Saturday, March 28, 2020


Loving and Learning in Lodi March 29 2020

           We are still worshiping at home this Sunday…so keep an eye out for the ‘Worship at Home’ email!

           As we continue to look at Jesus’ parables teaching us about what God’s kingdom is like, we shift our focus to what it is like to be a part of God’s kingdom…the joy…the privilege to be actively a part of bringing God’s kingdom of love, forgiveness and grace into the world!

                                                      Missing you all…but grateful to carry you all in my heart,
                                                                 Pastor Diane


Sunday, March 29, 2020
Liturgist would have been:   Larry Scott                      Greeters would have been:    Sue Porter & Lil Tozser
Hymns:         Grace Greater than Our Sin                                verses 1 & 4                         #365
                      Christ Beside Me                                        verse 1                      TFWS #2166
                      I’d Rather Have Jesus                                 verses 1 & 2                         see insert
                      I Love Thy Kingdom Lord                                verses 1 - 4                          #540


           “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure that somebody hid in a field, which someone else found and covered up. Full of joy, the finder sold everything and bought that field.

           “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all that he owned and bought it.       

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.               People:  Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

Choir is not rehearsing this week.
Lenten Study ~ The Walk: The study is postponed until we are able to be together again. Our wonderful leader, Deanne, will let us know when we’ll start back up through the weekly email and bulletin.

Feed My Sheep is cancelled this month.  We want all of our helpers and guests to stay healthy!

Easter Flowers: Since we will probably be worshipping at home on Easter morning, we have decided to still remember and honor our loved ones…but donate the monies to Matthew 25 instead of purchasing flowers. Pastor Diane contacted our local Food Bank with the Good Samaritans to see if they needed help. Kris Weir said they were doing fine and agreed that Matthew 25 was a good place to give instead. Currently, Matthew 25 is low on funds and trying to meet the needs of people in our community for rent, utilities, car repairs, etc. The form is at the end of this email. We hope you will respond generously as we remember and honor our loved ones this Easter. You can learn about the ministry of Matthew 25 at https://matthew25coalition.wordpress.com.

Feeding Medina County food pick up for all county residents (no forms or income requirements) on Thursdays going forward at 7:30 a.m. at the County fairgrounds. www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

We are no longer collecting 2-liter bottles for Vacation Bible School, please recycle them.

School My Sheep:  Months ago, when I began to think about School My Sheep, I wondered if the congregation would still want to do this event/mission work.  I didn't want to bulldoze forward without giving members an opportunity to speak up, give comments, ponder.  We didn't hear anything and decided to move forward.   
           Given the times we are living through, I know School My Sheep is absolutely the right thing for us to do.  Many families have been impacted financially due to Corona Virus, and that pang will continue for a while, as we all try to re-coupe. Add to that, the fact that the Nexus pipeline is not generating as much revenue (oil and gas markets around the world are saturated) and it means local school districts will not be receiving the funds they were expecting. (There was a recent article about just this thing.)
           So, absolutely save clothing, coats, shoes.  Absolutely let us know when there are clearance item (Edee Shaw has reported major clothing discounts at Family Dollar!), absolutely be watching for book bags and school supplies.   With all the children at home, stores may mark down such items.   We have room to store them at the church. 
           I know what Lodi UMC does is so impactful in and around our community.  I feel particularly pulled toward School My Sheep this year more than ever and hope you will as well. I miss you all and pray for you every day!  ~Katrina Morgan

Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.


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