This Week at Clyde Park

A Note from Pastor Ryan

This past Sunday I spoke about our desire to belong. We all want to be seen, known, loved, and esteemed. We find satisfaction in being known and loved. All too often, we seek fulfilmment in relationships only to find that they don't satisfy. We should find our identity, our sense of belonging in God. In our baptisms we get claimed as God's children. That is who we are!

This is part of what Jesus meant in drinking water which comes from him. Jesus satisfies our thirst. However, we sometimes try to fill our sense of belonging in ways which don't satisfy. This is akin to drinking salty water which does not satisfy, but instead creates even more thirst. 

Below are a list of prompts to help us see if we are seeking belonging in unhealthy ways. 

Here are some ways that the temptation of Belonging may be at work.

• When I try to impress others how do I do it? My intellect? My humor? My niceness? My fashion? My athletic abilities? My talents?

• When I feel the need to set the record straight on a misunderstanding about my actions or character. I find myself managing impressions, or needing to defend or justify my actions when I’m critiqued.

• When I have to have the last word in a disagreement/discussion.

• When I say “yes” to others’ needs and demands but end up resenting or

regretting it.

•When I say “yes” to others and I neglect more important and pressing relationships and responsibilities.

• When I say “yes” to others to keep the peace or make them happy.

• I suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) which shows up in an insecurity about friends interacting without my presence and invitation.

• When I use my personality strengths to impress, manage, manipulate, or massage relationships.

•When someone responds to me in a negative way—they are short with me, dismissive, etc.—I internalize it as my fault.

• When I blame myself for other people’s choices or how they respond to me.

• When I say (or don’t say) something for fear of “what others may think.”

The practices we can use to satisfy our longing is learning to be in God's presence and letting that be enough. We call that solitude.: 

Here is the worksheet from Sunday: 

\Practicing Solitude

One practice to assist us in fulfilling our desire to belong is solitude. Here are some simple instructions  -Find a way to carve out 5-10 minutes alone in

intentional silence

- Turn off the tv, turn off your phone, do not listen to

music.

-Turn your mind to God, say “Heavenly Father, I am

here ready for you.”

-pay attention to what arises within you

- What tends to pop into your mind as you

    spend time alone?

- What anxiety, fear, or anger are you aware of?

- What relationship or unresolved situation comes to mind?

- Notice any resistance or relief you experience in solitude.

- Journal these thoughts

Breath Prayers

One way to help us enter solitude well is to practice breath prayers. Once in a quiet place, you focus on your breathing. As you inhale you pray 1/2 of the prayer. As you exhale, you pray the other half.

INhale: Lord Jesus Christ…. Exhale: Have mercy on me

The Lord is my shepherd… I shall not want Lord have mercy….  Christ have mercy Lord, remind me I am your child… you are full of grace and truth toward me. I can do all things through Christ…  God deliver me from evil.

The Lord is my light… whom shall I fear?

Tonight's Dinner: Potato Bar

New Membership Class Sunday at 9:30 a.m. This class is if you would like to become a member, or if you want to learn more about the Nazarene church.

This Sunday is our Fellowship Feast and the theme is soup. Come and join us in our monthly potluck!

Candy donations are needed for the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Morning. Please leave the donations in the designated box in the foyer.

Thank you!!

Mar. 14          9-11 a.m. Pancake Breakfast Youth Fundraiser

Youth Event All-nighter – Friday 9:00 p.m. March 20th-Saturday March 21st 7:00 a.m. at the church

Mar. 25          5:30-6:30 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

Youth week – 6:30-8:30 p.m.

April 6-10, 2026

Easter

 The Choir will be singing Easter Morning. If you are interested in singing in the choir, we will be meeting on Sunday evening, March 22nd, at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m.

Easter Week

April 1 No April Fool's joke-no Wednesday night dinner or classes due to the extra services this week!

April 2 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service

April 3 6:30 p.m. Good Friday Service

April 5            Easter Morning:

7:30 a.m. Sunrise Service

8:30 a.m. Brunch

10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt

  10:30 a.m. Easter Morning Service (Bonnets & Bow Ties

Contest)