Remember that we SPRING FORWARD this Sunday March 9 th!  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour!

 

NARTHEX NEWS – MARCH 9, 2008

The FLOWERS today are in loving memory of Kenneth Rigoulot, father of Ken Rigoulot.

The text FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 16, PALM SUNDAY, is Luke 19:28-40.  The sermon title is “The Stones Would Shout Out.”

The WORSHIP MUSIC FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 16 will be the Gloria Choir, Creative Youth Ensemble, and the Sanctuary Choir at both services.

  Please continue advising the church office with announcements by 10:00 a.m. each Thursday.

The Fellowship Committee wants to remind everyone of the EASTER BRUNCH being held between the two Easter Morning Services.  It begins immediately after the 8:30 service and will end at 10:45 in time for those who will attend the second service.  If you plan on both bringing an egg dish and attending the 8:30 service, drop your casserole off at the Fellowship Hall before attending and a Fellowship Committee member will set it up for serving.  Second service attendees bring it to the Fellowship Hall kitchen, and we will see that it immediately gets onto the brunch table.  No serving utensils are necessary.

Fellowship is happy to announce a change in SHIFT TIMES FOR THE COFFEE BAR.  1st shift is now 8:00 - 10:45.  2nd shift is now 10:45 to cleanup.  This new schedule allows those who volunteer for 2nd shift to attend Sunday School.  If you’ve wanted to volunteer but hesitated due to Sunday School, please take advantage of these new times by signing up in the coffee bar.

It’s Lent, and before you know it, it will be Easter.  Help celebrate our Risen Christ through a beautiful EASTER LILY.  Sign-up sheets are in the Perking Lot, and the cost is just $10.00.  Vicky Betzer painstakingly removes the stamen and pollen from these lilies, so they won’t stain your clothing or cause you to sneeze.  Support the church by ordering—and paying for—your lily today.

The FPC PRESCHOOL is enrolling for Fall of 2008.  There are still a few openings.  If interested, please call Deborah Kay at 817-488-8526.

A JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF : FPCGV will host a 6 week series on grief beginning Sunday April 13 and ending May 18.  The discussions will be led by Carol Stone, Bereavement Coordinator at Faith Hospice, and will cover topics such as understanding the grief process; stress management; how to deal with denial, anger & guilt; signs of getting better and long range recovery.  The group will meet in the Upper Room from 6:00 – 7:30.  You may register by calling the church office at 817-481-7129 or by signing up in the coffee bar area.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 12.  Our church is hosting the GRACE PRESBYTERY PW SPRING GATHERING.  Please let Carol Leinen know if you will volunteer for responsibilities related to the Gathering. More info to come. 

SAVE THE DATE: The Adult Mission trip to Honduras has been scheduled.  All adults, 18 years or older, are welcome to attend this year, with a limit of 20.  Adults will need to have a doctor’s approval to go on the trip.  The information meeting place and time will be announced soon.  The dates are October 18—25, 2008.  Contact Diane Lacina for more information.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP SUNDAY IS APRIL 20.  There will be one worship service at 10:00am.  Children in the 1 st – 5 th grades are invited to participate as worship leaders.  They are invited to serve as liturgists, ushers, greeters and to design art work for the bulletin.  The musical is “From the Pit to the Palace.”  Yellow registration forms will all of the details are in the Narthex.  The registration deadline is Monday, April 7.

XYZ will meet for a POT LUCK LUNCHEON Monday, March 10, at 11:30am in Fellowship Hall.  As always there will be great food and fellowship.  Additionally, as we draw close to the end of our Lenten journey, we will have a time of meditation and then reflection on the symbolism and events of Holy Week.  XYZ’ers (Xtra Years of Zest) are people 60 years old and older who enjoy fellowship, mission, study and outings to special events.  This group is open to all interested members, visitors and friends.  Along with a dish to share for lunch, you are invited to bring canned goods (meat, vegetables, and fruit) which will be distributed by GRACE to seniors in need in our community.

SUNDAY SCHOOL for all children and adults is from 9:45-10:45am each Sunday.  Children (ages 2 thru 5th grade) meet at 9:45am in the sanctuary and then are dismissed to classes.  

For Children & Youth

Children ages 3—kindergarten will meet in the CE Building.

1st—5th Grade: GIFT Workshop Rotation –“Trial and Crucifixion.”

6th Grade: Old Testament Survey in Fellowship Hall.

7th Grade: New Testament Survey in Room 235.

8th Grade: Confirmation Class in the Fellowship Hall.

9th—12th Grade: Discussion on Current Events in Fellowship Hall.

For Adults

Winter/Spring Adult Classes: Below is the list of classes we are currently offering. For a complete description, pick up a brochure in the Narthex.  There is a class for you!  Classes are located on the 2 nd floor.

“Religious Diversity” led by Rev. Tom Brown

“ACTIVE Parenting of Teens” led by Sallie Wells

Ray Vander Laan Faith Lesson Video Series: “The Promised Land”

“Healthy Living” led by Diane Lacina

“Coffee Pot” : Topic for this morning is “Presbyterianism 101” led by Jodi Haun.

LOOKING AHEAD … New Adult Classes Sunday School Class beginning April 13 – “Christianity & World Religions: Wrestling with Questions People Ask” DVD series and “Faith & Finance” led by Diane Lacina.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS

Sunday, March 9:  Youth will meet from 5:00—7:00pm to develop the theme for the Easter Sunrise Service.

Sunday, March 16:  Youth will meet from 5:00—7:00pm to bake cookies and make Easter cards for those in need.

Sunday, March 23:   7:00am Youth will lead the Sunrise Service.  There are NO Youth activities in the afternoon.

Sunday, March 30:  Dinner followed by worship on the lawn.

Friday, April 4 thru Sunday, April 6: Middle School Youth Connection at YouthQuake.

Sunday, April 6:  Sr. High Youth Connection Movie Night.

Next Sunday, March 16 is PALM SUNDAY.  We have the procession of palms by our children at both services.  Children are also to return their One Great Hour of Sharing fish banks.

SEND A KID TO SUMMER CAMP ! Grace Presbytery offers seven weeks of faith-filled Summer camps for children and youth ages 6 through 16 at Camp Prairie Valley and Camp Gilmont.  Participation in church camp, gives children and youth an opportunity to experience Christian community, create new relationships, learn more about God and touch creation in ways that play a significant role in their personal faith development.  Camp brochures with all of the details are available in the Narthex.  There is a break on the cost if you pay camp fees by Sunday, April 1.  Scholarships are available from our congregation and also from the presbytery.  See Jodi Haun for a scholarship application.