New Philadelphia News Across the Pastor’s Desk
sandwich, and we will provide the beverage. We will be meeting in the church library, just across from the Office. Lent is also the time for an extra spiritual discipline, some people add something, some people give-up something, and some people do both. I will be adding extra devotional texts, and giving up sugary deserts, and sweet drinks. Giving up sugar is not a diet. A spiritual discipline is always better than a diet, although I invariably get healthier.
Lenten Studies & Disciplines I am really looking forward to the Lenten Season. I love to teach and I will be offering two different courses of study. As always, the church will have a full program, and multiple study options. On each of four Sundays in Lent: March 16, March 23, March 30, and April 6, we will gather for a choice of classes and options at 5PM, and then will enjoy a meal together at 6PM. I will be teaching one option, a workshop on Grief Sharing for Introverts. No participant will be forced to speak. Each session will last about one hour. Half of each session will be dedicated to a presentation, and half to questions, discussion, and listening to one another as appropriate. I always get as much as I get. Subjects include: 1) Personal Hope- --The Christian Doctrine of Resurrection & Eternal Life; 2) The Stages of Grief, which is based upon the book, “Good Grief,” by Granger Westberg; 3) Helping the People We Love in Times of Loss; and 4) Hope for All of Us: The Revelation of St. John the Divine in One Hour. The presentation for the Revelation will take a little longer, perhaps 45 minutes. There will be handouts for every session. There are several other exciting Sunday evening options and a brochure is available at http://newphilly.org/ pdf/2014-lent.pdf. I will also be teaching an interactive Bible study entitled, “Faces Around the Cross.” We will meet on two Tuesdays in March, the 18th and the 25th, and two Tuesdays in April, the 1st and the 8th. Handouts will be provided, but bring your Bible. We will begin promptly at 11:45AM and quit at precisely at 12:30PM. Bring a
I am excited about the Lenten season. Make plans now to participate in one of our many options. May God bless your richly. The Pastor
Lenten Devotion Guides Lenten Devotion Guides will be available on Sunday, March 2, 2014. Please remember that 2,000 copies have been printed for distribution throughout our community, and we need your help in assuring that the Guides will be placed in as many homes and businesses as possible!
Stephen Ministry Have you recently experienced a significant life change? Perhaps the death of a loved one…… The loss of employment…… A new health diagnosis…… Would it help to have someone share your burden, someone to listen? Stephen Ministers are available. To learn more, call Clyde Manning 336-765-2331 ext. 307 or the church office (336-765-2331)