FEBRUARY EVENTS
WORSHIP IN FEBRUARY
“Beloved Community in Christ and for our World.” We continue in our series for the month of February. Special services of worship include Scouting Ministries Sunday, Feb. 2, at the 9:30 am Sanctuary service and United Methodist Women’s Love Sunday, Feb. 9, at the combined service of worship at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary with the Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, guest preacher. The month concludes with Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 23 and message by the Rev. Dr. Bob Campbell and the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26 with services at Noon and 7 pm.
From Adam Taylor’s article found in the Discipleship Section of this newsletter, “In contemporary terms, the key to realizing the “beloved community” is to build a nation in which neither punishment nor privilege is attached to one’s race, skin color, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other human difference. While this represents a very high bar, it must become a barometer by which we measure political leadership and every piece of public policy. In other words, not only would every person, all of whom are made in the image of God, be equally valued and respected, their inherent value and dignity would be affirmed.”
4th Sunday of Epiphany, February 2
Scouting Ministries Sunday
Matthew 5:1-12, I Corinthians 1:18-31
Sacrament of Holy Communion
5th Sunday of Epiphany, February 9
UMW Love Sunday
(One Service of Worship at 9:30 am)
Matthew 5:13-20, I Corinthians 2:1-12
6th Sunday of Epiphany, February 16
Matthew 5:21-37, I Corinthians 3:1-9
Transfiguration Sunday, February 23
Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21
Ash Wednesday, February 26
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Distribution of Ashes & Readings at Noon
Ash Wednesday Service, 7 pm
DISCIPLESHIP
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
ANSWERING HARD QUESTIONS CHILDREN ASK, FEB. 2
Parents of children and youth are invited to gather with Pastor David, Maureen Koziol and Brooke DeJong on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 10:45 am in the Library for a brief Q & A on questions of faith asked by children and youth. We will use insights from the book “When Kids Ask Hard Questions” by co-author, the Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, associate minister of Union Church of Hinsdale in Illinois, and former member of FUMC. Rev. McCleneghan will be preaching on Sunday, Feb. 9 for UMW Love Sunday.
The world is a confusing and painful place for children (and adults). How do you respond faithfully to your kids big questions? Learn to craft faithful conversations and be better prepared to talk about the tough stuff with your kids. More than 30 essays from a diverse group of young Christian parents/pastors address today’s toughest topics, including gender, race, bullying, mental illness, death, divorce, money, technology, and generosity. When Kids Ask Hard Questions invites you to take a deep breath, create safe spaces for the hard conversations, and speak the truth in love. Each chapter includes a resource list for further exploration.
FEBRUARY ADULT STUDY “WHITE FRAGILITY” BEGINS FEB. 5
Using the book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, the three session study begins Wednesday, February 5, 7 – 8:30 pm at FUMC. Session two is Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Session three is Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 pm. Participants will need to have read the book in its entirety before the first session begins. A study guide will be available to all registered participants by Jan. 26. Books can be purchased through the church office at cost of $16. The study is in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Conference initiative confronting racism in church and society.