Thoughts for the journey,
One of the joys of belonging to the church is to sharing the joys of one another. We have the opportunity on Saturday to be present and celebrate a new brother and sister for Dean, Ean and Emily Musters and a new grandson for Don Zehr. We will be hosting a baby shower for Erin Saturday, March 14th at 1:00. For those who may not remember the needs of a newborn, see the side bar for some of the items that would be helpful. It is good to be able to provide support to families among us.
During the season of Lent we have a dual focus - we are looking inward to those places where we are not following in the footsteps of Christ is ways that we would like. it is also a time to look outward to the community - that within our doors, within our town and across the world - to see how we can make a difference. To that end we a have several options for Lenten giving.
Churches in Mission is an organization with strong ties to First Christian Church. As one of the governing and supporting churches of Churches in Mission, each year we take a month to focus our giving. This year, we have the month of April. Of primary need this year is personal care items: soap, shampoo, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, feminine supplies, etc. Simply go through your morning ritual and anything you use is likely on the list. Items are being collected in fellowship hall under the bulletin board and will be collected through Palm Sunday (March 29) and delivered shortly after.
The children are collecting money to donate to the
Heifer Project and will turn in all of their coin boxes on Palm Sunday. They (and I) are hoping that the adults will also help with this project. We haven't yet selected the animal that we will be donating and we have several choices you can see by clicking
here. We will let the children decide when we see how much money we raise. So bring your coin boxes, coin jars, baggies of dimes or a simple check - we aren't picky about the delivery system we simply want to help change someones life for the better with our Easter gifts.
And finally, the women of the Disciples of Christ have a project for General Assembly that is making sleeping mats for those sleeping on the streets. They are making these mats out of plastic grocery bags - the ones that seem to multiply in our closets. Please bring your bags to the box in fellowship hall and we will begin making the plarn (plastic yarn) and make some mats for use in Mooresville, Indianapolis and to deliver to the project in Columbus during General Assembly in July. To see how the mats are made watch a video by clicking
here.
While it isn't exactly a mission project, we are also collecting cardboard egg cartons to make Mancala games during Vacation Bible School in June. Feel free to leave those on the table in fellowship hall as well. And if you would have time to help with the creation of the materials for VBS, please see Martha Saucerman. Many of the team that used to pull that together no longer attend so people who can trace, paint on the traced pictures and cut out the pictures are needed.
Two opportunities to raise money for cancer research are available in the next 2 weeks. Dine To Donate on Thursdays, March 12 & March 26. Zack and his sister Dominique (children of Jillian and Randy Allen) lost two important grandmothers in the past year to cancer. Wanda Allen was a member and friendly face every Sunday. Jillian and the whole family are working hard to raise money and awareness. We can support them by eating at Applebees in Camby on March 12 and at Texas Road- house in Avon on March 26 from 4-10 pm. Applebees will donate 15% of your bill and Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of your bill to the American Cancer Society. Please see Jillian or her Facebook page with any questions.
And finally, our prayer list is filled with those we love, and those loved ones of those we love. If you would like a copy of the prayer list, they are available on the shelves at the entrance to the sanctuary - or let me know and I will send you a copy.
Many ways to be involved in our community - from prayer to donating useless grocery bags - we can make a difference - each in the way that we are able.
Sharing the journey,
Glenda
Opportunities for Study
For Lent we will be changing the worship service slightly. Drama, visual art and music will all play a part. In addition to this, there are some additional opportunities for study. To see the different options, click here.
We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us
- Disciples of Christ identity
