Loving and Learning in Lodi January 26 2020

            I have eaten green eggs (with food coloring in them) for fun. But, I have not intentionally eaten green ham! From that opening sentence, can you guess what Dr. Seuss book we’ll be reading this Sunday? Yes! Green Eggs and Ham! The spiritual Ah-ha is strong in this book in my opinion. AND, we’ll hear from Colette Laughlin about the mission trip she took to Mexico over Christmas break.

                                                               See you Sunday, as we listen for God’s voice…

                                                                                       Pastor Diane

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Liturgist:      Larry Scott                                                Greeter/s:    Lil Tozser & Sue Porter

Hymns:         I Love to Tell the Story                               verses 1 & 2                        #156
                     More Precious than Silver                                                                     TFWS #2065

                     We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations             verses 1 & 3                        #569

                     Pass It On                                                 verses 1 - 3                         #572

Scripture                           Matthew 5:43 - 48                       Common English Bible

           That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown…

           “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

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

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings 7:00 – 8:00pm. Join us!

Feed My Sheep is Thursday starting at 5pm—please continue to pray for this mission, make a sweet treat to bring in to share or come in a lend a hand!  We always have a great time doing something really good.

Our Men’s Group meets this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. All men of the church are welcome!

Soups for Super Bowl Sunday Potluck - February 2nd - Our United Methodist Women will be providing a gift basket and a large cooker of soup to a “Soup cook-off” benefit for Matthew 25 on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Grace Lutheran Church, Wadsworth, 1 -4 pm. In preparation for that, they will be providing soups for our monthly church potluck on the 2nd. We’ll be able to let them know what our favorite soup is and that is the one they’ll take to the Soup Cook Off. You can join them in bringing a soup if you want. Otherwise, bring a salad or light dessert to share and have fun tasting some yummy soups!!

Firelands United Methodist District Youth Council Presents “A Heart for Haiti.” Our youth will be taking orders for Valentine’s Day cookies in Fellowship Hall for the next two Sundays. Buy some classic, heart-shaped, iced, sugar cookies that promise to tantalize your taste buds with a sweet satisfaction, while making a huge difference for the lives of students in the LaTannerie School in Haiti. 100% of the money you pay for the cookies will go to support our mission in Haiti. Prices:  ½ Dozen $4 and 1 Dozen $8

Life Line Screening - will offer their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Lodi United Methodist Church on 3/3/2020.  Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries ...a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs...a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat... tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, to assess the risk of osteoporosis.    Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to do.  To register for this event and to receive a $10 discount on any package priced above $129, please visit www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle> 

or call 1-888-653-6441 or text the word circle to 797979.

2020 Offering Envelopes are ready for you to pick up at the back of the sanctuary by the ramp. Please sign the sheet letting us know what numbered envelopes you have chosen. Thank you for your faithful and generous giving!

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