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03/18/10 Worship
Sermon Title & Lectionary
"Will You Embrace God's New Creation?"
Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:4
Psalm 126 John 12:1-8
Lay Assistant:
Craig Watson
Jim Brown, John Turnbull, Greg Baber, John Lyle,
Jim & Shari Glasgow Beedle/Crucifer:
Job Runge & Dalton Hottle
Greeters:
Jack & Betty McBride
Greg & Lynn Baber
Nursery:
Alison Clark & Mollie Murdock
Children's Church:
Margie Myers
Coffee Hour:
Esther White & Marilyn VanHoozer
Upcoming Lay Assistant Scheduled:
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Adult Sunday School
Faith & Life - Lenten Series
Our Lenten Series on Jonah continues for two more weeks at
9:15 in the lounge next to youth room.
March 21 - Vicki Young
March 28 - Lolla Ballard
Adult Bible Study Class
This class meets every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the
room across from the chapel.
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Wednesday Lenten Series
Living the Story
Readers Theater of Lenten Stories
This five week series will be led by Margie Myers. You do not have to be an actor to read the script. We will not be moving around, simply reading. If you would simply like to listen you are more than welcome as well.
Wednesday's at 5:45 p.m.
5:50 - Eat meal in the Library
($2.00 donation)
6:35 - Lenten reading and
discussion begins in the Library
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| Christ's Helping Hands for March:
Jamieson Center
This month, the Mission Committee is raising money through the Christ's Helping Hands program for the Jamieson Center. We greatly appreciate your generosity last year and hope that you will again be able to support the Jamieson Center's vital role in our community, especially as it is anticipating an increase in need this year. To contribute, please write "Jamieson Center" on the memo line of your check or on a regular pew envelope and make the contribution during the weekly collection, or mail it to or drop it off at the church office. Together, we can be Christ's helping hands.
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Icebreakers
The March meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 21st at 5:00 p.m. in the social hall. The program will be given by the Faith United Youth - "Poverty Simulation in Louisville, KY".
A meal will be included and will cost $5.00 each. Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Donna Larson, 734-6103; or Darlene Moffet, 734-5537. If you need a ride call Gene Larson at 734-6103.
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Easter Flowers
Members are invited to make donations for our Easter flowers. Each year we intersperse spring flowers with the traditional lilies. Members are given the choice to either pick up a lily following the Easter service or to donate a lily for a homebound member. Please turn in your order before March 22nd. Thank you!
_____I would like to order _____ lilies at $8.00 each to be picked up after the Easter Service.
_____or please deliver_ after the service to a homebound member.
_____I would like to donate $8.00 for spring flowers to be planted in the courtyard or south side of the church after Easter.
to be given in memory of:_______________________________________
to be given in honor of:_________________________________________
given by:_______________________________________________
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WNL Carnival
On our final day of WNL - March 24 we will have a carnival for the children to enjoy. If you would like to help with a very simple game for about one hour please call Margie.
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WNL - Closing Program
Please join us in celebrating a wonderful year as well as the sixth graders who will be graduating. A special program will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 in the sanctuary. You have helped support us this whole year, please come and show our children your support with your presence and then join us for a cookie reception afterwards.
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Isabel Circle
Isabel Circle will meet at the home of Crystal Sargeant at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. Those attending will meet in the church parking lot at 6:25 p.m. to carpool. Jane Kellogg will facilitate. Lesson 6: Outsiders Become Insiders from JOSHUA: A Journey of Faith from the 2009-2010 Horizons Bible Study. All interested women are invited to attend. For more information contact Sharon Graham at 309-627-2484.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
On Palm Sunday, March 28, we will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future.
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Ecumenical Singers
The Ecumenical Singers, directed by Leo Ramer, will present their annual Easter Concert on Sun., Mar. 28th at 5:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The ICS Children's Choir, directed by Alisa Ramer, will also sing. Public is invited; free-will offering taken.
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Good Friday for Kids
No School! Help your parents out and come to the church for a day filled with thoughtful centers and projects concerning Holy Week, swimming, making Easter baskets, visiting our nursing homes, games, ping pong tournament, prayer, singing, and maybe even a movie. It is our hope that our children will have a meaningful Good Friday - learn and experience the events of Holy Week and also have a fun day off from school.
When: Good Friday - April 2
Time: 8:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. (when you sign up let us know your schedule)
Where: Faith United Presbyterian Church, YMCA, two local nursing homes
Ages: 1st - 6th grade
Bring: Sack Lunch, $2.00 for swimming at the Y, swimsuit, towel,
Register: Please sign up and fill out the necessary permission slips by Wednesday, March 31. You may sign up by calling the church or signing the sheet on the office door.
HELP: Any adults or youth interested in helping with this day PLEASE call Margie at 734-5129.
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Holy Week
Maundy Thursday (Communion), April 1, at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday Tenebrae, April 2, at 7:00 p.m., and finally our Celebration of the Lord's Supper on Easter Sunday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m.
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PW Spring Gathering
Join Presbyterian Women on April 16, 2010 for their Spring Gathering entitled, "Living the Gospel of Peace" at Broadway Presbyterian Church, 710 23rd Street in Rock Island, IL.
Chris Wolf, Churchwide Coordinating Team, Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace will be the guest speaker. Chris has served the church at all levels from elder to presbytery and synod councils, commissioner to 206th General Asembly, 2006 Churchwide Gathering Education Team and was insalled as CCT/PW Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace at the 2009 Gathering. She is also a commissioned lay pastor.
Registrar: Lois Larson, 2200 - 11th Ave. Moline, IL 61265; 309-764-3968; email lgarlar@qconline.com. Deadline will be Monday April 12
The catered lunch will be $8.00 Make checks payable to Broadway Presbyterian Women (memo: Spring Gathering)
Carpool from the church at 8:00 a.m. Dismissal will be at 2:30.
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Magnetic Church
Do You WANT Your Church to Grow? Have you or members of your congregation registered for The Magnetic Church event April 23-24? COME FOR YOURSELF! Wondering what God's next call for you might be? If it were your choice, would evangelism be on your list? Then come to learn new models of evangelism appropriate for you! Along the way, you may discover your gifts as author, editor, planter, greeter or shepherd, and reap some of the amazing joy of being God's instrument in changing other peoples' lives.
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Community Connection (aka Spring Tea)
When: Saturday, May 1st
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1st Street Armoury
215 South 1st Street
Monmouth
Musical Feature: The Scotsmen from Monmouth College
Keynote Speaker: Brenda Keller (daughter of Pastor Ken & Denise Muck) Brenda received a degree in Psychology from Asbury University, Kentucky and currently works in the mental health field as well as Christian retail.
Please call and make reservations no later than Monday, April 26th. We ask that each church designate a person to be the "table hostess". The table hostess will need to provide the dessert for their table(s), everything else is provided. Tables seat 8. Please let us know which church you are representing, how many tables you would like to reserve, and who your table hostess(s) will be. Call 1st Street Armoury for reservations at 734-8991; feel free to leave information on the answering machine. |
Please Pray for:
Eillen Spoerl; Craig Collins, Pastor Myers brother; Frank Sorensen; Cindy Lantz; Jacob Ballard; Martha Royer; Katie Mahoney; Carolyn Simpson; Kathy Smith; Dean Robbins; James Butler; Marilyn Simpson; and Connie Louck.
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| Calendar |
Friday Lenten Breakfast @ 7:00 a.m.
Sunday Choir @ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
Icebreakers @ 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday Session Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
Thursday Sewing Circle @ 9:30 a.m.
Isabel Circle @ 7:00 p.m.
Friday Lenten Breakfast @ 7:00 a.m.
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March Birthdays
1 Genevieve Ball
3 Deena Fisher
4 David Distin
5 Mary Baker
Joyce Hagemann
Elizabeth James
7 Rhett Willett
8 Sally McVey
9 Matt Lewis
10 Jessica Wilson
11 Kristie Murdock
Ruth Carwile
Julie Armstrong
12 Erika Blackman
Ron Tenold
16 Ceaira Groves
19 James Connell
Samantha Waterman
20 Shanae Glasgow
21 Dale Dingman
23 Jonalyn Heaton
Kathy Rickey
Bob Wells
26 Barbara Solberg-Hale
27 Harlow Blum
28 Phyllis Wheeler
29 Vernon Mettler
30 Jim Hallstrom
31 Gentry Sorensen
Lisa Willett
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| Contact Information |
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Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129
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What Do You Think? 
Will You Embrace God's New Creation?
In this Lenten Season, rather than looking to the sins of our past, as we are so often led to do during Lent, we have been looking to the future and the hope which comes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. While the season may have its cathartic qualities, Lent is not simply a time to be reminded of our sin and guilt.
Lent offers us the opportunity to prepare our hearts and lives for Easter, to receive the new life which God calls forth even from death. My friends, do we want this new life? Will we embrace God's new creation, even if it means saying goodbye to the old?
Our text for this Sunday's sermon will be taken from Isaiah 43. In Isaiah's prophetic words, God promises to make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Because God is doing "a new thing" those wandering in the wilderness, those who thirst in the desert, will be refreshed.
For countless people throughout the world, those living in Palestinian refugee camps; those fleeing warlords in Afghanistan; exiled, displaced and undocumented aliens leaving behind violence, poverty and death; Isaiah's prophecy is a word of hope. God's new creation, is not like the old, they may leave behind their old lives and be refreshed. They have God's Word.
But what does Isaiah's prophecy say to us? Even the poorest of the poor in our community live better than the world's refugees. Even the most violent neighborhoods in our country are better than those where children play in the midst of war. What does God's promise of a new day mean for those of us who are adequately housed, fed and clothed? Where are we to find refreshment?
People of faith, I am well aware of those in our midst desperately waiting for a word of hope, a moment of respite, if not refreshment. They will welcome God's new creation with open arms. But what of the rest of us, who have grown comfortable in our complacency? What new thing is God doing with us? Will we embrace it with our lives?
Pastor Myers
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