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Hello friends! It’s time for another Monday message from me! I hope your week is getting off to a good start! I took some time this morning to reset for the upcoming month of March, updating my calendar and cleaning up my to-do list. Doing that always feels like a nice deep breath for me! 

We’re a little over a week away from the start of Lent. I hope knowing that brings you a deep breath as well. Knowing that we’re coming into a season of special worship and remembrance. We are working on some Lent moments that we’ll be sharing with you each week, these will be “symbols of the season” to help you reflect on Jesus’ life and work. We’ll be looking for readers, similar to how we do at Advent, if you’re interested in serving the congregation that way, reach out!

This Friday is our February Date Night with the new marriage ministry group. All are invited! This month, our facilitator couples have another fun and meaningful evening of connection prepared for you. You’ll get your information on how to register for your Grace Marriage materials and enjoy an Ice Cream Sundae dessert bar! I hope to see you there, Scott and I are looking forward to it!

Pastor Kevin shared in his column about his Dream Big visit with our Youth Roots on Wednesday night. It was special to see them pray in their own “prayer triplets,” just like many of you are participating in during this sermon series. You can find their dreams for our church family about the “Dream Big” wall in the Gathering Area!

Paul Risk Construction produced a “project wrap-up” video of our building renovations, you may have seen it floating around Facebook. If not, you can watch it here. There’s some exciting before and after shots of the Kid’s Wing which I think will be appreciated!

It’s a busy week on both my work and our personal calendar, but I’m grateful for a week in which it feels like spring is getting closer and closer!

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week

Our Family Theme: God’s Sufficient Grace

Our Root Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Verse of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:13

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Discuss how we should remain humble and depend on God for grace and strength during difficult times.

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately

I finished Leviticus this week in my Bible reading plan! Actually, I was kind of sad to be done with it, I learned a lot this time through, I grew in appreciation for the rules that God was laying in place for His people. 

This book has been making me think about how hard it really is to be a set-apart people. It’s really hard to live in the world while we’re actively being sanctified to be more and more like Christ. 

The Israelites needed these explicit and lengthy rules, they needed boundaries to guide in the direction of right relationship with God. These rules are discipline and coaching from God’s heart. 

How often do we think that God’s silent, not answering us when we cry out for direction. The book of Leviticus shows us that is not in his nature. He’s constantly pointing us to the direction of seeking him first. Some of the rules he gives the Israelites in Leviticus are for terms that they don’t even have yet; land and homes that aren’t theirs until their in the promised land. He sets these boundary lines in places to show them. He has this plan so perfectly worked out, follow his lead. Will it be easy? No. Will it look more fun to do life like the other nations or people around us? Yup. But our most precious endeavor in this whole life is the race we’re running with Him. Let us press on. 

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: LENT Resource - This is a simple and very practical Lent tool that you could use this season. Check out “The Lent Experience by Eric Ferris” on RightNow Media.

Something to Listen to: I really enjoyed this podcast, and I bet others of you will too! How to Be Really Good at Being A Family with Korie Robertson, 1000 Hours Outside

Something to Follow: The ladies will remember IF:Gathering from years past, the conference has taken a new approach this year - a global worship and prayer experience. Check out the multicultural worship songs here: Gather 25 Worship.

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for another COM ministry! Pray for the leadership, staff and kiddos that a part of our Childcare (daycare) ministry!

PRAISE for an energetic and joy-filled gathering of our OAKS this past week at their UNO tournament.