Announcements for the week of March 2, 2008

Fifth 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.

FELLOWSHIP
The Coffee Hour Hosts for today are; 8:00am is Karen Sterzer and
Trudy Conley, 10:30-Team 7.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
On April 25-27, 2008, 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. The registration forms are 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, Mar 12, 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.

YOUTH
Based on input from our Youth, we’ll be doing more service in 2008! Our first activity of the year will be serving dinner to those needing shelter at St. Francis House in Omaha on Saturday, March 29. We’ll meet at the church at 4:15pm and car-pool to the shelter and we’ll serve until 7pm. Afterwards, those who served will be treated to dinner and then returned to the church by 8:30pm. A sign up sheet will be passed at church as it is important that we have an accurate head count to plan the car rides. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Wilson at 933-2991 or Jan Sinram at 291-8235. Thanks and see you there!
Save the date! Please save the date of April 13, 2008, for our April Youth activity. We’re not sure what fun we’ll have in store (we’re pricing various options from the youth “wish list” generated at the planning meeting in January) but it’ll be fun. Mark your calendars now!

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

We are looking to place a 24" (or larger) TV in the children’s play area and would gladly accept a donation of a working used TV for playing DVD’s. Please, let any vestry person know if you have a TV to donate and we will arrange for pickup. Thank you so much!

OFFICE
Church Camera: For quite some time our church camera has been broken and we would like to replace it. The camera will be a digital camera so we can have pictures for the Flame and to use for other activities which take place at our church. If you would like to donate for a new church camera, please make checks out to CHS and write “church camera” in the memo line. Thank you!

Layreaders and other volunteers: On Palm Sunday, the gospel lesson as a reading (in parts) from Matthew. The lay readers will do two parts, but we need several others to help. Please check the bulletin board in the under croft and sign up. We need you!

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.

Acolyte Meeting: TODAY, after the 10:30 service there will be an Acolyte meeting. We will be preparing for Easter, answering any questions and looking at the schedule ahead. If you have never served as an acolyte before and are interested in serving, please join us. We encourage all youth and any interested adult to join us. It is a great way to be of service to the church. If you have any questions, contact Beth Byrne at 331-5187.

Adopt A Table: As you all know, our tables are getting rather dilapidated. We would like to purchase new tables for our aging “fleet”, so we are asking for donations to accomplish these needed additions. We would like to have a total of ten new 8-foot rectangular tables and four new 5-foot round tables. The cost of the rectangular tables is $75 and the round tables are $100. If you are able to help us in this endeavor, please contact Chris Darrell, Junior Warden, or simply drop a check in the offertory basket designating the check to CHS and noting that it is for the Adopt A Table fund. Thanks!

Millennium Development Goals - Providing Access to Clean Water
Ramon lives in the small village of Copan in Honduras, where he works
as a farmer, earning barely enough to support his family of 15. His house had dirt floors that became muddy when it rained. Accessing water meant getting it from the river and, as a result, the family had mo way of practicing safe hygiene. The family used the nearby bushes as their bathroom. Because of unsanitary living conditions, the children often became sick with diarrhea and parasites. Ramon worried constantly about their health.
A partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development and the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras changed life for Ramon’s family. Ramon worked with community leaders to build a water cistern and latrine in his community. His family now has access to safe, clean water.
They also built a sturdier and more stable roof. Dirt floors were replaced with a cement one and for the first time, his children and grandchildren were able to play on a clean surface.
Ramon saw the difference almost immediately. “We’re happier. Now our health will improve...We already feel more secure,” he said.
Your support will provide families like Ramon’s with access to clean water.
Your gift to the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund will provide safe water, sanitation systems and hygiene education, which prevents illness in entire communities.
$25 provides basic sanitation and clean water for one person.
*Please not MDG on your check. If you have questions, see Jan Sinram (291-8235)

Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Judy Darrell (Mar 9), Sue Howard (14), Mary Ruth Sullivan (15).

This week we ask that you keep the following family and friends in your prayers: Larry Jaynes, Sarah Inks, Helen McKinney, Beth E., Florence, Connie O’Neil, Margaret, Howard & Sharon V., Christian Overly, Kim R., Chuck W.,Ken Clark, Roger Rustin, Pat T., Lisa, Dan, Myrt Kunkel, Trudy Conley, Pat W.

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

Search Committee Update
The committee is currently working on a draft version of the survey that will help us develop our parish profile. Over the next two or three weeks we will refine the survey instrument which we will then share with you. Please continue to keep us and our work in your prayers.
“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)