This week is considered the holiest in the Church year. It is the week we focus on the crucifixion of Jesus, and the events that led up to it. Think about it, we worship a God who surrendered to weakness, put on human skin and moved into the neighborhood as one of us, and suffers every bit of being human. We don't know, but I'm guessing Jesus had headaches and congestion, felt the pain of banging his thumb with a hammer and getting splinters, and the rollercoaster of emotions we deal with. Jesus was fully human. As a human, he shows us how to love, serve, and seek community. We believe God surrendered to the cross: humility, death, and defeat. Parodoxically, this apparent foolishness is exactly how Jesus claimed victory over death. Maybe that is why so often we experience God in times of weakness, humility, and defeat. We meet Jesus at the foot of the cross.
God of all, help us to notice that in times when we struggle, you are here beside us. Use us as vessels to serve others, that we may join you alongside them as they suffer. In the holy name of Jesus the Christ we pray. AMEN.
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Upcoming Events:
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747 Creative Christian Worship - Wednesdays at 7:47pm in SUB1 room B (3rd floor). This week, we observe HOLY WEEK, the holiest time in the Church year when we focus on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Facebook event. You don't want to miss this! See http://GMU747.org
EASTER WORSHIP - Sunday 4/4 - Bethlehem Lutheran Church would like to invite you to Easter brunch (with the world's BEST quiches) and Easter Services! Church services are 8:30am & 11:00am. The brunch is around 9:30-10:55am. We would love to have you and your physical and spiritual appetites be our guest. If you need a ride, feel free to call the church at 703 978-3131 and they can contact Cyndi or one of our other church members, and I am sure we can find someone happpy to pick you up and take you back. GOD's peace and blessings on you.
EASTER POTLUCK - Sunday 4/4 starting at 2PM, eating around 2:30PM - We'll be having a potluck dinner at my house (10627 Lakeside Oak Ct, Burke, VA). *ALL* are welcome and rides will be provided if you call me at 703-829-0220. After dinner, feel free to stick around to hang out and play games if you have time. Facebook event.
THEOLOGY PUB - 5:15-7:15pm the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month in the Mason Rathskeller (lower level of SUB1)! Order yourself food and drink of choice and we'll have a non-judgemental chat about life, God, faith, and the intersection of all these things. Facebook event for the next one is Tuesday 4/6/2010.
Interfaith panel on God & Suffering - Wed. 4/7, 4-6:30pm - in Enterprise room 80. Rev. Denise May of UCMNV will be one of the panelists. There will be a time for questions.
PANCAKE DINNER FUNDRAISER - ***We need your HELP*** - Saturday 4/10 at 5:30-7:30pm - Help us serve pancakes to supporters of Lutheran Campus Ministry, answer their questions about what LCM means to you, etc. Please let me know if you can come, as this is a very important event for our ministry and we want to ensure it is succesful. (There is also a need for set-up prior & clean up after.) Also, RSVP for the Facebook event. LOTS MORE COMING! We're looking to focus on more regular service opportunities, Bible studies, game nights and other time to just hang out -- and much more! Let us know what you'd like to do -- and when!
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Summer Opportunities
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"BUILD" Summer Service Trip - Registration due by May 15. Rebuild homes/cabins and lives in Neon, Kentucky, and share God's love while having fun and learning more about Christian servanthood and compassionate justice. Open to university students and young adults in the Metro DC area. June 6-12, 2010. Full cost is $400. Documents: Trip Info - Program Description - Registration Forms - Also Facebook event.
Ever consider being a counselor at SUMMER CAMP? I still can't believe I actually got paid for all the fun I had the year I was a camp counselor! Ask me for more info.
Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World - August 11-14, 2010: What does it mean to be disciples of Jesus in a world with social media? Join college students and others from across the country as we gather in downtown Chicago to explore this issue with phenomonal speakers including:
Mark S. Hanson, ELCA Presiding Bishop Eboo Patel, Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastor, House for All Saints and Sinners Let me know if you want to go, and we'll help you afford it. More info HERE.
Peer Ministers WANTED: Get paid to help plan & run service events, retreats, game nights, worship, & more! (Don't worry, you'll have support.) LCMGMU is looking for creative student leaders interested in stepping things up with us during the 2010-2011 school year (pending funding). Please contact us by March 31st if you are interested.
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MSN 2C7; SUB 1 room 207; Fairfax, VA 22030
703-829-0220
