Click here to watch Adra Day’s Rise Up video
March 4, 2025
Friends,
I travelled to Conroe on Saturday to watch my granddaughter play softball. We arrived a few minutes late, so I wasn’t able to talk to her before her game started. When the game was finished, she came over to where we were seated. She had a unsettling look about her. She had done very well in the game with a couple of hits and a several good defensive plays, so I was confused as to why she had the look she did. I asked her what was wrong, and her reply astonished me. She told me that she became very anxious when she played. She worried that she would not hit well and would not help her team. She worried that she might be hit by a ball in the field (she was hit last year, and it was very painful). She said that she wasn’t able to control the anxiety, and it just made things worse.
We took a stroll. I asked her if she liked playing softball and she replied that she loved playing softball. I offered these words. Keep in mind they are to an eight-year-old. (Actually, maybe that is the level I need to hear sometime.) I told her that if you worry about what might happen then you are going to miss the fun of playing. I told her that you prepare ahead of time for things to happen, but you cannot let that concern you all the time. I told her that when things happen, like getting hit by a ground ball, you deal with it then but don’t worry about it before. Lastly, I told her to have fun and enjoy playing, enjoy being with her teammates. Focus on what you can control and don’t worry about what you can’t.
I had to leave before her next game and haven’t been able to talk to her since our conversation. She did well the rest of the tournament. I am not sure if that had anything to do with our talk or not. I hope it helped.
Our lives are no different than that softball game. I am not saying that life is a game, but I am saying that life should be enjoyed. It should be lived. It can’t be lived if we let ourselves worry about what may happen. If we spend our time worrying about all of the things that may happen then we are going to miss life. There are plenty of things going on in the world that we can worry about. But that isn’t necessary. Jesus makes this promise “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).
As we begin the season of Lent this week with Ash Wednesday then the First Sunday in Lent, take a moment to set aside your worries. Live life. Share life with your friends and family. Prepare yourself for the Easter Season by celebrating the life that has been promised through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
God bless you. See you Sunday.
Psalm 91:1-2,9-16 (NRSV)
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 Then the devil a led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil b said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 9 Then the devil c took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus a took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
This week we start our Lenten Sermon Series – Steadfast Love – A Lenten Playlist. The outline of this series is prepared by the UMC Discipleship Ministries. The Secular music selections are a combination of their choices and mine.
Join us as we weave together the songs of the Psalms and various secular music genres with Jesus’ Passion. Join us as we contemplate the silence and the pain of the Lenten season in a new way leading to our new celebration of life.
March 9 – Rescue Me
March 16 – Conceal Me
March 23 – My Soul Clings
March 30 – Steadfast Love
April 6 – Fill Me with Laughter
Palm Sunday – Open the Gates
Easter Sunday – Steadfast Love, a New Cut
March 2 – Sunday Worship – First Sunday Communion
March 3 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
March 5 – Ash Wednesday. Wednesday Night Bible Study – Amos – 6:30 ZOOM
March 9 – Sunday Worship – The First Sunday in Lent
March 10 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
March 12 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Amos – 6:30 ZOOM
March 14 – Paint the Town Red Date Night
March 16 – Sunday Worship – The Second Sunday in Lent
March 17 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
March 19 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Amos – 6:30 ZOOM
March 21 – Youth Fun Night
March 22 – Prayer Meeting
March 23 – Sunday Worship, Council Meeting – The Third Sunday in Lent
March 24 – Bible Study – ZOOM – 7:30 – The Revelation – led by Pastor Manuel
March 26 – Wednesday Night Bible Study – Amos – 6:30 ZOOM
Each week the UMC Discipleship Ministries has prepared a devotional that highlights their selection of secular music and opens the interpretation of that selection into our lives as Christians. We will put them in this portion of the newsletter throughout the Lenten Season. If you have time take a few minutes and read through the devotional and listen to the playlist.
Rescue me. Perhaps Jesus said it during his temptation in the wilderness. Certainly, the psalmist says it over and again in many ways. We call out to God to rescue us today, sometimes with a certainty that God will answer and other times out of desperation, hoping God will listen when it seems no one else will. As you listen to Andra Day’s “Rise Up,” let the words wash over you as a prayer and as an answer to prayer, and consider: “Where in your life are you calling out for rescue, and how might God be calling you to reach out in love to rescue your neighbor?”
Link to Adra Day's "Rise Up" video on youtube
If the link does not take you to the video copy it into your browser.
https://youtu.be/hmHfo_3EGFA?si=Ao1WbkBvG7kRqbWw
Redigging the Wells of our Foremothers
March 15, 2025
Klein United Methodist Church
5920 FM 2920 – Spring TX
Registration and Breakfast 9:30
Meeting 10:00
Keynote Speaker: Amy Corron
CEO, Wesley Community Center
$10 lunch/cash
Register by March 1
register with QR Code or by calling Gilda Williams 713-927-3600
We are introducing a new section to highlight our relationship with the Marvin Radar School. We will be providing news of what is happening at the school so that you know what is happening and how we are supporting. This week's addition is longer than most but will provide some background. LOOK BELOW
The Marvin Rader School is celebrating the 58th anniversary of its founding. The Celebration will occur February 26 – 28th. We are looking forward to receiving highlights of the celebration that we can share with our congregation.
Congratulations from Houston Trinity United Methodist Church – Houston
We start on Feb. 23, when we celebrate Marvin Sunday. The parents and children will attend the divine worship. We will have a special offering for our school. The children will render a song and I will deliver the message. The theme for the celebration is taken from Psalm 100. We will hold a motorcade to promote the school in the community. It will be followed by a Field Demo by our pupils. On the second day we will hold Quiz Bee, Spelling Bee, Math-lympics and Raderites Got Talent. As of now, we are quite busy preparing for the motorcade, acquiring trophies, medals, etc. Awarding of certificates, trophies and medals will be on the 28th.
Please let Nini or me know if you would like to have your prayer request added to the newsletter.
Prayers for Healing
Nikka Javelosa
Blessings Ramirez
Velma Bailey
Melina Bernardo
Jose Liwanag
Saffa Gabba
Veronica Crisologo
Christopher Hilton
Susan Hilton
Cheryl Foster
Gerald Hinkson
Bruce Jocz
Prayers for Travel
Everyone taking extended trips. Safe journeys to and from.
Prayers of Thanks and Praise
To our awesome God, our guide, our provider, our Shepherd, our Savior for another year of family and community at Houston Trinity.
Open Hearts and Minds; Eyes that See and Ears that Hear
Houston Trinity United Methodist Church
The Prayer for Today – courtesy of praywithme.com
Just for today, help me, God, to remember that my life is a gift, that my health is a blessing, that this new day is filled with awesome potential, that I have the capacity to bring something wholly new and unique and good into this world.
Just for today, help me, God, to remember to be kind and patient to the people who love me, and to those who work with me too. Teach me to see all the beauty that I so often ignore, and to listen to the silent longing of my own soul.
Just for today, help me, God, to remember You.
Let this be a good day, God, full of joy and love.
Amen