Dear Partners in Ministry:
As I write this the arctic blast is shifting, the snow is melting and warmer weather is here at least for a while. I leave for a 10 day trip on Friday (Elder Hostel in Monterey, California, plus a short visit with my brother and his family) and I’m trying to get all my things in order including preparing for Lent. I’m trying to figure out what spiritual practice I will engage in to use this time to listen to God.
It’s a given that I will daily use the Lenten Devotional brought to us by the Worship and Music Committee. It’s a given that I will be present to hear the faith stories and share a meal on the Tuesdays of Lent. I may give something up, more than once I’ve given up shopping which is tough for me. I know I will take on something positive. I feel a real need to get back to a much more disciplined practice of meditation. Usually I find a challenging book on theology also.
All of this takes time and effort, thought, and discipline and I am thankful that our Christian Calendar reminds us to take time to be Holy. We sang that hymn on Sunday “Take Time to be Holy”, that’s what Lent is all about; time to be deliberate about holiness, a time to re-tune, re-new, re-pent, and be refreshed. I pray we all have a good Lent.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Sue
Thanks to all of you for your cards, phone calls, and offers of help during my recuperation from hip replacement. Your prayers helped me through a very difficult time.
Bless all of you!
Many thanks to the Worship and Music Committee for the valentine cookies and punch served Sunday, February 11 th.
Dear Friends:
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions as yet? We, here at Feed My People, resolve to assist those who come to us with food, job counseling, school supplies, and whatever else we can do. We hope to fight hunger and homelessness and help our clients to become independent and give them the ability to provide for their families.
We are so appreciative of your gift of $210.00. We consider you as our partners in our endeavor to follow through on our resolve.
Thank you for sharing your blessings.
Yours in Christ
(signed) Carol and John DeGuire
Dear Friends in Christ,
On behalf of the Joint Neighborhood Ministry Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and people we serve, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution of $55 during the 2006 calendar year. Because of your generosity, Joint Neighborhood Ministry’s Food Pantry has fed over fifteen thousand people this year by giving them emergency food supplies. We have offered assistance through our Matthew 25 Program. This program helps with utility bills, prescription drug cost and bus passes. Our Parish Nurse program in 2006 helped care for people with health care needs, such as high blood pressure, and diabetes, and our Representative Payee Program. Your gift also supported our Swing into School Program, Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program, senior food delivery program, and our summer youth programs, such as Urban Mission Encounters. Because you supported JNM this year, we are able to provide hope and compassion to those in the Benton Park, Benton Park West, and Gravois Park areas of south St. Louis.
I want to thank you for your support during the 2006 calendar year and hope that Joint Neighborhood Ministry can count on your support during 2007.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
(signed) Joan E. Hensley, Executive Director
Be sure to see the Annual Report from St. John’s United Church of Christ – North Grand posted on the bulletin board – also thanking us for our contributions to the program.
KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS 
Wanda Reidel at Delmar Gardens South
Elsie Frye at Delmar Gardens South
Lucille Brand at Green Park Nursing Home
John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
Bud and Hilda Leonard on the death of Hilda’s brother
Vince and Leona Gottschlich whose grandson is having surgery this week
Ben Kotthoff had surgery Tuesday, February 20th
The Siewing Family for Luke, who is having surgery on March 19 th
Tammy Knoll is recuperating at home after having surgery
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Please make the following changes in your church directory:
Melba Schulz
21 N. Old Orchard #428
St. Louis, MO 63119 314-963-2257
PERSON OF FAITH FOR MARCH
On Sunday, March 11 we will hear about Francis Collins, scientist, leader of the genome project and author of “The Language of God”.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
The contributions for One Great Hour of Sharing will be collected on Sunday, March 18 and 25 th. Enclosed with the Crier is an envelope to hold your contribution and a bulletin giving you some information about the program. The Sunday School children have received their banks for this event and they will be collected on those same Sundays.
We hope you will be generous with your gifts. It is a great program.
FYI
We received a letter from the Dierbergs Markets letting us know that they will continue with the fundraiser cards as they are currently doing and will not switch to the escrip cards. Their explanation for doing this was because the participants in the program do not benefit enough from the escrip cards. They gave an example – if a family spends $250 a month for groceries with escrip cards the organization will receive $2.50 – with the fundraiser cards currently being used they would receive $12.50. Big difference. It’s nice to know someone is looking out for our interests.
SUPER SUB SANDWICH RESULTS
The profit made on the sale of the super sub sandwiches totaled $614.50 which will go to the mission trip account. Many thanks to all who supported us in this youth event.
VACATION TRIPS
It’s that time of year again when we start thinking
of vacations! Sunday, February 25 th, we will have a meeting to find out everyone’s interestin a trip this year. It will probably be a 3 to 5 day trip. We will meet after church and brainstorm. Bring your ideas with you.
LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
If you didn’t get the family devotional, Making Room For Jesus, at church, Sunday, February 18 you can still pick up a copy – they are on the credenza in the gathering space. Call Shirley in the church office if you would like her to mail you one.
EVENING LENTEN PROGRAMS – PEOPLE OF FAITH
Has there been a time in your life when because of circumstances or events, you had reason to lose your faith? What made you embrace your faith in time of adversity, grief, or tragedy? Can you share your story with us as part of our People of Faith series?
Beginning Tuesday, February 27, and each Tuesday evening in Lent, we will meet in the Gathering Space at 6:30 pm for a soup dinner and an informal program where ordinary people will share stories of extraordinary faith. The Lenten Schedule is enclosed in the Crier – you may want to put it on your refrigerator as a reminder.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Women’s Fellowship will be putting together “Hygiene Kits” for Neighborhood Houses for our spring service project. Boxes will be placed in the Gathering Area for donations. We will be collecting soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, shaving cream, razors, mouthwash, bathroom tissue, etc. Thank you for helping us with your donations. We will be collecting these items until March 15th.
50+ GROUP (FORMERLY GUYS AND DOLLS) 
The 50+ Group will be holding their annual trip to O’Leary’s on South Lindbergh to partake of the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. The date of the meeting has changed to Friday, March 16th instead of Saturday, March 17 th. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board if you would care to join us for this event. All are welcome. Watch the bulletin for more information – time, etc.
FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Fellowship and Service Committee would like to invite the members of the Women’s Fellowship to meet Sunday, March 25 th after church in the MPR room to help plan the Easter Breakfast. Thank you.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The annual congregational meeting has been set for Sunday, April 15 th after worship. Committee reports will need to be submitted to the church office no later than Monday, April 9 th so they can be processed for the meeting.
THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS (Five weekly evening classes)
It also is known by its other name “The Secret Gospel of Thomas”. Not “secret” in the sense it cannot be made public but “secret” in the sense that you might not understand the words if you do not read them in the right spirit (frame of mind). For those who would read the writings in the wrong way, the meaning would probably remain a secret.
An evening class will be held to take a closer look at this Gospel – beginning Wednesday, March 14th at 7 pm. The classes will continue for the following four weeks on Wednesday March 21st and 25 th, and April 4 th and 11th.
Bob Leber will facilitate the class. He will use Elaine Pagel’s book, “Beyond Belief” (the Secret Gospel of Thomas). Each week one chapter will be used:
- From the Feast of Agape to the Nicene Creed
- Gospels in conflict: John and Thomas
- God’s Word or Human Words?
- Cannon of Truth and the triumph of John
- Constantine and the Catholic Church
The book is available at Eden Seminary Bookstore or at any major bookseller. It may also be available at the library. It is not a must that the book (chapter) needs to be read in order to attend….HOWEVER…it is strongly suggested that you do read the actual Gospel of Thomas before you come to the class. Complete copies of this 114 verse Gospel are available at the bulletin board near the sign up sheet for the class. Sign up as soon as you can so adequate preparation for the session can be made.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES (letter from Neighborhood Houses)
Neighborhood Houses will hold a book fair in March 2007. One of the most-time-consuming aspects of a book fair involves collecting books from individuals and groups. For this reason, we are looking for liaisons within the congregations which support us. Specifically, individuals to help collect books from your congregation, arrange a pick-up time for collection, and help recruit volunteers from your church to help out at the book fair. They will also accept VHS tapes, DVDs and CDs. We will collect these items until March 15 th.
If you know of a group or individual within your congregation that would be willing to take on this role, please contact Matthew Maier at mmmaire@neighborhoodhouses.org. We graciously thank you for your continued support.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Mar 1 |
Pam Tangeman |  |
|
Mar 2 |
Karen Moran | ||
Mar 4 |
Pam Schiele Stang | ||
Mar 8 |
Joyce Thuston | ||
Mar 10 |
Jeanne Piffel | Mar 25 |
Susan Rohlfing |
Mar 11 |
Ruth Adam | Carlie Fischer | |
| Dawn Knoll | Mar 26 |
Clara Hornung | |
Mar 12 |
David Schele | Mar 27 |
Meghan Mikusch |
| Debby Wodicker | Mar 28 |
Jeanne Hickman | |
| Jeff Gutjahr | Elaine Kimker | ||
Mar 14 |
Scott Karcher | Mar 29 |
Kali Hladnick |
Mar 15 |
Andy Gibson | Shirley Nottelmann | |
| Frances Kalbfleish | Mar 30 |
Bob Kammerer | |
Mar 21 |
Jason Karcher | Mar 31 |
John Schuette |
Mar 22 |
Arlene Zielinski | ||
Mar 24 |
Lucille Brand | ||
| William Brill | |||
| Mar 25 | Bill Letchworth | ||
COMING EVENTS
- March 4 Communion Sunday
- March 5 Bible Study Class 8:30 am
- March 5 Council Meeting 7 pm
- March 6 Lenten Soup Dinner 6:30 pm
- March 7 Choir Practice 7:30 pm
- March 8 Willing Workers 10 am
- March 9 Trivia Night 7 pm
- March 10 Trivia Night 7 pm
- March 11 Birthday Sunday
- March 11 Worship and Music Meeting after worship
- March 12 Bible Study Class 8:30 am
- March 13 Lenten Soup Dinner 6:30 pm
- March 14 Free Soup Lunch – noon
- March 14 The Gospel of Thomas Study 7 pm
- March 14 Choir Practice 7:30 pm
- March 16 50+ Group – O’Leary’s for dinner
- March 18 One Great Hour of Sharing Collection
- March 19 Crier articles due
- March 19 Bible Study 8:30 am
- March 20 Women’s Fellowship Meeting – Neighborhood Houses
- March 20 Lenten Soup Dinner 6:30 pm
- March 21 Gospel of Thomas Study 7 pm
- March 21 Choir Practice 7:30 pm
- March 22 Willing Workers 10 am
- March 25 Faithful Readers Book Club after worship
- March 26 Bible Study 8:30 am
- March 27 Lenten Soup Dinner 6:30 pm
- March 28 Gospel of Thomas Study 7 pm
- March 28 Choir Practice 7:30 pm
COMMUNITY EVENTS
See the bulletin board for more information on these events:
- Friday, March 2 nd & 30 th - Fish Dinner – St. John’s Ev. UCC Church I-55 & Lindbergh 4 – 7 pm
- Saturday, March 10 th – Wurstmarkt – St. Paul UCC – Giles & Potomac 4 – 6:30 pm
- Sunday, March 11th – Sheltered Reality concert – Church of the Master - Paddock Drive ( Florissant) 6:30 pm
- Sunday, March 18 th – Sausage Dinner – St. Martins UCC – Dittmer – 12-3 pm
- Sunday, March 18 th – Sausage Supper – Calvary UCC – 2501 Hartland ( Ferguson)
- Thursday, March 29 th – St. Louis Association Women, UCC – Spring Gathering 9:30 am – St. Charles Campus of the Emmaus Home
- Saturday, March 31 – Lenten Work Day – Camp Mo-Val
- See the bulletin board regarding the Bazaar and Quilt Auction at the Emmaus Home in Marthasviille.
WISH LIST
Our wish list is missing items needed. If your group or organization is in need of anything that you think the congregation could supply be sure to let the church office know what it is you need so it can be put in this space of the Crier each month.
LITURGISTS, USHERS, ACOLYTES AND CHILDREN’S TIME FOR MARCH
Liturgists
- March 4 Abby Hodges
- March 11 Frank Holdener
- March 18 Joyce Thuston
- March 25 Lois Decker
Children’s Time
- March 4 Kathy Shelton
- March 11 Abby Hodges
- March 18 Bob Leber
- March 25 Kit Norton
Ushers
- March 4 Council
- March 11 50+ Group
- March 18 Youth
- March 25 Women’s Fellowship
Acolytes 
- March 4 Scott Karcher
- March 11 Emily Mikusch
- March 18 Nick Balzer
- March 25 Carley Nickel
GOD’S COFFEE
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups…and then you began eyeing each other’s cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we life.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.”
God brews the coffee, not the cups…..enjoy your coffee!
“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.”
Live simply – love generously – care deeply – speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Found on the Internet January, 2007