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A Monday update from me before I depart for Minnesota this evening! I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the week to attend an on-site, week-long intensive for the graduate class I’m taking this semester. I’ll be back in time for us to jump into Holy Week!

 

Speaking of, have you marked your calendars for all the “Holy Week happenings” here at MGCB?

  • This Sunday (3/29) - Palm Sunday
    • Special music performances from the Adult Choir and the Jr. Chimes group
    • Every Generation Sunday
      • Meet in the Sanctuary at 9:30am for some worship time. We’ll watch the BELIEVE video for this week to prepare us for our lesson activity that all generations will do together in the Family Life Center!
  • 4/2 - Maundy Thursday
    • Love Feast, 7pm
      • What’s Love Feast? Love Feast is a church gathering where we practice the ways of Jesus at the Last Supper. We share in a time of reflection and confession in the Sanctuary, then move to the Family Life Center, where like Jesus, we share a meal, break the bread of communion and wash each other's feet (or hands!). All are welcome! I hope you’ll join us for this meaningful evening. 
  • 4/3 - Good Friday
    • Drop-In Dinner, Youth Roots Fundraiser
      • Come at 5pm for a meal of lasagna, garlic bread and desserts. The meal will be served until the movie begins at 6pm
    • Movie Showings, 6pm
      • Sanctuary
      • Kid’s Wing Large Group Space
    • Pre-registration is helpful!! If you think you’ll be joining for the dinner and/or the movie, please sign-up in the Gathering Area!
  • 4/5- Easter Sunday
    • 6:15am - Sonrise Service at Alan and Pam Platt's
    • 8:15am - Adult Choir Presentation
    • 10:30am - Special Worship led by the Lil’ Roots and Bridge Roots Kids

I hope you’ll join us for all (or just some) of our “Holy Week happenings” next week! 

Before I wrap this section up, I just have to tell you about some epic Roots Kids events that I’ve witnessed in the last week! 

  • We had a wonderful Wednesday Roots Night, all because of outstanding volunteers who make it all possible! I love when they share some special stories from their classrooms and spaces, like one about really sweet 4-year old prayers!
  • I, along with many other church family members, got to experience the dynamite talent of two Youth Roots kids in the Solanco Middle School performance of “Annie Jr.” Way to go Hannah and Kennedy Kreider!!
  • We had 33 Branches Pairs at our annual Branches Brunch on Sunday! Since our BELIEVE practice for the week was prayer, our Roots Kids and their Adult Branches activated their “secret prayer agent” powers and went on a prayer hunt, exploring all the ways we can talk to God! It was really sweet to watch all of these inter-generational connections take place! I hope you’ll consider signing up next week!

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

Our Key Idea: “I pray to God to know him, to find direction for my life and to lay my requests before him.

Our Key Verse: Psalm 66:18-20

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Complete this week’s “Taking Up Lent” Challenge - Silence and Solitude!

Check Out This Week’s PODCAST

*This season of the “The Dig” podcast is specifically designed for EVERY 

GENERATION to deepen their understanding, ignite their curiosity and grow as fruit-producing, God-glorying disciples! Don’t miss out! To make it easier for you to find and listen, you can now grab “The Dig” episodes on the church website: https://www.mgcb.org/family-ministries/the-dig-podcast--8

 

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

In preparation for an upcoming Women’s Retreat that I’ve been asked to teach at, I’ve been doing some intense study on the book of Philemon. It’s an interesting little letter from Paul, one chapter, twenty-five verses long. You should check it out sometime!

To summarize much of my reading and research for you, Paul sends this letter to his brother in Christ, Philemon, who is about to face a tough decision regarding the status of one his slaves, Onesimus. And in a different approach than any of his other letters in the New Testament Paul gives more of a “read between the lines” message to Philemon. The letter is less of a teaching opportunity than it is a call-to-action. Basically, Paul is saying to Philemon what Jesus says in Luke 10:37.

“Go and do likewise.”

Or what James calls his readers to in James 1:22…

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Philemon is a book about living out the Gospel message in all of our relationships. But I’m being challenged by the bigger picture reminder to not just be a “hearer” but a “doer” too! 

 

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

Something to Read: This week our BELIEVE practice on Bible Study! Here’s a study for you to grab to put this into practice - Not-So-Quiet Time: Proverbs

Something to Listen to: I always appreciate this podcast, but this was a good listen about Peter! Enjoy “Everybody Got a Lil’ Peter in Them” by With The Perrys.

Something to Follow: Do NOT miss this resource parents! “Parenting Athletes

A Parent's Playbook to Bless & Support Athletes” by one of my faves Empowered Homes!

 

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

PRAY for our hearts to be softened and prepared for the coming Holy Week.

PRAISE for all the opportunities we’ve been having for intergenerational discipleship!