Dear Caldwell,
This Sunday will be the second Sunday in lent. By now, you may have adopted a particular approach to this season of preparation for Holy Week and Easter and all they represent. Perhaps you’re denying yourself of something. Or, rather than giving up, you are taking on something (longer prayer, spending more time with scripture, more time in service, etc.) to walk more closely with God.
In Isaiah 58, we read about Israel’s efforts to please God through fasting and other religious practices, but God is less than delighted. The people have lost sight of what is truly important to God. On Sunday, we will take a look at that story and its parallels to how, in some ways, the church at large has lost sight of what God wants and what we can do about it here at Caldwell. This kicks off a three-part series of sermons that will frame the “Caldwell in 3D” initiative, in which you are invited to help shape the next phase of our journey together.
Also Sunday:
- The Newcomers Class will gather at 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall for a campus tour, including Caldwell House, the Bilingual Preschool and Belk Hall. If you have yet to see these spaces of ministry, feel free to join us.
- The Sunday school class (9:45 in Shelby) continues its Lenten study.
- The February issue of Caldwell Good News! will be available.
- You’ll here about how you can help others through intercessory prayer
- And … all are invited to a Covered Dish luncheon commemorating Black History month immediately after worship. Bring something add and join us in deepening relationships.
In prayer, please remember Chuck and Judy Atwell as Chuck begins recovery from a stroke earlier this week. Chuck is at Mercy Hospital on the rehab floor but they both ask for prayers rather than visits at this stage. We rejoice that Tracy Hewitt’s grandson, Cash, is continuing his recovery after fever-induced seizures last week.
The weather outside is bone-chilling but be assured that the warmth of your sisters and brothers in Christ will be here when you arrive on Sunday morning.
In Christ,
John