Posted on Thu, Mar 1, 2007
News from Pastor Cheryl (also see attachment regarding Michael Moeschler's mission to Africa)
March 7
Lenten Soup Supper – 6:15 pm
Lenten Healing Service – 7:15 pm
On Wednesday evening, March 7, we will have a Soup Supper at 6:15 p.m. and a special Lenten healing service at 7:15 p.m. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Cindy Ousterhout, a long-time friend of Pastor Cheryl, who has experienced a miraculous healing in her life and loves to share her story whenever she has the opportunity. You won’t want to miss her amazing story and her dazzling smile as we share a time of healing and prayer.
Bible Study
On the four Monday evenings of March (March 5, 12, 19, 26), we will be studying the “People of the Passion,” the quiet people who were with Jesus through his final days, according to the book of Mark. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we seek to understand the Bible better.
Movie Fellowship Opportunity for Youth
On Saturday afternoon, March 10, we will have a “youth outing” to see the movie Bridge to Terebithia. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Cheryl and she will contact you with details when we know exactly where and when the movie will be shown that afternoon. After the movie, we’ll come back to the church for a brief discussion. (Even if you are an “older youth,” senior citizen, junior partner, 30-something, 40-something, something-something, etc., you are welcome to attend!)
Clean-Up Day
The Trustees are sponsoring a work party to clean up the church on Saturday, March 31. Please plan to meet at the church at 8:00 and spend a few hours helping with various odd jobs around our facility and preparing the sanctuary for Palm Sunday. Everyone is welcome! Donuts and coffee will be provided.
Taizé Worship March 21
Taizé worship is a contemplative form of worship that includes simple chanting music, brief readings, and a period of silence. This is the form of worship used three times a day at Taizé, France, which is an ecumenical community of men who work in the world while practicing a monastic lifestyle. During the summer months, young people – and others – from all over Europe and other parts of the world travel to Taizé to participate in a week-long program of worship, Bible study, and community support.
Pastor Cheryl was fortunate enough to visit Taizé in May of 2005 along with friends from Claremont School of Theology. On March 21, she will share her pictures of the beautiful French village and countryside during our soup supper at 6:15 p.m. and then we will experience a Taizé worship service at 7:15 p.m. Come and share this Lenten experience with us.
Volunteer Needed
We are in desperate need for someone to take on the responsibility for our bulletin boards – making them look good, keeping them up to date, etc. There is a bulletin board just inside the main entrance to the sanctuary that needs to look great and offer pertinent, current information that tells visitors that we are a vital congregation. The large bulletin board in the fellowship hall also needs to be kept neat and current. If bulletin boards are your thing and you would like to accept this ministry, please contact Pastor Cheryl.
Prayers for Michael Moeschler
Brian Moeschler’s brother Michael will be leaving on a short mission trip on March 16 to the Kibera slums in Nairobi, Kenya and to the Maasai Mara tribe on the Serengeti Plains. Along with 10 others, he will be working with Wesleyan Missionaries in East Africa to set up a medical clinic focused primarily on treating orphans, may assist with terminal AIDS ministry, and will be addressing other medical needs. This group will be working in some very volatile and dangerous areas of Africa. Brian has requested that we pray for Michael as he prepares for his trip and during the trip from March 16-31. Michael’s wife and three young children will be waiting for his safe return to Kansas, so please include them in your prayers. There is a copy of Michael’s mission letter on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
2007 Flower Chart
The new flower chart for 2007 has finally been posted in the fellowship hall. If you would like to donate flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please enter the information on the flower chart. On the desired date, please print your name, the name or names for whom the flowers are given, and whether they are “in memory” or “in honor” of someone. Please print legibly! The suggested donation is $20 and can be placed in an envelope marked “Flowers” and put in the offering plate. Checks should be made payable to “St. Paul’s UMC.”
Easter Flowers
The order forms for Easter flowers will be available at church beginning March 4. If you would like to order a plant or plants to decorate our Easter altar, please fill out a form and drop it in the offering plate along with your check or cash. You can also come by the church office.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
A St. Patrick’s Day dinner is planned for Saturday, March 17. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Joyce Erickson.
Whale Watching
The Nurture Committee is sponsoring a Whale Watching cruise on Saturday, March 24. If we have 25 people, the cost is only $10 per person for a 2-1/2 to 3 hour excursion. Sign up on the big whale poster in the fellowship hall and pay Bonnie Severson or Sharon Savage by March 18.
On March 24 you can meet at 9:15 at the church to carpool to the dock or meet at the dock (Redondo Sport Fishing, 233 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach) at 9:45. “Thar she blows!”
Spring Ahead
Don’t forget – the spring time change comes early this year – 2:00 a.m. on March 11 to be exact! Be sure to set your clocks on Saturday night, March 10, so you won’t be late for church!
Coming in April
With Palm Sunday and Easter the first and second weeks of April, here are some important dates to remember.
Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00 pm
Good Friday Worship 7:00 pm
The Worship committee is inviting you to help with the Easter preparations. They will meet on Friday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. to prepare the flowers. On Saturday, April 7, they will decorate the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Please come and help as you are able and be a part of the transformation.
Food For Thought from Pastor Cheryl
Dear Family and Friends,
Have you ever wanted to put your hands up and yell, “Stop! Slow down! Let me catch up!”? That’s how I’m feeling as February comes to a shrieking halt and March moves right in! Where did the time go? How did we get from Christmas to Lent so quickly? Sure February is a short month, but it felt like just a few days to me!
That feeling is exactly why the Lenten season is so important for me. It’s a time when I deliberately attempt to slow down and take in the world around me. When I was out and about with my sister, I saw a sign that read, “Wherever you are, be there.” What a simple but profound reminder to enjoy the moment. Instead of worrying about the lengthy list of things to do, be in each moment and experience it fully.
I tend to be a person who works toward the goal. I’m always looking ahead to finishing my list, to having everything completed so I can sit back and relax and enjoy life. But I’ve learned that my list is never complete – while I’m working on one thing, three more things get added. So I’m trying to enjoy the doing and being present to the moments of living because that’s where my life happens.
Hopefully, as you “Journey to Easter,” you are taking a few moments to walk with Jesus and reflect on his earthly experiences and teachings and what that means to you. Use the purple “Journey” sheets that are included in each week’s bulletin. Read the daily scripture in the morning and think about the questions during the day. Be present to Lent. Be open to God’s presence. Then maybe – just maybe – you and I will be more aware of God’s presence in the world and more calm in living our lives in this world. And then we can be God’s presence with our family, friends, co-workers, and the people we encounter along the way.
“To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. … Since our office is with moments, let us husband them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882), U.S. essayist, poet, philosopher. “Experience,” Essays, Second Series (1844). (www.bartleby.com)
Enjoy the moments!
Blessings,
Pastor Cheryl
Project: NEEDS
Feinstein Challenge
For the last ten years, the Feinstein Foundation has divided $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide as a part of fund-raising efforts during March and April. Once again, they are encouraging agencies to participate in this challenge and increase their dollars available for fighting hunger.
Project: NEEDS has participated in this challenge in the past and will be participating again this year. You may be receiving a letter from Project: NEEDS, but I am also using the newsletter to make you aware of this opportunity. By making your donation to Project: NEEDS between March 1 and April 30, 2007, we are eligible to receive a portion of the Feinstein million. The more you donate, the more we receive from the Foundation! These donations can include cash, checks, food, and pledges, but they must be a response to this challenge; please mark your donation “Feinstein challenge.”
This is a great way to keep Project: NEEDS funded so we can continue our ministry to the community.
Lay Speaking Classes
There will be a series of Lay Speaking classes offered in the Los Angeles District on April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, and 21. Classes are held at Wilshire United Methodist Church at Wilshire and Crenshaw. If you are interested, please see Frank Lichtenberger or look for the information sheets on the credenza in the back of the church.
Referrals for Electricians
The Trustees have a list of electrical jobs to be done around the church and we are looking for licensed, bonded electricians to give us bids on the work. If you know of anyone, please give their name and number to Connie Johnson, Pastor Cheryl, or have them call the church office. Thank you.
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