In This Issue...

Adult Formation in Lent: JOY

Readings: Sundays, March 20 & 27 - Days 2 & 3 (Pages 79-188)

Our study of The Book of Joy will continue into Eastertide - there's too much to practice and too much fellowship and community to enjoy not to extend this study further. If you have not joined us yet, please do! Joy abounds. 

We are excited that Peter Green, Volunteer and Co-Sponsorship Manager at Bridge Refugee Services, will join us again THIS Sunday, March 27 at 12:15 pm, after Adult Formation, in Henslee Hall for training about our hosting a refugee family.

If you have already expressed an interest to either Darla Miller or Malinda Lewis about being on Good Sam’s “good neighbor” team with Bridge, or you’ve been thinking about being on our team but haven’t made it to the other meetings, it’s not too late.

A light lunch will be served.

Please join us on March 27 at 5:30 pm in Henslee Hall to hear updates on all of the Justice Knox campaigns (Affordable Housing, Education, Gun Violence, Mental Health, and Transportation) and to get ready for the Nehemiah Action. This meeting is for all Justice Knox Network Members and for anyone interested or curious about getting involved. Join us!

12:00 pm (after the Sunday School hour)

The Protecting God's Children Training is required for anyone with a key to the church, vestry members, all employees, and all adults who work with children or youth. It must be retaken every 3 years and after the second time you can take it online. Ann Backus will be offering a training on Sunday, April 3 after the Sunday School hour.

Training generally lasts about 3 hours and a light lunch will be provided. Please let Ann know ([email protected]) if you plan to attend so I can have enough materials prepared for you.

We'll gather at the Good Samaritan church sign on Cedar Bluff Rd. at 1:00 PM. Our prayer walk will make its way down Cedar Bluff Rd. to Peace Lutheran Church (621 N. Cedar Bluff Rd.) for an Affirmation of Baptism before returning to Good Samaritan for Holy Eucharist.

Thank you for all your good thoughts, blessings, and many prayers for our sweet granddaughter Harley. She is doing great and is continuing to heal.

Thanks and hugs to you all! - Maryanne & Gary Hoemann

The April meeting of the Good Sam Book Club will be held on Thursday, April 7 at 6 PM in Henslee Hall at the church. Please bring your food and drink of choice.

Our selection for April is The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall. Charles and Lily, James and Nan. They meet in 1963 when Charles and James are jointly assigned to steward their historic church through turbulent times. Their personal differences, however, threaten to tear them apart. In this book, we follow these two couples through decades of love and friendship, jealousy and understanding, forgiveness and commitment. A poignant meditation on faith - faith in God, in family, in marriage, in friendship, in self, and in humanity - The Dearly Beloved is a gorgeous, wise, and provocative novel that is destined to become a classic.

If you have any questions, please call Kathy Gray at 423--379-0091 or by email at [email protected].

Click HERE to read about upcoming selections.

APRIL 10 - AFTER THE 10 AM SERVICE

We are so excited to be able to hold our Easter Egg Hunt again!

The fun will begin after the 10:00 church service on Palm Sunday. We ask that children join Ms Ann on the altar at the conclusion of the service, for a short lesson, and directions. That said, we will need fillers for the eggs. Please see the article below.

The Easter Egg Hunt is Palm Sunday, April 10, immediately following the 10:00 AM service. It takes a lot of candy and small toys to fill all the eggs we hide! Any donations are very much appreciated.

Please be sure the items will fit into a small egg. There will be a basket in Henslee Hall to collect any donations.

NOTE: All donations need to be in ON or BEFORE April 3 so that we have time to fill the eggs. Thank you!

To register, contact Sinead Doherty [email protected]

Mark Your Calendars Now for Vacation Bible School! The theme this year is "KIDS LIKE ME" - Bible stories of amazing kids doing amazing things!"

Vacation Bible School will be held this summer, July 11-15, from 9:00-12:00 every day except Friday when it will end at 11:00. Put this on your calendar now so you do not sign up for any other camps and your children can attend this fun week of fellowship and learning.

The Cash in the Plate for Sunday, March 27 will go to Rainbow Camp at Camp Montvale.

Research shows that young LGBTQ+ people who are supported by loving adults in their child and teen years fare better than those who are not supported. This week’s Cash in the Plate will go to Rainbow Camp at Camp Montvale, which provides an affirming, fun and supportive weekend camp for families with LGBTQ+ children and teens. Rainbow Camp is the only one of its kind in Tennessee, and, thus, provides a much-needed opportunity for LGBTQ+ young people. This season's first Rainbow Camp is this weekend, so we invite your prayers for campers and staff who are attending.

You can make an online cash plate gift to the cash in the plate on the Good Sam online giving page. There is an option on the giving page to give to the "Cash in Plate". As always, you may also send a check to Good Samaritan. (Please designate that it is for "Rainbow Camp" in the memo line).