April 24, 2007

Good Moanin' Springfieldians,

It just happened. I mean minutes ago. 16 baby ducks hatched. Their mother has been roosting under a bush by the kitchen entrance of the church, and this very morning was their appointed time to arrive into their new and exciting world of duckdom.

The mother began leading them to water, that's what mother ducks do as soon as her babies hatch. From the window of my office I counted them as they got in line behind their mom. 1-2-3....9-10...15. Wow! That's a whole lot duck! Wait! There's another one. A lone straggler. There's something wrong with his leg, he can't seem to keep up with the others. Mom waits. He catches up. They begin again the "march of the fowl." But he still can't keep up. He stumbles again. He's on his back. He can't turn over. His mom comes back and quacks encouraging squawks at him but he can't turn over. So, the mother and the 15 ducklings turn their back on their weak son and brother and continue the march.

"No, you can't leave him behind! It's not his fault he's not as strong as the others. It's not his fault he can't keep up. Go back mom! Don't abandon your baby!" But the call of nature was stronger than her maternal instincts, and so with out a tear being shed, the mother of 16 leads 15 away in formation. After all they have a mission to accomplish and they can't slow down for one weak straggler, can they.

Can we? Can you? Have you ever been so busy you couldn't stop to help that one that was weaker than you? Or maybe they're stumbling because of their own poor (stupid) choices. Maybe they knew better but still chose the harmful. Maybe they're the straggler because they didn't take your good advice to begin with. Do you stop to help that weak brother or son, or do you get in formation and march on ready to accomplish your all important mission? Wait a minute! Who is that? What is she doing? She's running to the baby duck, which is now kicking and crying as he lies on his back, as the "march of the strong" continues and the distance grows greater.

What is she going to do?

She gently turns him over.

He's on his feet.

He tries to catch up.

Mom and the troops stop.

But...he stumbles again....He's on his back again...He can't turn over again.

He should have known better. Didn't he learn from his last stumble?

Wait. She runs to him again. This time she doesn't simply turn him over and say, "You're on your own," but now she picks him up and gently carries him to where he belongs, with his mom and his quacky siblings. They continue the march and now somehow he is able to stay with them. He's still weaker than the others. He's still lagging behind, but not too far behind. He's back with the group, back to where he belongs.

"Stop! There's a road. Don't you see it? Don't you know about the danger? Is she really going to try to lead her 16 babies across the road? I know that's where the water is at, I know that's her mission, but doesn't she know about cars and trucks, and what happens to baby ducks that can't fly away from danger?"

Obviously mamma has a mission and even a busy road filled with danger isn't going to stop her from accomplishing her mission. But doesn't she realize if her babies are killed she can't accomplish the mission? She continues the march and the 16 ducklings, true to their nature, follow their mother while staying in formation unaware of the danger they are about to encounter.

They're on the shoulder now.

"Stop! Don't you see the cars approaching?

The drivers can't see you!

Stop!

Your mission means nothing!"

She's coming again, across the field, but now she's not protecting just the weak one, but all 16 and the mother. She steps out onto the road and stops traffic. The ducks continue to march.

"What's he doing? Doesn't he see her? Doesn't he see them? Slow down! Slow Down!" She's in the road shouting "Stop!!" But he's distracted. She could be hit. At the last split second he sees her, swerves into the other lane and misses the 16 ducklings, the mamma duck, and the "Duck Rescuer."

And mamma and the 16 waddle to the water's edge take the plunge and realize the mission is indeed accomplished. Do they even realize what she did for them? Not one turned back to say thank you, not even the weak one, and certainly not the mamma.

Only then did the "Duck Rescuer" allow her emotions to spill out as tears began to course down her cheeks. For she knew, even if they didn't know, or didn't appreciate what she had done, she knew she had risked everything to rescue those that couldn't rescue themselves.

Tammy Sowards has officially earned the title of "Duck Rescuer." Make sure you don't make fun of her smeared mascara, as you call her by her new title.

But do take the time to reflect on the One that rescued you when you knew better, but you continued to make poor (stupid) choices; reflect on the One that didn't abandoned you when everyone else marched away to accomplish there mission; reflect on the One that risked everything, but the hammer didn't swerve and barely miss Him. No, those nails were hit with enough force to be driven through His hands and feet, and as He hanged on the Cross he was heard whispering in a hoarse voice, "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they're doing." And for the most part, in that moment, they didn't even realize what "The Rescuer" had just done for them.

How will you respond to the Sin-Rescuer? Will you go on with life thinking you've accomplished something or will you forever be grateful and live your life serving and following the Savior?

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

On Easter Sunday we started receiving a special Easter Offering for World Missions. To date we have received $5,158, which is a great start for this all important offering, so that others have the opportunity to hear the "Good News". We will keep the offering open until the end of the month if you would like to give.

My Favorite Teacher Sunday  is this Sunday April 29  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.

Habitat for Humanity - if you're interested in participating in helping to build a Habitat for Humanity Home be sure to speak with Lee Workman. If you can't do the physical labor but would like to help prepare lunch for those that are involved in the physical labor, they need you also. Make sure you pick up a flyer for more info on dates and skills needed or speak with Lee. See the attached poster for more info (go to the bottom of this screen and click DOWNLOAD).

Annual Elections for the Church Board and delegates to the Assembly and NMI Convention will be held Sundays April 22 and 29. You must be a member of Springfield First Church of the Nazarene and at least 15 years old to vote in the annual elections. Registration will be in the foyer and the voting will take place in Room #8 before the 10:30 a.m. Worship Gathering.

On Sunday, May 6th, Dr. Jim Spruce, our District Superintendent, will be preaching in our 10:30 a.m. Worship Gathering, and then immediately following our worship gathering he will be conducting the regularly scheduled review of the pastor and church relationship. This will include last year's church board and the newly elected church board. Lunch will be provided.

There will be a Christian Education Board meeting on this Wednesday, April 25th in room #101 at 5:15 p.m.

Upcoming Events:

Baby Day, May 6th. We will honor all babies and toddlers.

Vacation Bible School  June 24-28

Neighborhood Connection  June 30th

Summer Camps: (Camp Fee is $85  See Pastor Jay or Debi Adams for registration forms)

Junior High Camp (Grades 6-9) June 11-15

Senior High Camp (Grades 9-12) June 25-29

Girls Camp (Grades 3-6) June 23-27

Boys Camp (Grades 3-6) July 30-August 3

Family Camp and Camp Meeting July 16-22

Keep using GoodSearch.com, we've earned $31.12 as I wrote this!

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.

Men's softball, begins on this Friday evenings, the game is at 8:30 p.m. Games are played at Calvary Temple. See Coach Rob Young if you're interested in playing.

A Co-ed Volley ball league is being played on Monday evenings. You can still join the fun if you'd like to. Se Jeff Owen or Chris Bott if you're interested in playing.

CHILDREN MINISTRIES

For Baby Day Patti Young and Curtis Owens ask that you would provide three pictures of your baby or toddler by this Wednesday, April 25th for the slide presentation.

Vacation Bible School Needs  We will be collecting old and discarded cell phones, cameras, and watches for the kids to use during Vacation Bible School. There will be a collection box in the foyer for your convenience.

Ministry Opportunities in the Kidz Zone:

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.

There is a need for someone to share their love for children by helping to lead/teach the Kinderchurch children (ages 4-Kindergarten) during Sunday Morning Worship Gathering every 4th or 5th Sunday. Please contact Gloria Sanguedolce (529-3138) or call the church office if you would like to share in this life changing ministry.

TEEN MINISTRY

MOMENTUM is back in full swing this Friday. If they reach the magic number of 200 Pastor Jay will be shining like you've never seen him before.

This Saturday, April 28, will be a Teen Car Wash at the Chatham Ace Hardware from 10:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. This is a fund raiser for those teens going to NYC this summer, "a once-every-four-years" event sponsored by our denomination to help train and inspire the spiritual leaders of the next generation.

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

Those listed in Sunday's bulletin

Marcella Fink

Elmer and Onea Krohe  Elmer is hospitalized at St. John's Hospital

Dale Baldridge

Tina Musick

JoEllen VanHouten

Jane Hale

Lisa DeClue