As I gaze outside my office window, I see a little green coming through the lawn that has been mostly brown since I came here. That little green tells me that Spring is not that far away. With Spring just around the corner, that means the most Holy of Holy Days in the church is coming – Easter, or as I have seen in some places, the Celebration of Resurrection Sunday.

Like other celebrations in the life of this church, I have to learn the traditions and customs that take place here in Haysville and at First Christian Church. Along the way, some traditions from another church which I have served might get into the mix.

Easter is also a time of commitment. Many people consider Easter as a time for baptism or for those who have been baptized, to consider uniting with this congregation.

If this is where you are in your spiritual life, I would like to hear from you. I would be happy to schedule a Pastor’s Class for our children and young people, as well as discuss these important spiritual issues with anyone else.

At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He brings to us new life – life eternal. Easter is a time of decision and renewal. Your decision can have an impact, not only on our Easter Service, but on some one else’s life, especially your own.

Blessings be with you all.
Milton Bryarly, Interim Minister

Interim Pastor: Milton Bryarly
SUNDAY SERMON: February 22, 2009
Title: Time to Listen
Text: Mark 9:2-9

Sunday, February 15, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
OFFERING: $2,669.90
ATTENDANCE
Sunday School: 54 Worship: 96

VISITORS
Mary Carr
Ryan and Allison Reed

Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Ernie Hurdle, Lynn Garrelts family, Jim West, Tom VonFeldt, Ed and Pat Carr, Beulah Rees, George and Susan Hatcher, Tony Brocato, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Elijah and Jeremiah Atkeson, Matthew Proctor, Shaunna Hall, DeAsia Harding, Janet Goldwater, Shirlene Crain, Randy and Shea Reust, Kathleen Etheridge, Mary Jane Bell, Neva Middleton, Aaron Devan, Velma States, Families affected by layoffs, Alicia Reed, Camille Tullis, Josh Wooldridge, Bill and Beaulah Eastman, Colby Endres, Paul and Oleta Smeltzer, Geralyn Tonry, Meredith Gruising Melvin Bell family, Rafael Jimenez, Mike, Kristin and Ben Hauser,

The Men and Women serving our country

Sympathy to Donna Hansen and family in the passing of her father-in-law

Keep Bill and Beaulah Eastman in your prayers as they have been and will be undergoing tests.

Keep Mike, Kristin and Ben Hauser in your prayers as they are in the process of adopting.

Charles Reed, brother of Annette Beal, is having surgery Wednesday morning.

Thank you to the ladies ensemble for the beautiful song on Sunday, February 8. Donna, you would have been proud of them!

I want to thank everyone for the phone calls, cards, and prayers for my family during the illness and passing of my brother Pete. It means a lot to have a church family like this. Plinio Andrade

Plinio and Joyce Andrade will be moving to Arizona at the end of the month. We will certainly miss them and all the work they have done for the church. They are excited to be moving closer to their grandchildren so they can be more involved in their lives.

Rafael Jimenez had surgery Wednesday, February 11, 2009 for a severed tendon in his hand from an accident on the job. His recovery is reported to be approximately three months. Keep Rafael and his family in your prayers as he recovers.

Joyce Andrade had her second eye surgery last week. We pray this surgery will be as successful as the first one.

Betty Lewis had surgery on her hand. She is recovering nicely.

Jennifer Nicholson flew to England to spend time with her sister April (Smith) Devan. April’s husband Aaron has been deployed to Afghanistan.

Dale and Donna Atkeson are pleased to announce that our daughter and son-in-law, Donelle and Del Rey, are expecting a girl! She will be welcomed by her brother Hunter and sister Abby.

Rafael’s pain is under control. He is scheduled to go back to the doctor and start physical therapy a week from Monday. Thank you for your continued prayers. Jennifer Jimenez

First, no more back brace! Yippee!
Second, we will be gone the next two Sundays. We will be visiting my kids and grandkids in Mississippi. Randy and Shea Reust

Youth to Dare2Share:

This Friday February 20th, Alex Marsh, Andrew Michaud, Joe Wyrick, Morgan Shetler, Morgan Wegner, Allison Jerome, Betsy Burke, Andrew Marsh, Adrian Vargas, Alex Vargas, along with Michelle Wegner and Jesse and Machaelle Shetler, will travel to Lincoln, NE. to attend Dare2Share Ministries INVINCIBLE conference. D2S conferences are designed to equip teens with practical and relevant tools to help them share their faith with others. Pray that our hearts and minds will be open to receiving God's message this weekend and that we will all come back refreshed and excited in our mission to be a soldier for God. Plan to join us next Wednesday at Family JAM to hear about our experience. Thank you all for your support and prayers!

February FAMILY JAM:

The sign up sheet for this month's FAMILY JAM is on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. (a free will donation will be collected to cover the cost of the meal,) followed by our worship program which will include reflections and stories from our youth who attended Dare2Share. Come join us for good food, fellowship, praise and worship. Please sign up on or before Sunday February 22. Thanks! See you there!

More musings from Machaelle:

I can feel it in the air. Prayers being lifted up on behalf of our youth and the adults involved in leading and teaching Sunday School, CIA, TOE and CHAOS. Well done. Keep up the good work. But there's more to do besides praying. Take a look at James 1:14-17, specifically verse 16. "If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" To paraphrase, "What good is it to wish our youth and their leaders well, and hope the programs will flourish and be successful, but then not attend the events/programs?" What good is it to have programs and leaders in place if we are not willing to physically be there, in bodily form, to support them? In order for our youth programs to survive, we need people in attendance. Most obvious, we need youth to attend; but all bodies, young and old, retired or working, single or married, are desired and welcome. So here's your challenge. Come. Whether you have a youth involved or not, to youth sponsored events. If you are a parent, bring your child to Sunday School, CIA, TOE or CHAOS! Meet our greatest physical need. Be with us in body and in spirit.

Next Sunday the 22nd, we will be saying goodbye to two of our favorite people. Plinio and Joyce Andrade are moving to Arizona to be closer to their son and his family. We have two things planned to celebrate their friendship and faithful dedication to this church over the many years they’ve been a part of our congregation.

We would like to have a card shower next week letting Plinio and Joyce know how much we will miss them and wish them well in their new life in Arizona.

Following church service next week, we will have a carry-in dinner in their honor. Each family will need to bring a main dish, a side dish and/or a dessert. Drinks and table service will be provided. We will also be serving cake.

Bring your food to the kitchen and the ladies will take care of it for you.

To Help In Economic Need Psalm 55:22

You are well aware of our country’s current economic condition. There will be more layoffs. There will be more people out of work. There will be more people in need.

These layoffs have affected our church family. Within our church there are already people who are struggling, but now this list is getting longer. We were told by God to help those in need (Hebrews 4:16).

This is where the Helping Hands Program will be used. This is a temporary program to help those out of work, who wish to participate, to earn a little extra cash to put a meal on the table or get a few gallons of gas in the car to look for work.

The Helping Hands program will by no means replace unemployment wages, welfare benefits, or becomes permanent employment, but hopefully will assist those who really need a few dollars to make it through this tough economic time.

Tasks needed are to be small, but enough to earn $10 to $50. Anything larger will jeopardize benefits. When the work is done, payment will be made to the worker. The church will not be responsible for any payment for work or any injuries occurred during work. You will not be expected to purchase any tools needed for any job.

Call Beverly McCormick at 554-8135 for more information. Forms are available on the table in the sanctuary.
Thank you for your willingness to reach out to others.

SR Wooldridge, Joshua, M.
DIV 114 USS Kearsarge
Bldg. 7114
Recruit Training Command
Great Lakes, IL 60088

Trish received this note from Joshua and she shared it with us. “Joshua wrote, “Everything is as you would expect boot camp to be, tough but bearable….Say Hi to everyone for me.”