St Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church
1415 N. Grandview Odessa, Texas 79761
FROM
THE
MISSIONS COMMITTEE:
As you probably know, there are many people in Columbia, S.A. who have been left homeless, without food, water and care from the recent earthquake in that area. This earthquake hit an area in which we have a very active mission church effort. Fortunately, most of the church buildings in the area were not destroyed, but up to 60% of the buildings were damaged beyond repair.
The Missions Committee would like to take a special offering on Sunday, February 28th during the church service to address this need, pending approval by the Session and Diaconate who are to meet on the 21st. The funds will be sent to the Board of Missions in Memphis, who will forward the funds to those in need.
Please prayerfully consider this great need that has hit our friends in Columbia.
Children's
Choir
Sunday, 3:30 PM
Coming up soon!
Youth and children to do church service on March 31 - we need a choir!!!!
Practice is every Sunday, 3:30 PM
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
by Craig Martindale
This week is an important week in the life of all Christian churches throughout the world. This coming Wednesday, February 17, 1999, marks the beginning of the season called "Lent". The word "Lent" is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "Spring", and is a period of spiritual renewal for every Christian. Since the fourth century, this season has been devoted to Christian nurture through discipline and penitence. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the fortieth weekday before Easter, and concludes at noon on the Saturday of Holy Week.
The forty days are variously identified with the forty days during which Jesus fasted in the wilderness, the forty days spent by Moses on Sinai, the forty hours of Christ's entombment, and the forty days between the resurrection and the ascension.
The negative overtones of gloom and grief commonly associated with Lent are inconsistent with the joy and victory of the Easter message. Although Easter has it's beginning with sorrow and death, it is ultimately victorious in resurrection and new life.
There are six Sundays in Lent. The fifth is designated as Passion Sunday and the sixth is Palm Sunday. To emphasize Holy Week at St. Andrew, there will be a Maundy Thursday celebration of the Christian Passover in the Sanctuary at 7:00 P.M. The program will begin with the Seder Plate and conclude with a special musical presentation by the Sanctuary Choir. I hope that each of you will want to attend.
I also invite you to attend the special Lenten Services sponsored by the Odessa Ministerial Alliance. I will be preaching during the noon service at First Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 17th. You are invited to participate in this city-wide worship. May God bless you all during this holy season.
Lenten Lunch Schedule
Feb. 17 - Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord -Rev. Larry Rhea,of the Mt. Sinia Baptist Church, speaker.
Feb. 24 - Rose of Sharon Missonary Baptist Church - Rev.
Rob Scofield, Bethany Christian Church, speaker.
Mar. 3 - First Presbyterian Church - Rev. Laura Deadrick, St. John's Episcopal Church, Speaker.
Mar. 10 - Highland Methodist Church - Fr. Francis Frey, St. Mary's Catholic Church, speaker.
Mar. 17 - First United Methodist Church - Rev. Craig Martindale, St. Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church, speaker
Mar. 24 - First Christian Church -Rev. Bruce Troy, Second Baptist Church, speaker.
Mar. 31 - Temple Baptist Church
- Pastor Don Palmer, Life Unlimited Church, speaker.
Luncheon begins at 11:40, Worship at 12:20, to
conclude at 12:50. Suggested donation $3.00
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Don't forget PRIME TIMERS on February 24, 11:30 am.
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Many members of St. Andrew are still suffering the effects of flu and other winter ailments. They are sorely missed!!! Get well soon!!!
Ermyne Blevins is home, and continues her recovery. She is doing better all the time, and is looking forward to driving.
Sallie Hughes is home, is still getting out-patient therapy, and is much better. She says "Thank You" to all those who visited, sent cards, and held her in prayer during her illness.
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CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
"Let the children come to me,' said Jesus. As a congregation, we have a special responsibility to each them to worship. Here are things we can do:
Make a special effort to make the church a place of joy.
Warmly welcome everyone possible, especially the children.
Help children participate by sharing bulletins, hymnals and Bibles as they are used. Point to the words as they are read or sung.
However small their offering might be, let them place it on the offering plate. They will rejoice at being included.
Be patient when children participate as a group in worship. Their singing or Scripture reading mean a great deal to them. If they make mistakes, praise them on their efforts, anyway.
While parents should accept the responsibility for a disruptive child, the rest of us need to accept interruptions as part of the joy of having them in worship with us.
Pray for the children. They need all the blessings of God possible...as do we all.