Thursday, February 16, 2023

Mainstreeter Weekly Blast February 16, 2023




Mainstreeter Online Weekly Blast

This Sunday is the last in the season of Epiphany, often called Transfiguration Sunday. It's the dramatic story of mountain and light, dazzling clouds and the appearance of spiritual ancestors. Sometimes the story is seen as a sneak peek of the resurrection for the disciples. It's a turn in Jesus' life toward Jerusalem so it prepares us for Lent.

I appreciate the rhythms of the liturgical calendar. It reminds us that people of faith have lives that aren't oriented around nominal civil holidays. We serve a deeper purpose and our gathering isn't ever nationalism, cultural pride, or sentimentality. "It organizes and shapes our lives by the Christian story, instead of the things the kingdom of the world holds valuable." (Patheos.com) Intentionally choosing a gospel-centered organization system helps us to maintain our first allegiance to Christ and his kin-dom. We serve the way of Christ that calls us to rise above the noise of culture wars.

And of course, there are the changing colors of the liturgical year and meaningful symbols that guide us through the nuances of the gospel stories. The liturgical calendar unites us with the larger, longer church tradition, observed in one form or another, since the actual events themselves. It disciplines us to consider parts of the story we might overlook, to linger in the valley instead of rushing toward the mountaintop. It is the antidote to our culture's obsession with instant gratification and busyness.

Easter doesn't happen without the terror and anguish of what comes before, so on Ash Wednesday, February 22, we're invited to "walk with Christ for those 40 days, to see him ride into Jerusalem over the path of palm branches, dine with him in the upper room, fall asleep in the garden, and feel the hammer locked in our palm's grip as the nails pierce our Savior's body." (Patheos.com)

We will take on the ashes of repentance, as a sign of the cross on our foreheads, as a symbol of our willingness to walk the way of Christ, not the way of the world. We will set aside a season for introspection as we listen to Jesus and the pain of the world. We will not look away. We will spend our days reflecting on the justice Jesus envisioned rolling down like waters and the righteousness that flows like a mighty stream.


Pastor Kelly

Click Here for Sunday's Bulletin

Especially needed are young persons between the ages of 12 and 17, and between the ages of 18 and 30, please see guidelines below.

Download Guides
Watch Trailer Here

We are excited that more people have joined our team for the Nor'ester on Sunday, Feb 26 after service (noon after a quick lunch). The deadline for our team is quickly approaching, so use the button below to JOIN our team! It's always fun and challenging with stops along the way and exercises (and social media assignments) that relate to their ministries. OR donate to the cause of helping the United Way support all the wonderful non-profit agencies in town. Each of us needs to raise at least $50. On donations to MSUMC, mark Nor'easter or put our team name: Frosty Frogs! You can donate using the button below as well! There is a DRIVE option as well and they suggest following the 1/2 Marathon Route for that, so if you want to sign up and DRIVE the route, that would also help the cause…..


IF YOU ARE WALKING WITH US, YOU MUST JOIN THE TEAM THROUGH THE LINK BELOW!

Click Here for Team Donation Page OR to Join Team
Watch Video Here
Click Here to Donate

THIRD SUNDAY FOOD PANTRY -

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH

Please come if you need to stretch your food budget this week

or let your friends know.

Contact Phyllis Appler if you want to help with distribution.
Cereal and pasta are needed.

Click Here to Follow the NSKS
Click Here to Volunteer
Click Here for Pantry Wish List
Listen Here

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