February 2018 Why Do Christians Give Up Stuff For Lent?
Lent is the period of forty days, excluding Sundays, from Ash Wednesday until the Saturday
between Good Friday and Easter. Forty represents the number of days that Jesus was tempted in the
wilderness.
On Ash Wednesday Christians come forward to have their foreheads marked with a mixture
of palm ashes and oil. In this traditional sign of mourning, we mourn the broken state of the world
and of our own lives.
During the Lenten journey that follows, Christians practice some form of discipline. That
might mean taking on some kind of devotional or service activity or it might mean self-denying
asceticism. Either one, practiced in faith, displaces our normal routines and satisfactions.
Unfortunately, Lenten discipline is often more token than real in the lives of Christians and
frequently it’s used simply to instill healthy temporary habits. But in truth, it’s neither a diet nor
token sacrifice. Giving up something for Lent serves no purpose if it does not cause us discomfort.
Thomas Merton advised that self-denial is the beginning of a passage from cheap passions to the
truly fulfilling riches of the Kingdom of God. He also noted that asceticism makes us realize how we
abuse God’s good, created gifts until we have drained them of all intrinsic worth. We have turned
God’s metric of virtue inside out in order to make ourselves feel comfortable and satisfied.
Maximizing happiness while eliminating suffering is the quintessential goal of human beings
pondering our daily consumer choices. Even church has not escaped that consideration. Many
identify as Christian because they believe in Christ in their minds but don’t bother with worship
because it doesn’t stack up to the many other options for maximizing personal satisfaction.
Lent makes a stand against this soul-less thinking. Lent makes the point that following Christ
requires us to set aside easy personal comfort and take on His sacrificial ministry of reconciliation
and love in the world. It asks us to examine whether we are willing to love our neighbor and glorify
God even when that brings us suffering or mere discomfort.
Why do Christians follow Lenten discipline? We do it in order to renounce and relinquish the
cheapness of consumer-ized Christianity, and to stand in solidarity with Christ’s suffering for the
world so that we will more deeply appreciate the joy of Easter grace.
Peace be with you,
Allen
Anchor Links is a monthly publication of First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee
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On the Calendar for
SUNDAYS in FEBRUARY Sunday School 9:00AM Worship 10:00AM WEDNESDAYS in FEBRUARY PYC-Wonderful Wednesday Nights Messy Church 5:30PM Dinner 6:00PM Youth and Children’s Bible Study 6:30-7:00PM Adult Choir Practice 6:00-7:00PM Handbell Practice 7:00-8:00PM FRIDAYS in FEBRUARY Restorative Yoga 5:30PM
MONTH OF FEBRUARY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Faith Development 5:30PM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Property 5:00PM Mission 5:30PM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S WINTER LUNCHEON NOON—RSVP by Wednesday, February 7th Day Circle 1:00PM Following Luncheon Night Circle 6:30PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14th Ash Wednesday Messy Church 5:30PM Pancake Supper 6:00PM Ash Wednesday Service 6:30PM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18th Chili Cook-Off following Worship TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th Pastoral Care 10:00AM Session 5:30PM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th Book Club 3:30PM
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
600 North Brittain Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160
Office: 931.684.6541
Fax: 931.684.6575
Email: [email protected]
Website: www FPC STAFF
Allen Cross III, Senior Pastor [email protected]
Shirley Luscinski, Church Secretary [email protected]
Diane Green, Nursery Director
SESSION
Helen Garner, Clerk of the Session
Class of 2018
Aaron Crafton, Helen Garner
Pat Thompson, Janice Womble
Class of 2019
Tommy Anderton, Kristin Conley,
Christy Jensen, Charlotte Williams
Class of 2020
Kate Canady, Michal Dobson,
Carol Magnuson, Terry Saylor
TRUSTEES
Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020
Lisa Turner Fred Hunt Bailey Little
NOTE: Session minutes are available in the church office for
any member of the congregation to read.
ville.com
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Committee Meetings
Monday, February 5 at 5:30PM Faith Development
Monday, February 12 at 5:00PM Property
Monday, February 12 at 5:30PM Mission
Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00AM Pastoral Care
Monday, February 20 at 5:30PM Session Meeting
Women’s Circles
Tuesday, February 13 at 1:00PM Day Circle
Tuesday, February 13 at 6:30PM Night Circle
Third Sunday Chili Cook-Off
February 18 following Worship
Book Club
Sunday, February 25at
3:30PM
“Before We Were Your”
Yoga Classes on Friday Nights
at 5:30PM
NO COST!
All are invited to attend this
restorative yoga style class.
When the Bedford County School System is closed due to Weather conditions…..All church activities will be cancelled as well.
FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2018
The Fellowship Committee has reviewed last year’s events and developed a working plan for 2018. Based on increasing attendance during the year, the Third Sunday Fellowship Coffee will continue in 2018 with the exception of February 18 and August 19. A Chili Cook Off following worship service February 18 and an Ice Cream Social in the afternoon of August 19 will replace those Third Sunday Coffee hours. The remaining months will see us gathering to visit in the fellowship hall or the courtyard following worship service. We always welcome your offerings of sweet or savory foods for these occasions and will place a reminder in the worship bulletins on the Sundays prior to each event.
The Chili Cook Off on February 18 will be an opportunity for the great cooks in our congregation to show off their chili making skills. For those who don’t try their hand at chili making, the meal will be complete if you bring sour cream, avocado, chopped onion, shredded cheese, hot sauce, crackers, cornbread, hot dogs and buns for the chili dog makings and desserts. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
A brand new event is in the works to begin in the second quarter of the year, designed to share meals in homes. Future Anchor Links will reveal the details of this and of the Ice Cream Social scheduled for August.
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Messy Church Wednesday Nights in February “Messy Church” Program with Rev. Cross Youth Fellowship 5:20PM Dinner 5:50PM Youth Study 6:15PM
The youth will be packing packages to be sent to
our college students on Wednesday,
February 7th. Please send names and
addresses of your college students to
or call the church office
Wednesday, February 14th Messy Church 5:30PM Pancake Supper 6:00PM Ash Wednesday Service 6:30PM
Super Bowl Sunday February 4 2018
Souper Bowl of Caring Bring a canned food item to church to be
collected by our youth as you leave worship. Donated items will be given to the local
Good Samaritan. If you wish, please wear your team jersey to
worship.
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WOMEN’S CIRCLES——TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 2018 Immediately after the Luncheon
Day Circle 1:00PM in the Church Parlor
“Fundamentals of Faith”
Lesson Leader and Host: Janet Mullins
Night Circle 6:30PM
Host: Norma Zae Jensen 602 Kingree Road
Lesson Leader and Host: Norma Zae Jensen If you would like to carpool, please be in the church parking lot by 6:10pm
Come join us and bring a friend for our annual Winter Luncheon
Our Guest Speaker is Michal Dobson. Michal will speak on her
experiences as a missionary.
The meal will be catered by The Coffee Break.
Cost is $11.00 per person (pay at the door)
Reservations must be made by Wednesday, February 7th by calling the
church office at 684-6541.
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February 1
Tommy Anderton
February 2 Steve Conley
February 5
Aiden Edwards
February 9 Jeffery Townes
February 10
Janet Mullins Zack Spears
February 13 Roy Turner
Adam Womack
February 15 Ralph McBride, Jr.
February 16 Tim Parsons
February 18
Brenda Skelton
February 19 David Brown
February 20 Gail Parsons
February 22
Katherine Marsh Charlotte Williams
February 23 Max Beavers
February 25
Hudson Cobb Josh Jensen
February 28
Hunter Wilhelm
Tony and Carolyn Matusek
Celebrating 53 Years!
RECENT MEMORIAL GIFTS
VOILE PEOPLES ROSEMARY CURTIS RAY WARD For For Greg Garner Scholarship Pastoral Care By By Nancy June Brandon Bud & Geneva Melson
For your visits, food, and prayers.
We send our love to all,
Bob and Alice Durio
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Parents’ Day Out Pajama
Day
Ordination and Installation of New Elders Class of 2020
Kate Canady, Michal Dobson,
Carol Magnuson, Terry Saylor Blessings from the congregation
Parents’ Day Out for February February 8th Lion’s Club Vision Screening February 15th Valentine’s Party February 22nd Visit from Amanda Arnold, Davis Dental
Youth
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SERVING
IN FEBRU
ARY
Sunday, February 4 2018
Liturgist Brent Canady Ushers/Greeters Norma Zae Jensen Melanie Hamilton Rob Marsh Randy Reed
Hall Monitor Ginny Saylor
A Time for Young Christians Connie Crafton
Children’s Church LeaAnne Windham
Nursery Katherine Marsh Serving Holy Communion: Tommy Anderton, Kristin Conley, Aaron Crafton, Michal Dobson, Helen Garner
Sunday, February 11 2018 Liturgist Connie Crafton Ushers/Greeters Linda Anderton Raychelle Flannagan Aksel Jensen III Pat Marsh Hall Monitor Bob Garner A Time for Young Christians Kate Canady Children’s Church Kristin Wilhelm Nursery Theresa Blanton
Sunday, February 18 2018
Liturgist Carol Magnuson
Ushers/Greeters Frieda Bone Bailey Little John Marsh Kathy Smith Hall Monitor Janice Womble
A Time for Young Christians Kate Canady
Children’s Church TBA
Nursery Geneva Melson
Sunday, February 25 2018
Liturgist Ginger Shofner
Ushers/Greeters Tommy Anderton Jim Caperton Margaret Smith Pat Thomas Hall Monitor Mike Matusek
A Time for Young Christians Ginny Saylor Children’s Church Katherine Marsh
Nursery
Margaret Anne Cobb