Welcome to Judson Memorial Baptist Church. Today is the First Sunday in Lent; FYI, because this year is a leap year + Lent's early start date...there is an extra day of Lent! 41 days of Lent! Remain calm; we'll get through this together.

This morning, we welcome Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson as our guest preacher. Rev. Henderson is an ordained American Baptist minister who has served three congregations over 25 years. Brian worked with AWAB’s Board and Staff since 2019 before beginning as full-time Executive Director in 2024. Outside his ministry responsibilities, Brian loves traveling and spending time with his three young adult (nearly) children.

The lesson reader is Rev. Dr. Cody Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational & Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Sanders preached at Judson after moving here this summer. He also previously served on the AWAB board.

“Love Comes Home” was commissioned for Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus through a generous donation from Rich Olson in memory of his husband, Rob Rodgers, who thought everyone should have a home. Composer Kim André Arnesen, Text by Euan Tate, Performed by Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus Dr. Gerald Gurss, conductor Barbara Brooks, collaborative pianist and recorded January 27th, 2022, at Reformation Lutheran Church in St. Paul with additional scenes captured on February 8, 2022, at Clare Housing- Midtown.

The Oscar-themed Sermon Series starts on March 3 and ends on March 24th. Each sermon will look at a major theme prevalent in the movie for that Sunday. March 3^rd, "The Holdovers", March 10^th, "Killers of the Flower Moon", March 17^th, "Barbie + Oppenheimer", March 24^th, "American Fiction."

Baptism Class. Our first baptisms since COVID-19 will take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 19th. The four-week baptism class will start the week of April 15th. Please see the pastor if you are interested. This class is open to everyone.

New Members/Inquiries Class. If you are interested in joining Judson Church or learning more about Judson, please see the pastor or contact him at gtnorvell@judsonchurch.org for more information. Classes will take place on March 11 and 18 at 7:00 pm via Zoom.

Travis

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

All cash collected from the offering plate on Sunday will go to AWAB (Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists)

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Easter Flowers – You have the chance to make our Easter morning come alive with color. You can purchase tulips, mums, hydrangeas, or pansy bowls in memory of or in honor of someone you love and watch our Sanctuary bloom. There are forms on the table in the back of the sanctuary. The deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 3..

Click here for order form

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Lenten Prayer Series

What is Prayer? Is prayer a conversation between us and God or a way of connecting with our own wisdom? Is there a difference between prayer and meditation? What does it mean to live each moment of our lives in continual prayer? In this online series, Carolyn Kolovitz will facilitate an exploration of these questions and a variety of prayer practices. During the first session, we'll hear the questions, ideas, and experiences of one another and then practice centering prayer. All sessions will be from 10:15 - 11:00 am via Zoom. Carolyn Kolovitz, Spiritual Formation Director.

Mar. 2 – What is Prayer? Centering Prayer

Mar. 9 – The Welcome Prayer

Mar. 16 – Visio Divina and Lectio Divina

Mar. 23 – Examen

To register, email ckolovitz@judsonchurch.org

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The FORWARD MARCH--Judson's Amazing Silent Auction March 10 to March 17- online auction is only 3+ weeks away.

Your auction committee is working hard to pull off the best auction ever, and with your help, we can all make it a BIG success!! You should have received an email with two ways for you to enter your auction items or Great Gatherings information on the Betterworld online auction website. Also, there are sign-up sheets at the back of the Sanctuary for you to complete with potential items to donate and Great Gatherings offerings for the FORWARD MARCH auction on March 10-17.

If you would like to post your item or Great Gathering right away, click on the link below, which will take you to the Betterworld auction site, where you can enter your donation information right onto their website. (Note: When you click on the link below, you will need to type in the name of your donation in the blank space under "What Items Would You Be Willing To Donate." Then you can click on "Add to Offers," which will next have you create a login) Here's the link:

https://judsonchurch.betterworld.org/donate-an-item

In advance, here’s a HUGE hug of gratitude,

On behalf of the March Forward Auction Team,

If you have questions contact Scott Simpson at startime7@gmail.com / 612-834-4547 or Brad Joern at bradleyjoern@comcast.net / 612-581-7057

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TRUST- Lunch and Learn it Thursday, March 7, 2024 / 11:30 am to 2 pm.

It is hosted at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. Registration required: Call TRUST Inc. at 612-827-6159 or email trust@trustinc.org. The schedule: 11:30 Gathering Focus; 12 Free Lunch; 12:30-2 pm Learn It Options.

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Meals on Wheels - Did you know that we serve frozen meals to over 75 clients every week? We deliver those meals in handled paper bags, so, we always need HANDLED paper bags. If you have anything to donate, please drop off at Judson Church, 4101 Harriet Ave S. There is a yellow covered bin by the red door where paper bags can be placed anytime. Thank you!

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Volunteer Opportunities:

Tell your story!

We would love to hear your story – volunteer to do a Personal Reflection in worship! Contact Karla Forsyth at karlamcgray@hotmail.com

Worship Readers are needed!

Be a part of Judson’s worship experience – volunteer to be a Worship Reader! The Worship Reader will be involved in sharing Judson’s Land Acknowledgement, the first lesson of the morning (scripture or contemporary), and reading the prayer intents with Carolyn. The role requires a clear and articulate voice and the ability to convey the emotion and meaning behind the words, helping the congregation to engage with the service on a deeper level. We need you! Contact Polly Schrom at schrompolly@gmail.com

Calendar for the week of February 18 through February 24, 2024

Sunday-February 18

9:30 am Worship Service-Sanctuary

Music: Judson Choir

Time with Children

Sermon

Monday-February 19

10 am Congregational Care-Zoom

Tuesday-February 20

10 am Staff Meeting-Library

1 pm Fund Raising-Zoom

Wednesday-February 21

7 pm Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary

Thursday-February 22

6:30 pm Dance Group-Ann Judson Room

7 pm Mahjongg-Fellowship Hall

Friday-February 23

Nothing

Saturday-February 24

Wednesday-February 21

1 pm Textile Group-Sanctuary

3 pm Mpls Trombone Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary

5 pm Fundraiser/Nickoli-Fellowship Hall

JUDSON CHURCH'S FOUR CORE VALUES

Hospitality

Social Justice

Deep Spirituality

Joy