Easter Worship Celebration Services: Sunday, April 20

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1 The lamplighter Volume 64, Issue 4 April 2014 Sunday, April 13 9:45 am Worship Service Thursday, April 17 7:00 pm Service Community Good Friday Worship Friday, April 18 at 12 noon Second Congregational Church Easter Worship Celebration Services: Sunday, April 20 Inside this issue: Pastor s Ponderings 2 Master Calendar 2 Newsletter Deadline 3 Meijer Fundraiser 4 Thank You Notes 5 Women s Tea 7 Easter Flowers 8 April Volunteers 10 Calendar 11 Sunrise Worship Service at 8:00am Potluck breakfast at 8:45am Special points of interest: NECM Needs NECM Supperhouse Box Tops Golf Outing Silver Seniors Easter Celebration 9:45am

2 Pastor s Ponderings Pastor Jan and I introduced the Spiritual Practice of Thankfulness for us as a congregation to engage in during Lent (listed below). You may be wondering what a Spiritual Practice is. A Spiritual Practice is an intentional and attentive practice which creates space in our lives where God can dwell in our midst. Another way to describe a Spiritual Practice is a practice that allows God s Spirit to commune with our spirit. So how are you doing with the Spiritual Practice of Thankfulness? Perhaps you did well the first week, but then you missed a day and quit. Maybe you simply have not started yet. It sounds very easy, but most of us find it hard to start a new Spiritual Practice. I don t have time, I forgot, I don t have a piece of paper handy, or I don t see how this makes a difference, are things we think and say which prevent us from establishing a new Spiritual Practice in our lives. I encourage you to take the first step and start today, anew for the first time! Again, perfection is NOT our goal, connecting our spirit to God s Spirit is. When we regularly acknowledge God s gracefilled love in every aspect of our lives, we are changed from the inside (our spirit) out. Our entire lives are put in sync with the reality of the freedom of Jesus Christ s resurrecting power so that we are set free of those aspects of our lives which keep us disconnected from God. As you journey forward in the Spiritual Practice of Thankfulness may you experience in your life the reality of Jesus words, If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36) Grace, Pastor Tim Lent In the end, Lent is not about a 40-day marathon of deprivation. It s about looking inside, finding the places where we feel disconnected to God, and taking up the challenge of going deeper. It s about walking with Jesus for forty days because we are so overwhelmed by His love for us. And, it s about preparing for what is next. Because the empty tomb is not the finish line. It s just the start of a long and wonderful journey. And Lent is a time to get ready. -Rev. Emily C. Heath So let s add something that will draw us to Jesus overwhelming love for us, rather than depriving ourselves of something. Let s begin a Spiritual Practice in Lent that will put us in tune with the reality of the new, free, resurrection life Jesus has for us. Spiritual Practice for Lent: ' Each day set aside time to write a list of what you are thankful for that day. It is helpful to use a notebook so you can review your list as you journey toward Easter. ' Once a week write a thank you note to someone, put it in a stamped envelope and mail it to the. 2

3 Help Earn Money for the Church! If you use the internet for any type of search you can use GoodSearch and a donation will be made to the church for every search and purchase you make over the internet. The last check Northlawn received was for over $140. All proceeds go toward the mortgage principle. Here's all you need to do; Go to Click REGISTER NOW and begin raising money for Northlawn every time you search, or shop on line! MASTER CALENDAR All information put on the master calendar MUST be put on in pencil. This allows changes to be made. Deadline for The Lamplighter Newsletter is ALWAYS the 17th of the previous month. ALL articles must be received by this date or they will not be included. Sorry, no exceptions. You may your articles to: catsdesk@northlawnumc.org or leave them in the secretary s office. NECM Monthly Needs: NECM always needs grocery bags. They may be paper or plastic Meat, Canned Meat Potatoes Stuffing Pasta, Pasta sauce Cereal Fruit cups Granola Bars & Cereal Bars Crackers Chips Rice, Beans Vegetables Dry milk Macaroni & cheese Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo) Canned spaghetti (like spaghetti o s) Diapers Toothpaste/brushes Soap Shampoo Deodorant 3

4 Meijer Mortgage Fundraiser We received a check from Meijer in February, in the amount of $ This brings our grand total to $3, for this project. The money will be applied to the mortgage fund. Thanks again for your support. Ruth Van Valkenburg NECM SUPPERHOUSE, TUESDAY, APRIL 22 The Youth group will be assisting at NECM Supperhouse at St. Al's, corner of Leonard and Lafayette where over 100 area residents are served a delicious meal. But... We still need volunteers. Time commitment is from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. Sign up at Connection Corner. Contact Lee Grey, for details Northlawn United Methodist Church 1157 Northlawn St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI Mission - why we are here Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Remember to Save Those Box Tops For Education! 4

5 Northlawn Friends, Thank you to everyone for your prayers for John and I during his recent heart problems. We appreciate your concern and love more than you know. John & Sharon Applegarth Jerry and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, and calls when Jerry had his heart transplant. Pastor Tim's hospital visits were greatly appreciated. The lovely prayer shawl, given to Jerry by the Prayer Shawl Ministry, has been very comforting. We ask for continued prayers for healing and also prayers for the donor family. They gave us a magnificent gift when they lost a beloved family member. June and Jerry Swanson Thank you to everyone for all the messages, prayers, meals and gifts that have been given to me and my family during my fight against cancer. Words cannot adequately express how thankful I am. Having been a part of the Northlawn church family for many years, I have had the opportunity to witness in the past just how giving and caring you all are, but it's even more overwhelming to be on the receiving end of it. Plus the amount of prayers on my behalf have truly been answered in the effectiveness of the chemo in reducing the amount of cancer so that my last surgery was less extensive than anticipated. It was nothing short of a miracle. God is good! Thank you also to Pastor Jan for coming to visit and pray with me while I was in the hospital. It was just what needed! Robin Eslinger 5

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7 Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 pm ~ Save this Date!!! Women of Northlawn of all ages you are invited to join us for annual Spring Tea!! Please watch for more details in the upcoming bulletins! Questions? Please contact Christine Wright, Jeanne Hoye, or Lee Grey. Grand Rapids, We ve Got a Crisis Our babies are dying at an alarming rate! Among the 50 states, Michigan ranks 38th in infant mortality. In 2003, Grand Rapids had the worst infant mortality rate in Michigan, and the rate for African American babies was 4 times the rate for Caucasians. (source: Rapid Growth, 12/April/2012) Beyond concerned, the Micah Center Health Advocacy Team is deeply angushed. We are inviting you to hear the Strong Beginnings staff from Spectrum Health raise our consciousness and help focus our problem solving action. Please join us at: Hope Reformed Church (corner of Burton and Kalamazoo) Tuesday, April 6:00 pm WEDNESDAY, APRIL Noon so bring your favorite dish and join us!! No need to sign up at connection corner. Hospitality & Outreach Meeting Thursday, April 6:00 pm Join us to share ideas & help with upcoming initiatives & events 5th Sunday Brunch Pot Luck Sunday, March 30 at 11:15 am Bring your favorite dish to share. Table service & beverages provided 7

8 2014 Northlawn Youth Group Activities We will be helping serve at NECM Supper House Tuesday, April 22, 4:30-7:00 pm Contact Sally if you need direc ons or a ride. Easter Flowers Once again this year we will offer the congregation the opportunity to help us decorate our Sanctuary by purchasing Easter flowers in honor or memory of their loved ones. The deadline for the order with be April 10. You may buy an Easter lily, daffodil, pink yellow or purple tulip. All plants are $6.00. Envelopes are in the office and weekly bulletins. April 20 at 8:30 Join us for brunch on Easter Sunday, April 20, 8:30 am- 9:45 am Between the Sunrise & 9:45 am Worship Celebrations We hope to have a wide variety of breakfast foods to welcome Easter worshipers. Let us know what you will bring using the Easter Brunch Online Sign up or at the Connection Corner. 8

9 Northlawn United Methodist Church 2014 Leadership Team Administrative Team Chairperson: Chris Longstreth Finance Chairperson: Diane Ludwig SPRC Chairperson: Thurlan Meredith Trustee Chairperson: Jerry Lachniet Lay Member to Ann. Conference: Women of Northlawn President Ruth VanValkenburg Large: Alan Claybaugh, John Secord, Phil VanHammen, Tammy Diebold, Ken Jeltema Core Ministry Team Outreach, Hospitality, Mission Sally Wesorick Small Group Barb Jeltema Education and Discipleship Teri Chandler Worship Jan Jager & Sharon Longstreth Congregational Care John Secord Administrative Team Rep Jerry Lachniet We will be updating our Church directory. If you are new to Northlawn, have moved, or your birthday/anniversary is not listed in our directory, please call Cathy, leave a phone message, , or a note on her desk with the new or updated information. 9

10 April Volunteer List, Birthdays & Anniversaries Ruth VanValkenburg 6 Darla & Bert 13 Lyle & Hilda Russell 20 Easter Breakfast 27 Jan Jager 1 Adam Roberts 3 Greg Cleveland 8 Leslie Martin-Good 10 Evelyn Cavner 10 Mike Diebold 10 James Young 11 Eric Erkfitz 11 Darva Oberhofer 12 Bob Haile 12 Chris Longstreth 12 Charlie Yen 15 Lyle Brockway 16 Pat Schloop 17 Ed Cavanaugh 17 Doug Johnson 19 Bob Hamilton 21 Craig Allen 23 Tracey Salzemnieks 23 Kristina Weidenfeller 28 Sharon Longstreth 28 Norm Merrow 29 Adelaide Erkfitz 30 Cherie Roberts 6 John Ball, Tim Buschert, Ed Cavanaugh, Greg Weidenfeller 13 Tim Buschert, Norm Merrow, Tom Thompson, Greg Weidenfeller Bob & Barb Morton 27 Bob & Jody Hamilton 10

11 April 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat WEEKLY EVENTS: Tues: 10 am Bible Study 7 pm Bible Study Wed: 6 pm Bell Choir 7 pm Chancel Choir Thurs: 6:30 pm Yarn with A Purpose noon Silver Seniors Potluck Lunch 6 pm Outreach & Hospitality Mtg pm Trustee Mtg 6 pm SPRC Mtg 13 Palm Sunday 3 pm Vista Springs Northview 20 8 am Sunrise Service 8:45 am Easter Breakfast 9:45 Easter Worship 14 6:30 pm W.O.N. Mtg 21 7 pm CORE Mtg pm Finance Mtg 22 4:30 pm Youth NECM Supper House pm Maundy Thursday Service noon Good Friday 2nd Cong. Wedding Rehearsal pm Gould Gathering 3 pm Cleveland Wedding am-6 pm Renkema Gathering MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS: Please note, it is YOUR responsibility to list all meetings on the Office calendar. The online calendar is then updated based on the office calendar. ALL COMMUNICATIONS ARE BASED ON THE OFFICE CALENDAR. Pastor Tim 11

12 Northlawn United Methodist Church 1157 Northlawn St. NE Grand Rapids, MI Phone: (616) Fax: (616) We re on the web! Please remember the following people in your prayers: Rhea Glazier Dolores Barnes Izzy Ward Kelli Hamilton Dave & Dorothy Spaulding Bob & Barb Morton Darva Oberhofer Wes & Phyllis Smith RuthAnn Buschert Phyllis Tortellet Jim & Teresa Hoff Robin Eslinger Mission - why we are here Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world 12