The Lexington Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.      (All meetings are  OPEN  Meetings)      *Entrance is on 14th Street.*

*NOTE:  AA WILL MEET IN THE EDUCATION BUILDING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST.

CHOIR PRACTICE is every Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Lenten program.  We still need sopranos.    :)

 
Wednesday, March 10th  6:30 p.m.  Supper;   7:00 p.m. -7:25 p.m.  Program (Fellowship Hall)
Scripture:  Luke 15:11-32
Choir: “O Jesus, I Have Promised”

 
Wednesday, March 17th  6:30 p.m.  Supper;   7:00 p.m. -7:25 p.m.  Program (Fellowship Hall)
Scripture:  Matthew 13:44
Choir:  “In The Hour Of Trial”

 
Wednesday, March 24th  6:30 p.m.  Supper;   7:00 p.m. -7:25 p.m.  Program (Fellowship Hall)
Scripture:  Matthew 26:14-25
Choir: “I Love Him”
 

NO SUPPER OR PROGRAM MARCH 31st 
 

Thursday, April 1st  Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Choir:  “Were You There?”

 
Friday, April 2nd Good Friday Service at Noon (Sanctuary)

Trinity UCC wishes to offer you our hospitality.  Therefore, there is no charge for attending the conference or lunch.  Hospice Foundation of America charges $25 for CEUs if your request is submitted online. ($35 if it is submitted via mail.) 3 CEUs are available.

11:30 a.m.  Lunch  (Fellowship Hall)

12:00 p.m. - 12:25 p.m.  Registration  (Inside the main entrance of the church; accessible by elevator.)

12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Teleconference

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.   Local Discussion in the Fellowship Hall (and snacks)  *Attendance at the Local Discussion is required in order to obtain CEUs*

Register  online  here!

Our church is sending military care packages to 2 young men serving in Afghanistan and a young woman serving in Haiti . She wants face cream and "stuff that reminds me that I am a girl." Below are other suggested items that you may bring to church and place in the box marked "Military Care Packages." Suggestions: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drinks, gum, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Gold Bond extra strength foot powder, Q-tips, dental floss, baby wipes and Wet Ones, Sudoku or other types of puzzle books (available at Dollar General). 

This is our pastor, Rev. Liz Deveney, preparing to depart on a whale-watching cruise in Cape Cod on July 15, 2009.  Liz was in Cape Cod attending the Craigville Colloquy.  The colloquy was a 5-day discussion about worship and spirituality.  Folks from all over the country and all denominations participated in seminars, worship, and small-group discussions.  The planning committee organized the whale-watching expedition so that we might experience the majesty of the humpback whales which are prevalent in this area.  The 2010 colloquy is "Surprised by Grace in Modern Film: Training the Eyes of Faith."  The dates are July 12-16.  Complete information may be found at    http://www.craigvillecolloquy.com  If you are attending, please contact Rev. Liz re: the possibility of carpooling to KCI /coordinating air travel/ sharing the expense of a rental car.  Thanks!

Thanks to all of you who contributed Best Choice UPC codelabels to our Save-A-Label Program!  Wereached our goal of 1,000 labels and obtained a bonus certificate for $30.  Our  Christian Education program has received $60!  Together we can work to make a difference in the education of our children. It's easy, just save labels for cash!  Trinity UCC will earn $30 in cash for each bundle of 1,000 UPCs sent to Best Choice.  Please bring your UPC code labels from BestChoice products (preferably stapled in groups of 10) and place them in coffee can located in the narthex.  Here’s to another 1,000! 

Each Monday afternoon a copy of the Missouri Mid-South Confernce eCourier is sent to all who ask.  To receive your copy, please email the conference office at mms@mmsucc.org so that you can stay up to date on the latest news from our conference.

Rev. Liz Deveney  is continuing a study of the book of Revelation.  Our class is using Bruce Metger's book entitled  Breaking the Code.   If you would like to participate, please call or email Rev. Liz and she will order a book for you - cost = $8.00.  Please remember that you may come to the class and worship with us or at a church of your choice.

Pack your Bags!

My husband, Steve, was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school for 13 years.  Steve and his peers were encouraged to give up something for Lent.  Not turnip greens or Brussels sprouts; but rather, something that they liked as a means of drawing themselves closer to God and reliance upon Him during this penitential season.  If that concept helps you and holds meaning for you, that’s great.  But I have a slightly different perspective.

This Ash Wednesday, I found myself (as usual) out and about in the community.  Because it was Ash Wednesday, most of the conversations I had with folks evolved into a discussion of the ashes – what do they mean?   Or the Season of Lent itself – what’s it all about? My perspective on Lent, which I articulated and deepened during the course of several conversations, is that it is a journey toward the cross with Jesus.  Ash Wednesday is only the beginning.  Part of the reason for the imposition of ashes and the receiving of same is that it is a sign – a sign of saying, “Yes!  I am one who wishes to go on this journey.” 

But it’s not simply a pilgrimage in and of itself.   There is work that we need to do.  Lent is an inherently prayerful, meditative, and introspective season of the church year.  To that end, what if we were to look within – deep within ourselves and take an inventory?  We may find all kinds of old behaviors, ideas, and perspectives that are no longer serving us too well.  What if, as we discover these things that are no longer useful to us, we were to imagine packing them in suitcases as we journey forward.  As we find something within us which we want to let go of, put it in the bag.  When we worship together at noon on Good Friday, you will be invited to come up to the foot of the cross and leave your baggage there.  (If you are unable to do so, you may envision doing this from your seat.)  Jesus took all the pain and suffering of the world upon himself – on the cross- on that day so very long ago.  And this is something he continues to do – if we let him.

So, this Lent, pack your bags!  And remember that this is a journey we are going on together – not alone.  Come and be a part of our Sunday worship services and our Wednesday evening programs.  May you have a powerful sense of Christ’s companionship and healing.  Amen.

-Rev. Liz

 

Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Scripture Readings

March 7th    Luke 13:1-9

March 14th  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

March 21st   John 12:1-8

March 28th  Luke 19:28-40

Maundy Thursday, April 1st    John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday, April 2nd              John 18:1-19:42

Easter, April 4th                         John 20:1-18


Show Me Christian Youth Home in Mayview

Show-Me Christian Youth Home is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a loving, stable Christian home for children with backgrounds of abuse, neglect, abandonment and unfortunate circumstances.  It is their goal to help children realize that we love them, God loves them, and they can learn to love themselves.

Show Me Christian Home In Mayview is in need of the following supplies: Baking goods such as sugar and flour; Kool-Aid packets;  after-school snacks;  side dishes such as rice and noodles, and AA batteries.  Please place your contributions in the box marked “Show Me Christian Youth Home” in the narthex.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Rev. Liz Deveney, who is the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce President-Elect, will be riding on the Chamber float in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Of course, Teddy the Beagle will accompany her!  The parade will take place on Main Street Saturday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m.  Come out and see us!

Holy Week Services

The Presbyterian Church will host Holy Week Services Monday, March 29th through Friday, April 2nd.  A continental breakfast will be served at 6:30 a.m. followed by worship from 7:00 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.

Annual Missouri Mid-South Conference Women’s Retreat

April 30 – May 2nd   Cost:  $85   Place:  Camp Mo-Val    Union, Missouri

Program

“THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” John 15:12.

It is our hope that through learning and sharing we will be inspired to reach out to all faiths with open hearts and minds. According to the Interfaith Partnership, it is through the sharing of different faith traditions that relationships and connections are made. By finding common ground we aspire to “...promote peace, respect and understanding among people of all faiths.” Our panelists will be sharing the precepts of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism,

Planned Activities

Worship, fellowship activities including crafts, Bible study, shopping at our non-profit booths, a service project, hayrides, campfires, sing-a-longs, and time to get to know all your sisters of faith.

Deadline

Return the completed Registration Form with full payment by Thursday, April 1, 2010. Space is lim-ited to 120 registrants. Sign-up early and reserve your space now.

Registration Information

Space is limited to 120

No pets

Must be 18 years or older to attend

Registration begins at 5:00 pm Friday—Please NO early arrivals.

Dinner on Friday is NOT provided.

The event will end by 11:30 am on Sunday

Please notify us of any dietary or special needs when registering.

Upon receipt of your registration, a description of the workshops, directions to Camp Mo-Val, and a list of materials to bring with you will be either mailed or emailed to you.

Payment

Please make checks payable to: MMS-UCC and mail the completed Registration Form with payment to:

Southwood UCC

Women’s Retreat/Mo-Val

7901 Raytown Road

Raytown, MO 64138

If you need more information or confirmation of registration contact the Women’s Retreat Planning Committee by email at dkduffee@live.com or by phone at 816-453-2628 or 816-868-1814.

The registration form is available on the conference website http://www.mmsucc.org

 

Western Association Spring Meeting

The Spring meeting of the Western Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference will take place on Saturday, April 10th at 9am at St. Luke's UCC, Independence, MO.