Longview First United Methodist Church

I have probably preached more sermons on or referring to Jesus’ parable found in Luke 15:11-32 than almost any other passage of the Bible. In fact, those sermons have a wide span of approaches and emphases. This profound parable of Jesus is chock full with important insights into the human condition and the nature of God. Because it is so familiar and so often used in its most simplistic interpretation, I contend that it has been unfairly limited in most explorations. Bible publishers and commentators even struggle to name this parable. Titles vary from Parable of the Lost Son to Parable of the Prodigal Son to Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother to Parable of the Two Sons. None of these are adequate for me. I have often thought how great it would be to preach a series of sermons on this passage with focus on different aspects and perspectives within it. One of the issues for me comes from the lack of exploration of the context for this parable within the Gospel of Luke.

That is all fine for me, but why should you care? I believe a deeper look and an exploration of the movements of this parable, including the various stages of this journey and perspectives of the various characters can give us deeper insight into God and ourselves that will challenge us and comfort us simultaneously. I find folks seeking comfort and needing appropriate challenge to our relationship to God and to one another. This aligns well with the season of Lent and our call to draw closer to God and embrace a more faithful path of discipleship. I hope you will make that journey with me.

Beginning one week from today on March 2nd, Ash Wednesday, I will begin a 6-sermon series through the Lenten season exploring this important teaching of Jesus and its meaning for us as disciples of Jesus Christ today. In addition to this sermon series, I will also be leading a Lenten Bible Study on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings to more deeply explore this magnificent parable. Additionally, Pastor David will be leading a Zoom version of this Bible Study on Monday evenings and outlines will be available for use by Sunday School classes and small groups, as desired. 

Let’s make this Lenten Season a special one as we dive deeply into this parable of Jesus and find our way more clearly in synergy with God and one another.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jay

SAVE THE DATE!

You are in luck, our next EPIC event is coming soon!

Have the luck of the Irish when you mark your calendar for

Thursday, March 17 at 11 a.m.

for our Prime time lunch and program.

Details will be in next week’s Voice so keep a look out!

A MESSAGE FROM A MEMBER OF THE CHANCEL CHOIR

Wednesday Night Live for children Pre-K to 5th grade, including music, dinner, and activities, is now meeting each week from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm! Dinner is provided for all children on Wednesday nights! A kid friendly menu has been created, and a donation of $5 per meal would be appreciated to help with food and preparation costs. Here is the link to donate: Wednesday Night Live Children's Dinner Donation. See you Wednesdays for faith, fun, and fellowship! For more information, contact Jana at [email protected], or 903-753-4463.

Volunteers are needed to guide children at Wednesday Night Live!!!

Any one is welcome to volunteer, and each parent is encouraged to volunteer once a month. Here is the link to sign up: https://signup.com/go/nNuRsWG.

The link allows you to select the date and the age group you would like to work with. You will be blessed by your time with the children as you guide them on their faith journey and build important relationships within the church family!

Youth Ministry will be returning to our Lenten project RICE BOWLS for 2022. Ricebowls.org is an international program aimed to help with food insecurity around the world. Participating students will collect loose change during Lent and place it in their “rice bowl “banks. After Easter, we will come together to count our collections and send to Ricebowls.org to assist families with children in need of food support. Locally, we will be participating in the “fill the backpacks” for LISD for local children facing food insecurity. Since the start of the academic school year, LISD has experienced a triple increase in the number of children needing extra food resources. Join our students to combat hunger here at home and around the world by partnering with us in both of these special projects. Check out more at ricebowls.org and you can request your own free rice bowl bank.

WE ARE READY TO GET STARTED!

CHECK THESE DATES OUT!

Registration opens March 1 at sos.lvfumc.org

June 5-10 – Students (8^th grade or high school) & adults. we are returning to our favorite mission partner, Service Over Self, in Memphis, TN as they return summer mission camp opportunities. At SOS we help repair homes and replace roofs, participate in devos & worship, have fellowship with our team and other youth groups from around the country. On our last day we will visit some Memphis sites and enjoy some BBQ before returning home as well as some to explore Memphis. Cost is $390. This includes meals and any paid admissions for our “Explore Memphis” Day. Scholarships are available. "Save your spot" fee of $75 due April 1 with full balance due June 1. SOS is limiting the number of campers and our availability is limited. This year we will be offering our spots to Juniors and Seniors. Questions, contact [email protected]

Registration opens March 1 at bighouse.lvfumc.org

June 16-19. Big House mission is open to 6th -10th grade this year. We will be traveling to Fairfield, Texas. We will be doing home repair, helping our host church, and serving the community. Meals are included in our trip. Accommodations are at the church and campers will need a cot, air mattress or sleeping bag. To celebrate we will plan to go to Splash Kingdom on our return home. All meals, admission ticket and transportation costs are included for this trip. Cost is $175. Scholarships are available. "Save your spot" fee of $75 due April 1 with full balance due June 1.

LAKEVIEW METHODIST CONFERENCE CENTER

Students 3^rd – 12^th grade may sign up for any week at Lakeview; however, our church will be providing some counselors and transportation the week of July 4-8. Cost is $440 and scholarships are available. Cabins with bunk style beds, all meals and activities are included. Send any questions to Janice at [email protected]. You may register at lakeviewmcc.org and to see the exciting activities and worship Lakeview has to offer.

The deadline to sign up for the Alaska Mission trip is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022

$200 Registration deposit due Thursday, March 31

If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found that this can be a painful, confusing time, maybe feeling isolated or have questions about things you’ve never faced before. Grief Share can help you face these challenges and move forward toward rebuilding your life through the following elements: (1) video seminar with experts; (2) support group discussions with focus and (3) personal studies and reflection (workbook). 



Grief Share classes begin Sunday, March 6, 2:00pm-4:00 pm, in Room 302 (New Beginnings classroom). Class will be each Sunday afternoon for 8 weeks. If you are interested in attending, please contact Shirley Lancaster, 913-706-3874, or the church office, to secure a workbook.

Unity and Diversity Award Winners: NaTusha Howard and Jerry Gardner. NaTusha is the Executive Director of Newgate and Jerry is a faithful member of FUMC with his wife Nan.

THANK YOU to all that showed up and used some muscle and sorting skills to help us prepare for our partnership with East Texas Food Bank and other opportunities coming to the Beacon Center. 30 volunteers participated in cleaning up, organizing, and preparing rooms for future use by the ETFB. Thanks to everyone for Being a Beacon of Hope to All!

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