A Note from Pastor Travis 2/13/25

As I write this, I am looking out my window. It is a little after 5:00 and the sun is just starting to set. Every day the sun sets just a little bit later and the day is just a little bit longer. Time is marching forth. Spring is coming. I know that it is still a good way off, but the sunsets remind me of the promise of spring. It also tells me that Lent is just around the corner. So, let’s look ahead to what will be happening in Lent, so you can plan your schedules. You don’t want to miss Lent. 

Before we do, however, just one announcement. Last Sunday the Zoom link for worship didn’t work for some people. We are working on the issue with Constant Contact. However, if we have another “snow Sunday” and the link for our Zoom worship doesn’t work, just copy the link and past it into your web browser search bar. This will take you to the Zoom worship service. Also, check your email settings. Sometimes your computer will deactivate links. If you still can’t get in, email me tbonnettekim@gmail.com. I will check my email right before worship starts to see if anyone needs help. 

On to Lent…

Palm Collection Starting this Sunday, we will be collecting palms from last Palm Sunday to burn to make our ashes for Ash Wednesday. You can drop off your palms on Sunday morning or during church office hours. 

Ash Wednesday Soup and Worship – March 5. We invite everyone to join us on Ash Wednesday. We will begin with a simple meal of soup and bread at 6:00 followed by worship at 7:00. 

Lenten Study –SOUP AND SPIRIT — Wednesday nights March 12 – April 9, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. We will gather at 6:30 for soup and then a time of study and reflection. The study will be hybrid, so you can join us in person or online. If you can come in person, we encourage you to do so and enjoy the soup and fellowship before the study. However, if you cannot be with us in person, please log on to the link (which I will send before the study) at 7:00 for the study. We will be using the book Entering The Passion of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine. Levine is a celebrated scholar who has written a number of studies, especially for Lent. Though she is a scholar, she does a great job of helping people understand the complex ideas of the bible in easy to understand terms and will guide us through the last week of Jesus’ life. We invite everyone to join us for the study. We ask that you please sign up so that we can order you a copy of the book. To sign up email the church office fumc@fumcmelrose.com When you sign up, please indicate if you will be joining us in person or online. We will need volunteers to make soup. If you can volunteer, please sign up on the bulletin board outside of the library (Emerson Hall).  

Blessings,

Pastor Travis