Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

 
Thoughts:            Paul is reminding the new Christians in Rome of their forefather Abraham and his unwavering faith in God.
 
Abraham kept his faith in God through many years of waiting to become a father.  God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, which means “father of nations,” when Abraham was 86 years old.  God told Abraham that his descendants would be harder to count than the stars in the sky.
 
“And he believed in the Lord; and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
 
Paul explains that God’s promise to us is not through the law but through the righteousness of faith (romans 4:13).
          
Discussion:          What specific tasks might we undertake during Lent that may be counted to us for righteousness?
 
Activity:               Read Matthew 21-28 (the account of Jesus’ last week on earth before his crucifixion) this week.
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Remember in prayer this week Bob Grusnick in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Pontiac, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, and June Lamm. 
Concerns from Sunday, March 5:
 
Traci Elliott – Prayers for my mother, Kay Calnen, who is being monitored overnight at a hospital in Florida.
Debbie Hagelstein – Prayers for my cousin Michelle who had brain surgery and doing well and recovering at home.
Bob Whitford – Father, Dale 89, is going blind.  Waiting for 3rd cornea transplant.  Please pray to lift his spirits.
Patti & Scott Aurand – Prayers for Victoria and Andrew as they travel to New Orleans to serve with Camp Restore doing home repairs in New Orleans with other students from Western Michigan.
John Northey – Friend dealing with brain cancer needs our prayers.
Kaj Ostergaard – Sad to hear that the world stability has deteriorated to the extent that Sweden will re-institute the draft.
 
Megal Corera wants us to know there will be a service to celebrate the life of Francis on June 10 at 11am followed by lunch in this church.
 
This Saturday don’t forget to change your clocks before you go to bed, SPRING AHEAD.   See you Sunday for the Second Sunday in Lent and Bell Sunday.
 
Hope Warming Center is happening March 13-16.  Will you be serving one night or donating food and/or supplies?  Sign up this Sunday or call Linda Wright.
 
Are you interested in becoming a member of Troy First United Methodist Church?  Pastor Weatherly is anticipating a new member Sunday and you might be on her list.  Call her before she calls you.  We welcome new members into our congregation throughout the year.
 
Do you have a baby who needs to be baptized?  Do you have a youth who needs to be baptized?  Do you need to be baptized?  Baptisms happen all year long.  Call Pastor Weatherly for a sprinkling appointment. 
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