2017 March Tidings

The

Tidings GERMANTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 2017

Table of Contents 4-7 GUMC Life 8-9 UMW

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Older Adult GUMP Adult Education Health and Rec

Ministry Contacts Children’s Ministry Lisa Pierce - Director of Children’s Ministry 758-6512 • lpierce@germantownumc.org Kristin Dickerson - Associate Director 754-7216 • kdickerson@germantownumc.org Callie Beaver - Associate Director 758-6525 • cbeaver@germantownumc.org Older Adults Beverly Rhoads - Elder Care Health Ministry Coordinator 758-6513 • brhoads@germantownumc.org Luci Cromer • 755-0803 • luci2@comcast.net

Adult Education Mary Groh - Director of Adult Education and Membership 754-5093 • mgroh@germantownumc.org Youth Ministry Sue Hyland - Youth & Confirmation Director 758-6516 • shyland@germantownumc.org Brian Richards - Associate Youth Director 758-6515 • brichards@germantownumc.org Health and Recreation Tiffany Griffin - Director of Health & Recreation 753-3100 • tgriffin@germantownumc.org See full staff listing at www.germantownumc.org/staff

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on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not foot against a stone.’[c]” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” 11 Then the devil left him, and ange attended him. Jesus Teaches Nicodemus 3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher w from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and t Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell whe Is Tested in the Wilderness ThenSpirit.”[d] Jesus was led by the can Spiritthis into the to be tempted[a] the devil. forty said days and from or where it is going. So it Jesus is with everyone born of 4the 9 “How be?”wilderness Nicodemus asked. 10by“You are 2IsAfter rael’sfasting teacher,” Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we sp forty nights,wehe have was hungry.

The tempter camepeople to him and you are the of God, tell 12 theseI stones to becometo bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: we know, and we testify to what seen,3 but still you do said, not“Ifaccept ourSontestimony. have spoken you4 of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

‘Mexcept an shall not liveone on who bread came alone, but on every word thatSon comesoffrom the mouth of God.’as [b]” Moses 5 Then the devilup tookthe him snake to the holy city wilderness, and had him stand on the has ever gone into heaven highest the from heaven—the Man.[e] 14 Just lifted in the so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have point of the temple.

6 “Ifgave you are Sonand of God,” heSon, said, “throw yourself down.

For it isin written: “‘He will command hisbut angelshave concerning you,life. and they will lift in him.”[g] 16 For God so you loved the world that he hisnottheone only that whoever believes himhim,shall not perish eternal 17 For did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to sav up in their hands, so that you will strike your foot against a stone.’ [ c]” 7 Jesus answered “I t is also written: ‘ D o not put the Lord your God to and theGodJesus, through him. 5 So he cametest.’ to[d]”a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

6 Jacob’ s well was there, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you 7 When a Samaritan woman camedown toanddraw water, saidtotohim,her, “Will give me (His disciples hadMessiah goneand into town buy food.)

9That ThewasSamaritan woman “You will bow worship me.” 10Jesus Jesus said “Away fromyou me, Satan!

For isdrink?” written:8‘W orship the was Lord the your God, serve him 11 the devil23left who aitacknowledged that Jesus would bethe putonly.’ out[e]” of to the Then synagogue. why his parents said, said “He isto of him, age; ask him.”are 24 Aa Jew and I am a Samaritan can you ask me for a drink?”

Jews associate Samaritans.[a]) 10thereJesus her, “If who you thewas“Give gift of God andbyJewish whoruling itthe istruth,” thattheyasks for this a drink, would asked him and he would have give him, and(For angels came do and not attended him. Jesuswith Teaches Nicodemus 3 Now was they a answered Pharisee, a man Nicodemus a member the council. second time summoned thenamed man hadknew beenwho blind. glory toof God telling said. you “We know man isyou a sinner.”

25 have He replied, “Whether water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman haveat nothing andthattheyouwell Where can you getOne living water? greater than our father Jacob, us did thehe well drank27from it himself, as did a 2 Hesaid, came“you to Jesus night and to said, draw “Rabbi, with we know are he aisteacher who come from God. Forthis no one perform the Are signs you Iare Godthey were isdeep. a sinner orhasnot, I don’ t know. thing I docould know.

I was 12 blind but you now see!”doing 26 ifThen asked him, “What did hewho do togave you? How open and your eyes?” not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very I tell this you, nowater one canwill see be the kingdom of“Iagain, God theyalready are born again.[a]” 4 “How bewant born are old?”

He thirsty answered, have unless told and you did not listen.can Whysomeone do Iyou towhen hear it never again?

Dothirst. you want to become disciples too?” them 28 Thenwill theybecome hurled insults and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone whotruly drinks 14 you but whoever drinks the water give them willthey Indeed, the hiswater I give in them a spring of wate Nicodemus they cannot enterthis a second timeso intothat their mother’ womb be born!”

5 Jesus “Very truly I tell one canwater.” enter that the16 kingdom him stand said,tothirsty “You are this fellow’ disciple!

We are disciples ofyou, Moses!

29 We know GodHespoke Moses,“Go, but call as foryour this fellow, we don’ t even knowback.” where he17 “I have no husband,” to eternal life.” 15 The woman saidasked. to “Surely him, “Sir, give me water Iatwon’ get and havesanswered, to keep coming here tono draw toldtoher, husband and come of God unless theyyou are born ofyou water and the Spirit.

6 Flesh gives birth to from.” flesh,you butThe theman Spirit[b] gives“Now birththat to spirit.

7 the You should not benow surprised mynot saying, comes 30 answered, is and remarkable!

You don’ t know where heatis comes from, yet husband. he opened my eyes. you 31 Wehave know just that God doesis not listentrue.” to Jesus said to her, “You are right when say have no husband.

18 The fact is, have had five husbands, man you have your What said quite 19 “Sir,” the woman ‘You[c] born again.’ worshiped 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases.but You hear Heits sound,claim cannot tell where it his comes from or where is heard going.

So it is with sinners. listens tobuttheyou godly person who does will.

32must Nobody has itever of opening the eyes of“Woman,” a man bornJesus blind. 33replied, If this man were me, not from God, is he coming when you will see that you are a prophet.

20must Our beofancestors on this mountain, you Jews that theJesus, place where we worship is indare Jerusalem.”

21And “believe aJesus time everyone born the Spirit.”[d] 9 “How can this be?”

Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are I s rael’ s teacher,” said “and do you not understand these things?

11 Very truly could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how you lecture us!” they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness 35 heard Father neither on this mountain in Jerusalem. worship what do know; worship for insalvation isMan?” from36 the 23theYet time“Tellis mecoming now come when the true I tell you,nor we speak of what we 22 know,You and Samaritans we testify to what we have seen, but thrown still not youhimpeople dowe not accept ourwhat testimony.

12 have spoken totheyouSonofofearthly that theyyou had out, and when he found him, hewe said,do “DoIknow, you believe “Who Jews. is he, sir?” manaasked. so thatand I mayhas believe will worship the Father inthings the and Spirit andnotinbelieve; truth, theifkind ofofworshipers the13said, Father seeks.

24 into Godinheaven is and his worshipers must in “Lord, the ISpirit truth.”him.2539 The you do how for then they will youarebelieve I speak No“You one have has ever except theoneone who came inheavenly him.” 37things?

Jesus now gone seen him; fact,spirit, he is the speaking withfrom you.”heaven—the 38 Then worship the man said, believe,” and and heinworshiped Jesuswoman said,[a] said, “I know that Me Christ) “is coming. When heSoncomes, he 14willJust explain everything tosnake us.” in26 Jesus declared, “I, come the one speaking to you—I Thethose Disciples Rejoin JustPharisees then who his were disciples andthiswere of Man.[e] as Moses lifted up the the Then wilderness, the Son I ofhave Man mustinto be this lifted up,[f] who maywho have lifeJesus in blind.” 27 “Forsojudgment world, so 15 thatthat theeveryone blindamwillhe.” see believes and seeeternal will become 40 Some with himreturned heard him say and surprised to find him a woman. But no one asked, “What doGod youso want?” youhistalking her?”

28 Then, leaving her water jar,“If you the woman went back the town andnowsaidthattoyoutheclaimpeople, seeremains. a man him.”[g] 16 For loved the or world“Why that are he gave one and with only asked, Son, that whoever in him notsaid, perish but were have eternal life.

17 For to Godguilty did not sendbut “What?

Are webelieves blind too?”

41 shall Jesus blind, you would not be of sin; you can29 see,“Come, your guilt The who Deathtold me everything I ev his Soncame into the condemn world,made but totheir save way the world through him. 31 5 So he acame a town in Samaria calledHehim, Sychar, near Bethany, theeat plotsomething.” of ground Jacob of Lazarus 11 Now man to named Lazarus wasurged sick. was“Rabbi, from the village of Mary and herhesister 2 (This“I Mary, Lazarus this be the Messiah?” 30 They outworldoftothe towntheand toward him.

Meanwhile his disciples 32hadBut saidMartha. to them, havewhose foodbrother to eat thatnowyoulay know nothing about.” to his someone son Joseph.have 6 Jacob’ s well was and Jesus, tiredfood,” assick, he was the journey, bywill the of well.the It Lord was noon.me Whenwith a Samaritan woman theJesus, same one poured on andsent wiped his7 feet her hair.)his 3 So the sisters sentt word Jesus,a “Lord, the ‘Ione is sick.”

4 disciples said to each other,given“Could brought himthere, food?”

34 “My saidfrom “iswho tosat dodown theperfume him whoabout and to finish work.

35 Don’ youtohave saying, t’s you stilllovefour months until harvest’? I te to draw water, said her, “Will you give me anow drink?” hadthis, gone into said, thea town to and buy food.)

9 The woman him, “You a God’ When he heardreaps Jesus “This sickness will not end Samaritan death. No, it eternal is said for to God’life, s glory soare that s sower Son may and be glorified through may it.” 5 Now Jesustogether. loved Martha37 Thus the saying ‘On your eyes and look at thecame fields!

They are Jesus ripewoman. for toharvest.

36ask Even the8 (His onedisciples who draws wage harvests ainanswered crop for so that the the reaper be glad and I you am a to Samaritan How can you not me for a drink?”

(Forher Jews do not associate 10 Jesus her,the you knew the and sister anddone Lazarus.

6with So Samaritans.[a]) when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he“If stayed where hegift wasoftwo more days, 7 Samaritans and then he saidBelieve to his disciples, “Letof us the go back another reaps’ is true. 38 Jew IGodsent reap what you have worked for.

Others have the hard work, and you have reaped benefits of their labor.”

Many 39 Many Samaritans from that t and who it is that“He askstold you me for everything a drink, you would havedid.” asked40him and when he 8would have given water.”while 11 ago “Sir,”they woman said, “you have to yet drawyouand to So Judea.”

“But Rabbi,” theyyousaid,living “acame short thetheJews there tried stonenothing you, and are goingstayed back?” 9 Jesusdays. answered, “Are not twelve hourswords many more beca in him because of the woman’ I ever the Samaritans him totoby with 41 that Andthere because with sandtestimony, the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

12 Are greater than who our walks father inJacob, who to gave usnotthe well urged andfordrank from itstay himself, as sdidthem, also10 It is he of you daylight?

Anyone daytime willhim, stumble, they see this world’ light. when a persontwo walks at night they stumble,offorhis they 42 They said to the woman, “We and no hislonger believe just because of what said; now heard forthe14this, ourselves, we know this mannever isasleep; thebutSavior of the Heals a Man replied, Born Blind 9 As he went a his sons livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone whoyou drinks thisno water will be thirsty buthe whoever drinks the water I friend give them will thirst. have light.”we 11 have After he hadagain, said went onand to tell them, “Ourthat Lazarus hasreally fallen I am going there world.” to wake Jesus him up.” 12 His disciples a man blind from birth. 2 IHis him, will“Rabbi, sinned, thisof man his ifup parents, born blind?”

“Neither nor hishis sinned,”hesaid thatplainly, the works of God might ndeed,disciples the water asked I give them becomewho in them a spring water or welling eternalthat 15 The woman to him, “Sir, give methis this water so that I parents won’ t get thought “Lord, hetosleeps, helife.” willhe getwas better.”

13said Jesus had3 been speaking of man his death, but disciples meantJesus, natural “but sleep. this 14 Sohappened then he toldsothem in him. 4 As long as it is thirsty day, we works ofdraw himwater.” who 16 sent me.her,Night is your coming, noyourone While I she amsoreplied. in world, Itoam the 16world.”

6 After sayingas this, he spit and must have to do keepthe coming here to He told “Go, call husband back.”

17 haveI was no5 husband,” Jesus her, “You “Lazarus is dead, 15when andandforcome sakecan I am“Iwork. glad not there, thatthe you maysaid believe.

Butthe let light us go of to him.”

Then Thomas (also known Didymus[a]) said on to the ground, made som are right you say husband.

The fact have had fiveofhusbands, the man you go, now haveweismay notdie your husband.

Whatand you washed, havethe justSisters said iscame theof rest the disciples, “Let us also that with him.”went Jesus Comforts of Lazarus On his arrival, found that already the saliva, and put it on the man’when s eyes.

7 you “Go,”havehenotold him,18“wash in is,theyouPool Siloam” (thisandword means “Sent”).

So the man and home17seeing.

8 HisJesus neighbors andLazarus thosehadwho had formerly seen him be quite used true.” 19 can seeclaimed that youthat are aheprophet.

Our tomb ancestors worshiped on Now this mountain, butless you Jews that the place where been 20 in the for “No, four days.

18 Bethany than miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 the and many comethen to Martha Mary eyes to comfort them inthey asked. 11 He repli “Isn’t this the same man who to“Sir,” sit the andwoman beg?”said,9 “ISome was.

Others said, he only looks like was him.”

But hetwoclaim himself insisted, “I amwe man.”Jews 10 had“How wereandyour opened?” worship in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” replied, “believe a Siloam time when you worship theheard Father thiscoming, mountain in Jerusalem.

22 him,isbutthis loss isofcoming their wash. brother.

20willWhen Martha thatneither Jesus she nor went out12to “Where meet Maryman?” stayed they at home.asked 21 “Lord,” Martha to Jesus,he“if said. The Pharisees Inv they call Jesus made somemust mud and isput it what on my eyes.

HeJesus told me to go me, tothe and So Iwould went and washed, andonwas then Iandcould see.” him.her, “I “Your don’said tbrother know,” worship do not know; weblind. worship what do had know, salvation is from the not Jews.

23the Yet 22 a time comingthat has now come when the you beenfor here, my brother have died.

But isI know even God will givewas you awhatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said will rise him how he had receiv Healing 13 They brought toYou theSamaritans Pharisees mantheyouwho beenSpirit 14 Nowwefor the onthe which had made mud the man’day.” s eyes Sabbath.

15 Therefore theto Pharisees also asked worshipers will the worship Fatherhad inand the and in truth, theyday areMartha kind of Jesus worshipers the seeks.

24 and God opened is God, spirit,atfor and must again.”

24 answered, “I said, know he willFather rise again innot the resurrection the his lastworshipers 25 Jesus said the to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one can who believes “He put mud on my eyes,”true the man replied, “and I washed, now I see.”

16 Some of the Pharisees “This man is from he does not keep Sabbath.”

But others asked, “How a sinner perform such sign worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that inMessiah” Christ) “is coming. he lives will explain everything 26 die.

ThenDoJesus me will(called live, even though they die;When 26 he andcomes, whoever by believing in me towillus.” never you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the were divided. 17 Then theydeclared, turned to thetoblind have Rejoin you to say27about him?

Idisciples t who wasisreturned your he surprised opened.”

The man replied, is a But prophet.” did not believeis that he said, had “and been blind and had receiv “I, theagain one speaking you—I man, am he.”“What The Disciples Jesus Just then and find she him had talking ashewoman.

Messiah, the Son ofhisGod, to comeeyes intowere the world.”

28 toAfter said with this, “He went back and called18 her They sister still Mary aside.

“The Teacher here,” she until they sent for the man’ s parents. s this son?” they asked. s this theleaving oneyou.” you say was blind?

How isthequickly ittown that can 20 “We is our the was parents “and we know he was bo no one asked, “What19do “Iyou want?”your or “Why are you talking with “Iher?”

Then, her 29 water jar, the born woman wentsheback said people, 29 “Come, is28 asking for When Mary heard this, gottoup and now wenttohe tothehim.

30see?”

Now Jesus had know not yet he entered the son,” village, but still at answered, the place where But how he can see now,seeora who opened eyes, we know.

HeMartha is30 of heoutwill speak for himself.”

22with HisMaryparents said comforting this because theyhowwere afraid ofuptheand Jewish who her, already man who told mehis everything I everdon’ did. tCould this Ask be thehim.

Messiah?”

They camehim. the town and made way toward him.in 31 his disciples had age; met 31of When the Jews who their had been theMeanwhile house, her,urged noticed quickly she got went out,leaders, they followed sup- had decided that anyo him, the “Rabbi,Messiah eat something.” have food to posing eat know nothing about.”

Then his disciples saidMary to reached each “Could someone havewastime sheyou waswas goingwhy to thehistomb to33mourn there. the place Jesus and saw she fell at histhe feetman and said, you hadblind. been “Give glory to God b knowledged that Jesus was would 32beButputhe said outtoofthem, the“I synagogue.

23that That parents said, “He32 isWhenof age; askother, him.”

24where A second theyhim,summoned who“Lord, hadif been brought food?”

“My food,” said “is to do“Whether the will of he him is who andortowould finishnot work.

35 Don’ tWhen you thing have a saw ‘Itweeping, ’s stillI four until harvest’ ?I see!” here, my me brother have 33 One Jesus and months the Jews who had come along26 withThen her also was deeply in spirit truth,” they said. “We know thishimman is 34a sinner.”

25 Jesus, He replied, asent sinner not, I hisdon’ t died.” know.

Isaying, do herknow. was blind but now theyweeping, askedhe him, “Whatmoved did he do toand you? How did he open I tell you you, open your and eyes and look atnot the fields!

TheyWhy are ripe for harvest.

36to34 Even nowithave theagain? one reaps draws a wage and a disciples crop eternal so Then that 36 troubled.

“Where youwho laid him?” he asked.

“Come andharvests see, his Lord,” theyfor replied.

35 life, Jesus wept.

Thenhurled the Jews said, “See how he and loved said, him!” 37 Butare somethis of fellow’s disciple! We 27 He answered, “I have told already you did listen. do you want hear Do you want to become too?”

28 they insults at him “You the sower and the reaper may be but glad together.

Thusfellow, the saying Othem ne and another true.

38 you to 30 reapThe whatman you kept have not for. dying?”

Others said, “Could not reaps’ hewhere whoisopened theI sent eyesfrom.” of the blind man have this worked man“Now from Jesus Raises Lazarus Dead 38where Jesus, he oncecomes more deeply of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, as forthe37this we‘labor.” don’sows tMany even know he cave comes answered, that is remarkable!

YouFrom don’the t Martha, know from, yet he opened my donetothesinners. hard work,Heandlistens you have reaped benefits of theirwho Believe 39 aMany ofwith thea Samaritans from that town believed inofhimaaway because moved, came towill. the tomb.

It was stone laidofacross the entrance.

39 “Take the born stone,”blind. he said.33 “But, thenot sister of theGod, dead man, know that God does not have listen the godly hisSamaritans Nobody has ever opening the eyes man If Lord,” this said man were from of the woman’ s testimony, “He told meto everything I everperson did.” 40 So when the time Samaritans came toodor, him, for they himheard to stay with them,40and stayedsaid, two“Did days.

41 tell you “by does this there is32 a bad heurged has been there four days.”

Thenhe Jesus I not that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41heSocould do nothing.” 34 T replied, “You were steeped And in because sin at ofbirth; howmany daremoreyoubecame lecture us!”42And him out.

Spiritual Jesus that they hadfor thrown him me. out,42 and him,me,hebut said,I said“Dothisyou believe in the Son of Ma his words believers.

They they said tothrew the took woman, “We no longer just because of and whatsaid, youheard said; now we have ourselves, they away the stone. believe Then Blindness Jesus looked 35 up “Father, I thank youheard that you have heard I knewwhen that he you found always hear for the is he, sir?” the man asked.and“Tell I may in him.”

37world.”

Jesus said, “You nowstanding in fact, he abelieve ismanthe one with the man “Lord, believe,” come and out!” he worshiped we me knowso thatthat this man reallybelieve is the Savior of the Jesus Heals a Man Bornpeople Blind 9 seen As he him; went along, he saw blind from birth.

2 His43 disciples him,Then benefit of have the here, that they may that youspeaking sent me.”

Whenyou.” heasked had38said this, Jesus called said, in a loud voice,I “Lazarus, 44 The dead him. 39 Jesus said,[a ment I have come into this“Rabbi, world, that seethat andhethose whoblind?” seeman become blind.”

40parents Some Pharisees whoof“but were with him so heard himface. say thissaidand asked,“Take“What? blindandtoo?” who so sinned, thisthe man blind or his will parents, was born 3 will “Neither this his man nor his sinned,” said strips Jesus, happened thathisthe works of came out, hands and feet wrapped with linen,thisand a cloth around Jesus to them, off theAre gravewe clothes let him41go.”Jesus The Plotsaid, “If you were blind displayed in him. as ityour is day,guilt we must do thetoThe works of him who sent me. is coming, whenhadnamed nocome one to can work.Mary, 5 While I sick. amseen in the I from Kill Jesus 45of Therefore manyNight of the Jewsa who visit and had whatworld, Jesus did, believed in him.the Judas Agreesof to Mary Betray and Jesusher 14 Then one Martha. of not be guilty of sin; but God nowmight thatbe you claim you4 Ascanlongsee, remains.

Death Lazarus 11 Now man Lazarus was He was Bethany, village sister 2 (This Mary, wh the light the world.”

After saying this, heonspitthe on Lord the ground, some theJudas saliva, and the s priests eyes. sent 7 15 “Go,” heasked, toldtohim, “wash thewillingthe Twelve—the onewith called the man’ chief and “What are in you to give if I love deliver ishimsick.” over to4 you?” counted outJesus said, “This sickn Lazarus now lay sick, wasamthe sameof one who 6poured perfume andthemade wiped hismudfeet with herIscariot—went hair.)put3 itSoonto the sisters word Jesus, “Lord, onemeyou WhenSo hetheyheard this, Pool of sSiloam” (this word means “Sent”).

Somay the man went and washed, came home seeing.

8 His loved neighbors and those whoher hadsister formerly him beggingtoasked, “Ihim swhen n’tover. he forand himit.” thirty pieces of silver.

16 FromMartha then on and Judas watched for and anseen opportunity hand The heard Last Supper 17 On the first daysick, of the Festival of where Unend in death. No, it is forthis God’ glory so that God’ s Son be glorified through 5 Now Jesus Lazarus.

6 So that Lazarus was he stayed he was two more the same sit and beg?”

9 Some claimed they that hesaid, was. “aOthers “No, heago onlycame lookstoJews like him.”

Butasked, he himself insisted, “Iyou, am the man.”

10 preparations “How are then going leavened Bread,said, the disciples Jesus and “Where do you want usand to make for you to eat 9theJesus Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the to then he said to his disciples, “Let usman go who backused totoJudea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” short while the there tried to go stone yet you back?” answered, “Are there notcitytwelve hours of daylight? were eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied,world’ “The man they call some mud on at mysays: eyes.

He appointed told methey totime to SiloamI am and going wash.

I went no and aIt certain man and tell and him, put ‘Twalks he itTeacher My is near. toSocelebrate the Passover11with my disciples your house.’ ” he 19 So the disciples didtell them, “Our friend L walks in the daytime willwashed, notyour stumble, for see.” they s asked light.

10 “IJesus ist made when asaid. person night they After hadat21said this,they went on hetosaid, and then I could 12 see “Wherebyis this this man?” they him. don’Jesus know,” The Pharisees Investigate thethat Healing2013When Theystumble, broughtcame, tofor theJesus Pharisees the man atlight.” as had hedirected them and prepared the Passover. evening washave reclining the table with the he Twelve.

And while were eating, fallen asleep; but I am going to 14 wake up.”on 12 disciples if you, hethe sleeps, hewas getme.” better.”

Jesus had speaking hisafter death, other, but “Surely his disciples thought he meant who hadthere been blind.

Now him the day whichHis Jesus had madereplied, the mud “Lord, and opened man’sof eyes a Sabbath.

15 Therefore the also him tohow heone had “Truly I tell one you willwill betray They13 veryPharisees and been beganasked to say himof you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesusnatural replied, sleep. 14 So then h plainly, “Lazarus is dead,received 15 and for “He your glad the I was not there, so that you But lettheusbowl22 gowith to mewere him.”

16notsadThen Thomas known as asthe Didymus[a]) said to But the woe rest of the his sight. put sake mud onI am my eyes,” man replied, “and I washed, see.”

16believe.

Some theinto Pharisees said, “This man from God, “Theandonenow whoI may has dipped his of hand will isbetray me. 24 TheforSonhe(also ofdoes Mannot willkeep go just it is written about him. to that man disciples, who betrays “Let us also go, that with him.” Jesus Comforts the Sisters Lazarus On his arrival, found that Lazarus had already been for have four Now Bethany was him, lesssaid,than twoyoumiles[b] Jerusalem, the Sabbath.”

But othersofasked, “How can17 a sinner perform suchJesus signs?” So divided.

Thenbe they turned again blind man, youdays. to say18the about thethey Sonwere of Man! It 17 would better for him if toheinthe hadthe nottomb been “What born.”

25 Then Judas, onehim? who would betray “Surely don’t meanfrom me, Rabbi?”

Jesus 19 and many Jews It was your eyes in he the opened.” replied,brother.

“He is a 20 prophet.”

They still did not“You believe that had26been hadwent receivedout his to sight until the given man’sthanks, answered, have saidheso.”

Whileblind theyand were eating, Jesus tookmeet bread,they and sent when heMary had broke 21 it and“Lord,” gave it Martha to his disciples, “Take “if and you eat; had been here, my br Martha and Mary to comfort them lossTheofmantheir When18 Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she him, but for stayed at hehome. said tosaying, Jesus, parents.

19 “Isthat this your asked. this the you say was blind?

Howbody.” is it 27 thatsaid nowheto hetook can 20 know hewillisgiven our son,” thehe parents answered, “and “Drink is my Then cup, and“We when he had gave to them,answered, saying, from it, he all of 28 again This is in my the blood resurrection of the[a] covenant, not have died. 22 But I know evenson?” nowtheyGod will“Isgive youonewhatever youbornthis ask.”

23 Jesus her,asee?”

“Your brother risethanks, again.”

24 itMartha “I know willyou.rise at the last day.” 25 Je we know he wasthe bornlife. blind.The 21 But how he believes can see now, or who opened his eyes,though we don’t they know.

Ask many him.

He isthe ofwhoever age; he willlives speak forbelieving 22 saidfrom this which is poured out for for forgiveness of sins.

29himself.”

I tell you, I His willparents not drink thisDo fruityou of the vine from now27 on until that day when I replied, drink it new her, “I am the resurrection and one who in me will live, even die; 26 and by in me will never die. believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she “I believe that you are because theycome wereinto afraidthe of world.” the with went you in back my Father’ s kingdom.”

30 When theyMary had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Has Risen 28you.”

After 29 the Sabbath, at dawnheard on thethis, first she got up quickly a the Son of God, who is to 28 After she had said this, she and called her sister aside.

“The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for When Mary Jewish leaders, whoentered already the village, but was still at the place where day of the week, Mary Magdalene and31theWhen other Mary went towho look at thebeen tomb.with 2 There was ina violent earthquake, for an angelher, of the Lord came down from she heavengot and, him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet Martha had met him. the Jews had Mary the house, comforting noticed how quickly had decided that going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him thatup and went out, t her, supposing she the and place where Jesus and said sawto him, she fell feet andI know said,that“Lord, if looking you had been who here,wasmycrucified. brother not hehave died.” 33 When a n ywas o n e going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached they shook became like dead 5was The angel the women, “Do at not his be afraid, you are for Jesus, 6 Hewould is not here; her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply andmen. troubled.

34 “Where him?”andhefor “Come see, from Lord,” replied.

Jesus 36 Then the Jews sa has risen,moved just asinhespirit said. Come and see the place where he have lay. 7 you Then golaidquickly tellasked. his disciples: ‘He and has risen the they dead and is going35 ahead of youwept. into Galilee. he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes ofThere the you blind have man8 from JesusawayRaises Lazarus From oncehis more moved, will man see him.’

Nowkept I have this told you.”

So the dying?” women hurried from the tomb, afraid yet the filled Dead with joy,38andJesus, ran to tell disciples.deeply 9 Suddenly Jesuscame met to the tomb. It them.there “Greetings,” said. They to him, with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been four hedays.”

40came Then Jesus said, “Did I feet and him. this for the be that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that youclasped alwayshis hear me, worshiped but I said Then Jesuswith said strips to them,of linen, and a people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet10wrapped not beinafraid. and Agrees to B his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, “Do believed him. GoJudas my brothers to go 16 From th 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirtytell pieces of silver. to Galilee; there watched for an opportunity to hand him over. The Last Supper 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat th will see 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples didtheyasme.”

Jesus had direct prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdo they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus Has Risen 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to ciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see m Tested in the Wilderness 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him s highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your a stone.’[c]” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “ give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and a Jesus Teaches Nicodemus 3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has com For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when th Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes fr it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d] 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what w we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one ha into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. H ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a]) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you l 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his s livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling nal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can s are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Fa on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (calle coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” The Disciples Rejoin Jesus 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking wi But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. C the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One so other reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Many Samaritans Believe 39 Many of the Samaritans from that t in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more beca 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind 9 As he went a a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made som the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him be “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He repli they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. The Pharisees Inv Healing 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had receiv “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such sign were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had receiv until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was bo But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyo knowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God b truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open 27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 T replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Spiritual Blindness 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Ma is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said,[a ment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, wh Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickn end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell3 them, “Our friend L fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then h plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that

LENTEN Conversations

MARCH 1 - APRIL 13

readings for this Lenten season focus on key events and conversations found in the scriptures as Jesus goes towards Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross. The conversations give us a look at the grace and wisdom of Christ in the midst of Temptation, misunderstanding, and death.

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY WITH THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES. THE ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE WILL BE BEGIN AT 6:30 PM, MARCH 1.

nd we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one ne into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life 6 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How k me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a]) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons tock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up fe.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can u are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the er on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called oming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” The Disciples Rejoin Jesus 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with ut no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his d to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open nd look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and ps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Many Samaritans Believe 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed use of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. d to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind 9 As he went along, he saw from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with nd put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, he same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man sus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. The Pharisees Investigate the hey brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. d on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight ent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acthat Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” wered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples 9 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Spiritual Blindness 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgcome into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would y of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother w lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not . No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who e daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has ; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them arus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die esus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would d. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to e resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, God, who is to come into the world.” 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed ng she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how !” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave e laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the ding here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around sus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas an opportunity to hand him over. The Last Supper 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” d, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and e Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one ther, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When ng a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus Has Risen 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Jesus Is he Wilderness 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of se stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the t of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will e said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. es Nicodemus 3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” sked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives h, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d] 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g] 16 loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. me to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a]) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eterThe woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you et. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither ntain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship n the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is n he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” The Disciples Rejoin Jesus 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be ” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your k at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and anis true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Many Samaritans Believe 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed use of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. d to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind 9 As he went along, he saw from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with nd put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, he same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man sus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. The Pharisees Investigate the hey brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. d on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight ent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acthat Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” wered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples 9 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Spiritual Blindness 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgcome into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would y of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother w lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not . No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who e daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has ; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them arus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die esus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would d. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to

GUMC Life

LENTEN Conversations SERMONS AND SCRIPTURES

March 5 “Jesus’ conversation with Satan” Matthew 4:1-11

April 2 “Jesus and Martha and Mary” John 11:1-45

March 12 “Jesus’ and Nicodemus” John 3:1-17

April 9 (Palm Sunday) “Jesus and Judas and Disciples” Luke 24:1-12

March 19 “Jesus’ and the Woman at the Well” John 4:5-42 March 26 “Jesus’ and the Blind Man” John 9:1-41

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April 16 (Easter Sunday) “The Angel and the Women” Luke 24:1-12

e e d . w g s p . n e s d h d s n d d . w d h , n e . y t 1 e ” s e y o d r t d s m e o d o , o d w w u e d s s ” d e s k s n , k o s f e t l . . ” s e d e 6 . a u ” s d u r p s . e s r d . w d h , n e . y t 1 e ” s e y o d r t d s m e o d o

GUMC Life UMCOR Awarded Four Stars From Charity Navigator Charity Navigator, the highly respected charity evaluator, has awarded UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) its top charity rating—four stars—for UMCOR’s excellent performance in the two broad categories assessed: financial health and accountability and transparency.

“We appreciate this rating because we know donors are looking for unbiased information to help them evaluate the integrity of the organizations they contribute to,” said Roland Fernandes, chief operating officer and general treasurer of the General Board of Global Ministries, of which UMCOR is a part.

Charity Navigator uses a team of professional analysts to evaluate the financial documents of U.S.-based nonprofit organizations. UMCOR is among more than 8,000 such organizations Charity Navigator reviews each year.

“Our ratings show givers how efficiently we believe a charity will use their support today, how well it has sustained its programs and services over time and their level of commitment to good governance, best practices and openness with information,” Charity Navigator explains on its website.

“UMCOR is proud to be recognized by Charity Navigator as an organization that has earned— and continually seeks to earn—the trust of our supporters and partners,” Fernandes said. (copied) ***

The Funeral Guild Ministering to Families During a Time of Grief For many years, The Funeral Guild has been serving GUMC families when they experience the loss of a loved one. Church members volunteer their time to assist grieving families with details surrounding the visitation or memorial service when the service is held at the church.

Providing a reception for all of the people who attend a memorial service has become increasingly difficult for some of our small groups, especially when we have multiple services in a short time. Beverly Rhoads and I have met with Rev. Tim Carpenter and he has suggested that we go in a new direction as to what we provide for families who hold services here at GUMC. Rev. Carpenter would like to see us minister to the family in a more intimate way by offering a meal to them and their extended family members following the service. The Funeral Guild would still like to utilize the small group affiliation the family may have with a Sunday School class, a Circle, the choir, etc., but we are devising a meal template that would essentially offer the same “menu” to each family, i.e. a meat, two side dishes, a salad, bread/roll, dessert and a beverage.

The Funeral Guild will be contacting each small group to solicit a contact person to reach when the need arises. Thank you for your cooperation to assist families when they have experienced such a loss.

Nancy Cofield UMCOR, the United Methodist Church’s rapid disaster response ministry, is able to operate because the apportionments paid by local United Methodist congregations, like GUMC, create the structure and ability to respond quickly and effectively at home and around the world when disaster strikes. This year, GUMC has committed to meeting 100% of our apportionment asking of $477,000.

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GUMC Life Journeys of Paul Cruise 2017 with Adam Hamilton Rev. Gabriel is hosting a tour of Paul’s missionary travels beginning October 6, 2017. With guest speaker Rev. Adam Hamilton of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the cruise has stops in Sicily, Mykonos, Ephesus, Santorini, Athens & Corinth, Naples & Pompeii, and Ancient Rome. Rev. Gabriel has brochures and more information for those who are interested. You may also look on line at the Educational Opportunities web site www.eo.travelwithus.com. You will want to look under “Journeys of Paul Cruise 2017.

Where’s Your Nametag?

When you wear your nametag it’s easy for a visitor who needs help to find a member to ask. When you join the church you receive a free nametag. However, you may have misplaced your nametag or maybe you just want a new one. Below you will find a form. Complete the form, add your $10 check, and put it in the drop box located under the boxes in the hallway entrance to the Fellowship Hall.

Questions? Email Lesley Shaughnessy at lshaughnessy@germantownumc.org or call her at 758-6517.

GUMC Nametag Order Form Please clearly print name(s) as you wish them to appear on nametag(s). FREE for New GUMC Members 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________ Your nametag(s) should be ready within 2 weeks and available for pickup at the Welcome Center.

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Volunteer Sunday, April 23,GUMC 2017

Life

The Evangelism Committee, Yolanda Toney, Chair

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ... James 2:14-24 Works cannot save us, but works are a direct reflection of our faith and love for Christ. In Matthew 22:3740 when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ On Sunday, April 23 we will celebrate volunteering, and we need your help. We want to share the many places where our members are Jesus’ hands and feet.

How will we collect this information?

There will be a sign up sheet in each Sunday School class as well as slips at the at the Welcome Desk for you to provide the necessary information. You can also email Yolanda Toney at ytoney@ germantownumc.org.

What will we do with the collected information?

We will compose a document that lists the places where members volunteer with a contact person.

Why compile a list?

We compile this list for people who are new to the community, to this church, for the newly retired or someone who is ready to volunteer.

Why volunteer?

If we have accepted Christ as our Savior we have an obligation to help not just our friends but strangers.

Matthew 5:46-48 tells us “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

As we volunteer all over the city, we have an opportunity not only to do valuable volunteer work but also to do something even greater . . . to introduce someone to Christ by shining our light.

Thank you volunteers!

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United Methodist Women Children’s Consignment Sale Shop Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25 It’s that time of year again! Clean out the closets, rummage through the attic, sort through the garage—clothing, furniture, toys, baby equipment, and more. GUMW Children’s Consignment Sale preparation is underway! Go to gumwclothingsale. com to review guidelines and find details about consigning, volunteering, and shopping.

Registration/Inventory entry deadline is Tuesday, March 21, at midnight. Refer to the website for complete information about accepted merchandise and consignment instructions. All proceeds from this sale benefit GUMW missions.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Drop off: Wednesday, March 22, 5-8 p.m. and Thursday, March 23, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Pre-sale: Thursday, March 23, 5:30-8 p.m.

Volunteers who work 8 or more hours may shop at 5:30. Those who volunteer 4 or more hours may shop at 6 p.m. Consignors may shop at 6:30 p.m.

Public Sale: Friday, March 24, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Half-price Pre-sale: Friday, March 24, 5-6 p.m. (consignors and volunteers only) Public Half-price Sale: Saturday, March 25, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Pick-up: Sunday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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TO SIGN UP FOR GUMW’S EMAIL LIST, GO TO GERMANTOWNUMC.ORG/EMAIL

United Methodist Women Donations are now being collected for the Unique Boutique

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

- ISAIAH 61:3 NIV

Donations are now being collected for the Unique Boutique which offers a shopping delight at the Spring Bridge and Games Benefit!

Stephanie Adams is collecting items including: jewelry, purses, scarves, accessories, household goods, small furniture, lamps, books, toys, luggage, and holiday décor. Drop off at 2931 Mallard Lane in Germantown. A “Pricing Party” to mark items takes place on Monday, April 10. To donate or to volunteer to help, contact Stephanie at 7569748 or 488-4748 and monacodog@aol.com.

Spring Bridge and Games Benefit with Unique Boutique!

Tuesday, April 11 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | OLEC Germantown United Methodist Women will once again sponsor their Spring Bridge and Games Benefit this April. All proceeds from this event will benefit GUMW missions. Fun will be had by all— whether you play Bridge, another card game, or choose a board game such as Scrabble or Mahjong.

Just remember to bring your own cards and game supplies!

In addition to game playing, you will also enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared by Celebration Circle, you’ll catch up on spring fashions with a Fashion Show sponsored by Dillard’s Oak Court, and you’ll enjoy listening to beautiful piano music furnished

by Eva McPeters! To further delight you, there will be lovely door prizes awarded to some lucky participants. And finally, who could resist shopping at the popular “Unique Boutique” where bargains abound! Shop early at 9 a.m. for items including jewelry, accessories, bric-a-brac, home goods, books, Christmas and holiday décor, and many other items.

Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center, the OLEC, or at germantownumc.org.

Reservations must be received by Tuesday, April 4. For more information about the Spring Bridge and Games Benefit, or to volunteer, contact Alice McMurray at 754-0605 or Pat Gill at 756-8151.

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Older Adult Ministry May XYZs!

AARP SmartDriver™ Course

XYZs See Million Dollar Quartet Million Dollar Quartet is coming home! Bringing to life one of the most iconic moments in Memphis music history, this musical takes place on a Tuesday night shortly before Christmas in 1956.

Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins have gathered together at Sun Studio for the first and only time. Million Dollar Quartet gives you a front row seat to their only performance, a cultural flash point that caught rock-n-roll at the moment of creation. Join us for a fun-filled evening and the opening night reception after the performance. Waiting list availability only.

Germantown United Methodist Church and AARP will present the “AARP Smart Driver™ Course”, the nation’s largest driving refresher course. This 8-hour course is scheduled for March 16 and 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Successful completion entitles participants to a discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years. There is no driving test or written exam. Register early because the class will be closed at 28 participants. The results of taking these classes have been proven—class participants have few accidents and tickets.

When: Friday, May 5, 2017

The objectives of the course are to help you: • Be independent, safe, and confident while on the road.

• Keep up with changes so you don’t put yourself and others at risk.

• Learn state-specific information throughout the course.

• Focus on areas such as roundabouts, pavement markings, stop-sign compliance, red-light

running, and safety issues like speeding and seatbelt/turn-signal use.

Cost: $25 per person cost includes reserved seat and opening night reception

WHERE: Room 339 (Fellowship Forum classroom) in the Ministry Center.

Departure: 6:45 p.m. from OLEC parking lot. (Be there by 6:30 p.m.)

WHEN: Thursday and Friday, March 16 & 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Reservations: Call Nancy Arnold, 754-6326, Gretchen Blair, 755-0797, or Luci Cromer, 7550803. You must make your reservation before paying.

COST: $15 fee for AARP members ($20 for nonmembers) payable to AARP.

Deadline for Money and Reservations: Wednesday, April 5

DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS: Reservations will be taken until class is full.

Where: Playhouse on the Square

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RESERVATIONS: Call Jan Cameron at 366-2772

Older Adult Ministry XYZs Tour Dixon’s New Exhibit and Eat at Jim’s Place Grille!

Join us as we enjoy a private guided tour of Scent and Symbolism: Perfumed Objects and Images from the collection of the Umi-Mori Art Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. This exhibit will consider the role of scent in the history of art through a collection of 140 scent bottles from the 17th-20th century, It will also reveal how the sense of smell, one of humankind’s most powerful yet enigmatic senses, has been described by painters and graphic and decorative artists over time. After our tour, we are going to have a delicious lunch at Jim’s Place Grille in Collierville.

Where: Dixon Gallery & Gardens and Jim’s Place Grille When: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Cost: $20 per person cost includes tour and lunch Departure: 9 a.m. from OLEC parking lot. (Be there by 8:45 a.m.)

Reservations: Call Nancy Arnold, 754-6326, Gretchen Blair, 755-0797, or Luci Cromer, 755-0803. You must make your reservation before paying.

Deadline for Money and Reservations: Monday, March 13

Spring Has Sprung–our Handy Helpers are waiting for your call The Handy Helpers Ministry Team, sponsored by the Older Adult Council, lends a “helping hand” to older adults in our church who need assistance with small repair and maintenance jobs around the house.

WHAT TYPE OF JOBS DO HANDY HELPERS DO? • Light maintenance and repairs including small carpentry jobs such as malfunctioning doors, locks or windows.

• Minor electrical work such as replacing light switches and light bulbs.

• Replacing smoke alarm batteries.

• Minor plumbing work such as working on “running” toilets or leaky faucets.

• Other miscellaneous jobs are considered on an individual basis.

Handy Helpers do not work on large or small appliances, roofs, home decorating, or on jobs requiring tall ladders.

WHAT DOES THIS SERVICE COST? The Handy Helpers service charges only for parts and materials used in the repair. There is NO charge for labor.

TO QUALIFY FOR THE HANDY HELPERS SERVICE: You must be a member of Germantown United Methodist Church, have homeowner’s liability insurance, and be over 60 years of age. To request assistance, please contact Charles Waters, 286-4823.

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Older Adult Ministry March Brown Bag Lunch Don’t Forget the March Brown Bag Lunch Program!

James A. Cornfoot, Instructor of Music at Rhodes College, will talk about “The Music of Easter” and play some music for us. This presentation will be Friday, March 3, in the Fellowship Hall. The program starts at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon. Bring your own sack lunch; the church will supply the beverages. Call Luci Cromer, 755-0803, for more information. No reservations are needed. There will be a crossing guard on West Street to help with overflow parking.

April Brown Bag Lunch Executive Director of Levitt Shell Will Discuss its History at April Brown Bag Lunch!

Built in 1936 by the City of Memphis and depression-era WPA for $11,935, the Levitt Shell was modeled after similar band shells in Chicago, New York, and St. Louis, and it is one of only a handful of the 27 WPA-built band shells that are still standing. Anne Pitts, Executive Director of the Shell, is going to discuss its 80-year past, its role in the history of Rock and Roll, and what is happening there today at the April Brown Bag Lunch Series, an adventure in learning sponsored by the Older Adult Council.

Topic: “History of the Levitt Shell” Speaker: Anne Pitts, Executive Director, Levitt Shell Where: Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall When: April 7, 2017. Program starts at 11 a.m.; lunch is at noon.

Cost: FREE—the church will supply beverages.

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Reservations: No reservations are needed. Just bring your sack lunch and enjoy the program and the fellowship.

Questions? Call Luci Cromer, 755-0803, or Beverly Rhoads, 754-7216, ext. 107.

There will be a crossing guard on West Street to help with overflow parking.

GUMP Annual Spring Assessment As GUMP anticipates spring weather—warmer days, constant sunshine and bursts of green all around, we also begin to anticipate our annual spring assessment. Each spring season the state of Tennessee visits GUMP to observe the standards in which they require of all preschools throughout our state. This includes a level of details covering seven categories: Directors Qualifications, Professional Development, Developmental Learning, Parent and Family Involvement, Ratios and Group Sizes, Staff Compensation, and Program Assessment. The highest attainable level is “3 Stars.” GUMP has far exceeded expectations in the past and we anticipate another glowing report!

Also, this spring we welcome two interns from the University of Memphis who are acquiring degrees in Child Development. We love the opportunity to share and teach future educators about the wonderful things GUMP has to offers young children and their families. Students are a wonderful addition to our weekday preschool. GUMP is grateful for the partnership we have with the University of Memphis.

Adult Education Lenten Study Starts March 9 He Chose the Nails Thursdays, March 9-April 6, 6:30–8 p.m.

In this five-session video Bible study, Max Lucado explores the many gifts that Jesus provided to us at his crucifixion.

These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns that pierced his brow, the nails that tore his flesh, and the empty tomb where he forever defeated sin and death. Join facilitator Terry Aust as we examine the symbols surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. Cost for the study is $7. Register online or call Mary Groh.

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Adult Education Women’s Retreat “Fruit of the Spirit” Beyond the outskirts of Shelby County, past crowded freeways and noisy streets, the women of GUMC traded in their hectic schedules for a relaxing overnight retreat at Pinecrest Conference Center in LaGrange, Tennessee. For some, it was the first chance in a long time to spend quality time with friends.

For others, it was a longawaited hiatus for spiritual and physical renewal, a time to draw closer to God, and cultivate new relationships.

Seventy-two women, ranging in age from 26 to 80, attended the highly anticipated 2017 women’s retreat on a beautiful winter weekend at Pinecrest on February 3 and 4 for an amazing 24 hours of studying, playing, sharing, laughing, singing, and praying together. Keynote speaker and writer, Dr. Pokey Stanford spoke on the topic: “Fruit of the

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Spirit” taken from Gal. 5:22-23 “. . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.” Pokey led the women through a study that she wrote specifically for our retreat that explained what the Bible defines as fruit and how believers can bear more of it in their lives. For each of the fruits, Pokey identified and discussed a woman in the Bible who demonstrated that particular virtue.

Natalie Duncan provided our music before and after every session, taught us a song to help us remember the fruit of the Spirit (and the order), and led our worship service. Our planning team (Jan Bobbitt, Liz Coverdale, Claire Fawcett, Ann Gee, Jennifer Harlan, and Peggy Warner) had fun activities and games to keep us moving and to help us meet each other.

Adult Education

One of the best things about our retreat is the opportunity to meet lovely and interesting women that we have possibly seen at church, but have never met, and to engage them in meaningful conversation! This year we had seven mother/ daughter couples and Kathy Moore had both of her daughters with her! We gathered for delicious meals around a huge stone fireplace in the dining room and after the planned activities had ceased, some of us gathered there or in our cabins for extended discussion and laughter with our old and new friends.

and we prayed with each other for the strength and courage to “grow and nurture” our fruit so that through us, others will see God. The retreat was a special “moment in time” for all of us, giving us a feeling of family, deepening our connectedness with each other and with God.

Our closing worship service on Saturday afternoon was held in the beautiful Chapel on the grounds of Pinecrest. The Chapel is magnificent in its simplicity. Instead of stained glass windows, we connected to God through nature by looking through floor-to-ceiling windows onto the wonder of creation. Dr. Stanford’s final talk with us was titled “What Does God Expect You to Produce?”

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2017: THE TURNING POINTS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS

Adult Education

2017: THE TURNING POINTS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS 2017 Faith Seeking Understanding Series To Feature Well-Known Biblical Archaeologist March 31-April 2 GUMC hosts its second annual Faith Seeking Understanding weekend series March 31-April 2 with keynote speaker Dr. James Fleming, one of the best-known teachers of Biblical Archaeology.

Dr. Fleming brings his scholarship to GUMC in the form of a weekend experience entitled “The Turning Points in the Life of Jesus.” His lectures will include “Jesus’ Birth and Years of Obscurity,” “The Galilean Ministry,” “The Journey to Jerusalem” and “The Passion in Jerusalem.”

Dr. Fleming uniquely ties his lectures on historical geography with Biblical text and includes an emphasis on the theological implications.

Through his lectures, listeners embark on a journey to the ancient lands of the Bible and learn of new discoveries of ancient manuscripts that will significantly add to their understanding of the events, hopes and fears of the people in various Biblical periods. He also makes extensive use of slides showing geography, culture, and archaeological discoveries in Biblical lands.

Dr. Fleming currently serves as the director of Biblical Resources Study Center (BRSC), an ecumenical organization that produces audiovisual aids for teaching Bible history, geography, archaeology and theology. For 37 years he lived in Israel, where he founded and directed the World of the Bible Archaeological Museum and Pilgrim Center in Jerusalem. In 2006, he established the Biblical History Center in LaGrange, Georgia. The Center features interactive exhibits of daily life in the Biblical world and serves authentic Roman-style Last Supper/Passover meals. The Center became

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2017: THE one of four museums in the United States to house antiquities on loan from the Israeli Antiquities Authority in 2013.

“Dr. Jim Fleming is one of the most respected teachers and lecturers on archaeology and Biblical studies in the world,” said Rev. Tim Carpenter, senior pastor at GUMC. “He brings an incredible passion for archaeology, geography, culture, and scripture and weaves them together in ways which illuminate the gospel and help apply it for today.

‘Turning Points in the Life of Jesus’ is among his finest lectures. I have been blessed many times

by Jim Fleming’s teaching, and look forward with anticipation to his visit with us. I highly recommend experiencing Dr. Jim Fleming’s teaching as he has had a tremendous impact on my life and ministry.”

Faith Seeking Understanding kicks off on Friday night with dinner and a lecture. A series of lectures take place on Saturday, and Dr. Fleming closes the weekend with Sunday lectures at 9:40 and 11 a.m. in the Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall.

All of the events are open to the public. The Friday night dinner is the only event that requires advanced registration and is not free of charge.

Tickets to the dinner are $10.

Adult Education

A complete schedule of events is as follows: • Friday, March 31 – Dinner will be served in the Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall from 6-7 p.m. The cost for dinner is $10. Space is limited, so registration is required by Monday, March 27 at noon. Preschool childcare is available by registration.

E TURNING POINTS IN THE L • Friday, March 31 – Dr. Fleming will speak in the Sanctuary from 7:15-8:30 p.m. The title of his talk is “Birth and Years of Obscurity.” There is no charge for this event, and registration is not required unless childcare is needed. There will be elementary school childcare available in the form of “Movie Night” in the Huddle from 7-8:30 p.m., and preschool childcare is available in the Nursery from 6-8:30 p.m.

• Saturday, April 1 – Coffee and donuts will be served in the Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall from 8:30-9 a.m.

• Saturday, April 1 -- Dr. Fleming will present his lecture “ The Galilean Ministry” from 9-10:15 a.m.

• Saturday, April 1 – Dr. Fleming will present the lecture “The Journey to Jerusalem” from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Launched in 2016, the Faith Seeking Understanding series originated from the findings of a survey that was commissioned

by GUMC’s visioning committee in 2013. The goal was to identify key areas of emphasis that required the attention of the church. After reviewing and analyzing the feedback, “spiritual formation and personal development” emerged as one of the five main focus areas. The Biblical foundation of the “spiritual formation and personal development” focus area comes from 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

• There is no charge to attend any of Saturday’s events, and each lecture is come as you please.

Registration is not required unless preschool childcare is needed.

One of the guiding principles for the Faith Seeking Understanding Ministry Team is to develop and host a periodic, ongoing speaker series geared toward GUMC members and the community at large that would focus on how to interpret and apply Biblical truths to current events that shape our lives and the world in which we live. The committee believes periodic renewal enhances our spiritual lives, just like it does our minds and bodies.

• Sunday, April 2 – Dr. Fleming will present his lecture entitled, “The Passion in Jerusalem,” in the Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall at 9:40 and 11 a.m. Childcare is available.

For more information about the Faith Seeking Understanding weekend, please contact Mary Groh at 754-5093 or mgroh@ germantownumc.org.

• Saturday, April – Dr. Fleming will lead a talk/ discussion entitled “Updates on the Middle East Situation” from 2-3 p.m.

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Health and Rec

Adult Education

What I Don’t Do

By Judy Oros, Certified Person Trainer, Fitness Express Personal trainers are notorious for telling people everything they need to know and “DO” in order to maintain or lose weight. We show you step by step “how to” use cardio equipment and/or weight machines, what, when, and “where to” eat and even “how to” track steps, heart rate, laps, miles, sleep and just about everything concerning their workouts via their new Fitbits, Apps, Monitors, and other tracking devices. But, actually, after thinking about this for a while, the light bulb went off, and I realized in essence, we should be telling our customers what “we don’t do.” Let’s flip the scenario around a bit and see if it makes better sense.

5 Things I DON’T DO 1. Crash Diet. When in the world would it be suitable to crash diet? Answer: Probably never!

Yes, it’s true you do lose weight really fast in a short period of time. However, after you celebrate your weight loss, your now “slow metabolism,” which crash dieting results in, leads to future weight gain, weakens your immune system, risks dehydration, heart palpitations and cardiac stress. If that doesn’t scare you, it then shocks the body into a starvation mode and holds on to your fat as fuel thinking you will never feed it again. Your quick weight loss, which you are shouting out to the world, is generally water weight. After your crash diet is over, you will regain your weight plus some. Don’t mess with your metabolism—it’s one tough cookie! No pun intended!

2. Count Calories. How in the world can a book or App tell you exactly how many calories are in a particular food? Do you not think they may be off 20 to 30 calories higher or lower? That would put your calories count off as much as 200 calories higher or lower each day. There’s no strategy in this. It’s a numbers game you are playing. Counting calories is another way of frustrating you into believing that if you eat this amount of calories per day the weight will fall off. You are not learning the key ingredient to keeping it off forever. And despite what some brand-name diets claim, the best way to do so is to exercise regularly and stick to a lifestyle change that limits saturated fat and sugars and emphasizes fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, and whole grains. That’s the key ingredient.

3. Skip exercise. Exercise even when you don’t want to. I use the 10-minute rule. Come to the gym and start doing something for 10 minutes. If you still do not want to be there after the 10 minutes, then go home. Chances are good that you will last at least 30 minutes. It works every time! And if you know me, I will probably chew your ear off for 30 minutes anyway. So, there you are, 30 minutes of cardio!

4. Leave the house without a plan. This should be Number 1. What in the world are you going to eat for dinner tonight if you did not already have an action plan? Isn’t it dark, late and cold when you get home, coupled with no food prepared? So, the play opens up with you opening the Frig. You look and look and hope and hope and pray a lot, that something magical will appear in the form of dinner. Nope, never happens. “Let’s eat out” you shout! Spouse says, “No let’s make pot luck, there’s got to be something in there.” Kids say, “Let’s eat that frozen pizza!” You are too tired to argue with any of it, so you have all three. Wife says, “I’m starting my diet in the morning.” And the cycle goes on and on and on. That’s what your house sounds like without a plan. Plan your meals for the week, fix and/or cook some of it on Saturdays or Sundays. Chop, grill, dice, bake, put into containers, and freeze.

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Health and Rec

5. Set unrealistic goals. I’m quite guilty of this and am still a work in progress. Don’t we all think we can run a marathon after only training for 2 weeks?

Congratulations on being so optimistic! Our brain says, “of course I can do that!” After all, I’m thinking, I’m a personal trainer and I should be able to do that. But, has my body been in training for a long (very long) 26.2 miles run? Slow down, set goals, and be optimistic, yet realistic at the same time. And of course you can run a marathon. You have to train for it, want for it, eat for it and enjoy the process along the way.

Tiffany Griffin Leaving GUMC Staff GUMC’s Director of Health and Recreation Ministries, Ms. Tiffany Griffin, is leaving the GUMC staff for other opportunities. Ms. Griffin has served on the GUMC staff since 2011. During her time, the OLEC ministries have expanded in size and scope. The GUMC Staff Parish Relations Committee is currently interviewing candidates for the position.

Remember that small changes go a long way to leading a healthy lifestyle. Pick out one or two of these “what I don’t do” suggestions and build on them for a few weeks before moving forward.

Practice self-kindness, and a positive outlook. You are so worth it.

People Who Know and Who to Ask: Todd Hinton, Assistant Director, Owings Life Enrichment Center, Certified Personal Trainer Judy Oros, Certified Personal Trainer

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GERMANTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2331 South Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138 Phone: (901) 754-7216 • Fax: (901) 753-3112 • info@germantownumc.org Sunday Worship: 8:30, 9:40, & 11 a.m.