The Good News Gazette April 2016

Transcription

1 The Good News Gazette April 2016 Page 1 of 6 First Christian Church Staff Senior Pastor Michael Berry Choir Director Dan Wimberley Praise Leader Bill Froehlich Pianist Ruth Monroe Substitute Pianist/Organist Ruth Massie Minister of Education Rayna Barker Children s Director Becca Davis Nursery Coordinator Becky Brix Administrative Assistant Marilyn Aiken Bookkeeper Becky Brix Phone: (307) Fax: (307) office@fcclaramie.org Or Visit us on the web! At E. Garfield St. Laramie, Wyoming An Easter to Remember What an amazing weekend celebrating the Risen King! Friday night, gathering together to contemplate the cross and its implications for our salvation was terrifying and beautiful at the same time. My sin, His Love, the Cross, Death, Darkness.. and then communion. What a powerful moment to leave it all at the cross, and wait for the celebration. Saturday was filled with kids from the community walking through different lessons and stations to point them to Christ. I even had the joy of talking to them about the empty tomb, complete with a musty smell :) Sunday was all about Jesus. From the music leading us in Joy, to all the servants who lead with their hearts and hands to provide breakfast, and finally to the word of God that points us to His Son being the object of our affection and the source of our salvation. It s hard to express in words what my heart was feeling during this day. Nervousness of Easter Sermonizing with faces known and getting to know. Confidence that in spite of me, God s word never returns void in proclaiming the gospel. Giddy at seeing my Jesus loving kids all dressed up. Amazed at all the undeserved blessings that God has placed in my life an amazing wife I love with all my heart, two kids entrusted to me for their growth into the kingdom, family and friends we love dearly, a church family that oozes the grace and mercy of Christ at every corner. BUT the one thing that choked me up was Thankfulness. Thankful that God didn t give up on his rebellious creation o Thankful that God chased me down from the beginning of time o Thankful that God opened my heart to truth when I was 17 o Thankful that my heart was made new, despite of how depraved it was born o Thankful that God gifted me with Amber, my bride forever o Thankful that God has entrusted me with two amazing children o Thankful that God has proven himself faithful in awakening both of their heart to his grace o Thankful that my kids love Jesus more than me and will spend eternity with Him o Thankful for a church that cares deeply about the Grace of Christ being know and that loving each other is not a command we take lightly. Thank you Jesus Mike

2 Page 2 of 6 DISCIPLES WOMEN ENOUGH Saturday, July 9 Harriman Retreat Center Join us in July for an all-day women s retreat on more than 200 acres of beautiful land only 40 minutes from Laramie near the Colorado border. We ll be talking about how, when life gives us lemons, God gives us Himself. When trials come our way, when we struggle, when we suffer, Jesus is ENOUGH. You ll receive tools to help you connect with God and one another, and will experience times of worship, activity and meditation. Both the retreat center and a selection of activities are accessible to all. A caravan and carpooling will be arranged for travel to and from the church. Children are welcome to attend an on-site day camp. Registration information Cost: $20 per person or 2 for $30 if you bring a non-fcc friend Children: $5 each Food, supplies and activities included. R.S.V.P. - Office@fcclaramie.org by Sunday, June 19th NOT SO EARLY BIRDS As some of us are finding it hard to venture out at 6:30 am for Early Birds Bible Study, we decided to meet for lunch at O Dwyers. We had fifteen enjoying friendships, laughter & lunch on Thursday, March 24 th. YUM! Pictured (left to right): Marilyn Stover, Becky Brix, Suzy Taylor, Linda Littlewood, Phyllis Whitmire, Lynn Benson, Ruth Monroe, Florence Brandt, Micky Routson, Marilyn Aiken, Diann Ginther, Darlene Lauck, Dorothy Bird, Marianne Businga, Jean Wheat. We shared this picture with Eleanor Roth here is her reply: Oh, you special beautiful ladies. I love each of you so much and keep all of you in my heart and prayers. What a special gift God gave me when He brought each of you into my life. Happy Spring! -

3 Page 3 of 6 Women s Renewal Conference at Glen Eyrie presents: Lavender Springs Spa September 16-18, 2016 (Start saving for this event now!) Lavender Springs Spa is a spiritually nourishing retreat on Psalms. You ll journey through the psalms of the Bible, studying the different kinds of songs, poems, and psalms that have inspired people for centuries. You ll learn how the psalms help us share our feelings, disappointments, celebrations, and doubts with a truly great listener: God. And you ll leave with a fresh approach to prayer that will grow your faith throughout the months to come. "For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:5 Fund raising for scholarships will begin soon we would love to have lots of women attend this year! Please contact Marilyn Aiken with ideas and to volunteer to help with this special project Saturday, June 11 Brunch in the Park 10:00 am Sunday, October 9 Service Event Time TBA Sunday, December 4 "Christmasing Together" 4:30pm Current Numbers: February General Fund Giving: $29, February General Fund Expenses: $16, Difference: $13, Greeters! There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer to be a greeter. We are asking that each family sign up for one week to be a greeter. All you have to do to be a greeter is be here at least 20 minutes before our service starts, hand out bulletins and greet those who come to worship with us.

4 Page 4 of 6 Preparing communion this month: April 3 & 10 Elaine Rodgers April 17 Brian Fawcett April 24 Priscilla Foster Yummy Pancakes! Thank you to all who helped with the pancake breakfast on Easter Sunday! We had a record number in attendance and the pancakes, potatoes, bacon, sausage, ham, juice, coffee, & tea were delicious, filled our tummies and put smiles on our faces. April Celebrations 4/8 Angie Elbrecht 4/20 Norma Pigg 4/9 Richard Elbrecht 4/22 Joe Benson Dana Petersen 4/23 Waldo Roth 4/14 Angie Bauer 4/25 Amber Berry 4/15 Kent Allen 4/26 Dana Gapter Dana Gapter 4/28 Brooklyn Chambers 4/16 Kellen Vohland 4/29 Colter Floy 4/9/16 J.T. & Haley Dalles Congratulations! Do you have a birthday or anniversary in April that is not on this list? Please let the office know as we never want to miss anyone! We have a young man in our congregation who would love to have a garden not only for his family but to share with the community and the church. He has been saving heirloom seeds but doesn t have the room for a garden at his home. Would there be someone in the congregation who has a rototiller and would be willing to dig up our garden area (located on the back east side of the property) by planting season? If so, please contact Marilyn in the office and arrangements can be made and this garden can come to abundant life this summer! We welcome new members who have joined our community of faith since 2015! Janice, Louise, & Bob Sexton, Chase Webb, Angie & Chuck Bauer, Marlene Purcell, Caitlin Beck, Kayla Whiting, Leanne, Hoag, Savannah Berry, Gerri Lynn & Steve Miller, Scott & Melissa Foor & family, Jeff & Suzanne Means & family, Matt & Julia Blaney & family, Jamin & Leslie Johnson family, Matt & Kristi Andrews family, Jake & Nancy Bartholomew family, Brooklyn Chambers, Nick Smith, Craig & April Jamison family.

5 Page 5 of 6 Do you like to sing? Does old-time gospel music give that you feel good feeling? We have just the thing for you. The Eppson Center Melodees, a group of senior citizens who sing at events in the Laramie community, will be leading the praise music at the first service on Sunday, April 3. Songs include Give Me That Old Time Religion, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, He s Got the Whole World in His Hands, as well as many others. This group is enthusiastic and fun to sing along with. Join us for 15 minutes of happiness, joy, and vocal praise on Sunday, April 3, at 7:50 a.m. Regular worship service will follow the opening praise singing. Ruth Monroe & Worship Team If you have an announcement that you would like put in the bulletin insert, please let Marilyn know no later than the Wednesday before. If you have an article for the news-letter the cutoff day will be the 20th of each month. Newsletters will be mailed out and ed the last week of the month. If you receive yours in the mail but would rather receive the ed version, please leave your address in the office. Dear Friends at First Christian Church, Thank you for your contribution to the Downtown Clinic, I cannot adequately describe to you the tremendous impact of your generosity, but it truly changes the lives of our clients. In the past months, I have had the good fortune to work alongside the wonderful staff at the DTC and I have watched the worried look disappear from the faces of clients that have their diabetes under control, or as the smiles return to those that have received muchneeded dental care for the first time in their lives. Please know that your contributions help make these outcomes possible and we are so appreciative of your generosity. Thank you for all that you do for the Downtown clinic! Sincerely, Pete Gosar, Executive Director Dear First Christian Church, On behalf of Interfaith Good Samaritan thank you for your generous support in Your generosity helped make positive changes in the lives of many Albany County families and individuals. Due to your monetary and in-kind contributions we were able to continue to meet increased needs for food, housing, prescriptions and medical costs in Albany County. People in emergency situations need food and other things as well. So your contribution of personal hygiene items, diapers and winter outer wear are also needed and appreciated. You truly make a difference! Sincerely, Jo-Carol Ropp, President, Board of Directors Here are some ideas for Interfaith Good Samaritan shelves: 1. Canned protein (chicken, beef, tuna, Spam) 2. Powdered milk or shelf stable boxed milk 3. Easy dinners (canned ravioli, hamburger helper, microwavable meals, etc.) 4. Peanut (or other nut) butter and jellies/jams 5. Canned soups, beans, fruits 6. Non-food items size 4,5,6 diapers, razors, deodorants, toothbrushes, toilet paper baby wipes

6 Page 6 of 6 The Rise Up with Jesus event was a huge success! This event could not have been possible without the help of volunteers. Thank you so much to all who volunteered, prayed and participated! Stay tuned for details about our upcoming summer camp event! Coming July 11-15, 2016 First Christian Church Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on Monday, 4/11/2016 at First Christian Church. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call or visit Our Church has a few complimentary screening certificates available (valued at $70). If you are interested, please contact the church office Dear friends, A special thank you to all who attended the listening session for the Executive Regional Minister search. We had 4 members from First Christian Church in Casper join 6 from Laramie to offer and share their thoughts, ideas, hopes, dreams, and experiences. Thank you to all who participated and continue to pray in this process of developing a profile of the upcoming leader for the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Blessings, Marilyn Aiken & Jason Coon, ERM search team members