THIS WEEK AT FAITH

March 9, 2025

No matter who you are

or where you are on life’s journey

you are welcome here.

Our Welcoming Statement

FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

5992 Route 378

Center Valley, PA 18034

610.282.3939

**** Office Hours ****

Monday (*Remotely) - 9 am - 4 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (in office) - 9 am - 4 pm

Friday - Closed/Pastor's Sabbath

*Sandy will be working remotely but will check messages

on a regular basis. If you find yourself in immediate need,

call or text her at 610-967-6232.

faithchurchcv@gmail.com

www.faithchurchucc.org

MEMBERS & FRIENDS DIRECTORY

(Updated March 2025)

Daylight Savings Time begins on

on Sunday, March 9th at 2 am.

Set your clocks ahead

1 hour before bed

on Saturday.

The March Focus on Faith is here...

Join us for the

1st Sunday in Lent

March 9, 2025

Sunday School - 9:00 am

Worship - 10:15 am

Communion

Joyful Noise Collection

Bring your loose change to make a JOYFUL NOISE!!

Order of Worship

(To watch the services click on the circle above)

FAITH UCC CALENDAR

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Lenten Program

The story of Lent is a story of messy middles. Jesus is on the road, but he’s not there yet. Jesus is telling stories, but the crowds don’t understand. Jesus is leading a parade, but it’s not the one they expected. Jesus is risen, but the disciples can’t forget the cross. The story of Lent, the story of our faith, is a story of messy middles and nuanced surprises. So this Lent, we are remembering that faith is more complex than this or that, black or white, true or false storytelling. This Lent, we are wading into the middle of these sacred texts to find God and to stretch our own understanding beyond the binaries our world so often gives. And we hope you’ll join us. Welcome to an in-between Lent. This is the light before the dawn.

As in past years, we are using a Lenten Devotional Book and Daily Devotional Cards (by a Sanctified Art) that you can find below.

This gives you the opportunity to partake in the

program at your convenience.

If you prefer hard copies they are available in the Narthex.

everything [in] between booklet

Daily Devotionals

March 5th - 13th

Dear Friends at Faith UCC,

Thank you so much for the beautiful quilted blanket that you gave me at Christmas time.

I really appreciated your thoughtful gift.

Thanks and Love always,

Carol Bouc

March is One Great Hour of Sharing Month.

This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church Of Christ within Wider Church Ministries. Please prayerfully consider how you can help!

From Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates

“There is no such thing as a ‘safe space’ – we exist in the real world. We carry scars and have caused wounds. This space seeks to turn down the volume of the world outside and amplify voices that have to fight to be heard elsewhere, this space will not be perfect. It will not always be what we wish it to be, but it will be our space together, and we will work on it side by side.” Untitled Poem by Beth Strano

Dear Friends,

This week I spent time with the Council of Conference Ministers; the General Minister and President of the UCC, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson; Heather Kimmel, our chief counsel; the leadership of CHHSM (Center for Health and Human Services); the Insurance Board; and Elizabeth Dilley, our leader of the Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization team. It was an honor to be with these colleagues. And during this week, we are beginning Lent. Jamar Doyle from CHHSM shared the poem I quoted above. I wonder if in our days together during Lent if can we look at where we can provide safety, where we can heal wounds, where we can listen to those whose voices are not heard, and where we can work side by side – together.

Lent is a time for reflection and reconciliation, a time for our prayer and fasting and moving into truthful, nurturing relationships with each other. How do we move toward becoming the voice of reason, peace, and justice? How do we let go of our own pain and see the pain of others? How do we move into the ideal relationships that Jesus calls us into – relationships of love of God and love of our neighbors, all our neighbors?

We have a gospel mandate to follow Jesus, to make disciples of all nations, to share the good news. We also have a gospel mandate to care for ourselves, to spend time in reflection and prayer. I remember as a child, the focus of Lent was to give up something I enjoyed. In my adulthood, I try to add a spiritual practice to my schedule – to take time for meditation or prayer, to listen for the voice of God in the stillness of my heart. This requires even more discipline than giving up chocolate did when I was young.

My life, like yours, is full of responsibilities, tasks, chores, work, and other worldly items that can take over my minutes, hours, and days. Yet, I will be working on reflection and prayer, spiritual disciplines, and prayer this Lent. What will you be doing to feed your soul, to spread God’s grace, to share love this Lent? Share with me, with your colleagues, with your family and friends how you will nurture your heart. I will be listening and working side by side with you.

Blessings,

Bonnie

Take It Off!

by Vince Amlin

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of [God’s] power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11 (NRSV)

When I arrived at the retreat center, my room wasn’t ready. It was 3:55, and check-in was at 4. They took my phone number and said they’d call. Not promising.

I wandered the grounds, feeling anxious. I was spending the week with a bunch of strangers. Worse! Pastors. My thoughts alternated between all the reasons they wouldn’t like me and all the reasons I wouldn’t like them.

Then I came across the retreat center’s labyrinth, outlined in mossy stones and surrounded by trees. I decided to walk it. And as I did, I asked God to prepare me for the week ahead.

Paul tells the church in Ephesus to put on the armor of God. The whole armor. Which, he doesn’t mention, will necessitate taking off all the armor they’re currently wearing: The belt of half-truth. The breastplate of self-righteousness. Shoes that will let you run back to your room at the first sign of discomfort. You get the picture.

And, in exchange, God’s armor. “Be strong in the strength of the Lord.” Which, we know from elsewhere, turns out to be weakness. A shirt so thin they can see your rapidly beating heart. Nothing to protect you. Except God.

As I walked each circuit, God peeled it all away. The layers of my onion. The whole armor. Until, as I made my final turn toward the middle, it was just me there, open and unprotected. And when I stepped into the center (I swear, it happened!), my phone rang.

“Mr. Amlin, we’re ready for you.”

Prayer

Clothe me in gentleness, openness, and love. And nothing else.

About the Author

Vince Amlin is co-pastor of Bethany UCC, Chicago, and co-planter of Gilead Church Chicago, forming now.

Next Sunday, March 16th is PIE Sunday!

Join us for good food, fellowship, and fun. We'll start off with a Make-Your-Own Salad for lunch and finish up tasting some of

the best PIES that our Faith Bakers can make!

A free will offering will be taken for One Great Hour of Sharing.

MARCH

07 Weiland Hite

07 Isabel Hovis

08 Charlotte Gasda

12 Joan Demkee

12 Jennifer Amato

12 Tim Hovis

14 Ryan York

15 Dalton Biery

16 Joan Jones

23 Lisa Koch

24 Katie Y

28 Barbara Strimple

30 Tom Herstine

31 Patricia Babos

A Special THANK YOU to all who continue to financially support our ministry as you are able. We'd like to remind you there are several ways you can do this: