April Happenings

It's hard to believe that in a few short weeks we will be celebrating Easter! For me it is a time of reflection. A time to remember that our Lord and Saviour came to earth to save us from our sins. He bore the pain and anguish of all our transgressions that we may have eternal life. It is so hard for me to comprehend that someone would say there is no God. When you look at the beautiful sunrises/sunsets that we are able to see or you hear the birds singing, how could one ever believe there is no God? While Easter is a somber time, let it also be a happy time. A happy time in knowing that when we leave this earth, we will live forever with our Father in Heaven!

In light of the upcoming events surrounding Easter, we have many things happening in our church and around our community. Please make note of them on your calendar. You don't want to miss these wonderful times of fellowship. They are as follows:

Our adult choir has been faithfully practicing for their upcoming Easter cantata. It is entitled "Behold the Darkness". It will be held on Sunday, April 9th at 6pm (Palm Sunday).

Easter Sunrise Community Service will be held at North Pentecostal Holiness Church, Sunday, April 16th at 7am. Our beloved pastor will be speaking at this service.

The youth and children's committees will be meeting this Sunday, April 2nd. Children's committee will meet at 3:30pm and the youth committee will meet at 4:00 in the youth building. (will keep you updated should these times change!)

Boys & girls: Don't forget about the sports program available for you. Sessions begin at 2pm on Sunday afternoons (beginning with Bible study for 45 min.). This promises to be a fun time for all in attendance. Come out and be a part of something will help teach you to be a good sport both on and off the playing field!

Gardening Sessions are being held in the Fellowship Hall each Monday at 2pm. Sessions are free and open to the public!

Deacons: Don't forget about the upcoming Deacon's meeting this Sunday (April 2nd) at 8am.

REMINDER: Daylight savings time begins Sunday, April 2nd. Remember to "spring your clocks forward" Saturday night so you won't be late for church on Sunday morning!

Also, if you would like to place an Easter Lily in the sanctuary in honor or memory of someone, the cost is $12.00 per flower. The deadline is Monday, April 10th. If you have any questions pertaining to this, please notify someone on the flower committee. Flowers will be placed in the church prior to Easter Sunday and can be taken home following the Easter Sunday morning service. (you will also need to include who the flower has been placed by and the number of flowers you are purchasing).

As you can see, we have a lot going on! You don't want to miss these blessed opportunities to worship with fellow believers! I will keep you posted on any changes that need to be made or of any other events I am made aware of. As always, keep on pressing on the upward way! My love to each of you! God bless!!

Happy Spring!!

Sure doesn't feel like spring, but I am glad it is here!! As I have gotten older I have to come to love spring and fall more than any other time of year. For me, it is a time of reflection and I love to see everything blooming and all the beautiful colors God paints everything. How anyone could ever say there is no God, I have no idea. Who else could paint the sky with the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we see! Certainly not man. We fall short every time.

In reporting the business of our church I am pleased to announce that the youth were able to raise $534 from this past Sunday's spaghetti dinner/talent show. It is always a blessing to see our young people working for the Lord!

I also want to apologize for not mentioning the Men's breakfast that was held last Sunday. Was truly an oversight on my part. When I realized I had neglected to mention it, I felt terrible. Please forgive me!!

In other news, our director of Vacation Bible School is looking for willing teachers to help with the upcoming VBS time this year. If you would like to teach or assist in teaching a class, please let her know. You will truly be blessed!

Don't forget about First Place on Monday nights. Weigh in starts at 6:30 and the session begins at 7pm. Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow and learn how to become more spiritually and physically sound.

Children and parents: remember the children will be going to the zoo and Finlay Park Saturday, March 25th. If I remember correctly, they will be gone from 9-3 that day. I will double-check and post if it is a different time than I recall.

Let us remember those that are sick, bereaved or otherwise in need of prayer. We should also remember our President, military and their families, and other leaders.

That covers all that I have for now. I hope the remainder of your week is wonderfully blessed. Take care and my love to each of you!

Love in Christ,

Tina :-)

Talent Abounding!

The spaghetti dinner/talent show was a big success! We are fortunate to have so many talented folks in our church. Talents that were on display ranged from vocal stylings, to guitar or trombone playing, yo-yo tricks and clogging. Everyone did a fabulous job!! The grand prize was a red velvet cake made by one of the ladies of our church and it was awarded to a father and son team for their talents with a yo-yo.

Everyone who participated is a winner. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of a group and perform. Several folks tried to coax me into joining the clogging group that performed, but I bowed out! As I said before, everyone did a great job and my hat is off to each person who participated!

Kudos to the youth who did a terrific job preparing the meal (along with the adults who helped them) and serving. I know the judging of the talent show wasn't easy, but you did a fine job there as well. Everything was delicious and I am proud of all of you! Keep up the good work!

You've Got Skills!!

Attention boys and girls:

There is a new and exciting activity available for you! If you are interested in learning more about a sport you are already involved in or if you wish to learn more about another, then look no further. The answer is here!!

One of our talented men has started a new activity that involves 45 minutes of Bible study followed by learning more about the rules and skills of a particular sport. This promises to be a great learning experience for all involved. You will also learn how to become a better team player. It is important to be a positive part of the team. It only takes one bad banana to ruin the whole bunch.

These sessions are held every Sunday between from 2-4:30. I encourage you to come out and be a part of this great time of Bible study and sportsmanship.

And before I forget: the adult choir is working on an Palm Sunday cantata. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful experience, please come and join us for choir practice this Sunday immediately following the evening worship service. We would love to have you there!!

Also, the youth are having a spaghetti lunch following the morning worship service tomorrow. There will also be a talent contest. Our youth will be doing the judging. Come on out and join us for a great time of food and fellowship and see what wonderful talent our church has been blessed with!

Until next time, take care and God bless!!

Items of Interest

Happy Thursday to each of you! Hope everyone is doing well. We have several items on the agenda that I wanted to let you know about.

To start, our children, ages 4 to 2nd grade, are working on a Spring musical entitled "I am a Promise", delivering a message of obedience. Choir practice (followed by play time) is held each Sunday in the educational building during the evening worship service. If you have a child or children who would like to participate or if you know of other children who might like to be a part of this, I am sure they are more than welcome to join. The children's choir leader always does a fabulous job with them and we are blessed to have her.

The Youth will have a St. Patrick's Day party Saturday, March 18th at 6:30pm. Youth will need to meet in the youth building. You may have this date on your calendars for Friday, but it has been changed to Saturday, so please make note of this change! You don't want to miss the fun!!

The Youth will also be holding a spaghetti dinner/talent show following the morning worship service Sunday, March 19th. If you wish to participate in the talent show, please sign up in the vestibule. You might even be able to contact the church office and have them add you before Sunday. The judging of the talents will be done by our youth. Come on out and join us for a fun time of food and fellowship!

I have also been informed that the gym will be open this Saturday for the children from 2-5pm. Will be a good time of fellowship for the children and I know they will have as much fun as they always do!!
The children are doing to the zoo and Finlay park Saturday, March 25th. More info to come regarding this event.

Tis the time of year for our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. Our national goal is $56million. Our personal church goal is $3,500.00. The theme for this year is "Tell His Story". Please contribute to this wonderful mission so that His story can reach many who need to hear about Christ!

Spring is in the air and gardening will soon be starting. Don't forget about Gardening sessions the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Sessions begin at 2pm in the fellowship hall. All sessions are free and open to the public!

Also, First Place began Monday, March 6th. This program is designed to help you get fit not only physically but spiritually. The fee for this program is $33 if you have no materials from a previous course. If you do have the materials, then the fee is $20.00. Weigh-in begins at 6:30 and the session begins at 7pm. Come out and be a part of something that promises to enrich your life!

Men, remember Prayer Garden each Friday at 7am. Prayer time is held either in the prayer garden or in the church (depending on the weather). Come join your brothers-in-Christ for a time of prayer and brotherly fellowship.

As always, take care and God bless! My love to each of you! :-)

News! News! News!

Hello and good morning to all. I hope everyone had a wonderfully blessed week and you are enjoying your weekend thus far. I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on some things that are going on around our church.

First off, our Sunday School class (the Truthseekers) is about to complete our study on Revelations. It has been a very interesting study and I feel that we have learned a great deal. I encourage you to come and join us if you aren't already involved in a class. Everyone is welcome and we would love to have you be a part of our group!

First Place started Monday, March 6th. This course is designed to change your life not only physically but spiritually. It has nine commitments that will help you draw closer to God and aid in establishing a solid, consistent and healthy Christian life. It lasts for 13 weeks. Weigh-in is starts at 6:30pm and the meeting begins at 7. Materials for the course will be about $33.00 unless you already have materials from a previous course, then it will be about $20.00. For more general information about the program go to www.firstplace.org.

Don't forget about Gardening sessions the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Sessions begin at 2pm and are free and open to the public. Come on out and grow in the Lord!

Vacation Bible School is in the air. It will begin on June 4th and end on June 8th. It's theme is "The Arctic Edge--Where Adventure meets Courage". There are classes available for all ages. You don't want to miss being a part of this exciting time. Be strong! Be courageous! Follow Jesus!

We are beginning the "Annie Armstrong Easter Offering" for North American Missions. The national goal is $56 milliom. Our personal church goal is $3,500.00. The theme for this year is "Tell His Story". This is a wonderful way to help reach those who need to hear about Christ.

And last but certainly not least. Our pastor since 1994 has given his resignation for retirement. We have come to love him, his wife and family very much. They have been a part of our church for a long time now and will be greatly missed. His last day will be June 10th, but he has graciously agreed to stay on until we find someone else. Tis never an easy thing for a church to seek a new pastor, but we must trust that God has someone as special as our current pastor and He will lead him to us. This was not an easy decision for him to make and he and his family need our support and prayers. We wish them all the best and love them very much!

That about covers everything I have for now. If I overlooked something, please let me know. Am always glad to add things. Take care and enjoy your Saturday. God bless! :-)

God is so good!!

Hello everyone. I trust that everyone is having a wonderfully blessed week. My week has been going by quite well. I reconnected with an old friend yesterday and we had lunch today. It was certainly good to visit with her. God brings people into our lives for various reasons and He has certainly blessed me with some awesome friends. I don't know what I would do without them. What makes it even better is rekindling those old friendships. For them, I am truly thankful!

As for the activities in and around our church, I think you will find there is something for everyone.

Youth Community Service day is Saturday, March 4th. Our youth will be in town collecting donations for Hurricane Katrina victims. Items they will be collecting are sweatshirts, blankets, canned food, teddy bears, and hygiene products. We are so fortunate to have been spared from such an ordeal, and as Christians we need to reach out to those that are need. We must share some of that glorious feeling that we get from knowing Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Please keep our youth in your prayers that this endeavor will be a success!

Also the Youth & Children's committees will be meeting this Sunday, March 5th. Children's committee will meet at 3:30 and youth committee will meet at 4pm. Our youth and children's leader is doing a fabulous job and continuously needs our prayers. Tis not an easy job when dealing with young people and it takes a special person to fill that need. Keep up the good work!

It has also been brought to my attention that the XYZ will be meeting on Friday, March 10th. If you are involved in the XYZ or know of someone who enjoy this time of fellowship, please let them know. They are asking those who are planning on attending to bring a covered dish with them for everyone to enjoy!

Don't forget about the Gardening sessions that are being held the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 2pm. All sessions are free and open to the public!

First Place begins Monday, March 6th from 6:30 to 8pm. In these sessions, you will learn how scripture, exercise and healthy eating habits will help make you a new creature! Please be sure to sign up in the vestibule of the church.

Men, don't forget about Men's prayer group every Friday. Depending on the weather, each prayer time will either be held in the prayer garden inside the church. Prayer group time is at 7am.

Choir practice is every Sunday immediately following the evening worship service. Would love to have those of you who wish to participate join us in praising the Lord in song!

Remember that the times for evening services will soon be changing. I will keep you informed as to when the change occurs.

I believe that about covers all I have for now. Be sure to get outside some this week and enjoy this beautiful weather we have been blessed with. It certainly is giving me a good case of spring fever. Spring and fall are my favorite times of year. I like the summer too, but with spring and fall the weather is just right! Not too hot and not too cold.

I will close for now, but until next time, keep on pressing toward the kingdom of God.

Love in Christ,

Tina :-)

Also, let's remember those in who are in need in our prayers. We never know when we might be the one in need!