|
|
|
|
|
March 26, 2010
|
Vol. 2, Iss. 11
|
|
|
|
 Palm Sunday Service
This
Sunday our service will focus on the day of our Lord's crucifixion.
Unlike
most of our services, this time of worship will be more solemn and
reflective,
concluding with the congregation sharing in a silent Communion
celebration. Please
be in prayer as you come to this service and ask the Lord to speak
through it to
us in a new and meaningful way.
|
|
 You Forgot Something
By Pastor Keith Wheaton
keith@acgc.us
"You forgot something."
The statement came from a homeless man as he thrust back his
pumpkin pie. Sandy was stunned and speechless for only a moment. "Whipped
cream!" she laughed, as the shock faded into amused disbelief.
It was true. We had brought turkey, gravy, corn, beans,
mashed potatoes, rolls, pumpkin pie... but no whipped cream.
Ironically, the same man made almost the same statement to
me the previous night. The menu included meatloaf but, in a gross oversight on
the part of the cooks, there was no ketchup. Since we were also short on milk,
within five minutes I found myself at Albertsons, buying ketchup.
I think the complaining man truly suffers from mental
illness. For this reason, his criticism for our lack of condiments is amusing
rather than annoying. If he were normal I suspect most of us would be tempted
to quip "beggars can't be choosers," even though it's a cruel comment to make
to a homeless person.
When I think of the outstretched arm, thrusting back the whipped-cream-less
pie, I wonder if that's what we sometimes do with God. "You forgot something,"
we say, as we respond to His grace with complaint rather than gratitude. "Thanks
for the hope, peace and forgiveness... but you forgot to give me riches." "Thanks
for the surpassing greatness of my salvation, but you forgot to give me good
health." "Thanks for giving me an opportunity to worship openly and freely
without fear of persecution, but you forgot to give me a church that meets when
I want, that sings the songs I like, that has a preacher who's both smart and
good-looking... (Oh, wait, scratch that last one...)"
Nothing is more absurd than a thankless Christian.
Everything we do and say should have an aroma of gratitude. We are blessed.
During this holy time of year, as we celebrate the great sacrifice our Lord
made in love for us, remember to always be grateful. If you don't,... YOU forgot
something!
|
Next Sunday is Easter Sunday!
Next
Sunday we will celebrate our Lord's resurrection with several special
events.
First, a 10:00 brunch will be offered for the entire family. The menu
includes:
coffee, juice, chocolate milk, assorted fresh fruit, croissants,
Canadian
bacon, eggs, cheese and assorted jams and jellies. An Easter Egg hunt
for the
children will follow brunch and a family-oriented worship service will
begin at
11:00. Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us on this great
day of
celebration.
|
 Candy Wanted
Next week is Easter Sunday and we're hoping to have lots of
children here for the celebration. One activity we're planning is an
Easter Egg hunt after our brunch. We have plenty of plastic eggs but we
need
small, individually-wrapped candy to put inside. Please bring a bag of
candy for
this good cause!
|
 Easter Lilies
Orders
are being taken for Easter Lilies after service on Palm Sunday. There
will be a
sign up sheet in the back of the Sanctuary. Lilies will be available to
take after service on Easter. Checks should be made to WVC and marked
"Lilies", $8.00 each.
|
Library News
Easter books for the children are grouped
together on the kid's bookshelf. We have some good ones. Stories of the Bible being studied on Sunday mornings are grouped together on the library
table. Let's encourage our children to read and maybe accompany them to the
library.
A new donated book is available now. Twelve Extraordinary Women by John Macarthur
shows how God shaped women of the Bible and what he wants to do with you.
Looking forward for Francine Rivers and Beverly Lewis fans... New publications
have been pre-ordered and should be here by the middle of April. The third book
in the Seasons of Grace series by Lewis will arrive. Francine Rivers is
beginning a new series called Marta's Legacy. Enjoy!
|
Youth Update
Matthew
West Show!
Our
High School and Middle School Youth enjoyed a Matthew West show last Sunday
night. The show was in Issaquah and we had a great time. Many of
our students were introduced to some of his songs at our last couple of youth
retreats. 
If
Matthew West spent some time with our group
Orlando
Trip
As
many of you have heard, I enjoyed a trip to Orlando a couple of weeks ago.
I was meeting with the AC National Student Ministries Team. We
discussed many things including how to encourage, empower, and equip youth
ministry leaders in our denomination. I also attended a conference for
youth leaders and enjoyed Universal Studios for a few hours. National Student Ministries Commission
Youth
for HireIf
you have any spring jobs you would like our talented youth to take care of for
you please let me know. Our students are trying to raise money for camp
scholarships. If we all pitch in, we
can get these students out of town for a week!
Middle
School Movie Night
Our
Middle School group will be seeing a movie Friday night! This group has
been a blast since it started a few months ago and we will be getting out of
the building and hitting the town on a Friday night. Pray for us and the
town. Youth Snack ScheduleMarch 28: Mary Seal April 4: Maxine Lobb April 11: Jean Flewelling
|
Save the Date of the Women's Spring Retreat
Attention
all women: The dates for the conference women's spring retreat have been set
for May 14-15 on Whidbey Island. The theme will be "Divine
Appointment", and the speaker is a delightful woman who is an encourager
and a lover of the Word of God. Please save the dates and plan to attend.
More details will be coming soon.
|
Quilting Day
Our next quilting
day is scheduled for Saturday, April 10th
from 9:30-2:00. All women are invited, and we hope you'll be able to join
us
for a fun and productive day.
Click the picture below to see a photo album from the February 6 Quilting Day!
|
Men's Breakfast
The next men's breakfast date is: Friday, April 9 at 7 AM. We are starting a new study of the book of Galatians. Come join us for a tasty
breakfast and some good discussion.
|
Housing Needed for Dental Team
Housing will be needed for the Philippine Dental
Team for the following two nights:
- Friday Night, April 16: 1 couple, 2 women, 1 man
- Saturday, May
1: 1 couple, 1 woman, 1 man
If you can help please contact Clio Thomas @
206-276-8632. THANKS for helping the Lord do this trip!!! |
Heather Lobb-Duran's Baby Shower
All ladies are invited to Heather Lobb-Duran's
baby shower. It will be March 28th in the Fellowship Hall following the church service. Lunch included! Heather is registered at Babies R Us.
|
Mark Your Calendars- March 28, Palm Sunday
- April 4, Easter Sunday
- April 9, Men's Breakfast, 7 AM, Church
- April 10, Women's Quilting Day, 9:30-2:00
- May 14-15, Women's Retreat on Whidbey Island
|
Classifieds
- Computer desk for sale, in great condition, $50. Contact Mary Seal if interested: 253-529-4446.
Listing items in the Classifieds
If you'd like to add items to a West Valley Classifieds list, please e-mail Tracey Coon in the church office (office@westvalleychurch.org) for items in the following categories. Please also include your contact information and a detailed description.
These items will be listed on a weekly
basis in our e-news. If you have recurring items, please keep the
church office informed on a weekly basis by the end of day Thursday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
