March 11, 2021
A Note from Pastor Dave
I picture Nicodemus as learned and established. He has done his studying, done his living. He is set in his ways, makes his coffee the same way each day, eats the same thing for breakfast. His sermons have their common themes. His prayers have predictable phrases and a rhythmic cadence. He is caught between the habits and rhythms that have been established over many years and that give his life order and stability, and the new which has caught his imagination a little. He comes by night to inquire of Jesus. He is drawn to something but scared of up-ending the predictable and well-established order of his life. He asks a question that is a worthy one for all of us. “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” His question is a response to Jesus, who tells him, “no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” For people who have grown and become set in our thinking and our rhythms, how can we be born from above, born anew, in such a way that we might know the kingdom of God. What is attractive or compelling about this, and what is threatening? Join us on Sunday as we explore these questions.
ZOOM Worship Only This Sunday
Due to the anticipated snow storm, we are moving worship to Zoom this Sunday March 14th. There will be no in-person worship. Worship leaders will all participate and/or lead from our respective homes and we will follow a format similar to our Ash Wednesday service. We would love for as many who are able to join us on Zoom at 9:30 am Sunday morning. The worship bulletin is HERE. Let’s all stay home and safe. In-person worship will resume on March 21st. A recording of this Sunday’s worship service will be uploaded by Monday morning.
Pastor’s Study Leave
Pastor Dave will be taking a week of study leave the week of March 15th to work on dissertation editing. He anticipates a dissertation defense on May 14th and invites your prayers. Pastor Tom Roth will preach on March 21st.
Join Us For In-Person Worship on Sundays!
Based upon survey feedback, Providence has returned to in-person worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 9:30am with precautions in place. Our protocols have been updated and can be found HERE. The service will also continue to be shared live over Zoom and posted to the website by Monday morning as well for those uncomfortable with or unable to join in-person.
NOTE: No in-person worship for March 14th due to anticipated snow storm.
Food Drive for the Parker Task Force
Thank you again for your continued support of the Task Force. Sunday we collected a car load of much needed food and paper products. Also, a big thank you to Liz Jansch for stepping in to help collect the food since Bonnie and Steve were unable to attend church. Our next food drive for the Task Force will be Sunday, March 21st. If you are participating in the service via ZOOM, donations can be brought in after the service between 10:30 and 11:30am. A list of their current needs can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Heald. Thank you for your continued support of this important ministry.
Team Zimbabwe
Ride your bike for the orphans with the 2021 Team Zimbabwe Elephant Rock charity ride on Sunday, June 6th. The Zimbabwe Mission Partnership provides food, clothing, medical and educational services to 800 orphans. You can participate by riding, supporting a rider or just donating to the cause. The rides range from 8 to 100 miles and are part of a weekend-long festival in Castle Rock. Dave Mosca will share a brief slide-show presentation on this mission effort in worship on April 11th. Explore the organization and register for the event at Zimpartnership.org. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Mosca.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, The Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People- all work in different ways to serve individual and communities in need. Providence Presbyterian Church is participating in One Great Hour of Sharing again this season of Lent. Please pick up a donation envelope, informational brochure, and family devotion/map of current needs on the information table outside the Pastor Dave’s office. If you would like to have this information mailed to you, please contact Chris Hudson. You can also go online at presbyterianmission.org/oghs for more details.
Easter Lilies
Want to order Lilies to honor or remember a loved one and brighten up our sanctuary for Easter Services? Lilies are $10.00/each and order envelopes are available on the table in the narthex. You can also mail your request to the church office using THIS FORM. Please enclose the form and a check made payable to Providence Presbyterian Church. Please write “Easter Lilies” on the memo line. Orders due by March 25th. Any questions? Please call or email the office at 720-851-6881, church@providencepcusa.org.
Prayers
This week at Providence please keep the following people in your prayers:
Evan Totten, Sandra Higgins, Tara Strohm, Jim and Judy Nash, Laurie Schmidt, Paul White, Betty Holum, Ken Stabler, Phyllis Christensen, Lea Marot, John Price, Pat Schwartz, Mary McNeil, Renee Mastriona, Connor McGoff, Robert McCown, Chrissy, Lloyd Strohm, Brandon Lybarger, Bill Bacuum, The Mills Family, Family of Stevie Duncan, Katherine Buzby and Mayra Williams. We would also ask you to keep those dealing with COVID-19 in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers.
Phone: 720-851-6881
MidWeek Update Deadline:
NOON on Tuesday
ppcmwu@providencepcusa.org
Hearing Loop is available in our Sanctuary
MidWeek Scripture Reflection
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
John 3:1-12
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
