4/7/10

April 7, 2010

JOIN US FOR THE JOURNEY KICK OFF PARTY!

Over the past two months we have been introducing you to bits and pieces of The Journey of Transformation with our weekly Journey newsletter articles. NOW it is time to put those tidbits into action. Join us in worship on Sunday, April 11 for the JOURNEY KICK OFF as we study The People Called by God. Our scripture focus will be Genesis 12:1-4, and together we will ponder how Abraham felt when asked to pickup and follow GOD! The Kick Off will continue with a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall provided by your Journey Coordinating Team. What a great way to kick off our first Sunday of Eastertide and The Journey of Transformation with food, fellowship, and friends!

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

This Sunday the children will begin in Sunday School for a Sunday Special and fund raiser activity. They will be writing letters to Christhoper Mongeopa and making posters for recycling cans. Our last delivery to the recycling center on March 25^th brought in another $2.40 to the Cans for Christhoper fund.

Pre School Room 5 Cathy Petersen

Grades K-5 Room 4 Christeen Collins

Middle School Room 7 Zach Nelson

A quote from Rev. Jim Petersen's Easter sermon: "Today we are not assembled at a tomb in memory of a fallen pharaoh. We are gathered in a church, where the Spirit of Christ continues to live. We are not assembled around some stones, even stones as majestically stacked and cleverly jointed as in the Great Pyramid, which I recommend you visit. We are in this church building to honor the 'stone rejected by the builders,' who became the chief cornerstone of Western Civilization and the greatest hope for humanity. For, you see, whereas Cheops lived to die, Jesus died that we might live."

REV. JIM'S BIBLE STUDY will meet on Sunday, April 11 at 9:30 A.M. for Chapter 13 in your study guide, Riots and Encouragement. Wednesday's group will meet on April 14 at 12:00 P.M. to conclude Chapter 13.

PLEDGE CARDS ARE DUE! The budget process for the 2010/11 church year has begun. 118 cards have been received, totaling $181,315, for an average of $1,537 per pledge! A second mailing is going out this week to those we have not heard from. Please return your pledge card as soon as possible. Thank you!

Support Group for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse

Led by Dr. Michael Shell, this Provider-Based Support Group is currently held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at the Ursuline Centre Prayer Room (2300 Central Avenue). The group gives one another emotional support and an opportunity to express feelings, thoughts, memories, hopes, insights and education on the subject of child abuse. For more information, or to register, call Dr. Michael Shell at (406) 205-4415.

Will be presented on Friday, April 9^th, at 7:30 P.M. at the church. Featured singers are Catherine Bourne, Joel Corda, Colton Eastman, Ellen Forslund, Tom Rosenbaum, and Debbie Sheasby. Cindy Addison is the accompanist. The program includes songs, arias and duets from American, English, French, German and Italian repertoire. FREE TO THE PUBLIC. DONATIONS ACCEPTED.

A Red Cross Blood Draw is Sunday, April 18 from 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. at the church. To schedule a time, please call The Red Cross at 727-2212, or contact Dave Neagle at 761-7621.

GREAT FALLS RESCUE MISSION

47^TH ANNUAL BANQUET

APRIL 19, 12:00 P.M. & 6:30 P.M.

CIVIC CENTER

This year's guest speaker is Jorge Valdes, former head of U.S. operations in Columbia's powerful Medellin drug cartel. His life story is about one man's journey through the corruption of the drug underworld to a transformed life when he made a decision to come clean and encounter Jesus. The UCC Men's Group has a table at the noon seating. If you would like to join them, please call the church. The UCC Women's Bible Study Group has a table at the 6:30 seating. If you would like to join them, please call Micki Fura at 453-6619. The deadline for reservations is April 14.

SALVATION ARMY AUXILIARY

Collectibles, Bargains & Treasures Sale

Proceeds from the sale go toward local Salvation Army youth activities and children's Christmas clothing. The sale will be in the Salvation Army Community Center Gym (1000 17^th Avenue S) and starts on Friday, May 14 from 1:30-3:00 P.M. with $10.00 admission. From 3:00-7:00 P.M., admission is $2.00. On Saturday, May 15, the sale is from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. with free admission and � all items. For early bird tickets, call 761-2954 or 453-0391.

EASTER GUESTS

Thank you for sharing your family and friends with us this Easter. Guests included: Lew & Christy Clark and family, Dave & Jennifer Douglas, Elizabeth Harrison, Nathan Johnson, Jennifer King and children, Dave Kloppel, and Molly Wyman. SPRING IS HERE - INVITE A FRIEND!

A big thank you to our Easter bunny helpers. Easter baskets, made by the 3-5^th grade youth group, were delivered to special members of our congregation by: Marnie Bermingham, Jerry Butcher, Nick & Patty Cetto, Brittany Deffinbaugh, Bob Koostra, Dave & Mary Neagle, Karen Spencer, and Doris Webb.

Another thank you to folks who helped fill eggs for the Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt: Bob & Janet Koostra, Aaron & Heidi Jewett, Skip Rovero, Barb Walters, Lynne Weeks, and Gary & Shirlee Wyman. Thank you all for your willingness to help! Happy Easter!