THE WEEKLY WORD - Online Edition 

February 3, 2012

Sunday, Febuary 5, 2012
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Liturgical Colors:     Green
Lectionary Texts:    Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11
                                  1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

From the Pastor's Desk:

February is something of a transitional month.  It is still winter and the weather can turn quite cold at times, but there are also days when it feels like spring is just around the corner.  In South Arkansas, Spring comes somewhat earlier than it does up North, a fact which I greatly appreciate.

The annual observance of Valentines Day on February 14 is one of the more interesting traditions that come to us from Northern Europe.  As I understanding it, Valentines Day was the time each year when the storks returned from Africa to begin nesting on the roofs of homes and churches.  As such, it was a seen as harbinger of Spring in Northern Europe.  While we do not have storks nesting on our rooftops in South Arkansas, we can still take a moment to observe the ancient traditions of Valentines and give gifts of love to those we hold dear.  Then again, chocolate is always in season!

Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 22nd this year, with a special service of prayer, Scripture and meditation in the Chapel.  Those who wish may participate in the traditional marking of the forehead with ashes as a sign of penitence.  The service will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end in time for choir members to attend choir rehearsal at 6 p.m..  There will be NO meal after the service this year.

Lectionary Readings

The reading from Isaiah 40 offered assurance and comfort to God’s people languishing in exile in ancient Babylon.  While it was obvious that mighty Babylon was a force to be reckoned with, in comparison to God’s eternal power and majesty, the Babylonian kings were no more substantial than Dandelion fluff before a strong wind.  While the Lord of Hosts doesn’t always display his might, it is always at the ready to change the course of history as befits God’s purposes.  The reading ends with that well-known text that assures the faithful that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  Reassuring words indeed!
   
The psalmist who penned Psalm 147 sought not only to praise God, but to reassure the people of the great power of the Lord.  Not only does God determine the number of the stars in the night sky, but He also lifts up the downtrodden and casts the wicked to the ground.  The reading ends with a reminder that the Lord delights in those who fear Him, those whose hope is in God’s steadfast love.
   
Writing to the always fractious Church in Corinth, Paul declared that his proclamation of the Gospel was not something to be boasted about, but an obligation laid upon him, a commission entrusted to him.  He also insisted that he made his proclamation free of charge, making himself a servant of all.  Paul then described how he became all things to all people, an approach he took in order that as many as possible might be saved.  In short, Paul gave all he had for the sake of the gospel, that he might share (and share in) its many blessings.
   
Last week we read about Jesus healing a demoniac in the Capernaum synagogue, much to the amazement of those present.  Our reading this week is the continuation of that account, with Jesus going to the home of Simon Peter following the synagogue service.  Upon arrival at the house, they found Peter’s mother-in-law ill with a fever.  So Jesus took her by the hand and lifted her up and she was healed of the fever.  Afterward, she served them.  But Jesus wasn’t done healing . . . for word quickly spread that a healer was at Simon’s and the whole town gathered round the door of his house.  Mark tells us Jesus healed many, but would not let the demons He cast out speak, for they all knew His name.  The next morning Jesus sought a place of solitude to pray.  When the disciples finally found him they were clearly frustrated because people were eagerly seeking out the new healer.  At that point Jesus told them that his purpose was not to heal, but to proclaim the message in all the neighboring towns, for that is what he had been sent to do.  In Mark, the healings Jesus performed were portrayed almost as an afterthought, something only incidental to his mission.

Deacon's Care Notes

The Deacons of First Presbyterian are providing free CARE NOTES in display stands located in the Narthex and in the Subway. A variety of topics are available offering Christian insights on many issues of our daily lives.  Please take whatever seems meaningful to you.

W.E.A.V.E. Nite Activities - Wednesday Evenings at FPC 

W.E.A.V.E. Schedule  
Children      All Grades                           
3:30 - 5:00    Music, Bible and learning together

Youth            Grades 7-12
6:30              Youth Group

Adults           Offerings
5:00 - 6:00    Adult Handbells
5:15 - 6:00    Pastor's Bible Discussion Class in the Church Parlor
6:00 - 7:00    Adult Choir Rehearsal

Jr./Sr. High Youth Fellowship

Jr./Sr. High Youth Fellowship meets at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Youth Building across Jackson Street from the Church.  Call John Lowery, Youth Leader, for more info at 863-7144.

Women's Weekly Bible Study

The Women's Weekly Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in the church parlor from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  All are welcome to join in this weekly study of God's holy word.  The class will continue to meet throughout the summer .

Ecumenical Men's Bible Study

The Ecumenical Men's Weekly Bible Study meets each Thursday at 7:00 a.m. in the Church Library.  Men from several different area churches meet regularly to study and discuss Scripture together.  Discussions are lively, wide-ranging and often touch directly on what is going on in the news.  Men of all ages and from all denominations are most welcome.  Even women interested in joining our discussion are welcome to join the discussion.

Prayer Blanket Ministry

The members of First Presbyterian Church participate in an ongoing prayer ministry for children undergoing treatment at Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock.  Each week, the Office of Pastoral Ministry at the hospital sends out names of children whose families have asked for prayer.  Please see the Prayer Page for the current list of children who need our prayers.  Prayer Page

Sunday School Schedule

Classes meet from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., as follows:

Youth and Childrens Classes and Location
ECAII (2-3 yr olds)            Nursery
Kindergarten (4-5 yr olds)   Rotation Sunday School - Gather in Music Room
Grades 1-2                          Rotation Sunday School - Gather in Music Room
Grades 3-5                          Rotation Sunday School - Gather in Music Room
Jr High School                     Youth Building
High School                         Youth Building

Adult Sunday School Classes and Location 

Ladder of Faith Class          Library
Combined Adult Class        Church Parlor
Sojourners Class                 Munson Room upstairs West end next to theater.

Go to the Education page for more details on Sunday School and other offerings.

Do You Have News?

If you have news or annoucements for the Weekly Word, Church Newsletter, or Web Page, please send it to the office via mail, email or just drop it by. Our mail address: 300 East Main, El Dorado, AR 71730. Our email address: office@fpceldorado.org. Or send to: Webmaster@fpceldorado.org.