Thank you for all of your support of the Winter Break Camp. Dozens of the children from our community have had the opportunity to hear the word of God through your generosity. Donations of snacks, juice, art supplies, toilet paper tubes, scholarships and time made this possible. Over all, we had 21 children attend camp. We were able to have seven children attend on scholarship thanks to your generous contributions. Special thanks go to those who gave of their time to help.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when we came to the sanctuary for “chapel.” Each day the children helped to tell the Bible story by acting out the stories of Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, and Jesus.

We are planning to have a Spring Break Camp to help families in our community. It will be April 8-10^th. Registration forms are available in the back of the sanctuary and will be in next month’s newsletter.

Garfield will hold a Valentine’s Dinner on imagine, Valentine’s Day.  There will be two serving times, 5:30 and 6:30.

The served dinner will consist of

Salmon & crab cake combo or the roast pork w/ baked potato or the baked sweet potato - lima bean or corn - drinks - and a surprise dessert.  There will be cheese spreads and assorted crackers on the  table top.  Just a nice friendly dinner offered for those wanting a nice sit down dinner, without leaving the mountain.

The cost is $25.00 per couple and $13.00 single. You must have placed your reservation and choice of entrée (Salmon or roast pork) by Sunday, Feb.8^th.  Your payment is due at time of reservation.  There will be no last minute reservations taken as food will be purchased according to the number of dinners.

 

The young people of our church have sat down and planned most of our events for 2009.  Many of our events will remain the same, like the spaghetti mystery dinner and everyone’s favorite and most stressful Youth Sunday. 

We really had to decide what we wanted to participate in because there is so much excitement to try different things but not enough time to do them.  One thing that we couldn’t turn down was Cedar Ridge’s Wild and Wacky Cardboard Derby.  We had so much fun last year and it was such a success not just for the youth group but the entire church. 

The plan this year is a rocket.  No I don’t know how it will work just like I didn’t know how the tank would work last year. I have been told that we will need plenty of cardboard so please if you have any we would appreciate it.  Also if you remember last year our group won most money raised which is a tradition I want to keep going!  We would love it if you could give just a little.  If each person could give just ten dollars we’d have nearly $1,000.  Wouldn’t it be great to win most money raised two years in a row?

Also 2009 is to be a year of youth outreach.  We need your help to make this goal of growing our group a reality.  If you know of young people in our community who need a youth group please invite them and let us know so that we can invite them to all of our events.  Also if anyone has fresh ideas bounce them off of me or pastor Katie.  We’re always looking for the next big event. 

Keep this in your prayers; we will be looking into the idea of starting a middle school aged group because we already have that need.  Together we can grow our congregation and fill it with young people who want to serve the Lord. 

Keep our group in your prayers and thanks for the support that I know you will give throughout 2009

 

We are starting a new Young Adult Sunday School class to meet every other week from 9-10 am. We will be studying Becoming A Contagious Christian. We will talk about sharing our faith in simple ways. There will be a light breakfast. The class will last 5 weeks. See Pastor Katie for details.

Also during Sunday School we have a study based on the book by Max Lucado entitled “Just Like Jesus”.  This study is approximately 6 weeks long and is on it’s second week so it is not too late to join.  During this study we will learn how everyone including you can have the heart of Jesus. 

Our traditional adult class continues with a scripture by scripture study of the Bible.

But don’t leave out our children who will have a wonder class, craft and usually a light snack.  And of course our Teen’s class will give your tween and teen the complete information on how they can deal with peer pressure, clicks at school and other teen things in a Biblical way. 

Sunday School has something for everyone, prayfully consider joining us at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

 

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Talk to me after Christmas,” I told a friend of mine. “Then I might have time for us to go out to dinner. When she called last week, I repeated the same sentence, with one slight change, “Talk to me after Easter.” “Easter!” she exclaimed! “That is not till April!” Isn’t it amazing how busy we can be and almost unbelievable the things we put off till we are able to find time.

I was talking with a mom from Eden ’s school. After church on Sunday she had a whole host of things she and her family were going to do. As they sat around the lunch table, she outlined the events. From taking dirty laundry downstairs to visiting the library to pick out new books, to picking up a few items from the grocery store, her list seamed to go on and on. Until her three year old asked, “Mommy, can we just take a nap today?” Ah…rest.

We all need it, but we never get enough. Millions of things are on our mind, things we want to do, things we have left undone. Things that should not keep us from resting…but things that get in the way. They get in the way of resting in the arms of Jesus.

I have been reading an interesting book by Keri Wyatt Kent. A faithful Christian, wife, mother, and writer, she talks about how busy her life was in her book Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri writes about how she would get so distracted by trying to live a faithful life, she forgot to rest – to take Sabbath. Taking Sabbath is important – after all it is one of the Top Ten! Finally Keri began to do her best to take time, to make time, for Jesus. As she rested in his arms she began to realize that when she would pause and take a break, she would be far more productive when she started working again – all because she took time to refocus her life on Jesus.

In one section of her book, she writes about Dr. Chuck Webber, a doctor who studies breathing. Breathing is such a part of our day we often forget how important breathing is to our lives. Without breathing…we die! But most people don’t realize that when you breathe, you pause (take a rest) after each breath. We breathe in, breathe out, and pause before breathing in. It is a God-given moment-by-moment reminder of why we need to take time to rest. God made us because we need rest!

 Dr. Webber encourages us to take time to pause and think about our breathing as a type of prayer or a mini-Sabbath for each moment.

Breathe in (God’s Holy Spirit)

Breathe out (God’s praise)

Pause (listen for God’s direction)

Perhaps this month, as you seek to serve the Lord and follow him, we can all turn to Him for rest. Let us breathe in, breathe out, and pause in his Glory. And as we do, may we all be blessed.

 

Ash Wednesday services will be at 7:30 on February 25th. Join us for worship as we begin the season of Lent.

Then, every Wednesday night during Lent we will have a prayer service at Garfield from 6:30 to 7:15. Join us for prayer, singing and reflection. See Pastor Katie for details.

 

Old Greeting Cards

 A box for all types of greeting cares fronts only (without writing on them) is placed in the narthex.

These cards will be trimmed to fit on 5 by 7 inch card back and will be attached to a new blank card.  These cards will be sold and all proceeds will go directly back to support abused, abandoned and neglected children at three ranches.

The cards we receive will be mailed to St Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada.  We need to get them in by February 22^nd.

Think of this as a mission to help these children while at the same time freeing your house of some clutter.

 

Quilting Lessons Have Begun

On January 20^th there was a patchwork quilt placed in the quilting frames at that church for beginners.

If you would like to learn to quilt, it is not too late to join the group.  The group meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. for a quick lesson and then to “hit the quilt” to practice what you have been taught.

If the weather is frightful, stay at home.  But if you are unsure if the class will be held, you can call the church information line at 301-293-3913.

 

There will be a missions committee meeting February 15^th following worship.  The committee has planned a bake Sale/Fruit Sale for Saturday March 14^th at the church between 9 a.m. and 12:00 noon.  We need your help and support to add funds to the mission budget so the church can respond to the needs of our community.

If you are interested in buying fruit or potatoes, please sign the sheet in the sanctuary.  Include the type of fruit and the amount you want.  Prices will be provided as the time approaches.

This summer, Pastor Katie will serve as the pastor at Camp Manidoken ’s Adventure Camp for 5^th and 6^th graders, July 5-10^th.

We would love to have a group of our young people in 5^th and 6^th grades come to camp! We are also in need of some adult volunteers (18 or older) to serve as counselors that week.

Pastor Chris will be serving that week as well, with High School students. High Schoolers are also invited to come. Both groups will participate in high ropes courses, canoeing, hiking, daily Bible Study, and other activities.  

If you are interested in serving or would like to send your youth to camp, please let Pastor Katie know.

 

A woman called a newspaper office to complain that her Sunday paper hadn’t arrived. Trying to calm her, the man at the office pointed out that the paper hadn’t arrived because it was Saturday.

After a brief silence, the woman said meekly, “Well, that explains why there was no one in church today.”

 

A very embarrassed woman apologized to her pastor because her husband had gotten up and left the sanctuary during the sermon.

“My husband didn’t leave because he disagreed with your sermon,” she said. “Actually, he’s been walking in his sleep since he was a child.”

 

Attendance & Offering December 2008

Income	2007	2008
Month	9169	8119
YTD	110961	124494
Expenses	2007	2008
Month	8442	8045
YTD	109741	126318
Sunday School/Missions	2007	2008
Sunday school	253	162
YTD	2329	2539
Missions	676	0
YTD	6951	6432
Attendance	2007	2008
Worship	384	365
YTD	4217	4576
Sunday School	95	77
YTD	1033	1193

 

Sewing for Jesus

Pastor Katie is looking for a few good sewers! Do you have a machine? Would you be willing to sew to share God's love with people in Columbia ? Voice of the Martyrs are in need of parachutes (don't worry! They are small!)  that can be used to deliver the good news to people in Columbia . If you are willing, I would love to gather together after worship on February 22^nd to make some parachutes to send to Columbia . A light lunch will be provided. See Pastor Katie if you are interested in participating.

 Food Pantry

In the midst of these difficult economic times, please keep in mind that the church has a food pantry, full of canned and boxed items for families in our church and community. If your family or a family you know could use some help, please see Pastor Katie. All requests are kept confidential.

 

 

A Prayer to Teach Your Children

God made the sun,

God made the trees,

God made the mountains,

God made me.

 I thank you, O God,

For the sun and the trees

For making the mountains

And for making me.

Written by Leah Gale

 

 

Second Kings, chapter 5, tells of Namaan, an army commander who had leprosy. A certain prophet of the Lord sent a message to Namaan, telling him to go wash in the Jordan River seven times. Reluctantly, Namaan did so and was healed.

Choose the prophet’s name from the list below:

A. Micah

B. Elisha

C. Elijah

D. Judah

 

Answer: (See 2 Kings 5.)

 Fast and feast

Arthur Lichtenberg, when presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, quoted this Lenten advice:
• Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
• Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.
• Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
• Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
• Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
• Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
• Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
• Fast from fear, and feast on faith.

—The SourceBook of Wit and Wisdom

 

The alphabet prayer

Many of us need to be more like the little girl whom the farmer found lost in his meadow. The farmer said to her, “Do not cry; I’ll take you home.”

The little child snuggled up to him, and with a smile, said, “I knew you would; I was waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me?” said the man. “What made you think I was coming?”

“I was praying you would,” she said.

“Praying? When I first heard you, you were saying A-B-C-D-E-F-G. What was that for?”

She looked up again and said, “I’m just a little girl. I was praying all the letters of the alphabet and letting God put them together the way he wanted to. He knows I was lost, and he knows how to put words together better than I do.”

Homiletics