Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) April 2017 Telephone: 217/ ; , No. 4. The Colors of God s Creation

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THE VINE STREET VISITOR Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) April 2017 Telephone: 217/543-2292; Email: vscc@mchsi.com 2017, No.

~ Genesis 9:16 (New Revised Standard Version) Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb.

1 THE VINE STREET VISITOR Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) April 2017 Telephone: 217/ ; , No. 4 The Colors of God s Creation When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. ~ Genesis 9:16 (New Revised Standard Version) Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination. ~ American author Robert Fulghum &tbm=isch&sa=x&ved=0ahukewjhss_3qf7sahwhcmakhqcvc08q_auibigb&biw=1229&bih=588&dpr=1.56#tbm=isch&q=crayola+cray ons&*&imgrc=sex3ng5ybfo1wm: I love Robert Fulghum's imagination! And I remember sixty years ago when, as a Kindergartener, I was entrusted with my own box of sixty-four Crayola s with a built-in crayon sharpener! I treasured those little sticks of wax with the paper wrapped around them. And over time, my Crayola s taught me a wonderful lesson about the world as well. My crayons taught me that every color was beautiful. And, that flesh actually comes in many hues, including Melon, Salmon, Tan, Peach, Apricot, Almond and Burnt Umber! That there was beauty to be found in every expression of a flower or a fruit or a rainbow. And that there is beauty to be seen and celebrated in every race and tribe of humanity. This Easter, I invite us to bring to mind the amazing colors of humanity as God has intended them to be as we place the varied colors of flowers into our wooden cross during the 10 AM Easter service. And as we process toward the Living Cross, perhaps we can join together to pray with a common mind: God, open our eyes to see and our minds to know and our hands and hearts to embrace the diverse hues and expressions of Your Creation. Teach us to respect, cherish, preserve and love the beauty of every living being, as Jesus did. Teach us that every person has divine worth and value and needs to be counted, included and seen, for all the diverse experience and understanding each one may bring to the artwork of our shared ministry. In the name of the resurrected Christ, whose Pure Light embraces all the colors of creation, Amen. source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=x&ved=0ahukewjhss_3qf7sahwhcmakhqcvc08q_auibigb&biw=1229&bih=588&dpr=1.56#t bm=isch&q=crayola+crayons&*&imgrc=h9krxtf7eqt1zm: I treasure those times when we meet at the foot of the cross and truly see each other s struggles, hopes and dreams for a more loving and more peaceful environment! Let us meet there again! Pastor Paul

We are already busy planning the 2017 Arthur Community Vacation Bible School! The dates this year are Monday, June 12-Friday, June 16, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM each day at the Arthur Mennonite Church.

2 We are already busy planning the 2017 Arthur Community Vacation Bible School! The dates this year are Monday, June 12-Friday, June 16, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM each day at the Arthur Mennonite Church. Children 4 years through 8th grade are welcome to attend. Come join us and discover your STRENGTH in God! And if you are interested in joining the 75+ volunteers it takes to run this amazing week-long program, please contact Ginny Condill, Jessica Vanausdoll or Randa Carson. Check us out at and on Facebook at Arthur VBS.

3 A Covenant of Leadership was approved at the February 15, 2017 general board meeting. This Covenant will be read in unison before every general board meeting. The general board asked that all team leaders and team members read this covenant in unison before each team meeting. This covenant includes: Our Promises to God Our Promises to Our Church Family Our Promises to Each Other A COVENANT OF LEADERSHIP Vine Street Christian Church Our Promises to God We promise to pray, alone and together, to thank God and to ask for God s help in our lives and in our work for our church, and we promise to listen to God s answer to us. Our Promises to Our Church Family We promise to demonstrate our leadership and commitment to our church by our example. We promise to support our church s pastors and staff, so their efforts can be most productive. We promise to try to discover what is best for our church as a whole, not what might be best for us or for some small group in the church. Our Promises to Each Other on the Vine Street Christian Church Board We promise to respect and care for each other. We promise to treat our time on the VSCC board as an opportunity to make an important gift to our church. We promise to listen with an open, nonjudgmental mind to the words and ideas of the others in our church and on the board. We promise to discuss, debate, and disagree openly in board meetings, expressing ourselves as clearly and honestly as possible, so we are certain the board understands our point of view. We promise to support the final decision of the board, whether it reflects our view or not. From Alban at Duke Divinity School -- Covenants of Leadership Behavior

VSCC News Congratulations to Zeb and Ashton Crist on the birth of their son, Colton David Crist. Colton was born on March 22 and was welcomed home by his big brother, Kaiden and his big sister, Zoie.

Tracy has a long road to recovery when he does come home he will have 6 to 8 weeks of IV antibiotics at home. God has been faithful & so very good to us.

4 VSCC News Congratulations to Zeb and Ashton Crist on the birth of their son, Colton David Crist. Colton was born on March 22 and was welcomed home by his big brother, Kaiden and his big sister, Zoie. Everyone is doing great according to his grandparents, David and Carol Crist. Congratulations to all. Dear Church Family, Just want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and cards. Tracy has a long road to recovery when he does come home he will have 6 to 8 weeks of IV antibiotics at home. God has been faithful & so very good to us. Where would we be without him, I can t imagine? Please continue to pray for us & know that we hold you all in our thoughts & prayers. God Bless. In Christian Love, Tracy, Laury & J.D. Scott & Shirley High Dear VSCC Family, Wow, what a year this has been for us not complaining but just so grateful to you all for all the thoughts & prayers & card sent to us. It s nice to know that others care & take time to let you know, it makes you feel less alone when you are going through a rough patch! Thanks be to God for all his goodness & to you all for being his hands & Feet! We love & appreciate you all! Tracy, Laury, J.D. & Shirley 22 nd ANNUAL LENTEN BENEFIT CONCERT On Sunday, April 9, the 25 man Coles County Barbershop Chorus will present their 22 nd Annual Lenten Benefit Concert at 4:00 PM in the First Baptist Church (1804 South 9 th St. - Mattoon). The FREE one-hour concert of sacred music, will trace the life of Christ from his birth to his resurrection. Each year the free will offering provides thousands of dollars for area Food Pantry and Homeless Shelter programs. Quartets and a children s ensemble will sing. In addition, twenty area women will join the men in a mixed chorus to conclude the program. There is adequate parking and the facilities are wheel chair accessible. Christian Formation Ministry A Big Thank You to the Christian Formation Ministry who served over 30 custom made pancakes on March 19 for PJ and Pancake Sunday. They also served cinnamon rolls and fruit. **************************************** The Sunday School children are looking forward to the Easter stories that will be taught in April. **************************************** The Sunday School children have decided where they their Mission Fund offering (which they take every Sunday) will be going. They are also participating in the Wagon Train to the Food Pantry on Sunday, April 2. Ed Coller will once again be our guest speaker on Sunday, April 2. His sermon is titled I ve Been Everywhere Man! Nurture Fellowship Ministry The After Church Lunch Bunch will be having a Church Wide Birthday Party on Sunday, April 30 right after church. The menu includes lasagna! Reservations are needed by Monday, April 24. Save the Dates! Mother-Daughter Dinner Saturday, May 13 ~ 5:00 PM Reservations are needed by Thursday, May 4 ****************************** Graduate s Breakfast ~ Sunday, May 21

Cards will be printed and will placed in the back of the sanctuary. You are encouraged to take one and just walk around your neighborhood and silently pray at each house.

5 Mission Outreach Ministry The Mission Outreach Ministry and the CWF are teaming up together for the Operation Christmas Child Project. There is a collection tub at the back of the church for your donations. April is Stuffed Animal month! The Mission Outreach Ministry is also having an individual Prayer Walk. Cards will be printed and will placed in the back of the sanctuary. You are encouraged to take one and just walk around your neighborhood and silently pray at each house. It would be your own individual mission outreach. Odds & Ends Rich Buckler would like to receive as many 10 to 60 second video greetings from our congregation. This is for use on our lobby TV. Please record your greetings on your phones, in landscape mode, and then get them to Rich on a SD card or thumb drive. Use your imagination when coming up with recording ideas. All clips are due to Rich no later than Sunday, April 23. Special thanks to Bruce and Mary Beth Condill for hosting Don and Maryjane Westra, our Global Mission Partners on March 28 and 29. The Condill s planned a meal for all who attended The Westra s program. Thanks again Bruce and Mary Beth! Thanks so Kendra Watkins for organizing the CPR class. We have 13 new or recertified people in our congregation. They are Kendra Watkins, Jama Ray, Madeline Ray, Lauren Ray, Lilee Thomas, Heather Wienke, Susan Bursa, Bruce Condill, Mary Beth Condill, Sandy Dolan, Rich Buckler, Sharon Buckler and Cherryl Conlin. The Arthur Southern Baptist church is hosting a Trivia Night on Saturday, April 15 at 6:00 PM. It is $10.00 per person and each table must have a least 5 players. Who is represent VSCC? If you are interested, please contact the church office. Full details are on a flyer on the bulletin board by the stairs. The Arthur Lions Club will be having a benefit on Saturday, April 22 at the Atwood United Church from 4:00 7:00 PM. The purpose of this benefit is to raise funds for 3 sick children from Atwood. Chey Pipkin has leukemia. Mia Anderson has Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy and Leland Woolsey has gastroschisis. They are needing items for a Bake Sale. They would like all baked items to be dropped off at the Atwood United Church, 210 North Main Street, between 12:00 4:00 PM or items can be dropped off at our church office and Beth Jones will deliver them to Atwood.

6 In Our Prayers Harry & Mary Bell Shelia Crowe Hewitt Hafer Joyce Harpster Shirley High Kara Kuhns and her family Rose Lundquist Ellen Miller Malakai Miller and his family Alicia Pankey Mary Ellen Rutledge Tracy Scott Joyce Weatherholt Jeff Yantis The family and friends of Patricia Howell Service men and women and their families APRIL CALENDAR Every Sunday: 9:00 AM Sunday School, 10:00 AM Worship Sun., April 2, 9:40 AM ~ Singing Group Practice Sun., April 2, 11:00 AM ~ Wagon Train to the Methodist Church and lunch Sun., April 2, 5:30 PM ~ Lenten Study Mon., April 3, 6:00 PM ~ Pulpit Search Committee Meeting Tues., April 4, 6:00 PM ~ Arthur Home Service Wed., April 5, 9:00 AM ~ Pray It Forward Wed., April 5, 1:30 PM ~ CWF Meeting Wed., April 5, 7:00 PM ~ Administration Ministry Meeting Thurs., April 6, 7:00 PM ~ Singing Group Practice Fri., April 7, 10:30 AM ~ CWF The Arthur Home Sat., April 8, 9:00 AM ~ CWF Breakfast@ Yoder s Sun., April 9, 9:40 AM ~ Singing Group Practice Sun., April 9, 4:00 PM ~ Coles County Barbershop Chorus Concert in Mattoon Sun., April 9, 5:30 PM ~ Lenten Study Wed., April 12, 9:00 AM ~ Pray It Forward Thurs., April 13, 7:00 PM ~ Maundy Thursday Service Fri., April 14, 12:00 PM ~ Good Friday Arthur United Methodist Church Sun., April 16, 6:30 AM ~ Easter Sunrise First Apostolic Church Sun., April 16, 9:40 AM ~ Singing Group Practice Wed., April 19, 9:00 AM ~ Pray It Forward Wed., April 19, 6:00 PM ~ Cabinet Meeting Wed., April 19, 7:00 PM ~ Board Meeting Sun., April 23, 11:15 PM ~ Elder s Meeting Tues., April 25, 7:00 PM ~ Photography Group Meeting: Theme (Hey, What s Going On?) Wed., April 26, 9:00 AM ~ Pray It Forward Thurs., April 27, 7:00 PM ~ Men s Q & A Group Sun., April 30, 11:15 AM ~ Nurture Fellowship Ministry All Church Birthday Lunch APRIL BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! 5-Billie Fustin 6-Janet Ray 8-Kent Schmidt Amy Strong 9-Vincent Ray Ed & Debbie Coller (A) 10-Chloe Custer Rhonda Trower 12-Pete Jean 13-Ed Coller 14-Candi Thomas Zebulon Crist 17-Marilyn Maffett Andrew Singer 18-Shelia Crowe 19-Lonny Peterson 22-Avery Alexander Dexter Thomas 25-Phoebe Condill John Harrer Peter & Judy Kondrup (A) 26-Katey Custer 29-Bryce Yantis 30-Mark Jones Karl & Tara Bursa (A) MARCH ATTENDANCE March 5: 56 March 12: 55 March 19: 63 March 26: 50 Monthly Target Amount for the Operating Fund: $14, Received through March 30, 2017: $9,251.00

7 FLOWERING OF THE CROSS Once again for Easter Sunday, our congregation will be participating in the traditional Flowering of the Cross. This is an ancient Easter tradition that we believe will be lovely and moving. The large wooden cross, will be placed at the front of the sanctuary for Easter Sunday. Fresh flowers will be available to be placed on the cross by our congregation. The bare cross and the flowered cross provides a visual representation of the new life that we are celebrating, as we witness the very instrument of death and endings transformed into life with the resurrection of Christ. Also, the sanctuary will be decorated with Easter lilies. You may take them home after the church service. Nurture Worship Ministry Holy Week Happenings Palm Sunday Parade, April 9 - Children, youth and adults will be invited to parade with palms. Pastor Paul will be leading the parade! Maundy Thursday Service, April 13 - Once again we are having a Maundy Thursday Service celebrating the Lord s Supper and Tenebrae (the extinguishing of lights) at 7:00 PM. Please come and be seated at the front of the sanctuary. Good Friday Service, April 14 The Arthur United Methodist Church is hosting the Good Friday Service. Several churches will be involved in the worship experience that runs from 12:00 1:00 PM. Short sermons will be preached, interspersed with hymns and special music and people can come and go as their schedules allow. Easter Sunrise Service, April 16 - The Easter Sunrise Service will be held at the First Apostolic Church at 6:30 AM. Rev. John Stewart will give the message. Easter Celebration at Vine Street Christian Church - Come and celebrate the joy of Christ s resurrection with our Flowering of the Cross at 10:00 AM.

VINE STREET VISITOR Vine Street Christian Church 249 South Vine Street Arthur, IL 61911 Return Service Requested SERVING IN APRIL 2017 Elders: Susan Bursa Greeters: 2 Barry & Sue Williams Ann Huffman

8 VINE STREET VISITOR Vine Street Christian Church 249 South Vine Street Arthur, IL Return Service Requested SERVING IN APRIL 2017 Elders: Susan Bursa Greeters: 2 Barry & Sue Williams Ann Huffman 9 Kerry & Anne Pate 16 TBA Deacons: Rich Buckler 23 TBA Debbie Coller 30 Susan Bursa Brianne Eads Anne Pate Children s 2 Beth Jones CWF Monthly Cherryl Conlin Storytellers: 9 Pastor Paul Co-Chairmen: Shirley Edwards 16 Ed Coller Leader: Cherryl Conlin 23 Susan Bursa 30 Pastor Paul Worship Leader: Ed Coller

Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) June 2017 Telephone: 217/ ; , No. 6. The Purpose of CWF

THE VINE STREET VISITOR Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) June 2017 Telephone: 217/543-2292; Email: vscc@mchsi.com 2017, No. 6 The Purpose of CWF The purpose of Disciples Women is to provide