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Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,the man who gains understanding. (Proverbs 3: 13) Among the many blessings of a relationship with Christ is the constant desire to learn more about our Savior. As Christians, we are compelled to explore the very essence of His words. This church especially can never learn or explore God’s word enough. Such is the case with the ongoing Lenten Bible Study Series. The series that looks at related scriptures of Lent through the fresh eye of poetry continues this week when each group meets at its respective host home on Thursday, March 18. Eight church families have volunteered their dwellings to use for these spiritually nourishing studies, getting together each Thursday through March 25. Most of the groups will meet in the early evening while one family holds its meeting in the afternoons for those who wish to attend an earlier session. The study series concludes on Wednesday, March 31, when all the groups come together for a First Wednesday-style meal in the Fellowship Hall. Cliff and Carolyn Collins have volunteered to prepare soup for the main Lenten supper. Remember, it’s never too late to join. Other important church events to ponder this month: If you haven’t done so already, make plans to attend the “Last Supper” reenactment set for Maundy Thursday (April 8) at 7 p.m. in our sanctuary. You should soon see the advertising campaign start to gather steam as the production nears its scheduled date. Tickets are free. However, because seating is limited, you must have a ticket to attend the reenactment. This Sunday (March 21), the monthly Taizé Service will be held in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6 p.m. If you’re interested in attending a unique service that blends scripture and music with quiet meditation, here is your opportunity. Communion will be served. The weekend of March 26-27 will mark an important step in the spiritual lives of our Confirmands class. The young participants are scheduled to attend a retreat at Camp Thicket in Weslaco that Friday and Saturday to work on their statements of faith, prepare their individual banners and share in fellowship with each other. Later this month, on Sunday, March 28, don’t miss out on the fun, fun, fun during our “Fun in the Son” Church Family Picnic. Highlighted by lots of games and singing and, of course, gobs of food, the annual picnic will once again be served up at the Cook Ranch 480. Fried chicken, drinks and paper goods will be provided by the church while each family will be asked to bring a salad, vegetable or dessert. We truly are a blessed family. The Worship/Evangelism Committee (posted March 22, 2004)
During March, the Women's Bible Study group will not meet, but will focus on the Lenten Clusters studying Praying the Gospels Through Poetry - Rosenthal Our next meeting will be April 1, Thursday at 6:00 PM at Gracie Caballero's house: 500 Wichita #21. We will be discussing Chapter 5 - Power of Touch from Do What You Have The Power To Do - by Helen Pearson. (posted March 22, 2004)
Once again the Sr. High Youth will be preparing breakfast under the direction of the competent and charming trio of chefs; Doug Schneider, David Rowland, and Michael Pullen. The meal will be served between the two morning Worship services so, stay after the sunrise service or come before the 10:30 service to enjoy some great food and support our Youth. Cost will be $5 for an individual plate and $10 for a family. Hope to see you there! (posted March 22, 2004)
Get Your Baskets Ready!!! Our annual egg hunt will be Sunday, April 4, 5:00 PM at the Bentsen home, 512 E. Houston. All kids nursery age- 5th grade are invited to participate. (posted March 22, 2004)
Congratulations to grandparents Jan and Carl Seale on the arrival of a new grandson born to parents Avrel & Kirstin Seale. Cameron Gregory Seale was born March 12th weighing 9 lbs. 14 oz. and 22 inches long. (posted March 22, 2004)
I know a bit about stubbornness. My older sister says that when I was 3 I would lay down in the street and scream until my jugular vein was popping out. Stubbornness isn’t an entirely bad quality. For example, one should stand up for the values they hold true and not be swayed by every passing trend. Mostly though when someone is described as stubborn it’s not meant as a compliment. In sign language the motion for stubborn is an open hand with the thumb on the temple. The hand then quickly closes into a fist illustrating the closed mindedness of a stubborn individual. Well, you know that it’s said that the grief you give your parents comes back to you. I’m here to tell you that the stubborn gene was definitely passed on to Lauren. I learned, though, in a parenting class that “that which doesn’t kill you (or drive you crazy) will make you stronger.” I’m holding onto that hope. I do believe though that strong willed children have some advantages. It’s unlikely that Lauren will be taken advantage of and she won’t have to worry about ulcers from holding in her feelings. In Psalms 32:9 it says, “Do not be like a horse or mule with out understanding.” The psalmist knows that the mule will go his own way oblivious to his stubbornness, and so it is with humans. My prayer for myself and my daughter is that God use our obstinacy for the kingdom… I know how it sounds but he’s a miracle worker! by Rebeccca Villarreal, DCE (posted March 22, 2004)
One of the best parts of being at Lynn Flowers Preschool is watching the children to see how they react to certain situations. Now I need to brag a little about our sweet kids here. In February we always have a Trike-a-thon for St. Judes Children's Hospital. It is to raise money, of course, but we mostly do it to help our little ones see not only the health they have to be thankful for but also how they can help others. We talk about the hospital, the sick children, and how we can have fun while helping kids know that we care. The real joy comes on the day when they ride the trikes knowing they are doing it for someone else. We had kids that rode around our playground as many as 50 times. One little girl would not quit because "she had to help the sick kids". Their faces light up when they tell you that they rode to help the children in the hospital. Not only do they ride hard, but this year St. Judes is getting over $4,000. So they truly do help those sick kids. We can never start too early in life teaching our children the idea of working together to help each other. And the greatest part is seeing how good it makes you feel and how fun it can really be. Love,Miss Pat (posted March 22, 2004)
Our annual Easter egg hunt is being planned and we would appreciate your donations. We will need regular size plastic eggs filled with wrapped candy. You can bring in 1-3 dozen eggs. Thanks so much for your efforts in making this a great time for our kiddos! (posted March 8, 2004)
The first Sunday offering for March was for Puentes de Cristo, “Bridges of Christ”,a border ministry in Reynosa. Puentes is one of our local ministries, with director Gilberto Medina, his wife, Maria and daughters Yuri and Nani being active members in our church. Puentes reaches the poorest of the poor on the Mexican side of the border through its medical, nutritional, educational and church programs. Maria, the nurse and health educator for this program has listed four items that are much needed for this ministry.Please bring in these items and place them in the box in the narthex each Sunday in March. If you do not know about the work at Puentes, ask any of the Medinas and they will be eager to share their stories. Mr. Medina is also willing to take you on a tour of this ministry, so give him a call or talk to him after church. The phone # at Puentes is: 843-7277. Every year, church groups from all over the U.S. come to stay at Puentes and immerse themselves in the work here, learning first-hand how the people survive in such poverty. But they come away not with stories of survival, but of glory and abundance and trust in a God who cares for the “least of these.” NEEDED ITEMS: Summer baby clothes (infant to age 1 or 2) Infant or children’s Tylenol or Advil Prenatal Vitamins Disposable Diapers -the Witness Committee (posted March 8, 2004)
Listen! The sounds of music will be in the air this week when our very own Lynn Flowers Adult Handbell Choir, directed by Cynthia Douglas, will be among the groups performing at “A Concert of Bell Choirs” this Sunday, March 7, at Calvary Baptist Church. The program is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. The church is situated at Harvey and 16th Street in McAllen, about a block east of Bicentennial. Also this week, the Lenten Bible Study Series begins on Thursday, March 4. Eight church families have graciously volunteered their homes to use for these spiritually-invigorating studies, getting together every Thursday (March 11 optional) for four weeks through March 25. Most of the groups will meet at 7 or 7:30 p.m. while one family will hold their meeting in the afternoons starting at 3 p.m. for those who wish to attend an earlier session. The study series concludes by bringing all the groups together for a First Wednesday-style meal in the Fellowship Hall on the last day of the month (March 31). The “Last Supper” reenactment set for Maundy Thursday (April 8) at 7 p.m. inside our sanctuary is up and running. But there is a lot more to be done in just the short time left. If you wish to help contribute to this production, talk to director Dave Tucker, or contact the church office. Other church activities planned through the first half of March include:
(posted March 8, 2004)
As a child I occasionally attended Catholic mass with my mother. The service there was very different from the Protestant church we attended as a family. The women wore scarves or other head coverings. As people entered the sanctuary they made the sign of the cross and knelt briefly before moving into the pew where they immediately knelt again to pray. I was struck by the reverence of their actions, yet it seemed sad to me somehow. No one was talking. No one giggled. People weren’t turned in their pews visiting with their neighbors. These people were taking time to pray, to ponder, all while facing the cross. They took the message of the cross seriously. Worship was a time of quiet reflection. In this Lenten season, recollections of that style of worship lead me to explore Lent’s meaning for me and my family. It’s a time of introspection, a time to prepare spiritually, but prepare in what way? The season of Lent offers a variety of emotions to believers. Some study materials focus on the dark and sad period leading up to Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Others speak to the life and teachings of Jesus while others still skip Holy Week and get to the Good News of the Resurrection. What will you focus on this Lenten season? Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the message God wants you to hear, and thanks be to God for that message. by Rebecca Villarreal, DCE (posted March 8, 2004)
The six series selections have wrapped up with a bang! February 19 was the final event titled “Great Things about Getting Older.” It was well attended and received rave reviews. Many thanks go to Jan Seale for organizing the Savvy Sage Series and leading a number of the sessions. The March event scheduled for the 18th has been cancelled. Books on the topic of communicating with your adult children are available in our church library. Below is a synopsis of each book.
(posted March 8, 2004)
Writing these articles is probably one of the best things I could do for my own spiritual growth. You know how the things that are hardest for us to do are sometimes the best things for us to do. Writing these articles causes me to be still, sit down, THINK, and listen. Again today, I sit here, thinking and listening. Again today I hear the precious sounds of preschoolers. Today the sounds that stand out the most are not only the happy, cheerful voices, but also how well mannered the children are. The "please may I share that", the "I can help you with that", the "could you do that please" and the "I would like to play with you please". WOW! Some days I tend to wonder if what we do here at Lynn Flowers really is making a difference (I guess we all wonder that sometimes). On days like today, hearing the sounds of children's sweet manners, I know we do make a difference. What a blessing it is in today's world to hear children speak so kindly to each other. Maybe we as adults could take a lesson or two from them. Love,Miss Pat (posted March 8, 2004)
Help Wanted: Offerings Down The 2004 Budget is based upon an average weekly offering target of $7,677. Through the 4 Sundays of January and 4 of the 5 Sundays of February, the average collection has been $6,524. The weekly difference ($1153) represents a shortfall of $9,224 for the first 8 weeks of 2004. The February 22 offering ($1813) is the lowest total received in many years. The lowest weekly offering last year was $3,066 during August of 2003. These figures suggest that each of us should review and update our pledge obligations. Roof Pledges to Work for A/C In 2002 a good portion of the membership pledged a total of $108,885 for the new roof. People were given the option of paying out their pledges over a four-year period through 2005. To date $77,602 has been received with $31,283 outstanding. The roof was replaced for $100,000 and updating air conditioning is now the major infrastructure need for our facility. An engineer has advised the session that 3 of the 4 air handler units are in need of replacement in the near future. Action on bids and the scheduling of the work have not been finalized; however, indications are that total costs will run at least $50,000 and possibly more. Completing our roof pledges is a very important element in financing the A/C work. The session will consider using reserve funds from a CD valued at $54,000 and $15,000 held in reserve in the capital account to pay for the necessary A/C upgrade. Best case scenario will see the “rainy day” funds of the church reduced to approximately $25,000 - $30,000. The replenishing of our infrastructure funds by honoring the remaining roof pledges ($31,283) is vital to good fiscal health. Maintaining and refurbishing an aging building will continue to be a priority in the future. Let us continue to thank God for His many blessings and pray for His guidance as we go about His work. -John Graham for the Finance Committee (posted March 8, 2004)
Worship Sundays in Lent March 7: Word & Sacrament Holy Communion March 14 March 21 March 21: 6:00 PM Taize Service in fellowship hall March 28 April 4, Palm Sunday: Worship with Adult & Youth Choirs March 31 Lenten Dinner: 6:00 PM in the fellowship hall Holy Week April 5-9 April 8: 7:00 PM- Maundy Thursday Drama & Sacrament of Holy Communion (by intinction) April 9, Good Friday: 12 noon in the sanctuary, Readings & Music. Easter Sunday April 11: Easter Sunrise Service approximately 7:15 AM Fellowship Breakfast after service at approximately 8:00 AM Worship at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary with choirs & brass (posted March 8, 2004)
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