Fruit of the Spirit Song - Piano: fruit_of_the_spirit

Parents, bring your children to this event held from 9:30 - 10:15

The Disciples Women CWF are beginning to make plans for the upcoming events of our church, i.e. Western Roundup and the Fall Festival. We found that the large 8 foot rectangular tables are no longer repairable.

Our women’s ministries is sponsoring, on behalf of the whole church, the purchasing of 25 light weight tables. The total cost will be approximately $2,250. At this time, five tables have been underwritten. Donations of any size will help us reach our goal to purchase the new tables by September. Checks may be left in the church office or placed in the offering envelope on Sunday morning. Please indicate in the memo section of your check, “For the tables.”

As part of our service to the community, CWF has placed two plastic boxes in the Parlor for items we are collecting - Campbell soup labels and Education Box Tops (Owens Primary), aluminum tabs (Shriner’s), and old glasses (Kiwanis). These items will be collected and distributed to the appropriate group. Thank you for your support.

CWF is in the beginning planning stage for the Fall Festival in November. This year we will be inviting some vendors to participate with their handcrafted items, as well as many of our own crafters and bakers. Liz Bristol and Alysce Schofield are co-chairs, if you have any questions.

Paul Bristol reported for CMF we have four (4) men going to Oklahoma City this summer to the Men’s Program, Sessions 2008. He also mentioned we will need to begin getting the Karrnel Korn building ready early this year.

Co-President Pat Waltman mentioned CWF will be selling See’s candy bars to raise money to send several women to Quadrennial in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June 2010. We hope to begin selling the candy at the Western Round Up. Pat also mentioned some of the service projects our members have done. Clothing has been donated from our members and delivered to the Women’s Shelter. Forty bags of personal items were also delivered to the Rescue Mission Women’s Center. In addition, several bags of paper items have been delivered to the Lori Brock Museum.

Elder’s Chairperson Dennis Hendrix reported the Elders are making arrangements for a retreat August 29th at St. Anthony’s at 3 Rivers. The purpose of the retreat is to conceptualize the purpose of elders, goals, inspiration, etc.

The Personnel Committee, Christian Education Chair, Pastor and the Moderator Elect will be conducting interviews for additional Nursery workers.

I recently traveled to Oregon, Washington, and spent two days at our Yakama Mission Church (log Church), as we discussed the vision, hope, and future of this historic mission site. I had time to reflect on family, friends, and our congregation as we move toward the establishing of God’s reign on earth. Sounds like lofty thoughts, does it not. Well, perhaps not lofty but meaningful. I missed my wife’s birthday, Coby’s (our actor son’s) birthday, Mother’s Day, and our Pentecost Sunday service. I was saddened to miss these important milestones but rejoiced in being able to worship on Pentecost in a Catholic service at “The Grotto” in Portland, Oregon. It was a beautiful service and provided me an opportunity to share in the experience with my brother, sister-in-law, and eldest nephew. I know you were all blessed by Jim Pierson being in our pulpit, too, providing a good Pentecost for all.

My prayer for June is that a healing of mind, body, and spirit pervades our congregation, family, and friends. It seems that too many are suffering and I trust that prayer can make a difference in their attitude, condition, and future. As our “health” improves we are given more and more opportunities to express and spread the good news we know in Jesus Christ. If there ever was a time for a renewed sharing, it is now. With elections coming up, war and natural disasters headlining our newspapers, gang and related activities seemingly rising at an ever quickening pace, we definitely need God’s creative grace to flow over all of creation and provide hope to all of God’s people. And, as God’s people, yes that is us; we need to do our part. What a challenge! But, with God’s Spirit providing the strength and peace we can move forward. A challenge? Yes - Exciting? You bet. Believing that “Unity Is Our Polar Star” may we move faithfully forward as one people.

Blessings,

Alan

Gregory Gene Minner, the son of Doug & Beverly Minner passed away. His servicde was held April 22 at 3 p.m.

As Teri Smith has repeatedly said, “2008 - Change is Great!” Well, if not great, at least inevitable. As you can see even the Mirror is not exempt from change. Let us know what you think. It is our hope that it is more user friendly and easier to read. Some of our eyes are getting a little older and in need of assistance.

I will be journeying to Yakama Mission church on May 6, and returning to the office on May 14, 2008. I will be meeting with Lonna Owens and Don Shelton from Disciples Home Missions and members of the Yakama board. Keep us in your prayers as we discover newer ways to be a presence and witness to the Yakama Nation. We are ever diligent in maintaining a proper relationship with those whom we serve. (To refresh your memory, the four historic missions of the church are: Yakama (Washington), Inman (Texas), Appalachian (Kentucky), and All Peoples Christian Center (Los Angeles).

This is not the most expressive article (news wise or theological) that I have shared, but alas, time and situations have a way of shifting our objectives. I do, however, want to share with you the closing passage of scripture that will be used on Sunday, May 18, 2008, during our worship. It is found in Matthew’s Gospel, 28:20b and says, “And remember, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” What more is there to say! Thanks be to God for such a gift.

Blessings

Alan

“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘1have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:18 NRSV)

Having quoted Scripture allow me, too, to quote Verity A. Jones Easter Sunday devotion in our Lenten Season Fellowship of Prayer. She begins “Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed. Alleluia!” An appropriate beginning for an Easter message, and combining her opening with the John passage brings me to her next to closing paragraph. A statement that has caused me to consider, rejoice, reflect, and celebrate.

“Easter is not the end of our journey; even if it arrives at the end of the Lenten season. Easter is the beginning, the new beginning that God offers to each of us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is now our time to step out in faith, to turn our lives around, to seize the opportunities of discipleship and fellowship laid out before us.”

She then concludes with the following, “The risen Christ call us by name. May we answer with confidence and hope as we step forward into new life.”

I wish I had written these passages. But, thanks be to God, I can share them with those with whom I worship. How blessed we are to be so loved by God and so blessed by the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. For all who believe we know that each day is a new beginning. And to that I can only add, Thank You! Amen.

Blessings,

Alan

Gay Smith

God bless you all,

Pete and Pat Waltman

Thank you again,

Linda Peterson, Secretary

The Financial Committee reported we have funds in our General Account and all of our bills have been paid. Pastor Alan shared on March 20th, we will be having our Holy Week Service in the sanctuary beginning at 6:30 p.m. This will be our only special worship during the Lenten Season.

The Board would like to thank Pat Waltman for the work she has done as Publicity Chairperson. Beginning in March, KAXL Radio Station will be advertising our church. We will also have an ad in the Bakersfield Cali­fornian in the Easter Worship Guide that will appear in the Applause on Saturday, March 8th, The Market Value Place, Monday, March 10th and in the Bakersfield Cali­fornian on Saturday, March 15th. The ad will be 3″x4″.

Terry Herder, Property Chairperson, reported the heater in the choir room is now working. He was also pleased to report the dishwasher and hot water heater in the kitchen are both working.

The first Saturday in April has been planned for a workday.

Moderator Lorenz Dauner mentioned the Church Loca­tion Committee will be formed over the next four weeks. He hopes to share the committee members at the next Board meeting. Lorenz wanted to thank all those who attended the Training and Calendaring Meeting, January 27,2008. 

Thank you for your support.

Lorenz Dauner, Board Moderator, offered the list of Department and Committee Chairs for the Board to affirm. He had contacted each person to see if they were still interested in continuing in their position. Those who said “yes”, were affirmed by the Board. Thank you to everyone for their service to our church.