The Fourth 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 AND VISITORS
Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.
Holy Week is coming. Please plan now to attend one or more of the daily Holy Week services. Please check the board in the entry and the website for dates and times.
YOUTH
CHRISTIAN ED
Remember we offer a program for the children Sunday evenings. They eat with us and then from 6-7 we learn a song, do a craft and will start making instruments for our Palm Sunday Band. We also do a little bell practice. We are making a “joyful noise!” it all starts at 5:30 with soup.
Bell Choir; The bells are here. We want to do two pieces for Easter. I need eight children, preferably 3-6th grade who will be here on Easter Sunday and will be able to begin practicing now. We will take a little younger and a little older for Easter if we need to. We may be completely inter-generational at Easter. Any teens or adults who might want to learn let me know. After Easter we will try and form the choir from the 3rd to 6th grade age group for an end of year performance. I believe for Easter we will have an inter-generational Bell Choir. I am truly excited. Questions? Contact Kristi.
COMMUNICATIONS
LENTEN PROGRAM
Our 2009 Lenten Program is underway. We meet on Sunday evenings in the parish hall beginning with a soup supper at 5:30pm. Our focus this year is “Music in Worship” Each week we look at hymns used throughout the church year. This week we are looking at hymns of the church and faith. Join us as we learn the story behind some of the hymns we sing and then help us make a joyful noise as we sing them to familiar and not so familiar melodies. It’s great fun!
Fr. Tom will be out of the office all day on Wednesday, March 25th. The 9:30 service will consist of Morning Prayer in lieu of Holy communion.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will be playing at Bellevue West High School on March 26-28 at 7pm and also at 2pm on March 26.Ticket prices are: Adults $7.00, Students $3.00, Under 12 Free. See poster posted on the bulletin board in the undercroft for more information.
Altar Guild meeting next Sunday, Mar 29 at 9:15 in the conference room.
Lay Readers: Please check the bulletin board and sign up for any services you can during Holy Week. Thanks. (?'s? Ask Mary Ruth 291-7416).
MAUNDY THURSDAY VIGIL
Following the service on Maundy Thursday, we will once again hold a vigil in the chapel before the altar of repose (the altar containing reserved sacrament to be used on Good Friday). The vigil is an ancient tradition that affords participants an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the next day’s service or to keep watch over the body of a deceased person until burial. This year, the vigil will run from the close of the service until noon on Good Friday. A sign-up sheet has been placed on the bulletin board in the parish hall. We would like to have at least two people commit to each one-hour block, however more are welcome. For security reasons, Fr. Tom plans to be here throughout the night to let people in and out of the church. Please select a time that works best for you.
Good Friday Collections: Since 1922, the Episcopal Church has supported the Episcopal Church (TEC) in Jerusalem provide a Christian witness in the Holy Land through its support of the many Christian pilgrims that walk the Via Delarosa this time of year or who visit Jerusalem throughout the year by pooling the Good Friday offerings from across the Church. To support this ongoing tradition, we at CHS will send any non-designated donations collected on Good Friday to TEC’s Good Friday Offering. Please help us discern the difference between EOG contributions and Good Friday contributions by using the Maundy Thursday envelope for cash donations on Good Friday or by placing “GFO” in the memo line of you check.
Website: Our new website is up and running thanks to the hard work of Kim Culp. Our next task is to keep it current. We are putting a team together to help make this possible. Each team member would act as a contact for one or more of our ministry teams and update the site’s information to keep this current and relevant. If you have a working understanding of Microsoft Word and you would like to help, you should contact Kim Culp or Fr. Tom.
Dean Fricke Food Pantry: If you have a few spare hours each month the Pantry could use your help. Traditionally, each parish has two members on the board who help coordinate parish support. With Diana’s departure last year we find ourselves down to a single representative. While Carrie Feingold is an outstanding CHS representative, we really need someone to help her keep our support flowing. If you would like to know how you can help the diocese of Nebraska make a difference in the greater Omaha area, please talk to Carrie during coffee hour. Don’t know who Carrie is? Ask around or grab Fr. Tom (that is if you can catch up to him on Sundays).
MDG-A Partnership of Episcopal Relief and Development, 191 Countries, and many other organizations. - Reducing/Eradicating Extreme Poverty● Almost half the world — over 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
● The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (567 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people (individuals) combined.
● Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read book or sign their names.
● Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.
● 1 billion children live in poverty (1 in 2 children in the world). 640 million live without adequate shelter, 400 million have no access to safe water, 270 million have no access to health services. 10.6 million died in 2003 before they reached the age of 5 (or roughly 29,000 children per day).
If you would like to support this effort, please use one of the envelopes at the end of each pew and put it in the collection plate. If you write a check, please note MDG.
On April 17-19, 2009, Women’s Ministries of the Diocese of Nebraska is sponsoring a retreat to be held at Saint Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, NE. The retreat leader is Teresa Monaghen, AO, a retreat leader and Spiritual Director from Omaha. “Developing a Discerning Heart According to St. Paul” is the theme of the retreat. All women of the diocese are invited to participate. Registration forms can be found on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Rae E. Whitney Hymn Celebration will be April 23-26 in Omaha. For times and places please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Jane Burns, Corey Hagen (Mar 22). Bruce Smith (23), Darius Hagen, Joan Wood (28).
Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Eugene & Carol Beran, Gary & Karen Gray (Mar 25).
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Announcements for the week of March 15, 2009
The Third 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 AND VISITORS
Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.
Holy Week is coming. Please plan now to attend one or more of the daily Holy Week services. Please check the board in the entry and the website for dates and times.
YOUTH
CHRISTIAN ED
Please remember we are offering a program for the children Sunday evenings. They eat with us and then from 6-7 we learn a song, do a craft and will start making instruments for our Palm Sunday Band. We also do a little bell practice. We are making a “joyful noise!” it all starts at 5:30 pm with soup.
Bell Choir; The bells are here. We want to do two pieces for Easter. I need eight children, preferably 3-6th grade who will be here on Easter Sunday and will be able to begin practicing now. We will take a little younger and a little older for Easter if we need to. We may be completely inter-generational at Easter. Any teens or adults who might want to learn let me know. After Easter we will try and form the choir from the 3rd to 6th grade age group for an end of year performance. I believe for Easter we will have an inter-generational Bell Choir. I am truly excited. Questions? Contact Kristi.
A Message From Charlie! Hi everyone. Parents this is for you. First please say hello to all the children for me. I love seeing them and playing with them on Sundays. I am getting in a little trouble for playing when I am not supposed to be. Miss Linda, Mr. Alan or Miss Kristi need to be asked if I can play. So parents and kids just remember to ask. If no one is there it’s probably not play time. The kids are doing so well, sharing and helping others, BUT, please don’t leave the children alone if you go to a meeting or if you are going to be away from the undercroft for more than a few minutes. Thank you, be good, God loves you and so do I!
COMMUNICATIONS
LENTEN PROGRAM Our 2009 Lenten Program is underway. We meet on Sunday evenings in the parish hall beginning with a soup supper at 5:30pm. Our focus this year is “Music in Worship” Each week we look at hymns used throughout the church year. This week we are looking at the hymns of Easter. Join us as we learn the story behind some of the hymns we sing and then help us make a joyful noise as we sing them to familiar and not so familiar melodies. It’s great fun!
Website: Our new website is up and running thanks to the hard work of Kim Culp. Our next task is to keep it current. We are putting a team together to help make this possible. Each team member would act as a contact for one or more of our ministry teams and update the site’s information to keep this current and relevant. If you have a working understanding of Microsoft Word and you would like to help, you should contact Kim Culp or Fr. Tom.
Dean Fricke Food Pantry: Do you have a few spare hours each month? If the answer is yes, then the Pantry could use your help. Traditionally, each parish has two members on the board who help coordinate parish support. With Diana’s departure last year we find ourselves down to a single representative. While Carrie Feingold is an outstanding CHS representative, we really need someone to help her keep our support flowing. If you would like to know how you can help the diocese of Nebraska make a difference in the greater Omaha area, please talk to Carrie during coffee hour. Don’t know who Carrie is? Ask around or grab Fr. Tom (that is if you can catch up to him on Sundays).
ER&D and MDGs: Many of you are already aware that the envelopes in the pew this Lent are to collect funds in support of Episcopal Relief & Development’s effort to impact the world through the Episcopal Church’s Millennium Development Goals; in particular to help reduce the spread of disease in underdeveloped nations. One of the most severe public health problems worldwide is Malaria. Every minute a child dies from Malaria and it is estimated to cost $12 billion/year in lost productivity. Malaria is the leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries and young children and pregnant women are most affected. The ERD has partnered with NetsforLife to provide nets and education where needed. Over one-million nets have been distributed over the past three years. When used correctly one net can save three people and reduce the spread of Malaria by 50%. Our donations will go towards helping the ERD to increase the availability of treated mosquito nets in areas where Malaria is prevalent. Please prayerfully consider helping us help those who cannot help themselves.
Good Friday Collections: Since 1922, the Episcopal Church has supported the Episcopal Church (TEC) in Jerusalem provide a Christian witness in the Holy Land through its support of the many Christian pilgrims that walk the Via Delarosa this time of year or who visit Jerusalem throughout the year by pooling the Good Friday offerings from across the Church. To support this ongoing tradition, we at CHS will send any non-designated donations collected on Good Friday to TEC’s Good Friday Offering. Please help us discern the difference between EOG contributions and Good Friday contributions by using the Maundy Thursday envelope for cash donations on Good Friday or by placing “GFO” in the memo line of you check.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will be playing at Bellevue West High School on March 26-28 at 7pm and also at 2pm on March 26.Ticket prices are: Adults $7.00, Students $3.00, Under 12 Free. See poster posted on the bulletin board in the undercroft for more information.
Lay Readers: It's that time again! This year we will need a lot of volunteers for the services planned for Holy Week. Please check the bulletin board and sign up for everything you can. Thanks. (Any ?'s? Ask Mary Ruth 291-7416)
Dinner in Abraham’s Tent: On March 27, the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative will host a community dinner at the Qwest Center. Speakers from the Jewish, Muslim and Episcopal faiths (including our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori) will address the development of the Omaha campus and ongoing efforts to increase our understanding of our shared heritage. Beginning March 1, registration for this event will be open to the general public. Therefore, if you are interested in attending, please go to the website trifaith.org and sign up by the end of February to ensure you have a seat at the table.
On April 17-19, 2009, Women’s Ministries of the Diocese of Nebraska is sponsoring a retreat to be held at Saint Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, NE. The retreat leader is Teresa Monaghen, AO, a retreat leader and Spiritual Director from Omaha. “Developing a Discerning Heart According to St. Paul” is the theme of the retreat. All women of the diocese are invited to participate. Registration forms can be found on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Rae E. Whitney Hymn Celebration will be April 23-26 in Omaha. For times and places please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Mary Ruth Sullivan (Mar 15), Valerie Williams (18).
Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Tom & Lois Clark. (Mar 17).
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 AND VISITORS
Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.
Holy Week is coming. Please plan now to attend one or more of the daily Holy Week services. Please check the board in the entry and the website for dates and times.
YOUTH
CHRISTIAN ED
Please remember we are offering a program for the children Sunday evenings. They eat with us and then from 6-7 we learn a song, do a craft and will start making instruments for our Palm Sunday Band. We also do a little bell practice. We are making a “joyful noise!” it all starts at 5:30 pm with soup.
Bell Choir; The bells are here. We want to do two pieces for Easter. I need eight children, preferably 3-6th grade who will be here on Easter Sunday and will be able to begin practicing now. We will take a little younger and a little older for Easter if we need to. We may be completely inter-generational at Easter. Any teens or adults who might want to learn let me know. After Easter we will try and form the choir from the 3rd to 6th grade age group for an end of year performance. I believe for Easter we will have an inter-generational Bell Choir. I am truly excited. Questions? Contact Kristi.
A Message From Charlie! Hi everyone. Parents this is for you. First please say hello to all the children for me. I love seeing them and playing with them on Sundays. I am getting in a little trouble for playing when I am not supposed to be. Miss Linda, Mr. Alan or Miss Kristi need to be asked if I can play. So parents and kids just remember to ask. If no one is there it’s probably not play time. The kids are doing so well, sharing and helping others, BUT, please don’t leave the children alone if you go to a meeting or if you are going to be away from the undercroft for more than a few minutes. Thank you, be good, God loves you and so do I!
COMMUNICATIONS
LENTEN PROGRAM Our 2009 Lenten Program is underway. We meet on Sunday evenings in the parish hall beginning with a soup supper at 5:30pm. Our focus this year is “Music in Worship” Each week we look at hymns used throughout the church year. This week we are looking at the hymns of Easter. Join us as we learn the story behind some of the hymns we sing and then help us make a joyful noise as we sing them to familiar and not so familiar melodies. It’s great fun!
Website: Our new website is up and running thanks to the hard work of Kim Culp. Our next task is to keep it current. We are putting a team together to help make this possible. Each team member would act as a contact for one or more of our ministry teams and update the site’s information to keep this current and relevant. If you have a working understanding of Microsoft Word and you would like to help, you should contact Kim Culp or Fr. Tom.
Dean Fricke Food Pantry: Do you have a few spare hours each month? If the answer is yes, then the Pantry could use your help. Traditionally, each parish has two members on the board who help coordinate parish support. With Diana’s departure last year we find ourselves down to a single representative. While Carrie Feingold is an outstanding CHS representative, we really need someone to help her keep our support flowing. If you would like to know how you can help the diocese of Nebraska make a difference in the greater Omaha area, please talk to Carrie during coffee hour. Don’t know who Carrie is? Ask around or grab Fr. Tom (that is if you can catch up to him on Sundays).
ER&D and MDGs: Many of you are already aware that the envelopes in the pew this Lent are to collect funds in support of Episcopal Relief & Development’s effort to impact the world through the Episcopal Church’s Millennium Development Goals; in particular to help reduce the spread of disease in underdeveloped nations. One of the most severe public health problems worldwide is Malaria. Every minute a child dies from Malaria and it is estimated to cost $12 billion/year in lost productivity. Malaria is the leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries and young children and pregnant women are most affected. The ERD has partnered with NetsforLife to provide nets and education where needed. Over one-million nets have been distributed over the past three years. When used correctly one net can save three people and reduce the spread of Malaria by 50%. Our donations will go towards helping the ERD to increase the availability of treated mosquito nets in areas where Malaria is prevalent. Please prayerfully consider helping us help those who cannot help themselves.
Good Friday Collections: Since 1922, the Episcopal Church has supported the Episcopal Church (TEC) in Jerusalem provide a Christian witness in the Holy Land through its support of the many Christian pilgrims that walk the Via Delarosa this time of year or who visit Jerusalem throughout the year by pooling the Good Friday offerings from across the Church. To support this ongoing tradition, we at CHS will send any non-designated donations collected on Good Friday to TEC’s Good Friday Offering. Please help us discern the difference between EOG contributions and Good Friday contributions by using the Maundy Thursday envelope for cash donations on Good Friday or by placing “GFO” in the memo line of you check.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT will be playing at Bellevue West High School on March 26-28 at 7pm and also at 2pm on March 26.Ticket prices are: Adults $7.00, Students $3.00, Under 12 Free. See poster posted on the bulletin board in the undercroft for more information.
Lay Readers: It's that time again! This year we will need a lot of volunteers for the services planned for Holy Week. Please check the bulletin board and sign up for everything you can. Thanks. (Any ?'s? Ask Mary Ruth 291-7416)
Dinner in Abraham’s Tent: On March 27, the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative will host a community dinner at the Qwest Center. Speakers from the Jewish, Muslim and Episcopal faiths (including our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori) will address the development of the Omaha campus and ongoing efforts to increase our understanding of our shared heritage. Beginning March 1, registration for this event will be open to the general public. Therefore, if you are interested in attending, please go to the website trifaith.org and sign up by the end of February to ensure you have a seat at the table.
On April 17-19, 2009, Women’s Ministries of the Diocese of Nebraska is sponsoring a retreat to be held at Saint Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, NE. The retreat leader is Teresa Monaghen, AO, a retreat leader and Spiritual Director from Omaha. “Developing a Discerning Heart According to St. Paul” is the theme of the retreat. All women of the diocese are invited to participate. Registration forms can be found on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Rae E. Whitney Hymn Celebration will be April 23-26 in Omaha. For times and places please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Mary Ruth Sullivan (Mar 15), Valerie Williams (18).
Our prayers of thanksgiving are also offered with those who are celebrating wedding anniversaries this week, especially: Tom & Lois Clark. (Mar 17).
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Announcements for the week of March 8, 2009
The 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 AND VISITORS Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.
Weather and Office Hours: With the change in weather, it is once again time to remind you that if the Bellevue Schools are closed, the church office will be closed. To see if weather or road conditions impact our weekend services please check our website and watch KETV’s scrolling closures for the latest updates.
YOUTH
CHRISTIAN ED
Please remember we are offering a program for the children Sunday evenings. They eat with us and then from 6-7 we learn a song, do a craft and will start making instruments for our Palm Sunday Band. We also do a little bell practice. We had 5 children Sunday evening and would love more. We are making a “joyful noise!” it all starts at 5:30 pm with soup.
Bell Choir; The bells are here. We used them last Sunday night. We want to do two pieces for Easter. I need eight children, preferably 3-6th grade who will be here on Easter Sunday and will be able to begin practicing now. We will take a little younger and a little older for Easter if we need to. We may be completely inter-generational at Easter. Any teens or adults who might want to learn let me know. After Easter we will try and form the choir from the 3rd to 6th grade age group for an end of year performance. I know of three families who will not be here at Easter, and that takes at least three of the age group we are targeting. I believe for Easter we will have an inter-generational Bell Choir. I am truly excited. Questions? Contact Kristi.
Journey’s has left the building! But, we will be back next winter. Thanks to all of Holy Spirit for your hospitality, your support and your donations. Special thanks to Marcia Adams, Stephanie Russell-Heller for keeping our stomachs full and happy! Beth Mincer for donations and for being our chief shopper. Linda Wyant for sharing the kitchen and giving us refrigerator and freezer space, and for cleaning up after us on occasion. I may be prejudiced, but you are the greatest group of loving caring people I have ever had the privilege to be associated with. From the staff and all our wonderful youth we thank you. See you next year. Kristi Smith, Journeys Administrator.
A Message From Charlie! Hi everyone. Parents this is for you. First please say hello to all the children for me. I love seeing them and playing with them on Sundays. I am getting in a little trouble for playing when I am not supposed to be. Miss Linda, Mr. Alan or Miss Kristi need to be asked if I can play. So parents and kids just remember to ask. If no one is there it’s probably not play time. The kids are doing so well, sharing and helping others, BUT, please don’t leave the children alone if you go to a meeting or if you are going to be away from the undercroft for more than a few minutes. Thank you, be good, God loves you and so do I!
COMMUNICATIONS
Flame Deadline: Don’t forget! Information for the Flame must be in by today, March 8.
Millennium Development Goals*
Eight steps toward healing a hurting world.
In 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established to reduce, by the year 2015, the number of people who live in extreme poverty. Developed by the international community including leaders from 191 countries, the eight goals were endorsed by development institutions and religious bodies, and have galvanized unprecedented energy and effort. Each goal works toward alleviating poverty and disease by establishing targets that will directly improve people’s lives. Help isn’t on the way. It’s already there. Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than 2 million people in over 40 countries last year. Rather than impose “one size fits all” solutions, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local, long term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response where the need is greatest. Our partnership with the worldwide Church creates opportunities to serve communities in some of the most remote areas of the world, as well as in urban environments where extreme poverty persists. In many of these places, the Church is often one of the few institutions people trust and turn to for help. “Go with the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they have. Build on what they know. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.’” Lau Tsu, Chinese Philosopher, 700 B.C.
* from the Episcopal Relief and Development website
Daughters of the King: Thanks for a great meeting last week. Remember to mark your calendar for every first Sunday. We'll meet after the l0:30 service in the meeting room. The minutes are in our mailbox in the hall for you to read if you were absent. Everyone should pick up a prayer list, too. Sorry it's late this time.
Lay Readers: It's that time again! This year we will need a lot of volunteers for the services planned for Holy Week. Please check the bulletin board and sign up for everything you can. Thanks. (Any ?'s? Ask Mary Ruth 291-7416)
A big thank you to those who generously donated food to fill our shopping cart last week. March donations not only help the hungry; they also help the Bellevue Food Pantry receive money from a grant which is distributed on the basis of food items donated. Is anyone interested in regularly taking the food items to the pantry? It’s very conveniently located in the parking lot of Immanuel Lutheran Church (near Stella’s). See Jan Sinram if you’re interested.
Do you need another Lenten devotion? If so, this is a good time to join us in Wednesday morning Bible class. We are just beginning to talk about how Christians read the psalms and will soon begin reading those psalms themselves. We welcome anyone who wants to join in gaining better knowledge of these beautiful poems. We meet after the Eucharist on Wednesday. Why not join in that celebration, too? Eucharist is at 9:30, class about 10:15.
Dinner in Abraham’s Tent: On March 27, the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative will host a community dinner at the Qwest Center. Speakers from the Jewish, Muslim and Episcopal faiths (including our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori) will address the development of the Omaha campus and ongoing efforts to increase our understanding of our shared heritage. Beginning March 1, registration for this event will be open to the general public. Therefore, if you are interested in attending, please go to the website trifaith.org and sign up by the end of February to ensure you have a seat at the table.
Rae E. Whitney Hymn Celebration will be April 23-26 in Omaha. For times and places please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Lenten Program
Our 2009 Lenten Program will meet on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm with a shared soup supper. Starting at 6:00pm. Each week our focus will be slightly different; March 8th we will look at hymns of Lent, March 15th we will look at hymns of Easter, March 22nd we will look at hymns of the church and faith, and March 29th we will look at hymns of Christian responsibility and mission. The evening’s activities should wrap up around 7:00 pm.
February 22, we launched the 2nd phase of the Sower’s Fund Project. Along with the display board in the undercroft, between services Sue Cox brought many of her hand-made unique, creative bags as inspiration for the “It’s In The Bag” project. A program or charity in the U.S. will be chosen as this year’s recipient of the Sower’s Fund and announced at Annual Council in November. Workshop dates to be announced soon. For more information contact Jane Stangl. 596-9477, tryjs@cox.net or Karen Gray at 339-5168, dynamoquail@msn.com.
Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Shane Inks, Joshua Wallace (Mar 8), Judy Darrell (9), Sue Howard (14).
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 AND VISITORS Please feel free to join us at the communion rail when it is time to receive Holy Communion. Our ushers and any member will be happy to assist if you have any questions during our worship. Jesus loves you! We are glad you are here.
Weather and Office Hours: With the change in weather, it is once again time to remind you that if the Bellevue Schools are closed, the church office will be closed. To see if weather or road conditions impact our weekend services please check our website and watch KETV’s scrolling closures for the latest updates.
YOUTH
CHRISTIAN ED
Please remember we are offering a program for the children Sunday evenings. They eat with us and then from 6-7 we learn a song, do a craft and will start making instruments for our Palm Sunday Band. We also do a little bell practice. We had 5 children Sunday evening and would love more. We are making a “joyful noise!” it all starts at 5:30 pm with soup.
Bell Choir; The bells are here. We used them last Sunday night. We want to do two pieces for Easter. I need eight children, preferably 3-6th grade who will be here on Easter Sunday and will be able to begin practicing now. We will take a little younger and a little older for Easter if we need to. We may be completely inter-generational at Easter. Any teens or adults who might want to learn let me know. After Easter we will try and form the choir from the 3rd to 6th grade age group for an end of year performance. I know of three families who will not be here at Easter, and that takes at least three of the age group we are targeting. I believe for Easter we will have an inter-generational Bell Choir. I am truly excited. Questions? Contact Kristi.
Journey’s has left the building! But, we will be back next winter. Thanks to all of Holy Spirit for your hospitality, your support and your donations. Special thanks to Marcia Adams, Stephanie Russell-Heller for keeping our stomachs full and happy! Beth Mincer for donations and for being our chief shopper. Linda Wyant for sharing the kitchen and giving us refrigerator and freezer space, and for cleaning up after us on occasion. I may be prejudiced, but you are the greatest group of loving caring people I have ever had the privilege to be associated with. From the staff and all our wonderful youth we thank you. See you next year. Kristi Smith, Journeys Administrator.
A Message From Charlie! Hi everyone. Parents this is for you. First please say hello to all the children for me. I love seeing them and playing with them on Sundays. I am getting in a little trouble for playing when I am not supposed to be. Miss Linda, Mr. Alan or Miss Kristi need to be asked if I can play. So parents and kids just remember to ask. If no one is there it’s probably not play time. The kids are doing so well, sharing and helping others, BUT, please don’t leave the children alone if you go to a meeting or if you are going to be away from the undercroft for more than a few minutes. Thank you, be good, God loves you and so do I!
COMMUNICATIONS
Flame Deadline: Don’t forget! Information for the Flame must be in by today, March 8.
Millennium Development Goals*
Eight steps toward healing a hurting world.
In 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established to reduce, by the year 2015, the number of people who live in extreme poverty. Developed by the international community including leaders from 191 countries, the eight goals were endorsed by development institutions and religious bodies, and have galvanized unprecedented energy and effort. Each goal works toward alleviating poverty and disease by establishing targets that will directly improve people’s lives. Help isn’t on the way. It’s already there. Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than 2 million people in over 40 countries last year. Rather than impose “one size fits all” solutions, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local, long term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response where the need is greatest. Our partnership with the worldwide Church creates opportunities to serve communities in some of the most remote areas of the world, as well as in urban environments where extreme poverty persists. In many of these places, the Church is often one of the few institutions people trust and turn to for help. “Go with the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they have. Build on what they know. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.’” Lau Tsu, Chinese Philosopher, 700 B.C.
* from the Episcopal Relief and Development website
Daughters of the King: Thanks for a great meeting last week. Remember to mark your calendar for every first Sunday. We'll meet after the l0:30 service in the meeting room. The minutes are in our mailbox in the hall for you to read if you were absent. Everyone should pick up a prayer list, too. Sorry it's late this time.
Lay Readers: It's that time again! This year we will need a lot of volunteers for the services planned for Holy Week. Please check the bulletin board and sign up for everything you can. Thanks. (Any ?'s? Ask Mary Ruth 291-7416)
A big thank you to those who generously donated food to fill our shopping cart last week. March donations not only help the hungry; they also help the Bellevue Food Pantry receive money from a grant which is distributed on the basis of food items donated. Is anyone interested in regularly taking the food items to the pantry? It’s very conveniently located in the parking lot of Immanuel Lutheran Church (near Stella’s). See Jan Sinram if you’re interested.
Do you need another Lenten devotion? If so, this is a good time to join us in Wednesday morning Bible class. We are just beginning to talk about how Christians read the psalms and will soon begin reading those psalms themselves. We welcome anyone who wants to join in gaining better knowledge of these beautiful poems. We meet after the Eucharist on Wednesday. Why not join in that celebration, too? Eucharist is at 9:30, class about 10:15.
Dinner in Abraham’s Tent: On March 27, the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative will host a community dinner at the Qwest Center. Speakers from the Jewish, Muslim and Episcopal faiths (including our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori) will address the development of the Omaha campus and ongoing efforts to increase our understanding of our shared heritage. Beginning March 1, registration for this event will be open to the general public. Therefore, if you are interested in attending, please go to the website trifaith.org and sign up by the end of February to ensure you have a seat at the table.
Rae E. Whitney Hymn Celebration will be April 23-26 in Omaha. For times and places please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Lenten Program
Our 2009 Lenten Program will meet on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm with a shared soup supper. Starting at 6:00pm. Each week our focus will be slightly different; March 8th we will look at hymns of Lent, March 15th we will look at hymns of Easter, March 22nd we will look at hymns of the church and faith, and March 29th we will look at hymns of Christian responsibility and mission. The evening’s activities should wrap up around 7:00 pm.
February 22, we launched the 2nd phase of the Sower’s Fund Project. Along with the display board in the undercroft, between services Sue Cox brought many of her hand-made unique, creative bags as inspiration for the “It’s In The Bag” project. A program or charity in the U.S. will be chosen as this year’s recipient of the Sower’s Fund and announced at Annual Council in November. Workshop dates to be announced soon. For more information contact Jane Stangl. 596-9477, tryjs@cox.net or Karen Gray at 339-5168, dynamoquail@msn.com.
Our prayers of thanksgiving are offered with those who are celebrating birthdays this week, especially: Shane Inks, Joshua Wallace (Mar 8), Judy Darrell (9), Sue Howard (14).
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