Kingwood United | March_April 2019 by KingwoodUnited

Magazine 2019 — March | April Kingwood UMC — www.kingwoodumc.org

KINGWOOD UNITED digital_magazine

March | April

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Further Up.Further In. We desire to go further. John.McMann@kingwoodumc.org A couple of years ago George Barna and the Barna research group found that professing Christians self identify around “ten transformational stops” along the Christian journey. These stops begin with stop one, “ignorance of the concept or existence of sin” and go through “profound love of God and profound love of people in stops nine and ten. What is profound about this research is that 89% of the individuals in the research have not progressed past stop five, “forgiven and committed to church activities,” leaving only 11% experiencing

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the deep waters of God’s work of grace in their lives. At KUMC we have looked at these stops before and are being led back to the second half of the journey, stops six through ten. God is doing something incredible with prayer and other amazing movements of the Spirit as we are United together. Now, we again ask for God to revive us and fill us with love for the transformation of the world. We desire to go further! What does it look like to find a place of holy discontent, to be broken by God, to fully surrender our lives, and to have love fully capture our hearts? Join us during Lent for this new sermon series, Further Up and Further In.

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worship Ashes to Ashes. I love a good quest story I love a good quest story, especially the kind that brings together a fellowship of characters that go through trials and victories to reach their final goal. The season of Lent always feels like that to me. Easter is out there in the distance, but to get there I need (and truthfully desire) to go through a period of growth and formation.

praying to God to join Him in the work of the cross and the tomb to draw us closer to Himself. Between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. people are invited to come by the sanctuary for a brief reminder of the season and an imposition of ashes. At 7:00 p.m. we will join in worship in the sanctuary and again include an imposition of ashes. It is our starting point together as we begin the quest to go further up and further in.

Some of that is personal growth Chris.Harrison@kingwoodumc.org Ash Wednesday | March 6 7:00 a.m. | Sanctuary 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary Imposition of Ashes Our starting point together as we begin the quest to go further up and further in.

Some of that is personal growth in my self-awareness and repentance, but other parts of the work are done in relationship with, in our case, Kingwood United. The first step of the journey is getting real about our inability to get to Easter on our own. We need help, even to desire to get there. So we begin on Ash Wednesday, March 6, acknowledging our frailty and

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What shall we sing?

Craig.Gilbert@kingwoodumc.org

www.kingwoodumc.org/classes-category/music/

When we lift the music of the Church with God in our sights and an emphasis of justice, love, kindness and humility toward others before God in our hearts, then why and how we sing is more important than always singing our favorite song.

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For every day, of every month, of every year of my ministry this question has been on my front burner. Either in my own search to choose music for worship or because of questions (and plenty of opinions) posed by my parishioners about the music in church, I regularly search Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word, my education and research in worship and my own faith journey for clues to answer the question: What Shall We Sing? While there are many

scriptures that refer to music both in the temple for worship and among Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people when they gather, I believe that what music we use in worship is not nearly as important as why and how we sing. I believe that music is a vocal offering of the people of God directly to God and as such, instruction about this music can be found in scriptures dealing specifically with offerings. One such scripture is Micah 6:6-8. In this passage Micah seems to ask the question of Heaven itself what is an appropriate offering for God. He lists several options, each more extravagant and burdensome than the last until he finally asks if he must sacrifice his first-born. Then heaven appears to answer that God has already shown what God requires: justice, love, kindness and to walk humbly with God. So what does this have to do with music?

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worship Many people will agree with the premise that when we sing we offer a sacrifice of praise before God; an offering if you will. Unfortunately, we often miss the sacrifice part of that sentiment. It is certainly not much of a sacrifice if all we ever sing are songs we like and to which we can relate. Now, that is not to say those kinds of songs are not important. On the contrary, we need to sing to the Lord in a way that we can truly proclaim the love we have in our hearts for God. But, what about someone else’s heart? Notice that the things God requires as per Micah. Each of these require’s a sacrifice of self before others. Now, if we cannot bring that same thinking to our music, then how is it truly an offering worthy of God, no matter how beautiful, grand, or even “right” it may be in our own eyes? Choosing music to serve as an offering of praise for hundreds of people each week, all with different backgrounds, cultural/ musical languages, needs, desires, and intentions toward God is an impossible task, unless we can approach music the way Micah calls us to approach an offering to God. When we lift the music of the Church with God in our sights and an

emphasis of justice, love, kindness and humility toward others before God in our hearts, then why and how we sing is more important than always singing our favorite song. Now the door becomes open to a wide range of music that expresses the myriad of emotions, thoughts, and musical languages of people in our congregation. Much like stained glass, each piece of music provides one colorful addition to the overall picture that is expressed in the larger context.

On Sunday morning, March 17 the Chancel Choir will be singing the John Ness Beck arrangement of Micah 6:6-8 entitled Offertory. I hope that you will add this to your calendar and reflect with us what it means to bring our offerings, of praise and otherwise, before the Lord.

About Craig Gilbert

Dr. Craig Gilbert is the founder and lead consultant of Purposed Heart Ministries. With over 25 years of experience leading and designing worship for churches of all sizes, Dr. Gilbert is a qualified expert in the area of worship renewal. A gifted speaker, teacher and writer with an international reputation, Dr. Gilbert has provided guidance to many churches across the country as well as personally instructing over 5,000 worship

pastors and worship leaders from across the globe on a variety of congregational worship issues. Craig is a national faculty member of the National Worship Leader Conference, member of the Advisory Board of Worship Leader Magazine, former contributing editor to Worship Sound and Song Magazine, and founder and Director of TheWorshipDoctor.com worship leader training and development ministry.

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worship Final steps. New starts. Chris.Harrison@kingwoodumc.org

the cross in both Traditional and Vine Worship. Then on Easter Sunday new starts emerge from final steps. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s celebration features a Vine Sunrise Worship at Town Center, our three Traditional gatherings, and a celebration in Spanish with the El Refugio family. Our Lenten quest to go further up and further in our faith relationship with God and one another culminates in Holy Week. During those important days we will remember and reengage with those final days of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; earthly ministry and see how the themes of holy discontent, brokenness, surrender, and profound loves for God and others played out in the narrative that changed the world forever. Palm Sunday gets us into the gates which will lead to deep moments of celebration and tears, heartbreak and triumph. On Maundy Thursday we will travel to the Upper Room in the sanctuary and see what love of God and others looks like through humble service. On Good Friday we will experience the brokenness and surrender of

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Come join us during Holy Week and find out how your steps might lead to exciting and eternal growth through the resurrected Christ!

Instead of Vine Worship on campus Easter Sunday, there will be an additional time of worship at Town Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. In addition to worship, food trucks will be on hand so that your family can enjoy lunch together with the community.

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children

Easter Egg Hunt. Wrynn.Homann@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/classescategory/young-families/

Ash Wednesday for children.

We love the opportunity we are given to show the warmth and love of KUMC to our community and to those that might be visiting us for the first time. It never gets old to see the joy on the faces of all the children who anxiously await the start of the hunt. As adults we feel that same anticipation of our risen Lord! We hope you can join us to take part in this always fun and exciting annual event!

Karen.Soliz@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/classes-category/children/

Please bring your children any time during this hour for a 2-3 minute chat about Lent and Ash Wednesday and to receive ashes (if they want). Adults can receive ashes as well. This is an opportunity to share with the children the meaning of Lent and how we prepare for Easter. It has always been precious to watch the children receive the ashes and see their faces as they are reminded of this very special time as Christians.

Ash Wednesday for Children March 6 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary Come & Go Easter Egg Hunt April 20 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Parking lot

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students You Belong 2019. Clint.Wyllie@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/classescategory/students/

Wednesday Night Jesus Break.

Student voices “The church is my safe place, my home, my happy place. It’s where I can talk about my problems without judgment.“ – KUMC Student “This is a place where I feel loved. This is my home, and the people are my family. Thank you for being welcoming and kind.” – KUMC Student “When I miss a Wednesday night at church, the whole rest of the week just seems off.” – Sophomore at KHS “KUMC is a place to recover and take a break from the real world.” – KUMC High School Student

new seasons

A Focus for 2019 in the student ministry is YOU BELONG. We all desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We desire to BELONG, and what we feel a sense of belonging to plays a huge role in shaping our identity. Our hope and desire is that KUMC student ministries provide a place where students (6-12th grades) are able to intentionally and purposefully GATHER in Christ centered community, GROW socially and spiritually, and learn what it means to GIVE of themselves to the world around them. No matter who you are or what you have done, YOU

Wednesday serves as the middle of a crazy week for most students who are juggling tests, athletics, extracurricular activities and drama… endless amount of drama. But, from 5:307:30 on Wednesday Nights students get a chance to breathe, process, and worship in an environment that is fun, energetic and for some students “a second home where I can be myself.” There are always more things, endless to do lists and activities, but when we prioritize God in the midst of those, it helps us to keep a spiritual perspective everything else. Check it out, it is a place where you truly BELONG.

We are thankful to God for the gifts and leadership that Shelby Emerson has brought to KUMC. Having recently submitted her letter of resignation as the Associate Director of Student Ministry, Shelby will continue to work with students through the middle of summer as she follows God’s lead into the next chapter of her life. A team is being organized to begin the search process to fill this upcoming staff vacancy in Student Ministry.

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Spring Calendar.

Summer Calendar.

March 10-12 Spring Break Day Trips April 24

June 9-15 UMARMY June 9-14 Lakeview Camp July 3-14 Czech Mission Trip July 14-20 UMARMY July 25-28 FLIPt

Not My Kid? Mental Health May 19 Senior Sunday & Interns

Summer.

Not My Kid: Conversation about Increasing Mental Health We live in a world and community where increased expectation and academic and social pressure combined with a lack of sleep and constant barrage of social data processing leave students in uncharted waters. We have never seen a generation with this concoction of pressures, and it shows. Anxiety and depression statistics are skyrocketing and something must be done. How do we as parents and mentors stand in the gap for these students? How do

we identify a serious mental health concern? As a student what do they do when their friend tells them they are depressed, harming themselves, or contemplating suicide? Join us in this discussion as we bring in licensed professionals to discuss this ongoing and pressing issue in our world today. We split parents and students and engage in the topic specifically geared toward each audience. April 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Loft/K103

Summer is the greatest time of the year in the life of a student, no worries, no cares, sleep till noon and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn in your homework. Here at KUMC we give purpose to summers. We emphasize relationship and missional outreach in a very strategic and purposed way. First off, we hire four College, ministry minded interns to increase our relational reach and spend more than four weeks on Christ centered mission intensive camps. Summers are jam packed with fun activities and life impacting experiences you do not want your student to miss out on! Visit www. kingwoodumc.org/students for more information.

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missions Special Freedom.

Chris.Harrison@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/classes-category/regional-missions/

How would you like to be involved in something that is guaranteed to help you grow in your faith walk? Guaranteed to deepen your love for others and to go right where Christ calls us to go? Join a Kairos team. Come alive in Christ and experience freedom and forgiveness while Christ is offering that to others through you. Give Chris Harrison a call and he will get you in touch with one of the leaders of the respective Units. Men and women from KUMC will be on teams entering into the Walls unit in Huntsville from March 15-17, the Hightower Unit in Dayton from April 4-7, the Polunsky Unit in Livingston on April 11-14, and the Terrell Unit in Rosharon from May 2-5. Team training events are already beginning, so if you are interested please call soon. Kairos (a ministry similar to the Emmaus Walk) offers each “man in white” a time to reprioritize, refocus and recommit their lives to a full, loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Kairos offers freedom in a place where freedom can truly be understood! Please consider this service opportunity and let someone know if God is leading you in this direction. Your faith walk will never be the same!

UMARMY. Shahab Parva Give Online www.kingwoodumc.org/monthly-mission-offering/

An opportunity for youth, college students and adults to experience Christian growth through mission, worship and fellowship. Kingwood United 2019

U.M. ARMY is an acronym which stands for United Methodist Action Reach-Out Mission by Youth. U.M. ARMY’s mission is: “To provide Christ-centered quality youth work camps that serve

people in need and promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth.“ It is an opportunity for youth, college students and adults to experience Christian growth through mission, worship and

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Even though it has been many months since Hurricane Harvey and the waters of the San Jacinto river impacted us forever, there are many who are still deeply involved in trying to rebuild and recover. We as church and community are willing and wanting to help by continuing to make funds available through KUMC and also by letting you know when other forms of assistance become available in the community. Regarding the first, if you are still in need of financial assistance, buying or moving furniture and more, there are still some funds available at KUMC. Please call the church office at 281-358-2137. Also know that the City of Houston has recently received funds to distribute to homeowners. The first step to accessing these funds is to fill out a survey at https://recovery.houstontx.gov/survey/ If you need assistance filling out the Survey, please call 832-393-0550. We are Kingwood United and here to support you in prayer and assistance.

fellowship. Participants combine their strengths to meet home repair and maintenance needs of those unable to help themselves. U.M. ARMY is for high school students who have completed at least their freshman year or the equivalent if home schooled. Younger students are encouraged to participate in FLIPt, which is a similar program designed for junior high students. This summer we will be offering two UM ARMY camps, with each camp costing about $30,000. Student fees do not cover the full cost and we are hoping to raise at least $12,000 to cover the expected shortfall. Donations made during

the March Communion Rail Offering will help buy building supplies, paint, and tools to help our youth make a difference in the lives of their clients. Eligible students will also be able to apply for scholarships that will allow them to participate in this life-changing week.

Hope Beyond Harvey Support.

Chris.Harrison@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/hurricane-harvey/

We are Kingwood United and we are here to support you in prayer and assistance.

camp dates June 9-15 July 14-20

UMARMY UMARMY

Two separate one-week service and mission camps for Graduated 9th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th Graders.

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missions Oasis.

Emily.Priesmeyer@kingwoodumc.org www.kingwoodumc.org/classes-category/local-missions/

Oasis Ministry believes we are all part of God’s family and His mission to show His love to the world. With God’s guidance and your prayers and contributions, Oasis has been empowered to show His love to over 40 foster and adoptive families in our area. In 2018 God showed us the need for support in the community of young adults who have aged out of foster care and with His help we began mentoring residents at Bridge House, a transitional living apartment complex in West Houston. Small groups, Bible studies, and individual KUMC members are providing ongoing prayer, mentoring, tutoring, and holiday meals for Bridge House residents. “I don’t have a family, but I do have a good circle of support,” said DJ, a 19 year-old Bridge House resident. In 2019, God is calling us to pray for the thousands of children in Harris County waiting for foster and adoptive placement. Oasis invites you to join us in prayer over the points below and register to attend the We Are One Family gathering on April 28th when we will come together to learn from foster and adoption agencies and families about the needs in our area and how we will serve children in need. Look for more information about this gathering at the Welcome Center in March and April, or contact Oasis at oasisministrykumc@gmail.com to get involved.

Pray that God will... • protect all children in need of safe, loving families. • stir the hearts of KUMC and Kingwood families to open their homes to children in need. • equip foster and adoptive families and give them strength to continue providing homes to children in need. • continue to equip Oasis, and other foster and adoptive ministries, with loving volunteers to support families.

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Society of St. Stephen Tennis Tournament. Patty Carter | pscskippy@aol.com http://pages.suddenlink.net/soss-tennis/index.html

Can you remember what it was like to get all those new supplies for school? The Eleventh Annual Society of St. Stephen Charity Tennis Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday May 7th, 2019 at Kingwood Country Club. You can be a part of making this year’s event a resounding success in the effort to help area families and children with much needed school supplies to start off the school year on the right foot, as well as assist with the Margaret S. White Scholarship Fund for area graduating seniors. Last year’s school supplies, backpacks and shoe vouchers from Payless cost an estimated $55,000.00 for nearly 1000 children. For the majority of the clients we serve at Society of St Stephen, they can hardly afford food and daily living expenses, much less school supplies for their children. Grade level school supply packs in the local grocery stores can average $30-40 per child, an impossible cost for families in great financial need. But nothing is impossible for our God combined with your generosity and heart for His children. Supplies, backpacks and shoe vouchers will be given out on Friday August 10th in the KUMC GYM, just in time for the start of school. Can you just imagine their faces when they go to pick out that pair of shoes for school? Can you remember what it was like to get all those new supplies for school? Can’t you just see them with new crayons and pencils, notebooks and rulers? We hope you can remember and that you’ll be generous in supporting this back-to-school fundraiser. Please prayerfully consider making a difference in a child’s life by making a donation to this important ministry. One hundred area women will register to play in this charity tournament, SOSS’s only fundraising event. Even if you don’t play tennis, you can help! Please consider becoming a court sponsor. Donation forms are available on the soss tennis website at http://pages.suddenlink.net/soss-tennis/index.html for court sponsorship and/ or to donate an item to the raffle or silent auction. The general public is also invited to attend the tournament and participate in the silent auction and raffle. Society of St. Stephen is a community outreach agency serving people living in the Humble, New Caney and Splendora school district boundaries. We are a 100% volunteer organization helping more than 100 families each week with food, clothing and assistance with utility payments and prescriptions. As you can imagine, the cost of these ongoing services and special events could be overwhelming without community donations and support from individuals and organizations. If you are interested in being a sponsor, or donating an item, please contact tournament coordinators Irma Jarratt 281-358-2915 and Steve Brown 281-360-2625 or Patty Carter, SOSS Director, at 281-360-1705 or pscskippy@aol.com. Thank you for your support in providing for those in need in our community.

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caring Stephen Ministry.

Donna.Smith@kingwoodumc.org | www.kingwoodumc.org/care/ weekly to listen, encourage, and support you in whatever difficult circumstances you are facing. We match gender to gender, and they will meet you at a location where you feel comfortable. It is free and confidential.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was thirteen years ago that I met regularly with a Stephen Minister from your church. I had moved to the Kingwood area from another part of the state. I was going through a divorce and was also facing some challenges with my new job. It was an emotional and difficult time in my life. I had been the Stephen Leader at my former church and knew the great value of the ministry. Having a trained and wise person to meet with on a regular basis to listen to me was a huge blessing and helped me make it through those difficult months. As an added bonus, we became friends and to this day are still in touch on a regular basis. I have seen the ministry from both sides and highly recommend it.â&#x20AC;? Here at KUMC we have Stephen Ministers available to meet with you

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To find out more about connecting with a Stephen Minister, contact Donna Smith at 281.358.2137 or Don McMath at 281.812.2725.

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young moms

Annual Prayer Sponsor Celebration.

Cathy Giffhorn | www.kingwoodumc.org/classes-category/adults/ The Young Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bible Study is having its annual Prayer Sponsor Celebration on Wednesday morning, May 1st. We hope all prayer sponsors will be able to join us for this time of celebrating the joys that these prayers have had in their lives. During the last almost 13 years, I have had multiple prayer partners. Each one seemed to be the perfect lady for me at the time. I know that was Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing. I read a book once called the God Box. It is written by a woman who lost her mother to cancer. The mother wrote prayers on slips of paper over many years and put them into boxes. When she passed away, they found box after box of the prayers. I loved the idea of keeping a box of my own, so I began to write my prayers down on

post-it notes and put them in a box. It was amazing how just writing the prayer down and putting it away (giving it to God) gave me a sense of relief. That is what prayer sponsors do for us too. We are writing requests, lifting them up to God, and then prayer sponsors are praying for them also. Matthew 18:19-20 says, where 2 or 3 come together in His name, He is there, and that if two of us agree about anything we ask for, it will be done for us by our Father in heaven. They are in a sense, our God Boxes! Then at the end of the year, we get together and get to meet them in person and hug their necks and thank them for their prayers. It is so special to have this bond with someone in the body of Christ.

Prayer Sponsor Celebration Details May 1 | 9:30-10:00 a.m. Breakfast & Fellowship E200/201 May 1 | 10:00-11:00 a.m. Celebration E200/201 RSVP julieb.roper@gmail.com

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el refugio

Love and Prayer.

Sara.Reyes@kingwoodumc.org

What happens when you bring in some popular Youtubers who sing passionately and also help to strengthen marriages? You get a Valentine‘s celebration banquet that opens the door in couple‘s hearts for Christ. On February 8th El Charro y la Mayrita came to KUMC and around 210 people from the Refugio family and all

across Houston came to recommit themselves to marriage and to Jesus Christ. At the end of the evening an invitation for prayer or to make a profesión of faith was extended and more than 20 couples came forward to accept Jesus. As a result around 18 couples are now enrolled in our Hispanic couple enrichment class “Lazos de Amor”. The evening was a huge success for the Lord and for Hispanic ministry at KUMC!

bible study Thursday Morning Women‘s Bible Study Beth Moore‘s The Quest March 21-May 2 9:30-11:30a.m. Cost: $20.00 To register email: letabarks2702@gmail.com vicki5502@gmail.com

The Quest Lynn Harper

www.kingwoodumc.org/classescategory/adults/

The crooked punctuation mark at the end of a sentence speaks of curiosity, interest and sometimes even doubt. A question is an invitation to vulnerability, to intimacy. The Bible does not shy away from such an invite. Over

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and over we see the people of God asking questions of their Creator. We also see the God of the universe asking questions of His creation. The Quest: An Excursion Toward Intimacy With God is a challenge to accept the invitation. In this excursion with Jesus, Beth Moore uses questions from Scripture to lead you into intimacy with the One who knows you best. Learn to dig into the Word, to respond to the questions of God, and to bring your questions before Him. Let the crooked punctuation mark be the map that points you into a closer relationship with Jesus and God the Father through reading His Word and prayer.

Come Thursday mornings as we travel along with Beth Moore on this faith journey. Through this study, you‘ll be invited to visit multiple locations in Scripture, spotlighting conversations that can readily kindle your own dialogue with God. How can we mortals dialogue with an unseen God? When He speaks to us through His Word, we can learn to speak back. Even the simplist form of dialogue can make a world of difference for us. This practice transforms Bible reading into what God wants most: relationship.

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lent 40 Days of the Book of Mark. Beginning Ash Wednesday. March 6.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

DAY 21 DAY 22 DAY 23 DAY 24 DAY 25 DAY 26 DAY 27 DAY 28 DAY 29 DAY 30 DAY 31 DAY 32 DAY 33 DAY 34 DAY 35 DAY 36 DAY 37 DAY 38 DAY 39 DAY 40

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Mark 9:14-29 Mark 9:30-50 Mark 10:1-12 Mark 10:13-31 Mark 10:32-52 Mark 11:1-12 Mark 11:13-33 Mark 12:1-12 Mark 12:13-34 Mark 12:35-44 Mark 13:1-23 Mark 13:24-37 Mark 14:1-11 Mark 14:12-31 Mark 14:32-52 Mark 14:53-72 Mark 15:1-15 Mark 15:16-41 Mark 15:42-47 Mark 16:1-20

Sometimes we lose sight of the remarkable nature of Jesus Christ. His teachings. His miracles. His presence. The writer of the Gospel of Mark reminds us of the beauty of Christ in a concise, thoughtful book. The smallest of the four Gospels, Mark doesn’t waste time or words as he leads readers through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. More than anything, Mark wants the life of Christ to become our life. Online Bible | www.biblegateway.com/

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KUMC. Kingwood United Methodist Church 1799 Woodland Hills Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339 United States