ADVENtURE. March Highlights. Palm Sunday Potluck. Easter Egg Hunt NEWS

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1 ADVENtURE NEWS Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church 2530 S. 165th Ave., Omaha, NE Rev. Nick Dougherty, Pastor Phone On the web at Vol.30 No.4 March 2016 John & Marian Lord, Editors March Highlights Palm Sunday Potluck Sundays Sunday School 8:45 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Dave Ramsey FPU 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays Sounds of Shepherds 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 & 16 Youth Group 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 Retirees Olive Garden 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10 Agape Latte 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 13 DQ Sunday 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 17 Book Club 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19 Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Potluck 11:15 a.m. Thursday, March 24 Maundy Thursday Potpourri 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25 Good Friday The sanctuary will be open for personal reflection Noon until 3:00 p.m. Carpool to serve at Siena Francis House 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 27 Easter Sunrise Service followed by Breakfast 6:45 a.m. See enclosed calendar for more. Our Thanksgiving Potluck worked so well, we're following the same format for our Palm Sunday potluck! Our potluck will be held following worship service on Sunday, March 20. There's no cost for this meal and the Fellowship committee will provide beverages and deviled eggs, but it's up to all of us to sign up to provide 10 to 12 servings of any meat, vegetable, salad, or dessert. Sign up today, and reach out to Debbie Hart with any questions. Easter Egg Hunt Come one, come all! Our friendly egg hunt kicks off on the green space on Saturday, March 19 th at 10 a.m. Following the Easter Egg Hunt, we'll have fun indoor crafts, games, and festive treats. How can you help? *Invite a friend or a neighbor. *Donate candy and non-food treats to fill the eggs. *Attend. We are also looking for adult volunteers to help out at one of our indoor activity stations inside the Family Life Center. Contact a member of the Christian Education Committee with questions.

2 It's the First 2016 Per Capit-O-Meter! Per capita is an amount our church pays per member to be divided amongst our Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly to fund so much of the essential work the church does. The majority of our per capita payment stays right here in MRV. No church, no matter how big or small, can function without its members! Faithful Shepherd has written a check for $4310 or $34.58 per member of our church. Fortunately per capita did not rise from 2014 to Now it's our job to help pay it back!!! So how are we doing? Per Capita paid: $3,735 Per Capita received: $ Percentage: 18% Updated February 25, 2016 Thank you so much for those who have given and always remember when you give, give joyfully! Heads Up for VBS Summer 2016 Vacation Bible School will be coming your way soon! Be on the look out for announcements and more information from the CE Committee about our upcoming Vacation Bible School program here at Faithful Shepherd. Looking to volunteer? Have items to donate? Want to help get the word out? We'll have plenty of opportunities for participation in this year's VBS ministry. Questions? Please contact Lauren Ruhe. Who s Who Session members for 2015/2016: Cory Bremer, Kathleen Cherney, Paul DeCelie, Debbie Hart, Danisha Hurst, Jo Kaspar, Gwen Mason, Lauren Ruhe, Michael Stage, and Mark Zach. Board of Deacons members for 2015/2016: Sue Bruening, Lloydette Carruthers, Mary Cleaveland, Pati Guida, Young Oliver, Dave Stage, Michelle Tibbels, Dixie Williams, and Vickie Zach. "Quote of the Month" The message of Easter is not only that Christ is risen, not only that suffering is not the last word, not only that God gives new life, but this: Nothing is impossible with God. The Rev. James Martin, S.J. Have You Liked Our Facebook page? The average Sunday morning worship attendance in February was 88. Bible Quiz Answer: D (See Matthew 27:41-42.)

3 Entering the Mystery In the final weeks of this Holy season I would like to share with you these words rich in theology and meaning. As you read think of our worship, think of our mortality, think of what securities we need to let go of in order to exit the tomb alive with our Savior on that Easter morn. What we hear during Lent is the power and possibility of the paschal mystery, and that the way of the cross, the way to Easter, is through death. To appropriate the new life that is beyond the power of death means we must die with Christ who was raised for us. To live for Christ, we must die with him. New life requires a daily surrendering of the old life, letting go of the present order, so that we may embrace the new humanity. "I die every day!" asserts Paul (1 Corinthians 15:31). Resurrection necessitates death as a preceding act. The church's peculiar Lenten claim is that in dying we live, that all who are baptized into Christ are baptized into his death. To be raised with Christ means one must also die with Christ. In order to embrace the resurrection, we must experience the passion of Jesus. The way of the cross, the way to Easter, is through death of the "old self." In dying, we live. Therefore, at the beginning of Lent, we are reminded that our possessions, our rulers, our empires, our projects, our families and even our lives do not last forever. "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). The liturgies throughout Lent try to pry loose our fingers, one by one, from presumed securities and plunge us into unknown baptismal waters, waters that turn out to be not only our death tomb but surprisingly our womb of life. Rather than falling back into nothingness, we fall back on everlasting arms. Death? How can we fear what we have already undergone in baptism? It is the power of the resurrection on the horizon ahead that draws us into repentance toward the cross and tomb. Through the intervention of God's gracious resurrection, lifelong changes in our values and behavior become possible. By turning from the end of the "old self" in us, Lenten repentance makes it possible for us to affirm joyfully, "Death is no more!" and to aim toward the landscape of the new age. Faithfully adhering to the Lenten journey of "prayer, fasting and almsgiving" leads to the destination of Easter. During the final week, Holy Week, we hear the fullness of Christ's passion, his death, and resurrection. From Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and on to the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday), all of Holy Week focuses on the passion. As his followers, we travel Christ's path of servanthood through the Lord's Supper and the suffering of the cross toward the glory of Easter, all of which underscores the inseparable link between the death and resurrection of Jesus. An excerpt from The Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, ) Pastor Nick

4 Coffee or Lunch? Finance Report Pastor Nick still wants to meet everyone for coffee or lunch. He is looking for opportunities to get to know you even better and he has found that at table over coffee or a meal is one of the best ways to do that. If you haven t already, let him know when you are available. Deacons News The Deacons met in February and discussed upcoming events and activities. It was determined to refine the Wee Care Project to give the Congregation the opportunity to sign up ahead of the Christmas Season to participate since there is such a short time between the time we receive the names of needy children and the date on which we need to collect gifts for them. Sue Bruening reported she delivered 35 pairs of eyeglasses to the Lions Eye Bank. The YES (Youth Emergency Services) Project was our focus in February with a collection container for members and friends to provide donations for needy youth in the Omaha area. The Deacons prepared "Valentine Care Packages" and delivered them to our youth attending college (Erik and Alex Bruening and Sarah Stage). The Deacons will begin taking photos of new Church members to display on the Who's Who bulletin board. Dave Stage, for the Deacons Operating Gifts and Expenses for last month and a comparison to same-month prior year amounts are shown below. Jan '16 Jan '15 Operating Gifts $14,228 $14,255 Building Use Fees & Other $ 125 $ 0 Operating Expenses -$17,820 -$13,730 Other - Incl Mortgs & Memorials -$ 464 -$ 3,440 Surplus (Shortfall) ($ 3,931) ($ 2,915) Monthly Actual Compared to Budget Jan '16 Jan '16 Actual Budget Difference Operating Gifts $14,228 $13,325 +$ 903 Oper. Exp., Mtges. & Other $18,159 $13,550 +$ 4,609 During last month, operating gifts received were higher than budgeted and overall outlays were higher than budgeted, resulting in a cash flow deficit for the month. The Per Capita assessment of $3,735 was paid in full in January. Snow removal costs were $1,480, which was $730 over budget. Staff bonuses/gifts and Christmas Joy collected in December were paid out in January. Restricted funds received last month totaled $1,647, including Church School and Nursery - $1,286, Deacon Fund - $22, Food Pantry - $25 and Per Capita - $314. The average weekly church attendance count in January was 77 people. Average attendance count last year was 68. The Per Capita assessment for 2016 is $35.84 per confirmed member if you would like to make a specially designated gift for this purpose. If you would like to make any other specially designated gift or have any other donation-related questions, please contact the FSPC office at On behalf of Faithful Shepherd, thank you for your continued support and generosity. -Rich Greene, Finance Director

5 Prayer Chain DQ Sunday FSPC believes in the power of community prayer. If you are interested in being included on FSPC's prayer chain and have not yet signed up, please contact Pastor Nick at The next Dairy Queen Sunday will be March 13 th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Remember, ten percent of the proceeds go to the ministry of FSPC! Hope to see you there! Meet the Congregation by Michelle Tibbels Bible Quiz While Jesus was dying on the cross, who mocked him, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself? A. Priests B. Scribes The Millers Meet John, Christine, and Kate Miller. The Millers first visited Faithful Shepherd when Pastor Nick started in July of As many of you know, Pastor Nick is their brother-in-law. They were living in Lincoln at this time so they only visited occasionally. Once they moved to Omaha in 2014, they began to visit more frequently. Although they originally came because of Pastor Nick, they continued to come because they loved how friendly and welcoming the whole congregation is. They are so excited to be a part of this church family! John was born and raised in Hickman, Nebraska. He works at Physicians Mutual as a financial analyst. His hobbies include bowling, playing cards, grilling and of course rooting for the Huskers. Christine was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is a registered nurse working with transplant patients at Nebraska Medicine. Her hobbies include spending time with family/friends, reading, and waterskiing. In October of 2015, John and Christine were blessed with their first child, Kate. Life as a family of three has been an adventure, but they wouldn't have it any other way. C. Elders D. All of the above March OWACA Youth Meetings March 2 nd 5:30-6:30 - Supper and scripture led by Suzanne March 16 th 5:30-6:30 - Mission Project - Filling Easter eggs for the upcoming Easter egg hunt. *Typically, the first Wednesday of each month our youth will gather to eat, study, and play and the third Wednesday our youth group will be dedicating their time together to serve FSPC members and the greater community through a selected service project.

6 Face to Face This year's Lenten theme is 'Face to Face' as you reflect on your faith mission this Lenten season. During this season, we come face to face face to face with one another, face to face with our sin, and face to face with our loving Savior. Beginning with the imposition of ashes upon our foreheads on Ash Wednesday the journey of Lent will take us on a journey of self-discovery and the rediscovery of our wonderful Savior on Easter Sunday. Join FSPC as we gather face to face this Lent. Lilies and other spring flowers will grace the Sanctuary with opportunities for those who wish to donate in honor of a loved one. Palm Sunday Service - March 20 th 10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday immediately before Easter and commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This day begins what is referred to as Holy Week. A procession of believers laid down their cloaks and scattered palm branches in front of Jesus as he rode in on a donkey. They chanted, Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Maundy Thursday Candlelight Service - March 24 th at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday is a time to remember the Last Supper of Christ with his disciples. Jesus time on earth was coming to an end and as He supped with His chosen few, He gave them final instructions. "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you." He then washed their feet to demonstrate how they were to serve, broke bread, blessed it, poured wine, blessed it and commanded that they do this often, in remembrance of Him. Good Friday - March 25 th Noon until 3:00 p.m. Good Friday commemorates the day that Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate and condemned to death. He was beaten and forced to carry His own cross to Calvary. Jesus agonized on the cross for six hours. During his last 3 hours on the cross, from noon to 3 pm, darkness fell over the whole land until He died. This is a time for us to contemplate the sacrifice that Jesus made for each and every one of us. We ask that you take time from noon until 3:00pm this day for mediation and prayer. The church sanctuary will be open during this time for personal reflection. Easter Sunday services - March 27 th Sunrise service 6:45 a.m. Easter Breakfast following the service Traditional Service 10:00 a.m. Easter Alleluia He is Risen! The New Testament teaches us that the resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is the foundation of our Christian faith. The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God and is cited as proof that God will judge the world in righteousness. God has given Christians "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Christians, through faith in the working of God, are spiritually resurrected with Jesus so that they may walk in a new way of life. The Origin of "Easter" It's not certain where the word Easter, which never appears in Scripture, originates. In some places, the day is called Pasch, which comes from "Passover," the festival during which Jesus was crucified. Others call it Resurrection Sunday. Some scholars think the church absorbed the word Easter from pagan roots, because the goddess of spring, Eostre, was celebrated about the same time as Passover. Others suggest the word derives from an old Latin phrase referring to the white robes traditionally worn by people being baptized on the Sunday that celebrates Jesus' resurrection. Pantry Sunday The first Sunday of each month is Pantry Sunday, when that month s donations are dedicated. You can bring items any time during the month, though, and place them in the shopping cart. Pantry items needed in March are the same as last month and include: dried beans, canned fruit and vegetables, canned tuna fish, snacks (cookies, bars, etc.), pudding, ketchup, salad dressing, fruit juice, jelly, peanut butter, saltine crackers, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, Bisquick, toilet paper, Kleenex, shampoo and bar soap, and clothes detergent.

7 Meet Harriet Harriet is a certified pet therapy dog with Midland Pet Therapy, which is associated with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She has done pet therapy for 4 years, both in California and in Omaha. She comforted a high school senior who had just received a bone cancer diagnosis. Harriet calmed this girl down so much that they both went to sleep in the patient's bed. In the Emergency Room she is great at distracting children as they receive shots or other treatments. They are so busy with her, they forget someone is doing something to them. She sat with an actively dying woman last fall. The nieces could see their aunt relaxing, even in her unconscious state. She visits Bergan Mercy Hospital twice a month to visit with patients on the Oncology Unit, Lakeside Hospital once a month, and various assisted living facilities around the city. Once a month she goes to the Gretna Children's Library and children read to her. It is fun to watch these 6 and 7 year old children, just learning to read, read a storybook to Harriet. Harriet sits and gets attention and the children practice their reading without an adult helping, unless requested. Recently she helped a children's librarian at the Bennington Library with Saturday morning story hour. When Creighton University lost 4 students last fall, Midland Pet Therapy was called to do several nights of "grief relief" for the students. The professors even told all their classes to take a 15 minute break to go down and see all the dogs. I watched these students and professors relaxing and crying as they were struggling with that loss. Harriet loves all attention she receives from all the ages she provides therapy to on a regular basis. Midland Pet Therapy is a very active organization, with therapy visits scheduled most days of the week. When you watch children and adults interact with Harriet, you do realize this is her job. Cindy Perkins Note: Harriet regularly worships with us at FSPC and occasionally serves as assistant worship leader. Worship Stewards Needed Worship Stewards include worship leaders, greeters, ushers, children's time leaders, sound/projection, and fellowship hosts. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Family Life Center for the position and dates of your choice. Moderator's Notes I would like to share with you a snippet of what I shared with session during the time of our meeting set aside for visioning and discussion of our future together. I am happy to tell you what I told them; I believe that FSPC is currently both stable and healthy. I believe since I began serving this congregation in June, 2013 that we have all worked very hard to grow and reach our healthy present. The next steps in front of our congregation is to ask ourselves how to move past stability, not into instability, but into a new season of intentional discernment, growth, and sojourning with Jesus wherever that may take us. Our foundation shall remain stable; the excitement that comes with closely walking with Christ is asking the question "where to next, Lord?" Session has approved the creation of a special team to help us identify where we are as we begin this journey and to help us measure where we believe God is calling us to go next. This will be good hard work and I invite you to look for the planted seeds of this ministry in the months to come.

8 Joys Birthdays We wish a happy March birthday to Emily Wittrig (3/1), Katie Wittrig (3/1), Jim Weiss (3/2), Debbie Hart (3/9), Michelle Tibbels (3/9), Brandy Wegner (3/10), Marian Lord (3/11), Maria Sinley (3/15), Nancy Wright (3/19) Lloydette Carruthers (3/21), Dylan Jones (3/26), Rich Greene (3/27), and Fred Bealer (3/31). Ed. Note: If we have missed anyone, please let us know. Anniversaries We wish a happy March wedding anniversary to Cory & Michelle Bremer (3/25). Guests Recent Sunday morning guests include Dorlyn B.; Ryan C.; Sara G.; Linda H.; Steve & Cyndi H.; Bill, Wanda, & Luke N.; Monte & Renee T.; Janice K.; Jordan P.; Nate, Ashley, Owen & Sadie D,; Pat D.; Bob G.; Marsha K.; Hank & Connie A,; Jeff L.; Merrie E.; Clayton & Sarah J.; John M.; Paul & Danielle W.; Max & Pat W. March Worship Schedule Sunday, March 6: Fourth Sunday in Lent Communion Message: Face to Face: Journey Home Please read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15: 1-3, Sunday, March 13: Fifth Sunday in Lent Message: Face to Face: A Brand New Thing Please read Isaiah 43:16-21; John 12:1-8. Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday Message: Face to Face: Palms Up! Please read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Luke 19: Sunday, March 27: Easter Message: Face to Face: No More Tears Please read 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; John 20:1-18. March 4, 2016

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11 Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church S. 165th Ave Omaha, NE Easter Joy Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. Mother Teresa See You in Church