FUMC Lake Brownwood

The sanctuary decorated for Easter. Pastor Carol preached a beautiful sermon. If you missed it please join us this coming Sunday.

Join us as we go with Jesus to the cross through the crucifixion story in the Gospel of Mark, accompanying songs and time for personal reflection.

On Easter Sunday at 9:30 am, come celebrate as we proclaim, “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Delivering the Mission boxes to Bangs Elementary this morning.

Palm Sunday service with Rev. Danny Tenney our D.S.

For your journey …

Week 6—Week of March 24:

The Meaning of the Resurrection
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11; Mark 15:1-15, 25-39, 47
Symbol: Egg

Discussion & Activity:
This week -- Holy Week -- we are in the midst of remembering Jesus' death. You may actually want to start the week reading the first passage from Mark, then reading the second passage later in the week.

Invite family members to hold an egg in their hands. Ask them to think about how within the egg, there is life; but from the outside, we don't always see it. Name other things you see that hold life, but don't seem to do so just by appearance. Think about plant bulbs or bare tree limbs.

While we remember Jesus' death, we also prepare to celebrate his new life. After being so sad about Jesus' death, we learn that he is alive; and this fills us with joy! Ask each person in the family to tell of one thing about Easter that makes him or her happy. As each person says what makes him or her happy about Easter, respond by saying "Alleluia!"

Decorate Easter eggs together. We use eggs as symbols of the new life we have because of Jesus' death and resurrection. Make a list of other things that help us remember new life.

Week 6 Prayer:
God, as we remember Jesus' last week, remind us that through bad times and good times, you are with us. Help us notice the suffering in the world around us. Help us find ways to offer the blessings of Easter to those who are in need in our community. Don't let us skip too quickly over the suffering just to get to the happiness of Easter. Remind us that you are there for us in both bad times and good times. Amen.

o Sunday worship at 9:30 am – Rev. Danny Tenney, West District Superintendent, will be our guest preacher.
o Conversation with District Superintendent following worship during Sunday School hour.
o Monthly Sunday Potluck Lunch at 12:15 pm – All are welcome! Bring a favorite food to share.

This Sunday begins Holy Week as we travel with Jesus to the cross where he is crucified as a criminal. We meet a crowd praising Jesus as he enters into Jerusalem for the Passover festival. The air is filled with shouts of praise and celebration.

As the week progresses, conflict and confrontation escalate as these authorities seek to remove this Jesus they see as a threat. Their plan succeeds as Jesus is arrested, tried, and nailed to a cross to die a public death of public shame.

We will travel with Jesus to the cross. On March 29, at 6:00 pm, we will gather for a Good Friday worship service when we will hear and reflect on Jesus’ horrible suffering and death.

For your journey …

Week 5—Week of March 17:

The Meaning of the Cross
Scripture: John 12:20-33
Symbol: Cross

Discussion & Activity:
This is a very difficult passage for us to understand. Jesus is telling his followers that he must die, but that his death will give life to others.

Sometimes it is hard for us to talk about Jesus dying on the cross. Because we know that he rose from the dead, we sometimes try to skip over his death. But this was what he was willing to do for people to know of God's love and care for all.

Pass around a cross. Tell family members to feel each part of the cross. Recall that the cross on which Jesus died was not a smooth, beautiful object like the jewelry we wear today. Think about the pain that was part of Jesus' cross.

Ask each person in the family to say how it makes him or her feel to talk about Jesus dying on the cross. Remind one another that we use the sign of the cross to remember Jesus even today.
A food that is part of the Lenten season is Hot Cross Buns. You can make these using prepared cinnamon roll dough or bread dough. Add a cross of white sugar frosting to the tops of the rolls. Eat these as a reminder that Jesus died so that all might know God.

Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their lives.

Week 5 Prayer:
O God: It is hard to think of Jesus, whom we love so much, being put to death on the cross. And yet, when we look at the cross, we are reminded that he did this as a gift so that we might be forgiven of our sins. Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. Amen.

For your journey …

Week 4—Week of of March 10

Jesus Brings Light
Scripture: John 3:14-21
Symbol: Candle

Discussion & Activity:
This week's reading includes one of the most familiar verses of Scripture: John 3:16. You may want to recite this together each day this week.

In addition to this verse, consider the message of light in the world contained in verses 19-21.
Light the candle. Dim the lights and together look at the light from the candle. Think about these words in the Scripture: "…the light has come into the world…"

Recall together where you have seen God's light this week through the actions of others, in the news, in things that have happened in the family.

Create a poster of light. Cut out paper candles. Each day, write on a candle one way you have experienced God's presence in the world. Glue this onto a larger sheet of paper or poster board. Daily give thanks for how you see God's light in the world.

Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their lives.

Week 4 Prayer:
Gracious God: We thank you so much for the many ways light comes into our world through Jesus. We ask you to help us notice daily when people do good things for others; when people care for the world you have created; when nations treat other nations in just ways. Help us notice the increasing light of each day. Receive our thanks and praise. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

We love you and miss you Diane.

For your journey …

Week 3—Week of March 3:


A Place of Worship
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Symbol: Coins

Discussion & Activity:
As you read the Scripture, pass the coins from one person to another. While this may be a familiar story for you, it may also feel out of place. We are used to this being part of what we consider during Holy Week. In the Gospel of John, it is placed early in Jesus' ministry. Luke 19:46 contains this verse: "And he said, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers.' "
We often have interesting reactions to money. On the one hand, money helps us obtain shelter, food, and things we need for living. It enables us to take care of the poor, feed the hungry, and give so that others may come to know the love of God. On the other hand, money can also end up being the source of worship instead of God.

Jesus is reminding us that the purpose of the temple isn't for the exchange of goods. It is for worship of God.

Do you have a place in your home that helps you worship God? Maybe it's the table where you place a family Bible. Maybe it's a chair near a picture that reminds you of God. Maybe it's a worship center where you have placed a cross. If you don't have a place in your home that reminds you to stop and worship God, together decide on a place that will help you do so. Place something in the place you've selected to remind you of God: a Bible, a cross, a picture of Jesus, a poster of a Bible verse.
Decide on a project either through your church or that you can do on your own that helps those in need. Collect money for the remainder of Lent to give to this project. Make a container in which to place the money you will donate.

Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their lives.

Week 3 Prayer:
Dear Lord: Help us in our worship of you. Help us have places where we can recall the stories of your love, think about your son, Jesus, and all that he taught us, and give thanks for the world you have created. Help us see ways to aid those in need. Amen.

For your journey …

Week 2 -- Week of February 25:

Teach Me Lord
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Symbol: Bible

Discussion & Activity:
Jesus taught his disciples. Because his teachings are recorded in the Bible, he continues to teach us today. Think together about what you know that Jesus has taught us. What is your favorite Bible story or Scripture? Ask each person to name his or her favorite Bible story or Scripture.

Spend time telling one another stories from the Bible. OR select two or three Bible stories to read together.

Make your own "Important Scripture" booklets. Take one sheet of paper for each person in the family. Fold it so that you have four pages. On each page, name a Bible story or Scripture verse that is important to a member of the family. Draw pictures or write the Scripture or story on that page. Place these with your Bible and include these stories and verses in your prayer time during the week.

Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their lives.

Week 2 Prayer:
Dear God: Today we give thanks to you for Jesus and all that he taught us. We thank you for our Bible and what we learn about you as we read and study the stories and verses contained in our Bible. Sometimes we get too busy to read our Bible. This week, help us to take time to read and study stories and verses from the Bible. Help us see ways for us to live out these stories and verses so that others will want to read and study the Bible as well. Amen.

Preparing for Food Pantry today.

For your journey …

Week 1 -- Week of February 18:

Jesus Begins His Ministry
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Symbol: Water

Discussion and Action:
Mark quickly moves from Jesus' baptism, to his temptations, to his ministry.

Have water in a pitcher and an empty bowl. Pour water from the pitcher into the bowl. You may each want to dip your fingers into the water. Talk together about all the things that water does: It nourishes us. It cleans us. It provides transportation. It offers us beauty. Think together about these and other ways that water makes our life healthy and fun and beautiful.

Talk together about baptism. When we use the water in baptism, we remember again Jesus' baptism. This was the start of his ministry of teaching us about God. When Jesus was baptized, he heard a voice saying, "You are my Son, the Beloved." Naming is still an important part of our ritual of baptism.

Create Name Posters for each person. Have family members print their names on their poster. Then draw or cut out pictures from magazines that tell something about each family member. Say together the name of each family member, adding after the name, "God loves you and calls you by name."

Take time for family members to tell how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their lives.

Week 1 Prayer:
Gracious God. We remember Jesus' baptism and give you thanks for the ways he has taught us to love you. We remember that you call each of us by name, and we give you thanks for the ways you have created each of us. Help us to remember we are not alone. We are your children, and you are with us. Help us to share this knowledge with others, so that they too can know your love and care. Amen.

Ash Wednesday service.

The last load going to the landfill today.

The cleaning crew has been very busy. We thank the Lord for everyone that volunteered there time to haul out 2 loads over 1000 pounds to make our church usable again.

A good turnout for Potluck Sunday lunch.

Preparing for Potluck Sunday dinner.

Join us on Sunday, December 24:
6:00 pm—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
9:30 am— regular Sunday morning worship
Everyone is welcome!

A day late but this was yesterday and people were still coming in to get ready to celebrate the third Advent Sunday.

Worship again in this beautiful sanctuary.

Worship with us this Sunday, December 3, at 9:30 am
as we rededicate our Sanctuary
and begin the Advent Season.
Stay for fellowship and Sunday school after worship.

The Lake Brownwood First Baptist Church shared our Potluck Sunday meal with us today. Lots of good food and fellowship. Thankful for our neighbors and friends.

We have been working hard at our appearance. All the trees have been removed that were dead and the other trees have been trimmed. Now we are working on getting our Sanctuary ready to worship again.

Still at it.