Happy Friday, FCC!
Hey just a reminder for all you couples out there that this is Valentine’s weekend! You’ve got a couple days yet to get your cards ready for your special valentine. Now hopefully this isn’t too cheesy, but just a reminder for all of us, that even though romantic love is a very good thing, we are all made to experience love from God, and to live out a love for God and for others. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4.19)! At the core of our relationship with God is that we have experienced a love that is patient, kind, and doesn’t envy or boast, and it doesn’t insist on its own way, so we can love others in the same way (1 Cor 13.3-5).
A few years ago we began the practice of preparing our hearts for Good Friday and Easter Sunday by an Ash Wednesday service. I, along with others, experienced some very sweet and powerful moments during those services. Though this is a loss, we decided to pause on our Ash Wednesday service, and not hold it this year. The service is very tactile and intimate, and in a socially-distanced world, it would be hard to well. Also, the pandemic has increased the amount of effort needed for every Sunday worship gathering, and we need to steward our resources for Sundays and for the Holy Week services. Lastly, we wanted to give priority place for AWANA and the Refuge to meet and continue their rhythm of ministry. Hosting the Ash Wednesday service would displace these ministries for the night, and we thought it wise in these times of significant change that a steady rhythm for our children and youth was important. Thank you so much for your understanding and flexibility as we navigate all of this together. Also, keep your eyes open for my UpDate email next Wednesday where I will have some Ash Wednesday reflections for you to read and consider.
On Sunday, we will learn the next rule that James the half-brother of Jesus wants us to live out for following Jesus and living an inspired life, Rule #6: Never Make Yourself the Final Judge. The passage this week will be James 4.11-12.
And, we will also be celebrating communion together on campus and online this Sunday. Communion is very important for remembering Jesus' death, resurrection, and return and also for our unity together as a church. If you will be watching online, please make plans to have grape juice with bread or crackers available to celebrate communion at home with your family.
The next child dedications will take place on Sunday, February 28, during the 9:00am and 11:00am services. Learn more and get registered at fcchudson.com or the FaithBase app.
This full-time position offers a person the opportunity to apply his or her communication gifts and skills in support of our mission to make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ. You can find the job description at fcchudson.com or on the FaithBase app. For more information, please contact Pastor Steve Holsteen at sholsteen@fcchudson.com or 715.386.4070, x105. To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Ashley Hines by Wednesday, March 12, 2021, at ahines@fcchudson.com or by mail at: Faith Community Church, Attention: Ashley Hines, 777 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016.
Thank you, Faith Community, for your generosity! FCC contribution statements have been issued for contributions received or postmarked on or before 12/31/2020. View your giving statement any time by visiting fcchudson.com, then click on FaithBase from the top right menu, or view your statement through the FaithBase app. Thank you!
