From the Interim Minister
     There has been a lot of talk about having an 8:00 a.m. worship service.   The arguments I have heard against two services include: 1) We don't have enough people for two services.   2) It is nicer to have the sanctuary fuller with only one service.   3) It requires more work on Sunday for the minister and staff.   The arguments I have heard in favor of two services include:   1) I like the feel of the early service (Since I have not yet experienced the early service, I don't know what that means).   2) I get up early and like to go to church early.   3) Some Sundays when the weather is warmer I like to go to early service so I can do things with the family.   4) It gives people more options for participation.
     Well, the bottom line is beginning April 8 the schedule will be worship at 8:00 and 10:15 with Sunday School in between at about 9:00 a.m.   This schedule will continue until about Thanksgiving.   I am sure that this topic will be revisited in the New Beginnings discussion groups.
     The first day of Spring is behind us even though it did not feel much like spring.  Spring begins a long line of special days and events: Holy Week ending with Easter, the rummage sale, Mother's Day, Pentecost, Father's Day, and July 4 th just to mention the early special days.  This is the time of year that church activities pick up.  I don't need to remind you that Jubilee is in many respects a yearlong event.
I'll see you in church,  Pastor Hayes
Web Page Update
     The First Christian Church web site has been undergoing a rebuild as we are updating it in order to have some necessary capabilities.   The address will remain the same: www.fcclaf.org .   We have done our very best to make it look and feel like the same site that you have seen since 2011.   That is, the pages that you may be seeking will look about the same and will be in roughly the same places.   If you have used it in the past, we hope that you like the new look and capabilities.
     Did you know that the FCC web site has an archive of past Visitor newsletters?   And an archive of past sermons?   And some of our special musical events over the last few years?   Did you know that the schedules for the Diaconate, the Elders, and Technical Arts are posted there for your easy access? Did you know that there is a page describing Youth Group events? Did you know that there is a Google calendar so you can see what is happening at our Church, next week or next month? There is even a map that can show a prospective visitor how to find our Church?   Now that you know, feel free to check it out!
Jim Rybka and Michelle Schluttenhofer
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:   
HOSPITAL:     
REHAB: Ken Curtis, Westminster
NURSING HOME/HOMEBOUND :   Donna Adam: Daughter Leslies home, St. Anthony's: Lynn Mann, Elmcroft #124: Suzie Mounts, Westminster: Lucille Maris #1112, Rosewalk Commons: Vernetta Lynn; Verne Comer Rosewalk Village #216 Sue England: Rosewalk Village#216, Flo Peters: Friendship House #320, M. Charlene Bowman 502 W. Jackson St. Mulberry 46058; Wanda Sharp-home, Connie Zarzour-#114 Fowler Apts. 
At home: Jeanne Dible, Ruby Ward at home of son, Marcus Haley 8415 Turner Rd. West Point, IN 47992, Marilyn Galloway: Creasy Springs #201
Congregational Prayer Requests:  Jenny Edwards,  Larry Sturgeon, Ann Prather, Sue England's sister, Helen, Laura Reinken, McKenzie Fields and Liam, Sue England's niece, Sandra, Don Weedon, Barb Renaud-Prescott, MI, 
Building Evaluation Update
     Last September, the Board authorized the Property Committee to work with the Disciples Church Extension Fund to conduct a Building Evaluation.   At this time I wish to give an update to our congregation.
     This Building Evaluation began with a site visit on January 27 th by Rev. Jim Michel, DCEF, and included a top to bottom review of our facilities.  At the end of that day, Jim commented that our facilities were in very good shape and condition for their age.  He found no area where the foundation was in urgent need of attention. This demonstrates that our Property Committee has been very good stewards of our facilities over the past 175 plus years.  Jim also commented that the Boiler Room is one of the cleanest that he has ever seen in a facility of our age and size; it is apparent that our boilers are very well maintained.  The Building Evaluation also included a review of how our ministries use the facilities, looking for ways to better utilize the space we have for the ministries that we have or may wish to have. 
     A few weeks after the on-site walk through, the members of the team convened again to see if they had any new observations after looking at our facility and ministries with "new eyes" for a few Sundays.   A summary of our observations and findings has been sent to Jim Michel.   There will be another conference with Jim and the team before he issues his final report to the Church.   Note that his report will provide guidance but it up to us, the congregation, to decide upon whatever follow-up actions are needed.   His report will provide some input into our New Beginnings process.   So as you participate in New Beginnings, you will have opportunity to make you own comments on our facility and ministries.
     Some of you may have heard about some of the ideas that have been suggested for changes to the facility or how our ministries use it.   And some of these ideas may be may be very exciting for you and you cannot wait for them to happen; but you must wait, because at this time they are only ideas that were suggested and need to be discussed and studied to see if they are possible or worthwhile.   And some may have heard ideas that you do not like; these too are only ideas that were suggested and need to be discussed and studied to see if they are possible or worthwhile.   Please understand that any ideas that were suggested will be reviewed and discussed by the Property Committee, and if they mean a significant change they will come before the Board, and if they involve very significant change they may be presented to the Congregation for comments before they are acted upon.  
     If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to contact me or anyone else who participated in this process.
Jim Rybka, Co-Chair of the Property Committee
CWF will be hosting their Rummage Sale April 6 - 7.  PLEASE do NOT bring any items until AFTER the Easter church services!  You CAN bring them on Easter - just PLEASE WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE SERVICES!!! We are having a breakfast and an egg hunt in the Youth Room that morning!  There will also be someone manning the 6th Street doors from 9 - 3 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  If you have heavier items PLEASE let Dee Chitty know 24 hours ahead of time of delivery if you need help unloading!  765-237-6419 is her cell or 765-572-2592 is her home number.  We are also looking for people to help with manning the doors.  Shifts are 9-12 and 12 - 3.  Sign up sheets will be in The Gathering Place.  We will also be needing helpers for set up, and the actual sale days.  Thank you!

    Kids Club & Youth Activities for April
April 1st      Easter Sunday (No Meeting)
April 8th     Game Night at Pizza King  (OPEN TO ALL AGES) 
                     4:30-6pm   pizza  provided  just bring  money for a drink
                     (18th St. & Veteran's Memorial)
April 15th   Bowling at Arrowhead Bowling Alley  at 11:30am 
                     Cost: $10
April 22nd   Lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings (Levee)  at 11:30am 
                     Join us in a trivia challenge and win some  prizes!
April 29th    No Meeting
April Muggers
Matthew Stewart & Cindy Garvey

April Diaconates
April 1st
10am
Team Leader: Sandie Hauser
Serving: Roberta Pilotte
Serving: Robin Sturgeon
Serving: Larry Sturgeon
Serving: Dee Chitty
Serving: Josh Tully
Serving: Kathy Stirlen
Serving: Suzie Nelson
Serving: Mike Nelson
Set Up & Clean Up: Roberta Pilotte & Josh Tully
April 8th
8am Service
Team Leader: Donita Navarra
Serving: Fred Navarra
Serving: Laura Gullian
Serving: Mary Fran Nelson
Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Fran Nelson & Dawn Ramey
10:15am Service
Team Leader: Dave Schluttenhofer
Serving: Roberta Pilotte
Serving: Sue Dismore
Serving: Richard Shaw
Serving: Juanita Hobaugh
Set Up & Clean Up: Richard Shaw & Sue Dismore
April 15th
8am Service
Team Leader: Donita Navarra
Serving: Fred Navarra
Serving: Laura Gullion
Serving: Mary Fran Nelson
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Fred Navarra & Laura Gullion
10:15am Service
Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen
Serving: Melanie Davis
Serving: Michael Davis
Serving: Linda Brammell
Serving: Richard Brammell
Set Up & Clean Up: Melanie & Michael Davis
April 22nd
8am Service
Team Leader: Donita Navarra
Serving: Fred Navarra
Serving: Laura Gullion
Serving: Mary Fran Nelson
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Fran Nelson & Dawn Ramey
10:15am Service
Team Leader: Sandie Hauser 
Serving: Paul Floyd
Serving: Carolyn Weedon
Serving: Harriet Beeler
Serving: Juanita Hobaugh
Set Up & Clean Up: Harriet Beeler & Carolyn Weedon
April 29th
8am Service
Team Leader: Donita Navarra
Serving: Fred Navarra
Serving: Laura Gullion
Serving: Mary Fran Nelson
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Fred Navarra & Laura Gullion
10:15am Service
Team Leader: Harriet Beeler
Serving: Greg Smith
Serving: Richard Shaw
Serving: Crystal Cover
Serving: Dee Chitty
Set Up & Clean Up: Crystal Cover & Dee Chitty
Click on this link to see the calendar.   http://www.fcclaf.org/#/calendar
First Christian Church | office@fcclaf.org | http://www.fcclaf.org
329 North 6th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901