I’m really enjoying getting to know you. I look forward to Sunday mornings when we can be together, and I can tell how much being with your church family means to you.
The Season of Lent is upon us. Do you have a spiritual practice for Lent? This year, as in some years past, I will be giving up (at least) one of my possessions each day during Lent. Each item will be something that may be of use to someone else. Books, clothes, household items, furniture–whatever I notice that is taking up unnecessary space in my life. They will all find their way to a donation center. I will give up at least 40 items total by Easter. And with each thing that I designate to be removed, I will remember that God has blessed me with more than enough, and that new possessions don’t need to be brought in to re-fill that space. In other words, I don’t use this practice as an excuse to buy new things.
But what I will replace them with is moments of awe. Awe is a necessary emotion of life. It stops us in our tracks and causes us to feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. It causes us to appreciate relationships. Awe is good for mental and physical health, and is the very basis of spirituality and religion.
Awe will be the subject of my Lenten sermons. In addition to the biblical texts, I will be gleaning insights from the book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dascher Keltner. Keltner is Professor of Psychology at Berkeley and has done extensive research into the subject of awe. He is also a deeply spiritual person. I invite you to read along with me if you like.
May God surprise us with daily moments of wonder! “Come and see the works of God! God’s deeds on our behalf are wondrous!” –Psalm 66:5.
Rebecca
Super MardiGras Lunch and Sharing
Please stay after worship on Feb 11 for a festive Mardi Gras party followed by a short planning meeting as we develop a calendar list and possible topics for the next several months.
Bring brunch type / Mardi Gras food to share. The church will provide juice, coffee, tea, and water. We will host this in the Fellowship Hall immediately following worship. We will have some decorations, beads and will have a game for adults and youth.
Then we will break into a short joint planning session to decide on upcoming events or activities. There will be informational sharing of some things underway. Do we want to plan for youth involvement on Palm Sunday? Do we want a special Easter celebration? Learn about our Week of Compassion Emphasis and our special speaker and video. Is there anything special that we would like to consider as part of outreach? Can we show up at Howard’s retirement facility and have a party? Can we target a yard cleanup for this Spring? Project some dates for our open mic nights? Can we increase attendance at these evening events? How can we get the word out to more people? Can we coordinate with upcoming Isaiah 58 ministry events and their on-going needs?
We do not have to have complete answers to any of these, and we do have to realize our limitations. We’d like to create a template of things we’d like to do.
Come join us and remember that this is Super Bowl Sunday and we do not want this to compete with our chance to watch the game in the late afternoon.
Darrell Hughes, Moderator
Special Guest Speaker and Special Music on February 18
Our Guest Speaker on Sunday, February 18, is DeMarco K. Davidson, executive director of Metropolitan Congregations United. After graduating from Hazelwood Central HS in 1999, he attended the Univ. of MO-Rolla where he earned a BS in Engineering Management and minors in Chemistry & I/O Psychology in 2006. While in college, he served as the Regional Vice President for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., started several businesses, and co-founded the Black Man’s Think Tank of UMR. In 2008-09, he worked on several winning political campaigns.
DeMarco earned a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in 2018 with an emphasis in Liberation Theology & Faith Based Community Organizing. He has spent most of his adult life in education, engineering, youth development, and community organizing. He has worked as a teacher in the Hazelwood School District, an After-School Director with Providence Counseling, a Youth Advisor for Kappa League, a Project Manager for the City of Chicago, a Field Organizer for political campaigns, and a mentor to many youth. After founding the Michael Brown Jr. Memorial Fund in August 2014, he volunteered for the Michael Brown Sr. Chosen For Change Foundation as the Executive Director from 2015 until 2022.
After running for US Congress, he worked on several political campaigns, the CLEAN Initiative, Raise Up Minimum Wage, & Medicaid Expansion. As the Executive Director & Voter Program Lead for Metropolitan Congregations United, DeMarco’s goal is to organize people of faith & voters in St. Louis to develop policy towards breaking the school-to-prison pipeline and unifying the Urban & Rural citizens of Missouri. He believes that congregations can & should be a galvanizing force to building powerful, self-sustaining communities.
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We also will have a guest soloist in worship on Feb.18: Kim Lawson, who is Rev. Turner’s daughter.
- Deanna S. – 2/5
- Maddie K.E. – 2/14
- Matthew C. – 2/18
- Lynda G. - 2/18
- Hugh R. – 2/20
- Anderson M – 2/21
- Celia P. – 2/23
- Nancy O. – 2/28
- John C. – 3/7
- David F. – 3/16
- Robert M. – 3/19
Weekly Worship Notes
CHCC continues worshiping in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. Masks are optional; if you need one, they are available as you enter the Sanctuary.
We circulate during Passing of the Peace; if you prefer to keep a distance, feel free to remain in your pew and wave.
Please continue to sign the Greeter’s register as you enter, and pick up a bulletin.
Communion Changes
We are now offering Communion by intinction, where you are invited to come forward to receive the bread and dip it into the cup. If you prefer to take communion in your seat, the individual cups are available to pick up as you enter the Sanctuary.
Be a Genius!
Let our Pastor and Worship Team know That You can help on Sunday mornings! Liturgists are Needed SIGN UP to participate in worship: Streaming Tech, Greeter, Elder, Deacons, Liturgist, Worship and Wonder. Use Sign Up Genius Click here to sign up
Prayer Requests
Please hold in prayer: Rev. Rebecca T. as she begins ministry with us; Madison and Orion P. in thanksgiving for the birth of Campbell Jeffrey on January 31; Walt T., Howard M., Carolyn H. as she recovers from an auto accident; Dennis J.; Celia P.’s sister; Nancy O.’s mother; George H., Joan J.s’ aunt Adeline in hospice care; Diane R.’s mother, her cousin Mona, and her uncle Jimmy; DebE M’s friend Sheila, and Leslie L.’s parents.
We Also pray for: An end to fighting and human suffering in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel; an end to gun violence in the USA; all who have been killed, injured and driven from their homes to refuge in other countries; everyone affected by extreme weather events. All people struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation. All who grieve the loss of loved ones. All of our LGBTQ family and friends. Anyone experiencing pain and alienation:may you know that God loves ALL of us.
Opportunities to Connect
Coffee Hour is a Hit, Hosts Are Needed
Coffee Hour is a great time to connect, and also to get to know our transitional pastor, Rebecca Turner, better! Please volunteer to host Coffee Hour; see the sign up sheets on the library doors. You can simply bring a few snacks, or set out juice and make coffee, or both. Napkins, plates and cups are provided. Coffee Hour signup is also available on SignUp Genius.
Open Mic Night
Plan to join an informal gathering of musicians and other community talent on Friday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
This gathering is for anyone who wants to volunteer to sing, speak, play an instrument (or yodel), or be part of the audience at this regular celebration of creativity. Newcomers are welcome. Advanced registration to share a talent is appreciated, but not required.
Please contact Diane Richardson to sign up.
Book Club Meets on March 9
Compton Heights CC Book Club meets the second Saturday of every other month on Zoom at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion, even if you haven’t finished (or read) the book! The group will read Democracy Awakening:Notes on the State of America, by Heather Cox Richardson. Dr. Richardson is an academic historian, author of the newsletter “Letters from an American” and professor of history at Boston College. Click here for more information or to get the zoom link.
Spirit Bloom Lenten Study
Spirit Bloom will be using the book “Pause: Spending Lent with the Psalms,” by Elizabeth J. Caldwell starting on February 19. Everyone is welcome to join us for this time of reflection during Lent.
Opportunities to Serve
Special Offering: Week of Compassion
Compton Heights CC will collect a special offering to support Week of Compassion February 18-25. Gifts to this offering enable Week of Compassion to respond to disasters, support global development projects, and bring hope to refugees and displaced people around the world. Be sure to pick up a giving calendar on February 11, and a coin box if you want one. Flyers and envelopes will be available in worship throughout the month as well.
The Rev. Vy Nguyen, Executive Director of Week of Compassion writes:
“This year, we mark the 80th anniversary of the very first Week of Compassion offering. Recent months have seen increasingly severe and frequent natural disasters in the United States, even as the world witnesses ongoing war in Ukraine and the Middle East, earthquakes in Morocco, drought in the Horn of Africa, and flooding in Libya, impacting those regions for years to come. Communities are gaining traction in long-term recovery after devastating tornadoes in Kentucky, repeated hurricanes in Florida, and catastrophic wildfires in Hawaii. Such natural, political and climate crises continue to increase the numbers of displaced persons worldwide. Over the past 80 years through Week of Compassion, Disciples have responded to needs around the world, constantly evolving to meet new challenges.”
Week of Compassion is more than a week. Week of Compassion is a ministry of the whole Church, serving vulnerable communities throughout the world.
Bag of Blessings for Isaiah 58 Ministries
Please bring these items to the baskets at back of the Sanctuary on Sundays. All fruit and vegetable suggestions are to be canned and, if possible, low sodium and/or in their own juice.
February – Oatmeal, Canned Fruit; Salt Free Seasoning; Bar Soap, Deodorant; Multi/All Purpose Cleaner
March – Sardines (preferred over tuna by some), Chili; Cooking Oil (48 oz or smaller); Shampoo, Razors, Shaving Cream; Dish Soap (smaller sizes)
Compton Heights Christian Church 