Greetings! I pray this newsletter finds you well and at peace.

I ask for your prayers this week as I travel to Lubbock on Friday for the funeral of my 100-year-old uncle, Francis “Mule” Cox. He passed peacefully late Sunday, and we will celebrate his life on Saturday morning. I am looking forward to sharing stories about this man who has been an anchor in my life and a steady source of love and acceptance. I will tell you more when I return, but I recently learned that he served in the Navy during World War II. I am grateful for a church family that lifts one another in prayer.

I am also thankful for a church family that puts action behind those prayers. Thank you to Mrs. Jo Adams for driving the Reaves family to the doctor and helping with all that went along with that visit. Please continue to pray for John and Judy Reaves as they face ongoing health concerns. I am grateful for those who prepared and delivered meals over the past two weeks. I give thanks for children who step in to support parents, and for siblings who stand beside one another during difficult seasons. I thank God every day for the men and women who care for our church building and campus, keeping it welcoming and well-maintained. God is so good to us, and God is so good through us, as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to one another.

Ash Wednesday services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on February 18. I look forward to this time of humility and confession as we prepare our hearts for the days of Lent ahead.

My love to you all,
Mary

It’s a big day—this Sunday.
An important day.
Transfiguration Sunday.

Jesus on the mountain—glowing in glory.
One of the most important scriptures in the Bible.
But very few people listen to what it says.
Especially “fundamentalists.”
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.

And the choir will sing that great anthem we had in the bulletin prematurely last week—with oboe and flute.
Big music for a big day.

Transfiguration Sunday is always the last Sunday before Lent.
Lent—the “time of the Cross” leading to Easter.
That means next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday!!!

I need an Ash Wednesday.
I am ready for this year’s journey to the cross.
And Ash Wednesday is when it begins.
Wednesday worship will be at 6:00.

Last Sunday

We had the joy last Sunday of welcoming Judy Cornish as a member. She was already very much a part of our church family.

We also had all kinds of disappointments. Keith Butterfield was ill, so there was no 99th birthday party. Doug and Sue Kelcey were out with COVID. Judy Reaves’ husband, John, is in the ICU. His daughter, Michelle, was in church with Judy. Keep the prayers going.

Got word that Beverly Tye’s second hip surgery has been very painful, and the pain is not clearing yet. Linda Anderson has not been back to church since her fall. (We miss her.) Charlotte Holder is recovering, but not back yet. Other folks are out sick.

But the Lord is always with us.
That’s what I said in my sermon.
Thanks be to God.

Pastor’s Class

Researchers have discovered that dogs often know when their master decides to return home and will go to the door and wait—even if the master is many miles away. What has this got to do with God and faith? Find out Sunday—class at 9:45.

Breakfast

It’s a “We Bring It” Sunday.
Please bring breakfast items to share if you are able.
At 10:30.

By the time you read this, I will have seen my eye doctor for a procedure to correct the blurred vision after cataract surgery.
I may see you better this Sunday.
Plan to be there so I can see you!

God Bless
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Peace and love to you in the name of Jesus. I pray that this week finds you stronger and healthier than in previous weeks. We have many folks among us facing health issues, and many more who are living with spiritual distress. In the middle of all of this is the emotional trauma of seeing what is happening in our world today.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we worship a victorious Savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ has already defeated all the things that would come against us. Darkness will never have the final word.

At the same time, even when somebody gives you a pair of boots, you still have to learn to tie your own shoelaces, or you will fall. We have to become a healthier congregation. Physically, our church offers chair yoga and standing yoga every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. As spring approaches, we can also create a shared walking group. We have four and a half acres of beautiful land surrounding our church, and we should be using this land to strengthen our bodies.

Spiritually, there is a class every Sunday morning at 9:45 called Discovering God. How much more spiritual can you get than going to a class that’s called Discovering God? Emotionally, we can make ourselves stronger by being committed to the connections we have as believers in the risen Christ. Lent is upon us—just eight days away from this writing—and it is our time to prepare for the events at Calvary, coming very quickly the first weekend in April. Taking care of ourselves emotionally includes filling our lives with so much joy that we are able to help one another and stay connected.

If you are able, please come to the Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, February 12, at noon. We will have nurses from Texas Health Fort Worth who will be teaching a class about heart health. You don’t have to be a woman to attend this class. Please come if you can and bring something special to share as part of our potluck meal.

My love to all of you. Please know in your hearts that every single day, I pray for you.

Mary