Newsletter

Lent Begins Wednesday February 17th

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians. The First Sunday describes Jesus’ temptation by Satan; and the Sixth Sunday (Passion/Palm Sunday), Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent passion and death. Because Sundays are always little Easters, the penitential spirit of Lent should be tempered with joyful expectation of the Resurrection.

                              The United Methodist Book of Worship 1993

A Three Day Kickoff to Lent

Tuesday, February 16th—Pancake Supper at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. 5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 17th—Ash Wednesday Service at Columbia United Methodist Church, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 18th—Hymn Sing and Supper at Columbia United Methodist Church, 6:30 p.m. See article below for more information.

New Director of Program Ministries To Be Hired

The church is looking for a new Director of Program Ministries. This position will concentrate on Children and Youth ministries. If you know of anyone who is looking to work in the ministries of the church on a professional basis, please let the pastor know.

West Brazos Military Troop Support

A list of needs is in the church office. We will collect items in the church office.

A Few Notes from your Treasurer:

1. Please remember to give us different checks for each account.

(example: General Fund one check, Facility Fund a different check,

Designated fund a different check, St. Stephen’s Fund a different check.)

This way we will be able to keep our books correct.

2. On your statements, the pledge outstanding line item does not

reflect the facilities fund. Our computer financial system will only allow us to show one pledge.

3. Your statement is included in the same envelope as this newsletter.

Lenten Meditations:

24 Hours that Changed the World

No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this book, Adam Hamilton guides us through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. Each chapter is designed to help the reader experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you have never done before. Whether readers are long-time Christians or simply curious about the story of Christ's crucifixion, they are invited to join the author in retracing the last 24 hours of Jesus' life.

Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. starting on February 24th and continuing until March 31st. A light supper will be served.

Will you help the Salter Family?

Since Sue is no longer on the staff of the church, her salary will not be paid, but each of us can help.

We can give a little each month to the Salter Fund in the designated giving of the church.

Sue spends her days taking care of Rick who has therapy each day and is facing a long recovery time. Rick still has more surgery and therapy to try and achieve as much ability as possible. We as Christians can help our friends at this time with a small gift each month.

Hymn Sing

Thursday

February 18,2010

6:30 p.m.

Columbia United Methodist Church

Sanctuary

Come and Sing Your Favorite Hymns

A delicious stew and chili supper will follow the Hymn Sing in the

Fellowship Hall.

This is a joint meeting of:

Bethel Presbyterian Church

Columbia United Methodist Church

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Columbia United Methodist Church

Receives the

Bishop’s Certificate of Appreciation

We are given this award for sharing abundantly through our 2007 apportionments. We paid100% .

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie commends our congregation for supporting the mission of the church locally, nationally and globally. She states: “On behalf of the Texas Annual Conference, I celebrate your outstanding accomplishment and encourage you to continue your benevolent support for 2008.”