From The Desk of Pastor Maureen
March Blessings, Dear Family & Friends!
As the days grow longer in March, may your hearts be filled with the light of God’s love, gently guiding you through each new day. And, be on the lookout for God’s hidden spring treasures!
March 5th The Season of Lent is upon us! We are invited to celebrate Ash Wednesday on @ 7:00 pm., at Journey of Faith UMC, hosted by Pastor Michael Ingersoll.
Pastor JD Park, Pastor Alan Kinney & I will join Pastor Michael Ingersoll during the service. We are delighted that Mary Lou Bjorkman & the Minetto choir will join with other choirs in our worship! We hope you will join us for this worshipful Ash Wednesday Service on March 5th.
A special Lenten devotional by Sarah Young will be shared in our Thursday Bible Study group. 40 Days With Jesus ~ Celebrating His Presence contains daily readings, designed to deepen our relationship with God. The devotions are written as if Jesus is speaking to us personally, reminders that God is always with us. Below is the devotional for Day 25-a loving reminder of our Lord’s abiding presence with us.
Sarah Young writes: “Nothing can separate you from My love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind & into your heart & soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: “Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus.”
“Most of mankind’s misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn & they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I will never abandon any of my children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-9)
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1: 5)
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast & have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49: 15-16.
If you would like a copy of 40 Days With Jesus-Celebrating His Presence, please let me know. Call or text me @ 315-591-5364. I will gladly order one for you.
Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power & work in our lives, for your goodness, & for your blessing over us. Thank you for being our hope, through even the toughest times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice, so that we might have freedom & life. Forgive us when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes & our hearts upon you afresh. Renew our spirits & fill us with your peace & joy. We love you, & we need you this day & every day. We give you praise & thanks, for you alone are worthy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Family, May our Lenten journeys be a time of repentance, refreshment & renewal embraced in Jesus’ amazing grace & love! God bless you! Pastor Maureen