EASTER 2011 SCHEDULE

APRIL 17TH

Sunday School – 9:00 am

Service – 10:00 am

Youth Brunch – 11:30 am

April 21^st

Service – 7:00 pm

Cantata – performed by the SUMC choir

April 24^th

Sunrise Service – 7:00 am – Led by the Drama Group

Continental Breakfast – 8:30 am

Sunday School – 9:00 am

Easter Service – 10:00 am

  PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS

   We are busy people!  The church is buzzing with activity during this Lenten season:  a six-week Wednesday evening “soup and study group” is meeting, the Worship Committee is planning Palm Sunday activities, the choir is practicing for a cantata for Maundy Thursday, a drama group is preparing a Sunrise Service, and we gather each Sunday during Lent to celebrate a “mini-Easter” through study, fellowship and worship.  Stir in ongoing meetings of all church committees and regularly scheduled study, art, fellowship and preschool activities.  Then add 20 hours of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training being hosted by SUMC and attended by 15 parishioners.  Sprinkle with opportunities to develop new partnerships to address growing community needs.  We are busy people! 

To date, 66 church members have completed the Time and Talent Survey, and survey results have been distributed to the respective church committees and planning groups.  The survey results are proving to be very helpful as we increase our awareness of community needs and begin to expand our vision for involvement in community ministries in Smithville and the surrounding areas.

In response to an invitation sent to all Smithville churches, Sharon and I attended a “Raising Strong, Safe and Successful Kids” meeting on March 10^th, sponsored by Smithville Community 2000 with support from Tri-County Mental Health Services.   While there are more details to be shared about this ongoing community asset building initiative, here are a few of the 2011 survey results from 6^th through 12^th grade Smithville students.  The following items received the lowest ratings on the 40-item asset survey:

1. I feel my neighbors are friendly.  69%

2. I feel adults in the community value me as a person. 75%

3. I am given opportunities to help or contribute in my school, church or clubs.  66%

4. I spend an average of one hour a week helping others in my school or community.  21%

5. I know my neighbors care about me and look out for me.  44%

6. My friends are a good influence on me.  They do well in school and stay away from risky behaviors like alcohol and other drug use.  76%

7. I am involved in lessons or practice music, theater or the arts.  44%

8. I spend three or more hours a week in school or community clubs or activities. 71%

9. I regularly attend religious activities or services.  45%

10. I spend one hour or more each day on homework.  42%

11. I’m concerned about world issues such as hunger and poverty.  62%

12. I tell the truth even when it isn’t easy.  75%

13. I feel good about myself.  73%

   Do any of these results surprise you?  Do any of these results spark an interest or passion for ministry?

   As busy people, let us remain open and sensitive to the needs in our community.  Let us explore new visions for service. Let us seek God’s wisdom in our discernment process.

 Easter is coming!

Blessings,   Pastor Kathy

 Words from your Lay Leader- Sharon Fairlie

   March was Women’s History month which I am especially fond of having been reared in the age where history treated women almost as an afterthought.  History books told of all the accomplishments of men but little of women with the exception of Betsy Ross making the flag for the United States.  I am exaggerating a bit! However, also during that time women were working in science, the medical field, law, literature, art and music.  Some were running farms and plantations while their husbands were running the country. 

   Currently I am using as one of my meditation studies, a book titled Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda.  It is a one year devotional study of women in scripture.  The way the authors have presented the stories is by each day having a particular focus.  Monday is her story, Tuesday is her life and times, Wednesday is her legacy in scripture, Thursday is her promise and Friday is her legacy of prayer.   You can imagine how much study it took for the authors to find the details, particularly when some of the women in the Bible are only mentioned in one or two sentences.  I am learning quite a lot about customs, environment and treatment of women during ancient times.  It makes me very glad I am living in this day and age. 

   I do love the stories from the New Testament involving Jesus and the women he encountered.  We read that he treated them with respect and understanding.  I am reminded of the Samarian woman, the sisters, Mary and Martha and his own mother, to just name a few.

   I wish I had been with the women that first Easter morning that went to the tomb and saw the stone was moved. What a confusing and joyous time for them. Confused because the tomb was empty and there stood an angel saying Jesus was not there; and joyous when they were told that Jesus had risen from the dead.  What excitement must have filled them as they ran to tell the others the good news!  How exciting it is for me to know this good news came from women!

We never know how much we need and depend on our Church family. In the past 3 months we have really found out. We thank you so much, for your prayers, cards and acts of kindness and just being there for us when we needed you throughout Fred's surgeries and recovery.

                                                                                                                           Fred and Lu Darr and family

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE NEWS

SUMC welcomes Kim Frick to the Small Steps Preschool staff. Kim joins our team of teachers with a B.S. in early childhood education, and years of teaching experience in area schools including Smithville. She lives in Smithville with her husband and two children. She will be teaching the M/W/F/ class. We are also happy to have Amy Simoncic who is now teaching full days on T/TH. Amy also has a B.S. in education. Welcome!

Please plan to stay for the Palm Sunday Brunch immediately following worship on Sunday, April 17^th sponsored by the youth group. We’ll be serving biscuits and gravy, waffles, eggs, casseroles, breakfast breads including yummy homemade cinnamon rolls!

The SUMC Art Group will be exhibiting paintings for the Easter season in the church. They will be available for sale. (75% of all monies received go to the church).

Anyone wanting to paint watercolors come and join us. We meet every Wednesday at the church at 10:00 am. Call Martha Urquhart at 532-3772 for information.

There all still a lot of open dates if you would like to have the Altar Flowers be in someone's memory or honor. The flower chart is in the Great Room on the "Opportunities to Serve" bulletin board. The cost of the flowers is $12.00 per week. Please make your check out to SUMC and place in the collection of leave in the office the same week as your request for the flowers. Thanks.

SMALL STEPS PRESCHOOL NEWS

The preschool is in need of green plastic strawberry baskets. We know that the stores don't use them anymore, but are hoping someone has been keeping some for a project. We would need about 40. The baskets are for an Easter project. Please don't forget we still have grocery store coupon books available. All fundraising money is going towards a new playground. The children are looking forward to spring and warmer weather.

SUMC PROFIT & LOSS FOR FEBRUARY 2011

INCOME EXPENSES

   Debt Reduction Funds                                   2,215                  Conference & Benevolence

   Flexible Contribution                                        225                       Conference Benevolence         2436.80

   General Fund                                                 11,972                        District Apportionments                381

Misc Contributions                                                                     Total Conference & Benevolence  2817.80

   Altar Flower Giving                                             49               

   Apportionment Contributions                        170                Non Pastoral Compensation Exp. 9222.56

   Sunday School Offering                                     45                 Total Office Expense                          536.92

Total Misc Contributions                                   264                 Total Outreach/Evangelism                  7.72 

                                                                                                         Total Pastoral Compensation        4603.82

Mission Contributions

        Della C. Lamb                                                 40

Total Mission Contributions                               40                  Preschool Expense                            393.98

Preschool Income                                            5,686                  Total Trustees/Utilities/Maintenance

                                                                                                          Insurance                                          2414.83

Total Income                                                   20,402                 Total Expenses                              20,094.17  

Net Income - 307.83

Please give generously to Pacific Emergency,

UMCOR Advance #3021317

HOW TO GIVE

Give to Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance 33021317. Please write the Advance # and project name on the memo line of your check.

Online:                                   www.givetomission.org

By Offering:                          For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the

                                                offering plate on Sunday.

By Check:                              Make your check to UMCOR and mail to: UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068,

                                                New York, NY 10087

By Credit Card:                    Cal toll-free (800) 554-8583

For more information go to: www.umcor.org

BIRTHDAYS                                             ANNIVERSARIES

04/01       Suzy Vaughn                                               04/04        Brad and Donna Crider

04/06       Kassidee Glaser, Emmitt Windmeyer         04/16        Scott and Pam Davis

04/10       Mike Land                                                   04/20        Sidney and Marjorie Atkins

04/12       Karsen Vincent, Debbie Shoaf                    04/21        Ken and Amy Birlingmair

04/14       MacKinsey Birlingmair                                                Ron and Lia DePriest

04/15       James Hoke, Rachel Hunold                       04/22        Joel and Jill Krull                

                Bill Emery, David Emery                           04/24         Nathaniel and Angie Hunold

04/17       Fred Darr                                                                      Shelly Herrington

04/18       Dean Willadsen                                          04/26         Dennis and Nancy Lowe                 

04/19       Nellie Cross                                                04/27         John and Paula Puszczewicz

04/23       Otis St. John                                               04/28         Rod and Tricia Kelley

04/24       Kristy Pate

04/25       Charles Koslowsky

04/26       Sharon Fairlie

04/28       Bud Dibben

04/30       James Noland

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.