THE HEART MATTERS
Our Lent sermon series is entitled “The HEART Matters.” Lent is a solemn time of preparation when we take inventory of our lives. It is a 40-day period from February 17 (Ash Wednesday) to April 4 (Easter Sunday). Fasting or giving something up during Lent is a common practice. The custom in some churches of using ashes to form a cross on the believer’s forehead on Ash Wednesday is a tactile reminder that our sin leads to death–spiritual and physical. The solemn reflection of Lent is a way to refocus our minds, hearts, and lives on the fact that we need a Savior before we can experience the triumph of Christ’s resurrection!
LENT SERIES SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
To complement Pastor Shaun’s Lent sermon series, we have a 6-week “Matters of the Heart” Sunday School class that encourages us to examine our hearts, our motivations, and our loves as we walk in repentance toward Resurrection Sunday. Please join us on Sundays in the Narthex at 8:45 a.m.
MJ HIGGINS – DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS AND OUTREACH!
At our last annual meeting, a vision for mission and outreach was presented within the budget discussion. Thank you for your support of this vision by your vote to approve the overall budget. We are pleased to announce that MJ Higgins has been selected to serve as Midway’s Director of Mission and Outreach and began her work this month. Welcome to the Midway staff, MJ! –Ruth Hill, LT Chair
INVITATION TO A JOINT SERVICE!
Greetings Church family, This Sunday, February 28, I am participating in a joint service with two sister churches: The City of Rain Church, and The Spirit & Truth Worship Center. We will have a panel discussion during which the audience can ask questions and offer comments. We will be discussing this week’s passage, James 1:13-25. Feel free to join us either in-person (with masks) or online! The service at City of Rain starts at 11:00 a.m., so I will be leaving for their church immediately after our service ends. The address for City of Rain Church: 1209 Central Ave S, #129, Kent, WA 98032. It would be great to have you there! You also have the option of logging on to their site for the livestream or viewing it afterwards: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoF9fJm-IYJYx9yqgKdor8g/live. Blessings, Pastor Shaun
DIGGING DEEPER
Fill in the blanks using the words in the box below.
Last Sunday, Pastor Shaun preached from Psalm 51 and 139. He contrasted outward-only displays of goodness with wholehearted obedience to the Lord. The Pharisees lived their lives based solely on ___________, with no regard for the condition of their hearts. In contrast, David readily acknowledged and grieved over his sinful, rebellious heart. He _______ with God for His mercy. Pastor Shaun explained that there is no such thing as surface-level repentance. He said that our ____ must be dealt with at the root level. Anything less (any outward-only, surface-level efforts) are meaningless, worthless, and of no _____ whatsoever! David knew this! Following David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba, he exposes his sinful heart to God, “I have sinned against you, God. Against You have I done this evil. You alone can ______ me from my sin!” Then he pleads: “Blot out my transgressions (rebellion). Wash away ALL my iniquity (evil). Cleanse me from my sin (uncleanness).” As David’s example shows, a broken and contrite heart is what is pleasing to God. And it must start with the awareness of our own depravity and an acknowledgement of our utter __________ on Him. Pastor Shaun reminded us: There is no other way! Remember: God sees our hearts, and when we come to Him in repentance, He will get to the “heart of the _______” and cleanse us from our sin!
| dependence appearances cleanse matter value sins pleaded |
A REMINDER…
Hi, this is Ona! Don’t forget to bring your Bibles to church tomorrow! Our reading will be from James 1:13-25.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…
GENERATION GAP:
A mom texts her son, “Hi, Jeremy. What do IDK, LY, and TTYL mean?” He texts her back, “I don’t know. Love you. Talk to you later.” The mom replies, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it. I’ll ask your sister. Love you, too.”
THANK YOU TO…
- Gerald and Marge MacDicken for graciously preparing coffee and bringing pastries every Sunday for the Sunday School class!
- Daryl Fuskerud for removing the old toilets and transporting them to the dump!
- Don Paige and Daryl Fuskerud for repairing a broken window!
- Des Moines Police Department for assisting in the removal of the tents/occupants from our property!
- MJ Higgins for the delicious lunch she prepared for the Wednesday Women’s Discipleship Group!
SERMON SCHEDULE
February 28: Rev. Shaun Higgins, James 1:13-25 – “Doers of the Word”
March 7: Rev. Shaun Higgins, 2 Chronicles 34:1-33
March 14: Rev. Shaun Higgins, James 2:1-9
March 21: Rev. Shaun Higgins, 1 Peter 1:3-9
CHURCH & OFFICE INFORMATION
The Church Office is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Office phone number: 206-878-4861 // Office email: office@midwaycovenant.org
Sunday Morning Bible Study: 8:45 a.m. in the Narthex
Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (or online at live.midcov.org)
The Clothing Bank is closed.