It was one year ago that almost everything changed. We have now completed a full year of a global pandemic. I’ll never forget when I heard some medical expert say back in May of 2020 that things might not get back to normal until August. He or she, I can’t remember which, didn’t mean this coming August, August 2021. They meant August of 2020! But way back in May of 2020, the thought that we would be living with all these new restrictions all the way through August, three more months, sounded unbelievable and overwhelming.

We conclude our reading of Luke’s Gospel and have two readings from the book of Acts. Here is the April worship schedule:

• April 1, Maundy Thursday - Last Supper: Luke 22:1-27
• April 2, Good Friday - Jesus’ Passion: Luke 22:39 – 23:56
• April 4, Easter - Resurrection: Luke 24:1-12
• April 11, 2nd Sunday in Easter - Emmaus Road: Luke 24:13-35
• April 18, 3rd Sunday in Easter - Stephen's Witness: Acts 6:8 —7:1, 7:51 – 8:1
• April 25, 4th Sunday in Easter - Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized: Acts 8:26-39

For more information about the Maundy Thursday worship CLICK HERE.

For more information about the Good Friday worship CLICK HERE.

For more information about in-person worship CLICK HERE.

Sun = hope.  Hope = renewal.  Renewal = promise. 
The journey to Easter and beyond.

Happy Spring! Please click "Read More " for some important information regarding Sunday School and Vacation Bible School! 

Please click "Read More" for the official Confirmation Service & Graduationg Senior Recognition dates, some fun summer opportunites and more!

Centering Prayer is a method to move beyond conversation with Christ, to communion with Christ, and to hear His voice speak to us. 

“For the first time in history, a few societies, including the United States, find most of their members with money beyond what is needed for their personal basic needs. ‘Discretionary income’ is a reality for most of the population. And advertising agencies very intentionally have targeted that income; turning ‘wants into needs.’

“To increase in affluence becomes significant to the degree that the Bible suggests that money has a spiritual component. For example, in Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells his followers, ‘You cannot serve both God and Money.’ French philosopher Jacques Ellul points out that in this text, Jesus personifies mammon ‘as a sort of god,’ a force that is competing with God for our souls. Ellul suggests that Jesus’ choice of words ‘reveals something exceptional about money, for Jesus did not usually use deifications and personifications. What Jesus is revealing is that money is a power.’

“In Matthew 6:21 Jesus also describes another aspect of money that is an important indicator of our heart’s condition: ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Money is a measure of devotion, the way we spend it indicating something about us—sort of like a spiritual thermometer—according to Jesus. In a consumer society, such as the United States, it may be the most intentional measurement available.”

[Behind the Stained Glass Windows, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle]

  Financial Update through February

                                                2021 Actuals        2020 Actuals
Beginning Balance                    684                         214
Monthly Expenses             (36,095)                (34,286)
Monthly Income                   27,522                   29,976

Income (Deficit)                    (7,889)*               (4,096)

*Keep in mind we passed a $32,000 deficit budget for 2021. (We did this with the knowledge that we have $59,000 left over from our 2020 Paycheck Protection Program funds. At the end of the year, we will make up our 2021 deficit using these funds.) Because we passed a $32,000 deficit budget, our monthly and year-to-date "actuals" will most likely always show a deficit. To keep things in perspective this year, it is more helpful to look at "budgeted" amounts as opposed to "actual" amounts, which are shown in the chart above.

With that in mind, while our actual deficit through February is $7,889, our budget deficit is only $913.

• The Council decided to allow outside groups to use the church building. Groups must provide a COVID safety plan. 

• Rohn Collins is the Council Representative for the Endowment and Memorial Gifts Boards.

Birthdays

Chris Roberts............................4/2
Adeline Gitt......................4/4
Ed Krueger.................4/4
Hannah Westenburg.................4/4
Zachary Breese..................4/5
Lee Phillips..................4/5
Patricia Evans..................4/6
John (Jack) Fitzgerald..............4/6
Michael McDonald.................4/6
Julie Noteman...................4/6
Dustin Jones...................4/7
Addison Krueger..................4/9
Cameron Plummer...............4/10
Elaine DeBoer..................4/11
Charlene Pilger...............4/12
Rex Weight.....................4/14
Caleb Birch...................4/15
Allie Schnack...................4/16
Debbie Risinger......................4/19
James Bybee.....................4/20
David Wellsandt....................4/20
Brandon Plummer.................4/21
Kathleen Rashleigh......................4/23
Lydia Krueger.......................4/24
Grace Bybee.........................4/26
Elizabeth Behr.....................4/27
Carrie Plummer..................4/28
Sarah Duncan...................4/29
Colton Renken.....................4/29
Kyle Behr.......................4/30
Hanson Duke...................4/30
Lucas Sinnett.................4/30

Anniversaries

David & Wendy Olson....................4/8
Thomas & Debra Risinger............4/15

April Meetings

Zoom Finance Committee Meeting - April 15 at 6:30 pm

Zoom Council Meeting - April 20 at 6:30 pm