Highlights this week with Lutheran Campus Ministry:
Prayer Labyrinth: Our prayer labyrinth will be available to the Mason community on Monday, February 25, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Johnson Center, Room D. The labyrinth is a tool for a walking meditation. It can provide an active means of reflecting upon one's life and one's spiritual journey. It is also an excellent way to spend some quiet time in prayer as part of your Lenten pilgrimage. We're also taking volunteers for people who can help with setting up and taking down the labyrinth. Contact me if you can help.
Kiosk: We'll have a kiosk on Wednesday, February 27, again from 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. at Kiosk A in the Johnson Center atrium. You're invited to come for a visit or to help "person" the kiosk.
Note: There's no Bible study Thursday night this week!
Next Week:
Conversation on the Christian Faith: Tuesday, March 5, 7:00-9:30 pm in Johnson Center Room G. Vicar Josh will be facilitating this conversation, which is intended to be an open discussion focusing on issues through which Christians have either been disrespectful to "outsiders", or issues which have been misunderstood by "outsiders".
Come on out and join us!
In Christ,
Pastor Terry
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Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University
One of the first Gospel stories we encounter during the season of Lent is that of Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness. You can read it in Luke 4:1-13. We, too, are tempted by needs and desires for physical fulfillment, for power and control, for taking the easy way out. This is a good time to ask yourself: "What is it that takes me away from being present for God's loving presence? Hint: It isn't always chocolate!!
Today—Wednesday— Vicar Josh and I will be in the campus ministry office (JC Room 239) from 1:30-3:00pm. Stop by and see us then if you are interested. From 3:00-4:15pm, Vicar Joh will be at Kiosk A in the Johnson Center atrium promoting Lutheran Campus Ministry. Come visit him then and stay for a while!
Ecclesiastes Bible Study continues: Come and gain some insights into one of the lesser familiar books of the Old Testament. The group meets Thursday night, February 21, at 8:00 p.m. in the CMA Office (JC Room 239).
Friday night, February 21, is movie night! Vicar Josh has invited us to his home, next to Living Savior Lutheran Church just down Ox Road from GMU, to kick-off a series of occasional movie nights. We will start with watching "Gran Torino," starring Clint Eastwood. This is a wonderful movie about an old man, played by Eastwood, who lives next to a group of immigrants from Southeast Asia, and how he must defend them from a local gang.
Meet outside the Starbuck's at Northern Neck on the GMU campus Friday night at 6:45pm, and we will head to Vicar Josh's for the movie by 7pm. Free pizza and soda will be provided, along with rides back to GMU after the movie.
This movie contains a lot of Christology, as other Clint Eastwood movies do. We can watch it and discuss how Eastwood portrays a Jesus-like figure in this movie. Although it is rated R for language and violence, "Gran Torino" provides excellent discussion material about living our faith in the 21st century. (And there's even a reference to Lutherans!) So come on out, bring your friends, and enjoy a great movie with free pizza!
Looking ahead to next week:
Prayer Labyrinth: Our prayer labyrinth will be available to the Mason community on Monday, February 25, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Johnson Center, Room D. The labyrinth is a tool for a walking meditation. It can provide an active means of reflecting upon one's life and one's spiritual journey. It is also an excellent way to spend some quiet time in prayer as part of your Lenten pilgrimage. We're also taking volunteers for people who can help with setting up and taking down the labyrinth. Contact me if you can help.
Kiosk: We'll have another kiosk next Wednesday, February 27, again from 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. at Kiosk A in the Johnson Center atrium. You're invited to come for a visit or to help "person" the kiosk.
Finally, it's time to let you know that next week is officially my last week at GMU as campus minister. I've enjoyed my time here, but I must move on. You'll see me around some the first week in March for sure, as I've promised Vicar Josh that I'll help him with his internship project. For now, please keep me, and Lutheran Campus Ministry at GMU, in your prayers during this time of transition.
In Christ,
Pastor Terry Hannon
Lutheran Campus Minister
As you are aware, this is Homecoming Week at GMU. It's also the beginning of the Church season of Lent, which started today, February 13—a 40-day season of renewal and reflection in preparation for the Easter feast. Some might think of it as the church's Homecoming season. I'm especially reminded of the gospel story in Luke 15. That's the parable of the two sons and the forgiving father. When the younger son, who took his inheritance and went off in reckless living, wanted to come back home as a lowly servant, his father welcomed him with open arms and the finest he had to offer. As we take time to return to God, God welcomes us back with the gift of his Son Jesus Christ.
We're offering two opportunities for Ash Wednesday worship on February 13. The first will begin at 11:00 a.m. The second will be a joint service with Arise Campus Ministry and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Both will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. Both will be held in Room 239A of the Johnson Center—just next to the CMA office.
Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Once again, Vicar Josh is leading a Bible study, this time on the book of Ecclesiates. Come and gain some insights into one of the lesser familiar books of the Old Testament. The group meets Thursday night, February 7, at 8:00 p.m. in the CMA Office (JC Room 239).
Do join us—and invite a friend or two!
In Christ,
Pastor Terry Hannon
Lutheran Campus Minister
Dear Students and Friends,
Please accept my apologies for being out of touch so far this semester. I pray that your semester is off to a good start. Thanks to Vicar Josh for keeping the lines of communication flowing with his e-mails and Facebook posts!
This week (Feb 4-9) with Lutheran Campus Ministry:
Office Time: Pastor Terry and Vicar Josh will be available on Wednesday, February 6, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Campus Ministry Association (CMA) Office—Johnson Center, 2nd floor, room 239. If you haven't visited so far this semester, come see our improved layout! We're hoping to add more improvements as time goes by to make it more student-friendly.
Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Once again, Vicar Josh is leading a Bible study, this time on the book of Ecclesiates. Come and gain some insights into one of the lesser familiar books of the Old Testament. The group meets Thursday night, February 7, at 7:45 p.m. in the CMA Office (JC Room 239).
It's Bowling Night again on Friday evening, February 7. at the BowlAmerica in Burke. Meet at the campus Starbucks at 4:45 p.m. for a 5:00 departure. First 3 games are free for GMU students. Come join us for some fun as you start your weekend.
Coming up next week:
The Church season of Lent begins on February 13—a 40-day season of renewal and reflection in preparation for the Easter feast.
We'll offer two opportunities for worship that day on Ash Wednesday. The first will begin at 11:00 a.m. The second will be a joint service with Arise Campus Ministry and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Both will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. Both will be held in Room 239A of the Johnson Center—just next to the CMA office.
I hope to see you soon! Do feel free to call or email if you want to get together or to share ideas for campus ministry at GMU. This is your ministry, and we'd like you to be involved in the planning as well as participating.
In Christ,
Pastor Terry Hannon
Lutheran Campus Minister
