Busy Season of Ministry!
- Scott Phillips
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
Good morning,
There is a lot happening at the church as we have reached the season of Lent. So much so that the announcements section is going to take up this whole email!
Here’s what’s happening:
1. I announced on Sunday that we are moving the congregational vote on the proposed changes to the By Laws to next Sunday, March 1st. We are doing that in light of the fact that between the youth retreat and some other events on Sunday attendance is likely to be a bit lighter than normal (GREAT Sunday to invite someone! Plenty of good seats available! 😊). If you will not be at church on 3/1, absentee ballots will be available on Sunday…just see me.
2. February 20-22 – Youth Retreat at Black Rock.
3. Tuesday, 2/24 – We will be having our first Lenten Prayer service of the season at 6:30 pm at the church. If you haven’t attended before, we will gather in the sanctuary for a time of worship, reflection, and prayer. Our prayer focus for the evening will be praying for the ministries of our church. In the coming weeks we’ll be praying for our partner ministries and missionaries and for the next generation at the Bridge. I promise the time goes by quickly!
4. Thursday, 2/26 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm at the church.
5. Saturday, 2/28 – Onesimus Prison Ministry is hosting a fundraising breakfast at Waterway Church in Oxford. Head here for more information https://onesimusministries.org/prison-ministry-breakfast-at-waterway-church/ …or talk with Vernon Myers.
6. Sunday, March 8 – Holy Communion.
7. Tuesday, March 10 – Solanco Meat Canning – ABCF is asked to help in the late afternoon shift, from 3:30 to 7:30 pm If you are not aware, Meat Canning is a ministry of the Mennonite Central Committee. A mobile meat canning travels around the country and makes stops along the way for local groups to prep, cut, and can meat (often chicken) to be distributed to areas of need around the world. Last year the countries served included Ukraine, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Cuba.
8. Sunday, March 15– Youth Group Bowling at Timber Wolfe Bowling Alley in Oxford from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. We have 30 spots so we're opening this to friends and family of our youth. The cost is $15 per person and this includes 2 hours of bowling, shoes, 2 slices of pizza and a beverage. Let Tracy Alexander or Elizabeth Barrett know if you will be attending!
9. A Marriage Retreat is coming up on March 20-22. See Elizabeth Barrett or Vernon Myers for details.
10. Save the Date – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Sunday 4/19.
11. Spring Banquet Save the Dates – 3/27 - Solid Rock Youth Ministry
4/19 - All Nations Bible Schools
4/23 - Lighthouse Youth Ministry
In John 11 Jesus learns that his good friend Lazarus is sick and near death. Rather than leave immediately, Jesus stays where He was for 2 full days. By the time He arrives in Bethany, it’s too late. Or at least it seems that way. On Sunday we’ll look at Jesus’ greatest miracle during His earthly ministry – the raising of Lazarus from the dead. We’ll also look at some of the difficult truths about our lives that we learn from this story.