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Wednesday, March 1, marks the first day of the season of the Christian year known as Lent. Lent is a forty day period (not counting Sundays) which historically has

been a time of preparation for celebrating Easter. This preparation involves an honest evaluation of one’s outlook on life and living. It is a time when we look deep into our being and ask God to show us any unclean thing that is within us. It is through prayer, the study of God's word, silence, meditation, fasting and other spiritual disciplines that we begin to allow the Holy Spirit to help us see our sins and then confess them to God. This sincere and meticulous evaluation of our soul is not done in order to beat ourselves up for our "badness," but to help us appreciate more fully God's great love for us and to begin to live more fully in that love. Like King David we do these things with the attached request: Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, O God!

On the evening of March 1 at 6:44 pm (yes that is 6:44) we will gather in Martin’s Chapel for a “Service of Ashes.” It is a time when we receive the mark of the cross on our forehead (or hand) as our acceptance of God’s invitation to move closer to God and to look for all the ways God is at work around us.

As we make this journey I hope you will continue to reading the One Year Chronological Bible as well as the Gospel of John. I hope you will be faithful in attending worship and take part in the weekly Wednesday noon Lenten services (The schedule is listed in this newsletter). I also ask you to remember to pray for our young people who are attending Confirmation classes on Sunday afternoons.

In our United Methodist Book of Worship, this Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline is given. I would offer it to each of us as we enter the season of Lent.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: the early Christians observed the great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the

Easter celebration there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation. During this season converts to the faith were prepared for

Holy Baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious

sins and had separated themselves from the community of

faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

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Noon Community Lenten Service Community Lenten Services Each Wednesday, local churches will meet at Winchester First United Methodist Church to worship together. Every week a different congregation will lead us in worship and

provide lunch. This year's theme is "The Seven Last Words." We will remember the last phrases Christ spoke while on the cross.

March 8—Rev. Jon Hand, First United Methodist

March 15—Dr. Allison Gilliam, Huntland Walnut Grove UMC

March 22—Rev. Theresa Northcutt, Agape Ministries

March 29—Rev. Jan Whiteman, United Church of Christ

April 5—Rev. Anna Brockman, Winchester CP

April 12—Rev. Bill Midget, Christ the King Anglican Church

THIS WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday Service

March 1st, 6:44PM, in the Martin Memorial Chapel

UMW SPAGHETTI DINNER set for Sun., Apr. 2nd, at 5:00 p.m. in church gym. Enjoy fellowship, meal, and entertainment by the

Dorrell Family, which is guaranteed to be a treat for the whole family, at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12. Children age 3 and under are free. Tickets on sale Sunday, Mar. 19th and 26th

outside church gym before and after Sunday School and in sanctuary vestibule (at Visitor Welcome Table) at 11:00 a.m. traditional service. Tickets also available in church office Mon., Mar. 13th, through Mon., Mar. 27th (last date to buy tickets). Proceeds to Life Choices. Help out this worthy charity by bringing one of the following baby items

to dinner: diapers, wipes, rash cream, wash, and shampoo.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel

of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial and by reading and meditation on God's Holy Word.

(Book of Worship, page 322)

Yours in Christ..... Pastor Steve

UNITED METHODIST MEN Mark your calendars… Men’s breakfast Saturday, March 11, 8AM.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT WESLEY PRESCHOOL

Wow, I cannot believe another month has flown by at Wesley Preschool and we are now getting ready for spring lesson

plans! We will start off March by celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Wednesday, March 1st. We will wear our PJs to school and participate in a lot of fun Suess inspired activities. We will also learn about St. Patrick

this month and enjoy spring break on the week of the 20th. The beginning of spring also means it is registration time!!! Registration for the 2017-2018 school year will begin on March 13th. If you would like

your little one to attend Wesley Preschool or know someone that may be interested please stop by the preschool or church office to pick up a registration form. If you are interested in visiting the preschool to see what we are all about just stop by any Monday or Wednesday and we

will give you a tour and you can see our kids in action. Lisa

YOUTH NEWS

Bayou Mission Trip June 24th-July 1nd Cost: $200 ($50 deposit)

This year we will be traveling down to the Baton Rouge, LA to help spread God’s love by continuing to help with the flood relief. The

floods in Baton Rogue were some of the worst in history. Along with being the hands and feet of Christ we will definitely have a lot of fun

along the way. Deadline: March 30th

Youth Calendar Sunday night 5-6:30 March 5,12,26,

Wednesday Night 6-7 March 1,8,15,29

Stay tuned for more info about some fun activities that will happen over spring break!!!

March 2 Kelly Denton, Lydia Angus

March 3 Steve Hinshaw,

Dick Brandenstein, Ray Knight Jeff & Marie Stevenson

March 4 Jim Gallagher

March 6 Richard Bean, Garrett Shaw,

Chuck Waggoner

March 7 George Claxton,

John Lavender, Philip Hoffmeister

Dave & Jane Cortner

March 8 Ross Rowland,

Allen Westerhof

March 10 Becky Rampy, Faith Wine

March 11 Janet Feller

Kevin & Christy Sulouff

March 12 Mayme Walker

March 13 Jack Curtis, Tad Ruch,

Sandra Brown, Mason Woodall

March 14 James Summers

March, 18

Jim Wiseman, Tyler Wright, Adam Olsen

March 19

Mike Feller Warner & Nancy Holt

Joseph & Heather Edens

March 22 Ethan Jay Edens

March 23

Winston Maxwell, Terri Trail

March 24

David Stewart, Princeton Maxwell,

Christian Ferrall

March 25

Jim Penland, Caleb Burgoyne, Zachary Smith

March 26

Kati Hoffmeister, Sarah Rowland,

Judith Charles John & Jenny Smith

March 27 Emma Curtis

March 28

David Grant Faulkner

March 29

Ann Tapp, Lori Nichols

March 30

Ursula Brashier, Art Ruch Greg & Cindy Houston

March 31

Jeannie Vaughn, Tom Lynch, Christy Sulouff,

Judy Buffington Philip & Kristy McAbee

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES The preparations for the Lenten season—the confirmation class and the children’s component for our church-wide study of the Gospel of John—are underway and are proving to be very meaningful for the children. We have concluded our sessions on Sunday evenings by turning off the lights in the Kids Korner worship area. We stand in silence in the darkness (and it is quite dark!) for a few moments as we await the coming of the light. Then the light spreads from candle to candle and we are reminded that Jesus is the light of the world, but He calls us to be light to the world as well. It’s not too late for your child to join us at 5 for a light supper and from 5:30-6:30 for our lesson. The Preschool Praise group (younger than kindergarten) meets in the Wesley Preschool area for music and crafts and our nursery is also available. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not extinguish the light. John 1:5 Lucy

STEWARDSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE, YTD AVERAGES 2017 Sunday School Average: 173 Worship Average: 251

Weekly Needed: $9903.00 Weekly Average Received: $10,223.00

A FEW NOTES FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR Spring is on its way, the sign of God’s renewal of all His creation! Just as God refreshes His world with new life, Jesus desires to refresh us with His forgiveness and love. The Lord longs to be an active part of our lives, as evidenced by His inspired Word and the Holy Spirit that He left for us. When you spend some regular time in prayer, praise, and reading in His Word, God will open Himself to you and assist you in your life’s walk. Seek the Lord daily and see how He reveals more of Himself to you! The Noon Lenten series begins on Wednesday, March 8, and I am privileged to bring the message on the first of the Seven Last Words of Christ. We hope that you will come to these six weeks of Wednesday Noon services, and that you will invite a neighbor, friend, co-worker, or Christian from a sister denomination to share in worship and a luncheon here at WFUMC. Our annual Easter Cantata is slated for Palm Sunday evening, April 9. at 5:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Entitled “Come to the Cross and Remember,” this cantata is tender and emotional, yet stirring and uplifting. Put it on your calendar now! It is my prayer that we all move closer to the Lord, for only then will He move closer to us! May God richly bless your spring with Him! Peace, Pastor Jon

2017 UMW WOMEN’S RETREAT: Walk, shuffle, stroll, or run to the DuBose Center on April 21-22 for the UMW’s 33rd

Annual Women’s Retreat entitled “Beautiful Feet.” Facilitated by Susan Walton, you don’t want to miss this time of spiritual

fellowship. Registration forms available on the UMW bulletin board or from your circle president, the church office, Mary Orr, or

Linda Moorehead. Registration deadline is March 31st.

ABC'ers 50+ SENIOR ADULTS Visit a Synagogue in Chattanooga, Friday, March 24

Bus will leave the parking lot at 3:00P.M. We will be in a worship service and have the opportunity to ask questions of the

Rabbi after the Service. We will eat out after the Service.

Coffee with the Nashville Symphony, Friday, April 14 Cost: $25.00 Bus will leave the church parking lot at 7:45A.M.

Need Reservations in by Sunday, March 5

Sign-up in your Sunday School Class or Call Pat Brandenstein : 636-4359