Lent 5

3/18/2021

The natural world (under all that snow)

We missed worshipping live and in person with you last weekend, but we hope you enjoyed all the white stuff. Our sidewalks are cleared (thank you, John Lee) and our volunteers and staff are ready to welcome you back this Sunday, March 21st. We will begin the prelude music and announcement slides at 10:15AM, and worship starts at 10:30AM. It's the 5th and next-to-last Sunday in the Lenten season, so we will focus on healing our natural world. We'll be singing Morning Has Broken, and How Great Thou Art. Remember to bring a gift for the Sheffield-Fagan family (baby #2, a son, is due in April) and some $$ for our North Macedonian missionary, Jennifer Moore.

March 21, 2021 Sunday Worship (in-person and live-streamed)
Restoring our Environment, Matthew 8:18-27 (The Message Bible)
Click on the white arrow above to join.

Let's use technology to get/stay connected!

Join Bruce Hyink in the Zoom gallery for Sunday School at 9:00AM (currently reading Adam Hamilton's book on Simon Peter)
Login after worship Sundays at 11:30AM for virtual Fellowship (we hope to resume in-person fellowship around Easter)
Try Vera Chipman's ladies Bible study Tuesdays at 12:30PM on Zoom (currently reading 2 Kings)
Visit Pat Ferrell's Bible Study Thursdays at 5:30PM in-person in our Fellowship Hall with Covid precautions (studying Simon Peter)
Paula Allard offers a seasonal online/Zoom study of Simon Peter on Thursdays at 5:30PM (for those not quite ready to meet in person)
Or stop by any of our committee or team meetings. Check the church calendar for Zoom links and details. All are welcome!

Worship @home
Last Sunday, we invited you to rearrange your sea glass, rocks or shells into a shape that comforts you. Thanks to Claudia Reinfelds for this beautiful angel! We'd love to see your creations or sacred spaces at home. Sharing photos on our Facebook page or send them to the pastor or church office (text or email).

Shower/Diaper Drive
Baby no. 2 is expected to join the Sheffield/Fagan family in April! Jamie Cummings set up a box in the church lobby for a Covid-friendly Baby Shower and Diaper Drive. The family already has many items, but appreciates diapers, wipes, clothes, or any gifts form your heart! Drop off during office hours (Tues-Fri 10-3) or on Sunday mornings at worship!

Guadalupe Center
As always, donations for the Guadalupe Cold Weather Shelter can be dropped off in the church lobby in the purple box. We are now asking for everyday dishes and silverware, in addition to the ongoing requests of: new jackets, long sleeved shirts, pants, socks, insulated gloves, and anything that can be useful to someone without housing during the coming months of cold and snow.

VBS Save the Date
We are joining forces at Bethel Lutheran Church this summer to offer Vacation Bible School June 14th -18th. Stay tuned for registration! If you'd like to help Pastor Emily, Bethel's Family Director Mandy Toms and others, please let Emily know.

Breaking News and Needs from North Macedonia
This month we ask you to make a financial donation to our United Methodist missionary in Eastern Europe, Jennifer Moore (pictured here). In an email today, she makes an urgent request: "Dear Friends, would you please pray for us in N. Macedonia? We have entered a second peak of the Covid-19 virus with our average number of daily infections close to 800, and the loss of 24 lives yesterday. These are concerning numbers for our small country (less than 2 million people). Hospital staff are exhausted and moral is low. Many have not been vaccinated. The government has imposed a nationwide curfew from 10 pm- 5am, but many fear stricter lockdowns soon. No one wants to be shut-in at home but the British variant of the virus has been detected here. Please pray for us. We are weary. Apparently the N. Macedonian government has had trouble procuring vaccines from the EU. Please pray that we can get vaccines here soon and that this latest peak will go down." Please pray and give today!

Click HERE to give online

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Ruth Ann Roberts (03/23), Jim Brewer (03/27) and Judy Harrison (03/31).
No known anniversaries.
Please share your dates with us here!

Prayer Requests
For safe travels in the snow; for Kati Ritner grieving the death of her father; for healing/strength (Earl Pierce, Meg's friends Avi and Tessie, Nate Washam, Vera, Mary, ony, Chris, Aiden, Larry S., Adam J., Jen, Francis); for Kat Sheffield's pregnancy; and for our homebound members Bob K, Bud H, Judy C, Eileen F, Ann G, Don T, Nancy S.

Member Spotlight:

Windsor Girls Swim Meet

This past weekend Windsor High School Junior Megan Dodrill's relay team placed 3rd in the 400 freestyle relay (3:36:06). Megan also finished 10th in the 100 freestyle (54.18) and 11th in the 200 freestyle (1.57.19). Finally, she and 3 other team members placed 13th in the 200 freestyle relay finishing with a time of 1.44.81. Congrats to Megan, her teammates, mom Donna (our church's Assistant Financial Secretary), and her family!

From the Town of Windsor:

Hopping into Easter
The Rec Center will celebrate the 14th Annual Easter Extravaganza with an egg search in the indoor pool, as well as the traditional egg hunt in the gym. Open gym will also be available with other activities and chances to win door prizes. Check their website for more info.

Indoor Triathlon
Do your kids need to let out some energy? Parks and Rec is offering an hour-long kids triathlon: 20 minutes swimming, 20 minutes stationary biking, and 20 minutes walking or running around the indoor track. Click the image for information.

The Mountain Sky Conference is offering great virtual educational opportunities:

Evergreen UMC Hosts a Journey Toward Racial Justice (8-week study): Option One: Mondays 6:30-7:30PM beginning April 5th. Register here; or Option Two: Fridays 8:30-9:30AM beginning April 9th. Register here
"Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians" Spring Book Study: If interested in this offer from NextGen Ministries, please fill out this form.
Save the Date: Peak/Pikes Peak District Gathering on Zoom Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 9:00-11:00AM (including the annual Quiet Disciple Awards).

If you've missed any training or educational opportunities from the Mountain Sky Conference, chances are you can easily access a video recording on their Vimeo site here. You'll want to watch last Sunday's Just Love episode on Restorative Justice- it's transformational!

1. MSC COVID-19 Vaccine Videos:
Video 1: General Information, Video 2: Vaccine Protection
Video 3: Personal Experience, Video 4: Vaccine Myths

2. Resource Guide - this document contains articles, podcasts, videos, and more (COVID Vaccine Information From a Medical Perspective)

3. Churches as Blood Donation Sites - Contact your local Vitalant Blood Donation Center or regional Red Cross to set up a blood drive to help hospitals experiencing blood shortages during COVID-19.

4. Watch for the forthcoming MSC shorts: COVID Can't Stop This Church Useful resources for our congregations and communities, as churches can be a trusted source of life-saving information about COVID-19 and the current vaccines.