Week of March 2, 2025 - Lent Begins
By the sweat of your brow
will you have food to eat
until you return to the ground
from which you were made.
For you were made from dust,
and to dust you will return.” – Genesis 3:19 (NLT)
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes." – Genesis 18:27 (NLT)
"I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”– Job 42:6 (NLT)
Ash Wednesday: You probably know of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday", also known as Shrove Tuesday), but did you know that Mardi Gras is the immediate precursor to Lent? Lent, a Christian tradition that arose quite early in the history of the church, is a 40 day season of contemplation, reflection, and preparation for the glory of Easter Sunday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our broken state and our separation from God via sin – were it not for Jesus' once and for all, atoning sacrifice. As Lent begins, we're called to reflect on our our mortality ("dust and ashes"), repent of our sins, and earnestly seek alignment with our Creator God through His Holy Spirit.
This year, Ash Wednesday is March 5. It's the day that the Church will gather around the world and be invited into this 40-day preparation for the coming of Easter. Join us on Ash Wednesday at 7 am in Etna to pray together, hear scripture, and receive ashes.
This year, Ash Wednesday is March 5. It's the day that the Church will gather around the world and be invited into this 40-day preparation for the coming of Easter. Join us on Ash Wednesday at 7 am in Etna to pray together, hear scripture, and receive ashes.
New Members! At a special "membership meeting" last Sunday, eleven people were added to the membership of First Baptist Church of Etna by unanimous vote. We will "formally" welcome these folks to our church family as part of our Sunday morning worship service this week. We thank God for the continuing growth of His church on earth!
Annual Congregational Meetings: Our churches' annual congregational meetings are fast approaching. The First Baptist Church of Etna will hold its annual meeting after the Sunday morning service this Sunday, March 2, 2025. The Hanover Center Church will hold its annual meeting the following Sunday, March 9, 2025, also after the Sunday morning service. All are welcome to attend either or both meetings, but only members of each congregation may vote in that congregation's meeting.
Missions Committee News: A beautiful ray of hope shown in Eastern Europe on February 19th when Major R and Jenica celebrated the birth of their third child, Edmund. Major R was able to be present for the birth. Mother and child are thriving, and Mia and Ernie have a little brother to protect and boss around. The Missions Committee sent a message to the parents via Cru Military expressing a wish for the child "to grow up to be as courageous as his father, as loving as his mother, and as handsome as Clark Gable". It goes without saying that he will have a Christian upbringing and be surrounded by a loving family.
Bible Studies: We offer three weekly opportunities for Bible study/discussion. We hope that you're able to join us for at least one them!
|
Save the date for a delicious Pulled Pork dinner – a fundraiser for Hanover Center!
Saturday March 22, 2025: serving starts at 5:00PM
Location: Trumbull Hall Etna NH
More information to come!
Saturday March 22, 2025: serving starts at 5:00PM
Location: Trumbull Hall Etna NH
More information to come!
That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish. – Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Recent
Archive
2025
2024
January
February
March
May
July
August
September
October
November
2023
September
October
November
No Comments