march 2016 courier

Palm Sunday 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements) 11 a.m. Procession of the Palms

Maundy Thursday 5:30 p.m. Soup Supper & Worship 6 p.m. Thurs. - 6 p.m. Fri. The Watch Hours

Good Friday 6:30 p.m. Good Friday Worship

Easter Sunday 8:30 a.m. Early Service (Zuanich Park) 9:30 a.m. Breakfast (Church) 10:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements) 11 a.m. Worship

CourierTheC r rThe Christian Courier The Christian Courier The Christian Courier The C Vol. 66, No. 3 Bellingham First Christian Church March 2016

T

Holy Week 2016

Come Celebrate Easter! Important Items for Your Agenda:Sign Up!There are new sign up sheets in the fellowship hall awaiting your John or Jane Hancock.1. Bring an Easter lily in honor

or in memory of a loved one2. Select a time slot for the

Maundy Thursday - Good Friday The Watch Hours vigil, as we keep watch with Jesus during his final hours, from the garden to the cross.

Help the BunnyThe Easter Bunny has requested financial donations to help with this years Easter Egg Hunt. With the need for fair trade chocolates, sustainable palm oils, and candies that are neither choking nor allergy hazards, The Bunny acknowledges that shopping has become a bit difficult and will, therefore, gratefully accept $$$, instead! (Please have all contributions in the office prior to Sunday, March 20.)

Change Your ClocksIts almost that time. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m., Sunday, March 13. Be sure to change your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday. (Or, hire an insomniac to come change your clocks at 2.)

Shoes News

2 March 2016

495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226

360.734.6820 [email protected] www.bellinghamdisciples.org

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lords Table as God welcomed us.

All of Us Ministers

Rev. Gary Shoemaker Pastor [email protected]

Rev. Tamalyn Kralman Director of Ed. & Community Outreach Courier Editor [email protected]

Amelia Nye Accompanist

Katie Ramstead Childcare Provider

Rev. Sandy Messick Regional Minister

Rev. Sharon Watkins General Minister and President

Sunday Schedule 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time 11 a.m. Worship 12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time 12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) 2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal (2nd Sunday) Office Hours Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - noon Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the week. Please feel free to stop by during their office

hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule. Officers Renee Hoemann, Moderator Cheryl Perry, Treasurer

First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Shoes News

An Easter Odyssey

Lets Celebrate Your Birthday!Sunday, March 612:15 p.m.Bring your favorite dish to an all church potluck and we will celebrate everyones birthdays. This is a time to get to know everyone better and enjoy fellowship and good food! Everyone is welcome.

We've begun our annual journey through the season of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday. During this season, while most of the world takes little note, our faith community will journey through the full spectrum of emotions. Walk with us as we consider the serious issues of life, the need for repentance, the incredible loss of losing someone in whom we'd placed all of our hope, facing personal threat, and then a quietly dawning realization that hope conquers fear and love triumphs over hate on Easter morning.

The choir is already hard at work putting together our Easter cantata, the bell choir is putting together numbers to celebrate the risen Lord. But before we get to Easter, there is much to do. Join us on the Sundays leading up to Easter, come to the special services we are planning, bring a friend along to share this journey. And then, on Easter, get ready to celebrate!

Besides, as an added bonus, it's a break from all the political campaigning!

Your family is on a journey through Lent, come join us.

Pastor Gary

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March 2016 3

Our Congregation in Action

Jesus Left the Building and Got to WorkOn Sunday, January 31, First Christian held our first Jesus Has Left the Building event. Twelve of our members joined Amys Place director, Heidi Unick, on the upper level of the youth center, where they embarked on a massive cleaning, organizing, sorting, and purging project.

Meanwhile, back at the church, several others worked on a myriad of projects. 72 Blessing Bags were assembled and are being handed out to our neighbors in need. 12 valentines were created and later delivered to our homebound members by the elders. A quilting group was formed and Comfort Quilts are now being created so that they can be gifted to children in need of solace. And letters were written. So many letters. 28 were sent to senators and representatives about hunger concerns. 42 were sent on behalf of four prisoners of conscience. And donations totaling $63 were given to cover the stationary, envelopes, and postage.

Jesus was a very busy bee that day. We wonder what he has in store for Sunday, May 29.

Change your clocks: Daylight Saving begins 2 a.m., Sunday, M

arch

Thank you!

Thank you for the nursery updates: Joyce Woodworth for the wonderful new cafe

curtains Elise King for the much needed paint to freshen the

walls Allan and Linda Botts for the floor and carpet

cleaning And the many others who have donated time,

money, and supplies to update our kid space. Were on our way!

Be sure to wander through the nursery and playroom and see whats taking shape.

Regional Events Joys and Concerns

4 Change your clocks Sat. night, March 12 March 2016

New to Our List: Bob Dawes, recovering from a fall Chloe Gibson, health concerns

Ongoing: Donna Fairchi ld , hea l th concerns Bill Pribilsky, health concerns Mary Lee Wiser , hea l th concerns J o a n n e H a r r e l l , h e a l t h concerns Disciples House Residents, past, present and future Iglesia de Dios, as together we share Gods love from this space Raices Culturales and the families in the gardening program

in our field Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President Our General Church ministries Yakama Christian Mission All Muslims, as anti-Muslim sentiment and threats increase V i c t i m s o f i n j u s t i c e , violence, poverty, disease, and disaster worldwide All troops involved in world conflict Peacemakers worldwide

Joys and Concerns Please submit written requests to update this list.

Have you heard? The 2016 Regional Assembly planning is well underway location is selected, dates are set and were excited to share the theme WELCOME!!! will be held May 20-22,

2016 in Clarkston, WA, hosted by First Christian Church of Clarkston.

Guest speakers will be Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Rev. Dr. Timothy M. James, Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Make sure to mark your calendars and planning for your travel. A couple of hotel options are already in place with group block rates available until April 20. Visit and bookmark http://www.disciplesnw.org/article/2016assembly for that hotel information and other updates and info on the assembly!

Welcome to the World Baby Zachary Cole

Archer-Balzer Born February 2, 2016 10:20 a.m. Baby Zachary is welcomed by proud parents Renne Archer and Kelly Balzer and big sister Riley.

In Our Community

March 2016 Change your clocks Sat. night, March 12 5

Hope is on the Way! Save the Date for the Interfaith Hope Auction! Mark your calendar: Interfaiths 25th Annual Hope Auction happens on Saturday, March 19th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The auction will again take place at the newly-named Four Points by Sheraton (formerly Best Western Lakeway Inn, 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham).

Whatcom Countys friendliest auction fundraiser features fellowship, inspiration, hope and lively bidding on great auction items. Please join us as we continue in our work of transforming struggling lives. You can help in these ways:

Do you have an auction item to donate? A service you offer, your own artwork, gift certificate, tickets to popular sporting events, vacation home getaway, let your imagination soar and think of what you might be able to donate, and get in touch with us!

Buy tickets to the auction. Tickets are $50 each, including dinner.

Become a business sponsor or ask your favorite businesses or employers to support Interfaith with a dedicated donation.

We make a difference in the lives of homeless families, men and women. Partner with us by attending Hope Auction and lifting up our brothers and sisters! To donate an auction item and purchase tickets, please contact Brenda Riseland, your congregations board member, or Interfaith Coalition at 734-3983 or through the website: www.interfaith-coalition.org

Stewardship Class Our most recent joint Sunday School class met Sunday, February 21, 9:30 a.m., to consider: What are the origins of the tithe? What can you find in the Bible about tithing?

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We look forward to you joining us at the Dorothy Place Spring Luncheon as we come together to pledge our support for women and children affected by domestic violence. Enjoy a wonderful lunch at Bellingham Technical College's Settlemeyer Hall followed by an inspiring, moving program.

Buffet lunch to be servedFree to attend, donations will be requested

Dorothy Place is a secure 21-unit facility in Bellingham that provides support services and transitional housing for single women and women with children who are survivors of domestic violence. Support services include case management, vocational classes, goal setting as well as activities to help children develop skills and learn to respect themselves and others.

6 Change your clocks Sat. night, March 12 March 2016

Sunday, March 6 Elders: Melody Hoffman (O), Kelvin Smith (C) Lock-Up: John Riseland In Home Communion: Gregg Heyne Kelvin Smith Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Lynn Plancich Reader: Don Hoffman Greeter: Lois Oswalt Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: Book Group

Sunday, March 13 Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), John Riseland (C) Deacons: Renee Hoemann, James Becker, Reader: James Becker Greeter: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha Sanchez Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: Deacons (Kathy, Jim, Ardythe)

Sunday, March 20 Elders: Jane Kletka (O), Brenda Riseland (C) Deacons: Ardythe Hannah, Connie Page, Linda Heyne Reader: Melody Hoffman Greeters: Bekki & Russ Weston Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: Elders

Sunday, March 27 Elders: Don Hoffman (O), Joe Plancich Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Alexis Pinkston Reader: Gregg Heyne Greeter: Connie Page Flowers: Esther Group Fellowship Time: Esther Group

Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall to participate in these important ministries Reader: Read the scripture during worship Greeter: Welcome people as they arrive at the

church on Sunday morning Flowers: Bring flowers for the sanctuary for

Sunday worship Fellowship Time: Bring goodies for folks to share

after worship

Have You Explored the Family & Childrens Ministries Site? Click here for family and childrens resources, special events for Disciples families, and Lent and Easter resources to guide your family through the season of Lent, which began Ash Wednesday and continues through Easter Sunday, March 27.

Whos on First?!

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

Find Weekly Lectionary Readings http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul) Women's Spiritual Growth Groups - Please contact

the church office if you would like to be a part of a group. Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 12:30 p.m., 4th Sundays - An

informal gathering that visits locally owned restaurants. Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This group

explores books to expand their minds and their hearts. Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - A women's

group that meets for lunch and fellowship in local restaurants. Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church

library, this group explores the lectionary scriptures. Wild Goose Worship, 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

- An alternative church experience for young(ish) adults. Location varies. Contact church for details.

Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer, conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.) Meets in local pubs. Contact church office for details.

Checking in Group, 5 p.m., 4th Thursdays -supportive group of people who share life's journey together.

Men's Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Saturdays at Denny's - All men are invited to join this weekly breakfast group for fun and fellowship. A sense of humor is strongly encouraged.

For more info on how to assist in any of these projects, please contact us at [email protected].

Community Meal Josephs Closet Disciples House CAST Socks on the Street

Food Bank collections Blessing Bags Hospitals & wells

(Africa) Community Garden

Happy Birthday: Aaron Pinkston 3 Judy Bayless 6 Doug Farrar 6 Jim Franks 15 Dale Whitney 15

Kade OHalloran 17 Opal Hanna 28 Donna Fairchild 29 Happy Anniversary Paul & Frances Van Dyke 13 Mark & Renee Hoemann 21

Celebrate!

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March 2016 7

March 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

March calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1

Noon Bible Study

6:30 p.m.Wild Goose Worship, Botts home

2

Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal

3 4 5

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

64th Sunday in Lent

9:30 a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time

7 8

Noon Bible Study

9Bulletindeadline


10 11 127:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

Change your clocks before bedtime!

135th Sunday in Lent

Daylight Saving Begins

Courier Deadline

9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares Community Meal

14

6:30 pStewardshipMeeting

15Courier

DeadlineNoon Bible Study

6:30 p.m.Wild Goose Worship, location TBD

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17

Happy St. Paddys

Day!

6:30 p.m.Pub Theology, Hops N Headz

18

5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East, here at the church

19


5:30 p.m.Interfaith Auction, Four Points by Sheraton

20Palm Sunday

7:30a Elders Mtg9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time

21

11:30 a.m.Esther Group

22

Noon Bible Study

23Bulletindeadline


24Maundy

Thursday5:30 p Soup & Worship

25Good Friday

6:30 p Worship

26


27Easter Sunday

8:30a Early Worship, Zuanich Park9:30a Breakfast, Church10:30a Easter Eggs!10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time7p Book Group

28 29

Noon Bible Study

30Bulletindeadline


31

March 2016

6 p.m. Thurs. - 6 p.m. Fri. The Watch Hours

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First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A church of grace and welcome for all! 495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226-9168

PERIODICALS POSTAGE AT

Bellingham, WA 98226-9168

USPS 0589-870

Courier Submissions are Due Mar. 15Save the trees! Go paperless: Subscribe to the e-Courier at [email protected].

To unsubscribe: Contact 360.734.6820, 495 East Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, or [email protected].

Office Help Needed: The church staff will be away for meetings on the following days. If you are available to sit in the office and answer the phones from 9 - noon, please contact [email protected].

Wed., February 24 Wed., March 23 Thurs., April 14 Fri., May 20 Wed., May 25 Wed., June 22

Read the Regional NewsletterClick here to read the current issue of

No r t hwes t Pa s sages , t he newsletter of the Northwest

Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Save the Dates Sat., March 19 5:30 p.m. Annual Interfaith Coalition Hope Auction

Sun., Mar. 20 Palm Sunday

Thurs., Mar. 24 Maundy Thursday

Fri., Mar. 24 Good Friday

Sun., March 27 Easter Sunday

May 20-22 Regional Assembly, Clarkston, WA

Change your clocks Saturday night, March 12, before you go to bed!

march 2016 courier

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