Announcements for the week of February 10, 2008

First Sunday of Lent

MISSION STATEMENT

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) shares the love of Jesus through being a friendly community, participating in liturgically rich worship experiences, and by empowering individual ministries.

WORSHIP NEWS

WELCOME NEWCOMERS
You are welcome to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member are happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.

To Help You: Sound enhancement ear phones and large print service books are available in the narthex. Ask an usher for assistance.

For The Sending Forth of Lay Eucharistic Visitors
DEACON: In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that (those to whom you go) may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
CONGREGATION: We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.

The Wednesday Morning Eucharist has been moved to 9:30 a.m.

FELLOWSHIP

The Coffee Hour Hosts for today are; 8am-No one is signed up for
today. 10:30-Team 5 (switched with Team 3).

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper has been rescheduled for pancake breakfasts on Feb., 17 and Mar. 2. Come join us for pancakes after the 8am and 10:30am services. Anyone wishing to volunteer (we need help!), please see/call Dean Olander (339-7984) or Jan Sinram (291-8235).

EVANGELISM

A Thank You: We would like to thank the good people from CHS who have been greeters. We are again inviting people to be greeters. The sign up sheet is located on the clipboard table. Thank you! Joan Wood

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Men’s Retreat at Camp Comeca, Feb 29-Mar 2, 2008; Our speaker will be the Very Rev’d Ernesto Medina, Dean for Urban Mission at Trinity Cathedral. The cost is $75.00 which includes lodging for two nights and six meals. Car pools can be arranged as well as financial help should it be necessary. Contact Dean Olander for details and an application or applications will be on the bulletin board in the undercroft.

Wednesday Morning Bible Class: Will continue the study of our prayer book. Please join us after the 9:30 Eucharist.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

There will be a Family Lenten Workshop today, Feb 10: Parents are encouraged to attend. There will be crafts, a visit with special people in the upper room and a little kitchen time. The Christian Education goal for Lent this year is to insure that the children are taught the meaning of Lent and how to keep a holy Lent. There will be take home material to help families worship at home. Thank you!

YOUTH

Valentine’s Day Bake Sale is TODAY! From 9 am to 12 pm in the
undercroft. Youth are encouraged to bring one or more baked goods and our parish is encouraged to buy the goodies (you can give them as gifts!) In support of our Youth programs.

GROUNDS
Could you help? We are looking for donations to help pay for the flag pole lighting kit. We are $150 short of the $375 needed. Please contact Phil Scarbrough (505-9235) if you can help with this.

OFFICE

Daughters of the King will have a short meeting after the 10:30 service today, Feb 10, See Mary Ruth for more information.
Reminder! Don’t forget to sign up for daffodils (Daffodil Sunday), put your check or cash in the envelope attached to the clipboard.

Fr. Bob’s Dinner/Roast is Sunday, Feb 24, at St. Martha’s in Papillion. Arrival time 5:30 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.

The 3 D’s Diet * Discipline * Discipleship
The 3 D group meets at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings. If there is anyone else interested in joining this Christian based weight loss group please contact Pat Tarleton (292-8684), or Georgette Clark (292-0999) for more information. There is a $20.00 fee for the book.

Our search for a new rector has begun
Members of the Search Committee held their first meeting on Thurs, Jan 17. Fr. John Schaefer, Diocesan Deployment Officer, guided the members through an overview of the “Calling Process for Rectors of Parishes.” Members of the committee are: Nancy Beitenman, Doug Clark, Vic Culp (co-chair), Chris Darrell, Carrie Feingold, Willis Gray, Michele Hagen, Del Hazelip, Helen Moffett (co-chair), John Parsons, Rick Sanders, Jared Smith, Kristi Smith, and Jennifer Wilson. As we advance through the process, we will offer you frequent updates on our progress. We will also invite your participation by means of questionnaires, focus groups, and other approaches to gathering information for the development of our parish profile. We welcome your questions and comments as we move through the process. For the duration of our search, the following prayer will be included at each service in the Prayers of the People:
“Almighty God, giver of every good gift, look graciously
on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall
choose a rector for Church of the Holy Spirit parish, that
we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your
people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, Amen.” (BCP 818)

Lenten Series
Will begin Wednesday, February 13, at 6 p.m. The adults will be using a study of the Baptismal Covenant produced by Via Media. The children will be learning Godly Play stories.

God and Country Series for Protestant Youth and Parents
God and Country is a religious recognition program for Protestant churches and was created by the national church bodies. It is a CHURCH program, not a scouting program, but is recognized by the following youth organizations: Boy Scouts (Duty to God), Girl Scouts (To Serve God), and Camp Fire (Worship God). Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and any other youth who are interested in strengthening their faith in God are welcome and encouraged to participate in this program. How can you be involved in the God and Country Series/ Enroll your child, become a mentor and work alongside your child, and/or sign up to be a counselor and guide a group of children through the journey. The series starts today, Feb 10, 2008, at 1pm at the Church of the Holy Spirit. If you are interested in having your child participate and/or if you would like to be a mentor and/or counselor please contact Cathy Talmadge at ctalmadge@unmc.edu or call 291-4157. Please see additional information on the bulletin board in the undercroft.

PASTORAL CARE

Kitchen Remodel Fund-raiser, are you ready to go shopping for your new Easter hat, shoes, dress, etc? Starting this week you will be able to purchase Younkers Community Day coupon books for $5.00. The coupon book includes a $10 coupon which is redeemable for any item ofer $10,so, you get your $5 back right away !! Along with this coupon you will also get eight coupons for 20% off sale or regular priced items! Community Day is Saturday, March 1, so don’t hesitate to get your coupon books today. The entire purchase amount for the coupon book goes directly to the church. What a great way to make money for the kitchen remodel and get a new outfit too! If we sell all 200 books, we will make $1,000. If you are interested in purchasing a coupon book, please see Karen Sterzer or call 597-8779 for more information.

2nd Annual Rummage Sale is coming soon, so please save all your gently used house-wares, kitchen supplies or other donate-able items. This year we’ll be having the sale in May. Also if you can help with this fund-raiser, we would really appreciate it! Last year we made almost $1,000 and made a sizeable donation to New Life Thrift. More details to follow. See Charlotte Austin or Karen Sterzer for more information.

The Omaha Food Bank has named the Dean Fricke Memorial Episcopal Food Pantry its Agency of the Year. The pantry, a joint effort of Omaha Episcopal churches, was saluted at the Food Bank’s annual award banquet Feb. 7.

The Nave Presence Candle for the month of February is given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for their grandson Logan, by Joan & Dean Olander.

Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Charlotte Austin (Feb 6),Lucy Gray (Feb 10), Michelle Schmidt (11), The Rev Larry Jaynes, Danny Moffett (14).

This week we ask that you keep the following family and friends in your prayers: Beth E., Phil Scarbrough, Florence, David Rice, Connie O’Neil, Jim Stevens, Margaret Miller, Howard & Sharon Verdery, Ruth Tussey, Christian Overly, Evelyn & Carolyn, Michael, Felipe, Dan, Molly, Chuck W., Kevin, Sherrie, Margaret, Barbara & Peggy.

For all those deployed, especially: Gordon, Justin, Martin M., Andrew C., John, Scott, Jay S, Tom I., Eric F., Matthew S., Toni T., Estelle, Greg, Jared S.