Friends- I was recently invited to spend a day in Washington, DC, to join other pastors from around the country to lobby our congressmen to support immigration reform. I could write a lot about how and why that happened, but I'd rather simply note the impression it had on me, the same impression each time I am in our nations capitol: our government, and our nation, need a lot of prayer! While the day was full of meetings, and conversations, it seemed to me that the most important thing I could do while there was to pray.
I bring this up for a couple of reasons. One, tomorrow, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer, a day set aside each first Thursday in May, for people of faith to lift up the needs of our nation to God in prayer. What a privilege for me to be there and get to do that- pray- there, just a couple of days before that event! I would like to encourage each of us to take time tomorrow to pray to God for our nation. Prayers of thanksgiving, praise, confession, and intercession are all appropriate and needed. Never forget God's challenge to us in 2 Chronicles 7:14. What? You don't know that challenge? Look it up!
Two, as we have just celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the grave, the question that confronts us is, "Now what?" I'm sure those first disciples were asking that, and so should we. Given the reminder of God's great love and power, given the needs of the world we are in, what should be the next steps to fulfilling his prayer that his kingdom comes, and his will be done?
That could be a long answer, too, but let me simplify it by suggesting that we start with the prayer, and then listen closely for his voice, and then take whatever action he sets before us. We are the ones charged with continuing the work of transforming our world.
Does that sound too big for you, or for us as a congregation? IT IS! But with his Spirit, and by his power, we can do all things. Let's go forward, Easter behind us, expecting God to do great and mighty things.
He wants to. Do we?
Gary
MAY 2014 CALENDAR
Thursday May 1 - National Day of Prayer
Friday May 2 - WWII Program - 6:30 PM - Featuring Mr. Bill Murphy (Tim Murphy's dad) sharing his
war experiences. Refreshments following. RSVP to Angela Green.
Sunday May 4 - Worship Service with Communion - 10:30 am
Thursday May 8 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Church Fellowship Room
Sunday May 11 - Worship Service - 10:30 am Happy Mother's Day!
Thursday May 15 - Caledonia's night to serve the community dinner. Sign up in fellowship room.
Saturday May 17 - Healthy Eating Program - All women invited ! See more info below please.
Sunday May 18 - Worship Service - 10:30 am
Friday May 23 - Caledonia School Appreciation Day - We are taking treats/refreshments to the teachers and staff at the Caledonia School. Talk to Judy Murphy if interested in helping.
Saturday May 24 - Hiking and Picnic - Staying home for Memorial Day Weekend? Looking for something fun to do? Join us for a trip to White Pines Park for hiking and a picnic. Meet at Gary and Jennifer's home at 9 am. Bring your own sandwiches, drinks, and a simple side dish to share with others. We will hike, then enjoy our picnic lunch at the park. Home approximately mid afternoon.
Sunday May 25 - Worship Service - 10:30 am
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Men's Book Study - Saturdays - 8:30 am at Dandy Donuts on Riverside in Rockford
Bible Study and Potluck - Wednesdays - 6 PM at Barrick's home, finishing up II Peter
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Greeters - Sign up in the fellowship room. Gives you a chance to say hello to everyone!
Refreshments - Sign up in the fellowship room. Still some openings for May. Thanks!
Blue Barrel - Thanks for all the donations to the barrel. Let's continue to fill it!
Community Dinners - We are responsible for the third Thursday of each month. Food pantry hosts free dinners to those in need. Sign up in the fellowship room or talk to Sandy Free.
OTHER NEWS
Many Thanks - Thanks to the women who recently furnished breakfast to Carpenters Place.
Thanks to all who brought food for our Maundy Thursday supper.
Thanks to all who worked on cleaning the outside and inside of the church.
Thanks to our secret supplier of Easter lilies. They were beautiful!
Healthy Eating Program - Are you tired of wondering what to eat to be healthy? Do you get confused every time you pick up a women's magazine and find that yesterday's healthy food has become unhealthy overnight? Janet Fraker, Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist, will help demystify healthy eating at the next SIS meeting on May 17. The meeting will be held at Joanne Nicholson's home. There will be a brief business meeting from 9-9:15 followed by Joanne's healthy treats. At 9:30 Janet will talk to us about nutrition and encourage us to get on the right track to gain and maintain excellent health. This opportunity is open to all women in the church. If your family member of friend would benefit from this information, please invited her to attend too. RSVP to Judy Murphy. If Janet inspires you to eat right let Judy Murphy know, and she will plan a field trip to the Beloit or Madison farmer's market.
LOOKING AHEAD
Movie Nights at the church - Coming this summer! Free cookout and movie nights. June 6 is the first of 5 movies planned. Watch for sign up sheets in the fellowship room. We need lots of help. A great way to reach out to our neighbors in Caledonia.
Matt Maher Concert - June 17 -Coronado Performing Arts Center - Contemporary Christian musician performing at 7 PM. Cost is $15 - $25. Leaning towards the $15 tickets. Talk to Jennifer and Gary. Some of Matt's songs are: Lord I Need You, Christ is Risen, All the People Say Amen, and Your Grace is Enough. Please let us know soon, we want to get the tickets early. Concert benefits 3 local Catholic churches.
Fall Luncheon and Bazaar - September 27 - Use this summer to make some crafts for the bazaar. Also start collecting items for our treasures sale. We would love good books, like new gift or household items, holiday décor, nice jewelry or any good treasures!
I bring this up for a couple of reasons. One, tomorrow, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer, a day set aside each first Thursday in May, for people of faith to lift up the needs of our nation to God in prayer. What a privilege for me to be there and get to do that- pray- there, just a couple of days before that event! I would like to encourage each of us to take time tomorrow to pray to God for our nation. Prayers of thanksgiving, praise, confession, and intercession are all appropriate and needed. Never forget God's challenge to us in 2 Chronicles 7:14. What? You don't know that challenge? Look it up!
Two, as we have just celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the grave, the question that confronts us is, "Now what?" I'm sure those first disciples were asking that, and so should we. Given the reminder of God's great love and power, given the needs of the world we are in, what should be the next steps to fulfilling his prayer that his kingdom comes, and his will be done?
That could be a long answer, too, but let me simplify it by suggesting that we start with the prayer, and then listen closely for his voice, and then take whatever action he sets before us. We are the ones charged with continuing the work of transforming our world.
Does that sound too big for you, or for us as a congregation? IT IS! But with his Spirit, and by his power, we can do all things. Let's go forward, Easter behind us, expecting God to do great and mighty things.
He wants to. Do we?
Gary
MAY 2014 CALENDAR
Thursday May 1 - National Day of Prayer
Friday May 2 - WWII Program - 6:30 PM - Featuring Mr. Bill Murphy (Tim Murphy's dad) sharing his
war experiences. Refreshments following. RSVP to Angela Green.
Sunday May 4 - Worship Service with Communion - 10:30 am
Thursday May 8 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Church Fellowship Room
Sunday May 11 - Worship Service - 10:30 am Happy Mother's Day!
Thursday May 15 - Caledonia's night to serve the community dinner. Sign up in fellowship room.
Saturday May 17 - Healthy Eating Program - All women invited ! See more info below please.
Sunday May 18 - Worship Service - 10:30 am
Friday May 23 - Caledonia School Appreciation Day - We are taking treats/refreshments to the teachers and staff at the Caledonia School. Talk to Judy Murphy if interested in helping.
Saturday May 24 - Hiking and Picnic - Staying home for Memorial Day Weekend? Looking for something fun to do? Join us for a trip to White Pines Park for hiking and a picnic. Meet at Gary and Jennifer's home at 9 am. Bring your own sandwiches, drinks, and a simple side dish to share with others. We will hike, then enjoy our picnic lunch at the park. Home approximately mid afternoon.
Sunday May 25 - Worship Service - 10:30 am
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Men's Book Study - Saturdays - 8:30 am at Dandy Donuts on Riverside in Rockford
Bible Study and Potluck - Wednesdays - 6 PM at Barrick's home, finishing up II Peter
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Greeters - Sign up in the fellowship room. Gives you a chance to say hello to everyone!
Refreshments - Sign up in the fellowship room. Still some openings for May. Thanks!
Blue Barrel - Thanks for all the donations to the barrel. Let's continue to fill it!
Community Dinners - We are responsible for the third Thursday of each month. Food pantry hosts free dinners to those in need. Sign up in the fellowship room or talk to Sandy Free.
OTHER NEWS
Many Thanks - Thanks to the women who recently furnished breakfast to Carpenters Place.
Thanks to all who brought food for our Maundy Thursday supper.
Thanks to all who worked on cleaning the outside and inside of the church.
Thanks to our secret supplier of Easter lilies. They were beautiful!
Healthy Eating Program - Are you tired of wondering what to eat to be healthy? Do you get confused every time you pick up a women's magazine and find that yesterday's healthy food has become unhealthy overnight? Janet Fraker, Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist, will help demystify healthy eating at the next SIS meeting on May 17. The meeting will be held at Joanne Nicholson's home. There will be a brief business meeting from 9-9:15 followed by Joanne's healthy treats. At 9:30 Janet will talk to us about nutrition and encourage us to get on the right track to gain and maintain excellent health. This opportunity is open to all women in the church. If your family member of friend would benefit from this information, please invited her to attend too. RSVP to Judy Murphy. If Janet inspires you to eat right let Judy Murphy know, and she will plan a field trip to the Beloit or Madison farmer's market.
LOOKING AHEAD
Movie Nights at the church - Coming this summer! Free cookout and movie nights. June 6 is the first of 5 movies planned. Watch for sign up sheets in the fellowship room. We need lots of help. A great way to reach out to our neighbors in Caledonia.
Matt Maher Concert - June 17 -Coronado Performing Arts Center - Contemporary Christian musician performing at 7 PM. Cost is $15 - $25. Leaning towards the $15 tickets. Talk to Jennifer and Gary. Some of Matt's songs are: Lord I Need You, Christ is Risen, All the People Say Amen, and Your Grace is Enough. Please let us know soon, we want to get the tickets early. Concert benefits 3 local Catholic churches.
Fall Luncheon and Bazaar - September 27 - Use this summer to make some crafts for the bazaar. Also start collecting items for our treasures sale. We would love good books, like new gift or household items, holiday décor, nice jewelry or any good treasures!
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