WELCOME VISITORS If you are worshiping here for the first time today, welcome! We are glad to have you with us. Please fill out a visitor information card, located on the right as you enter the chapel.
OFFERING Plates are available just inside the doors to the chapel as you enter and exit. Our gifts take many forms: open-hearted presence here, voices lifted in song, the prayers that rise in us, the material gifts we share with neighbors, and our willingness to live in a world as allies and advocates for those whose needs are overlooked. The monies we bring symbolize the offering of our lives in all circumstances. A separate labeled basket is available each week to receive Our Daily Change offerings, formerly known as Five Cents a Meal hunger offering.
COMMUNITY JOYS AND CONCERNS: If you would like to add or update a prayer request, please contact the church office.
We celebrate: Jim Storey and his efforts to get us better lighting in the narthex and parlor, as well as better electrical access at the chancel. ⸰ Natalie Daugherty for completing her certificate program.
We remember in prayer: the family of Will Dale, Jamie’s brother, following his death on January 29 ⸰ Arden Starnes, her family, and her caregivers ⸰ Vicki Collins, recovering from shoulder surgery ⸰ Wanda Mitchell, friend of Sally Broughton, has been referred to hospice care after a hospitalization for pneumonia.⸰ all who continue to be affected by loss caused by recent storms. In our congregation, we remember especially Andrew Tripp, Cindy and Dennis Riley, Jackie Wintle, Joyce Cucinella, and Bob, the father of Natalie’s partner Jeff ⸰ Susan Laney, receiving therapy at home ⸰ Ongoing prayers for the extended Lytle family ⸰ Mary Craig ⸰ Jackie Ligon Cole ⸰ Pat Crumpler ⸰ Martha Dugger ⸰ Rick Garrison ⸰ Fran Roberts’ sister-in-law, Linda Briggs ⸰ Jon Hettrick and his family ⸰ Marjorie Hettrick ⸰ Shane Reece (Nancy Garrison’s son) ⸰ Pat Wilson’s son, Kell
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES The Swannanoa Valley Ministerial Alliance is having a community Lenten service every Wednesday at noon from March 5-April 16, with a Good Friday service on April 18. Each will be led by a different church (we are leading the April 2 service). All services will be hosted at Black Mountain UMC and will be followed by a free community meal provided by Open Table.
NEW SANCTUARY PIANO The funding for the new sanctuary piano purchased in November was provided by existing church resources: endowment funds, designated funds, and prior year surplus funds. If anyone would like to make an additional contribution for the piano to help replenish these church sources, that would be most welcome. Should you wish to contribute please indicate that you are giving to the piano fund.
HABITAT VOLUNTEER DAYS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH Faith partner volunteers, including 10 from our church, made great progress helping Habitat build affordable homes in Arden last fall, and there is a new opportunity for volunteers to help from now through March 22. We have spaces reserved on the volunteer schedule for Friday March 7, and Saturday, March 8, and many other dates are available. No special skills or tools are needed, only a willingness to help. If you have questions and would like to know more about this important mission project, please contact Larry Griswold at larrygris@gmail.com
ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is seeking additional applicants for its green built affordable houses. If you know someone who might be interested, tell them to go to ashevillehabitat.org and scroll down the home page to the photo with Apply on it. Open that to read about home ownership and download an application.
TOGATHER We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month through May at 1:30 PM in the chapel parlor. This is a time where all are welcome to build and strengthen relationships, spend some time in quiet reflection and prayer, learn and practice calming and relaxation skills, and share resources. This is an open group; feel free to come whenever you are able. Contact Beth Meriwether (828-777-2867) for more information.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASS We meet Sundays at 9:30 in the Adult Ed room. On March 2 we will begin a book study by Elizabeth F. Caldwell, Pause: Spending Lent with the Psalm. Contact Beth Meriwether (828-777-2867) with questions. All are welcome.
PANCAKE SUPPER Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper is March 4th at 6:00 PM – one last hurrah before we begin Lent! Sign up in the narthex to be a pancake cooker, or to bring a protein, egg casserole (meat,vegetarian,or vegan), or fruit. King cake will be provided. Please join us for a fun evening and wear those Mardi Gras beads!
BEER & HYMNS February 24 at 7:00 PM at the White Horse in Black Mountain featuring Black Mountain Presbyterian musician, Aaron Price. Cost is $15 with proceeds going to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. Tickets available on the White Horse website.
NEWSLETTER It’s Newsletter time again! Please send Andrew your submissions and/or suggestions for a Lenten Newsletter by February 26.
ASH WEDNESDAY marks the beginning of Lent in the church year. Receiving ashes marks our humanity as people of the earth. Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, March 5 at 6:00 PM for our Ash Wednesday Service.