He Lives! 2017

I was wrong. I admit it. I thought that 40 days was a long time*. But that was when I wrote my last newsletter article. Now we are already in the last stretch of the season of Lent and it seems like it’s fast on the trot.

Don’t you think It’s interesting that the 40 days of Lent do not count Sundays? That can be understood as an acknowledgment that for church goers Sundays is the easy and natural time of worship, and that God is calling us to worship every of the other days. Perhaps we can create a time of sacrifice of worship, where we dedicate 30 minutes or an hour to meditation, prayer, reading, contemplation, and why not a musical worship party! This time can be transformed from penitence to offering, from lack to plenty, from sorrow to celebration.

For Mountair Christian Church, the present time is like no other in its past. We find ourselves in transition to something unknown, without a roadmap other than Scripture and our faith – just as the disciples did. As we celebrate in Lent the memory of Jesus’ ministry leading up to his passion, death, and resurrection, we also are reminded that what followed was the great command to go and make disciples. We accept this time also as preparation for the church’s ministry. We prepare as we go – as did the disciples. Even though we are not in the season of Pentecost yet, we live Pentecost daily. More on this next newsletter.

For now, we are called to pray. Pray for the Easter events and the events coming in the summer. Pray for the ministries that are carried out every day from our premises. Pray for those ministries that are not going on yet, but that will. Pray so that the good Lord may lead us to Reach, Teach, and Serve. Because He lives!

Be very blessed,

Pastor Ruben

*I know you were probably waiting for a juicy feed once I mentioned I was wrong. Nothing to worry about, nor to hit share for, sorry.

Please join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15th from 10 am until 12 pm.

Our Easter Service will be on Sunday, April 16th at 10:15 am.

Lent is misunderstood sometimes. I admit that sometimes I do. What does it mean to celebrate Lent, when there is nothing conducive to a celebration in abstinence or giving up something for the season? Hard to pinpoint the answer.

In southern cultures, like the Caribbean and the Southern US, the emphasis is not in celebrating Lent, but celebrating before it. Mardi Gras, literally Fat Tuesday (also known as Shrove Tuesday), becomes the focus of celebration, mostly because it is the opportunity to indulge before the sacrifice. Indulgence takes on different forms, but the point is that the celebration is a way to dive into excesses before a season of deprivation.

Lent has become less of a time for spiritual renewal and more of a placeholder in the calendar, for partying mostly. How do we motivate and get inspired for such an observation, bringing the focal point back to the season?

As Mountair Christian Church enters this season, perhaps we as a congregation can see this as a celebration of God with us; the acknowledgment that our Creator is present. As such, we can celebrate with an emphasis on spiritual renewal, not as a time of want but as a time of plenty. God has poured himself into us through Jesus. Acknowledging God’s presence is the step that can drive us to worship.

Don’t you think it’s interesting that the 40 days of Lent do not count Sundays? That can be understood as an acknowledgment that for church goers Sundays is the easy and natural time of worship and that God is calling us to worship each of the other days. Perhaps we can create a time of sacrifice and of worship, where we dedicate 30 minutes or an hour to meditation, prayer, reading, contemplation, and why not a musical worship party! This time can be transformed from penitence to offering, from lack to plenty, from sorrow to celebration.

If you want to have a focus for this long season, I suggest prayer for the future of Mountair Christian Church and its mission. And, the process of inviting others to participate in the mission/vision to Reach, Teach, Serve. And, our own spiritual growth. And, our involvement in the spread of the Gospel. And, there is more; we may just ask God to reveal that to us.

Be very blessed,

Pastor Rubén

 

Hands of The Carpenter is a faith-based nonprofit organization passionate about serving low-income single mothers and widows through the overlooked issue of transportation. Let them assess your car’s condition and change the oil while you enjoy some conversation and refreshments.

Volunteers are needed for their Car Care Clinics, which occur every other month their Lakewood shop at 1510 Kendall St.

Volunteer once a year or more to serve on one of the following teams:

–       Car Care Teams: Oil changes and vehicle inspection (all levels of experience welcome)

–       Check in Team: Obtain forms, direct women and children to hospitality areas, and direct the cars to the Car Care Teams

–       Host(ess) Team: Engage the women in friendly conversation, stock refreshments, and offer prayer support

–       Car Wash Team: Weather permitting, this optional service is offered

–       Craft Team: Guide children in creating “masterpieces” they can take home

Please contact Crystal at crystal@ehands.org or 303-526-4488 opt.2 to volunteer, register your car, or for more information.

If you need any work done on your car take it over to Hands Automotive.

If you’d like to give to this ministry you can do that here.

Join us for the All Church Picnic on Sunday, July 14 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Surfside Splash Park in Lakewood. Bring your own meat to cook and a dish to share. Grills will be available for use.

Join us for the Christmas Eve Service!

Bring a Christmas treat to share for the Tasting Party at 3:30 p.m.

and stay after for the service at 4:30 p.m.