Sermon: “Alms for an Ex-Beggar”
Scripture: John 9:1-41; Psalm 23
In studying the passage of the beggar who regained his sight, try looking besides and beyond the physical miracle of the healing. Consider what kind of new journey this man was beginning with the gift of new sight (and insight). He must learn to live in new ways, with a new perspective. He had a previous identity in that culture as someone who was blind as a punishment for some imagined sinfulness on his part (or his parents). His role in life before Jesus came was to ask for alms, and by so doing, remind others of what would happen to them if they did not live sinless lives. What is it like for all of us when we have encountered the life-changing Christ? What does it mean for any of us to truly live like an “ex-beggar”?
Join us for worship on Sunday, March 30th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.
Church Work Days
Church work days will be held on Saturday, April 5th and Saturday, April 12th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., but if folks wanted to come earlier or stay later that would be fine. We are looking to dust, wash windows in the sanctuary, do general cleaning in the common spaces, and especially in the children’s room, kitchen and overall basement area. We want to spruce up the church for Palm Sunday and Easter. Mark your calendars now. If you have questions, please contact Craig (craze@mit.edu).
Lenten Season Adult Education: “Deepening Our Faith” – Led by Rev. Fairfax
During the Lenten season, we will gather in the Green Room at 12:15 p.m. for a 3 session focus on enriching and deepening our faith. I am drawing on a Lenten study from 2008 by Paula Gooder (“Lentwise Spiritual Essentials for Real Life”), but I will be adapting her work for our needs and expanding on her offering. Materials will be available for class preparation (read as you can), and will include various sermons that can be found online (e.g. youtube, watch as you can!) and that relate to the scriptures and topic for the week. The sessions do not “build on each other” in a direct way, so please attend any (or all) that you can, and enjoy the richness of faith that we share with one another.
- Third Gathering (April 6th): “Living Water” – John 4:5-18
The Horizons Bible Study
will meet on Friday, April 11th at 3:30 p.m. at the home of a member. For more information, please contact Salam. (salamlebbos@hotmail.com)