Announcements for the week of February 17, 2008

Second 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.

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

FELLOWSHIP

The Coffee Hour Hosts for today are; 8:00am is Karen Sterzer and
Trudy Conley, 10:30-Team 4.

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper has been rescheduled for pancake breakfasts for TODAY and also 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).

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Women’ Ministries of the Diocese of Nebraska is sponsoring a re-
treat to be held at Saint Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, NE The retreat leader is Deacon Diana Champagne. “The Way, the Truth and the Life” is the theme of the retreat. All women of the diocese are invited to participate.

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.

Lenten Series
Will continue Wednesday, February 20, 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. 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.

CHRISTIAN ED

The Lenten Season is upon us and Easter is right around the corner. We need candy for the Easter Egg Hunt on March 22. Between now and then we ask that anyone who wants to leave bags of candy on the counter in the CE office. We have plenty of plastic eggs so candy is all we need. We want to have the eggs filled before the hunt to cut down on the confusion. Chocolate is preferred (it’s okay, I gave it up for lent!) because last year there was controversy over who had what kind, so consistency seems to be the best bet. Thanks for your help! Kristi

Play area for children; We are going through some changes regarding the play area for children after the service. There are plans soon to be announced in making a permanent child friendly undercroft. For the time being, a small play area will be put under the bulletin board in the northeast corner of the undercroft. Please make sure your children clean up whatever they played with so the VPOD doesn’t have to. We want to alleviate losing children or having them get outside, or fall and hurt themselves. Please work with us through this transition, our children are our most important commodity, and we want them happy and safe. Thanks, Kristi Smith

OFFICE

The office will be closed Monday, Feb. 18 in observance of President’s Day.

Layreaders: Sorry about the mix-up Sunday. You did great! Please remember to check the bulletin board in the undercroft to see when you read. If you don’t get the readings in the mail, you can check with Mary Ruth. If you get readings but aren’t scheduled, ignore them. Also, Mother Ruth would like for Lay Reader A to stay at the lectern when we read psalms antiphonally to help lead the reading. Thanks for all you do!

Flame deadline: Don’t forget, you must have your news in by Sunday, Feb. 24, if you want it in the next issue. We’d love gifts of photos, too. If you wish, a report can write up your news. Just give us the facts! The Flame could use pictures of events from Halloween to now. If you’ll share, bring the photo to the Flame box in the office, undercroft, or email to Karen Sterzer. Thanks!

Reminder! Don’t forget to sign up for daffodils (Daffodil Sunday), put your check or cash in the envelope attached to the clipboard.

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 over $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 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.

Millennium Development Goals - Fighting Malaria

Albert walked home from school to where he lived with his mother, father, and 3 sisters in Zambia. As he approached his house, he knew something was wrong - his grandmother, mother and sisters were weeping. Albert saw one of his sisters lying dead on the family’s only bed. She died from malaria, which caused a high fever that began earlier in the day.

Episcopal Relief and Development is fighting malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The program is saving the lives of children, like Albert’s sister, by working with Anglican churches and ecumenical partners to distribute 1 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and education on there proper use to families. $12 will provide one family with a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net and training. (Source: Episcopal Relief and Development).

We will pass an envelope at each service for contributions to the MDG goals as a Lenten offering. Please not MDG on checks. CHS will match funds up to $350 from our outreach budget. If you have questions, see Jan Sinram (291-8235).

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)


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.

The Chapel Presence Candle for the month of February is given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Lucy’s birthday, by her husband Willis Gray.

Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: James Trojanowski (Feb 19), Tony Howell, Michael Wallace (22).

Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Toby & Chuck Wingert (Feb 17), Kristi & Steve Smith (18), Kathy & Tom Adams (23).

This week we ask that you keep the following family and friends in your prayers: Larry Jaynes, Sarah Inks, Helen McKinney, Beth E., Florence, David Rice, Connie O’Neil, Jim Stevens, Margaret, Howard & Sharon Verderay, Ruth Tussey, Christian Overly, Evelyn & Carolyn, Michael, Kim R., Dan, Molly, Chuck W., John Harris, Jack Andrews, Kohen Koch, Ken Clark.

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., Tom M.