MMC: Faith and Forgiveness

Good Morning Bethlehem

I hope this deary weather is not getting to you and instead you are dreaming of the nice vegetables, flowers and lush lawns that will benefit from so much rain.  

A few quick announcements

• Wednesday at noon is Senior's Lunch.  We will be meeting at the New Station House Restaurant near the Redding train station.  All are invited to join us for good food and conversation
• Saturday from 10am to 2pm will be a half price tag sale to sell the remaining tag sale items in the church basement.  If you are available to help out between 9:30 and 2:30 you assistance will be greatly appreciated.
• Sunday after worship a group will be playing laser tag.  If you are interested in joining us, please let me know, or just stick around after worship.
• The giving basket will be collecting supplies for babies and mothers throughout May & June to be donated to the Women's Center of Danbury.  Please bring baby food, formula, diapers, wipes, baby clothing, sanitary supplies, baby shampoo or the like. 

Book of Faith Puzzler

Last week’s  question was: On Sunday, we heard about Jesus coming to people on the road to Emmaus.  The apostle Paul was converted when a vision of Jesus appeared to him while he was on a road.  Where was he headed? A) Jericho B) Jerusalem C) Calvary D) Damascus.  Multiple times in his letters, Paul talks about his conversion experience including in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and Galatians 1:11-16.  But in Acts 9 the author tells of Paul’s conversion which took place on as Paul was traveling to Damascus. Congratulations to Barbara C. for winning this week's puzzler.  

This week’s question:  Our worship service is broken up into four main parts, what are they?

A) Gathering, Word, Meal, Sending.

B) Gathering, Hearing, Tasting, Sending

C) Bell, Font, Table, Pew.

D) Peace, Love, Hope, Charity

E) Gossip, Boredom, Snack Time, Yay we get to leave now  

If you know the answer or willing to look it up (hint it is in both the bulletins and the hymnals), email me by noon on Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing. 

Yesterday's Sermon

You can read it here if you missed it or what to look back on it.  When have you experienced awe, especially church related?  Do you currently feel like awe has come upon you?  If not, how can I help you re-experience awe?

Sunday's Worship

The following people have signed up to help lead worship this week:

Worship Assistant: Mark H

Reader: ______

Communion Assistant:_______

Usher: Bob MC & _______

Bread baker/bringer: Regina B

Offering Counter: _______

Altar Set up & clean up: _________

Coffee Hour host: _________

If you are willing to serve in one of open positions, please let me know. 

Sunday's Text

The first lesson is Acts 7:55-60, the death of Stephen.  Stephen is the first martyr of the Christian faith.  Are you willing to die for you faith?  Have you even been persecuted because of your faith?  Stephen dies praying that God will not hold his murder again those who killed him, would you be willing to forgive such a sin?  What can Stephen's death teach us about both the strengthen of our faith and forgiveness?

The second lesson is 1 Peter 2:2-10.  The author reminds us that Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and should be the cornerstone of our lives.  What is the cornerstone, the thing that the rest of our life revolves around or is built upon?  Has it changed during different periods of your life?  What is the cornerstone of your faith?  Is it the same as the cornerstone of our faith?

The gospel text is John 14:1-14.  This text is used often during funerals as we are reminded that God has prepared a place for us in heaven.  What do you believe your place in heaven is like?  Do you believe there is a place for you in heaven?  Jesus also tells us that anything you ask for in his name will be given to us. Do you pray with such confidence?  Do you pray expecting that your prayers will be answered as you ask?  

Hope you all have a wonderful week (even with all the forecasted rain)

Pastor Becca