The Bible is full of emotion, and Jesus reflects a wide spectrum of human emotion. We read of Jesus being angry, jubilant, contemplative, broken-hearted, compassionate, disappointed, loving, and more. Others in our scriptures are depressed, curious, joyful, proud, manipulative, confused, and much more! Emotions are a language of our hearts, and this week at 747, we'll explore our joy in Christ and in life.
What brings you joy? Is it music, food, serving others, spending time with friends, or something else? We invite you to bring a song or food that brings you joy to share at 747 this week -- or just bring yourself and join in the fun and conversation! In James 1:2, we are encouraged to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." So come this week and try to find joy in community amid your winter days.
We also hope you'll consider joining us for service locally, and/or on our spring break mission trip as we joyfully gather food to help spread joy to others. (Spaces are going quickly!) More details below...
Dear God, we thank you for joy in the midst of turbulent times in our lives and in the world. Help us to find our peace in you. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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DISCUSSION GROUP ON FAITH: We're blessed to have Pastor Lisa Hufford with us for the semester. Come share an afternoon snack, and explore some of the challenges of our human hearts and the beliefs of the Christian faith. We will consider the ideas of various Christian thinkers, pertinent biblical passages, along with our own personal thoughts, experiences, and questions. Next weekly meeting is Wed 2/11 at 4:30pm in SUB 2 "VIP 3". (We plan to stay at this new time. Ask the Info Desk if you don't know where this is.)
747 -- WEEKLY CREATIVE WORSHIP: We gather each week to worship, discuss, sing, pray, and more! Wednesday 2/11 in JC Bistro at 7:47pm. This week we'll be focusing on joy! As part of this, we invite you to optionally bring along a CD with 1-2 songs that bring you joy and/or to bring some food that brings you joy to share as we create a joyful feast during worship! If you don't have time to bring food or music, we will still warmly welcome you and share our food with you! See http://GMU747.org for future locations and other information -- or check out the Facebook group .
TAKE A SURVEY: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is asking us to pass along a survey to college students asking them about what they are thinking about in life and faith. If you could take a moment to take this survey before February 13th: http://archive.elca.org/cgi-bin/rws/rws4.pl?FORM=CUSS
HELP SERVE A MEAL AT THE KATHERINE K. HANLEY FAMILY SHELTER: A safe, temporary home for homeless families needing assistance and helps families develop plans to locate permanent housing. Please wear clean comfortable clothes, closed toed shoes, and no sleeveless shirts. We'll meet in SUB I outside the Campus Ministry Office (by the couches). We can only take 1-3 volunteers each trip, so please email lutheran@gmu.edu or RSVP on Facebook for the day you can attend:
Sunday 2/15 meeting at 4:15pm and returning around 6:30pm -- Facebook event.
Saturday 2/28 meeting at 11:15am and returning around 1:45pm -- Facebook event.
FAIRFAX COUNTY HYPOTHERMIA SHELTER: We'll spend the evening at nearby Bethlehem Lutheran Church as they host the Fairfax County Hypothermia Shelter. Meet and spend time talking to the people who are homeless and rely on this program for warmth. Maybe play cards with them. We'll also be doing whatever else the hosts need us to do. Friday 2/20 meeting in SUB I outside the Campus Ministry Office at 7pm and returning by 10:30pm. (NOTE: In case anyone is interested, they are also still looking for volunteers to spend the night on 2/15, 2/16, or 2/17 -- staying awake to keep an eye on things and help out if needed. (There would be at least 2 other volunteers spending the night there with you -- so you won't be alone!) For more info: lutheran@gmu.edu
QUIET RETREAT with the Howard University Episcopal/Anglican and Lutheran Chaplaincy at St. Paul's Rock Creek Episcopal Church in NW DC. Saturday 2/21 leaving campus around 8:45am to drive into DC. There will be a few short periods of silence (around an hour each) during which participants are encouraged to partake in quite reflection through meditation, journaling, drawing, crafting or however they are comfortable. These periods will be interspersed with reflections from our retreat leader. A continental breakfast will be provided, as will lunch. Please share this information with your student groups, we would love to see you there! Retreat is 10am-4pm. Be home by dinner. Email lutheran@gmu.edu if you are interested in attending.
PETER ROLLINS "LESSONS IN EVANDALISM" TOUR: Peter Rollins is a writer, public speaker, lecturer and co-ordinator of the experimental collective Ikon . His most recent book is "How (Not) to Speak of God" and you can learn more about him at http://peterrollins.net -- Through a mix of parables, philosophy and discussion Peter will be exploring the theoretical kernel of the emerging movement in post-modern Christianity and addressing its dangerous, revolutionary and transformative potential. We'll meet Thursday 2/26 at 6pm outside SUB I room 207 (the Campus Ministry Office) to drive to Vienna and take the Metro to Clarendon. (I'm currently waiting to hear if there are any admission costs.) Email lutheran@gmu.edu if you are interested in attending.
LOST AND FOUND CONCERT : We'll meet at the 20 minute parking behind SUB I at 4:30pm on Friday 2/27 to head to a Lost and Found concert. If you've never seen Lost and Found in concert, their quirky music and great sense of humor make this a unique experience you won't want to miss! Facebook event. Admission is $10.
HARVEST OF HOPE (alternative spring break service mission trip): Travel south to sunny Jacksonville, Florida with us for spring break as we help do God's work in the world! We'll be working alongside college students from across the country to gather produce left behind in farmers' fields after harvest to be delivered to food banks and people. Come prepared to work, but this is your spring break, so also expect to have some fun! We'll spend some time hanging out on the beach! Saturday 3/7 at 2pm - Sunday 3/15 at 2pm. Cost is $100 (scholarships are available). Space is limited -- there are at most 2 spaces left so please let us know ASAP if you are interested so we can save your space! (We'll create a wait list once spaces are filled. Details and application available at http://gmu747.org/spbr09.php )
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SUMMER CAMP?
You're probably thinking I can't be serious. Summer Camp? Isn't it a joke? Nope -- I jest not. Summer camp changes lives -- both for the campers and the counselors. Being a camp counselor was certainly one of the most powerful summers of my life. I would love it if we could send our dedicated faithful students into the daily lives of young people all summer long. Have I wet your appetite? Drop me a line and we can chat about great places to spend your summer!
You're probably thinking I can't be serious. Summer Camp? Isn't it a joke? Nope -- I jest not. Summer camp changes lives -- both for the campers and the counselors. Being a camp counselor was certainly one of the most powerful summers of my life. I would love it if we could send our dedicated faithful students into the daily lives of young people all summer long. Have I wet your appetite? Drop me a line and we can chat about great places to spend your summer!
AND MORE: There will be much more in the weeks ahead -- such as playing with kids, movie nights, Bible studies, Habitat for Humanity builds, game nights, a Theology Pub, and much more! Let us know what you are interested in.
