First Congregational Church of Hutchinson Blog and News

What Will Lent Mean For You This Year?

2012-02-24T15:42:00.003-06:00

It’s Mardi Gras week—and you know what that means from. Courtesy of Faith Village.

Beyond theparty-till-you-drop bead-throw fest in Nawlins and costumes for Carnevale in Venice, the week hasspiritual significance. “Mardi Gras” means “Fat Tuesday.” And Fat Tuesdayprecedes Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is theforty-day season leading up to Easter.

In parts of Europe people call MardiGras “Pancake Day” (Shrove Tuesday), and they eat stacks of syrup-covered cakesin celebration. Pancake Day is the liturgical polar-opposite of a last-chanceworkout. People snarf up all the stuff from which they’ll fast for the nextforty days. The mentality is sometimes, “Gorge while you can.” Traditionallyitems included in the “fast” list were sugar, butter, flour and eggs—the stuffthat batter’s made of, thus the stacks on Tuesday before austerity sets in.

Some of us havegrown up in traditions that connect Lent and its accompanying practices withlegalism. And people boil it all down to one question: “What are you giving upfor Lent?” And I can’t really blame them. Some folks flaunt what they give up.I’ve seen people who plan to give up alcohol get falling-down-drunk on Tuesday.Really? Doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose?

As my friend RuthHaley Barton says, “The real question of the Lenten season is how will I clear out the junk and garbage in my life so that Ican be restored to God in some fresh way? What are the disciplines that willopen up space for God to create a clean heart and new spirit in me?”

Still, some of usfind meaning in observing a season of penance, prayer, and self-denial duringLent. The reason to give up chocolate or snacks between meals or Facebook ornew purchases or meat or shoes is constantly to remind our flesh that theSon of God gave up everything for us. In the words of Keith Green, “Jesus rosefrom the dead, and [we] can’t even get out of bed.” It’s this flesh-drivenmentality against which we wage war in our Lenten observances.

This, then, is aworthy goal, regardless of our denominational affiliation. So I offer heresome suggestions. Consider these options to guide the Lenten season.

· Begin by asking God what needs a clean-out in your life.

· Consider what non-essential activities suck the most time fromyour day and/or money from your wallet. Is it Facebook? Twitter? Words withFriends? Listening to your car radio? Eating out? The mocha latte with whippedcream?

· Consider giving it up for forty days and using the time and/ormoney for something meaningful. Give to the poor. Take time to pray, meditate,or memorize a portion of Scripture. Do some reflective reading.

· Check out the “Lent” section in the Book of Common Prayerand follow the meditations leading up to and including Holy Week.

· Familiarize yourself with the Ash Wednesday sermons of seventeenth-century English bishop, LancelotAndrewes. A contemporary of Shakespeare, the brilliantbishop left us a library of great writings, some of which influenced T. S.Eliot to convert to Christianity. Here’s a prayer Rev. Andrewes wrote that’sfitting for the season:

Pleading

O remember what my substance is; that I am:

dust and ashes, grass and a flower,

flesh and a wind that passeth away,

corruption and a worm,

like a stranger and a sojourner,

dwelling in a house of clay,

days few and evil, today and not tomorrow,

in the morning and not so long as till evening,

now and not presently,

in a body of death,

in a world of corruption,

lying in wickedness.

Remember this.

· Fast from words for a day or part of a day. Take a silentretreat and simply listen.

· Adopt one of the twenty-five ideas on this list compiled bysome creative teens, some of whom gave up their beds and indooraccommodations.

Should we feel ledto participate in this way, whatever we do, we must draw as little attention toourselves as possible. In the words of our Lord, “When you pray, go intoyour room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then yourFather, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt. 6:6). How coolwould it be if every follower of Christ gave up something truly significant forLent: spiritual pride?

Author Sandra Glahn teaches at Dallas Seminary, where she’s editor-in-chief of Kindred Spirit magazine. Among her 17 books are the Coffee Cup BibleStudies.

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-14T06:23:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “Just like the sun is always there eventhough rain clouds may try to hide it, God is never gone from us even thoughthe storms of our lives may sometimes make it seem so.”

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see himnow, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”(1 Peter 1:8 NIV)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-12T08:18:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “A season of dormancy always precedes aseason of growth. Winter always precedes spring. If you feel you are stuck andnot growing understand that God is preparing you for your growing season - itis coming soon. Be patient while He works.”
“What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid onthe human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes3:9-11)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-11T03:58:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “No disease, no illness, no ailment orphysical limitation can keep you down when you have God. Do not despair becausethrough Him you are restored and made whole again.”

“This is what the LORD says: “‘Your wound is incurable, your injury beyondhealing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, nohealing for you… But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 30:12-13, 17)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-10T04:58:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: "Know that you do not stand alonein this world where it seems that good is always trying to be overrun by evil.God stands by your side and continually fights for you. Together with Him, youwill be victorious."

"This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouragedbecause of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (2Chronicles 20:15 NIV

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-09T06:08:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “On the stormiest of your days takerefuge with God. His arms are strong enough to help you carry whatever burdenis weighing you down. It may seem to take quite a while to get back to the youthat you want to be but never doubt that He is leading you to an abundantfeast.” I hope you have a magnificent day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadowof your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drinkfrom your river of delights.” (Psalm 36:7-8 NIV)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-08T06:43:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “If there is a problem that you havebeen avoiding, stop running from it. Run to God and with Him turn and face yourproblem and defeat it. Small, easily handled problems generally become bigoverwhelming problems when we refuse to tackle them early on.” I hope you havean amazing day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you passthrough the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through thefire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am theLORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,your Savior” (Isaiah 43:2-3)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-07T06:39:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “Sometimes it seems that no matter howhard you try to get ahead there is something working to hold you back. Don’tallow that “something” to come between you and God. Remember, though it maytake some time to break free, whatever is holding you back doesn’t stand achance of defeating you when you are with God.” I hope you have a wonderful daytoday my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My helpcomes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your footslip - he who watches over you will not slumber;… The LORD will keep you fromall harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your comingand going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:1-3, 7-8 NIV)

The Whisper of God Thought For The Day

2012-02-06T07:34:00.001-06:00

Thought for the Day: “With God by our side, we canaccomplish anything we set our minds to. He gives us the strength,determination, and self-confidence to believe that we can move mountains. It isthis trust in God that we need to draw on in order to not give into feelings ofself-doubt and defeat.” I hope you have a fantastic day today my friends! –Elmer Laydon

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break outagainst me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, thisonly do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of mylife” (Psalm 27:3-4 NIV)

The Whisper of God Thought of the Day

2012-02-05T13:20:00.000-06:00

Thought for the Day: “We all go through difficult times. Howwe deal with the tough times when they come and how we make it through is allpart of a learning experience. The good news is that God is with you,comforting you, and walking with you as you go through the difficult periods.Once through your difficult time, take what you have learned, find someone inneed, and help comfort them thesame way that God helped comfort you.” I hopeyou have a wonderful day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father ofcompassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, sothat we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receivefrom God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

Thanksgiving Song - Mary Chapin Carpenter

2011-11-23T08:04:00.001-06:00

The Story of Thanksgiving, Basically

2011-11-23T06:28:00.001-06:00

Reno County Food Bank Needs Your Help!

2011-11-05T12:46:00.001-05:00

The food bank has been low on food for a long time.

As we enter the holiday season, we need to remember the hungry in Hutchinson.

Now that Thanksgiving and Christmas is around the corner, their shelves will be desperately in need of food.

Since we are a very benevolent congregation, could we please help fill their shelves? Currently, they are asking for canned meat, fruits, vegetables, soup, juice, crackers, peanut butter, and cereal.

We will be giving a concentrated effort through the month of November.

The Faith Village link is coming to our Website later in the Fall!

2011-08-04T13:16:00.001-05:00

Introducing FaithVillage.com from Brad Russell on Vimeo.

"Jerusalem"

2011-07-12T12:46:00.000-05:00

Jerusalem | Filmed in Imax 3D from JerusalemGiantScreen on Vimeo.

Ken and Jane Davidson's 40th Wedding Anniverary

2011-07-08T12:01:00.000-05:00

Let's Celebrate
Saturday, July 23rd
Open House Reception: 7:00 - 8:30pm
First Congregational Fellowship Hall

The couple requests no gifts please

Gradulations Ken and Jane!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-03T08:39:00.000-05:00

Mission Moment Update for Sunday, June 26, 2011 - Pokot Tribe Kenya

2011-06-22T13:49:00.001-05:00

Honor our Heroes this coming Memorial Day!

2011-05-18T09:27:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to our area graduates!

2011-05-18T09:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T07:18:00.003-05:00

Women's Fellowship to host Gold & Silver Event on Sat. April 30th

2011-04-25T04:44:00.000-05:00

Last Supper Video played at Maundy Thursday Service 4/21/11

2011-04-21T21:16:00.002-05:00

Maundy Thursday Last Supper

2011-04-21T21:14:00.000-05:00

Invite me in!

2011-04-17T05:39:00.002-05:00

Palm Sunday - God's Way!

2011-04-17T05:37:00.003-05:00

Easter Invitation

2011-04-12T06:37:00.002-05:00

Grace

2011-04-06T06:26:00.002-05:00

Live in Me!

2011-03-23T16:05:00.002-05:00

Hutch for Haiti / Numana Meeting

2011-03-01T09:26:00.002-06:00

The entire faith community is invited to an informative meeting concerning the Hutch For Haiti outreach event April 16th. The meeting will be held this Sunday at 5pm here at First Congregational Church. The meeting wil inform you as a church representative of how your church could incorporate this community event into your ministry outreach.
For additional information you can go to hutchforhaiti.org.
If you have specific questions please feel free to call Pastor Matt Stafford at 620-694-7177.
Hope to see you there!

pachelbel's Canon in D

2011-02-28T12:15:00.003-06:00

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP RUMMAGE SALE

2011-02-28T10:03:00.002-06:00

March 12th from 8 to 12 in the Fellowship Hall will be the Spring Rummage Sale. Please bring your rummage to the church by Weds the 9th as they will be setting up thursday and Friday for the sale.
This year you can get a grab bag and fill it up for $3.00. What a Deal!
If you have rummage that you would like to donate to the sale, please contact Bonnie Shank if you need help in moving it to the church at 662-9568

Hutch for Haiti Video!

2011-02-23T12:33:00.000-06:00

Hutch for Haiti - April 16, 2011 from Numana on Vimeo.

Valentine's Day 101 - Just a few things you do NOT say to your wife!

2011-02-18T15:46:00.000-06:00

Numana Project

2011-02-14T08:29:00.000-06:00

Numana Volunteers from Numana on Vimeo.

Give Love!

2011-02-11T07:29:00.002-06:00

Special Speaker and Presentation This Sunday

2011-02-10T13:34:00.000-06:00

Darrel Herde, Event cordinator for the Numana project coming this April 16th, will be our special speaker this Sunday. He will present the project and take questions. Please feel free to go to numanainc.com and view the videos explaining the project.

Trustees

2011-02-10T13:32:00.001-06:00

The Trustees Meeting has been moved to Weds the 16th at 7pm due to weather.

Women's Fellowship Meeting

2011-02-10T13:31:00.001-06:00

Because of the inclimate weather the Women's Fellowship Meeting has been moved to Thursday the 17th at 1pm.

Love the Way Jesus Loved....

2011-02-07T11:22:00.000-06:00

Future Soup Kitchen Dates!!!!

2011-02-05T12:45:00.001-06:00

A special, special thank you to all that helped and supported at the soup kitchen event last Thursday, February 3rd! Everything came together in a great way. How blessed our Church is to have such a giving congregation! Stanley even commented on how organized and efficient our group is. She can tell we really care about giving back to the community!
Mark your calendars. Our next soup kitchen dates are in the fall. August 30th and November 29th.
Thanks again!!!!

Don't forget about SOUP-ER Bowl Sunday. Bring your canned goods for donation to the Reno County Food Bank!

2011-02-04T06:19:00.002-06:00

Picking out that "Special" card.....

2011-02-04T06:10:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-04T06:08:00.000-06:00

Hey Church Guys! Come to a special breakfast with the Men's Club on Feb. 5th @ 8:30AM to see a preview video of "The Man Code". Special guests Randy Stange & Rion Rhoades will speak about men being the spiritual leader in the home.

2011-01-26T14:02:00.001-06:00

The ManCode from The ManCode on Vimeo.

Valentine Banquet Feb. 13th Guest Entertainment will be the Heart of America Men's Chorus "Voices from the Heart" Ensemble

2011-01-22T06:40:00.001-06:00

Soup Kitchen is cancelled for today-Jan. 20th. Rescheduled for Feb. 3rd

2011-01-20T11:27:00.001-06:00

All Soup Kitchen Volunteers! The Soup Kitchen Ministry is closed today due to the slick streets. It has been rescheduled for February 3rd. We will save the cookies and other items for that date. Thanks!

The "Skinny" on Prayer

2011-01-17T19:06:00.002-06:00

Ross and Vicki have TWINS

2011-01-13T15:06:00.000-06:00

Ross and Vicki Muth were blessed with two baby boys yesterday Weds.
Cooper was born @ 1:49 and was 7 lbs 12 oz and 20" long. Quinton was 6 lbs 4 oz and 19" long :)
Congratulation to the Muths after many years of patience.
I thought for sure one of them was going to be named Matt....oh well.

Pastor Begins New Series

2011-01-05T11:11:00.001-06:00

Pastor Stafford will begin a new series this Sunday entitled "Experiencing Christ". Do you know whom you say you have believed?
Starts this Sunday at 10:30 am

This Year will be Different!

2011-01-05T10:28:00.000-06:00

New Year Inspiration!

2011-01-03T07:23:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T19:07:00.002-06:00

The Digital Story of the Nativity

2010-12-22T11:22:00.003-06:00

Communion Sunday January 2nd

2010-12-22T11:22:00.000-06:00

We will be observing Holy Communion and a service of prayer for the upcoming 2011 year on this Sunday. Please make an effort to come and join with us as we remember what was accomplished for us and dedicate our selves to follow Christ's ways in the coming year.
Pastor Stafford

No Sunday School for grades 1-12 Next Two Sundays

2010-12-22T11:20:00.000-06:00

These next two weeks will be full of holiday and family gatherings, as well they should be, so the CE board has cancelled Sunday School for the next TWO Sundays and will resume normal schedule Jan 9th, 2011.
Have a wonderful Christmas vaction kids and we will see you for regular service.

Pastor Matt

Nativity Story

2010-12-22T09:04:00.000-06:00

Pastor Stafford's Mother's By-pass surgery went well!

2010-12-21T16:00:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update on Mary Ann Stafford's heart by-pass surgery today in Wichita. It went very well and only took 2 hours. She will be staying at the Heart Hospital in Wichita for a few days. Pastor Matt will put another update on this blog is a couple of days. Thanks for all the get well wishes and prayers that the Stafford family has received over that past few weeks.

God Bless!

"Come home for Christmas"

2010-12-18T06:09:00.000-06:00

The Innkeeper's Dilemma

2010-12-09T10:12:00.000-06:00

One Solitary Life

2010-12-07T10:47:00.000-06:00

Click on link below to view and enjoy!

He Came To Get Messy!

2010-12-06T08:26:00.000-06:00

New Church Events Calendar in now on the Church's Web Site!

2010-12-01T22:50:00.000-06:00

We have a new calendar that has a link on the "In a Nutshell" part of our new Web site. To check out the Church Events calendar, just click on "Church Event Calendar" to check it out!

Men's Club to put up nativity scene Saturday, Dec. 4th

2010-11-30T06:31:00.000-06:00

The Church's Men's Club will meet @ 9:00am on Satuday, December 4th to put up the annual Nativity scene in front of the church. This scene is put up yearly by the Men's Club and is illuminated at night for all to enjoy.

New Radio Spots

2010-11-24T10:45:00.000-06:00

First Congregational will be sponsoring some radio spots on 3 different stations. KWBW, 102.9 and My 93.1. They are Christmas related and contain a quote from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". these spots will start airing after Thanksgiving.

Pastor Matt

Advent Event This Sunday Night Nov 28th 5:30pm

2010-11-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

Come on out this Sunday Night and enjoy a time of food, fellowship and fun decorating the church for Advent and the Christmas Season.
Home Made soup will be provided.

The Choir will be practicing in the Sanctuary at 7pm as well.

Pastor Matt

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T04:32:00.001-06:00

Sunday's Heritage Dinner-Thank You to All!

2010-11-23T18:13:00.000-06:00

Special thanks go out to our chief cook and bottle washer, Kathy Rusk for getting those pesky turkeys cooked and sliced this past Sunday. Also special thanks to everyone to pitched in to serve, set up tables as well as clean up after another very successful Heritage Dinner. Also, thanks goes out to the church's Men's Club for purchasing the main food items.

Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!

The Story of Thanksgiving-Basically

2010-11-22T11:46:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2010-11-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

Soup Kitchen - Special Thanks

2010-11-17T11:00:00.000-06:00

Special Thanks for all who volunteered to help with our 2nd Soup Kitchen meal on Tuesday, Nov. 16th. In all 52 meals were delivered to home bound individuals and 150+ served on site. We also handed out sample size toothpaste and toothbrushes with each meal. Keep watch for our next Soup Kitchen volunteer day which will be coming up in the first quarter of 2011.

Welcome to our blog site!

2010-11-17T09:37:00.000-06:00

Welcome to The First Congregational Church of Hutchinson, Kansas blog site. Our web site is http://www.firstcongregationalhutch.com/.

We'd love to have you come visit us anytime, but especially on Sunday's @ 10:30 AM.

Check back for news and updates from time to time. Don't forget to follow up by subscribing to us.

Thanks and God Bless