Lent Week 5
A Time for Every Matter

The teacher in Ecclesiastes speaks to there being a right time, a right season for everything. I think humanity has lost its appreciation of the seasons. There used to be times of the year when fruit or vegetables were in season and available, but now with global shipping, it is always that season somewhere in the world and, if you are willing to pay enough, you can get what you are after. This loss of natural rhythms even extends to our daily lives. The electric light bulb has changed how we sleep. We used to sleep in two blocks of about four hours each with an hour or two in-between. Scientist are now linking many current health issues to our internal clocks or circadian rhythms being so thrown off by unnatural light. Natural forces used to shape the flow of life, but with humanity’s “technological progress” we must now intentionally integrate lost realities such as dark and seasons of going without on our own.

Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor has a wonderful book, called Learning to Walk in the Dark, where she takes a very different approach to darkness. She offers the perspective that not only should darkness not be avoided it but that it is necessary. She points out that “during the day it is hard to remember that all the stars in the sky are out there all the time, even when I am too blinded by the sun to see them.” Sometimes in the darker moments we finally see things, important and beautiful things, that we overlook in the light. Often, we treat the dark as if it is devoid of God’s presence, but God is there, just as in the light. Psalm 139 reminds us that darkness is as light to God. Rev. Taylor reminds us that “new life starts in the dark. Whether it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb, or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark.”

Today as you write down your burdens and anxieties and hand them over to God in your God Box, consider the possibility that these pains and struggles represent a darkness in our lives, but God is in the dark, and sometimes that which is experienced as pain may also offer opportunity for new life and transformation. Pray for discernment that in dark times you might see that which is often overlooked, and sometimes those things can have their own unique beauty and grace.

End your time in the Prayer Chair with this prayer:

For losing touch with the creation of which we are a part…forgive me. For the times when I don’t let things unfold in their own time…forgive me. Help me slow down when it is the season of my life for doing so. Help me celebrate and embrace the ebbs and flows of life. Give me the ability to sense the balance so that I might take pleasure in the toil of my life and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
In this moment we hear Your promise: “I have set in motion all you need for happiness. It’s OK to slow down and reconnect with the world around you.” You do not ask us to go to some yesteryear, but to take time to smell the roses, savor the twilight, bask in the sun. We are your children, created to flourish along with all of creation.

Holy God, who holds me close as a Loving Parent does. I honor this life you have given me and this moment to remember what is important. I pray that your love will reign in all the earth and in my heart. Give me what I need to get through the next 24 hours. No more. No less. Open me to give and receive forgiveness when and if that’s needed so that serenity will return. Your world is precious. This moment will never pass this way again. With this breath I offer my deepest thanks. Amen.

-Rev. Bill Mauldin

 

Weekly Schedule

Wednesday, 10th
6:30 PM Covenant Carillons-sanctuary
7:15 PM Adult Choir -Choir Rm
Thursday, 11th
8:00 AM PSO Pancake Breakfast-CC
9:15 AM Spring Program-sanctuary
12:00 PM 4H-EB201-5
1:30 PM ECDP Chapel-sanctuary
6:30 PM Ladies in Fellowship Together (LIFT)-Home of Colleen Evans
6:30 PM ReFit-CC
Friday, 12th
9:00 AM Carrollton ECPTA Meeting- CCGym
6:00 PM Parents Night Out-CC
Saturday, 13th
9:00 AM C.O.D.A.-202EB
5:00 PM Harvey’s Kids-CC Gym
Sunday, 14th
Palm Sunday
9:00 AM Sunday School for All Ages
10:30 AM UNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
11:45 AM “Palm to Passion” Family Event-CC
6:00 PM Community Labyrinth Walk-Labyrinth

Sunday Highlights – April 14, Palm Sunday
Acolyte:
Grayson Valcourt

Ushers:
Sage Carter and Lorrie Hammons

A/V:
Cory Bowes

Counters:
Tim Shepardson and Julie Fuller

 

This Week’s Highlights
ECDP Spring Programs
Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11
9:15 am
in the Sanctuary
The students have been working hard and can’t wait to show you what they can do!

Ladies In Fellowship Together (LIFT)
Thursday, April 11
6:30 pm
The monthly LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together) meeting will be Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 pm at the home of Colleen Evans. Go to L.I.F.T. for more information. Bring a snack or covered dish to share, enjoy food, fellowship and a short devotional. If you do not have time to prepare a dish, please come anyway for this time of food and fellowship!

Parents’ Night Out
Friday, April 12
6 to 9 pm
in the Covenant Center
Ages Infant – 5th Grade. Reservations are required by Wednesday, April 10!
Reserve a place for your child at hcumc.org. You may drop off and pick up children anytime during the designated hours. Cost is $10 per child; $25 max per family.

 

Palm2Passion Family Event
Sunday, April 14 following worship
in the Covenant Center
A Holy Week experience for children and families.

Community Labyrinth Walk
Sunday, April 14 at 6:00 pm
Come experience the Labyrinth in a Community Walk!
Meet us in Linda’s Labyrinth located outside, east of the sanctuary, accessible from the south parking lot.
New to walking a Labyrinth? Join us for a brief orientation at 5:45 pm. Childcare provided.
All are welcome here.

Holy Week
Maundy Thursday Worship, April 18 at 7:00 pm
Good Friday Worship, April 19 at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunrise Worship, April 21 at 6:30 am — You are invited to bring cut flowers for the wreath.
Easter Service of Resurrection, April 21 at 10:30 am — He is risen!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Egg Hunt, April 21 at 9:30 am

Coming Soon!
Family Campout
Turner Falls State Park
April 26-28
Holy Covenant is going camping! We are having a church camp-out at Turner Falls State Park in Oklahoma April 26-28th. We have some spots reserved but can get more if there is a lot of interest. We have filled all the shelters we reserved, but there is still room for tents. The cost to tent is $12.50. There is a $5 park fee each day for each person, kids under 5 free. Check in is at 4pm, check out is 12pm. So if your family wanted to come out Saturday, you could come and hang out with those who went on Friday and check in at 4pm. It will be lots of fun, we will sort out all the details. If you’re interested, contact Rev. Bill Mauldin [email protected].

Farewell Celebration for Gretchen Church
Sunday, April 28 following worship
We have truly enjoyed our time with Gretchen Church serving as our church accompanist. She and her husband now have an opportunity to return to Illinois where they moved from and where their family are all located. Gretchen has also enjoyed her time at Holy Covenant but is happy to be returning. She will also be able to return to the positions she held in Illinois. We are very happy for Gretchen, but sad to see her go. Gretchen’s last Sunday will be April 28. We will have a farewell celebration for her directly following the service on that day.

Blood Drive
Sunday, April 28
8:30 am to 12:30 pm
in the Covenant Center

“Serving Our Neighbors” Service Project
Do you know someone in our area who needs help with a home project? Maybe painting? Installing a ceiling fan? Building a wheelchair ramp? Yard work? Please contact Rev. Bill Mauldin [email protected] with details.

2019: A Year in the Bible
Feel like you’ve missed the boat on reading the Bible in chronological order? Don’t! You can jump right in in any of the following ways:
1. Download the free Bible app by You Version. This link should take you to the group from Holy Covenant that are doing this reading together: Invitation.
2. You can use the link above on-line as well. If you don’t want to be connected to others you can just go to bible.com. Go to plans and search The One Year Chronological Bible.
3. You can listen to The One Year Chronological Bible through Audible.com at Audiobook or you can download the app and listen to it on your phone.
4. You can buy a The One Year Chronological Bible in book form through Amazon at Amazon or download it to your Kindle or E-Reader.
5. You can use any Bible you want and follow this print out that tells you what scriptures to read each day: Reading Plan.

Support Holy Covenant While You Shop
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