March 2004
The Pastor’s Column
By Rodney Newman
A Prescription for Lent
For only the second time that I can remember, last Sunday morning, I missed preaching due to illness. The diagnosis came on Friday, “Pneumonia,” the doctor said. “What about being in church on Sunday?” “You’re contagious and you need to rest,” she said.
Ironically, I had planned to discuss the attitude and treatment of our physical bodies in my sermon last Sunday. Paul tried to correct the Corinthians’s misunderstanding that our spirits are all-important. What we experience in the flesh has forever been sanctified by Jesus taking on flesh and living among us.
No one among us likes to admit that our bodies limit us. Sickness frustrates our plans, advancing age brings diminished abilities, weakness leaves us anxious and afraid. We’re much happier when our bodies are strong, filling us with a sense of independence and control. The season of Lent brings us face to face with these limitations. In the sufferings of Jesus, we see one who endured the aggravation and pain, who entered into the human condition with us, and who came through victorious. Let’s encourage each other as we journey through this holy season. May we be honest in holding our lives and our world up to God in an attitude of repentance and be willing participants in the healing God comes to bring.
Opportunities for Lent
Sunday Lenten Series
Our Pastor will be leading a series of lessons during the month of March drawing from the bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. This class will meet in the Sanctuary from 9:50 until 10:35.
Youth Sunday School
The Sunday School lessons this month take a close look at the passion narratives in the Gospels.
Children’s Wednesday Night Series
We will begin a Lenten series for the children on Wednesday nights until Easter. We’re calling it 40 Days, 40 Ways and we’ll look at Lenten symbols and how we can develop a closer relationship with God.
Easter Offering and Giving Tree
Each year we ask that you make giving to missions part of your Lenten discipline. You may wish tp select a particular ministry you wish to support from a giving tree located in the narthex of the church. It will have cards with the mission’s name and the amount our church gives toward that cause. Take a card and return it with a check to the church for the prescribed amount. Or you may wish to give a gift to be used where most needed in our missional giving. You may do so by mailing a check to the church office or dropping your gift marked Easter Offering in the offering plate.
Transitions
New Members
Cara Seelke joined by transfer and Ryan Smith joined by profession of faith on February 1. They will celebrate their wedding this August.
Jeanene Carver, joined by transfer on February 15.
George McDonald, joined by transfer on February 15.
Memorial Gifts
To the Memorial Fund
In memory of Margory Saied
Ed & Della Fauss
In Our Prayers
Pat Wetmore recovering from knee surgery
Kitty Ogburn recovering from pneumonia
Jan Hedrick recovering from surgery
Youth News
Interfaith Tour
We have a great opportunity the afternoon of March 28 to be part of a number of youth from around the city learning about different religions. We will visit the Episcopal Cathedral downtown, a Jewish synagogue, and a Muslim mosque.
Whiz Kids Take A Field Trip
Twenty-three Whiz Kids and their tutors took a week off from their routine of reading to visit the Omniplex. They were entertained by a traveling Dr. Seuss troop then spent some quality time exploring the gross things of the body in the “Grossology” exhibit. Some of the kids had never been to the Omniplex, and were wide eyed the whole time. One girl on her way home told her tutor at least 6 times that it had been "a goooood day."
Now we are back to the routine of snacks, reading, and then club time with Amy Curran. Amy has the kids learning Bible stories and verses through games and storytelling. One more tutor has recently joined us. There is always room for more children and tutors. Call Janet Kingsolver, 524-3895, for more information.
Music Ministry
Palm Sunday Cantata
Our cantata this Lenten season will again feature a variety of compositions with all of our musical ensembles plus the Chancel Orchestra. We will begin with the Gloria from Vivaldi's Gloria, an exciting composition that highlights the orchestra and choir and will serve as our introit, prelude, and overture. We will also perform the Gratias agimus tibi, Propter magnam gloriam, and the Domine Deus from the Vivaldi. The centerpiece of our presentation with be Lew King'sThe Power of the Cross. The service will conclude with the Choral Amen from Handel's Messiah. Please plan to bring guests and family.
Palm Sunday Rehearsals
Choir, soloists, and orchestra please mark this on your calendars: SATURDAY, APRIL 3, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for our dress rehearsal. Come early for those delicious donuts. We will NOT ask the handbells or children's choir to attend this rehearsal. The previous Wednesday night, we will work in the Sanctuary from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m., if necessary. This will be the time for our guests vocalists to become comfortable with the various selections.
Easter Sunday
This is another service highlighting our musical ensembles with special emphasis on our very talented Youth Brass Ensemble coached by Dr. Karen Gustafson from OCU. They will perform a selection on their own and accompany our main anthem that day, Resurrection Praise by Lloyd Larson. We will also feature the choir in Look, the Stone Is Rolled Away! by Dana Mengel and conclude the service with The Hallelujah Chorus.
Ghana Mission Trip
There is still space for you on the trip to the Budaburum Refugee Camp in Ghana this summer. Plans are to continue work on the school construction, help in the clinic, work with children, set up hair and nail salon training, and work with youth and young adults. The team asks for our prayers and support, both financially and in materials to take with them. Call Evelyn Phyffer at 528-1511 for more information.
This Month In Worship
The Hebrew prophets conducted their ministries during difficult times in the life of the nation. They called for repentance when the people began to forget God and they comforted those whose lives were shattered when invading armies devastated their world. We will feature the prophets and their messages during Lent this year as we listen for what they say to us as well.
Reverend Newman
Sermon Titles & Texts
Mar 7 Sifting Through the Rubble
Lamentations 1:1-7
Second Sunday in Lent
Mar 14 In Exile
Isaiah 55:1-9
Guest Preacher, Coy Remer
Third Sunday in Lent
Mar 21 Sitting in the Dark
Amos 5:16-24
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Mar 28 My Last Good Nerve
Jeremiah 2:13-19
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Flea Market to Benefit
Generator for Africa
The Share Circle bake sale made over $200 toward their goal of $1,300 to pay for a generator for the Budburum Refugee Camp in Ghauna.
Now they are planning for An All-Church Flea Market to be held May 22 at the church. Families are being encouraged to bring their spring garage sales to the church and donate all or portions of the proceeds toward buying the generator for the Refugee Camp. Each family would be responsible for bringing their items, pricing them, and selling them during the day. Share Circle will have the booths set up, provide lunch, and make arrangements for all unsold items to be taken away.
Plan to be a part of this day of family flea market fellowship and help bring the dream of a generator for the refugee camp to reality. Call Janet Kingsolver, 524-3895, for more information.
Game Night for Everyone
March 26
The Fellowship Committee is sponsoring a Domino Tournament and night of games on March 26 beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you don’t like dominos, try Spades, Yahtzee, Chicken Foot, Taboo, or our favorite: Shoot the Moon. Whatever you choose, it should be lots of fun for all ages! There will be a hot dog supper available, free snacks, and drinks. Don’t miss it!
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