I have been grateful for our February worship series on the miracles of Jesus. It's been helpful to me to look at these stories carefully and ask what good news they have to proclaim to us today.
On Sunday, February 28 we move to Jesus' final miracle before Easter. What Jesus does at the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus is poignant and powerful anytime. But it is especially resonant in a year where we've been through so much personal and collective grief.
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone.
- John 11:38-41a
Can you feel the breathless anticipation of that moment? Are you willing to hope against hope that Jesus can lean on his Father, who makes a way where there is no way? Join us Sunday for what we hope will be a powerful experience. After a week in which it was observed that more of our fellow Americans from COVID-19 than died in World War I, World War II and Vietnam, I suspect we need to hear the good news that Jesus is "the resurrection and the life" more than ever.
Join us on Facebook, YouTube, or masked and in-person in the Sanctuary. It's helpful, but not strictly necessary, to let us know that you're coming this Sunday, February 28 by signing up HERE.
We are working to resolve the serious technical difficulties that plagued our broadcast last Sunday. We are sincerely sorry. To view Greg Musil's powerful testimony to the healing he's received and the power of prayer, click HERE. A re-recording of Matt's sermon is HERE.
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All during the month of February, our combined youth group is meeting at Stallings UMC to learn to play pickleball from 3-4:30 PM. Join us at Stallings on February 28.
Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us as we meet our friends from Stallings and Indian Trail UMCs this Sunday. Our lessons for the coming weeks will be taken from the Old Testament Book of Job. Wear your mask, comfortable shoes, warm clothes and bring a water bottle. Contact Pastor Matt at matt@faithisalive.org or 828 331-0763 if you want to be added to the youth text group or have questions.
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WE NEED YOU to show up, work hard and help make our buildings and grounds more attractive, organized and ready for ministry next Saturday, March 6 beginning at 8 AM.
Some folks will be working on trimming bushes, some on the community garden, some spreading gravel, some assembling shelves and some reorganizing a few spaces. Let our Trustees Chair, Kevin Vickers, know you're coming and your job preference. Text Kevin at 704 774-6104.
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Faith Church is taking part in Common Heart’s Hunger Walk on Sunday, March 7. Worship will conclude and the walk will begin at 11:15 AM.
Wear your walking shoes if you’re worshiping in the Sanctuary or meet us on the lawn at that time. Join Faith Church’s team or contribute to Common Heart by visiting http://commonheart.blueskysweet.com/faith.
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Mark your calendars with these important winter and spring dates.
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Sat, Mar 6 - Church Building and Grounds Workday. All hands on deck!
- Sun, Mar 7 – “What Jesus Hopes” worship series begins
- Sun, Mar 7 at 11:15 AM – Common Heart Hunger Walk
- Sun, Mar 21 at 11:30 AM – Next Virtual Coffee Hour
- Sun, Mar 21 at 3 PM – Youth Workday at Common Heart
- Sun, Mar 28 – Palm Sunday
- Thu, Apr 1 – Maundy Thursday Service
- Fri, Apr 2 – Good Friday Fast
- Sun, Apr 4 – Sunrise and Primary Easter Worship Services
- Sun, Apr 4 - "Unfinished Business" Worship Series Begins
- Wed, Apr 14 – Three Months with John study concludes
- Fri, Apr 16 & Sat, Apr 17 – Potato Drop at Mill Grove UMC
- Sun, May 23 – Pentecost: Celebrating Birth of the Church & Faith UMC’s Founding
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Giving & Budget Update (as of February 21, 2021)
Faith Church's Weekly Need - $6,405
Offering on February 21 - $5,293
Budget YTD - $51,240
Offering YTD - $46,895
Our Stewardship Thought for the Week comes from Walter Brueggemann, who is bold enough to ask this from God:
By your giving, break our cycles of imagined scarcity
override our presumed deficits
quiet our anxieties of lack
transform our perceptual field to see
the abundance………mercy upon mercy
blessing upon blessing.
At Faith Church we offer multiple ways to express your love and gratitude to God through giving.
- Those ready to worship in the Sanctuary may bring cash or check with you to the next service.
- To give to the church via check at other times, please mail your gift to Faith Church, 3708 Faith Church Rd, Indian Trail NC 28079.
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To give via credit card or bank draft through the church's secure donation portal, please click here.
If you have any questions about giving, reach out to Vicki Helms, our Church Administrator, at 704 882-6623 x101 or vicki.helms@faithisalive.org.
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More Ways to Connect, Serve and Grow in Faith
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Instagram: faith_is_alive_umc
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