Message from Pastor Arlene

It’s here! Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season!

I love Lent, with its focus on reflection and evaluation of our lives in the light of God’s love and the inescapable reality of our propensity to sin. Throughout the years, Christians have used the season of Lent as a time to realign our lives. Sort of like a good, spring cleaning—shaking out the old, unhelpful things and adding more of those things that nourish the soul—the Lenten season begins in winter and ends with the blossoms of springtime!

This springing up of new life also reflects our growing children, raising them to know the Lord and the hope Jesus shares for the world At a time of too much heaviness, anxiety, and uncertainty, the value of faith cannot be underestimated. Children are especially in need of the good things the church has to offer—a place to belong, where children feel secure, surrounded by the love of the Christian family. Church is a place where children are valued, their gifts encouraged, and their voices included.

This month we have two opportunities to lift up the voices of our church’s children, as they lead us into deeper community and worship of our Lord. The first is TONIGHT, at the youth soup and salad fundraiser. This important meal not only feeds the church family, but it also lets our children know that they are valued, while helping raise the funds necessary for their next summer mission trip.

On March 23, the church’s children and youth will lead us in worship, including the giving of a sermon. This important day speaks volumes about the role of children in the life of our church, as they spend weeks in preparation.

As a church, it is important to practice what we preach when we claim we value children as the future of the church and the Christian faith. Our kids have SO much to offer, so come lend your support!

“And a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6  

Peace Islands Institute Iftar Dinner - next week!

Join us at the church as we share a traditional Turkish Iftar meal with our friends from Peace Islands Institute!

There’s no better way to make our world a better place than over a shared meal, provided for us by our friends from PII.

6:30 PM Friday, March 14

RSVP no later than March 7 by emailing Pastor Arlene

Children, Youth and Families

March 28 - 30 at Johnsonburg Retreat Center 7 pm - 11 am

  This spring, come join Johnsburg for a big, energetic youth retreat! We are welcoming youth grades 6-12 to come for a weekend of self-discovery, spritual growth and fellowship. This event is hosted for youth groups and space is limited, let Tracy know if you are interested.

Appeal from Son Servants

Our national mission, Son Servants, has sent us information about the damage the last round of flooding has inflicted on the ministry we support - Panther Christian Outreach. The former school, which is their community center, had over 2.5 feet of water in the building and this left several inches of silt, mud, and debris throughout the building. This is a massive blow to the community, ministry and Son Servants. All of Son Servants' supplies, tools, kitchen equipment, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, outdoor sink and cots were there. The full extent of the damage is not yet known, the industrial refrigerators and stoves are a total loss. We may have an opportunity to help restore the building and support this community we have had so much invested in. Son Servants leadership will be there from March 20-23 and I will have more info after that. If you would like to help Son Servants begin this extensive recovery, please consider making a donation to our church directly but put Son Servants in the “memo”. Information is rolling out slowly, Panther is very secluded - and it is hard to get info.

Blessings, Tracy

Click here for more details

Fraud Watch: Your Identity - Staying Connected and Protected

As many ways as there are for fraudsters to poach your identity, there are also many simple steps you can take to help keep them at bay. This Zoom workshop, presented by CPC member, Patty Loud, helps review your ID protection checklist with simple steps you can start using today to protect your identity.

Date: Monday, March 24

Time: 2:00pm

Location: online via Zoom

Click here to register for this event

Centering Prayer in the Presbytery

Wednesdays at 8:30am

March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – April 16

In this busy season in the life of the church and in the world, we are reminded that Jesus took time to go apart for a while, and he would sometimes invite disciples to join him. And he invites us still. We will gather by Zoom to pray in silence. A brief introduction to Centering Prayer will be offered, followed by twenty minutes of silence (or as long as you can stay).

Click here to register.

2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium | July 28-31

Registration Deadline: March 31, 2025

Spaces Filling Up! Save Your Spot!

Highlands Presbytery is forming a delegation to attend the national Presbyterian Youth Triennium!

Talk with your high school youth about this life-impacting event. We will provide bus transportation departing for Louisville KY on Sunday evening, July 27th and returning late Thursday night, July 31st .

The estimated cost for each participant to attend is $500, thanks to financial support from the Presbytery of the Highlands.

Read more and register