THANK YOU to Andy Busch for giving the sermon today! We are so blessed to have members of the congregation willing to share their faith in this way.

THE MAHOMET AREA YOUTH CLUB (MAYC) had a sump pump fail, which resulted in the loss to paper goods at MAYC. If you would like to donate toilet paper, paper towels, or napkins to MAYC, please bring the items to church. Thanks!

LENT WILL SOON BE HERE. Ash Wednesday is February 26th, with the Wednesday Lenten services to follow throughout March and April 1 at 7:00 p.m. The pastors are again planning a Lenten round robin, as we have done for the last several years. The theme this year will be Seed-Grains of Prayer; exploring some very short, but powerful, prayers in the Bible. Maundy Thursday will be April 9, Good Friday April 10, Easter Sunday April 12. The Wednesday Lenten offerings will be divided between the North American Lutheran Seminary and the Champaign County Christian Health Center.
LENTEN MEALS Lent is a season of reflection, lasting for the 40 days prior to Easter in the Christian calendar. During Lent, Christians aim to replicate Jesus’ sacrifice in the desert for 40 days. In ancient times, Christians celebrating Lent would observe a strict fast for the entirety of Lent, eating one meal per day with two smaller snacks. Any foods seen as being decedent (butter, meat, fish) were banned as an act of penitence. Today, few people fast for the whole of Lent. But keeping these traditions in mind, the Wednesday evening Lenten meals to be held at New Beginnings Lutheran Church will be simple: Soups (likely 1 vegetable only & 1 meat/noodle option, bread &/or crackers and water/coffee.) We hope you will choose to be a part of these simple meals. Each Wednesday evening beginning on February 26th, this simple meal will be available from 6:15 – 6:45 pm (prior to the start of 7:00 pm service). We will be hosting a different pastor each week and you will have a chance to make that person welcome and share in conversation prior to service. Please prayfully consider being a part of these meals/services. If you are able to provide a crockpot of soup(s) for any of the Wednesday evenings from February 26 through April 1, please contact Lisa Schwarzentraub, lbhs1234@gmail.com, 217-493-4107. A sign-up will also be available in the church narthex.

ST. ELIAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church that we help support as a congregation, is celebrating their 25th anniversary on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Worship begins at 1:00, with a reception to follow. We are invited to the worship service and/or reception. If you would like to attend, please see the perpetual calendar in the narthex for details!

LITTLE DRESSES FOR AFRICA you are cordially invited to leap into spring for Little Dresses for Africa on Feb. 29, 2020 from 10 am- 4pm at New Beginnings Lutheran Church. Help embellish pillowcase dresses for little girls in Africa. Feel free to bring a pillowcase (any size) and any embellishments (lace, ribbon, appliques, buttons, etc.) or use ours. Lunch will be provided. Contact Petra Kroll at 217-714-9765 for any questions and to RSVP. Visit littledressesforafrica.org for more information on the organization.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY is planning to build another home in Urbana this spring. They are seeking volunteers to help. All skill levels are welcome. Or, if you would like to help with meals, or snacks, for financially, all are welcome. In order to do planning, Habitat for Humanity would like to know who is willing to help and in what capacity by March 16th. If you would like more information, or to volunteer, please let see Pastor Oman.