Hi everyone! Pastor Mark here with your weekly dose of everything Church Requel focused. It's been a great week for our church. I'm pumped about our celebration Sunday morning. Take a moment to read all about it!
New Screen Installed! I'm very excited about this good news. Church Requel has a new wide screen installed! This screen is retractable so when it's up, it is practically invisible! The white case blends perfectly with the front wall. The screen is also designed with a special reflective surface designed specifically for the angle of our projector and the morning brightness of our sanctuary. This results in much more viewable images and movies. It is perfectly framed by the stain glass windows behind it.
We've also installed the projector up on the beam. This is our first step to getting rid of the pole that has been in the middle front of our sanctuary. As soon as we get the lights relocated to the third beam, that pole will rapidly become a distant memory of our first days at the Point of Grace.
I'm very grateful to Jonathan Pierce, Fred Bohnke and Steve Thoman, all of whom joined me for a workday - and work night - at Church Requel yesterday. Collectively we invested 28 man hours into this improvement. We enjoyed lots of attic time, ladder time, and fellowship time together.
Sunday Morning "Character Driven." Our teaching focus this weekend will be about how we develop a Christ-like character. We know that people who call themselves "Christians" should live a different kind of life. Their values and their character should reflect Christ's teachings. The Bible describes it this way: we should "put on" our new Christian characteristics. But how exactly does this happen? We'll take a close look at one of my favorite Bible passages: Colossians 3:1-17, and in the process we'll learn about 6 changes that must happen for our own character to become more like Christ. I wish someone would have sat down with me 46 years ago, when I first became a Christ-follower, and explained this to me. It would have saved me so much doubt and heartache. By the way, the reason this passage is one of my favorites is that it was chosen by Tim and Jillian for their wedding day. Whenever I read it, study it, or preach on it, I think of that special day!
Children: First Aid Kits Unopened - We also have a special talk planned for our elementary children Sunday morning. I plan to invite them to come up front with me for some special teaching time oriented to the children of all ages in our church. We will continue the focus on how they develop their special talents and gifts and use them for the Lord's glory. Just like a first aid kit is pretty AND pretty useless while unopened and shrinkwrapped, so also is our children's talents when kept all wrapped up inside.
Moms and Dads, remember to be working with your children on their special $10 gift received two weeks ago. We have only two more weeks until we want the kids to bring back their gifts along with the results of their investments. This is the application of the parable of the talents. I can't wait to hear how the kids multiplied the money entrusted to them. I'm also thinking we may be using these funds to pick up some more bean bag chairs for the teaching time up front every other week. We have had 5 bean bag chairs donated so far. (Do you have any you could donate?) We'll buy what we cannot receive as donations. We'd love it if we had a bean bag chair for every elementary age child in our church!
In other news...
Saturday Night Meal For Neighbors. The church that had planned to serve meals to our neighbors tomorrow night has decided they cannot do it. We are rallying our volunteers from all the different serving groups, including Church Requel, to help out tomorrow night. Volunteers should show up at the church by 4pm. You could also bring a home-made dessert if you'd like to help out that way.
The Bible Miniseries, Sunday at 8pm. Don't forget about the new, 10-part miniseries every Sunday night on The History Channel. Did you get a chance to watch the first episode last week? The reviews were very positive. Over 13 million viewers tuned in! Here's a link to the 10-week episode guide. And here's a link to the replay schedule this week on The History Channel, if you miss watching on Sunday.
Zumba Class Tuesday!!! Our own Sara Scott is the Zumba instructor. She is offering weekly Zumba classes in the downstairs fellowship hall at Church Requel every Tuesday. Meet her and many of your friends at 7pm. The cost will be $5. The class lasts for one hour. This is a great way to support one our own members, as well as to enjoy some fitness, fun and fellowship! The snow closed us down last Tueady, but we're confident the snow is done for the season. Thanks Sara!
Women's Bible Study - We hosted a record number of ladies at our home last week. Eleven of you gathered and heard the excellent teaching provided by Beth Moore. The ladies will meet again at 6:30pm this coming Wednesday evening, March 13th, at our home. The study is called "Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman." If you're not already involved, this would be a great opportunity to join this wonderful group of ladies. Good food. Sweet fellowship. Great learning!
Membership Class - March 23rd. We plan to offer our next Membership Class on Saturday, March 23rd. We'll hold the class at Church Requel and will begin at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast. We'll be together all morning and will serve a noon lunch for all who come. If you'd like to be an official member of CR, this class is a must. You can come even if you are not sure you want to be a member. We'll have a sign up sheet Sunday so we can know how many notebooks to print and how much food to prepare.
Flowers on Palm Sunday. You are invited to bring potted flowers with you on Palm Sunday, March 24th. Specifically, tulips, lillies and hyacynths would be greatly appreciated. Our plan is for us to decorate the inside of the church for Palm Sunday and Easter. Then, when the Easter service is concluded, you may take your flowers home with you. Or, if you prefer, any flowers left at the church will be planted outside to beautify the appearance of our property. Thanks Amie for this great suggestion! Let's start a new tradtion here for Church Requel at the Point of Grace!
Spring Fling Game Night - April 12th. I know it's a month away, but it's not too early to get this fun date on your calendars. Our first game night in February was a great success. Kids of all ages had so much fun! So schedule your April 12th Friday night now so you can join in the fun and fellowship. Diana, Sara, and Paul have even more adventures awaiting you!
So what do you think? Is there enough happening around this old church building? I love the blending of the new and the old. Your active involvement is breathing new life into the Point of Grace! I can't wait to see you on Sunday morning. Bring a friend with you! We still have plenty of seats available... but they're going fast! With great affection, Pastor Mark
