just eternally but every day.  So, as you breathe in the fresh spring air, remember all that has been given, all that is happening right now, and all that is to come is already known by Jesus. Seek and let Jesus guide you through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit so that you receive your instructions and your purpose each day as we journey forward.  Remember, the Good News! Be the Good News! May the blessing of Christ be upon you all, fill you to overflowing with his love, joy, and peace. Soon we will raise our voices and say, “Happy Resurrection Sunday!”

Chair of Council:  Steve Showers

Nurture, Evangelism:  Genia Ortiz

Adult Discipleship:  Sal Ortiz
Nominations:  Pastor Terry (Chair), Ruth Ann Rector, Helen Kenney, Maureen Dunford, Sal Ortiz, Dawn Bueno
Trustees:  Loyd Dunford, Steve Showers, Mary Potter, Lou Ann Bennett, Stuart Showers, Zachery Bueno
Parsonage Trustees:  Loyd Dunford (Chair), Steve Showers (Co-Chair), Zachery Bueno
Finance:  Chair Vacancy, Pastor Terry, Sal Ortiz, Dawn Bueno, Steve Showers, Loyd Dunford

SPRC:  Bonnie Schmidt (Chair), Brook Middleton, Edith Middleton, John Fedorchak, Kevin McCullough
Finance Chair:  Debbie Jo Foster

Finance:  Chair Vacancy, Pastor Terry, Edith Middleton, John Fedorchak, Kevin McCullough, Bonnie Schmidt, Brook Middleton, Nancy Sickel

It is hard to believe that the season of Lent is upon us. Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is a time when many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
During the six weeks of self-examination and reflection, Christians who observe Lent typically make a commitment to fast, or to give up something - a habit, such as smoking, watching TV, or swearing, or a food or drink, such as sweets, chocolate or coffee.
Some Christians also take on a Lenten discipline, such as reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer to draw nearer to God. Strict observers do not eat meat on Fridays, having fish instead. The goal is to strengthen the faith and spiritual disciplines of the observer, and develop a closer relationship with God.
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Technically 46, as Sundays are not included in the count). The exact date changes every year, because Easter and its surrounding holidays are movable feasts.
The significance of the 40-day period of Lent is based on two episodes of spiritual testing in the Bible: the 40 years of wilderness wandering by the Israelites and the Temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.
Unlike the season of Advent, the season of Lent does not have the hustle and bustle that Advent has. There are no office parties, no shopping sprees, no wrapping of presents, and no sending out cards. This gives us ample time to take a break, to withdraw to a different rhythm, to rest, and to rekindle our center.
Use this time to pray, read scripture, meditate, record insights, and to commit and offer your life to God. If he could offer the life of his son Jesus Christ so that we may have eternal life, then we owe it to him to offer him our lives.

Choir has resumed their regular Thursday practice schedule. Everyone is welcome to join in the Choir. You do not need to think you can or can't sing. Everyone is welcome to help make joyful noises together and enjoy the time of fellowship during practice. Hope to see you there!

The Markham Church directories are now available in the back of the Markham Church.  We thank Tom Falkowski for sharing his artistic talent and taking the wonderful photos for us. 

It was a typical morning of rushing, getting ready and getting out the door.  The night before Misa had been telling us about a penny drive they were having at school, whichever class gets the most pennies gets to have lunch at Marshall park.  She had been rummaging through her bank and putting coins into bags and I didn't think much of it. Then this morning as we're getting her backpack ready she has a bag of pennies and a bag of nickels, the bag of pennies is for her class, and the bag of nickels is for one of the first grade classes and one of the second grade classes.  The classes our neighbors are in.  My first instinct was "No!" as I am often challenged by these neighbors but then I had a sense of peace and heard the words "This is what being a good human is.  This is what loving your neighbor is."  So as she put the two bags of coins in her backpack I nodded and said "Okay."  As we continued to put her coat on and walk out the door she said that she wanted to be kind and she wanted them to have a chance to go to the park too.  I knew in that moment, that was not just my teaching or example, that was Pastor Terry, Jean, Terri, Sasha, Teresa, and all of the families at MUMC.  I was so thankful that in the moments when "we have not loved our neighbors" that we are surrounded by people that fill in those voids and set the example for our children.  And then sometimes our children set the example for us to love with our whole heart, to love our neighbors, so that we may be joyfully obedient.  I am so thankful for this church and this community that fills in our voids and loves us with its whole heart.  Thank you.

Footnote - this was before the rules of the penny drive had been distributed and giving silver coins to other grades counted as negative points.  Misa was truly disheartened as this was not her intent.

 

There are so many exciting opportunities to learn, study and become connected.  Please consider joining one (or more) of the studies listed below:


Traditional Bible/groups studies:
 
Women’s Bible Study: The Patriarchs, Beth Moore (February – May 15).  Contact: DeAnna Taylor for materials and study night.

Adult Sunday School: Embracing Uncertainty, Magrey R. deVega (during Lenten season).  Following Lent, returning to standard Cokesbury materials.

Lenten study: Forgiveness, Marjorie Wallace (Wednesday evenings: 6:30 dinner; 7 - 8 study)

Children’s Church: All Together Now (during Sunday morning 11:00 a.m. service)
 
Methodist studies - coming soon:
 
A Disciple’s Path, James A. Harnish (July 10 – Aug 21).  Studies will be held at Linden (2 pm); Marshall (6:30-8:00).  Sign up by 6/23.  A 7-week study, led by Pastor Terry focusing on discipleship within the context of the UM heritage and tradition.  Following this study, you will deepen your personal relationship with Christ and within the Church. 

A Disciple’s Heart, James A Harnish (September 11 – Oct 23).  Studies will be held at Marshall in the evenings only (6:30-8:00) and will be facilitated by Mike Taylor and Cheryl Kowalczyk.

If you have a topic of study you'd like to explore further, please see either Mike Taylor or Cheryl Kowalczyk to see how we can get it on the study calendar.  Also, if you feel led to 'teach' disciples, please let us know -- we would love to provide you with an opportunity to share your talent.

One of our congregation’s goals for 2019 is to support our preschool families by providing financial assistance as needed.
Last summer, our planning team had a stated goal to raise at least $3,600 this school year to support two students who had already been identified.  We developed a written application and guidelines for awarding assistance.  The Preschool Board will review the applications and allocate contributions to families who may need tuition assistance for one month, several months or the entire school year. 
We’ve received many generous contributions but we do need help to make this a reality!  If you’re able to assist, please notate “MUMPS tuition contribution” on your checks made payable to MUMC.
Questions may be directed to Donna Thomas, Preschool Director (marshallmumps@verizon.net)  or Wendy Emery (wendyemery@verizon.net).  As always, your generosity is appreciated. 

Calling all Graduates! If you have someone in your immediate family graduating from high school or college please contact Terri Hill. We would like the graduates Name, Address and Name of school.

April 27, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Marshall Ruritan Building
RSVP to Darcy, (540) 270 - 6926