Ephesians 2:1-10

Mark 12:41-44

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This month falls in the Christian season of Lent, the time when we prepare to celebrate Easter.  During Lent, we spend extra time talking with and listening to God in prayer, reading our Bibles, serving others and sometimes, giving up things we enjoy.  If your family hasn’t tried any special practices for Lent or are looking for new ones, below some ideas for ways your family can observe Lent.  Please take pictures or videos of your family carrying out the activities listed and post them to our Providence Facebook page or tell us about your experience.

• Enjoy a crossword or word search puzzle with mom or dad.  Click one of these links for Lenten Puzzles:

http://www.catholicmom.com/2007_lesson_plans/lent_crossword.pdf

http://www.catholicmom.com/2007_lesson_plans/lent_word_search.pdf

• Make Pretzels for Lent:  http://catholicicing.com/2010/02/pretzels-for-lent/

• Have simpler meals, maybe by having dessert only once a week.  Donate the money you would have spent to a food bank.

• Create Lenten placemats.  Use a 11 x 17 paper to glue pictures and words from old magazines of different things that remind you of ways to serve the Lord.

• Fast from electronics once a week.  Spend time playing board games, going for a walk, or reading your Bibles together.

• Decorate a small box or can to collect change from family members.  Bring it in at the end of Lent to be donated to B.T. Cooper United Methodist Academy in Kenya (learn more at this web site www.btcooperschool.com )

• Invite someone who’s new to our church or to your neighborhood, over for a meal.

• Offer to help prepare for some of the special services at church.

• Ask everyone to find something in the house that is purple.  When you have a little pile of purple objects, explain how purple is the color of Lent.  Purple symbolizes the pain and suffering leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.  It is also the color of royalty and symbolizes the kingship of Jesus in our lives.  Younger children might like to wear something purple the whole day.

• Make Resurrection Eggs together (even though the clip suggests adults make it, I think it would be better to make as a family).  Learn how with this you tube clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YZZKe73_-8

• Burn white candles at supper during the season to symbolize how Jesus is the light of the world.  Read Matthew 5:14-16.  How can you be the light to others?

• Make as many words as you can from “RESURRECTION.” Younger ones can color a spring or Easter-related picture like this one:  https://www.google.com/search?q=easter+pictures+of+jesus&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=iglET87dB9GdgQeB_sCICA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=655#hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=easter+pictures+of+jesus+to+color&oq=easter+pictures+of+jesus+to+color&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=3327l4725l0l5090l9l9l0l8l0l0l95l95l1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=b993a9695914c6be&biw=1366&bih=655

• Discuss Jesus’ experiences in the garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46.  Then read his prayer for all believers including your family in John 17:20-26.  What are your prayers for your family?

• Bake something for a shut-in or a needy family.

• Make a “He is Risen!” or “Our Redeemer Lives!” poster or banner for your house or as gifts to grandparents.

• Explain what “betray” means.  Who betrayed Jesus?  For how much?  Discuss how we can be faithful to God on a daily basis.  For younger children, ask them how they can be a faithful sibling or friend.

• Fill a clay pot with soil and grass seeds. Watch the grass sprouts come to life. Explain how Jesus gives us new life.

• Help your child understand why Jesus was called “the Lamb of God” (His role as the unblemished sacrifice: Ex. 12:21-24; John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7-8).  With your child, make a lamb.  Glue cotton balls to a small paper plate.  Then add pink and black construction paper eyes, ears, muzzle, nose and hooves.

• We can have “new life” in Jesus!  Do something crafty like make a tissue or coffee filter butterfly.  Or draw a butterfly and paint or color it.  Look up 2 Corinthians 5:17.

• Practice giving one another a foot-wash.  Talk a bit about Maundy Thursday when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and commanded them to love one another.  The word Maundy comes from a root word meaning “mandate” or “command.”  Look up John 13:34-35 to discover the “new commandment” Jesus gives.

• Explain “fasting” and “abstinence” and how some Christians do both during Lent.  Ask if anyone would like to forgo something for the day (coffee for mom, something sweet for the children).

Psalm 50:1-6

Mark 9:2-9

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 Scripture and Sermon

“CONNECTIONS”

8:30-9:00 Coffee Social

9:00-9:45 Contemporary Service

Informal, Engaging, Family Friendly

Nursery Provided

Psalm 30

I Corinthians 9:24-27

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Scripture and Sermon

I Corinthians 9:16-23

Mark 1:29-39

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Scripture and Sermon

Couples who bring out the best in each other build security and trust in their relationship.  Your spouse needs things that only you can give.  By learning what these are, and how to give them, you can bring fresh life into your marriage.  Both of you will discover how to lift each other up and cheer each other on.

Join us for this seven session small group study for couples.  Sessions begin on February 24 at 7:00 p.m. and will continue every other week.  Child care is provided.  Sign up on the clipboard at Sunday services or email Christopher and Isca Wilms at wilmsfamily@verizon.net

Journey to Hope will focus on selected passages from the Book of Mark.  A weekly study held during the six weeks of Lent will be offered on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and on Fridays at 11:00 a.m.  Pastor Mary Beth will be leading the class in the Library.

Themes from Mark will focus on how faith in Christ is relevant for real life circumstances and will include:  money, relationships, work, suffering, temptation and identity.  Sign up on the clipboard at Sunday services or by contacting the church office at 276-4289.

“CONNECTIONS“

8:30 a.m. Coffee & Snacks in Social Hall

9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Sanctuary

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