April 7, 2009

MAUNDY THURSDAY JOINT WORSHIP

is Thursday, April 9^th at 7:30 P.M. with combined Chancel Choirs, the service of Holy Communion, and the Office of Tenebrae, which is an early 4^th century adaptation of Good Friday service. The Latin word tenebrae means "shadows." This solemn service of scripture and song is a ceremony which progresses from light to dark, symbolizing the betrayal, denial and flight of the disciples as Jesus goes to the cross alone. Please join us for this important evening of Holy Week. Nursery care will be provided.

GOOD FRIDAY The Great Falls Ministerial Association is sponsoring an ecumenical service at 12:00 P.M. atFirst United Methodist Church (610 2^nd Ave. N).

The Easter Tree in the narthex still has 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 soon. We will send them with our FISH volunteers for distribution to those in need.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

EASTER BLESSINGS! Children begin in Sunday School room 4 on Easter before their Easter parade into worship. They will then have a Sunday Special with Heather Lucero and Bonnie Warren. Pre-School will be in room 5 with Sue Turton.

The next rotation begins April 26 and continues through May 17. Children will learn The Garden of Eden: a place that God created where humans and God could live in perfect harmony. If you would like to participate in these lessons, please call Bonnie Warren at 453-4316.

The Annual Spring Work Day is Saturday April 18, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. This is a day for the church family to come together and wash, dust, rake, sweep, etc. Tasks include but are not limited to: clean windows, dust window ledges, clean large and small kitchens and copy room, lawn edging, leaf raking, prune shrubs, clean bathrooms, clean nursery and sterilize toys, dust sanctuary and parlor, clean Sunday School rooms, tables, chairs, and windows, wash outside windows and such. Please bring your choice of cleaning implements and solutions. Refreshments will be provided.

WHAT DO WE REAP FROM OUR CHURCH?

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

* Fellowship, long lasting friendships, attitude.

* Sermons that will last the rest of my life.

* Fellowship, inspiration and a better understanding of the Books of the Bible as they tell of Biblical times. Jim is enlightening with his sermons.

Thank you to our St. Ann's volunteers who helped serve on March 27^th: Jack & Nancy Armstrong, Stacy Hopkins, Del & Pat Johnson, Sharon Kiffe, Don LaBar, Bonnie Lane, Liz Lee and Georgia Steir.

Rev. Jim Petersen's Bible Study meets on Wednesday, April 15^th at 12:00 P.M. and on Sunday,

April 19^th at 11:00 A.M. for session five of the Eclipsing Empire DVD, Vocation. Bible Study is not meeting during Holy Week or on Easter Sunday.

Thank you to our sponsors and walkers for this year's CROP Walk to help end hunger. Your generosity gave $1,067. Our walkers were: Shannon Anderson, Sharon Kiffe, Don LaBar, Liz Lee, Katrina Petersen, Rev. Jim Petersen, and Sue Turton. Because of you, families have safe, clean water; hungry families are improving their own food security; vital self-development programs are happening in 80 countries.

PLEDGE DRIVE UPDATE;

WE'RE A PHONECALL AWAY.

Thank you to all who have returned your green pledge cards. A second letter and pledge card have been mailed and phonecalls are being made to those whom we have not yet heard from. So far, we have received 150 pledges, totaling $183,263, for an average of $1,222 per pledge. We are down from last year's budget of 168 pledges totaling $222,752. Please, let's make ends meet this year.

Thank you to those who have contributed to the beauty of the sanctuary with an array of azaleas, daffodils, tulips, hydrangeas, and lilies expressing the miracle of resurrection and the promise of new life. Please call the church office by Wednesday, April 8 to order a plant in memory or honor of a loved one. A $10 donation is all it takes.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Thank you to all who supported One Great Hour of Sharing! Our collections totaled $1,405! We truly are a GREAT congregational, not just for an hour, but always.

DELEGATES AND YOUTH 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

This is also the CAM/RA Spring Youth Retreat so if you would like to attend, please call the office or let Rev. Jim Petersen know of your interest.

NAMETAG WINNERS

Nametag winners from March 22^nd "Bring a Friend Sunday" were Brian Christianson, Diane Gelernter, Colleen Mercer, and Janet Monsos. Richard McDowell won this last Sunday's nametag drawing and got a gift certificate to Great Harvest Bread Company.

THE LENTEN MURAL surrounding the cross in the sanctuary was created by June Rovero and her friend Joann Holmes using fabric from June's mom's sewing room. The mural is in memory of Phyllis Chalfon, depicting Holy Lands scenes from Galilee to Jerusalem. Thank you June and family and the Koostra's for mounting the mural.

FRIENDLY REMINDER

Joint Facilities Committee meets Monday,

April 13 at 12:00 P.M.

Business Affairs Board meets Monday,

April 13 at 6:30 P.M.