Vincentown United Methodist Church
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, April, 2019
When we give things up for Lent, do we give up things that affect anyone but ourselves? Giving up chocolate, soda, coffee etc. might produce the desired outcome of a thinking about and praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world who do not have such luxuries. But if our giving up does not ignite a fire of compassion inside of us that produces action, then is it really doing that much good? The question that has been on my heart this Lent is “if our giving up does not produce giving to our brothers and sisters, then what good is it? What good is giving up chocolate, soda or coffee doing for the world? I pray for a Lenten season of giving things up in ways that lead to giving things to those in need! Yes, I pray for a Lenten season that produces action of generosity and love!
I hesitate to put a 40-day label on our generosity. If we don’t begin our giving exactly 40 days before Easter, have we missed our only opportunity for the year? Certainly not! If we’ve not started our giving yet, it is not too late. We can start right now. But let’s not just make this is a Lenten thing. Let’s commit to giving things up by giving things to in May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January and February until Lent comes again. The 40-day sacrifice is Biblical and has great importance to our faith. But an inability to adhere to that exact amount of time or a particular time of year should not get in the way of our generosity and love the rest of the year.
Once we see that it is never a bad or inappropriate time to give things up by giving things to others, we then can consider what we can give. Right away our minds create lists of things, physical objects that we can give. Clothes, food, furniture and money are great things to give, and are all so badly needed in many places around the world and even in our own communities. I praise God for all of the physical items you are all giving up and giving to this season. But some people don’t have things to give. Does that mean Lent does not apply to them? I am sure that Lent applies to ALL people. We might not all have physical things to give, but there are some things that we all have to give, things that have no monetary value, but their spiritual values are incredible.
For instance, how much could we change the world if we gave up negative thoughts and gave positivity to all those around us? We would be happier, which is great for us. But we would also likely be more loving and more kind to our neighbors, which makes our whole environment a healthier place. What if we gave up some time that is spent on laptops, cell phones, tablets and computers and gave more time to our family, our friends and to our own health? Many relationships become strained when not enough time is spent on keeping them healthy. Our own bodies and minds also become strained when not enough time is spent on keeping them healthy. Yes, these are ways that we can give things up by giving things to others this Lenten season. We can give up negativity and give positivity to our neighbors. We can give up isolation and separation and give time and attention to the things and people that matter so much more. A great place to learn how to do this is to come to God’s house for worship. All people are invited to come and feel the love of God, the acceptance of Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with the congregation here at the Vincentown United Methodist Church. Our Lenten journey is not complete without you!
Lastly, here is the remaining schedule for our weekly Lenten services, Wednesday nights at 7:30. Hope to see you soon!
4/3 – Trinity Episcopal
4/10 – Vincentown UMC
4/18 – Vincentown UMC (HOLY THURSDAY COMMUNION, 7:00)
4/19 – 1st Baptist Church (Good Friday)
Grace and Peace,
Reverend Dave
EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
6:30am - Sonrise Service at the Lake on Race St.
10:00am - Sunday School & Upper Room Prayer
10:15am - Prayer and Praise TIme
11:00am - Worship Service
Sunday Schedule
2019 COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICE SCHEDULE
4/3 – Trinity Episcopal
4/10 – Oak Grove Presbyterian
4/18 – Vincentown UMC (HOLY THURSDAY COMMUNION, 7:00)
4/19 – 1st Baptist Church (Good Friday)
9:45 Adult Sunday School
Upper Room Prayer
10:00 Sunday School for prek-12th grade
10:15-10:45 Prayer and Praise Time
11:00 Worship Service
Other Weekly/Monthly Offerings
Wednesday
Bible Study - 2pm
Choir Practice - 7pm
Youth Group - 7pm
Thursday
Confirmation Class - 7pm (starting 1/17)
Covered Dish Dinners
2nd Friday of the Month
(alternate hosting with Buddtown UMC)
FOOD PANTRY
1st Saturday of every month! All are welcome!
97 Main St., Vincentown, NJ 08088
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Everyone Is Welcome!