THE CIRCUIT RIDER

Preparing for

Worship In March

March 2

Lent 4

John 9:1-41

Pastor Glenna preaching

March 9

Lent 5

John 11:1-45

Pastor Glenna preaching

March 16

Palm Sunday

Matthew 26:14-27?????

Pastor Glenna preaching

March 20

Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Pastor Glenna preaching

March 23

Easter Sunday

John 20:1-18

Pastor Glenna preaching

March 30

Certified Lay Speaker

Pat Michalik preaching

Dear Friends,

Can it be? Does Easter arrive in just three more Sundays?

As I write this article, I’m looking out upon an additional 4 inches of fresh fallen snow. It certainly doesn’t look like Easter with the promise of new birth and signs of spring are coming anytime soon; yet, I hold out hope that it will happen.

And, as Christians this is our hope. Easter brings with it signs of resurrection, restoration, and the promise of new beginnings. Jesus who came in bodily form will not have something newly added to him, but will bring something newly made evident to us. To quote Laurence Stookey, “Before the resurrection we understood Jesus in human terms only; now we get at least a glimpse of that which is much grander than mortals could have imagined before or can begin to articulate with mere words.” Like Nicodemus who struggles to understand Jesus’ words about being born from above and anew; we too struggle to articulate in words the full meaning of the resurrection we celebrate on Easter. I see the resurrection as something active in our lives. The power of the resurrection is that it transforms us as we continue to grow in our faith. We are continually being changed as we allow God to work in and through us. Therefore, the Easter resurrection is not a one time event to be celebrated at the closing of Lent. It is something we celebrate each and every Sunday as we come to give thanks and praise for the work of God in our daily lives.

So, as I look out upon the snow, I realize that Easter has already come and continues to be present each and every day. As I recall the words of the Easter Hymn by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh, “Every morning is Easter morning from now on!”

Blessings,

Pastor Glenna

Welcome to our New Members!

Barb and Frank Denk

Barb and Frank have been married for 37 ½ years, have 3 children and 4 grandsons. We recently moved to Plainfield from Romeoville and originally we lived in the Bridgeview-Hickory Hills area. We both are Ham Radio operators, enjoy traveling on our motorcycle, fishing and visiting with our friends and family all over the country.

Sharon Becker

Sharon has lived in the Plainfield-Joliet area all her life. She is married to John and they have one son, Shawn, 21. Sharon also has four sons from a previous marriage – Michael (Miriam); Rodney; Tony (Sue); and Erich. She has two step-grandchildren, Tara and Daniel, and a grandson, Shawn, who is six months old.

Sharon worked for the E. J. and E. Railroad for 35 ½ years, retiring two and a half years ago.

She enjoys traveling, antiquing, and getting together with family and friends. She also enjoys coming to church and to Bag Ladies.

Larry Wilkinson

A resident of Shorewood, IL, since 1964. Wife, Janet, of 48 years died in 2005. Two daughters, one son, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all fortunately residing within 30 miles.

Retired from Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America in 1996 as Transmission Administration Manager after 40 years of service, served as village trustee of Hammond, IL, and Shorewood.

While a trustee of Shorewood, Larry served as "police commissioner" for 5 years hiring first chief and organizing the department. His hobbies are woodworking and fishing.

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.

The United Methodist Men will be sponsoring their Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Saturday, March 8, from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Tickets are $9.00 each and are available from any member of the UMM, or at the door. The meal includes corned beef, boiled cabbage, potatoes, carrots, dessert, and beverage. Carry-outs are available. There will also be a raffle for a Keuring B60 Single Cup Coffee Maker. Tickets are $2.00 each or thee tickets for $5.00. Proceeds will be used to help purchase a sewing machine for the Bag Ladies.

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.

Easter Flowers – This year it has been decided to ask members and friends to bring in their own Easter flower arrangements to adorn the altar on Easter Sunday. This will provide for a variety of flowers and colors. Beginning March 2, there will be a form inserted in the bulletin to dedicate your flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Flowers should be brought to church on Maundy Thursday evening (March 20), or during office hours on Friday, March 21 (9 a.m. till 1 p.m.). Flowers will be placed for the Easter service, and then may be taken home after worship. Questions? See Harriet Luce.

Pastor Glenna will be on vacation from March 24 through April 1. In her absence, Certified Lay Speaker Pat Michalik will be preaching on Sunday, March 30. Arrangements are still being made for emergency Pastoral Care coverage. Watch the weekly bulletin announcements for more information as it becomes available.

Once again the Bag Ladies are going to make up Easter Baskets for Boomer's kids. We are going to make up 30 and we need your help. We need colored hard boiled eggs, candy, pencils, and pencil sharpeners. While you are out shopping please remember the kids. These baskets that we make up are usually the only Easter that they have. Thank you for your help. See Linda Hess with your donations.

Turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before you go to bed Saturday night, March 8!

Those Who Serve:	March 2 Lent 4	March 9 Lent 5	March 16 Palm Sunday	March 20 Maundy Thursday	March 23 Easter Sunday	March 30 Second Sunday of Easter
Liturgist	Greg Chapman	Arlene Hupach	Marty Kaspar	Boomer Crotty	Roger Hess	Vic Genge
Greeter	Betty Talbott	Marty Olumstad	Matt Kaspar	Sheryl Dyer	JoAnn Hall	Arlene Campagna
Host(s)	Joan Crotty	Lori Mattix	Barb Denk			Marlene Shain & Carole Blackwell
Acolyte	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon
Offering Counters	Harriet Luce and Carole Blackwell	Carol Becker and Carole Blackwell	Boomer Crotty and Carole Blackwell		Carole Blackwell and TBA	Harriet Luce and Carole Blackwell
Communion Steward	Jill Genge

Children’s Sunday School News

We are happy to introduce the newest member of our staff to Hope UMC.

Darlene Kloc has assumed the position of Children’s Sunday school teacher effective February 3. Darlene is a graduate of Elmhurst College earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Sociology, and comes with extensive experience working with children. She is a fine addition to our church family.

If you have not introduced yourself, please do as Darlene has made herself available after worship to

answer parent’s questions as well as to meet everyone from our congregation.

Welcome Darlene!

Message from Darlene

My name is Darlene Kloc and I am 26 years old. I live locally, in Plainfield, IL. For the past three years I have been working as a nanny for a wonderful family in Downers Grove. Before I was a nanny I was busy graduating college and working in a restaurant.

I am very excited about becoming the new Sunday school teacher. I am excited about the opportunity to teach your children about God, and about our duty as Christians. I am looking forward to learning with the children as I will grow in my spiritual endeavors as well. My hope is that the program will grow and expand and that the children will come consistently (or as much as possible with the busy, busy lives of families with children). I look forward to getting to know each and every one of your children, and to get to know the church community.

I want to thank the church members for making me feel so welcome and appreciated as the new Sunday school teacher. I would also like to thank Pastor Glenna for giving me the opportunity to become the Sunday school teacher, and for welcoming me with open arms. And I would like to give a special thanks to Pat Michalik for being such a great help and support to me and for helping me learn the program, the church, and especially all of the wonderful children.

Thank you,

Darlene

Children’s Sunday School Heifer Project

Our Sunday school children have been collecting their offering since September to donate an animal to the Heifer project. Heifer International provides a way to help hungry families feed themselves. It also turns those families that receive an animal into donors. Each recipient promises to give back to the community by passing on an offspring of their animal to a neighbor in need.

The children had collected $50.00 dollars by December. Our congregation has begun to collect loose change during each Sunday of Lent, to help with the project. We have done this by placing coins into the Easter Eggs found in the pews each Sunday Morning. On our first Sunday in Lent, we collected $105.17!

Some examples of what can be purchased and the costs are:

Heifer $500.00 Goat $120.00 Trees $60.00

Sheep $120.00 Flock of Chicks $ 20.00 Honey Bees $30.00

Llama $150.00 Flock of Ducks $20.00 Pig $120.00

Water buffalo $250.00 Rabbits $60.00

The children will decide at a later date what they would like to purchase.

If you would like more information about Heifer International go to: www.heifer.org