March 2000
First Communion Classes: It has been our tradition to invite the young people of our congregation who are in fifth grade or older, who have not yet prepared for first communion, to join the Pastor and their parents for the first communion preparation class. Classes will be held during the Sunday School hour beginning March 26, 2000. There will be four classes, with the last class being on April 16, 2000. A parent is expected to participate with their child for all of the classes. The first communiion opportunity for those completing the four sessions will be either Maundy Thursday evening or Easter Day. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Alexander as soon as possible.
New Member Orientation: A New Member Orientation session will be held Sunday, March 26, 2000, beginning at 3:00 p.m. This orientation is designed to answer any questions a person may have as they contemplate becoming members of Holy Spirit. We cover the basic concepts of Lutheranism, the history of Holy Spirit, the general concept of our mission and vision, how we are organized and what is expected of those who choose to become members. Our Witness Ministry Team provides refreshments and some of the Team members participate in the discussion.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Don't forget the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper scheduled at the church on Tuesday, March 7, 2000. There's still time to sign up with Vicar Pat to flip pancakes, fry sausage, provide cooking supplies and utensils. You name it! But most of all, just come for fellowship on Tuesday, March 7th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Celebrate with us as we begin our Lenten journey with this Shrove Tuesday meal.
Expressions of Faith: Festival of Arts 2000 - The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg presents a celebration of the artistic gifts of the spirit and their expression on April 27-29, 2000, for all church leaders, families, youth and children. There will be two days of speakers, demos, workshops, exhibits, booths selling arts and crafts, and worship experiences dedicated to exploring the relationship between faith and art. For more information, see the bulletin board in the narthex or visit the seminary website at www.ltsg.edu.
See Through the Scriptures: Beginning March 12, 2000, a new bible study series, See Through the Scriptures, will be offered between services during the Sunday School hour. The series will run through Sunday, June 14, 2000, and will examine scripture, scholarly lecture and vivid graphics that explain the Holy Bible and its complex concepts in a whole new light. For more information, contact the church office.
Mar-Lu-Ridge is a Christian Conference & Educational Center in Jefferson, MD. They offer overnight camp for kids (aged 6-16), for families (all ages) and adults (55+). The Ridge will host the First Annual MLR Volunteer Recognition Reception on Sunday, March 19, 2000 from 5-7 p.m. If you (or anyone you know) has volunteered for MLR in the past two years, you are invited. For more info on Mar-Lu-Ridge camp opportunities or the Reception, watch the bulletin board or contact the church office. You can also call Mar-Lu-Ridge directly at 800-238-9974 or see them online at www.mar-lu-ridge.org.
Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church (Glenwood, MD) is planning a trip to Lancaster, PA, via Eyres Bus on Wednesday, August 9, 2000, to see the pageant Noah. A buffet lunch is included. Total cost for the pageant, lunch and bus is $69 for adults and $44 for children. The bus will leave the church parking lot in Howard County promptly at 9:00 a.m. and should return at 5:45 p.m. The pageant is performed in a large ampitheatre with 300 live and animated animals. Ten seats are still available. (If we have more requests, a larger bus can be chartered, making 15 seats available. We are also interested in establishing a stand-by list so that we can reimburse anyone who cannot make it. A $40 deposit is due at the time of reservation, the balance due by July 1, 2000. It is anticipated that we will be able to offer a price reduction on the final payment of between $6-8.00 due to an anticipated grant of $300 from AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans Insurance Company). Contact the church to get Glenwood Church contact information.
Thought for the Month: Funny, Isn't It?
Funny how a $100 bill looks so big when you take it to church
but so small when you take it to the mall.
Funny how long it takes to serve God for one hour
but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church can be
but how short they are when watching a movie.
Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray
but don't have any difficulty thinking of things to chatter about with a friend.
Funny how thrilled we are when a baseball game goes into extra innings
but how much we complain when a sermon runs long.
Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible
but how easy it is to read 100+ pages of a best-selling novel.
Funny how people want front row seats at a game or concert
but how they scramble to sit in the back row at church.
Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks notice to fit a church event into our busy schedules
but can adjust our schedules for other last-minute events.
Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel well enough to share it with others
but how simple it is for those same people to understand and repeat gossip.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers and television say
but how we question what the Bible says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven
provided they don't have to believe, to think, to say or to do anything.
Funny how you can send a thousand jokes through email
but think twice about sharing messages about the Lord.
Funny, isn't it? Are you laughing? Are you thinking?
Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
-- Author Unknown