March 25, 2009

The McLaughlin Research Institute is hosting a FREE lecture that is geared toward the general public, with the goal of fostering critical thinking and furthering public support for science and science education. On March 30 at 7:30 P.M., John Bermingham, Ph.D, and John Mercer, Ph.D, will speak about Charles Darwin's work and will be a commemoration of Charles Darwin's 200^th birthday and the 150^th anniversary of the publication "On the Origin of Species." This lecture will be held in Heritage Hall at the Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology.

2100 16^th Ave. S

MUSICAL HAPPENINGS IN GREAT FALLS

Missoula's premier choral ensemble, Dolce Canto, presents Sing Joyfully Around the World, a concert of traditional folk songs and a cappella choral compositions from many lands on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 P.M. at the C.M. Russell Museum. Doors open at 1:00 P.M. There is no charge, however a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students is suggested.

The Great Falls Symphony's Symphonic Choir will bring a special Palm Sunday performance of The Seven Last Words of Christ to the Civic Center Mansfield Theater on Sunday, April 5^th at 3:00 P.M. Written in 1867, this beautiful and powerful music depicts the passion of Christ and consists of a movement for each phrase uttered by Christ from the cross. Tickets are available at the Mansfield Box Office in the Convention Center, by calling (406) 455-8514, or online at http://ticketing.greatfallsmt.net.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP Join us Thursday, April 2^nd, for contemporary worship beginning at 5:45 P.M. in the sanctuary. Enjoy a time of praise and thanksgiving as well as a meditation led by Rev. Jim Petersen. Worship will be followed by a light supper at 6:30 P.M.

PALM SUNDAY APRIL 5, 2009

9:00 A.M.   Chancel Choir Rehearsal

9:30 A.M.   Worship Service, Sunday Special, Nursery

Sermon            "In The Footsteps of Jesus"        Rev. Jim Petersen

Scripture                 Zechariah 9:9-10      Mark 11:1-11

Children will meet in Room 2 for the Palm Sunday processional

10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship

11:00 A.M. Rev. Jim's Bible Study

Lay Reader: Patsy Vargo

Greeters: Kevin & Laura Barber
Acolytes: Christopher Chapman, Trevin Thompson

Nursery: Janet Koostra, Katrina Petersen
Ushers: Diane Gelernter, Arlene O'Day,

Coffee Fellowship: Dave & Mary Neagle
Tom & Jan Robitaille, Tim Seery, Susan Thomas

Tellers: Sherry Turner, Gary Wyman

Plan ahead! Vacation Bible School is June 8-12 at the church from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Camp EDGE promises to be fun! TEACHERS ARE NEEDED. This is also a great opportunity for older children to help and be involved. Please call Bonnie Warren at the church if you would like to help.

CANTABELL� RINGERS ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

This year we are struggling with providing a full choir of ringers to play in church. We need 12 ringers and at the present time, have only 9 regular ringers. During the year we had: four members drop from our membership all due to good reasons; moving, job change, etc. Two weeks ago we played in church with the six ringers we had at that week's rehearsal. We would love to have you join us! If you have some music background, learning to ring will not take too long with practice. Please consider trying to ring with us-we are a likeable group of people and I am sure you will enjoy the fellowship as well as the ringing. If a group of people show interest, we will offer some beginning classes after church on Sundays. Please contact the church office or Dennis Dell, 452-8695.

WHAT DO WE REAP FROM OUR CHURCH?

As written by members and friends at our Great Harvest Thanksgiving Supper on November 23, 2008:

* Fellowship.

* A multi-generational family with whom to share joys and sorrows.

* Love, fellowship, worship, potlucks, coffee, cookies, prayer, Bible study.

* Good worship, good fellowship, good spoken word.

                MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK!

Join us Sunday, March 29^th at 6:00 P.M. in the sanctuary The Last Lecture. It's free!

Thank you to Parish Health Minister Barb Walters and Dave Neagle for organizing this year's Red Cross blood draw. Thank you to those who gave blood as well: Linda Fagenstrom, Dick Kloppel, Erica LaTray, Dave Neagle, Jim Petersen, Jan Robitaille, Susan Sanford, Barb Walters, and Lynne Weeks.

Rev. Jim Petersen's Bible Study meets on Wednesday, April 1^st at 12:00 P.M. and on Sunday,

April 5^th at 11:00 A.M. for session four of the Eclipsing Empire DVD, Character. Bible Study WILL NOT meet on April 8^th or April 12^thso that we may celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

This is a 2-week edition of The Good News. The next Good News will be mailed on Tuesday, April 7 and will have Holy Week and Easter schedules.

WE WALK BECAUSE THEY WALK

Be a part of the thousands nationwide that support the fight against hunger. Join CROP Hunger Walk and raise funds to support hunger relief globally and locally. All proceeds benefit the Great Falls Community Food Bank and Church World Service.

         WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 4^th

          TIME:   Registration 9:00 A.M., Gibson Park

                         Walk begins at 9:30 A.M.

If you would like to walk or sponsor a walker, please contact Don LaBar at 452-1141 or the church office.

    PLEDGE DRIVE UPDATE

Thank you to those who have returned your green pledge card. A second letter and pledge card have been mailed to those whom we have not yet heard from. Please respond by March 29^th to save us the time of making phone calls. So far, we have received 121 pledges, totaling $154,075, for an average of $1,273 per pledge!

Join us in celebrating the joy of Easter (April 12) by filling our chancel with spring flowers. We are collecting for Easter flowers now. Let an array of azaleas, daffodils, tulips, hydrangeas, lilies express the miracle of resurrection and the promise of new life. Please call the church office to order a plant in memory or honor of a loved one, or just for the beauty of the season. A $10 donation is all it takes.

DELEGATES NEEDED- The 125^th Conference Annual Meeting (CAM) is April 23-26 in Billings at First

Congregational UCC. We can send 6 paid delegates. Please let Rev. Petersen know of your interest to attend. "Those people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also." -Acts 17:6

EASTER TREE

Spring is upon us and Easter will soon follow. We have an Easter Tree in the narthex with some special eggs on it. Each egg has personal and household items listed on the back that will be donated to FISH. Take an egg from the tree and bring the items back over the next two weeks. We will send them with our FISH volunteers to be distributed to households in need. Thanks for your generosity!

Junior Youth Group (grades 3-5) and Senior Youth Group (grades 6-12) will meet regularly on Wednesday, March 25^th. Junior Youth Groups meets at 6:00 P.M. Senior Youth Group meets at 6:30 P.M.

CAMP MIMANAGISH!!!

For information, camping fees, and registration visit www.campmimanagish.org

or stop by the office for a brochure!

Adult counselors are always needed.

Janet Koostra is directing the 3/4 Grade Camp.

May 16-17 Camp Opening

May 22-25 Family Camp

June 5-7 Young Adults Camp

June 14-20 5/6 Grade Camp

June 30 Seasoned Adults

July 7-11 3/4 Grade Camp

July 12-18 7/8/9 Grade Camp

July 19-25 10/11/12 Grade Camp

July 26-28 Grandparents & Me

July 31- Aug. 3 Women's Retreat

August 7-9 Men's Retreat

October 2-3 Camp Closing

Did you know? First Congregational UCC has a Business Account at CVS Photo. For your film, processing, and camera needs, mention United Church of Christ for a 10% discount!

NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETING IS APRIL 2^nd at 7:00 P.M.

Please make sure your board is represented so that we may begin planning for a new and exciting year!

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Thank you to all who supported One Great Hour of Sharing! Last Sunday's offering brought the total to $650! It's not too late to contribute to this offering. Thank you to those who supported the United Methodist Women's Bread for the World bake sale, which also supports "OGHS". Proceeds from the sale totaled $290.25!