Join us as we celebrate Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21 in this special edition of Terrific Tuesdays! Join us at 6 p.m. in Asbury Center for food and activities for all ages.

“See that you abound in this gracious work of giving.”  — 2 Corinthians 8:7

Today Rob Spicher, chairperson of our Finance Committee, will be sharing the financial position of our congregation.  Each year you have the opportunity to indicate what kind of gift you can make to underwrite the ministries of Christ undertaken by MLUMC.  You will receive a mailing containing our stewardship goal for 2012 and a commitment card to return on Sunday, February 26, 2012.  During both services you will be given the opportunity to bring your commitment card to the rail. The cards can be returned to the office anytime this month.    

We ask for a commitment card so that we can confidently plan our programs and mission commitments for the year.  The commitment period is for the calendar year 2012.    

You have been generous in your giving and have told us that;

?You believe in the mission of the United Methodist Church — to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to change lives to make the world a better place
?You feel gratitude to God for what God has made possible in your life
?You see giving as part of your spiritual relationship with God
?You want to help other people
?You want to support the staff and programs of MLUMC

We want to help you fulfill your vows to serve God through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness.  During the next months members will be sharing how God is touching their lives and how they are serving Christ through Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.  

In addition, there will be a Prayer Vigil later this year and opportunities to discover your spiritual gifts and talents and how you can use them as disciples of Jesus Christ.  Watch for more information about what you can do to support the work of Christ through our congregation. 

Bishop George Bashore’s spring Bible study on I and II Peter runs Wednesdays through March 28 at 9:30 a.m. in Wesley Hall.

These are epistles of hope, faith and encouragement. Written to persons who became exiles for their faith, strangers on earth and hurting from external circumstances the writer brings comfort, courage and practical helps for Christian living. In our day when we see growing indifference to Christianity and even ridicule and persecution, here are strength, joy in the future and ways to grow closer to our gracious God revealed in Jesus Christ.

All members of MLUMC and friends are invited to participate.

In cooperation with the Annual Conference Board of Church and Society, Pittsburgh Faith in Action Against the Death Penalty and other community organizations the Church and Society Team of MLUMC is hosting  a conversation with death row exoneree Kirk Bloodsworth at 1:30 p.m. Sunday,  Feb. 26, at MLUMC. Although his death sentence had already been commuted to two consecutive life sentences by the time his exoneration based upon DNA evidence was in the works, Bloodworth is the first American sentenced to death row who was exonerated by DNA fingerprinting.

Capital punishment is a challenging subject. Well-meaning people of faith weigh in on both sides of the debate. Some argue that the death penalty deters crime and protects society. Others contend that it has not proven to be a deterrence, is biased against the poor and African Americans, and isn't something Jesus would "do." The death penalty is currently legal in 38 U.S. states.

The United Methodist Church, in its Social Principles, officially opposes capital punishment and urges its elimination from all criminal codes. The church's General Conference, which will meet again this spring is the only entity that can take official positions for the denomination. Those statements are included in the church's Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions. On many issues addressed by the church, individual members hold a wide range of viewpoints, including outright opposition to denomination policy.

The United Methodist Church has held its position on the death penalty for 50 years. At the 1956 General Conference in Minneapolis, delegates first passed legislation that put the church officially on record as opposed to the death penalty. Each Methodist and United Methodist General Conference since that time has reaffirmed its opposition to capital punishment.

Bloodsworth is the subject of the book “Bloodsworth: the True Story of the First Death Row Inmate Exonerated by DNA” by Tim Junkin.

MLUMC offers free blood pressure screenings the first Sunday of each month, after the 10:45 worship service.

A few facts:
>> One in seven people have high blood pressure (HBP).
>> Over half of those with HBP don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms.
>> HBP can be controlled; once it is under control, life can be healthy and happy
>> The only way to find out if you have HBP is to have your pressure checked

You can now listen to MLUMC sermons on the web!
Podcasts of sermons beginning July 4, 2010, are now available by clicking on the Sermon Podcasts logo at right or on the podcasts link on any MLUMC web page. You'll need some type of media or mp3 player installed on your computer. In most cases, this will already be set up. If you don't have an mp3 player on your computer, we recommend iTunes, available from Apple at no charge.)

"What if church wasn't just a building, but thousands of doors? Each of them opening up to a different concept or experience of church - and a journey that could change our world. Would you come?"

This intriguing question is the basis of a new United Methodist website, 10thousanddoors.org. 10000doors offers a streamlined, "clearinghouse" format that aims to collect tons of relevant information about religion -- headlines, videos, chat, music, Q&A -- in one place. Visit 10000doors now, by clicking on the link above or on the logo at the bottom of our home page.

If you love to sew and want to use your talents to help others, here's a great opportunity! Hands and Hearts in Mission makes items to donate to a variety of projects.  We make quilts, blankets, school bags, wheelchair bags, dolls, kids’ clothes, cloth diapers, and other items for the needy. 

We meet each first and fourth Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Epworth Chapel … but wait!  You don’t even have to come to the meetings!  You can make things and turn them in without ever attending a meeting … though we ARE a lot of fun! 

We make items for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) , Asbury Heights, Nyadire, the Zimbabwe Hospital, the Home of Hope Orphanage, and several other organizations.  Items are tagged with the maker’s name, the place they want it to go, and the church address. 
We learn from each other, share patterns, discover new tools, meet new friends and generally have a great time as we do God’s work.  Come and let you hands and hearts bless others!

If you'd like to stay up to date on MLUMC happenings via e-mail, sign up for the E-Compass, our twice-monthly electronic newsletter, by clicking here.