The 2013 Lenten focus is

Break Every Yoke!
Fasting and Feasting
Through the Lens of Isaiah 58!

Yoke?!?! What’s a Yoke? An old-fashioned harness that bound a person to a load and forced labor.  It limited freedom.  On Easter, we celebrate that Jesus broke through the tomb and overcame death, the ultimate yoke. Despite our freedom in Christ, we still repeatedly choose to be yoked or limited.

We overspend and become yoked with anxiety.  We over-commit and become yoked with angst.  We over-eat and become yoked with complacency.  We gossip and become yoked with criticism, etc.  And in all these things, we miss freedom in Christ to give to others, to enjoy Sabbath, to live in peace.

This Lenten season we will explore the yokes we wear and the practces of fasting and feasting.  Together we will fast from normal activities that bind our spiritual freedom and feast on faithful practices that yoke us with the resurrection of Christ. 

Join us for our special Ash Wednesday worship service as we begin Lent and begin considering breaking every yoke:

• Wednesday, February 13, 2013
• 7:00pm

Can't make it Wednesday evening?  Consider receiving the imposition of ashes at one of these other times that day:

• Wednesday Morning Bible Study & Breakfast - 8:00am
• Ebenezer UMC (4th & D St SE) Noon Bible Study - 12:00pm

For more information, contact Pastor Alisa at pastor@chumc.net.

The 2013 Lenten focus is

Break Every Yoke!
Fasting and Feasting
Through the Lens of Isaiah 58!

This Lent we will look at the things that bind or limit us spiritually and explore practices of fasting and feasting that will help us encounter true freedom in Christ.

A part of this will be our Wednesday Night Soup & Study opportunities beginning February 20, 2013.  We will offer a soup dinner and three different faith studies to participate in:

• Starting at 6:00pm the CHUMC family is invited to enjoy a simple dinner of soup & bread or salad.

• At 7:00pm, join one of the Bible & faith studies.  Even if you are not able to stay for Bible study, please come for the fellowship at dinner time!

BIBLE & FAITH STUDIES TO CHOOSE FROM:

• Feasting on Theology
  Join a study of The Spirituality of Fasting: Rediscovering a Christian Practice by Charles Murphy that draws on sources ancient and current. Consider anew how fasting informs the relationships between creator / creature, body / soul, and rich / poor.  Sue Marullo will lead this study.

• Feasting on the Word
  Experience scripture as a place of transforming encounter with God. This study focuses on the classical practice of lectio divina and enriching your prayer life. Class led by Pastor Alisa using the book, The Way of Scripture by M. Robert Mulholland

• Fasting from Unnecesary Spending and Feasting on Financial Freedom
  If taking charge of your finances was on your list of resolutions, this class will help you accomplish it. Together, we wil take a three week fast rom spending following the guidelines in The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom by Michelle Singletary.  During this financial fast you will discover how to break your overspending habit, make a plan for your debt, create a budget and more. Stop worrying and achieve financial peace. Class led by Beth Dougherty.

For more information or to sign-up for a class call the church office at 202-546-1000 or email office@chumc.net.

27 min

"Be A Sign"

 the third of the sermon series
 Kings and Servants:
 A Study of Leadership, Governance,
 and Relationships

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

1 Kings 18:22-39

22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets number four hundred fifty. 23 Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God." All the people answered, "Well spoken!" 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it." 26 So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. 27 At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28 Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. 29 As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come closer to me"; and all the people came closer to him. First he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down; 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, "Israel shall be your name"; 32 with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two measures of seed. 33 Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it a second time. Again he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it a third time, 35 so that the water ran all around the altar, and filled the trench also with water. 36 At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God."  (NRSV)

John 2:1-11

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.  (NRSV)

What?

Say thanks to the neighborhood police for safeguarding our community.

Each year we take food, decorations, and a “heartfelt” thank you to the First District Substation (1D1) at 5th & E for a “Police Valentine Tribute.” We sing songs in their honor and deliver valentines made by the Children’s Sunday School and TGIF kids.

Who?

YOU! Men, women, and children.
Members and visitors. Young and old.
THEM: Inspector Mario Patrizio and many officers who patrol the streets around CHUMC will welcome us.

Why?

For them, it’s a boost to hear an unconditional “thanks.”
For us, we’re being the heart of God in the community and putting a
face – a smiling, grateful face – on the church they pass by every day.

Time?

Monday, February 11, 2013
6:15-7:00pm
Meet in the parlor, practice the song
and walk to the 1D1 stationhouse.

What Next?

e-Mail Carol Anderson (andercom@verizon.net)
or Sandy Smith (rlsrenshaw@aol.com)
if you can attend and / or bring food.

Please join us for the Super Bowl Party:

• Sunday, February 3, 2013
• 6:00pm
• In the Dennison Fellowship Hall

The game will be shown on the CHUMC "big screen," and we'll share food and friendship. 

Feel free to stay for the first half, the whole game, or whatever your schedule permits.

For the past few years, it has been an intimate group of about 40 - almost an even mix between CHUMC folks and folks that we serve at Café and Our Daily Bread.

Did you know there are two accounts of creation in the Book of Genesis? Each one tells us something unique about God, ourselves, and creation.

This Bible study will focus of the second creation story in Genesis as well as why there are two different stories, what those differences are, and why they are important. The study is open to all in the Ebenezer Circuit and is intended to help us prepare ourselves for the season of Lent.

The study will be led by CHUMC member Dottie Yunger (and as a candidate for ordination, this is one of her ordination exam requirements, so your participation will help her as well!).

No preparation is required - come as you are:

• Wednesday, February 6, 2013
• 7:00-8:30pm
• CHUMC Parlor

For more information or to RSVP, contact Dottie at dottieyunger@gmail.com .

If you would like to help in this endeavor, there are several ways to do so:

1. Volunteer to be a host at the church.

We have divided the day into two-hour "shifts:"

9:00am -11:00am
11:00am - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 3:00pm
3 pm - 5 pm

2. Donate food, drinks, or supplies.

Please email BJ Shannon (beej19@hotmail.com ) if you can commit to one or more of these shifts.   And, of course, if these exact times don't work for you but you'd like to help, just let her know when you can be present. 

Also, please let me know if you can provide a snack, sweet, warm dish (i.e. chili in crock pots), or other item.  You can drop off your donation after worship on Sunday, January 20, or you can bring it by on Monday.  

As always, we welcome your presence and your donations even if you don't respond in advance.

22 min

"Becoming a Wise Old Fool"

 the second of the sermon series
 Kings and Servants:
 A Study of  Leadership, Governance,
 and Relationships

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

1 Kings 3:3-14 

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." 6 And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life." (NRSV)

1 Corinthians 1:18-20

18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (NRSV)

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (NRSV)

27 min

"You're the Man"

The first of the sermon series
 Kings and Servants:
 A Study of Leadership, Governance,
 and Relationships

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

1 Samuel 12:1-13

1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to you in all that you have said to me, and have set a king over you. 2 See, it is the king who leads you now; I am old and gray, but my sons are with you. I have led you from my youth until this day. 3 Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." 4 They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from the hand of anyone." 5 He said to them, "The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." 6 Samuel said to the people, "The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore take your stand, so that I may enter into judgment with you before the Lord, and I will declare to you all the saving deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your ancestors. 8 When Jacob went into Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your ancestors cried to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your ancestors out of Egypt, and settled them in this place. 9 But they forgot the Lord their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. 10 Then they cried to the Lord, and said, "We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served the Baals and the Astartes; but now rescue us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.' 11 And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak, and Jephthah, and Samson, and rescued you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety. 12 But when you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, "No, but a king shall reign over us,' though the Lord your God was your king. 13 See, here is the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; see, the Lord has set a king over you. (NRSV)

Matthew 2:1-12

1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (NRSV)

18 min