Faith Notes

Kindly Respond

2011-03-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

I am Mr. Lee Shing, Principal Assurance manager for the Nanyang Commercial Bank of China. An investment was placed under my management
eight years ago by a customer who is now deceased. I need your assistance in investing these funds. If you're interested contact me
via my private email lshing40@yahoo.com.hk

If you're not interested in my offer do not respond to this email.Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and my regards,
Lee Shing

Briggs Christmas Letter

2010-12-23T18:00:00.001-08:00

I have attached The Briggs Family Christmas News Letter to this E-Mail. I hope you will be able to open it. If you cannot let me know and I will mail a letter by snale mail.

We do wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Blessings, Ken & Carla

Hello it's urgent !!!

2010-10-18T04:37:00.001-07:00

Hi,
How are you doing? I hope you are doing fine, I'm sorry that I didn't inform you about my travelling to Malaysia for a Seminar.I need a favor from you as soon as you receive this e-mail because I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and credit card, and other valuable things are, I will like you to assist me with a loan urgently. I will need the sum of $2,800 to sort-out my hotel bills and get myself back home.I will appreciate whatever you can afford to help me with, I will pay you back as soon as I return, I'm counting on you on this, Kindly let me know if you can be of help so I can send you my information where to send the money to me through Western Union.

I have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the issue effectively,I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me,I'll Refund the money back to you as soon as i return,let me know if you can be of any help.I don't have a phone where i can be reached.I look forward to hearing from you later today.

Your reply will be greatly appreciated.
Blessings, Ken Briggs.

Lenten Devotion

2010-04-02T05:34:00.001-07:00

You are invited to the Good Friday Service at 7:00 P.M. this evening. Your ACC Bell Choir will play a special musical number. Take time this evening to enrich your Holy Week experience.

Pastor Ken

April 2, 2010

Good Friday

Excerpt from Hebrews 4: 14 - 16; 5: 7-9

"Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

Good Friday, and Easter for that matter, is not all that much about our doing. It is all about God's doing, God's doing on our behalf. The idea is that we desperately need something, some saving, some help, and some mercy and that this isn't something we can do for ourselves or by ourselves. We need saving. We need a Savior.

But that is, well, kind of embarrassing. In fact, it goes against the grain for some of us, and against the grain of a world that teaches, "we can handle it," "we're in charge here," we are self-sufficient, self-reliant people, thanks very much. If you think along those lines, confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior may be a little (or a lot) embarrassing.

I once heard an older minister wonder aloud if, in our branch of Christianity, our poet laureate might be the one who wrote, "I want no Jesus Christ to think He could die for me"?

Here's good (if embarrassing) news, you need a Savior and you have one. While you and I were yet sinners and couldn't fix things ourselves, Christ came looking for us. Jesus came to find us, to lead us out of the shadows and death to the light and to life.

Prayer

"Beneath the cross of Jesus I gladly take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day."

Lenten Devotion

2010-04-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

Remember the Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 P.M.

Pastor Ken

April 1, 2010

Commanding Love

Excerpt from John 13:1-17, 31b-35

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another"

Reflection by William C. Green

Jesus does not command feelings. He commands duty, first to God, then to others.

It's often hard to love what needs doing, like pay attention to those we disagree with, or forgive someone as we have so often been forgiven, or love "enemies" in our own midst or beyond, as Jesus admonished.

But the commandment to love is not a commandment to condone or agree; it's a duty to respect. I can't find help and hope apart from respecting a world bigger than my own feelings. The church is meant to be a model and an entry into that larger world, one made up of people we have to be with, not people we choose to be with. Jesus commands us to pass on the love and respect we have already received. Without this, any personal difference or grievance is magnified and distorted, and we're lost in ourselves with no way out.

This is the day in Holy Week when we remember the first communion, the Last Supper. Here was love beyond personal feeling, not thrown by the betrayal of a close follower and impending death. This is God's love for us. Not even the disciples understood it. But they were changed by it, and given the duty to pass it on. They did so, however imperfectly. And so can we.

Prayer

Gracious God, may I not make a god of my own feelings, and pass on the deeper love you make mine. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hope to see you at the Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 P.M. tomorrow night. Sue Furland will be singing "Via Dolarosa" and Ron Rieckmann will be playing a Saxophone Solo.

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken

March 31, 2010

Run to Win

Excerpt from Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."

Reflection by Ron Buford

Having grown up in the city, the thrill of driving across the country at my own pace was a blast! Crossing Desert Mountains at night, I looked up through my car's moon roof at what at first appeared to be a strange cloud cover. Opening the roof, I gasped and immediately wept, "Oh my God, that's no cloud cover. It's the Milky Way!"

Having only seen the Milky Way in books, I stopped almost every mile to get out in the freezing night to store up another look. And I thought of this text, imagining each star as a saint gone before us, looking down from the heavens as if above the ancient coliseum of our life's race . . . cheering us on.

So stop managing decline in your life, love, family, business, or organization. It is not God's will for you. It is not the high purpose for which you were born. Decide today to fix your eyes on the prize, the dream you share with God, and win today. Forget the past. Saints gone before us also endured great struggle without giving in to decline and mediocrity. Any idiot can manage decline. Life's great races run through momentary failure to success. Keep going.

Look to Jesus, the greatest runner of all time, "who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame" . . . to win . . . for us all.

Prayer

Gracious God, grant me the wisdom, insight, strength, endurance and comrades to win the gold for my life, family, church, and the world, giving greater glory to you, running hard and smart to bring healing, nourishment, caring, and progress to humanity, the environment, and the spiritual life. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Faith Family:

Because of our daily weakness please remember to attend holy services wherever you are. Take the time to step aside from your busy lives and rest in a sacred place. Our services here at Altoona Christian Church are as follows:

Maundy Thursday Service, Thursday evening at 7:00

Good Friday Service, Friday evening at 7:00

I pray that the peace and healing of the Holy Spirit will be with you this week.

Pastor Ken

March 30, 2010

Weakness

Excerpt from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

"God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

Reflection by William C. Green

There's no self-help book on how to be weak! We want to be strong and successful leaders, parents, churches, friends, partners, investors, and only the sky's the limit, as one longtime bestseller is titled.

Meanwhile, Paul declares that weakness is God's preferred way of reaching us. God wants to shame the strong, not because strength itself is shameful, but because trying to achieve that alone is a shame, much like trying to build a sand castle that waves will wash away. We're to build on a foundation stronger than anything we can make reliable and fulfilling.

Simone Weil writes, "Grace [the blessing of God] fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void." This is another way of saying that we can't receive a gift if our hands are full. Full of ourselves and the strength we want to achieve, sooner or later we trip up and get disillusioned.

Jerusalem was full of itself. God chose Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. The Temple was full of itself. God chose a shabby band of disciples to become the church. And so it goes, through the Cross and beyond. Weakness is a setting for God's power, next to the success we often seek on our own terms.

Prayer

Almighty God, when we feel empty and weak, may we find the fullness of your love and strength. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Faith Family:

I thank all of you for yesterday. It was a day to savor. It was a blessing to read cards, to visit and remember, to watch pictures and hear kind words that touched on all the many places of a journey in ministry that has covered so many years. It seems like thank you is not enough but it is from the bottom of my heart. Let us continue to share together in this most holy of the weeks of Lent and remembering who we are in our faith and to whom we are called to be faithful.

Pastor Ken

March 29, 2010

To Save or to Savor?

Excerpt from John 12:1-11

"Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair."

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

E. B. White once observed, "If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world, and a desire to enjoy the world. That makes it hard to plan the day."

In planning our days, confused as we are about how to spend them, we may wonder if the answer is found in moderation. But Jesus refused to criticize the woman who anointed him with lavish amounts of costly perfume. It seems that Jesus thinks we are meant to get carried away.

The Christian life is not so much about moderation. Instead, it is about rhythm. There is, indeed, a time to serve the world and a time to savor the world. To be sure, one can get stuck on one side of this dynamic rhythm, which can be about as dangerous as only inhaling or only exhaling. The dangers of only savoring the world are clear, leading to a life of self-indulgence. But just as certainly there are dangers in only serving the world. To only serve and never to savor the world is to be only the giver or gifts and never the receiver. It means that we never have to admit our need or to say thank-you.

So we are called to do both -- to serve and to savor -- not at the same time, perhaps, because that may not be possible, but each in turn at the appropriate time. Which is another way of saying that one's life depends on being inconsistent in the way all who both breath in and breath out are inconsistent.

Prayer

O God, help me both to serve and to savor -- and to know which I am called to do at this time. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

March 28, 2010

The Things That Last

Excerpt from Mark 12:35-40

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!"

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

In New York City you can always spot the visitors. It's not from the way they are dressed, because you can dress any way you like in New York. It isn't from their accents, because New Yorkers may have grown up in Kansas or Katmandu. Rather, the telltale sign of visitors is that they are always looking up, trying to take in the tops of the buildings.

That is how I picture the disciples as they entered Jerusalem with Jesus: "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!"

Jesus responded, "There will not be left one stone upon another," putting the temple, in all its magnificence, into a different perspective. Like all human achievements, it was little more than a sand castle that was destined to be swept away.

We are forever confusing the lasting and the momentary. When Jesus was brought before the chief priests, he was accused of saying, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands and in three days I will build another, not made with hands." The priests were incensed: Surely no one can destroy the temple. It will stand forever. And what is this nonsense about building a temple in three days? Any temple that could be built in three days would be felled by the first brisk wind.

But, sure enough, the temple that the priests and disciples admired no longer stands. And there was a temple built within three days of Jesus' death, and it is still standing. You are part of it -- the church, a never-ending testimony to the ever-living Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, help me not to confuse the lasting and the momentary, so that I might follow you more faithfully. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-27T09:01:00.001-07:00

March 27, 2010

No Reservations Required

Excerpt from Luke 22:1-13

"The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there. They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (NIV)

Reflection by Kenneth L. Samuel

In January 2009, I had the honor of receiving tickets from my U.S. Congressional Representative to attend the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Upon my arrival, I found the nation's capital in total gridlock. Streets were closed, traffic was at a standstill, hotels were booked to capacity and every restaurant in the city had a long waiting list.

On the great day of the Inauguration, after standing outside freezing at the Mall for five hours, a fraternity brother and I went on a quest to find a restaurant with less than an hour's wait time. We stumbled across an Italian bistro that would never have gotten my attention had I not been desperate. In that dark, obscure restaurant, over wine and pasta, we talked about what Obama's election meant for race relations in America, about the hope and possibilities of this American experiment in democracy. And we talked about our own personal dreams and professional ambitions. Neither our prized places at the Inauguration nor our invites to VIP functions around the city could match the special pride we felt and the powerful emotions we shared in that out-of-the-way restaurant. It was just about the only thing I did during that time that did not require a reservation, yet it was, for me, the most impactful.

In the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem's Passover Feast, Jesus directed Peter and John to prepare a place where Jesus could share the Passover meal with his disciples. Just Jesus and the disciples. Just the Master teaching his disciples how to serve and sacrifice in an intimate setting. Just an inter-personal communion with eternal consequences.

The disciples knew that the city of Jerusalem would not accommodate such a gathering, but they soon discovered that God had already prepared a host and a space and a table for them. No reservations required.

Prayer

Lord, we often worry about the many ways in which we are pushed out and pushed aside by the bustling busy-ness of life. Help us today to rest in the confidence that you will always open a door and provide space for us in the places where we really need to be. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

I pray that today will be a blessing to you. Pastor Ken

March 26, 2010

We're No Angels

Excerpt from Hebrews 2:10-18

"For it is clear that Jesus did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham."

Reflection by Lillian Daniel

Some people act like Jesus did come just for the angels. They act all prim and proper, and all but wear haloes to church. They act like they already have all divine knowledge ("The bible says it, that's good enough for me") and like they're already so good they could float to heaven on a cloud any day now. And heaven forbid you don't live up to their standards and beliefs.

Of course, if you were to scratch beneath that surface, as pastors often have the opportunity to do, you would know there are very few angels walking around the earth, clergy included.

We'll meet angels down the road. But beware of the person who pretends to be one here on earth.

You may think, "But I've met an angel!" We use the term to describe people who make a huge difference in our lives, who are blessings to the world. But I've never met one of those people who actually claimed the title for himself. Angelic people are the first to tell you, "I'm no angel." They're humble like that, and clear.

Jesus came for the descendants of Abraham. When Paul wrote that to the early church, he meant Jesus came for all of us.

Apparently, angels don't need saving. But we do.

So throw me in with the non-angelic crowd. Besides, they always look like they're having more fun anyway.

Prayer

God, let my spiritual role models inspire me without deflating me. Let their goodness seem attainable. Remind me of all you can do with a little imperfection. Amen.

Faith Notes and Lenten Devotion

2010-03-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Faith Notes"

March 25, 2010

Dear Faith Family:

The Lord said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.I have let you see it with you eyes, but you shall not cross over there." Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord's command. Deuteronomy 34:4-5

As my time with you is growing to a close I have often referred to this experience of Moses. I had often thought how difficult it must have been for Moses to let go and know the people he had guided and loved would go into that Promised Land without him. This last week as I was in discussion with my pastor's support group I came to one of those awe ha moments. Moses had come to realize long before that moment God was the Promised Land. When you arrive at that understanding it brings a peace which I am enjoying at this time of coming to the end of my full time call to active ministry with this faith community I care for so much. Everything I have known in life has brought me to this point.

I feel secure in this journey of life that I have lived and am living.

I wish for you that you will continue to be transformed by your encounters with God in solitude and silence. Those times bring peace and security.

Try not to get tangled up in the frantic busyness of life. Reach for a measured pace in life, taking time to notice the burning bushes in your life.

Rather than living from a place of overstimulation and exhaustion, discover the rhythms of work and rest, silence and word, stillness and action that God has built into the universe of our well-being.

Rather then being subject to other people's expectations and your own compulsions, seek to operate out of a deep sense of God's call upon your life.

Rather than living from a simplistic view of the spiritual life, seek to have an inside-out understanding of the shape of the spiritual journey that comes from being faithful to your journey.

Rather than arguing and fighting and trying to defend yourself against every criticism and challenge, seek time for lifting the critic and the challenger up in prayer that they will find rest in God's presence. Always intercede on their behalf.

Always pray for the discovering with others in the family of God the way to be open to the gift of discernments so the family of God will do God's will together.

Keep seeking the kingdom of God that is not only beyond our efforts but it is even beyond our vision.

Your Lenten Devotion for today

Excitement at Being Alive in the Late Afternoon

Excerpt from Psalm 31:9-16

"For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away."

Reflection by Donna Schaper

When I got to the nursing home, my 85-year-old friend was playing chess with another patient. They were both so excited that I had come that they invited me down to the new café in the facility for a vodka and tonic. It had just opened. While we were there enjoying our drinks, a very senior osteoporotic mother sat with a very junior well-dressed daughter, sighing. The mother wanted to order pancakes but the waitress said they didn't serve pancakes after 4 p.m. The daughter could not persuade the mother about the pancakes so some mutual eye-rolling and misery ensued. That's when my friend, the elder of my two dates, went over and whispered in her ear. "Have a vodka and tonic." She did. And she also required the waitress to bring syrup with it.

Old age is not for sissies. It's not that good for caretakers either. Our strength does fail. Our bones do waste away. What besides chess and vodka and humor can sustain us? I think the psalms can -- by saying what is true, by letting us prepare for the time when strength will fail. That way we don't have to put all our trust in it. Even more, God is our strength, a very present help in time of trouble, a kind of syrup that sweetens the bitterness that does sometimes fall even between mother and daughter.

I often memorize psalms, all the verses, for the time that may come when I will want something that is no longer available at the hour at which I want it.

Prayer

O God, before we lift our eyes for the last time, give us some joy, the kind that does not come by demand nor by strength but instead comes from an excitement at being alive in the late afternoon. Amen.

Upcoming Lenten services:

· Worship Services March 28^th 8:15am & 10:15am

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on Thursday, April 1^st at 7pm

Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service.

Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com or talk to him after the church service.

What is a Tenebrae Service? - The word 'tenebrae' is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events, and it is left unfinished, because the story isn't over until Easter Day.

· Friday, April 2^nd at 7pm

Easter Services on Sunday, April 4^th at 8:15am& 10:15am
Easter Egg Hunt 9:30am

· Annual Easter Miracle Breakfast 9am

Prayers, Joys, & Concerns:

In our Thoughts and Prayers: Eleanor Miller; Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi and their daughter, Angie Cecchi; Ken and Carla Briggs' grandson, Keaton Pratt and their family; Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost; the Barron family and Irv's sister, Betty Darst; Joe Procyk Sr.; Marvin & Juanita Sheets; Alex Champion; Maddie Landwehr; Charlie Mayfield; Wendy Todd and her aunt, Mrs. Bristow; Doris Wolf; Les Hill; Sheila Santos' sister, Renita Lewis; Carol Sutton; Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort; Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson; Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family; Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy; Geneva Huston; Jim Rose; Doug Teuber; Blaine Moats' nephew, Isaac; Paulette Craggs' friend, Sharon; Vee Rehor; Carol Nieters' friend, Phyllis, and friends of her family, Ronnie, Amanda, and Grant Humphrey and her granddaughter's Emily friend's family; Bob Gulling; Alan Petre; Judi Webb's friend, Chuck; Max and Madge Stillinger; Wilma Schick; the Renaud family; Barb Geissinger's cousin, Dale Swift and her mother-in-law, Jeanne Geissinger; Wendy Miles' brother, Randy Rawson, and her godmother, Ruth Carpenter; the Monk family; Jim Ludington's mother, Fern; Gracie Brown; Dani Champion; and the Thompson family.

We remember Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

March & April Birthdays: March 28^th Joey Hosier, March 29^th Kim Hulen Kennedy,

March 31^st David Miers, April 2^nd Graham Steffes-Clayton and Julie Cullinan, April 4^th Brady Beckett,

April 5^th Emsy Cullinan

April Anniversaries: April 5^th Marvin and Juanita Sheets

Calendar Week of March 28^th April 4^th, 2010

(Today) Sun. March 28^th  Palm Sunday Worship Services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School 9:15am,

Pastor Ken's Retirement Open House 3-5pm, SNL 5-7pm, Easter Flower Orders Due Today! Order Easter flowers in honor of our loved ones that will adorn our worship center on Easter. Out of respect for those who have allergies to the aroma of Easter Lilies, this year we are ordering blooming spring bulb plants for Easter -Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths. Each plant is $10.00.Call 967-4382 to place an order.

Mon. March 29^th - Cub Scouts 4-5:30pm, Scouts 6-7pm

Tues. March 30^th -T.O.P.S. 8-11:30am, Learn/Ring Bells 7pm

Wed. March 31^st - Puppets/Youth Chimes 2-4:30pm, Lenten Study Creative Praying -6pm, Bell Choir 7pm

Thurs. April 1^st - Lenten Study- Creative Praying 10am, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service 7pm Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service. Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com or talk to him after the church service

Fri. April 2^nd - Good Friday Service on Friday 7pm

Sat. April 3^rd- Set-up for Easter breakfast/deliver donated food supplies for the breakfast to the kitchen 9am

Sun. April 4^th - Easter Services 8:15am/10:15am, Miracle Breakfast 9am, Easter Egg Hunt 9:15am

Announcements:

Annual Easter Miracle Breakfast Sunday, April 4^th, 9am

Take a look at what is needed in order to make our Easter Miracle Breakfast a success!!!

(These amounts will serve approximately 100 guests)

These items are still needed:

8 lbs each red grapes & white grapes- Need & 1 flat of strawberries- need

25 packages of sausage links (Little Sizzlers) - 11 packages donated

30 doz. Med. Eggs- 12 dz. Donated

These items have already been donated:

Approximately 5-8 pounds of boneless ham (breakfast sliced)

5 large pineapples & 4 cantaloupes

Cinnamon rolls/Danish

6 gal Orange Juice & 3 gal milk

12 Syrup (sugar-free too)

Clipboards will be sent around during both services to sign up to volunteer for the breakfast and to donate food supplies. Thank you in advance for all your generosity for this year's Easter Miracle Breakfast!

Please let Len or the church office know by March 28th if you are donating any food supplies, and drop off the food supplies if possible on Sat. morning between 9-11am or before Saturday, April 3^rd in the kitchen.

*Need Men on Sat. Apr. 3rd 9am to set up for the breakfast, and on Sun. Apr. 4th to cook (7am), serve breakfast (9am), and to clean up afterwards. Contact Len Shaw 967-4625 or the church office to volunteer.

_______________________________

Sunday Night Live Youth Dinners  Thanks to everyone who's volunteered so far to prepare meals for our SNL youth. If you'd like to volunteer to prepare meals for the youth group on any Sunday in April or May, please see Pastor Natalie, email peace.weaver@live.com or call 991-2359. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Salvation Army Casseroles- WE'RE DOING GREAT! So far we have donated over 80 casseroles!

Please pick one or more aluminum casserole pans and a recipe sheet. After baked, cover tightly with tin foil, & place in the church freezer. There is plenty of room in the freezer at this time. Don't forget the plastic grocery bags. There's a tall box by the Food Pantry grocery cart that these bags may be deposited into.

Summer Church Camp is coming information is on the old alter table in the Narthex. Look at all the camps that are available. Deadline for registering for camps is coming fast. The church will pay ½ of each registration fee. If you cannot afford to send your child to camp let Pastor Natalie know. There are funds for camp. Everyone should have the opportunity to go to camp. Summer Camp Sunday April 18^th Come and hear Bert Burns from the Christian Conference Center speak to all of us about all the exciting camp opportunities available this summer!!!

Altoona Christian Church Cookbook, Vol. II -A new cookbook is being planned. The first one was done in 1990, so its time for a new one!! Please gather your favorite recipes and bring them to church or email to guenever@msn.com. There's a basket on the table in the Narthex for your recipes. If you would like to work on this project, please contact Carol Brown at guenever@msn.com or at church.

God's Coffee House - Volunteers are needed to bring snacks on Sunday mornings. Snacks such as pretzels, animal crackers and wrapped breakfast bars are encouraged, but quick breads and cookies are certainly acceptable. Following the 10:15 service, would the person who brought the snacks please clean up the table? Thanks to everyone for volunteering. If you feel you're unable to bring snacks for God's Coffee House, your financial support is greatly appreciated. There's a sign-up sheet on God's coffee House's table.

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"PHILIA" is Greek for "Love of Friends" It's the name of a small group fellowship with friends from Altoona Christian Church. The group meets one day out of each month to join together for fellowship and fun. Join us Friday April 16^th 7pm at the Latin King restaurant for dinner 2200 Hubbell Ave Des Moines, Iowa 50317 Please RSVP to Stephanie or Natalie by Friday, April 9^th.

Scrapbooking

The next scrapbooking event will be April 10^th beginning at 9am in the Fellowship Hall. This is a great time to work on any hobbies you might have from card making, knitting, and beading to actual scrapbooking as it is fellowship time too. You can come and go so if you can't be there right at 9am, come later. We'll stay until we are tired which is usually around 1:30-2pm. If you want to stay later, you are welcome and we might stay there with you. If you have never scrapbooked before, but are thinking it would be fun to learn, bring some pictures, scissors and adhesive and we'll get you started. If you just need to sort your photos and put into books, but don't want to scrapbook, here's your time for motivation. Come and join us and if you know of someone else in the area who would like to scrapbook, bring them along or tell them to come join us.

Ernie Landwehr has sent the following information concerning Maddie's Cook Book that some of you contributed to. The Maddie's Angels Cook Book is 132 pages and has notes from Doctors and other special people like you. The Proceeds from the sale of this book are going to Fanconi anemia research. Please consider more than one book as they make great gifts. We did not use a standard cook book printer because they would not let us put the personal notes in it so we did all of the layout ourselves, I think you will like it. The Fax number on the order form is a secure one and no one sees it but me. We are glad to take credit cards as well as your check.

Thank you

Ernie Landwehr

515-979-9521

Order by Mail: Maddie's Angel Cook Book

2106 Country Cove Ln

Altoona IA 50009

Email: ernie_landwehr@msn.com

nancy_landwehr@msn.com

Web Site: www.helpmaddie.com

Fax (secure) 612-256-2201

Name: ___________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

City: _____________________State: ____Zip: ___________

Phone: ______-________-____________

Number of Books

______________ @ $15.00 = $_______________

Shipping $5.00

Maddie's Angels bracelet $1 each $ _______________

Additional Donation to help find a cure for

Fanconi Anemia $________________

Cash Total $_______________

Check

Visa

MasterCard (We do not take Discover or American Express)

Number: __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __

Exp. Date: __ __- __ __

Name on Card: ______________________________

You can also pick them up at Franklin Covey Store in Des Moines at the Merle Hay Mall and Sugar Shack in Altoona

I give you the following Holy Humor that was sent to me my June Barron. Thank you June

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, 'I know
what the Bible means!'
His father smiled and replied, 'What do you mean, you 'know' what the
Bible means?
The son replied, 'I do know!'
'Okay,' said his father. 'What does the Bible mean?'
'That's easy, Daddy...' the young boy replied excitedly,
'It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to
her brother.
'Is there anything breakable in here?' asked the postal clerk.
'Only the Ten Commandments.' answered the lady.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.
There are those who wake up in the morning and say, 'Good morning,
Lord,'
and there are those who wake up in the morning and say,'Good Lord,
it's morning.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because
he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. He put a
note under the windshield wiper that read: 'I have circled the block
10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment.
Forgive us our trespasses.'
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with
this note 'I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a
ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to
his congregation: 'I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we
have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news
is, it's still out there in your pockets.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Error! Filename not specified.

While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish
carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor,
because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...
'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.. Caution: Do not
step in exhaust.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and
girls, what do we know about God?"
A hand shot up in the air.
"He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.
"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.
"You know, 'Our Father, who does art in Heaven . . . ' "

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before
a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were
many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a
vacant pump.
'Reverend,' said the young man, 'I'm so sorry about the delay. It
seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a
long trip.'
The minister chuckled, 'I know what you mean. It's the same in my
business.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the
center of attention.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the
lesson was about. The daughter answered, 'Don't be scared, you'll get
your quilt.'
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor
stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday
school lesson was about.
He said 'Be not a afraid, thy comforter is coming.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask
the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting
for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find
that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in
at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.
'Here's a copy of the service,' he said impatiently, 'but, you'll have
to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the
finances.'
During the service, the minister paused and said, 'Brothers and
Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as
much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge
$100 or more, please stand up'.
At that moment, the substitute organist played 'The Star Spangled
Banner.'
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk!

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

NEWSLETTER

March, 2010

Dear friends:

Did you know that two-thirds of all the greatest deeds ever performed by human beings the victories in battle, the greatest books, the greatest paintings and sculpture - were accomplished by people over 60?

To quote one elderly gentleman, "I am no longer amazed. Old age is ready to

undertake tasks that youth shirked because youth thought those tasks would take too long." The Bible has recorded the lives of dozens of older people who, in their later years, heard and responded to God's call. The message is: It's never too late.

Many elderly people love to garden and have time to tend it. Consider expanding it to include vegetables for the food pantry. Our clients love the fresh produce. It's never too late to get involved in accomplishing something that eases the burdens of others.

So, let us begin!

Christian Community Food Pantry

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In February of 2010, 135 families were served at the Christian Community Food Pantry 279 adults and 157 children totaling 436 individuals. One hundred thirty-five boxes of food was given totaling 3,597 pounds, and 135 $8.00 Fareway vouchers to be used for perishable items such as eggs, butter, milk, etc. were handed out.

Also given is meat such as pork patties and/or venison, which is not included in the poundage. Personal items such as toothpaste, toilet tissue, shampoo, etc. are also given, Laundry detergent is given to clients every other month. Children's diapers are provided when we have them available. Rent assistance checks for $608.00 were written as well as $250.83 for utility assistance.

An item especially needed in the pantry this month is shampoo.

A BIG Thank You to those of you who are faithfully providing food, personal items and rental/utility assistance for adults and children who live in the Southeast Polk area. Many, many are unemployed, permanently disabled, waiting for food stamps, widowed or going through a divorce. There are many that have extended family living with them because of the economy. Please keep all these persons in your thoughts and prayers.

I hope to see each of you in worship this Sunday as we begin Passion Week. I know you will enjoy seeing the children bring in the palms at the beginning of the service. There will be meaning music brought to us by our choir and bell choir. It will be a special time to encounter God. It is a time to invite new folks to worship.

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service will be an impressive, meditative service of the recreating the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of that day.

The Good Friday service on April 2^nd 7pm will be another opportunity of meditation. If you would like to help lead this service you may also send me an e-mail. The Bell Choir will be an important part of this service.

Easter morning will be a grand celebration. The 8:15am service will be an inspiring time of worship. The Miracle Breakfast beginning at 9am will be a celebrative time of breaking bread and eggs together. I expect over 30 members of my family to be here to worship with us. I look forward to this time of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life to each of us. The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 9:15am. Kids remember to bring your Easter egg baskets!

Before I close I want to thank all of you for your cards, memorial gifts for Jeff (which will be sent to the Diabetes Association in his memory), and all of your prayers. We have truly felt your prayers and support and are so grateful for them. We also thank all those who have sent greetings for my retirement. We look forward to visiting with many of you Sunday afternoon as we celebrate together.

Keep Dancing in the Spirit,

Ken

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Folks:

I hope you take some solitude time each day to let the spirit wash over you, heal you, refresh you. There is so much in this world to stress us and bring uneasiness into our lives. We constantly meet up with people who have more power that we have. How will they use that power, that authority: will they diminish us, exploit us, use us, get rid of us? We learn to be cautious, put up defenses.

And then we come before God, a God of power and mystery. How will he treat us? Will he punish us, destroy us, take away our freedom? Based on our experience, any of that is certainly possible, maybe even probable. That's why we need so reassurance: "Relax. In that moment of solitude you connect again with God and you will remember again that God's generosity never gives out... the God of Grace, this God of love will make it all right.

Take time to share in today's devotion... Ken

March 24, 2010

Expectations

Excerpt from Luke 18: 31- 34

"But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what he said."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

With Holy Week coming soon, it's pretty easy to listen in on this kind of story, where Jesus tells the disciples that soon he will be betrayed and suffer, be nailed to a cross and die, and after three days rise again, and think, "Dumb disciples, why don't they ever get it? Why couldn't they hear what he told them so plainly and not once but three times?"

I'm not sure the disciples were dumb, or at least that I am any smarter than they were. There are lots of times when I've heard only what I wanted to hear, not what was being said. And there have also been quite a number of times that I've been working with congregations, especially ones where people are angry and frightened, and I've noticed that our capacity for hearing what's being said or seeing what's going on can be just about nil. Truth can be spoken over and over and we just don't seem to hear it. Strange.

So why did Jesus bother? Why did he tell them what was about to go down? My hunch is that somehow, later, they would recall his words. They would say, "Remember? Oh, now I get it." And what exactly would they get? That when our plans and predictions go bust and our expectations aren't fulfilled, God is still God. God is still working and is able to bring about God's purposes in spite of, sometimes through, our sin. Just because what we thought would happen or should happen doesn't, it doesn't mean the whole story is over. The story is God's story, bigger than we can grasp, better than we can imagine.

Prayer

Forgive us, Lord, for the times our hearts go hard, the eyes of our hearts are closed and the ears of our hearts are stopped. Keep working with us, leading us on, healing our hearts and opening our eyes and ears to your grace. Amen.

Lenten Devotions March 22nd

2010-03-23T18:49:00.001-07:00

March 23, 2010

Whose Name?

Excerpt from Psalm 20

"Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God."

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

Psalm 20 is a prayer for victory over one's enemies in war. I understand that on the surface, that may not seem to have much import for your daily life. At least, I hope it doesn't; if you have enough enemies that you need to pray this prayer, I feel bad for you.

But, even if you're not leading an army into battle today, there's a question from this Psalm worth asking: do you take pride in God's name?

At our baptism, we are formally adopted into the family of Jesus Christ, and we take on his name. Like one half of a couple taking the other half's name when they get married, like a new baby taking on her parents' name, at baptism, you take on the name of God, which for us is "Christ" But how many people who know you would, if asked to name you, describe you with that name as readily as your first and last names? If the answer is "Not many," then may I suggest it may be because you don't introduce yourself that way as often as you might?

Now look, I don't go around to cocktail parties shaking hands and saying, "Hi! I'm Quinn Caldwell, Christian," and I don't think you should, either. I'm just asking how many people know whose name you bear besides your own.

Prayer

God, save me from being one of those annoying people who refer to themselves as "Christian" every third word. But grant that I might find ways to introduce myself using your name just a little more often. Amen.

Lenten Devotions March 21st & March 22nd

2010-03-22T08:48:00.001-07:00

March 22, 2010

Judgment - Excerpt from Hebrews 10:19-25

"Consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds . . . encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Reflection by William C. Green

A rabbi told me that God's judgment is love. The more I thought about it, the more sense he made. I thought of times when, down on myself, I'd assumed the worst about somebody's criticism, or about the outcome of hard times.I expected the judgment I deserved.

But once in a while this routine gets interrupted. Noting my glum demeanor, seeing me wallow in some bad circumstance, my son cracks a joke and I can't stop laughing. Or, amid what can sometimes seem like the self-assured complacence of people at church, someone lets loose with a moment of sharing that shows a depth of understanding I hadn't caught before.

This can make me wonder, "Why have I behaved as I have?" What is the point of staying miserable, or acting miserably, if the truth is that there's an underlying love for each of us -- me, too -- more significant than any of that? I wonder what my life might have been like had I realized more of this sooner? Judged by love, we are often found wanting.

I still have a chance. You do, too. The Day is coming when the game's up, life's over, and we will have missed what it's all about. God's love, often expressed through people and circumstances that can seem adverse, awaits our recognition. This is a kind of love that provokes a response in kind -- sometimes laughter at ourselves, often "good deeds" otherwise left undone.

Prayer: O God, may we love as we have been loved, before it's too late. Amen.
_________________________________________
March 21, 2010

In a Storm - Excerpt from Acts 27: 1-12

Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous . . . Paul advised them, saying, "Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be made with danger and much heavy loss . . ."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

In his book, Preaching through a Storm, Beecher Hicks says: "You're either coming out of a storm, in a storm or heading for a storm." Paul was heading for a storm as he traveled as a prisoner to Rome. He tried to avoid the storm by sharing his considerable experience of sailing the Mediterranean with the ship's captain. But the people in charge didn't listen to Paul. In the midst of the storm, Paul continued to offer solid counsel and was eventually heeded. In a storm, whether literal or figurative, we can easily lose our heads and panic. Paul seemed to stay focused and centered. Perhaps this was because Paul understood himself to be making the trip in obedience to God. When we are clear about God's call to us and are obedient to that call, it's easier to stay focused and to not lose our cool in the midst of life's inevitable storms.

Prayer: I do not pray, Lord, to be protected from all storms, but to protected in the storm. When the wind is high and the sea is choppy, help me to stay focused on you and your will for me. Amen

Lenten Devotions

2010-03-20T12:02:00.001-07:00

March 20, 2010

Keep On . . . Keepin' On

Excerpt from Psalm 126

"Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves."

Reflection by Ron Buford

Life sometimes knocks us down. It happens to everyone. The key is to get back up and keep moving. The psalmist offers a simple formula for getting through tough times:

First, remember ways God has brought you through past tough times;

Second, ask God to do it again, and;

Third, show that you believe by moving forward before there is tangible or visible reason to do so -- even while weeping, sow seeds for the future you envision, though the path may be uncertain and you may just not feel like it . . . yet.

You may be worried about a job, finances, a relationship, illness, fears about aging, trouble with kids, aging parents, an old hurt, or just "the blues." Whatever it is, God specializes in restoring life's greatest fortunes -- love, joy, peace, and more -- even before we feel it or see it coming. Leave the "how" to God as you focus on your hope. There will be a harvest. Go out, look for it. But it may come in a surprising new way or from surprising places. Be open. Don't miss it. Weep freely, but always with nagging unrelenting hope in God.

Prayer

Gracious God, I need your help right now. Please restore my life to better times. Forgive me for the way I tend to forget the ways you have been with me in the past. For the faith I lack as I say these words, please help my unbelief and send your Holy Spirit to pray for me when I doubt and forget. Guide me. Teach me. I'm getting up and out . . . today, thanking and praising you now. Amen.

Lenten Devotions

2010-03-19T09:16:00.001-07:00

March 19, 2010

Re-writing Your Obituary

Excerpt from Luke 12:13-21

"You fool! This very night your soul is being demanded of you."

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

During much of his life Alfred Nobel, the Swedish scientist and inventor, was best known for the invention of dynamite. In 1888 Alfred's brother Ludwig died while visiting France, and one French newspaper mistakenly heard that it was Alfred who had died. So they ran an obituary for Alfred Nobel under the headline, "The Merchant of Death is Dead." The lead line of his obituary was this: "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday."

So Alfred Nobel had the unique opportunity to read his own obituary. And he was horrified that his life could be summarized in such a way, that devising a weapon as destructive as dynamite was the sum of his life, that this, of all things, is what he would be remembered for.

That incident left a lasting impression on Nobel. He became determined to leave a better legacy. So seven years after his obituary appeared in that French newspaper, Nobel signed papers that stipulated that the bulk of his estate would be used to establish the Nobel Prizes, including, of course, the Nobel Peace Prize. In a sense, he had a chance to rewrite his obituary, and he took full advantage of the opportunity.

But, come to think of it, we are all writing our own obituaries by the way we live our lives, aren't we? Our obituaries are being written every day.

Prayer

Craft in me, O God, a life worth living, one day at a time, one act at a time. Amen.

Faith Notes March 18th 2010

2010-03-18T12:50:00.001-07:00

"Faith Notes"

Dear Faith Family: March 18^th, 2010

Lenten Devotion - Precious

Excerpt from Isaiah 43: 1 - 7

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you . . . "

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

I was deep in a hard time. Sad and angry, overwhelmed and feeling sorry for myself. I could see no way out or even forward. I felt like a Halloween pumpkin on Election Day; excitement all over, just empty inside.

By some odd grace I found my way to a place called "The Spiritual Life Center" run by an older Maryknoll nun. Sister Katherine explained the drill. My job was to pray the Scriptures. She would give me two a day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, vitamins for my soul. "And," she said, with a gentle smile, "If you fall asleep, it's okay; you're probably exhausted."

My Scriptural vitamin for that first morning was this very passage, Isaiah 43: 1 - 7. As I headed off, Sr. Katherine called, "Oh, and you might try putting your name in where it says 'Jacob' and 'Israel.'" I did that. I did it once, then again, three times and more, praying the words over and over. As I did, voices of accusation and anger gave way to a balm in Gilead. Love was poured out upon me like precious oil. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you . . . When you walk through fire you shall not be burned . . . For I am the Lord your God . . . You are precious in my sight."

For the first time in a long time, I felt as if I could breathe again. No clear way forward had been revealed, no ready answer had been given, none but this: "You are precious in my sight, honored, and I love you," and that was enough. Enough to open the road out of exile toward home.

Prayer -Sometimes, Lord, we can get so busy trying to do for others that we forget to let you do for us or be God for us. We forget that we too are precious. Tell us again. Remind us. And then grant us grace to live as people precious in your sight. Amen.

Prayers, Joys, & Concerns:

In our Thoughts and Prayers: Eleanor Miller; Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi and their daughter, Angie Cecchi; Ken and Carla Briggs' grandson, Keaton Pratt and their family; Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost; the Barron family and Irv's sister, Betty Darst; Joe Procyk Sr.; Marvin & Juanita Sheets; Alex Champion; Maddie Landwehr; Charlie Mayfield; Wendy Todd and her aunt, Mrs. Bristow; Doris Wolf; Les Hill; Sheila Santos' sister, Renita Lewis; Carol Sutton; Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort; Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson; Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family; Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy; Geneva Huston; Jim Rose; Doug Teuber; Blaine Moats' nephew, Isaac; Paulette Craggs' friend, Sharon; Vee Rehor; Carol Nieters' friend, Phyllis, and friends of her family, Ronnie, Amanda, and Grant Humphrey and her granddaughter's Emily friend's family; Doug Teuber; Bob Gulling; Alan Petre; Judi Webb's friend, Chuck; Max and Madge Stillinger; Wilma Schick; the Renaud family; Barb Geissinger's cousin, Dale Swift and her mother-in-law, Jeanne Geissinger; Wendy Miles' brother, Randy Rawson, and her godmother, Ruth Carpenter; the Monk family; Jim Ludington's mother, Fern; Gracie Brown; Dani Champion; and the Thompson family.

We remember Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

March Birthdays: March 21^st Lacasta Jungling and Susan Huffman's 30^th Birthday, March 24^th June Barron and Jacci Dewdney, March 27^th Lynn Johnson, March 28^th Joey Hosier, March 29^th Kim Hulen Kennedy, March 31^st David Miers

March Anniversaries: March 18^th Ben and Monna Tarbell

Calendar Week of March 21^st – 28^th, 2010

(Today) Sun. March 21^st - Food Pantry Sunday – Please bring one perishable item to church

Sunday Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School 9:15am, Puppets 4pm, SNL 5-7pm

Mon. March 22^nd - Cub Scouts 4-5:30pm, Scouts 6-7pm, Christian Nurture mtg. 6pm, Board mtg. 7pm

Tues. March 23^rd – T.O.P.S. 8-11:30am, Learn/Ring Bells 7pm

Wed. March 24th- Puppets/Youth Chimes 2-4:30pm, Lenten Study Creative Praying 6pm, Bell Choir 7pm

Thurs. March 25^th - Lenten Study- Creative Praying 10am, CWF Highland Park CC Easter Tea 11:30am, Den 1 Cub Scouts 5-6pm, Tiger Scouts 6-7:15pm, Daisys 5:30-6:30pm, MBQ 6:30pm, Choir 7pm

Sun. March 28^th – Palm Sunday Worship Services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School 9:15am,

Pastor Ken's Retirement Open House 3-5pm, SNL 5-7pm

Announcements:

Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on April 1^st. Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com.

Easter Flowers –It's time to order Easter flowers in honor of our loved ones that will adorn our worship center on Easter. Out of respect for those who have allergies to the aroma of Easter Lilies, this year we are ordering blooming spring bulb plants for Easter -Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths. Each plant is $10.00.

Call 967-4382 with any questions or if you want to place an order. Orders are due Palm Sunday March 28^th.

Sunday Night Live Youth Dinners – Thanks to everyone who's volunteered so far to prepare meals for our SNL youth. If you'd like to volunteer to prepare meals for the youth group on any Sunday in April or May, please see Pastor Natalie, email peace.weaver@live.com or call 991-2359. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Salvation Army Casseroles- WE'RE DOING GREAT! So far we have donated over 80 casseroles!

Summer Camp Sunday – April 18^th Come and hear Bert Burns from the Christian Conference Center speak to all of us about all the exciting camp opportunities available this summer!!!

Summer Church Camp is coming… information is on the old alter table in the Narthex. Look at all the camps that are available. Deadline for registering for camps is coming fast. The church will pay ½ of each registration fee. If you cannot afford to send your child to camp let Pastor Natalie know. There are funds for camp. Everyone should have the opportunity to go to camp.

Altoona Christian Church Cookbook, Vol. II

A new Altoona Christian Church Cookbook is being planned. The first one was done in 1990, so its time for a new one!! Please gather your favorite recipes and bring them to church or email to guenever@msn.com. There's a basket on the table in the Narthex for your recipes. If you would like to work on this project, please contact Carol Brown at guenever@msn.com or at church.

More information to come....

Upcoming Lenten services:

Creative Praying: Join us during the Season of Lent as we encounter God through our imaginations. Our goal is not to create masterpieces, but to enjoy the experience of color, texture, and God's presence! There will be two sessions offered per week to accommodate your schedules, Wednesday evenings at 6pm or on Thursday mornings at 10am throughout Lent.

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on Thursday, April 1^st at 7pm

Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service.

Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com or talk to him after the church service.

Worship Services March 28^th 8:15am & 10:15am

Friday, April 2^nd at 7pm

Easter Services on Sunday, April 4^th at 8:15am& 10:15am

Easter Egg Hunt – 9:30am

Annual Easter Miracle Breakfast 9am

To All Friends and Families of Altoona Christian Church:

Take a look at what is needed in order to make our Easter Miracle Breakfast a success!!!

8 lbs each red grapes & white grapes

5 large pineapples

1 flat of strawberries

4 cantaloupes

30 doz. Med. Eggs

We used donated coffee cakes etc. in place of 12 packages of Rhoades frozen cinnamon rolls.

6 gal Orange Juice

3 gal milk

Approximately 15-18 pounds of boneless ham (cut/chopped up)

25 packages of pork links (Little Sizzlers)

10 men (at least) for cooking, cutting, set-up, and dish washing.

***These amounts will serve approximately 100 guests.

***Need Men Volunteers for this year's Annual Easter Breakfast April 4th to cook (7am), serve breakfast (9am), and clean up afterwards. Plus help is needed for a quick set up of tables on Saturday April 3rd at 9am. If you'd like to volunteer please contact Len Shaw 967-4625 or email llshaw@msn.com or call/email the church office.

***Need donations of food supplies listed above. Clipboards will be sent around during both services to sign up to volunteer for the breakfast and to donate food supplies. Thank you in advance for all your generosity for this year's Easter Miracle Breakfast!

Please let Len or the church office know by March 28th (Palm Sunday) if you are donating any food supplies.

_______________________

Announcing:

2010 Altoona Christian Church Youth Spring Show,

"The Lord's Prayer"

with music, dance, drama, and pageantry

on Fri. April 30^th & Sat. May 1^st 7pm

There's no charge for the performance, but a free will offering is appreciated. Refreshments will follow in the fellowship hall. These are such great kids! Please plan to attend one of the performances to show support for all of their work.

Paulette, Shelly, Natalie and Georgia

__________________________________

Scrapbooking - The next scrapbooking event will be April 10^th beginning at 9am in the Fellowship Hall. This is a great time to work on any hobbies you might have from card making, knitting, and beading to actual scrapbooking as it is fellowship time too. You can come and go so if you can't be there right at 9am, come later. We'll stay until we are tired which is usually around 1:30-2pm. If you want to stay later, you are welcome and we might stay there with you. If you have never scrapbooked before, but are thinking it would be fun to learn, bring some pictures, scissors and adhesive and we'll get you started. If you just need to sort your photos and put into books, but don't want to scrapbook, here's your time for motivation. Come and join us and if you know of someone else in the area who would like to scrapbook, bring them along or tell them to come join us.

____________________________________

Week of Compassion
2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief
Since Haiti was struck by a massive 7.0 Earthquake on January 12^th, North American Disciples congregations have responded out of faith, hope, and a radical sense of generosity.
In keeping with that faithful generosity, Week of Compassion has striven to be efficient, effective, and transparent in helping coordinate the ways that Disciple contributions have made a difference in the lives of the people of Haiti. As you will see from the brief report below, Disciples congregations have contributed nearly $1.7 million to relief and development efforts through our ecumenical and denominational partnerships. The generosity of congregations and individuals from all over North America has given us the ability to not only contribute to immediate relief efforts but also to commit to long-term recovery and re-development in Haiti.

The situation in Haiti is a challenging one.

· The death toll from the earthquake stands at approximately 230,000

· An estimated 1.2 million Haitians are homeless

· and long term rebuilding costs are estimated at $13.2 billion

Through denominational partners like CONASPEH, we have been able to respond to emergency needs of communities in Port-Au-Prince and beyond; through ecumenical partnerships with Social Services of Dominican Churches (SSID), Church World Service, and ACT Alliance, 2,000 Haitian families in a border settlement on the Haiti side of the Haiti/DR border have received food, shelter, and health resources; our partnership with Church World Service has also provided immense assistance to vulnerable children and people with disabilities, as we have coordinated efforts with Service Chretien d'Haiti, ChristianAid (UK), the Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice (COPJ) and House of Hope.
THANK YOU for what you have done. THANK YOU for your courageous compassion. Our work continues, and we will keep you updated as the ways we respond continue to evolve in response to the situation on the ground.

Week of Compassion Haiti Giving as of 3/16: - $2,003,108
As of March 15, 2010, Week of Compassion has provided:

· $55,000 to DOM for Haiti Relief (for CONASPEH and House of Hope)

· $115,067.84 to CWS for Haiti Relief

· $100,000 to ACT Alliance for Haiti Relief

· $5,000 to IMA World Health for medicine boxes for Haiti

· $10,000 to Church Extension for U.S. Haitian congregations in the NE Region needing solidarity and support

Y-T-D Provisions Total: $285,067.85

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Carla and I will be returning from our vacation this weekend, and look forward to Sundays' worship service. Pastor Natalie is available as always for your pastoral concerns.

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service will be an impressive, meditative service of the recreating the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of that day. I need 8 people… youth or adults… to volunteer to do a reading for that service. Please e-mail me at RevKBriggsACC@msn.com if you would be moved to volunteer to help with this service on April 1^st at 7pm.

Until then… Keep Dancing In the Spirit,

Pastor Ken

Lenten Devotions March 17th, 2010

2010-03-17T09:10:00.001-07:00

March 17, 2010

But is it True?

Excerpt from Luke 9:10-17

"They said, 'We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.' For there were about five thousand… And taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled."

Reflection by Lillian Daniel
Saint Patrick was captured from his home in Britain as a teenager, and taken to Ireland where he worked the fields in slavery for six long years. During his captivity, he grew close to God and heard a mysterious voice telling him that a ship had come to take him home. He escaped to a port 200 miles away, where a ship did indeed return him to his family.
Back at home, in a vision, he heard another voice call him, "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us." After that he returned to Ireland, the place of his captivity, as a Christian missionary. He built the church in that beautiful land and the rest is history.
It's an amazing story, but is it true?
In today's reading, five thousand people wanted to eat, but they only had a few loaves and fishes among them. By the time Jesus had them share, every body ate their fill.
It's an amazing story, but is it true?
One theory about St. Patrick claims that the lives of two men were melded to form the legend of the one. One theory explains that the miracle of the loaves and the fishes is a result of the unexpected generosity of a crowd of people who had extra food in their pockets.
In a culture that tediously hunts for proof, I seek for mystery and beauty, where a chunk of land in the sea can become instead an emerald isle.
Prayer
May the peace of Christ, which passes all human understanding, fill me with a holy imagination. Amen.

Lenten Devotions

2010-03-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not sending out yesterday's Lenten devotions, so I'm including yesterday's and this morning's Lenten Devotions together in one email. Pastor Ken is on vacation this week with his family, taking time to sit back and rest, to grieve, and to receive much needed relaxation.

I hope this nice, crisp spring morning finds you all in the calm Spirit of your Lord. The snow has melted here in Iowa, and the sight of green grass brings an enlightment to my/our eyes. As we continue to draw to the end of this Lenten Season, know that the Lord will never dismiss us, in fact he is near, seeking us out, touching us in every aspect of our lives. Amen.

Cheri

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March 15, 2010

Where There Is One, There Are Many Excerpt from Psalm 53

"God looks down from heaven on the human race . . . Everyone has turned aside; they have all become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one."

Reflection by Jeffrey Woodard

My buddy Cal is in his mid-70s, has Parkinson's disease and lives in a comfortable retirement community. I visit him twice a week, encouraging him to get out and move as he is able. Some days are better than others. I try to discourage TV viewing. Cal frets enough without the droning blare of the Great Box of Doom.

In our travels about the sprawling complex, we are often blessed to cross paths with lovely Lisa, the activities director. Radiating a smile bigger than a snowdrift, compassion to melt 3-inch ice, Lisa is everywhere; setting up for the center's monthly "birthday bash;" up to her elbows in ribbon, buttons and construction paper at craft hour; driving the van to the store or the community center. Lisa turns aside no one.

Meanwhile, Garry heads up a large-group discussion on current events. He fields worry-tinged inquiries about wars and the recession. He also lifts up medical breakthrough, shares stories of heroism and tells a (clean) joke or two. At the front desk, Anna pleasantly fields calls, arranges shuttle service and assuages Mr. Kincaid's concern about the mailman's tardiness. Down in the physical therapy room, Nicole bends down, looks deeply into Mrs. Hammond's eyes, and smilingly encourages her to lift her left leg just a little higher. "I know you can do it," Nicole says. Mrs. Hammond, a hint of a smile creasing her face, knows she can, too.

"When God restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad."

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the divine guidance that enables us to see the good work that you do through Lisa, Garry, Anna and Nicole - and to remind us that, despite the way it might appear too often, you are doing it through countless others as well. Amen.

March 16, 2010

Complete Rest Excerpt from Leviticus 25: 1-19

"But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest . . . "

Reflection by Felix Carrion

These lines from Leviticus 25 should be required reading for all Christians. Here is a sampling of why.

In this passage, the Israelites are stretching to learn that there is a way to live that makes for community, for just and good living, for the care of each member of the community. They are struggling to learn that the value of the land cannot be monetary. Who owns the land? Who owns the earth, if not God, the Creator? Yes, it is ours too if we respect it, if we do not violate its laws.

"Inter-being," to use the words of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, means we live because of all existence. Without earth, without each other, without God, we would not be here! In Inter-being or Interdependence, we discover the true value of our relationships. They are not the stuff of commodities but of community. It is in this interdependence that we find our Sabbath, our complete rest. It is a holy rest that restores humanity's well-being, sanity, and wisdom.

If this be true, then unlike contradictory parts of Leviticus, there can be no allowance for any kind of slavery. The Jubilee year is meant to be true and transcendent for all people. If back then the Israelites took the Jubilee concept part of the way, today we take it all the way.

Prayer: Dear God, please teach us again the true meaning of Sabbath. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-13T06:42:00.001-08:00

March 13, 2010

Finding

Excerpt from Luke 15:1-10

"Light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully."

Reflection by William C. Green

Searching for the lost silver coin, the woman in Jesus' parable swept the house. The search was difficult because floors in those days were tramped-down earth covered with dried leaves and plant stems. The woman swept, not to clean the house, but to dislodge the coin from its hiding-place so she could catch its glint.

So the good news of God's power and presence comes to us. It's not that we're first swept clean of sin and weak faith. Rather what's already within us, the power of God's spirit, is "dislodged" from its hiding place and no longer lost in our hearts. We catch the glint of God -- much the way one mother speaks of catching the glint of a wild uncle in her one-year-old, in the look she gets when she has more energy than she knows what to do with, or in the way her forehead compresses when she reaches for something beyond her grasp.

We bear the image of our creator, tarnished though it is, obscured by other of our features. We have within us traces of divine love and strength. These come to light in our relationships with one another when something of the spirit of Christ breaks through guarded habits and fixed dispositions. This is what happens in the church at its best. Once recognized, we can rejoice with the woman in Jesus' story, "for I have found what I'd lost."

Prayer

Search me, O God, and open my heart. Bring out the best that is too often buried.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-12T09:27:00.001-08:00

Remember to hold the Bob Thompson family in your prayers. Visitation for Bob is from 6:00 to 8:00 tonight at the Altoona Hamilton's Funeral Home. Services are tomorrow (Sat) at 10:00 here at Altoona Christian Church.

March 12, 2010

Swim Toward the Vortex

Excerpt from Joshua 4:14-24

"When your children ask their parents in time to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, 'Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.'"

Reflection by Donna Schaper

One of my sons thinks he is pretty smart about not-for-profits. He claims a certain critique of them, which goes like this: not-for-profits, and congregations, are so scared of conflict that they have forgotten how to ride its wave. One person complains, a bad press release goes out, a cabal is formed and people freak out. His youthful advice is to swim toward the vortex of the trouble. That way we ride the wave, learn from conflict, control the press, manage the message -- and reap the benefit of the Jordan. I think he's right, even though I would so love to be his teacher rather than his being mine.

Time after time we forget the dry ground and think we are drowning. Time after time, we forget what the stones of our ancestors mean, which is that Israel was first bound, then free. What the Jordan crossing means is that we can ride the waves. God is with us in the waves, swimming with us toward the vortex. Indeed Christians can even dare be glad at the arrival of conflict for it is the Friday, which leans towards our Sunday. Conflict is a great teacher. Without it we stagnate. In fact, our enemies are often our best instructors. Unless we have to listen to our children!

Prayer

O God, teach us how to paddle our little canoes toward the vortex of the water's flow and flow with us toward freedom from fear and freedom for learning. Amen.

Faith Notes

2010-03-11T16:02:00.001-08:00

"Faith Notes"

March 11, 2010

Dear Faith Family:

It is with sadness that I announce to you that Robert Wells Thompson joined our God in heaven this morning (March 11) at the Mitchell Village Care Center in Mitchellville at 93 years, 5 months and 2 days. Bob was one of the over 50 year members of our church we honored this past fall. He was the historian of Altoona and of our church. I enjoyed sitting with Bob, sometimes two hours at a time. My last visit with him was over a week ago and we sat for sometime going through every page of the churches new "Scrap Book of History" that was dedicated to him. He enjoyed so much telling me about every person in each picture back in the 1920's and forward. He was a blessing to our community and his family.

Bob's service of remembering and celebration will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Altoona Christian Church. Visitation will be tomorrow night, from 6:00 to 8:00. The church ladies will be serving a meal at the church following the internment at the Altoona Cemetery.

Lenten Devotion--March 11, 2010 (This devotion is very appropriate on the day we remember Bob Thompson.)

Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones?

Excerpt from Joshua 4: 1-7

"In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to people of Israel forever." (NIV)

Reflection by Kenneth L. Samuel

If we are not careful, the past can keep us in a backward momentum. We can so romanticize the glories of what used to be that we fail to press toward any higher calling in the future. Transgressions of the past can keep us blinded by hurt and unable to see the imperative to forgive. Traumas of the past can leave us in perpetual states of emotional shock. The past can be a stumbling block to our present opportunities and future possibilities.

But just as the past can be our stumbling block, the past can also be our stepping stone. Malcolm X said that a people's history is a people's memory. And is it not our memory that connects where we've been to where we want to go?

People often wonder why the past shouldn't just be passé. Why do women's rights still require so much vigorous defense? When will we ever be able to put the atrocities of the Holocaust behind us? Why do we still need an NAACP now that Barack Obama is in the White House?

The reason is that our memory not only reminds us of the past, it serves as a guide for the future. It is only as we remember what has happened in our past that we can determine what must happen in our tomorrows.

The children of Israel faced an exciting future as they crossed over Jordan into the land of promise. As they pressed toward their long-anticipated future, God instructed them to take up the stones of their past and tell the next generation about where they had been . . . and how they got over. History not only precedes the future, it inspires it as well.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please let the stones of our past propel us toward hope. We thank you for where we've been, because now we know where we must go. Amen.

Prayers, Joys, & Concerns:

In our Thoughts and Prayers: Eleanor Miller; Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi and their daughter, Angie Cecchi; Ken and Carla Briggs' grandson, Keaton Pratt and their family; Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost; the Barron family and Irv's sister, Betty Darst; Joe Procyk Sr.; Marvin & Juanita Sheets; Alex Champion; Maddie Landwehr; Charlie Mayfield; Wendy Todd's aunt, Mrs. Bristow; Doris Wolf; Les Hill; Sheila Santos' sister, Renita Lewis; Carol Sutton; Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort; Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson; Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family; Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy; Geneva Huston; Jim Rose; Bob and Ruby Thompson; Doug Teuber; Blaine Moats' nephew, Isaac; Paulette Craggs' friend, Sharon; Vee Rehor; Carol Nieters' friend, Phyllis, and friends of her children, Ronnie, Amanda, and Grant Humphrey; Doug Teuber; Bob Gulling; Alan Petre; Judi Webb's friend, Chuck; Max and Madge Stillinger; Wilma Schick; the Renaud family; Barb Geissinger's cousin, Dale Swift and her mother-in-law, Jeanne Geissinger; Wendy Miles' brother, Randy Rawson, and her godmother, Ruth Carpenter; the Monk family; Jim Ludington's mother, Fern; Gracie Brown; and Dani Champion.

We remember Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

March Birthdays: March 16^th Ron Rieckmann, March 17^th Mallory Nelson and Pat Ver Heul,

March 19^th Dave Champion

March Anniversaries: March 18^th Ben and Monna Tarbell

Calendar Week of March 14^th-21^st , 2010

(Today) Sun. March 14^th – Sunday Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School 9:15am, No SNL or Puppets due to Spring Break

Tues. March 16^th- TOPS 8-11:30am, Learn/Ring Bells 7pm

Wed. March 17^th- No M&M's Puppets/Youth Chimes, Lenten Study Creative Praying -6pm, Bell Choir 7pm

Thurs. March 18^th- Lenten Study- Creative Praying 10am, MBQ 6:30pm, Choir 7pm

Sat. March 20^th - Bell Choir Rehearsal 1-3:30pm

Sun. March 21^st - Food Pantry Sunday

Sunday Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School 9:15am, Puppets 4pm, SNL 5-7pm

Announcements:

Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on April 1^st. Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com.

Call 967-4382 with any questions or if you want to place an order.

Sunday Night Live Dinners – Thanks to everyone who's volunteered so far to prepare meals for our SNL youth. We've had an overwhelming response that meals all the way through the month of March have been taken care of. J If you'd like to volunteer to prepare meals for the youth group on any Sunday in April, please see Pastor Natalie, email peace.weaver@live.com or call 991-2359. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Salvation Army Casseroles- WE'RE DOING GREAT!

So far we have donated over 74 casseroles! Can we make it 85 casseroles?

Summer Camp Sunday – April 18^th Come and hear Bert Burns from the Christian Conference Center speak to all of us about all the exciting camp opportunities available this summer!!!

Altoona Christian Church Cookbook, Vol. II

More information to come....

God's Coffee House Needs volunteers to bring treats, set them out at the beginning of service and help clean up at the end. A sign up sheet is available at the treat table.

Upcoming Lenten services:

· Creative Praying: Join us during the Season of Lent as we encounter God through our imaginations. Our goal is not to create masterpieces, but to enjoy the experience of color, texture, and God's presence! There will be two sessions offered per week to accommodate your schedules, Wednesday evenings at 6pm or on Thursday mornings at 10am throughout Lent.

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on Thursday, April 1^st at 7pm

Volunteers Needed: Pastor Ken needs 8 readers for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service.

Please send Pastor Ken an email at revkbriggsacc@msn.com or talk to him after the church service.

· Good Friday Service on Friday, April 2^nd at 7pm

· Easter Services on Sunday, April 4^th at 8:15am& 10:15am along with our

Annual Easter Breakfast 9am & Easter Egg Hunt – 9:30am

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Easter Miracle Breakfast

To All Friends and Families of Altoona Christian Church:

Looking for volunteers (men) for this year's Annual Easter Breakfast April 4th to cook (7am), serve breakfast (9am), and clean up afterwards:-). Plus help is needed to set up tables on Saturday April 3rd at 9am. If you'd like to volunteer please contact Len Shaw 967-4625 or email llshaw@msn.com or call/email the church office.

Also, donations of cinnamon rolls and danish items would be wonderful, and donations of sausage links, eggs, sliced ham, strawberries, grapes, bananas, or pineapple...would be appreciated too! Clipboards will be sent around during both services to sign up to volunteer for the breakfast and to donate food supplies. Thank yuo in advance for all your generosity for this year's Easter Miracle Breakfast!

Please let Len or the church office know by March 28th (Palm Sunday) if you are donating any food supplies.
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967-5961) to enjoy a night of wine tasting. Cheese & fruit provided. Please bring a bottle of wine to share. If you aren't interested in sampling some wine, bring your favorite beverage to share, and come for some good snacks and fellowship.

April Philia Gathering:

Latin King Dinner

Friday, April 16^th, 2010 7 pm

2200 Hubbell Ave | Des Moines, Iowa 50317

Please RSVP to Stephanie or Natalie by Friday, April 9^th.

"Creative Praying"… A Lenten time of sharing!

"'Creativity' is not a noun or even a verb-- it is a place, a space, a gathering, a union, a where-wherein the Divine powers of creativity and the human power of imagination join forces." --Matt Fox

Join us during the Season of Lent as we encounter God through our imaginations. Our goal is not to create masterpieces, but to enjoy the experience of color, texture, and God's presence! There will be two sessions offered per week to accommodate your schedules.

You can join with us for "Creative Praying" on Wednesday evenings at 6pm or on Thursday mornings at 10am throughout Lent.

Sunday Night Live Youth Calendar…

March 14 NO SNL due to Spring Break

March 21 SNL—Ken & Deb Pickering will serve chicken fingers and French Fries.

March 28 SNL

SNL Dinners… SNL leaders and youth are looking for members and friends of the congregation to supply and /or prepare dinner for our Sunday evenings here at ACC for the months of April and May. If you would like more information about times, ideas and dates, pleas e-mail Pastor Natalie at peace.weaver@live.com or call her at 991-2359. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Scrapbooking has been canceled this Saturday, March 13^th.

Sign Up for a Sunday to set up God's Coffee House!!!

You will find the sign-up sheet on the God's Coffee House Table.

Sign up sheets for the Easter Morning Miracle Breakfast or in the Narthex. Please consider signing up to help with this exciting event. Following the breakfast there will be an Easter Egg hunt for the children.

Summer Camp is coming… information is on the old alter table in the Narthex. Look at all the camps that are available. Deadline for registering for camps is coming fast. The church will pay ½ of each registration fee. If you cannot afford to send your child to camp let Pastor Natalie know. There are funds for camp. NO One should miss camp for any reason.

Carla and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your prayers, cards and expressions of support and concern this past week in relation to our son's death. Jeff had struggled for some time with some complex issues in regard to his health. The last two weeks he had done pretty well and last Wed he talked to be about his plans to be here for my last Sunday on Easter Sunday. It was a shock to us all when his daughter found he had slipped away into eternal life on Thursday afternoon. Again, Thank You your support!

Carla and I, along with Tiffany, Shiela and Kendric are going to be in Branson for some vacation time this next week. Pastor Natalie will be available as always for your pastoral concerns.

When I arrive back here following some recovery time that I truly need following the past week of events, I will return with energy for my final two weeks of ministry with you. I am looking forward to celebrating Holy Week with you beginning with the Palm Sunday Service. That service will open with a dramatic reading of a Zealot who has just come from participating in Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem. Following the reading will be a time of meditation and then Children will parade in singing and bringing in the Palms.

On Sunday afternoon of Palm Sunday there will be a time to celebrate my retirement after 42 years of ministry. It is a come and go time between 3:00 to 5:00.

The Good Friday service will be another opportunity of meditation. If you would like to help lead this service you may also send me an e-mail. The Bell Choir will be an important part of this service.

Easter morning will be a grand celebration. The 8:15 service will be an inspiring time of worship. The Miracle Breakfast will be a celebrative time of breaking bread and eggs together. I expect over 30 members of my family to be here to worship with us. I look forward to this time of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life to each of us.

Most of all though… remember to come to church this week and avoid the Easter rush.

Until then… Keep Dancing In the Spirit,

Pastor Ken

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-09T08:16:00.001-08:00

March 9, 2010

The Phantoms of 14th Street

Excerpt from Psalm 39

"Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about but only in vain; He heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." (NIV)

Reflection by Ted Dawson

As a New York City resident of many years, this verse jumped out at me.

"Bustling" is second nature to me.

Every morning as I walk out the front door of my building and step on to 15th Street, I feel the energy start to build. When I round the corner of 7th Avenue to 14th Street on my way to my studio, it begins a crescendo.

14th Street is a major crosstown thorougfare, a convergence of subways from the five boroughs and a true melting pot, full of sounds and boisterous colors and an amazing diversity of people: black, white, Latino, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, you name it, it's here every day and every night.

"Mere phantoms going to and fro"? I would say not to the Psalmist.

Although I know hardly a one, we share this place, 14th Street, together. We make it happen. We bring it to life, with our smiles, our troubled looks, our fashion statements, our often way too loud conversations in as many languages as there are on this earth, it seems, but most of all with our bustle.

It's as if we were in a dance together -- plotless, perhaps, but always going somewhere. Where, I don't know, and don't really care.

And for me it's certainly not "in vain." As in the dances of George Balanchine, the meaning is in the movement itself. The "to and fro" among people who must work together, and trust each other.

But unlike a ballet on stage, this dance on 14th Street never ends. It begins afresh every day, with a different cast of characters, perhaps, but always moving forward, pulling us along, asking us to join in, hoping that we will make something, together . . . today.

Lucky me!

Prayer

Dear Stillspeaking God, can we be a Stilldancing people, too, here on 14th Street ? We just ask you to speak a little louder at times, because in the midst of our bustle, we really are listening. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-08T14:09:00.001-08:00

March 8, 2010

The Temptation to Judge

Excerpt from Romans 2:1-11

"Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself."

Reflection by Lillian Daniel

In our family we have a rule: Nobody can tell anybody else what they should give up for Lent.

You can imagine how we came up with such a rule. "So let's all go around the table and talk about what we're thinking about doing for Lent," quickly turned into, "I'll tell you what Dad should give up for Lent!"

Everyone's an expert about other people's spiritual welfare.

"Why give up sweets? You're already skinny."

"Cursing doesn't hurt anybody. What about global warming?"

"If you give up shopping and spending, it hurts the economy."

"You said you were giving up sweets, but I saw you eating ice cream straight out of the container after you thought we were all asleep!"

By now we are well into Lent and the things you gave up may be tempting you. Perhaps they already have. The good things you decided to do and add to your life may have proven harder to fit in than you thought.

But remember, whenever we try to get closer to God, it's only natural for the competition to show up. If Jesus had to fight off the devil's temptation in the desert, you know you'll have to as well.

Don't let other people's comments or judgments slow you down or discourage you. You know what you need to do for Lent, and God is still eager to help you do it.

Prayer

Jesus, give me strength when the devil tempts me with ridicule and criticism. I'm trying to follow you instead. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-06T09:20:00.001-08:00

Dear Faith Family:

I find this morning I really needed to take time for my Lenten devotion and forward it to each of you. My family thanks you for the concern and prayers shared in the past hours. Our son Jeff was a man who enjoyed family and a great laugh. In his service of celebration their will be much laughter. Jeff's body just would not hold him. His body was ravaged by Parkinson's and Diabetes as well as God only knows what else. Jeff liked helping others, even when it was a neighbor who had no idea who he was. It was good that God took him home when he could no longer live for others in the way that made him happy. He did enjoy his last days with his family and laughing. The only thing he missed that he wanted to do was attend my retirement on Easter.

Jeff was 13 years old when he came to live with Carla and I and our family. Kendra had just been born and Jeff was so happy to have a family. He had lost both his birth parents and he wanted a new family. A couple of years later he adoped us and was the laughter in our family even until now. Thanksgiving and Blessings, Pastor Ken. Now be in meditation...

March 6, 2010

Freedom's Flight

Excerpt from Psalm 105

"And there was no one among their tribes who stumbled."

Reflection by Felix Carrion

Israel stepped out of Egypt in remarkable fashion, says the psalmist.

"Then God brought Israel out . . . and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled."

Not one person (child, youth, adult, elder) of the motley tribes enslaved for so long loses their footing in their exit from slavery into freedom's march. Not one among them stumbled.

What happens to our feet in freedom?

They walk, they dance, they leap, they twirl, they fly, they play, they stand, they stumble no more.

Say with me, pray with me, "I'm not gonna stumble no more (don't touch the grammar), unless I'm gonna dramatize my stumbling days in a play or dance, unless I'm gonna teach the young the difference between stumbling and sure-footedness, unless I'm gonna choreograph how balanced walking can come from a step in a stumble, unless I'm gonna show how my fettered feet became free in the flight of freedom."

What happens to y(our) feet in freedom?

Prayer

O God, today I remember and rejoice that you made me free, that you made us all to be free. So, God, I will again pray and play in the abandon and the delight of freedom's flight. Amen.

Update on Ken and Carla's son's funeral

2010-03-05T13:17:00.000-08:00

With great sadness, I am writing today to inform our congregation family and friends that Ken and Carla's son, Jeff McMurray, passed away Thursday in Oklahoma. Pastor Ken's on his way to Oklahoma City Friday morning with the rest of his family following later in the afternoon. Please hold the Briggs' family in your prayers.

***

The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 8^th at 2pm at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home 5005 SE 29^th Street Del City (Oklahoma City), Oklahoma 73115 ph: (405) 671-1321.

Please send any flowers or memorials to the funeral home or to Pastor Ken and Carla's home address 1701 Campus Drive #3430 Clive, Iowa 50325.

Blessings,

Cheri

Prayer Request & Lenten Devotion

2010-03-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Faith Family:

It's with great sadness, I am writing today to inform our congregation family and friends that Ken and Carla's son, Jeff McMurray, passed away yesterday in Oklahoma. Pastor Ken's on his way to Oklahoma City this morning with the rest of his family following later this afternoon. Please hold the Briggs' family in your prayers.

Cheri

Cheri Waddell

Administrative Assistant

Altoona Christian Church

PO Box 428

Altoona, Iowa 50009

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March 5, 2010

Running Back and Forth

Excerpt from Daniel 12:1-4

"But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."

Reflection by Donna Schaper

If evil can be defined as an absence from God, running back and forth can have a tinge of evil to it. If goodness can be defined as the presence of God, running back and forth can have a touch of virtue to it. A lot of us would like to be like Daniel, one who knows the truth of which is which, if ever so quietly.

One of my friends just retired and says the thing she will not miss is her daily commute, the running back and forth. Now she has taken her old home study and painted splashes of new potential colors on the wall. One is magenta orange, the other a simultaneously pale and vivid green, the third a lemon yellow. She has also cleared out the entire room. All the old books have new homes. The drawers are empty. The walls are bereft of their old diplomas and certificates. I wanted her to paint the room in all three colors because they made such a good trinity of the citrus. She is more interested in making decisions. She wants to refill the empty room virtuously.

Will she find the difference between running back and forth in retirement? I think so. If so, I hope she'll unseal the book and tell us how you do it. It may be choosing one color instead of them all.

Prayer

O God, when we fail to make choices, tell us the secret of a focused life. Even if we have to do a lot of running back and forth. Amen.

About the Author
Donna Schaper is Senior Minister of Judson Memorial Church, New York, New York.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Faith Family:

I seems like each day there are prayer concerns to add to your list. Last night Dani Champion was in an accident and she is in the hospital with a neck brace on. The C-5 and C-6 were cracked. There is hope she will go home today and we pray that healing will move swiftly and there will be little pain.

Rest in this meditation for today.

Pastor Ken

March 4, 2010

Thou Art With Me

Excerpt from Psalm 23

"I fear no evil, for thou art with me."

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

Every parent knows what it is like to be awakened in the middle of the night by the cries of a child who has had a nightmare. Sometimes the fears are easily quelled "Daddy, I think there are bears in my closet." "No, there are no bears." "How do you know?" "I'll turn on the light and you'll see."

Other times, however, the fears expressed are not those confined to childhood: "Mommy, I'm afraid of being alone." "Daddy, does everyone die?" We stumble through our responses. On such occasions we become painfully aware of the limits of words. We are relieved when the child says, "Just stay with me," relieved to learn that the child is not looking for magic words, but for the gift of presence. We are able to respond easily: "Yes, yes, of course I will stay with you."

But then there is one more question: "Will you stay with me no matter what?" Then it is your turn to sense the stir of fear and to feel tears appear in your own eyes because you know that, although you can stay with the child tonight and, if need be, for many nights in the future, there will come a time, perhaps a night much darker than the child has ever experienced, when she will cry out and you will not be there.

This psalm, with its assurance of God's continued presence no matter what a day may hold, was written for that parent and that child: "I fear no evil, for thou art with me."

Prayer

God, I am so grateful that there is no road I might take that I must travel alone. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-03-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Faith Community:

I am so sorry I have not sent out a Lenten Devotion for the last few days. Several things came into play, not the least of was computer problems due to a vicious virus hitting my office computer. We will do better in the coming days. Please keep Jim Ludington's mother Fern in your prayers these days. She has several health issues at this time. Also Keep Bob & Ruby Thompson and their family in your prayers.

March 3, 2010

A Sense of Entitlement

Excerpt from Luke 13: 22-31

"Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me . . . '"

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

Remember the book I'm Okay, You're Okay? I sometimes think the title for today might be, I'm Entitled and So Are You (only not quite so entitled as me!)

As he traveled toward Jerusalem, a journey we remember during Lent, Jesus encountered people who had questions, questions not so different from our own. People asked, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" Frequently Jesus doesn't answer people's questions as they want and this is no exception. He doesn't say, "Yes, Christians, but not others." Nor does he say, "Only UCC people" or "only Mormons" will be saved. He's not much into speculations of that sort.

Instead he encouraged everyone to wake up, repent (do a 360) and get real about their faith and actually following him. Stop playing games, religious or otherwise, he warned, because a time will come when you will have missed your chance and it will be too late. That's not all. Those mostly likely to end up on the outside looking in are those who figured they were in for sure, those who figured they were entitled. "Hey, you taught in our town. We ate and drank with you. You know us. We live in your neighborhood." "Sorry," said Jesus.

Time and again Jesus said there will be surprises: the last shall be first, strangers and outsiders will enter God's presence before the insiders. Those who figure it is their due, something to which they are entitled, will be surprised.

A sense of entitlement is big in our culture today. Many seem to think they are entitled; entitled to the best schools, the good jobs, the elaborate attentions and service of others, and to the good life. Who says so? Not God apparently.

Prayer

Shake me, wake me; save me from complacency or feeling entitled. Alert me to the meaning of this day and to my opportunities to serve you faithfully in it. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-02-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

On this day as I send you our Lenten devotion, please keep the Ellis Monk family in your prayers. Ellis joined our God in eternal life late yesterday afternoon. I am sure he was greeted with... "Well done, good and faithful servant." I will keep you posted on funeral arrangements as I know them.

February 24, 2010

Anxious or Alert?

Excerpt from Luke 21: 34 - 36

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly . . . be alert at all times . . ."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

Lord, I am a sinful man living in the midst of a sinful people. Way too much of the time I am, we are, filled with lizard-like anxiety, worrying about a future we can't control, frightened by rumors of the latest threat or menace the media is touting, or nurturing a slow-burning anger that we haven't gotten what we think is our due. And we treat our anxiety with dissipation and drunkenness. Lord, have mercy. Save us from fueling our anxiety, and instead . . .

Put me and us, Holy One, on sweet alert. Wake me, wake us, up. Wake us to the extraordinary beauty of life, to the ingenuity and goodness we encounter daily in others, to the opportunities we have to do useful work and contribute, to the mystery of your persistent grace, and to the sheer gift of being here. Make me alert like the owl, listening like the deer, and playful as a squirrel in spring. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today's devotion is very appropriate in light of the fact we are preparing for Pastor Natalie's service of installation and covenant as Associate Minister of Altoona Christian Church. The service is this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. This is a very important moment in the life of Altoona Christian Church. It is important that we each make an effort to come and experience the covenant we share. It is important to remember that each of us are called to be pastor's in the life of our faith journey. Blessings to you as you immerse yourself in this meditation.

February 23, 2010

Your Ordination

Excerpt from Zechariah 3:1-10

"The angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his filthy clothes.' . . . they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with [new] apparel . . . 'Now listen, Joshua, high priest, you and your colleagues who sit before you!'"

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

Zechariah has a vision of a heavenly ordination, in which God makes Joshua high priest. It is short and sweet (seminarians planning their own ordinations take note: it is NOT four hours long), consisting mostly of a pronouncement of forgiveness for sins, a change of clothes, and a charge.

Perhaps Zechariah also witnessed another one of God's favorite ordinations to the priesthood: yours. Protestants proclaim the priesthood of all believers, which means that every person who loves and longs for God is, for us, a priest. Our baptisms are our ordinations.

In case you forgot the job description, here's what priests do:

They point to God in the ordinary things of the world, like water and bread and babies.

They say words of power to change the world, words like "You are beloved," "Peace be with you," "God bless you."

They make sacrifices to please God, like sending money to Haiti instead of going to the mall, like working in the soup kitchen instead of playing Wii all day.

They show up at births and deaths, at weddings and funerals, at sickbeds and prisons, to pray and bless and make sure the people know that they are not alone.

Here's what priests do: they help the world know that God is alive, that blessings abound, that love will win. It's what you were ordained for; now go for it.

Prayer

God, grant that I might always live up to the tasks for which you ordained me. Amen.

Lenten Devotion

2010-02-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

I pray this Lenten devotion finds you warm and blessed as travel through the beginning day of Lent. Let us grow together each day.

February 22, 2010

Silence

Excerpt from 1 John 2:1-6

"Whoever says, 'I abide in him,' ought to walk as Jesus walked."

Reflection by William C. Green

Walking as Jesus walked sometimes means not talking about it. For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, condemned to death at the end of World War II, that reserve was important even in the hour before his execution. He did not speak the words of comfort he knew and believed. He chose rather to remain silent as a sign that he shared the helplessness of his unbelieving cellmate, a Soviet officer, also awaiting death. He did not want to offend his neighbor.

Earlier, Bonhoeffer had written, "Being spiritually master of the situation bears only the appearance of the ultimate, but is in reality something subordinate." Walking the talk of God's intimate love and solidarity was, for Bonhoeffer, far more important than talking about it, especially in circumstances where his own belief was not shared.

Jesus wanted followers, not partisans. He took sides on controversial issues but never tried to talk anyone out of anything. Sometimes he wept and kept silent, or pulled aside to be alone on a hill, rather than mistake himself for God and outdo himself, whatever the spiritual status ascribed him.

We can read through the words of Scripture and almost imagine what it might be like to "abide" in Jesus and to walk the love he shared. Sometimes the less said about it the better.

Prayer

Ever-present God, turn my silence into reverence. You work through me, beyond words, helping me to do what needs doing. May that be my prayer. Amen

Faith Notes

2010-02-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

"Faith Notes"

February 18, 2010

Dear Faith Family:

Last evening a group of faithful folks gathered in the sanctuary of our sacred facility to begin the season of Lent. Each individual had set aside time for meditation, singing of hymns, prayer and the making of commitments in connection with our 40 day journey of Lent which will conclude with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We came to renew our deep connection with God's creation and to be mindfully aware of how our everyday actions affect our world.

As you take time for your meditation with our gracious God today remember how we are called to journey along the edge and to anticipate the final trip to Jerusalem. Remember that Lent not only calls us to give up something, but also invites us to participate in the mystery of God-with-us. Let us pray that the grace of God will call us from grief into gladness, despair into hope, estrangement into right relations with each other and with the earth.

This is the beginning of a journey of turning back toward God. It is a time when we look at how self-centered our lives have become, when we acknowledge that we often fall short of what we want to be. It is a day when we call all of our angers, hatreds, and jealousies out from their dark corners and embrace them as part of us. Lent is also a season of healing. We open up our lives so that we may see into the depths of our souls. It is a time of confession.

I close this sharing by sharing with you the first devotion of the Lenten season. I will attempt to share a Lenten devotion with you each day for your time of meditation.

+++++++++

Bricks Without Straw

Excerpt from Exodus 5: 6 - 7

"That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmaster of the people, as well as their supervisors, 'You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks.'"

The other night I was watching the T.V. show, "Extreme Makeover." A couple with two children, living in a very low income neighborhood were heading up a program for children who had no where to go after school. This couple had both graduated from college. They could have gone anywhere but they made the decision to take their own children and go back to the neighborhood they had grown up in. They wanted to help the children in that place today have a chance to learn as they grew up. They wanted them to be able to make something of themselves and not be eaten up by poverty, drugs, and crime and gang wars. These two married adults with their two children invited as many as 2 dozen children into their home for this program. Their home was too small for their family. Not only was the home too small, but it was in disrepair. The walls and floor of this home were in saver decay.

Somehow this strikes me as like the Exodus story of the Egyptian taskmasters making the already hard life of their Hebrew slaves harder by telling them to make bricks without straw or to find their own straw, and yet still meet the same brick-production quotient.

In neighborhoods like the one this couple grew up in and now have gone back to in order to help the children of today, people there are often not sure they belong. They are not sure the rest of the world cares. They think maybe the world hopes they will go away. Yet this mother and father, who barely have enough to help their two children grow up healthy, reach out and continue to do parenting you and I can hardly imagine.

I can hear people saying, "They should not be such bleeding hearts. They should use their college education and provide the good life for their children and themselves and forget the rest. After all, the poor will always be with us." I think these folks are heroes.

As a society we've pretty much said to people who are poor, homeless and no not where to turn, "Make bricks without straw." Make a sane life without any of the usual supports that most of us have.

It is time to leave Egypt behind.

Prayer

Lord, I pray today for the kids who are born with tough challenges and for the people who love them and reach out to help them grow up. Let the children and the people who reach out to them know they are precious to you. Amen.

Share your gratitude with

Russ Wilkins! Russ came to our aid when water began coming through the window and down the wall in the butter-fly room this week. The carpet was soaked five feet out from the wall. Russ climbed up on the roof and found an ice dam had built up on the lower part of the roof. The ice was 5 to 6 inches thick on the roof. This was below where the snow had built up to as much as 4 to 5 feet thick. Using a hatchet Russ cleared a lot of ice and snow. The leaking has stopped and things are drying out. It looks like their will not be as much permanent damage as we thought there would be. Thank you Russ.

Georgia Woodward, John & Sarah Champion, Kristina Steffes-Clayton! They spent a great deal of time sorting out all of the churches banners. After sorting them out and checking which ones were still useable they hung many banners around the back of the sanctuary. These banners now give our worship center a very warm feeling. Let them know how much you appreciate their time and talents.

Bob Gulling! A couple weeks ago Bob took the small table we use as for the alter table in the 8:15 service, home for repair. The joints in the table had become very weak and at times it was thought it might just crumble. Bob has cleaned it up and re-glued the joints. It is now like new and back in use. Thank you so much Bob.

"Creative Praying" A Lenten time of sharing!

"'Creativity' is not a noun or even a verb-- it is a place, a space, a gathering, a union, a where-wherein the Divine powers of creativity and the human power of imagination join forces." --Matt Fox

You can join with us for "Creative Praying" on Wednesday evenings at 6pm or on Thursday mornings at 10am throughout Lent. The meetings will begin Feb 24 & Feb 25.

Sunday Night Live Youth Calendar

I want you to thank you young people when you see them this Sunday. Last Sunday evening they made 22 casseroles for the Salvation Army and the people we serve. Outstanding!!!

February 21 SNL-plan fundraisers for Mission Omaha 2010 Susan Huffman & Lacasta Jungling will serve a dinner of Spaghetti & Bread.

February 26-27 - 30 Hour Famine at Waukee Christian Church 6pm Friday to 6pm Saturday (6^th grade and up)

February 28 SNL Moats Family will serve the meal.

March 7 SNL Brown Family will serve the meal.

March 14 NO SNL due to Spring Break

March 21 SNLKen & Deb Pickering will serve chicken fingers and French Fries.

March 28 SNL

SNL Dinners SNL leaders and youth are looking for members and friends of the congregation to supply and /or prepare dinner for our Sunday evenings here at ACC for the months of April and May. If you would like more information about times, ideas and dates, pleas e-mail Pastor Natalie at peace.weaver@live.com or call her at 991-2359. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Natalie can use some help moving. She needs packing stuff paper, boxes and stuff. She is moving to storage on Feb 20 and to her new apartment on Feb 27. If you can help call Natalie at 991-2359.

If you know of anyone graduating this year please contact the church office at 967-4382.

Sound Board Volunteers Needed:

Interested in volunteering to operate the sound board for either worship service on Sunday mornings contact Inga Brown 250-0248.

Easter Lilies!!! It's time to order Easter Lilies in Memory of or in Honor of your loved ones. Orders must be placed by March 21^st. Each Lily will cost $10.00.

Philia

Is Greek for "Love of Friends". It is also the name of a small group fellowship with friends from Altoona Christian Church. A tentative schedule of events follows. Contact Stephanie Hosier (967-5961) or Pastor Natalie Ervin (991-2359) with questions.

March: Wine Tasting

Friday, March 12, 2010

7 pm

Mike & Stephanie Hosier's house

2404 Guenever Court, Altoona

Bring your favorite bottle of wine to share. Cheese & fruit provided.

Please RSVP to Stephanie or Natalie by Friday, March 5th.

April: Dinner

Date, Time & Location to be determined

May: Game Night

Date, Time & Location to be determined.

June: Iowa Cubs Baseball Game

Date & Time to be determined.

Principal Park at One Line Drive, Des Moines.

Rev Wendy Miles' address

I send you a message that Wendy Miles' father, George Rawson passed away this week. If you would like to send a card to Wendy and Ray their address is as follows.

Wendy and Ray Miles

159 Ashton Drive

Macon GA 31220-6626

A Newsletter from Doug & Elizabeth Searles You may remember that Doug and Elizabeth visited us after their assignment in China. Now they serve as our missionaries in Lodz Poland.

Greetings from Poland, US friends !!

Here's our latest newsletter--below.

Feel free to distribute it as you wish, in whole or in part.

If you want the pics bigger, just write and we'll send them.

If you no longer wish to be on our mailing list, please let us know.

At the bottom there are some prayer requests for the first half of 2010.

Keep lifting us up!

We're always happy to hear your news, as well. Write us, won't you?

Ever looking up!

Liz and Doug Searles in Lodz, PL

In Poland, old fears and the tyranny of respectability can tether handsbind them too tightly to reach out in love. Fear of adverse public opinion heavily influences how people live.

A friend brought her mother an exotic plant from Holland. Later, the daughter found it in the dark kitchen. "That plant needs light, Mom. How about the front window?" she suggested.

The mother refused. "Seeing such a plant, people might suspect me of foreign connections. Or maybe they'll think I'm rich--they'll come and rob me."

Fears confirmed by recent history die hard, even with all the love in the world.

We are partners with Kosciol Ewangelicko-Reformowany, a marginalized and minority denomination in a land where people can be intensely private. Where we serve as mission co-workers, few names appear on apartment buzzers. When we drive friends home, we drop them at a corner--not at their door.

Even the gregarious and gifted may seem reluctant to initiate or accept the new. Putting yourself forward can be seen as patronizing or lacking in humility. While we say: "the early bird catches the worm," post-communist cultures resonate more with: "the first bird gets shot."

It's hard when every time you've tried to "let your light shine" someone has come over to blow it out, or even stomp it out with a jack boot.

The deep wounds of Poland's history as a battleground between east and west slowly are healing. Yet Protestants often must defend their beliefs as Christian, or prove their love of country in a land where "to be Polish is to be Catholic."

PLEASE LIFT UP PRAYERS FOR OUR PARTNER, THE EVANGELICAL-REFORMED CHURCH IN POLAND:
God of all races and places, we give thanks that perfect love casts out fear. We ask for your healing of the many hearts broken by religious divides. Open doors wide to forgiveness and the light of love. Grant believers peace and opportunities to let their lights shine. Strengthen all those who nurture the tree of life, that they may display it proudly. May the fruit be abundant, in Poland and in the entire world.

All this we ask in your name. Amen.

The pictures attached are very small. Larger sized copies are sent via Pando. See the email with this same heading with "Photos" added.

3567s Clowns, dtd. 7-24-2009

Caption: Evangelism Week in Zelow: Clowns and John Calvin

1147s Emerging, dtd.9-2-2008

Caption: City sculpture of Poles emerging in Wroclaw (formerly Breslau, the home of Dietrich Bonhoeffer), after a long time underground.

2219s L&W dtd. 2-5-2010

Mission co-worker Elizabeth Searles being welcomed in Zelow by Pastor Wiera Jelinek.

1536s Angel

Caption: Gabriel's message: "Fear not!"

Photos by Douglas J. Searles, missionary in Poland.

Prayers, Joys, & Concerns:

In our Thoughts and Prayers: Eleanor Miller; Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi; Ken and Carla Briggs' grandson, Keaton Pratt; Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost; the Barron family and Irv's sister, Betty Darst; Joe Procyk Sr.; Marvin & Juanita Sheets; Alex Champion; Maddie Landwehr; Charlie Mayfield; Wendy Todd's aunt, Mrs. Bristow; Doris Wolf; Les Hill; Sheila Santos' sister, Renita Lewis; Carol Sutton; Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort; Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson; the Shaw family, Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family; Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy; Ellis Monk; Jim Rose; Bob and Ruby Thompson; Doug Teuber; Blaine Moats' nephew, Isaac; Paulette Craggs' friend, Sharon; Vee Rehor; Carol Nieters' friend, Phyllis, and friends of the her family, Ronnie, Amanda, and Grant Humphrey; Doug Teuber; Bob Gulling; Alan Petre; Judi Webb's friend, Chuck; Bob Gulling; Max and Madge Stillinger; Wilma Schick; the Renaud family; Barb Geissinger's dad, Dale Swift; and to Wendy Miles' and her family with the passing of her father, George Rawson; for her brother, Randy Rawson, and her godmother, Ruth Carpenter.

We remember Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

February Birthdays: Feb. 21^st Bob Kirby, Feb. 24^th Dave Stuart, Feb. 25^th Jodi Nelson, Patty Peebler, and Becca Procyk

February Anniversaries: Feb. 21^st Gordon and Nancy Gill

Calendar Week of Feb. 21^st- 28^th, 2010

(Today) Sun. Feb. 21^st - Food Pantry Sunday Items needed are pancake mix, syrup, PB and crackers, Mac/Cheese dinners, spaghetti/sauce, soups, canned veggies, tuna /salmon, canned fruit & juices, and pasta noodles. Personal hygiene items needed: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, diapers, and sanitary napkins. Please remember monetary donations are always welcomed at the Food Pantry too.

Sunday Morning services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School - 9:15am, all ages welcome, SNL 5-7pm

Mon. Feb. 22^nd- Christian Nurture meeting -6pm, Board meeting 7pm, Scouts 4-5:30pm, Den 4 Scouts 6-7pm

Tues. Feb. 23^rd - T.O.P.S. 8-11:30am, CWF 12pm, Learn/Ring Bells 7pm

Wed. Feb. 24^th- MM Puppets/Youth Chimes 2-4:30pm, Lenten Study- Creative Praying -6pm,

Bell Choir 7pm

Thurs. Feb. 25^th- Lenten Study- Creative Praying -10am, Den 1 Scouts 5-6pm,

Daisys 5:30-6:30pm, Tiger Scouts 6-7:15pm, Mixed Blessing Quartet 6:30pm, Choir 7pm

Sun. Feb. 28^th- Sunday Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School classes at 9:15am, all ages welcome, Rev. Natalie Ervin's Installation Service - 3pm, SNL 5-7pm

Announcements:

Sunday Night Live Dinners Thanks to everyone who's volunteered so far to prepare meals for our SNL youth. We've had an overwhelming response that meals all the way through the month of March have been taken care of. J Even though April seems far away if you'd like to volunteer to prepare meals for the youth group on any Sunday in April, please see Pastor Natalie or email her at peace.weaver@live.com or call her at 991-2359. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Salvation Army Casseroles- Please pick one or more aluminum casserole pans and a recipe sheet. After baked, cover tightly with tin foil, & place in the church freezer. There is plenty of room in the freezer at this time. Goal for this year will be 65 casseroles. We're also in need of plastic grocery bags. There's a tall box by the Food Pantry grocery cart that these bags may be deposited into.

SNL Youth Made over 22 Casseroles last Sunday evening. We are 1/3 of the way to our goal!!!

"PHILIA" is Greek for "Love of Friends" It's the name of a small group fellowship with friends from Altoona Christian Church. The group meets one day out of each month to join together for fellowship and fun. Our March gathering will be a Wine Tasting hosted at the Hosier's home. Join us Mar. 12^th7pm. Cheese & fruit provided. Please bring a bottle of wine to share. RSVP to Stephanie or Natalie by Fri. Mar. 5th. Hosier's home address is 2404 Guenever Ct. Altoona. 967-5961

We hope to see you in worship this Sunday. As we begin the Lenten journey let us come to worship and join together in the journey toward Easter. You will also want to be here to hear our children sing "Father Abraham".

I also want you to all mark on your calendar that next Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 P.M. there will be a very important happening in the life of Altoona Christian Church. You will all gather to install the Rev. Natalie Ervin as the first Associate Minister of this faith community. Our Regional Minister in Transition, the Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning will bring the message and install Natalie. Please plan to be here and give your support to Natalie and this faith community.

Keep Dancing in the Spirit,

Ken