Good morning Siblings in Christ,

“The only way forward is through, together.”

Black History Month has become one of the most celebrated cultural heritage months on the calendar. Schools and businesses offer Black-history-themed meals, lectures, plays and quizzes while major brands roll out clothing, television specials and content for consumers.

With all these advances, the hope is that the acknowledgement and celebration of Black and Brown Americans will not just be limited to the month of February. February comes after January every single year. Why stop recognizing and applauding these American impacting triumphs when February ends?  The hope is that schools and universities will be encouraged to weave in Black History to their curriculum. The learning then becomes informative and not performative – we’re not celebrating only because it’s Black History Month. Eventually leading to incorporating achievements of all different cultures throughout the year.

Black Americans stand at the crossroads of racism and the systems of oppression that perpetuate it. We go forward from here with faith, bold strategy.

What does it mean to live as a Christian? How can we continue to grow in our faith? Charles Wesley’s “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” is a prayer for God to guide us in our spiritual journeys throughout our lives.

John Wesley called intentional Christian’s activities focused on spiritual growth, means of grace. They are things we do to put ourselves in a posture to receive God’s grace in our lives. He is echoing Jesus’ answer when asked what the greatest commandment is: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind and you must love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28).

We began the 2021 Lenten season with a quest, a prayer for humility which is the beginning of true repentance. And growing as a Christian is all about being filled with love, which happens by the grace of God.

Welcome to the 2nd Sunday in Lent Sunday Worship as we ponder – “What’s the proper dress code for God’s people?” Come, let’s worship together as the Holy Spirit reveals the answer! Come, all are welcome!

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Clarissa

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Bulletin – 2nd Sunday In Lent – 28 Feb 2021

Sermon – A Divine Dress Code – Feb 2021

Devotionals 28 Feb – 6 Mar 2021

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Rev. Clarissa Martinelli

Pastor, Fifth Avenue UMC

323 South Fifth Avenue

West Bend, WI

262.334.2059

847.721.1826 (M)

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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful

beyond measure. I am a child of God.” marianne williamison

A blessed and hopeful Sunday morning 5th Ave. Family & Friends,

This February, mark both Black History Month and the start of Lent.

In honor of Black History Month, we continue to remember and celebrate the powerful work of God in and through the lives of African Americans. From enslaved Christians and abolitionists through the Jim Crow era to civil rights figures, to ordinary believers serving as leaders in the church and powerfully impacting modern day society.

Black History month came out of a need to tell more of the stories that shaped our nation, the stories of Black Americans. Black History month is an opportunity to learn from the story of Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in the Episcopal Church. Richard Allen, the first Christian bishop of African descent in North America, he founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of America’s first truly independent black denominations.

Welcome to Lent! This is a time of 40 days preparing our hearts and lives for Easter- resurrection Sunday. It is a discipline of the Christian life to remember the cadence of death and resurrection. In this season of the Church, we remember that new life springs out of brokenness and death, much like a seed planted in the ground. What are the places of brokenness and death you still long to see resurrected? Let’s reaffirm our commitment to encounter Christ, trusting in his resurrection as we pray:

Lord, Lent is a challenging time, and we will not pretend that it is not. However, you did not expect anything of us that you were unwilling to subject yourself to. Your own time of trial in the desert set the standard for how to resist temptation and remain steadfast as we form our hearts to God’s will. Help us to grow steadily closer to you as we embrace the virtues of faith, hope, and love during Lent. Encourage us along as we walk with you, reminding us that Lent is far from a time to simply “give something up;” rather, to take on little sacrifices, which compare in no way to the supreme sacrifice that you offered by giving your life on the Cross in atonement for our sins. Strengthen us to persevere in holiness, virtue, and sanctity, seeking to do your will not only during Lent, but likewise throughout the year, as we look forward to celebrating your joyous Resurrection at Easter. We ask this in your redemptive name. Amen.

To the glory of our merciful God,

Pastor Clarissa

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Bulletin – 1st Sunday In Lent – 21 Feb 2021

Sermon- Hush – 21 February 2021

Devotionals 21 Feb – 27 Feb 2021

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Rev. Clarissa Martinelli

Pastor, Fifth Avenue UMC

323 South Fifth Avenue

West Bend, WI

262.334.2059

847.721.1826 (M)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful

beyond measure. I am a child of God.” marianne williamison