Marbury Church of God

For the Marbury Church of God, the second century is now!  Here are some things coming up that we believe will help us to new levels of ministry this year and for the time to come.

Learning Jesus

• A six-week intensive series in practical Christianity
• Rev. Wayne Harting will lead us into a deeper experience of faith and ministry
• Sunday, February 19th through Sunday, March 25, at 6:00-7:30 PM
• Teachers, Leaders and all who want to “go on to perfection” in faith and ministry are urged to attend.  A sign-up sheet is available at the church so we can plan to have enough space and enough materials for everyone.

Focus 40

Across the Church of God in North America, churches and individuals are being challenged to forty days of prayer and fasting, from February 29 to March 8.  The goal is for 25,00o  new disciples to come into the Kingdom of God.  A wealth of material is available to help us join with many other churches in this journey.  Material  is available to help adults, youth, and even children to take part.

Each year we try to think of a theme that will help us focus the direction of the congregation. We want one that is clear, easy to remember, and reflective of the Good News of Jesus Christ. One year it was “Good News In Tough Times” and that was helpful as our country and community, and some of our members, struggled through an economic downturn. For 2011 the theme has been “Expect A Blessing.” Most surely, as we celebrated 100 years of ministry as a church, completed numerous projects to give our facilities a facelift, welcomed new members and old friends, prayed through illness and sorrow on behalf of those who needed it… in short, as we sought to be faithful to God’s call in this place at this time… we have found that it really is possible to “expect a blessing” in every circumstance.

For the New Year, 2011, we want to “hold on to what we have received,” but also to build on that foundation. So, introducing the theme for the Marbury Church of God in 2012….

Give A Blessing!

It is my prayer that we will find ways to heed the words of Jesus, “Freely you have received, freely give,” and become more and more intentional about celebrating the Good News by sharing it with others, by word and deed as individual persons, and by how we come together as a group of God’s people in our own place and time. Lord knows, we can’t outpace God in giving. Happy new year, and let the blessings flow!

Pastor Bob

Merry Christmas!

Just a reminder…. Christmas Eve service 2011 is at 8:30 p.m. in our sanctuary. On Christmas Day, Sunday School is cancelled and the service is at 12:00 noon instead of 10:00 a.m.

Remember, for a believer/follower/disciple/apprentice of Christ, every day is Christmas, because He brings us good news every morning with His presence. You can keep Christ in Christmas by keeping Christmas all the time… every day, in season and out of season. Not a sermon, just a thought.

A group of 20 carolers went out on Sunday evening, December 11 and visited a number of members and friends with songs of Christmas. We set out to give a blessing, and what a blessing we received! Here are some other things coming up very soon. Join with us if you can for these special moments:

Sunday, December 18 is the Christmas Play during morning worship at 10:00 a.m., and is also the day to bring the Christ’s Birthday Offering, in support of missions and ministry worldwide.

The Candlelight Communion Service is on Christmas Eve at 8:30 p.m. A meaningful hour of music and meditation that never fails to bring a blessing to all who take part.

On Christmas Day, which is a Sunday, our service will be at 12:00 noon. Enjoy the morning with your family and then gather with the family of God for a special musical celebration of God’s entry into our world.

Merry Christmas!

There’s an Article in today’s Maryland independent.

We thought you’d like to see this.

2011 marks 100 years of ministry for the Marbury Church of God!

• On October 16, 2011 of this year we will commemorate the beginnings of the church and its first  hundred years with a shared feast, worship and celebration. Numerous friends have sent pictures and other memorabilia to help us recall those who have gone before. Invitations have been mailed to many of our friends, but if you did not get one, come anyway!   Here is the plan:
• For that Sunday, October 16, the church will be open all day for people to come in, look at pictures and meet old and new friends. Morning services are suspended while we prepare food for the afternoon feast, which begins at 2:00 p.m.  Then at about 4:00 we will have a celebration of music, memories,  prayer and expectation as friends old and new share with stories and songs the legacy of this congregation.  We’ll look not just backward but forward at what God is leading his people toward here in Marbury.  Before going our separate ways we will revisit the fellowship hall for cake and light refreshments.   Plan to be here, and expect a blessing!

The Marbury Church of God will host a one day VBS on July 9, 2011.  Pre-registration is not required.  Registrations begin at 9:00 a.m. and the program  runs from 9:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.

The “Closet of Hope” has announced its Winter Clear Out day; actually two days at the end of March, to clear out winter items and make room for new donations of spring/summer clothing. This special event is in addition to the normal hours of the Closet, which will continue to be open the first and third Friday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm.

• March 25th and 26th from 9 am- 3 pm — “Winter Clear Out” at the Closet of Hope.
  **FREE** Clothes, toy, household items, and more. For more information call Jennie at 301-743-5877.
  “Blessings are Given & Received here!”

Don’t miss out on these events happening at the Marbury Church of God in December!

• Sunday, December 12, 12:30 p.m. — Christmas caroling
• Sunday, December 19, 10:00 a.m. — Children’s Christmas Play
• Sunday, December 19, 6:00 p.m. — Sing-a-Long Christmas Cantata
• Friday, December 24, 8:00 p.m. — Christmas Eve Service of candles and Communion.

Please come to as many of these as you can!

Bonus:  Pastor Bob will speak Thursday morning, Thanksgiving day (November 25) 9:00 a.m., at the Community Thanksgiving Service held at the Marbury Baptist Church.