Pastor Lynne McQuown
The Book of Common Prayer, used by Christians worldwide, offers these words to invite
God’s people into the season of Lent: “Dear People of
God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and
resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of
penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were
prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had
been separated from the body of the faithful, were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and
restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the
message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which
all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-
examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating
on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal
nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.”
A Popular Social Media Post says: “The problem is, you think you have time.”
Lent is a season where we have the opportunity to confront the fact that our time is
limited. We are mortal. Lent begins with ashes, reminding us that just as each one of
us was given the gift of life in birth, one day, every one of us will stop breathing and our
earthly life, as precious as it is, will end. And yet, Christians believe, this is not a cause
for sadness, fear, or despair.
This yearly reminder is an opportunity, an invitation, and a chance for us to thoughtfully,
prayerfully, and joyfully re-prioritize our lives to be as rich, full, joyful, and Christ-
centered as possible in whatever time we have left – be it 8 days or 80 years. If we are
off-course, we have the opportunity to re-align. If we are lost, we can seek help and
direction. If we have hurt others, we are invited to make amends and seek forgiveness.
If we have been hurt, we are given the opportunity to learn to let go and to practice
forgiveness. If we are predominantly living for ourselves, Christ invites us to go deeper
and seek ways to live for others, to share what we have, to love extravagantly.
Henry David Thoreau wrote: “I went to the woods because I wished to live
deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it
had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to
live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it
was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so
sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and
shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms...”
Lent offers us the spiritual equivalent of going to the “woods,” of examining what is life-
giving and life-draining, to let go of the things which waste our time, energy, creativity,
and resources, and to embrace living “abundantly,” as Jesus says.
And so, dear ones, I invite you to observe a Holy Lent, by self-examination, prayer,
Bible study, and drawing closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As always, please
let me know if I can be helpful to you on your journey.
March Calendar and Newsletter
Click here to download a copy.
Coronavirus has caused the church to be closed thru March. Stay tuned to email, Facebook and this website for updates.
Services
Services are held in the main Church:
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Sunday Morning Services are at 10:30 AM
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Sunday School for youth will be held during church services.
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Communion is held on Easter Sunday and the first Sunday of each month.
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Nursery is available during church services.
Current Events On Hold
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100 Women Who Care - Jonesville Chapter - 2nd Monday in January, April, July and October at 6:15 p.m.
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Take a Break Tuesday - Second Tuesday of each month, 1:00 p.m.
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Bible Study-Wed at 10:30am
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Grief Recovery Group-1:15pm
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Faith in Fitness..Thurs. noon to 1pm Hillsdale College
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Knit Wits - 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
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Pub Theology - TBD
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Adult Choir - Rehearsals every Wednesday 6pm
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Songwriters: First Monday of each month
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Young at Heart - TBA
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Grounded in Grace Coffee House..W,Th,Fr from 9am to 1pm
Do you need prayer? Pastor Lynne McQuown is working from home and sharing daily devotionals and prayer times on Facebook. She is available for you!
Prayer Works!!!
Shower for Baby Dow
We look forward to welcoming this new addition to our church family. It's been awhile since a new baby joined our JFPC family. Baby Dow will join the 4th generation of the Adams family attending this church!
Holy Land Bound
Take a Break Tuesday
(2nd Tuesday of the month 1pm)
January Saucy Dog
February Olivia's
March El Cerrito
April Hillside Lanes
May Cavoni's
June Spangler's
July Johnny T's
August Burgers Unlocked
Sept. Local Eatery
October Pizza Hut
November Cottage Inn
December Hillsdale Brewery
Happy Birthday Jeanine!
1st Sunday of the month
Communion Sunday
Grief Group Our congregation has suffered significant losses in the past couple of years. Many in our midst are grieving – the loss of loved ones, jobs, relationships, health. If you are in grief, (over anything), you are invited to JFPC’s Grief Group. We have no curriculum, no agenda, no purpose other than to listen, to support each other, and to offer a safe place to grieve openly. We will meet Wednesdays at 1:15pm. (Come earlier for a crêpe and coffee
Back by popular demand – Wednesday 10:30 am Bible Study begins May 8. In May and June we will be journeying through the book of Genesis. All are welcome
FEB. calendar of events
3 Songwriters 6:30pm
7 Holy Land travelers return
11 Take A Break at Olivia's1pm
12 Bible Study 10:30am, Grief Group 1:15pm
13 Faith and Fitness noon
16 Pub Theology
19 Bible Study 10:30 am,Grief Group 1:15pm
20 Faith and Fitness
26 Lenten Lunch--JUMC noon
26 Bible Study 10:30, Grief Group 1:15
29 Body and Soul Day 10_2pm
CHURCH LIFE
Memorial Garden
Join us
on Facebook.
Made to order savory and dessert crepes. We make our own fillings and use fresh ingredients. By donation. Proceeds are used for outreach to support local non profits.
Grounded in Grace
Coffee House
We are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM!
We are now serving crepes each day!
Located in the Church Fellowship Room - enter through the back door
Coffee and Tea (Keurig) for a suggested donation
All are welcome – bring a friend or neighbor; meet a new friend or neighbor!
This ministry of hospitality began with a desire to provide a Christian environment, in which people can congregate, to develop relationships leading to greater self and interpersonal relationships with each other and God. 10% of the proceeds each month will be given to local, non-proift and service organizations such as Hope House, Community Action Agency, Domestic Harmony, Youth trips, or a food pantry.
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Leigh and Jason Raddatz
Pastor Lynne McQuown and family
Bill and Kathy Adams
Grounded in Grace Coffee House
Small Title
The Mick Sisters
Sharon and Scott Dow
Kathi and Ron Boyle
Mary and Tim Skupinski
Please email us.
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