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Friends-
The number 40 has significance in the Bible in a lot of ways: the Israelites walking in the wilderness for 40 years; Moses in an unintended exile for 40 years; Jesus taking 40 days in the wilderness fasting to prepare himself for his ministry. Forty days is roughly 10 percent of the year. So, if you like, you might consider 40 days as a tithe of time. And while all of our time and all of our goods are God's, he gives us stewardship over them. To offer him a tithe of our income is to say to God: "I know this is yours anyway, but I give it back to you to remind myself of that." To give God a tithe of your time is similar. In Lent, we carve off an approximate tithe of our time(40 days) to remind ourselves that all of our days are gifts to us, and we will do well to remember that. It also reminds us of Jesus taking his 40 days to prepare himself for ministry. Lent begins this year on March 5, Ash Wednesday. How or if you celebrate it is up to you. But I would encourage you to consider those days between March 5 and April 20 (Easter) as a tithe of our time that you offer up to God, asking him to use it to prepare you for whatever ministry he calls you to. If we do it together, if we pray for one another through this time, who knows what grace might be ours, or what honor might come to Jesus. Welcome to a season of growth! Gary Calendar Sundays - Every Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 am in person and via Zoom 3/2 - Communion Sunday 3/16 - St. Patrick's Day Potluck following worship. 3/23 - New Prayer time - following worship - around noon in the sanctuary. Mondays - Every Monday Ordinary Time Bible Study - 5:30 PM. - Various locations. 3/3 - Tim and Judy Murphy's home Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study via Zoom - 7 PM. Thursdays - 3/6 - Church Board Meeting via Zoom - 7 PM. - Sign up for the men's breakfast by this date. RSVP to Gary. Saturdays - 3/8 - Men's Breakfast in Church Basement - 8 am - Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight. Daylight Savings Time begins. Other News - Zoom - To attend online services or sessions listed above, please contact Gary at [email protected] for the Zoom link. Upper Room Devotionals - The March/April Upper Rooms are now available at the church Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Bake-Off - Thank you to everyone who helped make this day such a success. A special thanks to Kyle Zick, Karen Bieschke, Angela Green, Mike McGinnis, and Karl Steiskal for making chili. All of the chilis were great, but ultimately Kyle Zick took home the top prize for his chili. Thanks to Jill Gray and Hannah Foley for supplying us with delicious homemade desserts. Jill was declared the winner this year. Thanks to everyone who supplied other foods. ( some of you at the last minute!) We had great food and great fellowship. Ordinary Time Bible Study/Fellowship - The time between Christmas and Easter can be long. So why not come and talk about the Bible in a casual setting? Each week there is a new topic to discuss. We meet on Monday nights at 5:30 in various locations. Talk to Gary or Britni Zick if you are interested. The March topics are: the beatitudes, faith, seeking God's kingdom first, humble yourself, and temptation. Lent - Wednesday, March 5 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Men's Breakfast - 3/8 - The men of the church are invited to come for breakfast on Saturday, March 8 at 8 am. We will gather in the church basement. Mark Gray is making Swedish pancakes. There will be other foods that need prep as well. Please let Gary know if you are coming by Thursday, March 6. Please mention if you would like to help in the kitchen. St. Patrick's Day Potluck - 3/16 - Come for our first-ever St. Patrick's Day Potluck after worship on Sunday, March 16. We will be celebrating with an Irish-themed potluck. Bring your favorite Irish food. We do have one person bringing Corned Beef, but there are so many other wonderful options! If you are looking for ideas, just google Irish food. Delish.com listed 60 ideas and PioneerWoman.com had 20 recipes. Or feel free to bring any kind of food you want. Just be sure to come. Another great chance for great food and fellowship. Prayer - 3/23 - The monthly Wednesday prayer time is being moved to Sunday, March 23, following worship. Anyone who wants to pray or be prayed for should make their way into the sanctuary around noonish after fellowship time. This new time will replace the Wednesday prayer time. Sympathies - Dave Walker's mom, Pat Walker, recently passed away. Please keep Dave, Terry, Luke, and the rest of their family in your thoughts and prayers. A service will be held for Pat on Saturday, March 15 at the Spring Creek UCC Church in Rockford at 1 PM. We also want to express our condolences to Florence Fritsch on the loss of her niece. Healing Prayers - Please keep Diane Upton in your prayers as she recovers from knee replacement surgery. Continue ongoing prayers for Kiki Marske as well. Looking Ahead - Church Cleaning Day - Most years we clean the church in April. Look for details in the April newsletter. Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service - Thursday, April 17 is Maundy Thursday. We will plan on a communion worship service preceded by our soup supper. Watch for details in the April newsletter. Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 20 is Easter. This is a glorious day of worship. Think about who you might invite that day! |
AuthorGary Schwerin, pastor Archives
April 2025
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