CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER St. Paul s United Methodist Church 405 W. Beardsley Avenue Elkhart, IN Rev. Tom DeFries, Pastor Website: stpaulselkhart.com elkhartstpaulsumc@gmail.com The Son of Man must be lifted up As we move toward Easter, I will be teaching out of the gospel of John about the impacts of the cross. Specifically, I will be looking at 3 statements Jesus made about himself as the Son of Man (This was Jesus self-titled name to show his connection to humanity). 3 different times Jesus told us that the Son of Man will be/must be lifted up (John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32). Each of these statements are surrounded with the idea of "belief". We are called to believe in Jesus, believe in who Jesus says he is, to believe in the work Jesus is doing as he is lifted up on that cross. Each of these statements also shares an aspect of salvation that is important for us. There is a 2-fold meaning to being lifted up. The 1st obviously means being lifted upon the cross for crucifixion. The 2nd is the idea that he is lifted up in exaltation and glory through his work on the cross. Some of the themes we will be studying are: Jesus lifted up as a suffering symbol to become the focus of our faith. Jesus lifted up as the one who allows us to be born of God. Jesus lifted up so that we might be set free from the curse of sin. Jesus lifted up on Palm Sunday revealing to us the lifestyle of the cross. Jesus lifted up in exaltation on Easter Sunday which is no "April Fools". Pastor Tom 1 MARCH 2018 NEWSLETTER

2 Saving Grace has been a very busy place. We have been visited by about 140 people so far this year. My wonderful volunteers have been amazing. And yes we always have room for more, so if you know of someone who has a few hours and would like to spend it in a great place.call me! Speaking of volunteers, I have to give a shout out to the Hawthorne boys basketball team! They came and spent the afternoon sorting and cleaning! What amazing young men (and coaches). Thanks for everything, I was totally exhausted but it was worth it! We are working on our next fundraiser Taste of the Grapes. Friday, April 13, :00-8:00pm at the Midwest Museum of Art. Tickets will be $ Join us. We are also looking for corporate sponsors and silent auction items, so if you know of a local business that would like to participate we have sponsorship packets available. Contact Sandy Lindahl Baird for tickets and packets. Easter Egg Hunt flyer with items needed at the Welcome Center Volunteer sign up for Notre Dame at the Welcome Center VIP volunteers!! We need cooks and cleanup crews. Sign up is at the welcome center. SIS will be selling Easter baskets again this year. The prices are good and all proceeds go to Christmas Shoppe Wish List Deodorant Dish soap Laundry soap Razors Women s socks 2 MARCH 2018 NEWSLETTER

3 It s almost spring and we cant wait for the warm weather, sunshine and outside recess! Last week we had our school picture day and an awesome fieldtrip to Healthworks! Kids Museum in South Bend. We learned about taking care of our bodies and keeping germs away. This month we will talk about community helpers and finish our month with an Easter Celebration. We are excited to invite our parents back this year for an Easter Tea & Bake sale. This is a fun morning that our students and parents get to spend together. We will have a Easter Tea and craft activity for them to do together on Thursday March 29th. At this event St. Paul s Preschool will have a Bake Sale for a spring fundraiser for our ministry. If you would like to donate any baked items we would love your help and support! Please have all baked goods to the church by Wednesday March 28th (office closes at 1:00) We are looking for cookies, mini cakes, pies, bread etc. Please label all baked goods with flavor/name of baked good. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 3 MARCH 2018 NEWSLETTER

4 Easter Flower Orders... Lily orders are due by March 18. Order forms & envelopes will be available for you each Sunday. This year we are also offering you an option instead of flowers to donate to the "FLOOD" fund. You can still put in honor of or in memory of on your Easter flower form, but the money will go to help out flood families locally.you can order flowers, or just FLOOD money or both. Thank you. March Drive-N-Dine... Saturday, March 17th at 5:30 at the Great Wall in Elkhart.. A sign up sheet is at the welcome center Food Drive...Has gotten off to a great start! The food we collect will benefit local families served through Saving Grace, Outreach Committee and Sisters in Service. Starting in March, we will begin concentrating on one or two food items each month (although you are still welcome to bring in any non- perishables that have not reached expiration). Our March request is for: Canned fruit/applesauce The grocery cart will be available to collect your donations throughout the month. Cans with pop top lids are especially appreciated. Garden Update from Sandy Adams...Remember when Pastor Tom had the sermon catchword You make things beautiful out of dust? We need helpers around 3:30 or so during the week to fill the gardens with dirt and put the caps on. Please call Sandy Adams at so convenient times can be arranged, so we can make things beautiful from the dust. Church Conference...Monday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. dealing with the matching funds from the Endowment. Sunday Volunteer Schedule For March: 9:00 Greeters: Bob Bressler & Pat Thompson Host: Betty Nelson Liturgist: Bill Zimmerman Ushers: (4th) Dave Walker, Mark Zeimet, Virginia Steele & Dave Troyer (11th & 18th) Rosa Beers, Dick Marshall & Bill Zimmerman (25th) Wayne McLaughlin, Bonnie Shanholt, Dave Shanholt and Bill Mann Snacks:/Set Up: (4th) Dave & Linda Menoski/Roger & Elaine Fleischauer (11th) Nancy & Don Willis/Stan & Kay Teal (18th) Betty Nelson & Wayne McLaughlin/Dave & Pam Walker (25th) Sue Sager/Kent & Sue Sager 11:00 Greeter/Ushers: (4th & 11th) Stacey Frieden/Paula Sharp Harris & Glen Yarnall (18th & 25th) Tony Frieden/Gary Harris & Linda Carris Liturgist: Worship Team 4 MARCH 2018 NEWSLETTER

5 March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Communion 5 6:00 Committees 7:15 Ad Council :30 ELCO Chorus Practice Free Breakfast 11 u :00 Rose Circle :00 Game Day :30 Great Wall/ Elkhart :30 p.m. Church Conference 7:30 p.m. AA/ Alanon :30 Preschool Open House ELCO Chorus Practice 25 Palm Sunday Holy Thursday 6:30-8 pm Open Communion 30 Good Friday Office Closed 7:00 Service 31 Easter Egg Hunt 11-noon 5 MARCH 2018 NEWSLETTER