E-Vangel. GETTING READY FOR EASTER... by Pastor Larry

Transcription

1 Volume XXII Issue 3 E-Vangel GETTING READY FOR EASTER... by Pastor Larry Do you remember all the preparations you made to celebrate Christmas? If you are like most of us you spent weeks getting the house decorated, the gifts located and purchased (some of us save all year long for this purpose), inviting guests, creating menus, getting the groceries in, cooking, etc., etc., etc. So are you preparing to celebrate Easter? Yes, there is a whole secular/cultural thing going on at Christmas that isn t happening for Easter. Yes, some to the traditions of Christmas (like gift giving) require preparation that Easter doesn t. But, come on now. Even given the many differences between the two holidays don t you still think getting ready for Easter ought to involve a bit more than buying a new dress or shirt and tie or dyeing some eggs? Many Christians around the world observe a season of spiritual preparation for Easter during the 46 days preceding it with Lent. This often includes special worship services e.g., Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and fasting and prayer throughout the period. Though we at DRC do not officially observe Lent, we have opened a number of paths to help people prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. During Lent I am providing a daily devotional thought on my Fan Page (Pastor Larry Chapman) to offer guidance to those who want to make a special spiritual emphasis of preparation. The week prior to Easter we will have Sunrise Prayer services at 6:30, Monday Friday. On Maundy Thursday there is an evening celebration of Communion called a Tenebrae Service at 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday we have two morning services of worship: 7:00 a.m., followed by a breakfast served by our Youth Ministry and 10:00 a.m. It s not too late to begin today getting ready for Easter, This could be the richest and most meaningful Easter you ve ever known.

2 It s time to RACE AWANA GRAND PRIX Wednesday, March 24 th 6:30-8:15 We will start to paint & design cars on March 3 rd! Are you ready to race? Bring your friends, and let s race. We have trophies for the top 3 cars. We will have a contest on the best designed cars. We will have a contest on the best designed T-shirts. You will get to spend your Mites on popcorn, snow cones, pop, and cookies. Parents please stay and have fun with your kids. Cubbies need to be with a parent. Come ready to race and have some fun! Please, check the Awana Board for a way you can help.

3 We are praying that all of our sisters and friends at DRC will be able to participate in all or some of the activities during DRC women s weekend. Friday night, March 19 th Mother Daughter Event - God s Warrior Princesses Time: 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room Theme: God s Warrior Princesses We d love for you to come dressed as a Warrior princess of God! Here s your chance to get out those evening dresses or princess pajamas! What to Bring: An appetizer or dessert to share! Activities: Special music by Travis Velder, Worship by our Women worship team, Inspirational talk by Betty Chapman, An open microphone time for personal tributes to mothers, daughters, sisters, etc. Princess crafts, fellowship, food, and a movie: One Night with the King Saturday morning, March 20 th Service work day Time: 9:00 a.m. Brunch - Please sign up at the women s ministry table to bring something. 10:00-12:00 Women and girls can nurture the House of our Lord at Duncan Road with some light painting, cleaning/organizing of kitchens and educational supply areas. So mark this weekend in a bright and happy color on your March Calendar. It will be Women s Weekend at DRC. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:4 ****************************** Tenebrae Service Thursday, April 2, :00 p.m.

4 Location for Student Life Camp: Lee University, Chattanooga, Tennessee Youth Camp June 30 through July 6, 2010 High School: Total Cost: $400* Middle School: Total Cost: $350* **Scholarship and fundraising are available** Fundraising: Friday Nite Open Gym: March 12th ($10 a person) Pancake Breakfast: April 4th ($5 a person/$20 a family) Senior Breakfast/ Bake Sale: Sunday, May 2nd (Breakfast 8:00 am) Bake Sale: Wednesday, May 5 th Sonic cards $5/Hyvee cards $5 ongoing until camp $ is due Student Life Mission/Camp: June 30-July 6 th, 2010 (HS-$400/MS-$350)

5 Wednesday's 6:45-8:15 p.m. All youth are encouraged to attend as we build community and reach others with the Gospel of Christ's love and forgiveness. Come join us as we follow the path God has for us! You are all important and it takes all of you, working together as the Body of Christ to make this grow. Make this a regular part of your week and be ready for what God will do! Basketball, Volleyball & Wii Tournaments Open Gym Night Friday, March 12 7:00-10:00 p.m. $10 per person (applies to Youth Mission/Camp fees) Questions? Contact Travis Velder 0

6 From Our Elders... Thank you all for your patience and cooperation during these days of waiting for repairs to the ice dam damages. Roofers have completed repairs and addition of more ice shield material. Recent rains and snow have not resulted in further leakage we are glad to note. The process of finalizing the damage claims and getting interior construction work underway is our priority now. Please pray that the Lord will help us reach a positive agreement with our insurance company. Thank you. New panels with the name, Duncan Road Church, are ready for the sign in front of the church. We hope to see them installed as quickly as weather permits. If you would like to assist with the installation please call David Schroeder or Kirk Urick. Please continue to pray for the Lord s direction and provision for the financial needs of our church family. Many of us are struggling personally in these difficult days and the church is also pressed. We know God will provide. Thank you for your faithful support. We are praying for you, church family. Please keep us in your prayers as well. ************************ ****** COFFEE HOUSE Please come to the Youth Room and enjoy your choice of drink (hot or cold) and a snack! Sunday morning 8:25 a.m. - 8:45 p.m. Wednesday evening 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

7 CHARLIE CHURCHMOUSE from a corner Okay, so since no one has spoken up in response to last month s extremely creative and mirthful commentary regarding the camera missing from the church office I am left to conclude that those who know its whereabouts are not reading this column. Have you any idea how much that hurts me? To think that there are so many in our midst who cannot read! I, Charlie Churchmouse, am now officially launching the DRCPLC, Duncan Road Church Pro-Literacy Campaign (not Duncan Road Church Pastor Larry Chapman). The first stage of the campaign will be to discover through a survey just how many of our number cannot read. All of you who cannot read are asked to go to the drc.com and using the link DRCPLC please complete the questionnaire and click submit. Results from the survey will be tabulated and used to help formulate a comprehensive learning to read Charlie Churchmouse core program. Of course, those who are able to read this need not take the survey. Something tells me I will get the same response to my DRCPLC survey that the pastor got to his questions in his article last month about the effect the Bible reading and prayer emphasis in your homes. Better be makin tracks, cc ****************************** THE STAFF: Larry Chapman, Senior Pastor Travis Velder, Minister of Music & Worship INFORMATION: Duncan Road Church 430 NE Duncan Road Blue Springs, MO Fax: drcoffice@duncanroadchurch.org