February 2018

Dear Philippians,     As I write this, the beginning of Lent is only days away.  Like its counterpart Advent, Lent offers us the time and reflection to prepare for the holy observance of Easter.   Our personal preparations will not compare to the preparations that precede our Christmas celebrations.  There will be no gift selection and wrapping, or tree trimming or decorating our house, but we may be planning for festive meals with friends and loved ones.  Our preparations as a faith community include worship, the exercise of spiritual disciplines and maybe (if we are intention) some sacrifice for the sake of our spirits.  The season of Advent seems to bring out the generous part of our characters:  we engage in special acts of kindness and benevolence.  That special season seems to inspire us to be the very best we can be.  It elicits an extraordinary level of peace and generosity from us.  It gives us a glimpse of the level of good will and open-hearted-ness to which the Christ child can lead us.  But Lent is different.  The focus of Lent is the discipline of our spirits, the training of our bodies to serve our spirits.  There are no cards from friends and family, no festive wrapping paper, no garlands of lights or special ornaments.  The festive air of Advent is missing from Lent. Lent carries with it a more somber ambience.  That ambience reminds us of our humanity, our mortality.  We are reminded of the temporary nature of our lives.  Indeed, we begin the season with a ritual that reminds us that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.  

    It is no wonder that Lent is not a popular season.  Few mark it with intentionality and purpose.  Few understand that Lent is just as important as Easter.  It is appropriate that our observance of this holy season follows quickly on the heels of a new year.  The new year is the time to make resolutions and set goals as individuals and as members of the faith community.  It is my hope that we will resolve to allow the generosity and peace we felt during Advent to influence how we live out the new year. Last year was been a challenging one for us.  Our stability and unity were deeply tested, and we experienced a variety of emotions:  anxiety, disappointment, anger, even grief.  Even so, we are the people of God.  We are not called for our own purposes. Rather we are called into community to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ.  We are “Christians.”  The name itself means “little Christ.”  We are called to shape our lives and behavior so that they might conform to the example of Jesus Christ.  That shaping requires intention, discipline, a familiarity with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and a growing personal relationship with the God made known in Jesus Christ.  

I look forward to the many opportunities for worship in community in the days ahead, and I anticipate that our time together focused on the Baby of Bethlehem who became the man Jesus and the crucified and risen

The Reverend June Haislip

February 2018

Philippi Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) P.O. Box 555Deltaville, Virginia 23043(804) 776-6230

Christ transform us into purer, truer pictures of our brother Jesus Christ.  I wish for you a Lenten season filled with a new awareness of the spirit of Christ in your life, and I remind you that I am grateful to be your partner in ministry…………………………………………            June

January, named as it is for Janus, a Roman deity who had two faces, one looking back and one looking forward, is naturally a time of both life review and intention setting.

SLOW DOWN IN THE NEW YEAR

“DON’T BECOME SO WELL-ADJUSTED TO YOUR CULTURE THAT YOU FIT INTO IT WITHOUT EVEN THINKING.

INSTEAD, FIX YOUR ATTENTION ON GOD. YOU’LL BE CHANGED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.”

-ROMANS 12:1

ARE YOU TIRED? COME TO ME AND YOU’LL RECOVER YOUR LIFE. I’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO TAKE A REAL REST. WALK WITH ME AND WORK WITH ME - WATCH HOW I

DO IT. LEARN THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE. I WON’T LAY ANYTHING HEAVY OR ILL-FITTING ON YOU. KEEP COMPANY WITH ME AND YOU’LL LEARN TO LIVE

FREELY AND LIGHTLY.” JESUS

- MATTHEW 11:28-30

The second reason to slow down is one that’s easily forgotten. To know God. This full reality  comes when we stop and allow God, our creator, to be the most important priority in our lives.

licensed under CC BY-NC

Scriptures on Prayer

Jesus wanted us to know him personally.  The Bible contains many Scriptures about prayer, the how-to of prayer, examples of prayers, and Scripture truths to pray!

Following are six Scriptures on prayer; notice how many times you see a form of the word rejoice/joy and thanks/thanksgiving:

James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. “

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually (NIV), without ceasing (KJV and NAS), at all times (Message).  "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to also pray in the Spirit - "Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints."

Philippians 4:4-7” Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:1” First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,"

Romans 12:12” rejoicing in hope, preserving in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."

Colossians 4:2” Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;"

Our creative prayer life should not be a duty or "hum-drum!"

February 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

       1  2  3

 4

Youth Group

 5

Sting Ray Stitchers

 6

4:45LectionaryGroup

6:30 Cub Scouts

 7  8

7:00Board Meeting

9  10 

 11

3:00District Board

Youth Group

 12  134:45LectionaryGroup4:30 – 6:30Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

6:30 Cub Scouts

 14       2:00Cooperative Worship Service and Imposition of Ashes

 15  16  17

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

 18

Youth Group

 19  20

4:45LectionaryGroup

6:30 Cub Scouts

 21  22  23 24

 25

Combined Service

Youth Group

 26  27

4:45LectionaryGroup

6:30 Cub Scouts

28

 

   March 3rd

Mobile Food Pantry8:30 – 12:00Clarksbury United Methodist ChurchVOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Remember in Prayer: Volunteer Fire Departments Volunteer Rescue Squads Our Military Teachers Law Enforcement Personnel

Stewardship Report January 2018

Date                   Total Income 01/07/18            $2375.5001.14/18            $2715.50   Mem 300.0001/21/18            $1140.50                                                           01/28/18        $1880.50                                                                                                                         Total             $ 8112.00              

Income needed each month:  $12742.88 (4 Sundays)

Total income (monthly) $8112.00     Total expenses        $(11811.26)Overage/shortage         $(3699.26)

Hank Norton’s new address:

The Village of Pheasant Ridge

4428 Pheasant Ridge Road

Apartment #78

Roanolke, Virginia 24014

Elders: Early: Lucina Crittdenden Late: Deli Kennard, Dani Shelly

Decons: Mike Hurd Late: Pat Tinsley, Steve Hilker