Dear Friends,

Yesterday, we began our Lenten journey toward Holy Week with the imposition of ashes. Seventy-four people walked, bicycled, or drove up outside the church in the morning, and at least that many in worship last night, left with ashes smudged on our foreheads, along with the words "from dust you have come and to dust you shall return" pressed upon our hearts. The ashes not only insist that we are mortal, but they also remind us that by God's grace in Jesus Christ, our "sins" are burned away as well. By the way, one of the best definitions of sin I've heard is "our obsession with having instead of our delight in being."

That said, "sin" is a strange word these days in our politically correct culture, but our resistance to using it only convicts us of it even more. But so does our obsession with it. Admittedly, the history of religion indicts us, "religionists," in using "sin" as a way to keep our thumb on believers and their bodies and wallets in churches and synagogues. Yet, the "good news," as I understand the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross, promises that we are continually set free from sin's power-- even as we keep sinning. It is out of this promise of forgiveness we come together in hope, faith, and love as God's faithful community, called to serve all God's people and creation. The point is that the church should be a community motivated by gratitude and joy rather than one of guilt.

During these next 6 weeks of Lent, 40 days not coincidentally, offer us time to ponder the power of sin in our lives and the power of God's act in Jesus Christ to free us from it. That is, not to obsess on sin and guilt, as much as acknowledge it. Then, to give thanks for Jesus's act on the cross, where we see how far God moves to bring us freedom from the power of sin and death. Then, on Easter Sunday, we can truly rejoice!

In today's newsletter, please read carefully about our Lenten Sunday school class. It promises to lead us into a more grateful and simple way to live as well as steward our death…as we remember, "from dust to dust."

Lastly, we want to give everyone a heads up that one smiling face from our church staff won't be seen on campus quite as much over the next few months. Frieda Warner, our Director of Christian Education & Children's Ministry, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will be receiving care from the wonderful Doctors and staff at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. Fortunately, the cancer was found early and Frieda maintains her contagious optimism but we ask that you add her and the staff to your prayer list as we rally around and pitch in to help her get well.

Gratefully,

Steve

When I walk in my house, Christmas decorations are lying about everywhere. I’m just now considering putting them away this weekend. I’ll have it all done before Easter, I hope. Meanwhile, the clock is spinning out of control as time marches on. Hm…should I just leave everything up? – it’s not long until Christmas. Well, there are Easter decorations…… The key is to celebrate the fact that we can celebrate.

We are halfway through the Island Concert Association’s February Festival and all is going very well. The church is full of music lovers from all over and there are many watching online. The next two concerts are: Trio Lucente – Piano, Violin, Cello and The Konrad Paszkudzki Trio – Piano, Guitar, and Bass. Don’t miss them! They will still be accessible online after this month – bingeing recommended. If you would like to support this effort, you can be a member at the different levels of giving. Thank you for your support so far! 

Our Black History Month emphasis continues with the choir singing “Shall We Gather at the River” this Sunday and toning down (well, just a little bit) service music for the first Sunday of Lent. Amy Bishop and David Stewart will play an arrangement of “Kum Ba Yah” on organ and djembe drum. On February 25th, we will sing the rousing “Praise His Holy Name” by Keith Hampton. You’ve done very well with the clapping – now add swaying back and forth – and you’ve got it. It is so freeing to just let loose with people in the congregation.

A big thanks to Ethan Tsai for playing the drums for us. I look forward to seeing more of him in the Chancel playing for all of us. 

If you are going to the Faith Enrichment Conference at Epworth on Feb. 24-25, I’ll see you there. I’ll be leading the music. 

Stay tuned for info about March offerings in the next newsletter!    

Love & Gratitude,  

Rhonda 

• Our LENTEN SUNDAY SCHOOL series, Living Well Through Lent, will begin this Sunday, Feb 18, at 9:30AM in the social hall. This series is for all ages and will discuss how to make the most of our time here on earth. Details available below.
• FEBRUARY FESTIVAL Join ICA in the Sanctuary at 7PM next Tuesday, February 21, with Trio Lucente: Claudia Schaer (Violin,) Jisso Ok (Cello,) and Olga Gurevich (Piano.) This is a free community event! All are welcome!

Sunday, February 18

8:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

Monday, February 19

OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY

5:30 pm Diaconate Meeting - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, February 20

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - SSI Chick-Fil-A

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

4:00 pm Session Meeting - Britt Room

7:00 pm Community Island Concert - Sanctuary

Wednesday, February 21

10:00 am Grief Support Group - Parlor

10:00 am Mens Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

1:00 pm Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

3:00 pm Sonshine for the Soul - John Law

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

4:00 pm KIDZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, February 22

9:00 am Congregational Care Committee - John Law

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, February 23

No Activities Planned for this Day

The Hunger Action Team begins their school year support of Glynn County grammar and middle schools with a box of healthy snacks and note reminding them of the help we provide and contact information. We also contracted with Christ Church again to pack 30 backpack inserts for us to deliver to Burroughs Molette each week.

You can help too by linking your Harris Teeter VIC card to a school at the service counter or harristeeter.com/community. Choose from Altama, Golden Isles, Goodyear, Glynn Middle, Oglethorpe or St Simons, When you purchase Harris Teeter Brand products, a % of your purchase total goes back to your school.