Lenten Meals To be Held

Transcription

1 Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ P.O. Box 762 McCall, ID Website: mccallucc.org Rev. Charlottie Havlicak, Pastor February 2016 Volume XXV Number 2 Lenten Meals To be Held The Lenten Season is a time of renewing our commitment to follow the pathway of Jesus. It is a time of simple meals of soup and bread to feed our bodies and a short study to feed our souls. Once again, at McCall Community Congregational United Church of Christ we are celebrating the Lenten Season with weekly meals and studies. The meals are held each Wednesday, beginning February 17, and continuing through March 16. At 5:30 p.m. we will enjoy a meal of soup and bread, followed by a study at 6:15 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be circulated for those who would like to help with the meal. As Lent is a time of service to others, this year we are again learning about our mission and ministry in our community. Each week a different community leader will speak. Everyone is encouraged to join in this time of learning and preparation for Easter.

2 Pastor s Writings But the greatest of these is love! 1 st Corinthians 13 In a few days it will be Valentine s Day. I have been thinking about how important it is for each one of us to know that we are loved and appreciated for who we are. Our lives are shaped from the very beginning by the love and attention that we receive from those closest to us mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, church family. If we receive acceptance, encouragement and daily doses of love, we will probably grow up feeling loved and accepted. For many children, the only attention they receive is when they do something wrong. They are not encouraged, they do not receive daily doses of love and attention from their families, they become bitter, and they grow resentful of society. Valentine s Day was created as a day to show all those we love how important they are in our lives. For our special someone, we send flowers or buy a big box of candy. We shouldn t have to have one special day to tell others how much we love them. Start today and tell others how much you love them. Remember our grade school days? Covering an old shoebox, or maybe an oatmeal container, with red and white construction paper. How exciting it was to receive valentines from our classmates. How crushed we were if we didn t receive a valentine from the cute boy who sat by us in arithmetic class. Even in those days of our youth, we realized how great it was to receive a valentine from others telling us we were liked, and we remember the heartache if we didn t receive a valentine from that special little boy or girl. Our loving God doesn t need a special day to tell us how much we are loved. God knows the beginning and ending of our days. God cares about every aspect of our lives. God uses every day to send us love, on the wings of a dove. God s presence is with us each and every day of our lives, leading us and encouraging us to be who we are called to be. My prayer is that we will reach out and tell others, You are important to me. I love you very much. Happy Valentine s Day.

3 February Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Practice 3 4 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast & Ham Radio Club :45 a.m. Worship Communion 8 6:30 p.m. Community 9 Practice a.m. Trustees Ash Wednesday 11 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast & :45 a.m. Service of Ashes 6 p.m. 2 nd Sunday Sounds@6 1 st Sun. Lent Valentine s D. 15 6:30 p.m. Community President s Day 16 Practice 17 5:30 p.m. Lenten Meal & Study 18 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast & :45 a.m. Worship 2 nd Sunday In Lent 22 6:30 p.m. Community 23 Practice 24 5:30 p.m. Lenten Meal & Study 25 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast & 4:30 p.m. Deacons :45 a.m. Worship 3 rd Sunday In Lent 29 6:30 p.m. Community

4 In Memory and Honor Ellen Irene (Leaf) Ikola Ellen I Ikola was born in Lake Fork, Idaho on July 20, She passed away on January 16, 2016 in McCall, Idaho. She attended grammar school in Norwood and high school in Donnelly, Idaho, graduating Valedictorian in She worked at the C.C. Anderson Store and later for the U.S. Post Office in McCall. She and M. George Ikola were married in 1938, both working for Brown Tie and Lumber. Their only son, Gerry Lee, was born in October Soon after, they moved to Horseshoe Bend, where George and his brother Elmer started Ikola Logging. They lived there for nine years making lifelong friends and many cherished memories. In 1956, they returned to McCall, where Ikola Logging continues to operate to this day. Ellen was the primary bookkeeper for Ikola Logging for 68 years, beginning in Ellen was a dedicated member of numerous organizations. She was a Charter Member of the local chapter of Daughters of the Nile, and very active member of Finnish Ladies Aid for most of her adult life. She perhaps most enjoyed her membership in the Valeria Chapter of Eastern Star in McCall, where she was Worthy Matron in She loved traveling to Idaho Grand Chapter once a year throughout the state, holding many Grand Chapter offices for many years. Ellen took great pride in Gerry s and her grandchildren s many activities and accomplishments. She and George especially enjoyed basketball games, but also attended baseball games, motorcycle races, track meets and football games. She will be missed by all who knew her, but more significantly by fellow members of Eastern Star, Finnish Ladies Aid, the McCall Senior Center and the McCall Community Congregational Church. The greatest void, of course, will be left in the lives of her loving family and (Continued on Page 5)

5 New Officers Installed A special ceremony was held during worship on Sunday, January 31, to install the newly elected church officers. This will also be a time to honor those officers who are retiring for their years of service. The offices who were installed are Mark Robinson, Moderator; Bobbi Hoover and Catherine Hall, Treasurer and assistant; Helen Eimers, Clerk; Chris Westwater, Kermit Peterson, and Kayrene Tanner, Historians; Diane Graham and Malcolm Tanner, Financial Secretary and assistant; Linda Hallock, Deacon Chair; Helen Eimers, Teresa Mapp, Amy Miller, Evelyn Kam, Marilyn Krahn, Judy Baker, Judy Ramos, Joette Johnson, Diane Graham and Linda Corder, Deacons; Bob Hallock, Trustees Chair; David McQuade, John Hucks, Malcolm Tanner, Tom Henderson, and Hank Boomer, Trustees. Those officers who are retired are Diane Green, Historian; John Baker, Tony Nash and Nicki Them, Financial Secretary and assistants; Kathy Blackmon, Bev Henderson and Nancy Harris, Deacons. Those officers who are retiring are Diane Green, Historian; Nickie Them and Tony Nash, Financial Secretary assistants; Kathy Blackmon, Bev Henderson, Nancy Harris and Diane Green, Deacons. We are very grateful and proud of those folks who are willing to give of their time and talents to the church and serve so faithfully. The Service of Ashes To Be Held This year Ash Wednesday will be February 10. This is the beginning of Lent and the Easter season. The Service of Ashes will be held Sunday, February 14, during the worship service. All who have saved their palm branches from last year s Palm Sunday service are asked to bring them to Pastor Char. These will be burned to provide the ashes. Ellen Ikola (Continued from Page 4) close relatives. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Leaf and Mary Karki, siblings Bill Leaf, Edna Ruska, Lillian McDougal, Ralph Leaf, Acel Leaf and Mary Johnson and her husband George. She is survived by her son Gerry Lee Ikola (Capella), grandchildren Erika Sussi (Jordan), Gerry Andrew Ikola (Rachael) and Gabe Ikola and great-grandchildren Erika Faith Ikola, Andrew Ikola and Lordes Sussi. A memorial service was held at the McCall Community Congregational Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, Graveside services followed at the Finnish Cemetery. A reception in her honor followed at the McCall Senior Center.

6 What Is Lent? Lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert, and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion. Lent is a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for Easter. Many Christians choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ during the Easter season. How does one observe Lent? Here are some ideas of things to think about this Lenten Season: Fast from worry; Feast on the Peace of Christ that passes all understanding. Fast from doubt; Feast on the assurances of God s abundant love. Fast from over abundance; Feast on food for the soul. Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ s presence in your life. Fast from thoughts of sickness; Feast on the healing power of God. Fast from want; Feast on gratitude. Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others. Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence. Fast from problems which overwhelm; Feast on prayer that undergirds.

7 Trebelle To Perform The Second Sunday Six recital for the month of February will feature the music of Trebelle. The members of the group are Jennifer Dunn, violin, Heidi Nagel, cello, and Robyn Wells, piano. The recital will be titled La Belle Époque: French Music for Valentine s Day and will feature the works of Debussy and Chausson. Jennifer Dunn performs solo recitals throughout Idaho, and works as a free-lance musician with the Boise Philharmonic and Helena Symphony. Heidi Nagel is currently a cellist in the Boise Philharmonic. For the last 32 years, Robyn Wells has been a private teacher and has been adjunct piano faculty at the College of Idaho since The recital will be held at McCall Community Congregational United Church of Christ on Sunday, February 14, at 6 p.m. There is no charge for the performance but donations are welcomed. Wait til you see what we have planned for you in 2016!! The 2016 Second Sunday Six schedule is published and can be found at More news will follow regarding Educational Extras for each recital. If you are a Facebook user, please like us! ( unds/) Birthday Greetings... February 1 February 4 February 6 February 7 February 10 February 12 February 15 February 17 February 18 February 19 February 20 February 24 February 26 February 27 February 28 Candice Gerber Helen Moore Dr. Scott Harris Janice Reinhard Paul DeSchryver Tom Robin Harris Lew Keys Robert Gearhardt Rob Blackmon Bev Henderson Wes Rhoades Nancy Savee Harris Brandon Henggeler Kathy Mertz Del Dodd Matthew Henggeler Judd DeBoer Shala Dendler Sharon Tansley Ron Coil Lois Fry Fiona Dendler Charla Havlicak Happy Anniversary February 2 February 10 February 14 February 18 Brian & Toni Cororan Tom & Bev Henderson John & Nancy Grove David & Tamara Kam

8 Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ P.O. Box 762 McCall, ID O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 135:1 NRSV