Reading and Prayer of the Day

Seek Your True Home

One emotion was very strong-- that was homecoming.  Jesus opened his home to me and seemed to say, "Here is where you belong."  The words he spoke to his disciples, " In my Father's house there are many places to live in. . . . I am going now to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2), became very real.  The risen Jesus, who now dwells with his Father, was welcoming me home after a long journey. 

This experience was the realization of my oldest and deepest desires.  Since the first moment of consciousness, I have had to desire to be with Jesus.  Now I felt his presence in a most tangible way, as if my whole life had come together and I was being enfolded in love.  The homecoming had a real quality of return, a return to the womb of God.

Henry J. M. Nouwen

Beyond the Mirror:  Reflection on Death and Life

Prayer

Indwelling God, you know the truth of me even before I was formed in my mother's womb, you know my thoughts even before I apprehend them, you welcome me home into the warmth of your love even when I do not realize that I am lost.  I know myself so little even as you know me so well.  I cannot fathom the future, but grant me the grace to appreciate the present in that place where I most belong -- in your heart.  Amen.

Lenten Action

Practice "letting go" of one aspect of the future which is not in your hands.  Spend this day in mindfulness of each present moment rather than letting your thoughts and plans race ahead of yourself.

Rev. Dr. Jung Sun Oh

Upcoming Meetings / Events

2 March Friday -12:00 pm

World Day of Prayer event at Weston UMC

Lenten Sermon Series

Theme:  Prayer and Justice

March 4 ^- The Third Sunday of Lent        

“Prayer and Full Inclusion of LGBTQ Sisters and Brothers”

Communion

Special Prayers for Church Renewal

Reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and church members

Children and Youth at WUMC

12:00 pm – Lenten Study w/ Lunch (Week 3)

Praying in a Noisy World by Rueben Job

Leader: Bob Hout

12:00 pm - Easter Cantata Rehearsal, Chancel Choir

March 11 ^- The Fourth Sunday of Lent     

“Prayer and Ecological Justice”

New Member Reception, after Worship

March 12 – Monday - 5 pm

Serving at Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen in Waltham

(more information below)

March 18 ^– The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 Guest Preacher

25 March - Palm Sunday

Easter Cantata

Olivet to Calvary

By J. H. Maunder

Chancel Choir

Special Welcome

 Daniel and Janety Q. to Worship Service and Fellowship

World Day of Prayer - Suriname

For only the second time since the 1990’s, the World Day of Prayer 2018 service in our area will be celebrated at Weston UMC, on Friday, March 2nd at 12 noon. Invite your family and friends to join in a one hour inspirational service of prayer and song, this year lifting up the people of the South American country of Suriname. After worship, stay and sample the aroma and flavor of some of Suriname's tasty delicacies. No reservations are needed.

Please contact Bob Hout for more info, or if you'd like to help with the event, particularly by preparing one of the delicacies (recipes are available) - bobhoutjr@gmail.com

Please take a moment to write out a Prayer Request or Blessings to add to our new poster in the Narthex.

Prayer Requests

Betty S. (Recovering from Surgery)

Michael (travel to Uganda)

Dinner for Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen

Our hungry brothers and sisters come to the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, held daily in the basement of Grace Vision (formerly Immanuel) UMC, at the corner of 545 Moody Street and Cherry Street in Waltham. They are so grateful that GOD and YOU care about them! As blessed children of God, please lift up in prayer each of them and their needs and concerns, including:

- For Johnny, who suffered a seizure and is in hospital.

- For Steve, Raquel, and others, thank you for those who help.

- For John, for world peace.

- For the family and friends of Justine who died from pneumonia.

- For Tony and Linda, for a job, for health, for those in harm's way.

- To bring Jesus.

After worship on Sunday, please sign up on the two signup clipboards in the church parlor to share Christ's love by playing YOUR part in this ministry. You can contribute one or more food items for our next serving day and/or assist with reheating or serving the meal. Our next serving day is Monday, February 12th at 5 pm (the second Monday of every month). As always, please keep in your prayers this ministry of love and everyone who it touches.

(5) Sloppy Joes, 4 lbs. from each contributor, prepared
(4) Hamburger Buns, 2 dozen from each contributor
(4) Coleslaw, 2 extra large bags plus bottle of dressing
(4) Potato Chips, 2 large bags
(2) Brownies or Cookies, each portion to serve 24
(2) Orange Juice 

(3) Milk, 1 gallon each

Thank you for to all those who contribute to the January and February meals

Upcoming Meetings / Events

Sunday 25 February, 12:00 pm – Lenten Study w/ Lunch (5 Weeks)

Praying in a Noisy World by Rueben Job

Leader: Bob Hout

Friday 2 March, 120:00 pm – World Day of Prayer event at Weston UMC

Lenten Sermon Series

Theme:  Prayer and Justice

February 18 - The First Sunday of Lent:   

Lord’s Prayer and Justice:  “Your Will be Done on Earth”

February 25 - The Second Sunday of Lent:  

“Prayer and Racial Justice”

March 4 ^- The Third Sunday of Lent:        

“Prayer and Full Inclusion of LGBTQ Sisters and Brothers”

March 11 ^- The Fourth Sunday of Lent:     

“Prayer and Ecological Justice”

March 18 ^– The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 Guest Preacher

Please take a moment to write out a Prayer Request or Blessings to add to our new poster in the Narthex.

Best Wishes and Thank You to Shari Gabriele

Best wishes and thank you to Shari Gabriele, our Administrative Assistant for the past several years.    Her last day will be Wednesday February 28^th.  We wish her well in her future endeavors.

Lenten Study

Please consider joining the Lenten Study group after worship on the Sunday’s during Lent.  All are welcome, whether you come for one session or the whole series.

Last Sunday, eight folks stayed following the morning worship service and fellowship time with lunch to join in a successful one hour small group discussion about "Sitting in Silence". We talked about finding a quiet place and time to help us focus on the voice of God, who is seeking our attention.

This Sunday, you're welcome to stay for a discussion about "Releasing Our Fears, Needs, and Hopes" into God's care, and inviting the Spirit to reassure us of God's love and presence.

Whether or not you attend the small group discussions, feel free to use the study's daily prayer plans as part of your Lenten observance. Please contact Bob Hout to be emailed a copy of the prayer plans -bobhoutjr@gmail.com

World Day of Prayer - Suriname

For only the second time since the 1990’s, the World Day of Prayer 2018 service in our area will be celebrated at Weston UMC, on Friday, March 2nd at 12 noon. Invite your family and friends to join in a one hour inspirational service of prayer and song, this year lifting up the people of the South American country of Suriname. After worship, stay and sample the aroma and flavor of some of Suriname's tasty delicacies. No reservations are needed.

Please contact Bob Hout for more info,  or if you'd like to help with the event, particularly by preparing one of the delicacies (recipes are available) - bobhoutjr@gmail.com

Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

The early Christians observed with great devotion

The days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church

    To observe a holy Lent:

    By self-examination and repentance;

    By prayer, fasting, and self-denial,

    And by reading and meditation on God’s Holy Word.

  To make a right beginning of repentance,

  And as a mark of mortal nature,

  Let us now bow before our Creator and Redeemer.

(From United Methodist Church Book of Worship)

Rev Oh

Welcome to the new weekly BEAMS.  

We are moving to a new weekly newsletter.

February 8, 2018

The Weston United Methodist Church invites you and your family to worship and Sunday School on Sunday, February 11, 2018.

Pastor Oh will preach the sermon, “Take Heart.” And the scripture readings are John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 6:1-4.

We also invite you and your family to Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 14^th at 7:00 P.M.

The 2018 Lenten Theme of the Weston UMC is From Beauty of Ashes to glory of Easter Morning. The Rev. Dr. Jung Sun Oh will begin a Lenten Sermon Series titled, “Prayer and Justice” on the First Sunday of Lent, February 18^th.

Thank you to Cindy who has created some beautiful new bulletin boards.  Next time you are at church, be sure to stop by and look at them.

Sunday Worship February 11

Dear sisters, brothers, 

A Blessed morning

I would like to share Scripture passages for this week and the Sermon title for Sunday, February 11.

I also ask your prayers during the week.

Sermon: Take Heart
Scripture:  John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 6:4

Sermon theme is How to deal with Difficulty?   In short Living with Difficulty.

Please read the linked Scripture and pray to God:

• For God’s kingdom on earth, you and  your family, 
• For WUMC especially ministry and mission and new life as community of faith.   

God is with us!

Thanks for your prayers, support, and especially your faithful service to WUMC.

Praying for your blessed day and week

Peace

Pastor