The Disciple Harbinger

Transcription

1 A Newsletter from Old State Road Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) April 2014 The Disciple Harbinger Sharon s Note In a small book of meditations entitled, Coffee Break with God there is the story of Mungo Park. Mungo, who was a Scotsman, only lived to be 35 years of age in the late 1700 s. Mungo was educated as a physician; he was also interested in the botanical sciences. Park was to make two expeditions to Africa. His primary goals on these expeditions were to map the Niger River and to study and bring back to the United Kingdom samples of the many plants to be found there. Park s story is filled with many of the challenges he faced as he sought to complete his mission. He became ill with a fever which incapacitated him for 7 months. Mungo was also imprisoned for four months by a tribal chieftain. There was always a lack of adequate supplies. His first expedition was cut short by another illness. On the second expedition he would pass from earthly life before he could complete his goal. Many years after his death, Ernest Hemingway would retell one of Parks stories. Park was lost and alone in the African desert and had resigned himself to die. Then he saw a beautiful moss-flower. The plant was only as big as one of his fingers, but he was overcome with admiration for its symmetry. In the middle of a crisis, in the middle of Africa, Mungo reflected upon his discovery: Can the Being who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure part of the world, a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and suffering of creatures formed after His own image? Surely not! In our most trying moments do we look for simple things, e.g., a moss-flower, that are a part of God s creation? In Christ, Pastor Sharon Weekly Calendar Children s Church Sunday 9:30 a.m. Worship Sunday 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School Sunday Following Worship Bible Study Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Choir Thursday 5:30p.m.

2 April 2 CCAR cleans, 9:30 a.m. April 3 Soup Stop, 10:30 a.m. Choir Practice, 5:30 p.m. April 5 Holy Hands Puppet Show, 7:00 p.m. April 6 Worship/Children s Church, 9:30 a.m. Adult SS after worship April 7 Bible Study, 6:30 p.m. April 9 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. April 10 Soup Stop, 10:30 a.m. Choir Practice, 5:30 p.m. April 13 Worship/Children s Church, 9:30 a.m. Adult SS after worship April 14 Bible Study, 6:30 p.m. April 16 CCAR cleans, 9:30 a.m. Cluster Paris, 12:00 p.m. April 17 Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00 p.m. Soup Stop, 10:30 a.m. Choir Practice, 5:30 p.m. April 20 Easter Sunrise Service, 7:00 a.m. Easter Brunch, 8:00 a.m. Worship/Children s Church, 9:30 a.m. Adult SS after worship April 21 Bible Study, 6:30 p.m. April 24 Soup Stop, 10:30 a.m. Choir Practice, 5:30 p.m. April 27 Worship/Children s Church, 9:30 a.m. Adult SS after worship April 28 Bible Study, 6:30 p.m.

3 Habitat for Humanity ReStores A good deal for you, your community and the environment. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world. Charleston is getting its very own Re-Store! It is slated to open in April!! The store will be located at 520 W. Lincoln, Charleston, in the West Park Plaza where the old Wal- Mart was located. They are accepting donations both monetary and household goods. They do request no soft goods, such as bedding and clothing. However if you have soft goods you can donate them to the goodwill located just down the street from them. If you have an item that you would like to donate that is too large or heavy they will even come and pick it up for you!! Contact information: Susan Smith for now and Angela Reed after the store opens.

4 Coffee Fellowship for April Jackie James & Carolyn Etnire Shut-In Communion Ministry If you would like to receive communion, please call the church office at If no answer, please leave a message on the voice mail that you would like to receive communion. It is always served the first Sunday of each month. Elder of the Month For April The church has and Elder of the Month month program. If at any time, you are in need and are unable to get in touch with the office, or Pastor Sharon is unavailable, the Elder of the Month may be called. For April, the Elder of the Month is: Stan Huffman Worship Leaders Elders April 6 Patty Maples April 6 Tarry James & Tricia Briggerman April 13 Stan Huffman April 13 Stan Huffman & Vicki Trueblood April 20 April 20 Kaye Woodward & Jan Ernst April 27 Kevin James April 27 Gayle Strader & Mike Strader Diaconate for April Serve Prepare Greeters & Acolytes Mitch Goodwin Beverly Peters Mitch Goodwin Amanda McGowan Roger Peters Amanda McGowan Beverly Peters Roger Peters Every Monday at 6:30 p.m. Please Join Us!!

5 April CCIW Prayer Calendar March 30 April 5: FCC Rockford, CC of Abingdon, FCC Albion April 6 12: RCC Arcola, CC of Arlington Heights, Central CC Danville April 13 19: Easter Offering, General Church Ministries, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins April 20 26: Bellflower CC, FCC Bement, FCC Benton April 27 May 3: Vine Street CC in Arthur, Atwater CC, FCC Barry Board of Elders Meeting (Open to All) The next Board of Elders Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 6:30 p.m. Please have all reports into the office no later than Tuesday the 8 th. Thank you!! Pocket Change Ministry For April and May Is Soup Stop (Otterbein United Methodist) CWF Christian Women s Fellowship The third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!!! Homecoming September 28, 2014

6 Attention Elders!!! Elders: the Disciples Great Advantage! A workshop for Elders With Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm Saturday, April 5 9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. At First Christian Church, 6400 University St., Peoria, Il As a church consultant, and having served as executive for a national ecumenical organization, I have had the opportunity to see how many different denominations are organized. My appreciation for our Disciples lay office of elder has grown through the years. In a time when people want to be equipped to do ministry, not simply pay for someone else to do ministry in their name, we have a terrific advantage! This workshop will briefly look at the history of the office of elder, the amazing relevance of the office of elder for the 21 st century, and practical, Bible-based advice on how to strengthen yourself as an elder and your congregation s group of elders, the relationship between pastor and elders, dealing with conflict, and the implications of cultural and generational shifts. There will also be time for sharing elder best practices as participants will be invited to share what has been working best for them (feel free to bring hand-outs, if you wish). Easter Lilly Down in a Tennessee valley there lived an 88 year old woman named Sara and known to others nearby as Easter Lilly. She got that tittle over 50 years ago when she started raising Easter Lilies and giving them out in church on Easter Sundays. The Children all received their flower first, then the women. Men had to get permission from their wife or girlfriend if they had one, before they were given a flower. Lilly said she was too old to have what little hair she had left, pulled out by a jealous woman over a man. She was pleased that every year she had to bring more flowers because each year there was always more children in church than there was the previous year. She didn t have any money to speak of, but God gave her a green thumb. She said; As long as the Lord keeps my heart a beating- I m going to use it to serve the Lord! Everyone said she must be the sweetest little old lady that ever lived A few days before Easter one year, a 9 year old girl named Brook came to see Lilly. She was very sad because some boys at school told her she was ugly. Brook asked Lilly; why didn t God make me pretty like my sister? Lilly said; I remember when your sister was your age and you look just like she did then. Boys can t see very well until they get their new eyes, this happens at about age 14. Then those boys will like how you look so much, they all will want a picture of you to wear around their neck in a locket

7 Brook still wasn t convinced, so Lilly said, Right now while you re little, your grown up face is squeezed into a small package like a seed. When you grow your face stretches and it will grow like a flower and become a beautiful face. Someday a man looking for a beautiful flower will find you. Why, I wouldn t be a bit surprised if you grew up to be the prettiest flower in the whole field. So don t listen to what people with poor vision say about you anymore. Lilly understood the love of God and passed it on to Brook and many others with her Easter flowers and words of wisdom over the years. Lilly didn t live to see Brook bloom into the beautiful flower she has now become. One of Lilly s favorite sayings was; If you don t have something like a few kind words, some love or nice flowers to give- keep it! Written by the father of Easter Brook. April Birthday s April 8 th Bob Zuniga April 11 th Janet Myers April 13 th Nancy Oakley April 15 th Kay Endsley April 22 nd Pam Klingler April Anniversaries April 1 st Jeff & Christie Behrend April 14 th Garry & Jan Ernst Cougill Manor Join Pastor Sharon, the OSRCC choir and anyone else who wishes to Be the Difference Camp Walter Scott is looking forward to the 2014 camping season. The past two years have seen many changes in our church camp. Early registration ends April 15. If you have or know of a child who would like to attend, see Pastor Sharon for more details. participate, on the 3 rd Sunday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at Cougill Manor. Fun, music, & fellowship. All are Welcome!!

8 OLD STATE ROAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Old State Road Charleston, IL Rev. Sharon Patton, Pastor (cell) Vicki Trueblood, Facilitator Sheri Feast, Secretary Join us every Sunday for Worship at 9:30 a.m. Children s Church during Worship at 9:30 a.m. Office hours are Tuesday Friday, 9-3