Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church The Weekly Newsletter | |
Message from Pastor Mori
Dear Ravenswood Fellowship family "To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."—Isaiah 61: 3 Ash Wednesday is a time of naming brokenness. As we enter the season of Lent, we commit to enter also into a season of healing and recovery that requires the naming of what has been shattered as first step.The promise of Jesus is that he is with is in our weariness and burdens. This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season. On Ash Wednesday, we recall the Biblical custom of covering ourselves in ashes. By doing this, we mark ourselves in two ways: as those who are in mourning for our crucified Christ, and as those who are filled with a heart of sorrow for their sins. While our Advent celebrations are filled with joy as we remember the birth of our King, Lent is when we focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Traditionally, many believers choose to participate in some sort of fasting during this time—people have been known to fast from various foodstuffs as well as television and Internet usage. Others decided to study the Bible more closely or experience a time of solitude. Perhaps you will commit to attending services from now until the glory of Easter or dedicating a larger portion of your day to a time of prayer. Ash Wednesday worship On Wednesday Feb 17 7:00 PM Zoom online (Sunday Worship Link) We sent ashes in the Lent kit. Please use these ashes during the worship. Whatever your personal preference, Lent can be a time when you decide to let go of old habits and develop a more joyful, Christ-filled way of living. I would like to invite you and your family to join me as we prepare for a time of tremendous spiritual growth and renewal. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Mori O | | 2021 Craft Group Valentine's Day Project for Shut-ins
 
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 The United Methodist Church joins with others in celebrating February as Black History Month, the annual observance of the history of the African diaspora. And, it is a time to reflect on the history of Black Americans and to honor the individuals and groups who have worked tirelessly toward racial justice. As we embark on Black History Month, I want to share poems during February.
WHO AM I? BY STEPHON CARLISLE VOID When someone asks me "who I am,"
I tell them:
I am the great mind that was taken from the Motherland.
I am the one that survived the Middle Passage.
I am the one that built a nation with my blood, sweat, and tears.
I am the visionary that built and invented things that changed modern America.
I am Claflin, South Carolina State, Benedict, Allen, Howard, Clark, Spelman, Morehouse, Bethune-Cookman, Tuskegee, Paine, and other Historically Black Colleges or Universities that taught young people that they are great.
I am the Divine 9.
I am the Harlem Renaissance.
I am jazz, soul, blues, gospel, and hip-hop.
I am the sharecropper, the maid, and the nanny.
I am the farmer, the seamstress, the factory worker, and the teacher.
I am the midwife, the doctor, and the nurse.
I am the strange fruit that hung from southern trees.
I am the marcher, the freedom rider, and the children that died in Birmingham.
I am the Civil Rights Movement.
I am the future that Martin dreamed about.
I am the hope and change that Obama spoke of.
I am strong.
I am great.
I am blessed.
I am a child of God.
I am Black America. Resource from: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org Lent Bible Study Book This Lent ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love. Victor Hugo's Les Misérables is a truly epic story. Whether you've read the novel, seen the Broadway musical, heard its soundtrack, or seen the several screen adaptations, you already know the power in the story. In the six-week Lenten study The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals found in the story—grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope—each represented by a character in Hugo's story. In keeping with his previous works, Rawle brings us to the intersection of Church and Pop Culture by drawing parallels between the iconic story and musical and our Christian calling, inspiring us to both understand our faith and live it out in the world.
 Lent Bible Study
Feb 25 - April 06 2021 Every Thursday
7:00-8:00 PM Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85235718340 Meeting ID: 852 3571 8340 +13126266799,,85235718340# US (Chicago)
Lent Daily Prayer (Feb 17- April 03 2021)  We will be sending a prayer sanctuary booklet for
the Lent 2021 to you. Please join us every day in
daily prayer on Facebook live 8:00-8:20 AM.
We hope the Lent daily prayer helps you faithfully
journey through Lent as we prepare to experience
the joy of the Resurrection.
JoinZoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81924573375
Meeting ID: 819 2457 33
+13126266799,,81924573375# US (Chicago)
APPLY FOR THE JACL CHICAGO 2021 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 
The Chicago Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) offers scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to JACL's mission. Scholarships are awarded based on an applicant's understanding of and alignment with JACL's mission, as well as academic performance and extracurricular involvement. Scholarships are open to all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Previous JACL Chicago scholarship winners applying for a second award must demonstrate sustained engagement with JACL. Funding for scholarships is provided by generous donations from JACL Chicago members and the greater Chicago Japanese American community. Applications are due on March 1, 2021. Tentative: Awards will be distributed at the annual Scholarship Luncheon on May 16, 2021. For more information and to download an application, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Munteanu, JACL Chicago Scholarship Committee Chair, at scholarships@jaclchicago.org.
Church Office Hours  We will continue to follow Governor Pritzker's guidelines during the COVID 19 pandemic. Currently, the mandate is to stay at home as much as possible. The office staff will continue to work remotely until this mandate is lifted. We will follow the guidelines issued by the Governor as well as the Chicago CDC and provide an update when possible. Please be assured that the church mailbox and voicemail are checked daily. Pastor Mori can be reached by email at rfumcpastormori@gmail.com or by leaving a voicemail at the church office at (773) 561-2610.  Weekly Sermon Phone Service If you do not have computer access or cannot access our Sunday worship service through a smart phone, we now have a sermon by phone service, which is available at any time! The phone number is (773) 219-0861.
You can listen to a recent version of Pastor Mori's Sunday sermon and it's free! Links for Worship. - Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday: https://zoom.us/j/806489040. Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).
- Let's boost our worship! Please sign-up for Worship service Bible reader Sign-Up here.
- Young People's Bible Study. Ages 12-18 are invited to join the Zoom discussion of Jesus stories at 9 AM on Sunday mornings. Join the Zoom call here (Meeting ID: 828 2305 3546, One-tap mobile+13126266799)
- Want prayer? During our Prayers of the People, we will read your prayer requests. Submit your prayer requests here.
- Download. Get your bulletin here.
- Having trouble? Try logging off and logging back on to Zoom during the video. Or simply log off and call in.
- Missed last week? Check out the Facebook Live video on our page here.
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