Springfield Today, March 3, 2010
Good Moanin’ Springfieldians,
Yesterday, March 1, was Lauren’s birthday. I can’t believe our baby turned 24 years old. Talk about feeling old. It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her and her red hair (yes, she had red hair when she was born), home from the hospital.
When I took Teri out to dinner for Valentine’s Day sitting at a table close to us was a Dad and his seven or eight year old daughter. It was obvious this daddy was taking his little girl out for a date. She was dressed in her best red dress and he pulled her chair out for her as they approached their table. They were so cute, and it brought back so many memories of me doing something similar with my girls. As we left the restaurant I stopped by their table and said to the dad, “Take advantage of this time, they grow up so fast, my girls are 23 and 25, and I used to do this with them.” He probably thought I was just some crazy old guy.
One of the birthday traditions we had at our house was the birthday boy or girl got to choose whatever they wanted for dinner that night, and Teri would set out the “good” china just for the one whose birthday we were celebrating. Let me tell you we ate some weird combinations of food on that night. And then, during dinner, I would tell the story of the day they were born.
Now, they heard it over and over again, year after year, they knew all the details – but they seemed to never tire of hearing the details that led up to that moment when they made their grand entrance into this world. And heaven forbid if I forgot even the smallest detail. They would quickly jump in and make sure I included every detail.
So every year on January 22nd, I’d tell of the ice storm that hit Kansas City, and how I was chipping the ice off the cars so Teri and I could go to work; and how Teri called to me to come back into the apartment, and how I ignored her at first; and was irritated at her bugging me when I was trying to clean off her car for her – but finally noticing the desperation in her voice, the second time she beckoned me – I went in and found it was time.
I’d tell about slip sliding to the hospital. I’d tell how Teri yelled at me when I stepped in front of Maynard the Bear, her focal point. I’d tell how the monitor indicated Nathan was in distress, and all of a sudden the nurse yanked the emergency cord and in a matter of seconds all these nurses and aides came rushing into the room – and without saying a word to me, the husband, they took the bed that Teri was on and literally ran down the hall to the delivery room.
I tell how the cord was wrapped around Nathan’s neck three times and how the doctor, with the help of forceps, pulled him out just in time, and how blue he was. I’d try to include as many details as possible.
And every October 3rd I tell that Teri had been at choir practice after Bible study on a Wednesday night in Marlette, Michigan and how she came home and said, “I think it’s time.” I didn’t need to ask her time for what. I knew exactly what she meant. I would tell of the trip first to the doctor’s office and then the trip to the hospital. And how I ignored all the detour signs and Teri’s advice and found out the bridge over the river wasn’t just being repaired it was gone; and then I had to back track and ended up going about 70 miles an hour over a dirt, pothole-filled road, in the middle of the night. And all the while Teri in a low guttural voice was saying, “How much longer? How much longer?” I’d tell how we had plenty of time to spare, and how Ashley was born about 30 minutes after we arrived at the hospital after that bumpy ride.
And every March 1st I’d tell the story of how Lauren made her first appearance on the center stage called life. I’d tell how a group from the church was playing volleyball on a Friday evening, and Teri who was sitting on the sidelines watching kept having contractions, but she didn’t think they were the real thing. Then a few hours later early on Saturday morning, she realized this wasn’t just another false alarm after all, this was the genuine article, it was time.
So, about six in the morning we made our way to St. Joe’s Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan and got all checked in. And since this was the third time around for Teri with the last time only months earlier, I knew she didn’t need my coaching. She was a pro at this baby thing. So, I got breakfast and a newspaper, sat beside her and read my paper as she did all the work. Right around noon, Lauren made her entrance into this world, and the world has never been the same since.
I think the favorite part of their stories is when I would tell how after they were born the doctor would hold them in his hands and slap the soles of their tiny, little, itty-bitty feet; and how at first there was no response and he’d slap them again, and there was still no response, and he’d slap them again, and finally they would respond by going AHHHHH!!!! And how that was the happiest sound I had ever heard.
They loved that part of the story.
They loved hearing “their” story about the day they were born.
If you’re participating in The Pursuit, the verse this week we are to hide in our heart by memorizing it says, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord and praise His name; every day tell how He saves us.” (Psalm 96:1-2 NCV)
When was the last time you told your story? When was the last time you told, not the day you were born, but the day you were born again? When was the last time you told how the Lord saves us? Let make an effort to tell our story to someone this week.
DID YOU KNOW????
Our teens will be helping at Contact Ministries tomorrow, Wednesday, March 3rd. This is the e-mail Pastor Jay sent to our teens – “I just wanted to remind you about our “Act of Service” tomorrow night. We will be going to Contact Ministries to sort clothes for the homeless. In order to do this we must leave the church at 5:30 and we will return at 8:30 p.m. Also, you must fill out a Contact Ministries Volunteer form. These are available at their website, www.contactministries.net or I will have copies when you arrive Wednesday night.”
That on accuweather.com they’re predicting 55 degrees on Sunday. May it be so! PLEASE!
Ladies Craft Connection – Saturday, March 6th, from 5:00-11:00 p.m. Bring a snack, a friend, and your favorite hobby/craft for a fun time. Stay as long as you’d like.
Upward Award Banquet and Award Night will be Friday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m.
Easter Services: Good Friday, April 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Early Service with other churches at 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast at 9:00 a.m.
Our Worship Gathering at 10:30 a.m.
Angel Food Order Dates are: March 3, 10, 13, and 17. Or you can order online at anytime during those weeks. Pick up date will be Saturday March 27th from11:00-12:00 noon.
Coffeehouse Comedy is coming – April 24 and 25.
Lee School Boxes are in the foyer for your convenience. One is for school supplies (the usual) and Treasure Box items (new or gently used Beanie Babies, small toys, books, stickers, etc.) The other box is for soup labels and box tops. Also, any gently used or new outerwear for those in kindergarten through age 20 is being accepted.
Anyone interested in being baptized on Easter Sunday, April 4th, contact Pastor Fred.
Did you know that you can go online to our website (www.Springfieldfirst.com) and listen to the Sunday sermons? Just click on the sermon you want to hear…it’s that easy! You are now able to subscribe through I-tunes and receive the sermons.
Spiritual Leadership for Men- All men are invited to be a part of a Small Group meeting on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. They will be meeting this Thursday.
Wednesday Night Connection dinner is from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. The menu is: Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Potato Chips, Potato Salad, Dessert. Our Prayer Gathering, Velocity (teens) And Caravan will all be taking place from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This coming Sunday, March 7th , our wonderful nursery volunteers are Kathleen Hochstetler with the infants, and Robin Buchanan and Logan Bott with toddlers, and out floater will be Nicole Montalbano. This Wednesday, March 3rd, the nursery will be staffed by Mindy Palmer and Pat Fowler. Thank you!
Crystal and Dan Trigg have friends who are serving the Lord in the Middle East and are in need of old laptop computers. They are ministering to those in a country that is 99.9% Muslim, and are putting themselves in harm doing this. If you have a computer to donate, bring it to the church office and the Triggs will make sure they are boxed up and mailed off.
The Pursuit Readings This Coming Week:
Monday 2-22 I Samuel 27
Tuesday 2-23 I Samuel 28:1-14
Wednesday 2-24 I Samuel 28:15-25
Thursday 2-25 I Samuel 29
Friday 2-26 I Samuel 30:1-15
Saturday 2-27 I Samuel 30:16-30
Sunday 2-28 I Samuel 30:6
Verse to Memorize this week: A Rejoicing Heart
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord and praise His name; every day tell how He saves us.” (Psalm 96:1-2 NCV)
CHILDREN MINISTRIES
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt – March 24th
TEEN MINISTRY
There will be Momentum March 5th The sport is Dodge Ball.
District Celebrate Life will be March 19-20 see Pastor Jay for all the details. Deadline was Jan. 31st to register.
Those interested in the District Teen Camp see Pastor Jay for all the details.
The Haitian Relief Effort – to make a contribution go to www.ncm.org (This is the Nazarene Compassionate Ministry website), and click on Contribute to fill out the form. If you prefer to write a check, make it out to “General Treasurer”, list Caribbean Response ACM 1204 and Springfield First Church in the memo area, and send it to Global Treasury Services, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184
PRAYER REQUESTS……….
Those listed in Sunday’s bulletin
Jean Pickett’s grandson, Gage, who it was thought had a serious medical condition was told Monday the test was misread and is being treated with antibiotics. Praise the Lord for His healing touch on his life.
Julie Duncan’s mom (lung cancer) and dad
Kay Gottrich
Norm Castleman
Dorcas Chandra
Tricia Hofman
Mary Ellen Brown (testing for correct heart meds)
