Reflections
[Read Luke 13: 1-9; one of our readings from yesterday.] It tells of Jesus’ response to a question about the death of some Galileans who were killed by the Romans in a hideous manner.
The people came to Jesus asking if these were more worse sinners than others. Jesus responds with, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Jesus rejects their theory of justice; that is, the more brutal one’s death, the more hideous the crime.
In Jesus’ response, the issue is not what others need to do to get right with God but what each individual should do. Jesus exposes a very common human trait: the tendency to point out the sins of others rather than to confront one’s own flaws.
Jesus’ reprimand and the parable of the unproductive vineyard I think show that one’s own life should be looked at clearly before another person is condemned. “For whoever seeks to justify himself or herself will be cut down like the fruitless vine.”
Birthday’s this week:
Jennie Whitmill, March 7
Pam Romano, March 8
Karleigh Haller, March 10
Madison McAreavy, March 10
Rob Sandefur, March 11
Tony Romano, March 12
Dale Ziesmer, March 12
Ed Tam, March 13
Anniversary’s this week:
Dave and Marge Walasinski, March 9
On the “Prayer Wall” (March 8): Reinhart family on the death of baby, Ava. Tammy Douge’s son. Veronica Moore. Marie Tam. Alice Ventura. Pat Kelley. Jerry Barnes. Beth Didario. Libby Gill. Cindy Iamele. John Demming. Julie Schwartz. Jennie Whitmill. Emily Edwards. Dorothy Mitchell. John Wittkop. Betsy Buckles. Carolyn Marvin.
Prayer requests from Sunday, March 7: Celebrated Girls Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. Sympathy expressed to Andrea Hickey and family on the death of Andrea’s grandmother. Brendan Breitner had successful surgery. Wendy Hoffman is home following surgery and doing well. Roger and Donna Adams’ great-granddaughter had been in Mott Hospital this week. KC Goodrich, son of Tim and Patty, has been hospitalized. Donna Godin, daughter of Zora Spewock, fell and broke her leg while skiing. Carolyn Marvin, Anne Buhl’s niece. Abby Goodridge placed did well in swimming competition. Prayers for Zac.
Please be sure to check the prayer wall each week.
Prayer Vigil
Our annual Holy Week Prayer Vigil will be held on Wednesday, March 31 from noon until midnight. Sign-up today for a half hour time period. God answers prayer!!! Be a part of this event. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway.
Summer Camp
Thinking about sending your child to summer camp, or going yourself? Kathy Leslie has all the camp materials. Contact her if you are interested. Scholarships are available.
BEACON via email
Are you interested in receiving the BEACON via email (as an attachment)? If you are, please let Mary Sandefur or Pastor Doug know. We are compiling a list of those who are willing to receive the BEACON in this fashion; it will replace your printed copy. Those who do not have email, will still receive their printed copy each month.
Fun and Fellowship
Saturday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dundee Area Senior Center. Sign up today, on the Fun and Fellowship Board in the fellowship hall.
CALENDER OF ACTIVITIES
Today 6:45 Chime Choir rehearsal
Tuesday 10:30 “Three Simple Rule” class
7:00 Choir rehearsal
8:00 Administrative Board
Wednesday 6:30 Soup and Spiritual Enrichment – Rev. Pat Green
Saturday 6:00 Movie Club at “Rothrock Theater” - “Darby O’Gill and the Little People”; wear some green for St. Patty’s day.
Next Sunday, March 14 is “One Great Hour of Sharing.” A special offering will be received for the ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Funds raised enable UMCOR to send 100% of special offerings to designated relief efforts. We, as a congregation, have sent $1000 to the Haiti relief efforts following the earthquake – and ALL of that (100%), along with the $12 million plus raised by United Methodist’s, goes to that project. Thank you for caring!
COMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesdays during Lent, 6:30 – Soup and Spiritual Enrichment programs begin
Saturday, March 20 – Fun and Fellowship, 7:00 p.m. at Dundee Senior Center
Thursday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. – Annual Interfaith Lenten Breakfast at West Ida Immanuel Lutheran Church (Albain and Jackman). Special musical program presented by Erica Kerr (daughter of Pastor Ted Kerr of Prince of Peace Lutheran, Ida). Erica is a recent graduate in organ performance from EMU; she will present a program of “Lenten music” and a hymn sing-a-long. Make your reservation now, as seating will be limited. Sign up on the sheet on the hallway bulletin board.
Saturday, March 27 – Boy Scout Troop 511 Spaghetti Supper here at church
Holy Week Prayer Vigil – Wednesday, March 31 from noon to midnight.
Thursday, April 1, Holy Thursday, 6:30 – potluck and worship service. Bring a dish to share; table service and beverage provided.
Friday, April 2, Good Friday, 7:00 – Good Friday worship service.
Sunday, April 4 – EASTER!! Early worship at 8:00, followed by breakfast at 9:00 and Easter worship celebration at 10:30.
LIFE LINE SCREENING
Dundee Church will be hosting Life Line Screening Tuesday, March 16. These health screenings are available for people 40 years old and older. The screenings are done using Doppler ultrasound systems.
Screenings include: carotid artery screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm test (AAA), ankle brachial index (ABI), bone density, atrial fibrillation (Afib), and complete lipid panel, glucose and C-reactive protein blood test.
You must pre-register by calling 1-800-324-1851. The screenings are painless, non-invasive and require about ten minutes.
NOTE: there are fees for these tests which are not covered by insurance or Medicare.
You can find more information on flyers on the glass case.
Sunday, March 14: Disgrace Rolled Away
Joshua 5: 9-12; II Corinthians 5: 16-21; Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
God gives us the limitless power of the Holy Spirit, but is our job to raise
the sails of our time and talent to capture this wind and move forward.
“God provides the wind, but we must raise the sails.”
Blessings for your week,
