Celebrating the Journey

March 2023

click on the image for the church calendar

In-Person Services & Livestreaming

Sundays, 10:00 am.

To view services, click on the church

Live-streamed services can be seen

on YouTube and Facebook

Masks are now optional throughout the church building

Click on Church Image

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES

AND EVENTS

Ladies, Let's Roll!

Join us in Fellowship Hall on Friday, March 10, at 6:00 pm for our monthly game of Bunco!

Our February group of 12 lively ladies had a wonderful time.

All are welcome! Bring $5 and a snack to share. The pot will be donated to a charity, chosen by the winner(s) for the evening. For February meeting, funds were donated to The Turning Point!

Men's Fellowship Breakfast

Let's eat! (and talk) on Saturday, March 11th at 9:00 am. We'll have plenty of food and coffee - and some talking - join us - bring a friend!

Don't be Late!

We move the clocks ahead on Sunday, March 12th - don't forget - this is the one where you are late if you do!

Movies with Meaning!

Saturday, March 18th at 1:00 pm

Meet at the Parsonage for March!

Come to the PARSONAGE this month - we've been having some issues with the TV monitor for this showing.

Come, laugh and share a really nice afternoon with the church family.

We'll be featuring Lady Eve, a 1940's Screwball Comedy. Click on the movie image for a link to the trailer!

Pick One Up

We've made some handy service reminder take-homes for you to share with friends, or keep on the fridge for yourself! Found in the Narthex!

MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Family Easter Event

Saturday, April 1st, 10:30 am

Join us for a fun, family event with an Easter-themed story time, take-and-make craft, and an Easter egg hunt....snacks too!

The Donation box for goodies to put into the plastic eggs will be in the Coatroom for your convenience. Items should fit into a standard plastic egg! Thank you for your help with this.

Starts Wednesday at 6:30 pm March 8, 15, 22)

Join us for a bowl of soup and a quick Bible Study for this Lenten Season. Begins at 6:30 pm. You will be finished in time to go to the Choir Rehearsal after!

Soup's on us! Sign up please!

Lunch Option on Tuesdays (March 7, 14, 21)

If you prefer a lunch option, come at 1:00 pm for your soup and stay for Tuesdays with the Pastor - maybe it's your first time - that's ok - you might like it!

Grief Share Program

Are you interested in participating here at church in a 13-week Grief Share Program?

If you are, even a little bit, sign the interest sheet in Fellowship Hall and note your preference for a daytime or evening group. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

From the Deacons

All Church Potluck

Sunday, March 12th

after worship

We really want this to be a wonderful event for everyone to attend - shake off the winter cobwebs. Sign up today so we know who's coming! There will be food, fellowship, and a few surprises!

Easter Flowers

We are getting ready to put out the forms for ordering Easter Flowers. This long-standing tradition allows the flowers to be used on Easter morning, and to be taken home to grace your own home after.

Keep you eyes on the Narthex for these forms or call the office.

Prices will range from $12.50 to $20 for a variety of spring flowers.

Ministry of Finance

Month Ending February 28, 2023

Total Operating Fund Income

MTD $23,334.53
YTD $46,523.78

Total Operating Fund Expenses

MTD $23,682.82
YTD $51,398.75

Net

MTD $(348.29)
YTD ($4,874.97)

Consolidated Loan Balance (formerly called Mortgage balance) $172,742.34

OCWM contribution for February $827.00

Member Contribution $577.00
From Endowment Fund Interest Earnings $250.00

It's time to submit your scholarship applications!

Scholarship Applications are now available, as of March 5^th. Please contact the Church Office for the steps that need to be taken

to be eligible to apply!

Applications are due

to the Church Office

by noon, Monday, May 1st!

Ministry of Missions

Thank you for your contributions

We donate to a lot of inspiring causes, like the Ukranian Relief Effort,

Church World Services and the *Medical Debt Relief Effort. If you are wondering what happens to those funds, click on the names of each. They are linked to just that information!

*Note, our church is one of those named in the Medical Debt Relief Effort endeavor!

To order online

Fair Trade - March 12^th

Whether you come to the Fair Trade Table, or you call in your order to Nancy during the month, we thank you for your faithfulness to the goals of this program, benefiting those in need!

This month, Fair Trade will be held in on Sunday, March 12^th, our regular 2nd Sunday of the month.

MoM is looking for Suggestions for Volunteer Opportunities!

We are looking for suggestions that the Ministry of Missions can review or focus its efforts toward as Volunteer Opportunities - something we can do together, not just collecting funds. You can make your suggestions using our form, which you will find in the Narthex. Please provide as much detail as you can and be as specific as you can be. Thank you for your input!

If you have any questions, see Barb Erion!

What's New at the Attic?

As you read this, the new windows are being installed at 307 S. Main Street, the home of the Heavenly Attic. We are happy to report that the Heavenly Attic was able to donate $5,000 toward this major project. We are looking forward to more stable temperatures, and fewer breezes on those cold winter days in our shop!

In addition, our monthly donation of $200 for March will go to the Hopeful Beginnings in Palatine, a charity that supports pregnant women in need.

Thank you to our donors, volunteers and those who shop at the Heavenly Attic, without whom these donations would not be possible.

JoAnn Schindler, Co-Manager, Heavenly Attic Resale Shop

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TRUSTEES

Let the Installation Begin!

Our new Heavenly Attic windows, are in the process of being installed (started Wednesday, March 1st!).

Some detouring of both foot and vehicular traffic will be required during the installation process, but if the new windows in our parsonage are any indication, it should not take Sierra Pacific long, maybe a week, to get it done. As Trustees, we are overjoyed that this major improvement is finally coming to fruition. if you have any questions or concerns about this process, contact Bob Benjamin or the Church Office.

Remember our Shut-Ins

and those in need of prayer.

click on the picture to request prayer!

Please remember also those currently recovering at home or struggling with on-going health concerns:

Donna Church, Steve Guenther, Nancy Kneip, Genie McCully,

Joy McLaughlin, Bobbie Reed, Tony Tarosas, Carol Whitney

& Barb Weitz.

Please remember our members who are unable to join us, with a card or a phone call.

Donna Brown

Fred & Nancy Ekstrom

Elsie Fry

Dede & Gary Gray

Pat Hemmingsen

Pat Kramer

Ron Martens

Claudette Treadwell

Mary Westerbeck

Rita Whitney

Val Williams

Take a moment to look at the Bulletin Board outside the Church Office for some of the notes sent to our Church Family. There are always notes of love from those we've helped to care for....they're our family!

I would like to thank all the members of our church family who have filled in for me, shared cards, meals, emails, texts, and especially your prayers during my cancer surgery and chemo. You have been a source of surprising caring and support for Dennis and me. Your messages have often come at just the right time, and given us a laugh, or a hug, and the strength to keep going. Through you, God is good!

Blessings, Nancy and Dennis Kneip

Contact the Church Office for a current Shut-In Roster, Birthday or Anniversary List. A current Church Directory is available in the Church Office.

Memorial Contributions

made in February were as follows

In Memory of Carol O'Donnell by Tony & Tangerine Tirado

Memorial Donations can be made at any time, for any person you should choose. Be sure to note for whom, and how much this donation is so it is clear. Donations can be made by check, in cash, or online.