My wife and I were talking about Philippians recently. Paul's prayer for that community is that their "love may about more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless..." (Phil. 1:9-10).
We aren't used to thinking about a relationship between love and knowledge. I mainly took technical classes in college, and I certainly didn't use emotion to learn (though sometimes the learning caused frustration!)...
Let's try out Paul's wisdom: let's go out and act in love and see what we learn -- to see what insights we gain. Come hang out and love people in a hypothermia shelter and learn their stories. Come lovingly serve people dinner in a transitional shelter. Come out our spring break trip to lovingly collect food from fields for the hungry, and gain insights into how your lifestyle can affect the problem of hunger in our world.
Lord God, give us the strength to love extravagantly and to put others before ourselves, and may we gain knowledge and insight into your world as we love. 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. This week we'll be discussing the nature of God. 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 2/4 at 4:30pm in SUB 2 "VIP 3". (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 2/4 in JC Bistro at 7:47pm. We always welcome everyone and assert that every person has have valuable insights and talents to share. This week we'll be playing with clay as part of worship. 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:
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 2/13 (time TBD).
HELP SERVE DINNER 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. We can only take 1-3 volunteers, but there will be other opportunities to help out this month! Please wear clean comfortable clothes, closed toed shoes, and no sleeveless shirts. Sunday 2/15 from 4:15pm-6:30pm. We'll meet in SUB I outside the Campus Ministries office (by the couches) at 4:15! Facebook event.
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 only 4 spaces left so please let us know ASAP if you are interested so we can save your space! (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.
