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Lectionary Reading Week Buzz
March 01 2010
Curious about the “Reading Week for Lectionary Preachers”? Then browse through the following blurbs from past participants:
“Few things impact a minister more than the practice of gathering around the scriptures with brothers and sisters and chewing on its words. As a result, each week of the LIFT Lectionary Reading Week has been the most foundational and formational week in my calendar year. It has streamlined my worship planning, improved my preaching, and strengthened my collegial relationships in a very Christian way. I plan on using my week of study leave with LIFT again!”
Rev. Steven F. Peralta, Senior Pastor -Thousand Oaks, CA
“The Reading Week with Rev. Bill Johnson was a fruitful retreat/working week away from my office. It was helpful to be in community, hear the lectionary texts read out loud and reflect together on the passages and themes that jumped out from the texts. It was a week of balance; between the Word of God, community and working time alone. The Reading Week is already on my calendar for this year!”
Rev. Stephanie Toon-Glassman, Senior Pastor - First UMC of Orange
“I have always enjoyed the challenge of being a lectionary preacher, finding the fuller story of the texts a far richer tapestry than I might have laid out if left to my own devices. But truth be told, I had come to a rut where I would weekly (or at my best seasonally) come to the well of the lectionary to see what I would draw out to preach on ahead. And so my preaching and vision for the text came piecemeal and at times disjointed. The Reading Week experience invited me to hear the whole gospel narrative in a shared reading and give myself permission to take time to reflect on themes, events, and stories that would become the lifeblood of my church. I can say that my preaching, worship, and spirit has never been fresher! And it is such a reassurance in the life of a busy pastor to know that I have already sown these seeds for my proclamation by making the intentional space for them in this week.”
Rev. Andy Mattick, Senior Pastor - Malibu UMC
Ready to register for this dynamic week of study, reflection, and preparation? Send an email to LIFT or give us a call (see the ‘contact’ tab), and get you enrolled. Simple as that.
Hope to see you in October at the Reading Week!
How Many Methodists can we Fit in Garden Grove UMC ???
January 31 2009
LET’s FIND OUT !
On February 20 & 21, Rev. Bill Johnson of LIFT Renewal Ministries will be at Garden Grove United Methodist Church , leading what we hope will be a very large assembly of United Methodists and others in a Revival, with powerful worship, witness, and song. Come be a part of this event - fill the sanctuary to overflowing and be filled with the Holy Spirit - - Friday, February 20 @ 7 pm and Saturday, February 21 @ 6pm.
“Echo Path” - our awesome and committed worship band from San Luis Obispo, will lead an “Open Mic Coffee House” on Saturday morning @ 9am, especially designed for worship leaders, musicians, singers – and ANYBODY interested in participating in this special time. You’ll have a lot of fun and get a chance to try out some of your songs, get your questions answered about worship, and enjoy conversation and fellowship with a band whose members have devoted their lives to leading others to Jesus through worship and witness. Bring your guitar, drum, and voice! (BTW - there is no charge for this event.)
Pastor Bill is the ‘visiting evangelist’, preaching solid, inspiring messages both nights of the Revival. You will be blessed by this event. We’re very excited to be able to serve the community in this way, and we hope to see YOU there!
Try “GoodSearch” - and help LIFT
August 27 2008
How many times a day do you use an online search engine? If you make your search engine http://www.goodsearch.com they will credit LIFT with a little kick-back. The pennies add up, and it costs you nothing! When you get to the GoodSearch site, type in LIFT Renewal Ministries and hit “verify” - and start searching as usual. The engine is powered by Yahoo! search, so you know it’s good. Simple, fast - and good for LIFT! Yet one more way to lend a hand and grow the kingdom of God in your community. Thanks - and Happy Searching!
Pastors Studio to Focus on Prayer, May 13th
April 23 2008
Specially designed for clergy serving local congregations, the Pastors Studio opens for its 5th session on Tuesday, May 13th. You are invited to spend a day away with your colleagues in worship and candid conversation about the craft and craftsmanship of ministry, with this session’s theme focusing on Prayer. Registration for the day-long event is $50, which includes continental breakfast and lunch - advance registration is appreciated. (Optional evening activity for those who wish to continue the conversation after the Studio closes will be offered) Send an e-mail to LIFT by clicking on the “contact” tab at the top of the page. For a map to the Studio, click http://tinyurl.com/yufdgq.
Prayer Ministry to Expand via E-mail
April 23 2008
LIFT Renewal Ministries is launching a new e-mail prayer ministry to reach over 400 Prayer Partners. Published weekly on Thursdays, this prayer note will cover concerns specific to LIFT’s mission field, including pastors, congregations and their various ministries in Southern California and beyond. If you would like to be added as a LIFT Prayer Partner, please send an e-mail to LIFT by clicking the “contact” tab at the top of the page.
It’s Easy with E-Scrip!
April 14 2008
Have you checked out E-Scrip.com? It’s one of the ways folks can support LIFT when they shop for groceries, dine out, or make purchases online. When you sign up at http://www.escrip.com, simply indicate the group name “LIFT Renewal Ministries?, and Group # 500015519. Then register your Vons grocery card, as well as your various credit and debit cards (all through a very secure site). Each time you shop at a participating store or hundreds of online merchants listed on eScrip’s site, they will contribute a percentage of your purchase to LIFT! It’s that simple and LIFT gets a “lift? as you go about your regular shopping. Check out the e-Scrip Dining list, too, to see a list of the dozens of participating local restaurants - when you pay with your registered card, LIFT receives a percentage. How cool is that?
Cluster Group Ministry Expanding
February 14 2008
Victorville United Methodist Church is the latest in our Covenant Churches to launch a Cluster Group Ministry. Following months of prayer, communication, and preparation, the congregation committed itself to this ministry of presence and accountability. Nine small groups will meet weekly in homes and at the church to encourage one another to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. As part of the LIFT Covenant process in “Phase 1”, churches seek to deepen their love for one another and for Jesus through the forming of Cluster Groups. Other churches who have stepped into this form of discipleship include Spurgeon UMC and Upland First UMC, with others soon to follow. We are praising God for this intentional move to accountable fellowship and encourage others to give Cluster Groups a try. Contact LIFT for more information - we’re passionate about Cluster Groups, and we’d be happy to talk with you about this powerful ministry.
LIFT Launches Web Site
January 02 2008
Welcome! You’ve landed on the LIFT web-site, and even though there’s a lot of empty space, we hope you return often to explore. As this site expands, you will find news of some really cool events, a video here and there, and lots more. Pastor Bill will be adding blogs regularly, and our Covenant Pastors and leaders will make editorial contributions, too. For now - Happy New Year! Thanks for being patient....the best is yet to come.