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Hello, friends! I hope today's email finds you well! I am sad to see more of these “April showers” in our forecast this week, but have hope… “May flowers” are coming! 

 

We had another lovely evening of fellowship and discipleship at Wednesday’s Roots Night. I like to look around, specifically at dinner, and enjoy the picture that is the Church family there. There’s still lots of room for you to join us, so don’t miss out even in the last few weeks of the season. I also owe a big thank you to the many volunteers who help make those evenings possible. It really does take a village! 

 

Friday night was a special night at the Women’s Ministry Resurrection Garden event. Ladies, I hope you’re marking your calendars to join in for the upcoming events. The teams that are organizing each event are doing a really fantastic job. Each event has been intentional in both discipleship and fellowship. I’m grateful for the leadership that is prioritizing that!

 

Be prayerful over the ministries that are nearing their summer hiatus’. Wee Friends Preschool is getting close to their final weeks and have begun practicing for their end-of-year programs. I enjoyed hearing some excited little voices practicing their songs in the sanctuary this morning! BOLD also looks towards a summer break, following Wee Friends' schedule. Let’s pray rest and renewal over the teachers and leaders in each of these groups. 

 

Sunday is Palm Sunday, which means we’ll officially be entering into Holy Week. I’ll share this resource with you again, one of my favorite Holy Week tools, daily readings through each day of Holy Week, read by podcaster Annie F. Downs. You’ll find these in your bulletin this week too. This is a simple and powerful way to reflect and connect with the Lord over Holy Week. You may also enjoy the Self-Examination devotional written by our Deacons, leading us up to our Maundy Thursday Love Feast. You can find these in the Gathering Area. 


Speaking of the Maundy Thursday Love Feast, I hope you and your family have marked your calendars to join us for an evening of reflection and worship on Thursday, April 17th at 7pm. This event is open to all, childcare is provided for those five and under. Together we’ll share the “agape meal,” take communion and wash each other's feet (or hands) in remembrance of what took place at the Last Supper. It really is a special evening! If you have questions about the event, reach out to Pastor Kevin or myself or any of our Deacons. 

 

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

Our Family Theme: God Gives Courage

Our Root Text: 1 Samuel 17:1–58

Verse of the Month: Ephesians 2:8–9

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Talk about this as a family… How can you use God’s faithfulness in the things of the past to help you when you face “giants” in your future?

 

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

This Christmas I was given a special gift, the opportunity to get my Bible rebound. Though I was excited to give my well-worn Bible a face-lift, I reluctantly handed it over to the UPS guy, wishing I could just hand deliver it to the company several states away. All is well, it returned safely back to me this past week, a new cover and all. 

I choose to put 1 Corinthians 15:58 on the new cover. This verse reads “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I got this Bible in 2015 and a lot of life has happened since then. Some of my most spiritually formative years have taken place since I’ve carried and studied this particular Bible. I’ve done a lot of wrestling with God with this copy of His words in my hands. 

I wanted the reminder, every time I opened this Bible to “stand firm.” To “not let anything move me,” as some translations say, from the Person on whom my eyes need to be set. But I also wanted the daily reminder that “we do not labor in vain.” He wastes nothing. “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 3:17. I needed this reminder moment by moment, day after day. “His Word will not return void,” so we “will not labor in vain.”

 

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

Something to Read: This book has resources on RightNow Media too! Check out… The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World

Something to Listen to: here’s a podcast that will suit many of our families… Parenting Athletes: Supporting Growth Beyond the Game

Something to Follow: RightNow Media has LOTS on wonderful Holy Week and Easter content for your viewing pleasure. Check out the Easter Collection here.

 

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

PRAY for the next commission on our list! This week let’s pray for the Stewards Commission, making decisions on behalf of the church’s finances. 

PRAISE for the wonderful gathering of MGCB women and friends at Friday nights event!