THE CIRCUIT RIDER

Preparing for

Worship In April

April 6

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Psalm 116

1 Peter 1:17-23

Luke 24:13-35

Pastor Glenna preaching

April 13

Act 2:42-47

Psalm 23

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

Pastor Glenna preaching

April 20

Acts 7:55-60

Psalm 31:1-5,15-16

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 14:1-14

Pastor Glenna preaching

April 27

Acts 17:22-31

Psalm 66:8-20

1 Peter 3:13-22

John 14:15-21

Pastor Glenna preaching

Dear Friends,

Hymn of Promise: #707 UMH

In the bulb there is a flower;

In a seed an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

It’s spring! April has arrived and we are celebrating a new season. Finally, the snow of winter is gone and it’s time for growth. Trees are budding, the grass is growing, shrubs are blooming, and all these signs point to and give witness of rebirth and life. Yes, there’s a change taking place. The Easter message of resurrection is being reflected in the wonders of nature that surround us. Nature becomes an illustration of God’s love that breaks through in order for us to see things in a new way.

As I use the term breaking through, I am reminded of an observation voiced by a member of this congregation on Palm Sunday. He noticed the tulips in front of the church were starting to poke through the cold hard ground.

The bulbs are now experiencing a new beginning. Since that Sunday, I have joined in the observation as the shoots and stems grow larger. Each day serves as a witness to the transforming power of God’s love and new life being born. This is our hope. God does not abandon us and leave us in the dreary days of winter, God’s answer to Good Friday is the resurrection; a protest over death that signifies the promise of reversibility and newness of life.

The Easter season continues in the weeks and months that follow our Sunday celebration. The bulbs that were planted in front of the church represent the spark of new life that blooms yet again. They serve as a symbol of God’s promises for all persons to celebrate new beginnings; a newness born in faith, hope and love.

My faith and hope is that we celebrate with one another the newness that is emerging within this gathered community. A newness that is evident as we grow in our faith and in our service to others. New life is taking place before our eyes. Let’s give voice to our experiences of growth, and share it with those around us.

Blessings,

Pastor Glenna

Heifer Project Update

The Sunday School children collected $50.75 for the Heifer Project, and the egg total was $383.70, for a total of $434.45. This money will be used to help a third-world family by providing them with a farm animal, such as a cow or a flock of chickens. These animals give families a source of income (selling eggs or milk or the offspring of their animal) as well as putting food on their own tables. Recipients of the animals are also expected to give away one of their animals’ offspring to another family. Thank you for your support of our children as they learned the joy of giving to others.

* * * * *

Hope Notes

Aluminum Cans – Please save your aluminum cans for the church. See Linda Hess if you have questions.

Volunteers are needed to clean our church. Please continue to sign up on the Volunteer Schedule which is in the Housekeeping mailbox. The job description is also available in the mailbox. Call Linda Hess for more information. Volunteers are also needed to mow the lawn. The sign-up clipboard in located below the housekeeping board.

The church office is always in need of used ink cartridges. The office supply stores have changed their policies and now accept only name-brand (Dell, HP, and Epson) cartridges. These cartridges can be redeemed at office supply stores for paper and other supplies we need to run our office. Please leave used cartridges in Roberta’s mailbox.

Reminder – the church copier may be used by members and friends of the church for their personal copy needs. We are asking for five cents per black-and-white page, and ten cents per color page. Please leave payment in the jar on the table.

All Church Outing - Saturday April 19th at 5:00 p.m. We will meet at the Bohemian Crystal Restaurant, 639 North Blackhawk Drive, Westmont. The food is very good and reasonable. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. We must know how many are going no later than April 13th so reservations can be made. Questions? See Linda Hess.

The United Methodist Women are collecting travel-sized bar soaps, bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other grooming aids for Red Bird Mission. As you collect these items on your travels, please bring them to church and place them in the basket in the narthex. See Harriet Luce if you have questions about this mission.

The Midwest Crossroad Chorus of Sweet Adelines International invite family and friends to a free show on Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall at Infantry Drive and Jefferson Street in Joliet. We will present our chorus competition package plus other sons and will also feature quartets. If you have ever wondered what Barbershop Harmony is about please come and be entertained. See Arlene Hupach with questions.

A BIG THANK YOU FROM THE BAG LADIES

Thank you Greg & Dorothy Chapman and Boomer & Joan Crotty for your GENEROSITY in helping us purchase a new sewing machine.

Thank you to the men for $111.00 which they got from the sale

of the coffee maker. This will buy fabric and supplies.

Those Who Serve:	April 6	April 13	April 20	April 27
Liturgist	Joan Crotty	Vic Genge	Carol Cawvey	Boomer Crotty
Greeter	Barbara Denk	Carol Cawvey	Jana Knight	Shirley Zupancic
Host(s)	Laura Wright & Jill Genge	Sheryl Dyer & Carol Cawvey	Barbara Denk	Harriet Luce
Acolyte	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon
Offering Counters	Carol Becker and Carole Blackwell	Boomer Crotty and Carole Blackwell	Harriet Luce and Carole Blackwell	Carole Blackwell and TBA
Communion Steward	Jill Genge