Holding On, Letting Go

March 7, 2010

 Focus:  When we drink from the water God is for us, we find we can leave behind all that does not satisfy.

 GATHERING

      Prelude:                                                                                     

            Call to Worship                                    --Phil Duerksen, Worship Leader

                        Leader:  Like parched ground waits for rain,

                        People:  we long for God, body and soul.

                        Leader:  When we see God’s power and glory

                        People:  we can’t help but lift our hands in praise.

                        Leader:  God is the one we seek,

                        People:  the one we’ll hold on to.

 HOLDING ON

      Affirmation of Faith:  HWB (blue) #715 

      Music:  STJ (green) #45 “In the morning when I rise”          --Viv Jaberg, Song Leader  

      Prayer

      Music:  STJ (green) #46 “O breathe on me, O breath of God”

      Young Disciples

 HEARING GOD’S WORD

      Scripture reading:  Isaiah 55 [HWB (blue) #704]     

      Message:  “Take your pick:  famine or feast”--Norma Duerksen 

 LETTING GO

Confession: Source of everything good, we have worshipped other

gods, and hungered and thirsted for things that do not satisfy.

(silence)   Do not test us beyond our strength, but restore us in

Jesus’ name.  Amen.

            Assurance:  Drama

      Music:  HWB (blue) #495  “O let all who thirst”

      Announcements

      Sharing Joys & Concerns

      Prayers for each other                                          

      Offering                                        

 SENDING

      Music:  STS (purple) #63  “God, fill me now”

      Blessing

               Leader:  Leaving behind what does not satisfy,

               People:  and letting go of our pride, greed and

                              selfishness,

               Leader:  let us look to God

               People:  and share what we’ve received..

              

* * *

GREETERS FOR MARCH:                    Stan & Judy King

WORSHIP PLANNER FOR MARCH:    Julia Beyeler & Phil Duerksen

BACM ITEMS FOR MARCH:                  canned soup

TODAY

• Choir practice will held on Sundays at 11:30 following worship in the sanctuary.  If you would enjoy singing in a group, come explore music together starting today and going through till Easter, April 4.
• After lunch we will be bowling just down the street at Magic City Lanes.  Stay for fun and fellowship.

  THIS WEEK

Monday--March 8—6:30 pm  Church Council meets

Friday & Saturday--March 12-13:  Ohio Conference AnnualAssembly @ Archbold, OH

 Friday—March 12-- Central Christian School 's spring fish fry will be from 4:30 to 7:30. Tickets may be purchased at the school
in advance or the night of the fish fry. Ticket prices are $7.00 for adults, $4.50 for children 6-12 and children 5 and under eat free!

"The Whisper is God" will be presented at Central Christian School on Friday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. It will be an evening of the arts held in lieu of the spring musical. The offering from the evening will be sent to Haitian Community Hospital in Port-Au-Prince and Christianville Mission in Gressier where portions of the school, housing and medical clinics as well as the entire college will have to be rebuilt. Please come and enjoy many wonderful performances by the students as an outpouring of love to those in need.

UPCOMING DATES

• March 26—Hosting Interfaith Hospitality Network families
• April 1:  7pm—Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Services to image and experience the growing darkness of Jesus’ last days which led to his being abandoned by his friends.  Footwashing & communion will be received. 
• April 2:  7 pm—Community Good Friday Services @ Lakeview United Methodist Church (211 3^rd St NW).  This service is planned by the Barberton and Norton Ministerial Association.  There will be a community choir practice at 6 pm.
• April 4:  9am—Easter Breakfast will be served.  Bring fruit, muffins, or sweet rolls.  There will be no Sunday school.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kevin & Tonya Jaberg became parents again with the arrival of Ashley Mae, born February 22, and joined their family on February 24.   This was a surprise for Kevin & Tonya, since they were notified on the 23rd. Kiara is helping with the "baby".

 The Interfaith Hospitality Network Walk last Sunday brought in $350 from our church for our 3 walkers and $6,000 over all.

 Barberton Hospice is in need of volunteers.  Call 330-861-0400 Attention:  Wendy.

 BACM provides bags of love to their clients.  Decorate a brown paper bag with hearts and love messages to the clients.  Fill each bag with some or all of the following items: Toilet paper, bar soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, facial tissues, laundry soap, shampoo, dish soap, cleaner (ex:  Fantastic, 409, Comet, Ajax, etc.)

Ho me Helpers of Barberton are looking for caregivers for seniors, new moms, or families of those recovering from recent illness or injury, and those just needing assistance with everyday living activities.  If you are interested in a minimum-wage job that provides fulfillment through service, see Norma for brochure and calling card with numbers to call for an interview.

Beyond Borders:  The Role of Immigration in a Global Community is being held March 19-21 at Bluffton University.  Keynote Speakers are Daniel Rodas (Author of Christians at the Border:  Immigration, the Church, and the Bible) and Baldemar Velasquez (President, Farm Labor Organizing Committee.  For registration information, please visit:  http://www.bluffton.edu/beyondborders/ The conference seeks discuss the dynamics of immigration in US society today, the church’s response and our call as individuals to respond compassionately to newcomers in our midst.

  Camp Luz Men’s Retreat! March 19-21, 2010. Speaker: Andy Stoner, “The Samson Syndrome: Looking at Male Sexuality, Spirituality and Relationships.” Cost: $85 per person. See brochure on the bulletin board, in your mailbox, or visit www.campluz.com for a printable form.

  MCC Great Lakes is extremely grateful to each of you who have contributed to MCC in the past few months. Thanks to your generous support, nearly $11 million has been raised for immediate and long-term relief and development efforts following the earthquake in Haiti.

Central Christian's Kindergarten Discovery Day is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 24 from 8:00 until 10:30. in Kidron, OH .  If you have or know of a 4-year or 5-year old child that would enjoy seeing what a morning is like in Mrs. Bilderback's kindergarten class, call Doris Risser at (330) 857.7311 to register.

  Last Week

      February 28

                        Attendance                                                      26

                        Offering                                                                       $1,795

        February 21, 2010

               General Offering:     $590

               Love Offering                                   $125

PRAYERS

Mona - Her boss, shattered his right shoulder; surgery on Tuesday.

Bobbie - grandson, James, broke his back during a ski jump accident.  Will miss a lot of his senior year.

 Phil - safety for Norma in traveling from Baltimore

                        - clear thinking during musical today

Mary - thankful for nice visit with sister, Ada , and her doing well

            with treatments

 Dan - safety for Thelma, Tim and others on their way to Honduras