March 2015 newsletter

GVND!

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

March 2015 Edition

Fredericksburg United Methodist Church 1800 North Llano Fredericksburg TX 78624-2917 **************************************

OUR STAFF

Kenneth Vaughan-Director of Media Ministries Dr. J. Jason Fry—Senior Pastor Tricia Small- Director of Communications Rev. J. Sidney Spiller—Associate Pastor Amy O’Neil-Director of Child Development Center Don Doss—Director of Music Ministries Judy Hickerson—Organist Joel Griffin-Director of Youth Ministries Linda Klein—Office Manager Sharon Massey-Director of Children’s Ministries

From Our Staff...

OBSERVATIONS FROM

Jason

As I began 2015, I did as I typically do at the beginning of a year. I begin some new devotional guide, usually one that is dated for one year. This year, really without thinking too much about it, I began to read A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Daily

Meditations from His Letters, Writings and Sermons.

Little did I know what journey would ensue for me. As a part of that, I’ve also just finished reading a biography of Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas entitled Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (which I highly recommend, by the way). In Lent, I’ve begun reading Bonhoeffer’s probably most well-known work, The Cost of Discipleship. During the Easter season, I plan to read Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. Later in the year, I plan to read the remainder of Bonhoeffer’s works: Ethics, Letters and Papers from Prison, and A Testament to Freedom.

God has really reached into my heart in ways I didn’t anticipate when I first began this journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor and theologian of the th early 20 century, who paid the ultimate price for his faith in ways I have not and never will get close to. As we are involved in this Lenten journey together, I want to share with you an excerpt from a daily reading from January 15.

“…Paul said of himself that he was the foremost, i.e., the worst of sinners. There can be no genuine knowledge of sin that does not lead me down to this depth. If my sin appears to me to be in any way smaller or less reprehensible in comparison to the sins of others, then I am not yet recognizing my sin at all. My sin is of necessity the worst, the most serious, the most objectionable. Christian love will find any number of excuses for the sins of others; only for my sin is there no excuse whatsoever.

That is why my sin is the worst. Those who would serve others in the community must descend all the way down to this depth of humility. How could I possibly serve other persons in unfeigned humility if their sins appear to me to be seriously worse than my own? If I am to have any hope for them, then I must not raise myself above them. Such service would be a sham.” Life Together, pp. 9798 As I struggle myself to live in community with others and to serve others, these words pierce me to the depth of my being. Jesus echoes this same thought in the3 Sermon on the Mount (which was the most formative portion of Scripture for Bonhoeffer) when he said, “ 4Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s

or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can5 you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

Lent is a time for self-examination, but this material provides a self-examination that seems a bit too challenging, a bit too much. However, this is the path of discipleship to Jesus Christ. May God grant us all the ability engage in this journey as we struggle with each other, and with ourselves…and with God. Yours in Christ,

Jason Fry

SID’S BUTTERFLY

Flutterings

YOUTH

Ministry

I really enjoy this time of year! Spring is in the air and we start to feel the “new” sprouting all around us. I like that the days are getting longer and warmer and that the spring sports are starting. I also enjoy the exciting things that happen at church such as the season of Lent where we prepare our hearts and lives for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Don’t forget that this month we continue to have our regular scheduled activities on Sundays and Wednesdays. On Sunday mornings we have our Sunday School for both the Middle School and High School youth that starts at 10:00 in the youth room. I want to encourage all the youth to also attend Sunday morning worship in the Sanctuary atth 9:00 or 11:10am. We also thhave The Bridge on Wednesday nights in our youth room at 5:30pm for 6th and 7 graders and 6:30pm for 8 graders and High School. Come and enjoy food, games, activities, worship and Bible study! Friends are always welcome!

Registration forms for the Middle School and High School Mission Trips are now available online. The Middle School will be going to Manor, Tx July 12-16 with BASIC by UM ARMY and will be there with other middle school church groups to help repair churches in the area. You may register your youth for the trip by filling out a registration form on-line at https://www.umarmy.net/Registration/Indv/1400/. The deadline to register for the trip and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit is Sunday, May 3. All money is to be given to the church. The High School will be going to Weimar TX with UM ARMY on June 28-July 4. There they will team up with other churches from this area to serve repairing homes. You may register your youth for the trip by filling out a registration form on-line at https://www.umarmy.net/Registration/Indv/1399/. The deadline to register for the trip and pay a $100 non-refundable deposit is Sunday, May 3. All money is to be given to the church. Both trips require a 1 to 5 adult to youth ratio so if any adults would like to go we really need you and your trip is FREE! We will be doing some fundraising to help with the cost of the trips! For more information, contact me.

Speaking of fundraisers, throughout the month of March our youth will be collecting scrap metal and aluminum. We are calling this fundraiser March Metal Madness. If you have some scrap metal or aluminum you would like to get rid of you may bring it to the church any time this month. On Saturday, March 28 the Belize Mission Trip Group will pick up any metal you may have if you would like them too. Please call me at the church to set up an appointment for our group to pick up your metal. If you have any questions please call the church office.

Our Belize Mission Trip Group is about a third of the way to our goal to raise money for the trip! Thank you to all who have donated or bought miles towards our goal! Please continue to pray for our trip and our group.

We have a lot of things going on so please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions. My number is 203-0559 and email is joel@fredumc.org. Hope to see you soon!

Love in Christ!

Joel Griffin

CHILDREN’S

Ministry Amazing Grace It seems like every time the deadline for the church’s newsletter articles comes around all I can think about is the amazing grace that the members of this church family extend to the families that we are serving. Time and again individuals through acts of service show the face of Christ to the children and their families.

The latest example was the support that was given to our first children’s Valentine’s Party, which was designed to let the parents have some time to themselves. It happened on Saturday, February 14, 1:30 – 6:00 pm. As the number of children who signed up went from 38 to 52 to 69 my anxiety level went up just a little bit. Which is just sad as God has over and over again taken care of the ministry’s needs through the acts of his people.

That Saturday morning news came that Jenny Weaver, who was going to teach and be in charge of the cleanup was not going to be able to come. She was in ER with her very ill son. I didn’t even have time to panic, as immediately the other teachers changed their assignments to make it possible to cover all the groups. Whew! First problem addressed.

Then challenge number two arose. Sometime during the afternoon, Sadie Eidson, who agreed to help with the youngest, came running to me with our next challenge. The toilet in the children’s wing was overflowing and water was everywhere. I had no idea where towels were, or if there was a shop vac to get the water removed from the floor. And then Amy O’Neil, who had volunteered to help us, appeared. What an angel. She came with towels and calmly said she would take care of the mess. Remember that she works every day running the CDC and certainly made a personal sacrifice to volunteer another day serving our children.

During the children’s movie time we served popcorn as a snack. And once again a small miracle happened. The Mini Mart personnel agreed to make popcorn for 80. They said they would give us a good deal, but had never given us a firm figure. They didn’t think it would cost more than $20. Well, they only charged us $5. To really appreciate this price you need to understand that the popcorn filled two 30 gallon trash bags.

Dinner was another wonderful gift. First, so many members of our church prepared delicious macaroni and cheese dishes and beautiful cupcakes. I ordered chicken strips from Chicken Express, because they gave us a great price.

The owners, Bubba Gonzales and Sandy Hamilton are members of our church. However, they went way over what I could imagine. They waived the cost and donated the chicken, provided free cups for our drinks, supplied the best gravy ever and brought everything to us. WOW!!!!

Once the children left there was cleanup to be done. The kids had been great, but when you have a large number of children ranging from 12 months to 11 years old there is going to be WORK that needs to be done after they leave. I had resolved myself that since Jenny wasn’t able to be here to help with the task I was just going to have to work extra late.

Once again God provided angels. Carolyn Sipes, who was the first volunteer to arrive, stayed way beyond what she had agreed to pitch in with the cleaning. Not only did Sadie agree to help, but her father Todd Eidson , who had come to pick her up, stayed and worked shoulder to shoulder with us. Erika Benfield picked up her children and took them home. Without even being asked she returned to vacuum. What amazing people!

I cannot help but believe that God was smiling down watching His family blessing the children with their acts of generosity and service. The laughter of the children surely was music to His ears.

MUSIC Good Friday Musical

Remembrance On Good Friday evening, April 3rd at 7:00, the Chancel Choir of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church will present In My Place, written and arranged by Craig Courtney. This time of candlelight worship will focus on the last week of Christ in a musical journey following Jesus to the cross.

The narrative of the presentation follows five first-hand witnesses to Christ’s final hours Judas, Peter, the thief on the cross, the Roman centurion, and a crowd member who called for Christ’s death.

Fuel your fire, join a choir!

Craig Courtney has taken some well-known Lenten hymns along with original songs and set them in beautiful creative arrangements. Some of the songs include Ah, Holy Jesus, O Sacred Head and Behold the Lamb of God. Leading this time of worship will be the church’s 50 voice Chancel Choir accompanied by a 13 part orchestra featuring strings that will highlight the beautiful arrangements and texts of the last week of Christ. Also accompanying will be Judy Hickerson on the piano. The work will be under the direction of Don Doss, the Director of Music Ministries.

Make plans now to attend this moving time of remembrance and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ and his incredible sacrifice for us.

If you have any questions please email me at don@fredumc.org, or call me at 997-7679 To God Be the Glory!!

FROM OUR WESLEY

Nurse

Dear Church Family, Even if your family does not travel internationally, you I thought since measles in the news, I would share more could come into contact with measles anywhere in information about the top four things to know, especially your community. Every year, measles is brought into for parents, from the CDC. the United States by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in You may be hearing a lot about measles lately, and all of other countries. Anyone who is not protected against this news on TV, social media, Internet, newspapers and measles is at risk. magazines may leave you wondering what you as a parent really need to know about this disease. CDC has You have the power to protect your child against meaput together a list of the most important facts about sles with a safe and effective vaccine. measles for parents like you.

The best protection against measles is measlesmumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of Measles can be serious.

Some people think of measles as just a little rash and measles. Your child needs two doses of MMR vaccine fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can for best protection: cause serious health complications http:// -The first dose at 12 through 15 months of age www.cdc.gov/measles/about/complications.html, -The second dose 4 through 6 years of age especially in children younger than 5 years of age.

There is no way to tell in advance the severity of the If your family is traveling overseas, the vaccine symptoms your child will experience. recommendations are a little different: -About 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who get measles will -If your baby is 6 through 11 months old, he or she be hospitalized should receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine before -1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop leaving. brain swelling, which could lead to brain damage -If your child is 12 months of age or older, he or she -1 or 2 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even will need 2 doses of MMR vaccine (separated by with the best care at least 28 days) before departure.

Some of the more common measles symptoms include: -Fever -Rash -Runny nose -Red eyes Measles is very contagious.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

Your child can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left. An infected person can spread measles to others even before knowing he/ she has the disease—from four days before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.

Your child can still get measles in United States.

Measles was declared eliminated(http://www.cdc.gov/ measles/about/faqs.html#if) from the U.S. in 2000 thanks to a highly effective vaccination program.

Eliminated means that the disease is no longer constantly present in this country. However, measles is still common in many parts of the world, including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Worldwide, an estimated 20 million people get measles and 146,000 people, mostly children, die from the disease each year.

UNITED METHODIST Who We Are The organized unit of UNITED METHODIST WOMEN shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Women

As Fredericksburg United Methodist Women reaches out ~ again in love through our annual Valentine Cookie project . . .we say thanks, not only to our UMW ladies, but for the invaluable support of our church staff and family. Some 3,000+ cookies were lovingly bagged and delivered to residents of the 12 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement centers, and to our own church’s home bound/shut-ins . . . not only are we blessed, we are truly thankful.

Thank You

UMW Executive Committee March 12, 1:00 p.m.

Circle meetings: ~ Hannah, March 16, 2 p.m. @ Church ~ Helen Tainter, March 19, 9:30 @ Church ~ Friendship, March 19, 2 p.m. @ Church ~ CDC no meeting in March

Important Dates and Events Community-Wide World Day of Prayer March 6, 10:00 a.m.

Our Sanctuary Theme: The Bahamas FUMW is hosting this even with area churches participating please save the date and join us!

From response magazine December issue of response had a very interesting and thought-provoking article about the situation between Palestine and Israel. Alex Awad, Methodist Missionary, pastor, and Dean of Students at Bethlehem University, examines barriers to peace in Israel/Palestine...a good program idea. I will make copies available for you to borrow or read.

From the Reading Program A good book on our current reading program is Do It Anyway, by Courtney E. Martin details accomplishments of eight young-adult activists. Each has a different area of focus but all are committed to making a difference in the world or, at least, their part of the world. Their stories are exciting and inspiring, but also heart breaking. . the author concludes “. . “We must strive to make the world better anyway (even if we are disappointed). We must dedicate ourselves each and every morning to being a most kind, thoughtful, courageous human beings who have ever walked the earth, and knowing that it still will not be enough. We must “do it anyway.”

For more information about UMW, please contact: Billie Rowell at 830/997-3787, or billierowell@austin.rr.com If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind –Philippians 2:1-2

Notes FromMissions

LENTEN CLOTHING DRIVE Our annual Lenten Clothing Drive has started and will continue until Mar. 22. The clothes will then be picked up by another church, and they will clean, sort by sizes, and store them in preparation for the next natural disaster to hit our area. When it does, they will load their trucks and deliver the clothes ready to distribute to those in need. Any clothes in good condition are needed, but please only new underwear.

GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOP If you can think of an outreach program you’d like to launch if only you had the funding, this is for you. The Hill Country District missions committee is offering a free workshop on grant-writing at 1 pm Saturday, March 21, at Fredericksburg UMC. In a couple of hours, you’ll learn where to finance your missions work with other people’s money. Please call the church office (830-997-7679) and tell ‘em you’re coming so they can have enough space and materials. Bring a friend. Bring several. The more outside money we bring into the district to do God’s work, the better. Did I mention it’s free?

Parent of Missionary (POM) Perspective– Brenda Miiler Life is a struggle.

How does a person cope when their Loved Ones are hours – miles away?

Thousands of miles Find new ways to communicate Find new ways to celebrate – different – not better, but will have to make do Lives in our hearts. Treasure in our hearts.

Love is enough – but never stop wondering – are they safe?

The “Man Upstairs” hears from us often They are thousands miles away doing what they think is the right thing, but all you really want is to know that they are safe in the next room.

Proud – you bet (but could be just as proud a little closer) Treasure your children every day while they are so young and so close cause it doesn’t last.

Carry them inside your heart. Love on them daily!!!!

Move away?

Did you ever dream of what your child will do – where they will live – how far from home – in your hometown – neighborhood—how about a foreign country – far, far away – like half way around the world. I never did!

Remember your parents telling you to clean your plates because children in C----- are starving.

I never thought I would get a chance to possibly meet some of these children personally.

How does it feel to have your loved one – your precious – your little girl half way around the world – I am beginning to wonder what it feels like not to.

Do I worry – not so much She is doing what she feels “led” to do and seems to be happy, a little homesick at times, but happy Who am I to argue with the “Man Upstairs” about where “my baby” should be or what she should be doing?

Doing G—‘s work is not always the safest, but always the most rewarding.

Thanks to technology I can have conversations as if she is sitting next to me, well almost – when the screen freezes and the audio burps it brings me back to reality.

To see the excitement on her face (even if it is 2:30 in the morning) when she gets a package from home and all the goodies inside.

I never knew a bag of pecans, a bottle of maple syrup extract, a bag of coffee beans, and the list goes on and on, could bring someone so much joy.

Things we take for granted that are available – right around the corner.

Such simple pleasures

WHAT TO EXPE

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MARCH 2015 Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

1

2 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 5:00pm Trustees 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting

3 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Living Well College Board Meeting 5:30pm CDC Circle Meeting 5:30pm Girls Basketball

4 6:30am Disciple Bible Class 7:30am Child Development Center 9:30am Knopp Retirement Social 10:00am Fredericksburg Nursing Home Sing 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymou 3:30pm Pioneer Club and KMA 5:45pm Disciple Bible Class 5:30pm Middle School Youth 6:00 Bell Choir 5:45pm Disciple Bible Class 6:00pm Bell Choir 6:30 High School Youth 7:00pm Chancel Choir

9 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group- FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Cards for Christ 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 4:30pm Child Development Center Board 6:00pm Stephen Ministry Leadership 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting

10 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 2:30 pm Wounded Warriors 5:30pm Girls Basketball 5:30pm Mission Committee Meeting

16 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 2:00pm Hannah Circle-Rm 2 3:00 Boy Scouts 6:30 SPRC 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting

22 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am All-ages Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service 4:00pm GO Youth Bible Study 4:00 Confirmation

29 11:00am Palmz in the Platz 12:00pm Easter Egg Hunt 4:00pm GO Youth Bible Study 4:00pm Confirmation

9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am All-ages Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service 4:00pm GO Youth Bible Study 4:00pm Confirmation 6:00pm Called Church Conference

8 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am All-ages Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service

15 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am All-ages Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service 12:00pm Covered Dish Lunch 3:00pm Music Club Concert 4:00pm GO Youth Bible Study 4:00pm Confirmation

Thu

Fri

Sat

5 7:30am Child Development Center Church Office Closed9:00am Living Well College for Christmas Holiday9:30am Chapel Child Development Center 12:00pm Book CLub 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal-Sanctuary

6 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am World Day of Prayer 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

7 9:00am Belize Bake Sale (Main Street) 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 1:00pm Longley Baby Shower

11 6:30am Disciple Bible Class 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am Quilters 10:00am Fredericksburg Nursing Home Sing 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 1:00pm Diabetic Support Group-Golden Hub 5:45pm Disciple Bible Class 6:00 Bell Choir 7:00 Chancel Choir

12 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am Living Well College 8:30am Biblical Garden Workday 9:30am Chapel Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal-Sanctuary

13 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal

14

17 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm CPS Meeting 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00 Finance Meeting

18 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Fredericksburg Nursing Home Sing 10:00am Knopp Retirement Center Communion 10:00am Knopp Nursing Home Communion 3:30pm Pioneer Club and KMA 6:00pm Bell Choir 7:00 Chancel Choir

19 20 7:30am Child Development Center 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am Living Well College 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 9:00am Chapel Child Development Center 9:30am Helen Tainter Circle 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 2:00pm Friendship Circle 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal-Sanctuary

21

23 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Cards for Christ 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 6:00pm Stephen Ministry Leadership 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting

24 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball

25 6:30am Disciple Bible Class 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00 Quilters 9:30am Windcrest Retirement Communion 10:00am Fredericksburg Nursing Home Sing 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 3:30pm Pioneer Club and KMA 5:45pm Disciple Bible Class 5:30pm Middle School Youth 6:00pm Bell Choir 6:30pm High School Youth 7:00pm Chancel Choir

26 27 7:30am Child Development Center 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am Living Well College 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 9:00am Chapel Child Development Center 9:00am UMW Craft Workshop 9:30am Heritage Communion 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal-Sanctuary

28 9:00 March Metal Madness Delivery 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

30 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 7:00pm Boy Scout Meeting

31 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball

12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 4:00pm Wedding

12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 1:00pm Hill Country District Mission Committee Meeting

Join us on March 29 at Mark’tplatz on Main Street for our second annual Palmz in the Platz Palm Sunday worship service. The service will begin at 11 a.m., and will feature a combination of contemporary and traditional music. Stick around for a hot dog lunch and fellowship.

We are hoping to have some guests that day, so don’t be shy in introducing yourself to people you may not know!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Following Palmz in the Platz

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Palm Sunday at the Palms in the Platz event. We hope all of our children, grandchildren, Pioneer/KMA and CDC kids will be able to come. What a wonderful outreach this can be to all of the families. We plan on inviting them to worship and to eat with us. Afterwards the children will hunt Easter eggs. However, YOUR help is needed. Hundreds of plastic eggs will need to be stuffed with a piece of candy and a scripture. So on Sundays, beginning March 8th, there will be baskets on the tables in the Fellowship Hall with the plastic eggs, candy and scripture. Please stop by before or after your worship service or Sunday school class to stuff eggs. That will give us three Sundays to get the job done!

BIBLICAL GARDEN UPDATE

Peggy Benson

For those of you who haven’t ventured out into the Biblical Garden lately, I would like to invite you to go out to see what is blooming there. The landscapers planted approximately 100 daffodils and 100 tulips in December and the daffodils are in full bloom at present. The cold weather has set the plants back a bit but they are still pretty. The flowering quince is also in bloom so the red and yellow make for a very pretty site. The tulips will be blooming hopefully by the middle of March so spring is not far away although this week gave us pause to wonder.

The Biblical Garden is a very special place to meditate and pray so take advantage of this jewel that we have at church.

Peggy Benson Garden Coordinator

Dates to Remember...

Sunday, March 1 - Called Church Conference Meeting 6 p.m.

Friday, March 6 – World Day of Prayer 10 a.m.

Sunday, March 15 – Covered Dish Potluck Lunch to hear Suzie and Adam Hailes speak following 11:10 Worship service Through March 22 - Missions Clothing Drive Through March 22 – A Disciple’s Path Sunday School Study Through March 28 – March Metal Madness Sunday, March 29– Palmz in the Platz Worship Service 11 a.m.

Get Involved...

Pioneer Club Lenten Clothing Drive Missions will be collecting new and used clothing through March 22 to help re-outfit God’s people who have lost everything due to a disaster. Collection boxes are located in the Fellowship Hall and Children’s Wing Lobby

Vacation Bible School VBS curriculum is here! This event will take place in the evening during the last week of June. The Children's Ministry is looking for adults to serve on teams to create the best VBS experience ever. Examples of the teams are food, decorations, and various VBS stations.

Call the office if you are wiling to help.

We are always thankful for volunteers to help us with Pioneer Club on Wednesdays a er school.

To take part in this ministry, contact Sharon Massey at 997-7679.

In The Community The Fredericksburg Academic Boosters are looking for ten more mentors for their youth mentor program. Mentors meet with their student once a week during the student's lunch time. For more information, call the Academic Boosters at 830-990-8967

You’re Invited!

"Ahoy , It' a boy !" Come join us in a celebration & miracle of birth of " Luke Jackson Pavlov " to parents Olivia Longley & Michael Pavlov on Saturday, March 7th at 1 p.m. here at FUMC .

Registered at Babies R Us , Target , & WalMart.

1 Kathy Doerr 2 Eleanor Durst 2 Deborah Sly 2 Kris Weaver 2 Jessica Habecker 3 Becky Wallace 4 Janice Langerhans 4 Carol Batterton 4 James Barnhouse 5 April Cade 5 Sara Elise Pennington 5 Gene and Sue Sturrock 6 Barbara Loyd 6 Jackson Houy 7 Tom Cleckler 7 Charlize Davis 8 Jerome Hubalek 8 Ellen Althaus-Day 8 Connie Cowan 9 Bill Borron 9 Eric Williams 9 Blake Neffendorf 9 Lucas White 10 Geneva Tatsch 11 Vickie Schmidt 11 Jan Williams 11 Sharon Massey 11 Minda Davis 11 Rowdy Player 11 Dennis and Erika Benfield

12 Bud and Gayle Harris 13 Phyllis Guthrie 13 Ricky Moellering 14 Bill Harrell 15 Charles Koym 14 Robert and Agnes Houy 15 Jennifer Doss 15 Evelyn Stork 16 Cindy Harper 15 Cash Cox 15 Elmer and Sharon Wahrmund 16 Joyce Fiedler 16 Jim and Jeanne Warren 17 Rachel Andreassian 17 Brandon Sanchez 19 Linda Treibs 19 Danielle King 20 Arin Duecker 20 Wayne and Sharon Massey 21 Russell Rice 21 Hugh Reeves 21 Wanda Detmar 21 Dean and Julie Herbort 21 Gregg and Kristin Hagelstein 22 Noemi Cain 24 Jeffrey Hallford 24 Jim Johnson 24 Liz Stagner 25 Sandy Doudna 25 Crystal Fox 27 Tom Canfield 27 Sue Graham 28 Chelsea Campbell 29 Adam and Kristi Stafford 31 Dan Geistweidt 31 Garet vonNetzger 31 Becca Allen 31 John Delamater

Our Military Scott Benfield Dennis Ray Phillips Khristy Brazell Chris Pieper Steven Ramsey Roland Cleveland Adam Duecker Tyler Remini Jeffrey Schmidt Gary L. Goin Cody Segner Dylan Guess Jason Smith Jeffrey Haas Bruce Stafford Houston Haley Perry Waters Chance Harling Charlie Watson Wacey Holladay Ash Westerfield Mark Klaerner Weston Williams Bryce Klein Dara Wydler Jason Loving Alec Maples Steve York Kari McAnally Joshua Weaver Quentin Moellering James Muncy

Our Missionaries Here I am. Bosnia: Brian & Cynthia Eastern Asia: Misti Send me.

Ecuador: Tim & Daina

-Isaiah Madagascar: Adam & Suzie, Phoebe, Emma, Baylee 6:8 and River Nicaragua: Sara &

Joey,

Risa, Micah and Jace Philippines: Marsha

路 Dates and names in bold are anniversaries.

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Carolyn Allen Ruth Braeutigam Clarence Durst Carol Dwyer

Imogene Friedrich Mable Glasgow Edwina Hall Anne Houy

Fred Mesch Desmond Sagebiel Pat Scott Mabel Teschner