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Each article will be posted and dated when submitted.
Articles are in alphabetical order.
A Message From the Pastor:
“God Wants to Be Found”
But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ (Genesis 3:13-14)
“I AM WHO I AM.” Throughout our lives, many of us seek God, spending enormous effort and anxiety trying to find God, as if God is lost or beyond our reach. As we continue on our journey through Lent, we are reminded that God is always present, always waiting. God wants it to be simple and easy to understand. God did not spend several volumes trying to explain something we could never fully comprehend anyway. God simply said, I am who I am. And in his final words to us after the resurrection, Jesus said, “I will be with you to the end of time.” I am simply what I am, and I will be with you, even when you don’t feel my presence, I will be with you, to the end of time.
Throughout Lent you are invited to encounter this God who wants to be found in the simplest, most routine manner possible. God does not require grand cathedrals or climbing enormous mountains. God is in the simplest activity, the smallest person, the every day coming and going of our lives. And so that is where we shall seek God.
In each of our worship services during Lent we will open our time together by listening to a Lenten Visitor, a woman who encountered the earthly Jesus who will tell us of this encounter and how her life was changed by it.
In addition, we will be offering a series of one day Bible studies that seek to encounter Jesus in a few of the simple ways he told us about, in bread, in walking, in growing plants. In everyday events, any day activities, God is waiting. God waits for us always, wanting to be found.
God says, I will weep with you when you are broken, I will laugh with you in joy, I will hold you when you feel you can no longer stand, I will give you the time to heal and the courage to move on. God is still speaking, join with us in this Lenten season as together we listen to hear how God will speak to us, both individually and as a community.
Blessings,
Pastor Ruth
In an attempt to try different forms of educational opportunities, for the season of Lent, Pastor Ruth will be leading a series of three, single morning Bible study workshops, each on the Gospel of John. Unique to this gospel are sayings of Jesus in which he helps his followers to understand him by making comparisons to everyday objects or activities. Within these workshops we will seek to know Jesus better through the study of these unique scriptures as well as hands on activities. Information sheets will be available with more details closer to the dates of the workshops, but below are general descriptions and dates for your calendar.
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Saturday, March 10th, 9:00-12:00 I Am the Bread of LifeWe will gather in the fellowship hall at the church to study John 6:22-59. We will bake bread together during our time together and put together a booklet of our thoughts and recipes. Please pick up an information sheet and bring your favorite bread recipe to the workshop. |
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Saturday, March 24th, 9:00-11:00 I Am the WayWe will gather at the Audubon Center to follow one of their easier nature walks as we discuss walking in the way of Christ, in John 14:3-17. Details about the exact route and what to bring will be available on the information sheet. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. |
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Saturday, March 31st, 9:00-12:00 I am the VineWe will meet in the Fellowship Hall of the church to discuss how Christ calls us to grow as we are planted in John 15:1-15. We will begin to plant seeds both in our church yard as well as in the fields of our hearts that God may help them to bear fruit. |
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January Ladies Circle Meeting
The Ladies Circle met on January 9, 2007 at the church. President Peggy Neveu called the meeting to order and read devotions.
On January 21 Bell Ringers from Pastor Ruth’s previous church will be here to perform during service. Afterwards, anyone who is interested can try the bells out themselves. The ladies will be providing brunch for them before they return home.
Thank you to Dot Shackelton and Judy DiNatale who have agreed to co-chair the Christmas Fair again this year. Thanks also to Dot Heald who sent us several samples for future craft projects.
Now that we have fulfilled our pledge to the building fund, we will be looking for another project as a goal to raise funds for. Furnishings for the ‘family room’ and new tables and chairs for the fellowship hall were discussed as possibilities.
At our next meeting on February 13 we will be working on a new banner to put over the altar for Easter. Also please bring plain cookies and we will decorate them for Valentine’s day to be distributed to elderly and shut-ins.
Preparations for Easter are underway. Look for the younger Sunday School class on Palm Sunday, beginning the service with a “palm parade”. Cindy Berling has been busy coaching the older children on making beautiful Ukrainian eggs.
!!! News Flash !!!
Family workshop on Easter Sunday - No Sunday School classes!
Meeting the Disciples
We continue to enjoy visits from Disciples in our combined classes. Kids continue to invite family members to participate, so watch for an invitation coming your way, soon! This is a great opportunity to blend generations and be involved in Christian Education at Longmeadow.
Share Your Faith
Each month, have been enjoying our volunteers who share their favorite bible verses (where, when and why they learned them) with the Sunday School classes. Thank you to those who have already participated. There’s always room for more! We can build this around your schedule, but just need to know when to expect you!
The Junior High Class continues to work on designing the directory and securing sponsors to offset the cost of the printing the directory. In addition, watch for flyers and envelopes on Sunday for your opportunity to place an ad in honor of a loved one, or just a donation of support. They hope to have this project completed by fall of 2007.
Help Wanted!
We are experiencing a need to implement another small class for students in grades 4-6. Please prayerfully consider volunteering to teach, or partnering with another member or two to team-teach. Teachers will be needed for September 2007 as well.
Upcoming dates to remember:
June 10: last day of regular Sunday School classes will be June 10th
July/August: “Animals from the Bible” for children K-8.
Adult volunteers are needed to provide a children’s sermon associated with the guest animal that will visit the Sunday School wing during adult services. Volunteers will supervise small, multi-age groups as they meet with guest speakers. If you have any animals you can volunteer, please let Pastor Ruth know!
Your Sunday School Team,
Anita, Cindy, Darlene & Kelly