Beginning April 2, the Adult Education hour at WEAVE will center on "Understanding Islam." Islam has become the fastest growing faith in the U.S., and with radical Islamists making much of the news in today's world, Christians need to be aware of the "Real Islam" and what people of that faith believe. The four-week course will be taught by Taufiq Ahmad of the Islamic Association of McHenry County. We hope that we will gain some understanding of the Islamic faith and that, in understanding, we might create an atmosphere of acceptance, tolerance and commonality as people of faith striving to live in unity in today's world.
March 16, 8:30, 9:30, 11:00, Palm Sunday.
Jesus enters Jerusalem as a King... but what kind of king is this, who rides not a warhorse but a donkey’s colt? What kind of king is surrounded not by an army but by singing children? This is not your usual parade, not your usual power, not your usual king...
March 20, 6:30pm, Maundy Thursday.
We will gather at 6:30pm on Maundy Thursday for a meal and worship. We will be exploring the story of Jesus’ last night through the eyes of the disciples. Join us in the Fellowship Hall for worship around the table of fellowship.
March 21, 7pm, Good Friday.
We will commemorate the death of Jesus with a service of tenebrae. Tenebrae means “shadows” and refers to the practice of extinguishing candles. We have been extinguishing candles throughout Lent and on Good Friday we will extinguish the final candle in our display. The choir will share the “Passion Chorale” from the St. Matthew Passion, by Johann Sebastian Bach. Soprano, Jean Joslyn, and flutist, Ellie Cooper, will offer an aria from the same work. The service ends in darkness and silence.
March 23, four services: 8:00, 9:00 (alt), 10:15, and 11:15, Easter Sunday.
The darkness and silence come to an end with the rising sun and the joyful refrain of “Christ is risen!” Communion will be served at all the services.
Are you up for a spiritual challenge?
Perhaps you have struggled with your own spiritual issues for years, even decades, with little success. This class and the book Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard will address the issues that we face when we attempt a transformation of our spirit. The book lays the foundation of understanding the ruin and restoration of humanity. It discusses world influences, human nature and their components; how they operate and influence our spirit. As we take on the journey of “putting on the character of Christ”, or as Paul says “putting off the old and putting on the new” we will be better prepared for the different obstacles we will face. The day and time for this class is tentatively set for Tuesday at 7:00 pm, starting April 1. Please sign up if interested. If we have a majority of people for a different day or time and it is available, we can make the change. Please contact Jim Condill.
Our high school youth will once again be offering their services to the highest bidders this spring. Have yard work that needs to be done? Need a babysitter? Have an “ugly job” you just can’t get up the energy to do? Want your dog or your car washed? We can help!
This year we will be offering services on specific dates, to help us keep track of the jobs that need to be done. (Except for babysitting, of course!) Beginning March 16, look in the Fellowship Hall for the dates you are available to have work done and for the job you need done, and then bid bid bid!!
Need something that isn’t currently offered? Fill out a request form and we will get someone to come over to help you out for a very reasonable hourly rate.
All the money goes to support the high school youth mission trip to inner-city Chicago, where we will be learning about (and doing something about) urban poverty. Thanks!
Middle School goes Roller Skating! Bring $6.50 for skating, plus money for lunch. We leave church at 1pm and pick up is at XTreme Wheels (on Virginia Road) at 3pm. Friends are welcome. Please RSVP to Cheryl Lilly by April 1.
High School: Holy Hollywood, Batman! We’ll be using a movie or a TV show to explore some themes of the gospel—believe it or not, pop culture and Jesus can sometimes fit together! Join us for lunch and a fun new way to look at Hollywood and to look at our faith. Friends are welcome!
Thursday March 27th at 5pm, come to church to hang out, have dinner, and to watch and discuss The Matrix. Feel free to bring a friend!
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Our regular meeting of the Prime Timers is the 3rd Thursday of every month at 10am. This month that will be March 20th as we gather in Fellowship Hall to help prepare our church for the Maundy Thursday dinner. All are welcome and encouraged to join us. A light lunch will be provided.
Palm Sunday! It’s the beginning of Holy Week! Usually Holy Week is a time of pretty intense prayer, contemplation, and reflection. It’s about Jesus’ journey to the cross, it’s about our own part in the brokenness of the world, it’s about our won journeys into Christ’s death and resurrection. This Holy Week Extravaganza, though, is a little different. It’s a journey, all right—both inside and outside the church…and it’s got prayer, but not the way we usually think of it!...and it’s got food, but not just bread and grape juice…and it’s got a new twist on an extremely old story. I hope you’ll join us for a new way to experience the holiest week of the year! Friends are always welcome too!
Sunday, March 16th, from 5-7 p.m. The 11th Hour will be shown at McHenry County College. In the film, over 50 leading scientists, thinkers, and leaders discuss important issues that face our planet and people. It is produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. Tickets are available for $7.00 at the door for this showing sponsored by the McHenry County Defenders. ~ Mission Outreach Ministry
On Easter Morning (March 23), the Men’s Group will host an Easter Breakfast and fundraiser, between the hours of 8:30 and 11:15, in Fellowship Hall, with donations supporting our Youth Ministry Programs. Bring the kids, the Grandy’s, and any of those tag-along relatives wishing to experience the taste sensations, tantalizing a persistent appetite. The best part – you won’t need to cook.
In an effort to get to know each other better, we have prepared name tags for all regular attendees and encourage everyone to wear them. If you find you do not have a name tag, please let the church office know. We will make a permanent name tag for you. The name tags can be found in the plastic bins on the table in front of the church office (by the brown doors).
This year’s Vacation Bible School will take place June 23-27 and the theme is “Beach Party!” Get your beach gear ready for a fun week of learning, fellowship, and service for kids. Watch for more information as the time gets closer.
Good news! Ryan Atkinson, friend of Jordan Stipati, will be coming home on leave, from Iraq. He'll be home for Easter. His parents are having an open house for him, and would like to invite everyone from RCLPC who have been so thoughtful and generous to Ryan. It will be on Saturday, March 22nd, from 2:00-5:00p.m. If you have any questions, please call Tina Stipati.
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Following is a note from Charles Gay (friend and former student of Karla Koenig). A copy of his letter is posted on the bulletin board in the Connecting Link...
Feb. 13, 2008
Dear Mary & Friends –
Your Valentine’s day package could not have come at a better time. My Platoon and I were 5 days in on our week long field op when they actually brought us mail. This was odd because they usually wait until we’re done training and we don’t have extra stuff to carry. Anyway the snacks went like hot cakes and there was nothing left after 30 min. Also another big hit was the magazines, almost everyone had something to read while there was down time. In my 3 weeks here I’ve already been in sub-freezing temperatures and 2 full fledged sand storms, who would have thought a desert could get so cold? Overall it’s not so bad, there isn’t much to spend money on so I’m actually saving some, and I met Scarlett Johansson and got a picture with her when she visited our camp. Well that’s about the extent of life in the sand box, we all appreciate what you do for us. All I have in return is a picture of myself so you can have a face with a name. Thanks again. - Charles Gay
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision- makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.
Each year Bread for the World invites churches and groups across the country to take up a nationwide Offering of Letters to Congress on an issue important to hungry people. People of faith and conscience have the opportunity to place the concerns of hungry and vulnerable people front and center before elected leaders. By making our voices heard in Congress, we make our nation’s laws more fair and compassionate to people in need.
In 2000 the nations of the world set eight achievable objectives, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), that would improve the quality of life for hundreds of millions of poor people around the world. We collectively promised to fulfill these goals by 2015. In the past few years the U.S. Congress has increased federal funding by about $1 billion a year, with other countries following suit. More kids are in school, fewer children are dying, and villages have new wells and clean water.
We are now more than halfway through the time period to meet the MDGs by 2015. We’ve made a difference, but there are still too many people living in extreme poverty, too many hungry every night, too many children dying from preventable causes.
This year’s Offering of Letters asks Congress to provide more and better poverty-focused development assistance. Bread for the World seeks an increase in funding, particularly for programs that most directly address the root causes of poverty and hunger, and for improvement in providing the maximum benefit to those in greatest need. To this end, passage of the Global Poverty Act (S.2433) would make the first MDG – to cut in half the number of hungry people and those living on less than $1 per day – an official part of U.S. policy. It would also require a coordinated strategy of aid, debt relief, and trade policies to achieve the goal.
On April 6, the congregation is invited to stop in Fellowship Hall before or after the worship services to sit down and write a brief letter to their elected official(s). Paper, envelopes, and pens, along with a model letter, will be provided. Our letters will be placed in an offering basket and mailed the next day.
As individuals and as a church body, we work and volunteer in social ministries and give financially to hunger appeals, both near and far. But a single decision by Congress can outweigh or multiply our contributions. By writing members of Congress about legislation that addresses hunger, we can make a great impact for God’s people in need. Please join in the efforts of this nonpartisan Christian citizens’ movement on April 6 in Fellowship Hall.
Last year members of our congregation began providing financial support for Sara at Fairhaven School, the special school in Alexandria, Egypt, for handicapped children that we have been associated with for several years.
The Mission Outreach Ministry has stepped out in faith to offer the sponsorship of a second child. The director of Fairhaven has sent us information about another student in need. Randa, age 14, has been deaf since birth and was unable to speak until recently when she was taught at school to read lips and make herself understandable through signing. When she first arrived at Fairhaven, Randa could not walk because of a back problem. The director of the school informs us that Randa’s walk has “straightened and she is always cheerful and willing to join in games and activities.”
Prayerfully consider helping in sponsoring Randa. Monthly tuition costs are $140 per month for the eleven-month school year. One time donations as well as monthly or quarterly contributions in whatever amount you can afford are acceptable. If we receive pledges and contributions exceeding the monthly tuition costs, we will sponsor additional children at Fairhaven School.
If you would like to help, please call Rick Johnson. Learn more about Fairhaven at www.saraychurch.org, click on “Community Service” then click on “Mentally Challenged.” ~ Mission Outreach Ministry
Fairhaven School Student Sponsorship
Name ______________________________________
Phone ______________________________________
Email ______________________________________
Tuition costs are $140 per month for the eleven-month school year. I (We) will support financially the education of Randa by:
___ One time donation of $________
___ Monthly contribution of $ _______
___ Quarterly contribution of $_______
Please make checks payable to RCLPC and designate Fairhaven School in the memo line. Thank you for helping us reach out in love to Fairhaven School.
(You may need to activate this controller to view the video.
Make sure you have your volume turned up. Enjoy.)
Puzzled about what to serve the family on Easter Morning? Here’s your solution. Turn those ravenous appetites over to the Men’s Group annual Easter Breakfast and fundraiser, with donations supporting our Youth Ministry Programs. Who can resist such mouthwatering temptations as pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit served with panache by those handsome men of RCLPC in an atmosphere of church fellowship? No One. This year’s special treat – Gilman’s Own Tasty Pancake Toppings. Mom and Dad don’t forget... On Easter Morning, pack up the kids, the Grandy’s, and any of those tag-along relatives, and head for Fellowship Hall between the hours of 8:30 and 11:15. A culinary experience you won’t want to miss.
The Mashantucket Pequot and Seminole Tribes are the first to join Federal effort to build tribal economies. February marked the start of an “intertribal economic consortium initiative that will create a platform for tribal economic growth” reported the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Carl J. Artman. “It is a platform that helps resource-rich, cash-poor tribes by linking them to those with purchasing power. Forging those links between supply and demand is necessary for building strong tribal economies, and that is good both for Indian Country and all Americans.”
The concept of tribes with purchasing power buying from tribes with goods or services to sell is being developed by the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development as a way to build and strengthen tribal reservation economics. This initiative had its beginnings in mid-2007 when the Mashantucket and Seminole tribes who rely on a broad network of vendors and producers of raw materials for their businesses, decided to buy from American Indian-owned vendors and producers for their needs wherever and whenever possible.
The initiative encompasses livestock, seafood, agricultural products as well as raw materials and mineral assets and includes technologies such as wind, biomass, solar, hydroelectric and tidal resources on or near Federal Indian lands. ~ Native American Connection
Indian Festivals in March 2008
March 15-16 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan 517-432-7153
March 15 at Northland College Campus in Ashland, Wisconsin 715-682-1204
March 15-16 13th Forest County Potawatomi Winter’s End in Crandon, Wisconsin 715-478-7420
For upcoming pow-wows check out IndianCountryNews.com
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