What good is Lent?

    At the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport, we use it for our Annual Missions Conference.  We make Lent into a series of special Wednesdays: "Super Suppers and Special Speakers!"

    Our theme this year is "The Two Thieves!"

    Our first speaker, Jack Crans, has been all over the world - even inside the Kremlin in Moscow - meeting thieves, policemen, prison guards, wardens, and all kinds of law enforcement people.  He brought some insights into the nature of thieves, like those who were crucified with Jesus.  That was on Ash Wednesday, February 17, with the supper at 6:30.

    Next we had Dave Bailey, who knows all about how kids get started on the career that led two men to crosses outside Jerusalem.  He founded Ranch Hope, where those who get caught early get a chance to straighten out, learning about Jesus, who pardoned at least one thief.  That was February 24, and again the supper was at 6:30.

    Bob Emberger was our third speaker.  He operates "Whosoever Gospel Mission" in Philadelphia, a shelter for the homeless, and you can bet he has met a thief or two.  He serves 150 meals a day, and he fed us from God's Word on Wednesday March 3, after the 6:30 supper.  There's a supper before every speaker.

    The fourth speaker in our series is Bill Teate, our connection to India Bible Literature.  That is a ministry that has turned some thieves into pastors over the past 59 years since it was founded by Bill and Joyce Scott.  You'll hear something about how thieves can be changed.  Come at 6:30 for the free supper, Wednesday, March 10.

    A newcomer to our series will be here on March 17th: Pastor Wesley Felix, a Haitian who brings a unique perspective to our theme, and who can give us the inside story on how Haitians have suffered more from corrupt leaders than from the earthquake.  He can tell you also what the Gospel is doing there, and here in our area as well.

    Our finale is Rev. Melvin Floyd, the policeman and gang-buster turned pastor and evangelist.  One of the most dynamic among this group of dynamic speakers.  If you can't make any of the others, be sure to come see and here the man known for the coffin and its anti-drug message on top of his minivan.  March 24; come at 6:30!

    It's our version of a Missions Conference with zeal!

    (Zeal is like holy p-zaazzz!)     

Easter Candy is coming!

    Phone 717-768-0048 or 610-337-4015 to place an order.   Sorry ... no mail orders!  But you can pick them up any Sunday morning!  The Women's Fellowship make coconut eggs and peanut butter eggs, in dark chocolate and in light chocolate.  That's four kinds, two of each, and they are all good.

    We have a regular Sunday evening Bible Study at the church, 7pm to 8:30pm.  It was suspended this year for Superbowl Sunday and Valentine's Day - "you gotta know when to fold 'em!" but has survived even some snowy Sundays.  The agenda is flexible; it's a great opportunity for raising questions.

    The new Third Tuesday Luncheon Bible Study - formerly the Daytime Circle of the Women's Fellowship - has now met three times, and the 10 people who come enjoy it.  We last met on Tuesday, January 19, and our next meeting will be Tuesday February 9th, at noon, at the church.  Light lunch is provided.

    The Bible study is focused on surprises, things you never knew about the Bible, and also on the practical, related to the news of the day.  See the "Getting Here" page for directions.

Not a Presbyterian? Not a problem!  

And not a surprise!  Very few of our members started out that way in life.  So you will be most welcome, and among friends.  Please come and meet us!  If you just might like to know more about the Bible, you will find friendly people with the same outlook.  That's a description of our congregation: a group of people who love getting to know God better all the time, with confidence that the Bible is the way to do it.  We all enjoy these times of study together for the good fellowship they provide, along with growth in understanding, as we dig into God's Word and find practical help for making our daily lives better.

    There is also a women-only Bible study every third Tuesday evening, at the church, 7pm.  Check out the Women's Page for Happenings of special importance to Moms and other ladies.

    The Spring "LITTLE ANGELS" Consignment Sale is already being planned.

Like Yard Sales?

   Sorry you missed our big one - October 10 - a NEIGHBORHOOD yard sale, with tables from Bridgeport neighbors as well as from church members.  The food was great too, as always.  But cheer up!  We'll have another one next fall, and plenty of other good things between now and then.  

Do you live within an hour of us?  Send us your e-mail address and we'll put you on our "Friends of Bridgeport" group, to be notified of our special events as they are planned and scheduled, and also to receive occasional bits of humor and inspiration.  Send it to the pastor:    donaldgbarnhouse@frontier.com