March 20, 2007

Good Moanin' Springfieldians,

Boy, oh boy, do I love Spring!

I love warmer days.

I love March Madness. (Even though Teri does as well as I do in picking winners, and her choices are based on the prettiest color of uniforms or which name sounds the best rolling off her tongue. Teri also loves March Madness because if her teams do better than my teams I have to buy her a Blizzard. And if my teams do better than her teams then I have to buy her a Blizzard.)

I love spotting the first robin of the season. I spotted mine the day I went to pick up my taxes from my tax lady, and there it stood in her yard as I walked out of her office. It made it not nearly so painful, and I was thankful it wasn't a vulture ready to pick my bones. Uncle Sam had just picked my pocket.

I love the start of the baseball season, though I'll be missing opening day at Tiger Stadium again. That's the only thing I don't like about being down here in Springfield. (Oh, yeah, I miss seeing my parents, too. Sorry Mom and Dad.) Watch out Cardinal fans, the Tigers are going to have you for lunch this year. And you poor Cubbie fans, keep your collective chins up, this could be your year. (Right!)

I love spotting my first crocus blooming just yesterday.

I love that the grass is turning green and the trees will be budding.

I love that Jesus walked out of a tomb on a Spring day and life has not been the same since. Everything I believe about God, about the Bible, about heaven and hell, about being able to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ and how He can change me finds its basis in my belief about the resurrection.

I don't believe in the resurrection because the Bible tells me of the resurrection, I believe the Bible because I believe in the resurrection.

When I was dead in my sin I believed I could be changed, resurrected so to speak, because I really believe Jesus was resurrected.

You see, I know something, "Dead men don't come back to life!" At least not dead men who have been dead for parts of three days, but I believe, I know, I have been persuaded, I am convinced that Jesus did. And because of that knowledge, I know the Bible is true, and I believe who it tells me Jesus is, and what He can do in my life.

Paul said, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith...And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead."

What is it you've been struggling with all of your energy to overcome? Could it be some of those Paul listed, which we looked at Sunday, when we looked at his letter to the Colossians? As long as you struggle with all of your energy you will fail, but when you learn to struggle with all of His energy, the very energy that raised Jesus from the dead, He will make you victorious. Remember, your Father is coming to you, and has come to you, and is saying, "Lean on me, I will carry you across the finish line."

Let Him do that for you! And if you don't know how to lean on Him, tell Him that, He loves teaching us independent-I-Can-do-it-by-myself-people how to trust Him enough to lean. Don't believe my words, don't even believe it because the Bible tells you so, believe it because a dead man was resurrected.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "And His incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." (1:19) That's what's available to us. Let's live like it!

DID YOU KNOW?????????????

The Journey Service of Prayer. This Wednesday, March 21st will be a special day of fasting and prayer. We ask that you fast whatever you're able to during the day and then gather together at 6:15 p.m. for a special time of prayer. Children, teens, and adults will all meet together and then be dismissed to their different meeting places. Remember no Wednesday meal will be served this Wednesday. The Coffeehouse Comedy. There will be two showings of the "DaVinci Cold," this Saturday and Sunday March 24 and 25 at 6:30 p.m. Invite your unchurched friends to be a part of this very fun night of laughter. There will be no child care provided. If you'd like to donate a dessert for either or both nights contact Jean Pickett at 529-6771.

Dinner for 6-8 will be happening in March and April. This is a great time for the church family to get together and share a meal and meet some new friends.

The Annual All-You-Can-Eat-Fish-Fry, with a baked potato bar is coming Wednesday, March 28th , from 3:00  6:00 p.m. There will be To-Go orders available. Adults $6, children and seniors $3. Invite your friends as this is a great outreach opportunity.

Children's Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will be Wednesday March 28 from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Kids invite your friends! The Kidz Zone is in need of donations of individually wrapped candies to put in plastic Easter Eggs. Donations may be given to Gloria Sanguedolce. Kids should bring a basket and a flashlight.

The church is going to put a ramp on Becky Shepherdson's home, she had to have toes amputated. Our teens have pledged to give $100+ for this project. It will cost around $500. If you'd like to help out put in the offering marked "Ramp."

Keep using GoodSearch.com, we've earned $22.81 as I wrote this!

UPCOMING SPECIAL WORSHIP GATHERINGS

Good Friday  April 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday  April 8th  8:00 a.m. Early Easter Worship Celebration with Trinity and Auburn Churches of the Nazarene 9:00 a.m. Breakfast together 10:30 a.m. Resurrection Celebration Worship My Favorite Teacher Sunday  April 22  Invite your favorite teacher to join you for worship this Sunday, as we will be recognizing and express our appreciation for their influence in our lives.

On Easter Sunday we will be receiving a special Easter Offering for World Missions. Ask the Lord what He would have you do as we give so others can hear the Good News and come to Christ around the world.

The next Blood Drive will be Wednesday, April 11.

ADULT MINISTRIES

Men's Ministry gets together every Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. for a Bible Study and fellowship. All men are invited to attend and bring a friend. See Jerry Stone for more info.

See George or Sue Bagley if you want more info on our small group ministry.

A Co-ed Volley ball league is being formed and will start March 26th. See Jeff Owens or Chris Bott if you're interested in playing.

Prime Time Spring Potluck is about to bud. Tuesday, April 10th everyone 50+ is invited to a potluck and hymn sing at 6:00 p.m. in room #106.

Ladies, see Tricia Hofman if you're interested in attending Ladies Day at ONU on April 14th.

CHILDREN MINISTRIES

Children's Easter Egg Hunt will be Wednesday March 28 from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Kids invite your friends! The Kidz Zone is in need of donations of individually wrapped candies to put in plastic Easter Eggs. Donations may be given to Gloria Sanguedolce.

Ministry Opportunities:

There is a need for more volunteers for nursery. See Patti Young or Curtis Owen if you could be a part of this important ministry.

TEEN MINISTRY

There will be no MOMENTUM this Friday, March 23rd.

Be sure to watch for the time and date of the upcoming training class for all Momentum volunteers. It will be important for all volunteers to attend this class.

PRAYER REQUESTS..........

Those listed in Sunday's bulletin

JoAnne Reeves is having medical tests done, and her mother is recently diagnosed with cancer

Becky Shepherdson

Marcella Fink

Tina Musick

JoEllen VanHouten

Jane Hale