The

Englewood

Christian  

News and Worship                                                                                      

April 30, 2008

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 

    Tomorrow, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer.  Communities across the United States will be gathering together to pray for one another, our country and our world. 

    Englewood Christian will be one of several Prayer Stations open throughout the day for people to stop in and spend time in prayer.  You are invited to take a few moments during your day and pray for our community, our nation and our world. 

PLANTING DREAM FLOWERS 

   It was a dream of Ginny Adams’ to have beautiful geraniums and other colorful flowers brightening up our church during the summer.  It is time to plant those flowers and make her dream come true.  You can help by coming to church this Saturday at 2:00 pm to plant a geranium in memory of Ginny.  There are a couple of other flowerbeds that need some additional weeding.  We want the church grounds to look nice for the Assembly as well as for our 50^th anniversary. 

    So, if you can get down on your knees (and back up again!), you are needed.  Even if you can’t we’ll find something for you to do.  See you at 2:00 pm on Saturday.  Thanks.   

FIRST EVENT POTLUCK 

   It’s the first Sunday of the month again, and that means it is time to cook up some food and share in a delicious potluck dinner.  Since this takes place on May 4, which is close to Cinco de Mayo, let’s try for a Mexican theme in our food dishes.  

   So, bring a few dishes of food with you to share with others, along with your own table service.  It is always a great time of fellowship.  Mucho Gracias! 

Wedding Bells will be ringing soon for Brent Roberts and Rachel Yates.  There will be a wedding shower for them at Englewood Christian this Sunday afternoon immediately following the First Event Potluck dinner. Brent has grown up in this congregation and it is a joy to share in this special moment in his life.   

   The shower is open to any and all.  Let’s give them both a warm and affirming blessing.

MOMENTS FOR COMMUNITY 

V   Leonard Lacour is now living at Willow Springs Nursing Home on Tieton Drive.  His room is next door to where Oscar Keeter is living.

V  Mary Lou Thomas-Carson fell and is in the process of scheduling surgery in Portland for a compression fracture.  While in Portland, she will stay with her sister.  Please keep her in your prayers as she is in a lot of pain.

THE FINISH LINE  IS IN SIGHT!  

   Frank Coburn has just over a week of riding to go in order to finish his fourth ride across the United States.  The group entered Mississippi on Tuesday, April 29 and will cross over into Alabama on Friday, May 2.  Next Tuesday, May 6 they reach Georgia and on Friday, May 9 they dip their front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean at St. Simons Island. 

   We continue to get email updates from Frank’s sister, Audrey; you will find them posted on the kiosk in the narthex. 

   As of April 29, you have pledged a total of $2847.00 for the Yakama Christian Mission.  The YCM depends upon the support of folks and congregations like ours for their financial income.  If you haven’t already made a pledge, it isn’t too late! 

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY   

   The Regional Assembly is just three weeks away.  Starting this next week we will ask members to sign up to help host and also to move tables and chairs.  We will need several of you to be involved - to help make things move smoothly that weekend.  Please see Jeannette Biddle if you can help. 

    Even if you are not registered to attend the assembly, you are encouraged to share in the various worship services.  On Friday evening, Rev. Nadine Burton will be the guest speaker; she is from Tennessee and is currently on the New Church Ministry Team, helping establish new congregations across the U.S. and Canada.  On Saturday evening, familiar missionaries Tod and Ana Gobledale, will be speaking.  The youth of our region will be in charge of worship that evening.  You are guaranteed to enjoy a service that will be fun and exciting! 

   On Sunday morning, worship will be at the regular 10:45 time.  Rev. Peter Drury, of Seattle, will be the guest preacher.  The worship will be quite different from our regular service and there will be a number of guests as well.   

   During the 9:30 Church School hour the youth of our region will have a discussion on youth in church today; Rev. Helseth will hold a Sunday School class for everyone based on the lectionary scripture passage for the day. 

   Plan now to attend your choice of services and check out the displays. 

  Special Offering - May 4 - May 11

SECOND SUNDAY SERIES  

   Ryan Schultz, will be the featured musician at the May 11 Second Sunday Series recital.  The instrument of choice will be the tuba.  You will hear more about him in next week’s newsletter but make sure to put this on your calendar. 

   You don’t normally think of a tuba as being a solo instrument, but you will enjoy how versatile and entertaining it can be.  So,   this year on Mother’s Day, spend a couple of  hours with your family listening to some enjoyable music together.  

EVENTS SPONSORED BY "SENIORS IN ACTION" 

   Friday evening, May 9 at 6:00 pm, you are invited to dine with friends at the New Thai Restaurant.   

   The other event scheduled takes place Sunday, May 18, after the assembly.  We’ll drive out to Tieton and share in the Mighty Tieton Event, a fundraiser for Interfaith Coalition.   

   For more information call Diane Roe at 965-0510; or Betty Clark, 877-4137.

A NOTE FROM DAVID  

   I was in the second grade when my parents (or teachers) recognized that I wasn’t seeing well.  I was taken to an eye doctor and they discovered I needed glasses. That explained why I squinted to read the blackboard.  I was embarrassed at the idea of having to get glasses; very few of my classmates had them.  I felt that I wasn’t as good as those who didn’t need glasses.

   Just over two years ago I finally broke down and got hearing aids.  That was tough for me.  It was worse than getting glasses as a 7 year-old.  I wrestled with the fact for some time.  It was my pride, my ego.  I didn’t want to admit that I needed help.  I felt that it was another sign of weakness. 

   Over the years you have noticed how close to the surface my emotions can be.  There have been those moments in worship when my tears are very visible and my voice shakes.  I remember being told in my younger years, “big boys don’t cry.”  Well, I do.

   My point is: this is who I am.  I need glasses; I need hearing aids; my emotions are powerful to me.  Some would call those faults and weaknesses.  Some people fight depression and need medication.  Some people have crippling arthritis so they can’t move very easily. This is who we are.  Yes, I have my faults and weaknesses.  I’m not a perfect husband or father; I’m not a perfect pastor.  I have shortcomings; I have my strengths.  I have my temptations; I have my gifts.  Sometimes I feel I have to be perfect or else I am a failure. I know this is wrong thinking but sometimes that’s just how I feel.  Ever been laughed at?  Ever been put down because you couldn’t do something or you wore glasses (4 eyes)?  Or you were too fat? Or called “Ugly”? 

   I heard a speaker the other day say that our perceived weaknesses can actually be our strengths.  All of us have our struggles; we all can identify with them.  We are who we are and God uses us as we are.   

Would you like more information about Englewood Christian Church?                     

Call Rev. David Helseth at 966-6550.