Greetings from the Garden (GFG)
February 26th. 2010

Stephen Ministry
            This Sunday, February 28th, Mr. Bruce Newcome will be our guest speaker to talk about Stephen Ministry.  Mr. Newcome has served as a Stephen Minister for twelve years.  He and his wife Peggy (who is our newsletter editor) began the Stephen Ministry at Carmel United Methodist Church eight years ago.  He continues to serve as a Stephen Leader at Carmel United Methodist Church.  He will be talking about the role of Stephen Ministry in a congregation, and the meaningfulness for him in serving as a Stephen Ministry.  He will speak at both the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services.

Euchre Night
            Euchre night at Nativity is next Friday, March 5th, at 7:00 p.m.  If you play Euchre or would like to learn to play, come and join in this evening of fun and fellowship.  No prior experience is required – and neither is any sign-up.  Bring your own beverage and a snack to share.

A Visit to the Church of Scotland and Wales
            Virginia and I will make a presentation featuring some of the churches we visited in Scotland and Wales (and a few in England) during my Clergy Renewal Leave in 2008.  The presentation will be on Saturday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m.  Some of these churches are historical sites and common tourist attractions, and some are small isolated churches.  This is a way to learn a little church history and see some of Britain.  The presentation should last about an hour to an hour and a half.

Adult Christian Education
            The Tuesday evening Bible study will be discussing Isaiah 21:1-25:12 next Tuesday.  The Bible study begins at 7:00 p.m.
            The Wednesday afternoon Bible study continues in the study of the First Letter to the Corinthians.  This coming week we will discuss First Corinthians 12:1-14:25.  This Bible study begins at 1:00 p.m. 

            The Sunday Adult forum continues with their discussion of “Religion and Politics in America.”  This coming Sunday we will discuss an essay by President Barak Obama.  This essay was written while he was serving as Senator from Illinois prior to this election as President.
            The participant’s material for each week is available at Nativity on the prior Sunday, or can be emailed to you if you send me an email requesting the material.

            The Inquirers’ Class will meet this Sunday at 1:30 p.m.  The topic of the class will be Anglican Theology and Uniqueness.  Anyone interested is invited to attend the class.

Thought for the Week

In light of our continued cold weather and high energy bills we have had in the last couple of months, I offer you the following energy tip.

Five ways to keep warm in church:
Rush to the front; avoid the draft in the back of the church.
Sit 12 persons to a pew.
Wear thermal underwear in liturgical color.
Seat yourself near the pulpit – much hot air is emitted from that area.
Use a modern translation of the Lord’s Prayer – then watch the sparks fly.

This Sunday’s Readings – The Second Sunday in Lent
            The readings are: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:7-41; and Luke 13:31-35.

See you at church on Sunday.

Fr. Bruce +