Years ago when I began my ministry
at First Congregational Church in
Well, recently, I came across a
small article Jane gave to me that was published in the church newsletter back
in 1990. I don’t know if Jane is still alive, as we
have lost touch over the years. But this little
article made me remember Jane with a smile and also prodded me to pass along
its wisdom to you in this month of April.
So, enjoy this bit of wisdom from my
friend, Jane. May it enlighten and lighten your day!
BEWARE: Symptoms of Inner Peace may overtake you! What
should you watch for? Here are some signs and symptoms:
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on
fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of the ability to worry (very serious
symptom!)
Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Feelings of being connected with
others and with nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling (also very serious!)
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others
and the uncontrollable urge to extend that love to others.
Yes…Beware, we say of Inner Peace!
Blessings to you in April,
Wanda
Teaching the
Word...
APRIL LECTIONARY TEXTS
Here are the
Lectionary texts for the month of April. Rev. Mello’s
preaching texts are in Bold print.
You are invited to read the texts ahead of each Sunday
service as you prepare to hear God’s word. These texts are also the texts that are studied in our Wednesday morning Bible Study to which
everyone is invited.
April 6, 2008
Psalm 116:1-4 &
12-19
Acts 2:14a & 36-41
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke
24:13-35
WORSHIP
READERS NEEDED…
We are in need of our worship readers for the month of May and June. If you are interested in serving as a worship reader please sign up on the sheets in the Social Hall or speak to Rev. Mello. May you be blessed as you read God’s word in worship.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Everyone is invited to join us at 9:30 AM each Wednesday in the
library as we study the scripture texts for Sunday’s service.
Touching the World...
Any or all of the
items on the list that follows will be welcome additions to our food pantry.
Your gifts to replenish the food pantry are greatly
appreciated. Please remember, if you can’t get
out to purchase any of the things on the list, cash donations are also accepted
so that the necessary items may be purchased. Please DO NOT bring
PREVIOUSLY OPENED SPICES OR FOOD ITEMS! We cannot give those out to people as we don’t know their safety.
Our pantry is
well stocked at the moment so we are not in need of
food donations at this time. We will let you know when your food gifts are needed. Thanks!
You are invited to give a gift for mission to our Assistance
Fund. Thanks so much for your continued support of this fund! Your gifts to
this fund do indeed help those in our community who are in need!
Our next monthly Church Cabinet meeting will be on Wednesday, April 8, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the lounge. All Cabinet members are urged to attend.
ALL CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY
Thanks to everyone who helped with the
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEWS
The
Women’s Fellowship would like to remind you to continue to save
SPRING
RUMMAGE SALE
The
Women’s Fellowship is holding their annual Spring Rummage Sale on Saturday,
April 5, 2008 beginning at 8:00 AM. We need everyone who is available to help
set up, sell, and clean up for this event. Please speak to Loyal Krauter and indicate you participation.
2008
CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP
The
church will be awarding college/trade school scholarships in May. These
scholarships are for students graduating from high school in June,
2008. Children and grandchildren of members are eligible to apply. Recipients
must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 through the 1st
semester of their senior year, and they must be residents of
REMEMBER YOU CAN FIND ALL OF
OUR NEWS ON OUR WEBSITE: www.arvinucc.org
Check it out!
Church
Family News…
As our world remains in a time of war, we ask that you continue
to remember in your prayers all of our young people serving our country all
over the world. Especially pray for Jason Brand, John & David Phillips,
Isaac Philips, and Josh Francis.
Please keep our homebound, and
nursing home members in your thoughts and prayers. They are Mildred Holbert in the nursing home; and
Lucille Barkley at home.
Please keep the Mellos in your prayers as they return to court in June and
then await the decision regarding Rodger’s court case to keep his job.
AN ANSWER TO RECENT
QUESTIONS
Recently, Rev. Mello was asked about two things that required some research to
find the answers. Here are the questions and answers that she discovered.
What do the words of
the Doxology mean?
The four lines of the
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures
here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost; have been the most frequently sung words of any known song for more than
300 years. Even today, nearly every English-speaking Protestant congregation
still unites at least once each Sunday in the noble ascription of praise to
God. It has been said that the doxology has done more
to teach the doctrine of the Trinity than all the theological books ever
written. The author of the text was a bold, outspoken 17th century
Anglican Bishop named Thomas Ken who was at odds with the rulers of the nation
for most of his ministerial career. He wrote many hymns that allowed Christians
to express their thanks and praise to God without being limited to singing the
Psalms or Biblical scriptures.
Who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick was the
Bishop of Armagh who died in 461. He was a Roman
citizen who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in
It is
said that the following prayer was inscribed on St. Patrick’s breastplate:
I
bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three,
Of whom all nature has creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my
salvation:
Salvation of Christ the Lord!
HUMOR: A CHEERFUL HEART IS GOOD MEDICINE
Proverbs 17:22
CUTE SIGNS
-
On a Plumbers truck: We repair what your husband fixed!
-
On a maternity
room door: Push, Push, Push!
-
On a fence:
Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!
-
At a car dealership:
The best way to get back on your feet is to miss a car payment!
-
At a
podiatrist’s office: Time wounds all heels!
-
In a
veterinarian’s office: Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!
-
In a restaurant
window: Don’t stand there and be hungry. Come on in and
get fed up!
-
In front of a
funeral home: Drive carefully. We’ll wait!