Morning Worship, 10:30 am

We’ve heard a slew of stories from Mark about people who reject Jesus and his message.  Today, we hear the ultimate story of rejection: the story of Herod ordering the execution of John the Baptist.  What does this have to do with Jesus, you might ask?  Well, John the Baptist, like Jesus, spoke truth to power, and it got him killed.  (Some people argue it got Jesus killed, too.)  But Herod is just one more example in a long line of examples of people who chose to bow to societal pressures instead of following Jesus.  Granted his example is extreme, but haven’t we all, at one time or another, succumbed to societal pressures instead of doing the right thing?  And, assuming we have, how do avoid making the same mistake twice?

Come on Sunday to listen and learn.  And invite someone to come with you!

See you in church!  Annie

Sunday School for Children and Youth

The elementary and middle school classes will gather at 10:45 after spending some time in church.  Have you invited a friend to church lately?  Invite them to join the fun!

Adult Discussion Group, 9:00 am

The book study concludes this Sunday.  Led by Ron Scott, this year’s book is God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World, by Stephen Prothero.  Even if you have not attended the class thus far or read the book, you will learn something new.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Young Adults (Twenty and Thirty Somethings)

Want to come brunch with us?  The Twenties and Thirties (TNT) Group will meet for some food and fellowship immediately after church on Sunday, February 12.  Childcare will be provided at the church for an additional hour or two.  Just pack a lunch to leave with the little ones.  Join us at Highlands Brewing Company in Kirkwood.  Everyone is welcome.  It is a great way for us all to catch up!  Any questions, contact Beth Willock at 618-978-0992.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Lent Study 2012

Wednesdays, February 29-March 28, 5:30-7:00

Join us on Wednesday evenings during Lent for the study “Saving Jesus”.  We will have a simple potluck dinner from 5:30-6:00; the study will begin at 6:00 and last until 7:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend!

This is a great study for anyone who has ever felt like Jesus has been kidnapped by the Christian Right and/or discarded by the Secular Left. “Saving Jesus” (produced by the same people who brought us the “Living the Questions” resource we studied in 2006 and 2007), is a DVD-based small group exploration of a credible Jesus for the third millennium. Contributors Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, and Robin Meyers join Marcus Borg, Walter Brueggemann, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill Levine, and a host of others for a conversation around the relevance of Jesus for today.

Please sign-up in the Gathering Space, or e-mail Pastor Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org if you want to attend the study.  Reading materials will be e-mailed o participants and/or distributed at the weekly gathering.  This is sure to be a lively and interesting topic!