We are delighted you came to church today and chose to worship here with us. The heart of this congregation is Jesus Christ. Our worship service and our programs are designed toward enhancing what it means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and fulfill the great commandment of sharing Christ in and with the world. Thank you for being here and adding your spirit to the spirit of everyone else as we seek to praise and glorify our Lord.
"THE CHURCH MOUSE"
For the Week Beginning February 19 , 2012
We are gathered together to celebrate the Lord's Day
SCRIPTURE: II Corinthians 4:3-6
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The Tuesday evening Bible Study will meet this Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. In the Youth Room. The Book being studied is Gospel of John.
...Mark Shafer in his daily struggle with MS
...Melinda Whiteman,challenged with MS
...The soldiers in Afghanistan
The Devotionals for January, February and March are available in the back of the sanctuary and are available in both large and regular print.
WIDOW'S MITE MINISTRY PROJECTS
Recycling Pop Cans and Bottles, On-going
The Card Shop, On-Going (Cards for all occasions $1 each)
Catalog Machine embroidered Christmas Ornaments to order
Book marks, books, hand knitted dishcloths, pot holders
The Shepherd's Table will be serving soup this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The goal of this mission is to offer hospitality and God's compassion in a simple bowl of soup and crust of bread. It is to welcome any and all to Christ's table where everyone eats and experiences fellowship and the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Our guest soup chefs will be Gloria and Frank Jones.
INITIATIVES IN MISSION
The following projects are initiatives in mission that will be launched this year as means of sharing the gospel and bringing people into the church. Pray for they who have been led to suggested the project and those who will help in developing them. Pray for the Spirit to use these projects and us to define the gospel and give voice to the invitation to come and share the grace and love freely available to all.
Prison Ministry Cathy Good & Helen Spears
Adopt-a-Family Melinda Whiteman
Shepherd's Table Cathy Good & Rev. Johnson
Fifth Quarter
February 22nd Ash Wednesday 7:00 P.M.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, and during this service we will set the tone for the journey toward the cross with the imposition of ashes. The hallmark of this service is repentance, of realizing that God sent Jesus into the world and onto the cross to suffer and die as the atonement for our sins.
February 29th - March 28th Midweek Lenten Breakfasts 6:00 A.M.
The purpose of this Lenten discipline is to provide an opportunity for midweek devotional reflection that guides the participant in deepening their commitment to Jesus Christ and Provide support for handling the challenges and temptations of each day. The theme of this year's Lenten Breakfast series is "Sorrow Will Turn to Joy. Focusing on the challenges faced by five different people, the devotions will highlight what it took them and what ir requires of every individual to fight the demons and overcome the adversities that can and do emerge in every life. The Rev. Dr. Mark Luther King wrote, "the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.
February 26th - April 1st Easter Insights 4:00 P.M.
Through work of the History Channel, we will look through video presentations at the historical, archeological, and bibical information that helps us understand and gail insight into people and experiences critical to the life and death of Jesus. Each week we will spend 60-90 minutes exploring deeper meanings and setting the context for understanding the power and significant of the people and events around Jesus' final days. All programs begin at 4:00 P.M.. Bring a bag of our favorite snack to share.
Sunday February 26th Jesus: His life
Sunday March 4th Judas: Traitor or Friend
Sunday March 11th Biography of Pontius Pilate
Sunday March 18th Mysteries of the Bible: The Last Supper
Sunday March 25th The Trial of Jesus
Sunday April 1 The Execution of Jesus.
April 5th Maundy Thursday 7:00 P.M.
Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Passion of Christ. It is the traditional night in which Jesus met with his disciples for the Last Supper was betrayed by Judas, and arrested. We will observe this night with an ointment with oil and receiving Communion by intinction.
April 6th Good Friday 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
This service will focus on the Seven Last Words of Christ as they were spoken from the cross. The service will be conducted in 8 fifteen minute sections, each focused on one of the words spoken by Jesus. Persons may choose to attend all or parts of the service as they wish.
Rev. Richard Johnson
CONFIRMATION CLASS - The Confirmation Class will meet next Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Youth Room.
We rejoice for these projects and how they bring the grace love and hope of the gospel alive and makes the Word real. If you have any suggestions for additional ministries and feel the tug of the Spirit to witness and share the message of Jesus Christ, write it down on the cards found in the back of the church and return them to Rev. Johnson. Every one of us is called to be an evangelist and missionary. Pray for God's guidance and inspiration as to how he might use you to make known Christ's claims.
The Session has received with deep appreciation and thanksgiving the Widow's Mite Projects proposed for this year. Pray for the success of the following events:
BUSY BAGS - At each door of the sanctuary there are Busy Bags with colors and coloring books. Parents of small children are free to take a bag for each of their children for use during worship. When the service is over, return them to the ushers pew.
CELL PHONES & PAGERS - As you prepare for worship with prayer reflective mediation, take a few seconds to turn off your cell phone or pager or set it to vibrate so that it will not distract the prayer and meditation of those around you.
Is there something you can do to add to our Widow's Mite Ministry? Is there something you can do or make that will add to our effort to make the smallest and least a contribution to the greater good? Let the Spirit work in you to add not just projects to our list, but provide funds to support the church.
...Verna Gibb, Oaklane Nursing
Center Stronghurst
...Charlene Bladwin, Oaklane
Nursing Center, Stronghurst
...Mary Ruth Surber, Courtyard
Estates, Monmouth
...Bud Adair, Legacy Estates, Monmouth
...Shirley Gibb, Lagacy Estates, Monmouth
...Jim Work, resides in Warren Achievement housing
...Ray Boyer, Roseville Care Center, Roseville
...Frank Brokaw, battling cancer, at home
...Rene Smith, Courtyard Estates, Monmouth
....Alfred Leonard, started radiation therapy
...Ryan Simpson, recovering from a diving accident
...Travis Shafer, seeking a call to ordained service in the church.
...Jane Weir, recovering from a fall, Blair House, West Burlington
2/14 Vallie Smith
SERMON: "The Light of the Gospel"
LENT - The Lenten season gets underway on Wednesday, February 22nd. You will find a complete description of the Lenten events and activities on the Widow's Mite Table.
ELDERS - The Session will meet Monday evening at 7 p.m. In the Youth Room
FOR YOUR INFORMATION & EDIFICATION
Here are websites you will want to visit:
www.greatriverspby.org
www.pcusa.org
www.lincolntrails.org
LENTEN SCHEDULE
(Scroll down for complete list of Lenten Services)
POTLUCK - Today we will hold a potluck/shared dish dinner following worship. Afterwards, we will divide up into five groups led by the elders to brainstorm the goals the session has chosen to work on this year. We hope everyone will see this not just as an opportunity for a great meal, but to help shape and direct our response as a congregation to future needs.
WORK DAY - The Trustees have scheduled a work day for Saturday, March 17th to paint the kitchen and the fellowship room. Work will commence at 8:30 a.m.
