G.I.F.T. TONIGHT 6:30 to 7:40 p.m. Eat dinner with us!
Scripture: Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”
Dear Friends,
This past weekend was packed, but very good. Sunday morning was a beautiful day for the church family. It was a great joy to baptize Anastasia. Her face was attentive and sweet, and YOUR faces were glowing. It was a great day to be family.
Sunday night was FUN! I was so impressed with the teamwork in getting the spaghetti dinner organized and the “talent” on stage. Sean Salins was a masterful master of ceremony. The gentleness the audience gave to young performers warmed my heart, and the laughter shared among us all was a great joy. Over 70 people came! In fact, one guest family that doesn’t normally attend church is planning to come and visit on Easter. They told me that they didn’t realize there was a church located here until their friends invited them to come! It was a great day to be family.
Monday, I officiated at the funeral of Lorene Peterson (Sid Peterson’s mother) at St. Patrick’s residence in Naperville. She was a wonderful woman! What was touching for me was to see members of Southminster there to lend love and support to Sid and Carole. By the way, at the meal following someone asked what congregation I served. Their response upon hearing Southminster was, “Oh yes, they are great supporters of Rebuilding Together - Aurora.” I felt very proud of you. It was a great day to be family.
On Saturday, I had an opportunity to visit with one of our college students, Kelly Henkels. She asked me a question, and I think the answer may be important to you. She asked, “When you talk about your kids in a sermon, do you TELL them ahead of time?” I said, “No, I don’t tell them, I ASK their PERMISSION.” I always ask permission or change the name for any story I tell, unless the person involved has passed away. Kelly learned a little about me, and I learned a little more about her and Southminster. It was a great day to be family.
The joy of baptism, conversations and laughs shared, a farewell to a loved one... These are all the small things that make a church a home rather than an institution. I rejoice in the love of God found in Southminster. It was a great day to be family. So take Paul’s advice and think about such things, and take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Join us for G.I.F.T. TONIGHT! Each Wednesday in March (excluding Holy Week) you are invited to share in G.I.F.T. (Growing In Faith Together). We meet at 6:30 for soup supper, clean up together, and then have a blended worship at 7:00. There will be both traditional and contemporary worship music, all of it honoring God. At 7:30 we have dessert and fellowship, and folks head home by 7:45. Your participation in G.I.F.T. will make a difference not only in our lives together in Southminster, but in your own spiritual growth as a person.
Hurray! The TRACTOR 2010 campaign was a huge success! We raised a total of $9780 toward the tractor and expenses. This is almost double the original goal! The generosity and compassion of the donors is greatly appreciated by everyone on the property ministry. Special thanks to Wendy, Barb, Camille, Bill, Marta, and Grace for their help with the fundraiser details. Look for a new tractor sometime in April!
All women of Southminster are invited to attend WOMEN’S CIRCLE this Friday, March 19, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. We will work on our Family Shelter service project and hear stories from trips to our Cuba Sister Church.
Reminder that the deadline for the APRIL DIALOG is this Saturday, March 20.
CHIME CHOIR needed for APRIL 18TH SERVICE! Junior High, High School, and Adults interested in ringing for the service on April 18th need to sign the sheet on the choir room door. Two rehearsals are mandatory: Sundays, March 28 and April 11, for about 20 minutes immediately following the worship service. Location: Choir Room.
The S.O.L.A.C.E. SINGLES group is planning to go to the FREE Global Flick (“Happy-Go-Lucky”) at the COD McAninch Art Center on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. We will meet for dinner at 5:00 p.m. at Giordano’s, 455 W. Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn. The sign up sheet is in the narthex.
FLOWERS FOR EASTER: In addition to lilies, we would like to add the beauty of other spring flowers at Easter this year. Watch for a sign-up in the narthex–lilies will be $15.00 each; tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths will be $8.50 per container. Please check which flowers you would prefer. The sign-up deadline is Palm Sunday, March 28. If possible, we would like the colorful flowers to remain in our sanctuary for several weeks following Easter. The more, the better!
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” Jesus’ call could not be clearer. Extending his love to us and to all who suffer, he calls us to share that love with those who need it. Today we can respond to his call through a generous gift to One Great Hour of Sharing. By joining with other Presbyterians in taking that call seriously, we can bring hope to the lives of families around the world. Please give now and, for the sake of those whose needs are greater than we can imagine, give generously.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
Children in PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 3 begin their Sunday School Class with a short singing practice. They are learning “Jubilee!” Grades 4 and 5 will be given handchime parts to play after Easter Sunday.
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL MISSION PROJECT: *Cheep* *Cheep* Chicks, to many of us, symbolize spring, rebirth, childhood. But for some, chicks can mean more; they can mean survival. Southminster’s children will be collecting money to purchase chicks for Heifer International, helping to fight world hunger. Just $20 buys a flock of chicks for a hungry family, providing eggs and nutrition to the recipients. Please help your children collect change to aid in supporting Heifer, and consider donating. We will be collecting until Easter. Thanks!
SPRING BULB SALE: We are selling Spring Bulbs to help raise money for this year’s Vacation Bible School. These beautiful bulbs from Dutch Mill Bulbs, selling for $6 each set, include strawberries, Stargazer Lilies, and Hostas, among others. The sale will begin on Easter, so start thinking about what flowers would make your garden whole!
EASTER EGG MADNESS: Help make the Easter party as tasty as possible and donate small candies (No Valentine’s candy or candy with peanuts, please) for the Easter egg hunt. We will be collecting candy until March 21 and will have another egg-stuffing party on March 21. All are invited! And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Children’s Easter Egg Breakfast on Saturday, April 3, at 9:30 a.m.! There will be games (weather permitting), crafts, breakfast, and an Easter egg hunt. The breakfast wouldn’t be possible without your support!
SECOND HELPINGS: This Sunday, March 21, we will have Second Helpings. “Second Helpings” is an extra serving of Christian Education for the whole Church family, and ALL are welcome. On the third Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m., adults and children alike spend time learning about Christ, God, and themselves as they participate in either adult Bible study or children’s programming. This month children will be learning about the Lord’s Prayer, and practicing for Youth Sunday (which will be May 16). Remember, everyone is invited, so don’t miss out on the fun!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
March 28 - Maddie Frey
April 11 - Dakota Dolister
April 25 - Haley Jablonski
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
Wednesdays in March (excluding Holy Week) - G.I.F.T. (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
April 3 - Annual Easter Breakfast (9:30 a.m.)
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Join us at 11:00 a.m. Sunday for our continuing Bible study. Our lectionary passages for this Sunday’s class are: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8. Consider joining us for the fellowship of study. -Blair
YOUTH!
Thanks to all who helped with TALENT SHOW AND DINNER, especially Sean Salins and Steve Henkels, and many others. We ate, we were entertained, and we launched the fund raising for the Youth Mission Trip. Thanks to all who came and gave.
SNL this Sunday, same time, same place, more fun. Note that there will be no SNL on Easter Sunday, April 4.
Youth through college aged: Considered being part of this year’s MISSION TEAM to Rushville, IN. Think about, pray about, let Blair know BY MARCH 31. There is joy in serving Jesus!
REMEMBER: Save Your Stuff for the RUMMAGE SALE, coming May 15-16.
Our journey through Lent to Easter concludes with HOLY WEEK. Make plans now to join us for one or all of the following:
Palm Sunday, March 28: Worship service at 9:30 a.m. Gather in the narthex before worship; we will enter the sanctuary together, singing and waving our palms. (Palm Sunday is the deadline for ordering Easter lilies and other blooming plants.)
Maundy Thursday, April 1: Worship service at 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae (The Service of Shadows) with communion.
Good Friday, April 2. Worship service at 7:30 p.m. The Seven Last Words of Christ.
Family Easter Party, April 3: Come at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, crafts, games (weather permitting), the Easter story, and the egg hunt. Bring friends and neighbors! Everyone is welcome, and no reservations are required.
Easter/The Resurrection of the Lord, April 4: Worship service at 9:30 a.m., communion. Deacons host continental breakfast after the service.
