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March 29, 2009

Accept the peace that comes in knowing God is in control

Pastor Vickie led us in worship last Sunday speaking from John 3:16, one of the most famous passages from the bible. She reminded us that God is willing to do whatever it takes to help us. Do not live in fear of God. Believe in Jesus and accept the peace that comes in knowing God is in control. Renew and restore our faith.

As we prepare for the Fifth Sunday in Lent there will be a great deal going on around the church this weekend.

Thursday, March 26 – Friday noon, March 27
Service retreat for our confirmation candidates, Cole Keutzer and Kyle Mitchell. They will be working around the church during an overnight event organized by Pastor Adam. If you want to help, contact Pastor Adam.

Friday, March 27 - Please place your order for Easter flowers by Friday. The form is at the end of this email or you can call in your order to Joyce in the church office Thursday or Friday morning, 283-6262.

Saturday, March 28, 12 – 3 p.m.
Our WorkNiters will gather at the church to work on projects inside and outside of the church. All help is needed and welcome.
If you are interested in helping with the prayer garden or grounds, please come during this time. Janet Spencer is organizing this group. If you have rakes, please bring them along as we don’t have gardening tools at the church. We want our gardens to be ready for Easter!

United Methodist Women will gather to hear from Teri Lafferty at 1 p.m. Light lunch will be served. Please RSVP by Friday to Joyce Mylander or Ellen Star.

Earth Hour - 8:30 - 9 :30 p.m.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for this one hour.
Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on. To learn more about this movement go to: www.earthhour.org
To learn more about other events leading up to Earth Day, April 22, go to: www.earthday.net

This Sunday Pastor Adam will speak to “Planting Seeds” and scripture readings: Psalm 51:1-12 and John 12:20-33

Our April Mission is the Irving Park Community Food Pantry. This Sunday we will hear from Nora and Jim Byrne who have volunteered at the pantry since it was established (over 25 years). Gerry Sikora will talk about the April food drive we’re conducting with the goals of: Raising $500 in cash or gift cards and collecting 600 food items. Donations of gift cards or cash will be collected on Sunday morning during the offering time. Food or non-food items can be dropped off on Sunday morning at the display table outside the sanctuary on the Keeler entrance or throughout the week at the church office during normal operating hours—Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Non-perishable food items they are always in need of include: boxed meals, canned meat, cereal and soup. Non-food items include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, disposable diapers and other toiletries.

If you want to help with Easter bags for the pantry children, we’ll be working on these after church this Sunday in the fellowship hall (11:30 – 1 p.m.). Contact Vicci if you want to help or have questions; 773-316-9754 or vicci@therodgersgroup.com. A picture of the sample baskets is attached.

The Pastor needs to hear from anyone who wants to help with Vacation Bible School in June. The # of volunteers will help us determine how many children we can bring in. Even an hour of your time will help. Please respond as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly and make this a huge success for the neighborhood and the church.

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. followed by fellowship time. Nursery available for infants and toddlers.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
1 – Janet Spencer, Jude Kubik Mumper
6 – Riley Green
10 – Carrie Houchins-Witt
19 – Gerry Mylander
26 – Madeline Prather
31 – Burt Tappert

Prayers are being extended as part of our Prayer Network. This group of faithful prayer partners pray for everyone that has submitted a prayer request to the group, either spoken, or written on the forms provided with our Prayer Boxes. To become part of our praying group contact Tina & Wally Felckowski, bwf79@sbcglobal.net

Holy Week Schedule

Sunday, April 5
Palm Sunday

April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday

April 10, 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday

Saturday, April 11, noon
Church family, please come to witness and affirm the baptism of Molly Melick. Irving Park Baptist Church has graciously agreed to let us use their full immersion baptismal font. The Church is on the corner of Irving Park Road and Kostner. Let's support our sister Molly as she makes this important step in her faith journey. A reception will follow.

Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m. and noon
Easter Sunday service

Other upcoming events/small groups
Also see the extended schedule listed later in this message.

Friday - Saturday, March 27 - 28
Twelfth Night – starring Anna Cohn, our nursery attendant, at Jones High School College Prep. Details on poster in Bacmeister Room.

Sunday, March 29
Three Simple Rules small group study. 8:45 a.m. - third floor, led by David Foster.

Monday, March 30
Three Simple Rules small group study. 6:30 p.m. - Bacmeister room, led by Adam Thompson

Tuesday, March 31
Three Simple Rules small group study. 1 p.m. - led by Pastor Vickie in her office

The Portage Park Garden Club will hear from Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune reporter, at the Austin Irving Library at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 1
Three Simple Rules small group study. 8 p.m. - led by Lowell Allen in the Bacmeister Room

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We will welcome new members to our Church Family on Sunday, April 19, during the 10:00pm service. A reception will follow. Please be here to welcome the Mitchell and Weis/Naurath families!

Sunday, May 17
Confirmation for Kyle Mitchell and Cole Keutzer
If you would like to share a favorite bible passage, a spiritual message or other thoughts with them, please send your contribution to their parents or to: Adam Thompson adam.thompson@garrett.edu by May 3.

Sunday, May 31
Special community outreach Sunday.

Summer Camps: Registrations are being taken for summer camps. For more information about Outdoor Retreat Ministries within the Northern Illinois Conference, check out: www.niccamp.org

If you are marking your summer calendar, add our Annual Church Retreat on June 19-21 at Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Vacation Bible School June 22-25 – at OUR CHURCH! WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS AND TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW MANY CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH OUR CHURCH WILL ATTEND. PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VOLUNTEER.

Posted by vickie at 10:42 PM