For the Week Beginning March 7, 2010

We Remember In Our Prayers 

We pray that  Jack Behlendorf, Lea Chenault, Sandy Croushore, Anita Dorsey, Steve Dressler, June Henderson, Paul Kristiansen,  Christine Pugh and Fran Schwab will know God’s healing presence.

We pray for these folks who are physically unable to get to worship: Pat Chandler, Elsa Englert, Bernice Fahncke, Bob Groom, Elsie Hall, Willetta Heising, Anna Lou Hobday, Jean Kircheis, Helen Lenox, Ernie Pilant, Chuck and Jo Schumacher, John Warner, Dot Wright, and Earl and Lois Wysong.

We pray for these loved ones of our congregation: Donna Alt, Denise Antelak, Mary Armbruster, Lois Atkinson, Anne Baker, Bill Barnard, Lydia Bayer, Pat Bedtelyon, Jerry Beer, Dan Bishop, Blume and Lehman Families, Ron Campana, Christopher Carrington, Kelly Chappel, Angie Cobb, Michael Compton, Doris Crickenberger, Beth Cristel, Connie Cummings, Lin Custalow, Janice Degree, Lois Derrick, Mary Dickens, Will Dougherty, Bernard Edwards, Mark Ellis, Mae Failoni, Sarah Farmer, Bette Fissel, Carl Friedrich, Ken Friesma, Natalie Fulton, Joan Gattrell, Beth Gianetti, Lonna Gibson, Don and Ellen Greene, Emily Hancock, Mary Jo Hill, Alfred Hudson, Kyle Iddings, Joseph Javier, Kara-Sha Jones, Dolores Kampf, Don Kent, Jane Kent, Jerry Lane, Marilyn Lehman, Pamela Levitan, Mildred Lindblad, Zhou Ling, Bob Lovegren, Jim Mallue, Lorraine Mallue, Janet Marlatt, Brian McDonald, Ruth McNabb, Caitlin Meehan, Eleanore Mortimer, Paul Nelson, Elmer Ogaard, Betty Perella, Donna Perry, Doug Perry, Paula Perry, Michael Reier, Kym Reubush, Chris Romig, Don Romig, Beth Scherer, Elaine Schiefelbein, Raymond Schlicht, Inge and Howard Schwab, Brian Shall, Don Simpson, George Sims, Steve Smith, Betty Ann Spiers, Edith Steinmuller, Howard Teubner, Ray Thorkildson, Sue Weilmuenster, Alan Weisbarth, Bill Whitescarver, Ted Wilm, Charlie Wilson, John Wolf, and Jim Yankovich.

Today

This is the season of Lent.  “In the Bible, fire (Greek = pur, as in “purify”) is used as a striking metaphor describing the change Jesus brings to our lives.  Jesus is the fire-bringer whose teachings drive out the chaff in our lives, demanding the slow burning away of all competing allegiances.  Lent is an annual invitation from Jesus to allow his holy fire to have its purifying way in our lives.  In Lent the classic disciplines of fasting, study, prayer, service, and worship allow space for the Spirit’s cleansing.  It’s important to remember that these disciplines have no inherent saving value, but they are vitally important, principally for giving the Holy Spirit room to work in our lives.  In short, the Spirit is given space to get at us.” – Frank Honeycutt

Notes on Sunday worship during Lent: The Hymn of Praise is omitted.  We will not sing or say the word “Alleluia” until Easter.  We use the Nicene Creed.  The liturgical color during Lent is purple, signifying penitence and return to God.

Flowers this morning are given to the glory of God by Jim Beaty in thanks for God’s grace and love, and in celebration of Mark and Cookie Baker’s 25^th wedding anniversary.

Sunday morning adult faith formation 

• Robert Camp leads a discussion of the book, “The Shack,” today and next Sunday.  The group gathers in the College Room (downstairs, at the back of the building), 10:00 – 10:45 AM.
• “No Experience Necessary:  Getting Comfortable with the Bible” will be the Sunday morning adult Faith Formation series led by Diane Bean for four weeks, beginning March 28. This is an opportunity to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about the Bible and glimpse at some helpful tools for reading and using the Bible.  Curiosity is encouraged!  Bring your Bible!

Upcoming

Have you made a picture appointment yet?  We’re excited about the new Pictorial Directory that’s coming!  Pictures will be taken on Monday and Tuesday, April 26 and 27 and on Friday and Saturday, May 14 and 15. You can sign up at church or on-line (www.signup.olanmills.com).  Can you help with sign-ups and check-ins?  Please mark the blue sheet!  For more information, contact Karen Shoberg (565-1264).

A group of St. Stephen folks will get together for lunch Saturday, March 20, at Opus 9 in New Town at 1:00 PM.  To join the group, indicate that on the blue sheet or call Don and Jeanne Nelson (258-9221). 

Rising 9^th-12^th graders!  Kairos 2010 will be held this summer at Roanoke College June 27-July 2. Submit your application for this week-long Virginia Synod faith formation event to Pastor Ballentine, who will be accompanying the youth.  Applications are available outside his office.   

All women are invited to the next Sarah Circle luncheon, Thursday, March 25 at 12:00 Noon.  The luncheon will be at Uno on Bypass Road.  Please call Jane Holcombe (229-8057) to make a reservation.

Please Note

Will you help proclaim the gospel by reading a part in the passion reading on Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28?  Please indicate that on the Blue Sheet.

Two pastoral care ministries need new members

• Communion Visitors take the sacrament to those who are homebound every month.  You are asked to serve two out of every three months.  The liturgy and communion set is provided.  For more information, sign up on the blue sheet or talk to Pastor Ballentine.
• Flower Visitors bring the flowers from our worship service to our sick and home-bound members.  For more information, sign up on the blue sheet or call Janice Svendsen (258-0244).

Name tags are coming!  You won’t be forced to wear them!  But think how helpful they will be for the newcomers to our community.  (And, how about for you and the other worshiper you’ve said “hi” to many times, but you’re both embarrassed because you can’t remember each others’ names?)

Got a Faith Formation idea for the Sunday morning adult class?  Our Christian Education Committee is seeking ideas for the Sunday morning adult Faith Formation class.  Mark the blue sheet!

Worship service recordings are now available on DVDs (audio only, no video yet). The DVD audio track can be replayed using a DVD player and a TV set.  Please contact Arnie Janot (221-0289) if you’re interested in copies.

The Flower Chart is nearly full for 2010.  The only available dates are May 16, 23, July 4 and December 5.  Sign up by signing the chart in the narthex and filling out the form below the chart.  Cost of flowers is $38.

The Altar Guild needs additional people to help for Holy Week.  Please sign up on the Holy Week schedule in the sacristy. If you would like to join the altar guild in preparing the altar for worship, phone Carol Harman (258-1175).  Training will be provided. And thanks for your service to St. Stephen!

Stop Hunger Now is a program combining rice, dehydrated vegetables  and other elements into small meal packages which are then sent around the world to people suffering from severe hunger.  Williamsburg United Methodist Church will be hosting a community-wide, ecumenical Stop Hunger Now event Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 – 8:00 PM, with the goal of making 100,000 meals for distribution.  More info: contact the Rev. Marc Rickabaugh (229-1771 or mrichabaugh@williamsburgumc.org)

Summer housing is needed for a  22-year-old senior at the University of  Wisconsin-Madison who is graduating in May and working in the co-op program at Busch Gardens over the summer.  She needs housing from the end of May through August. If you can help, please contact Kristen Wieners (kwieners@wisc.edu or (262) 206-5245).

Do you like to work outside? The schedule for mowing the lawn and tending the garden this spring and summer is forming!  Please sign up on the blue sheet if you’re interested!