The Collins family is looking forward to worship at the National Cathedral this coming Sunday. We’ll be back on the 25th to welcome District Superintendent Janet Maxwell who will be bringing the message.
While We're Gone
We don’t have anyone scheduled to be on call for us next week. We didn’t schedule anyone because in all the years that we’ve been here, not one phone call has been received. So finding someone to be on call is more trouble than it’s worth. We’ll have our cell phones with us, call if there is an emergency (or even something you think might, just maybe be an emergency). If there’s a need for pastoral care, we’ll make arrangements then.
Office Closed Tomorrow
The church office will be closed beginning Friday, March 16 (tomorrow) and will not reopen until Monday, March 26, 2012.
Meeting Notes — Outreach Work Area
The Outreach Work Area met yesterday. Highlights included:
- A reminder that organic, fairly traded coffee, tea and chocolate are available in the church office.
- Support for the Witness Work Area’s plan for a “Opening Night Dinner” in conjunction with the CCC production of “The Adventures of Princess Atlantis” to raise money for United Methodist Youthville.
- Discussion of other outreach possibilities.
- A decision to try and place Food Pantry Sunday (the first Sunday of the month) on the church calendar and include a shopping list the Sunday before as reminders.
Meeting Notes — Witness Work Area
The Witness Work Area met Monday. Highlights included:
- A decision to offer to host the cast party for the cast of The Adventures of Princess Atlantis (the offer was accepted).
- Mary Kai Brandenburg will spearhead an “Opening Night Dinner” on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall with a free will offering to benefit United Methodist Youthville.
Princess Atlantis and Youthville
This April the Coffeyville Community College Music/Theatre Programs will be putting on a production of “The Adventures of Princess Atlantis” in the Spencer/Rounds Theatre. The dates and times are April 18, 19, and 20 at 7pm; April 21 and 22 at 2pm, and April 23 at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for United Methodist Youthville and the Kansas Children’s Service League. One of our members, Mark Frank, based this play on his book of the same title and two other members, Atlantis Frank and Elizabeth Collins will be taking part.
Because of the connection between the play and a United Methodist institution, various church activities are being planned to coordinate with the production schedule. We’ll keep you posted.
Church Office Closed for Spring Break
The church office will be closed next week (Monday, March 19, 2012 through Friday, March 23, 2012) for spring break. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Sermon — March 11, 2012
My sermon from this morning, “Temples of the Living God,” based on John 2.13-22, is now available online at coffeyvillefirstumc.org/podcasts.
Daylight Savings Time Begins This Sunday
Daylight Savings Time Begins this Sunday (March 11, 2012). Don’t forget to move your clocks forward (spring forward/fall back) one hour.
Mike Mason to Preach
Jenny and I will be gone next Sunday (March 18, 2012) visiting family in Washington, DC. Mike Mason will be preaching a sermon titled “Hard Sayin’s.”
Organ Tuning
The organ tuner is here, so I’m closing up the office and going home. Call me on my cell if you need anything.
Harold Camping Recants
Harrold Camping who made news by predicting the end of the world on May 21, 2011 has issued a confession and apology that includes the following:
“We have learned the very painful lesson that all of creation is in God’s hands and He will end time in His time, not ours! We humbly recognize that God may not tell His people the date when Christ will return, any more than He tells anyone the date they will die physically.”
It letter also reads:
… we now realize that those people who were calling our attention to the Bible’s statement that “of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matthew 24:36 & Mark 13:32), were right in their understanding of those verses and Family Radio was wrong.
I would hasten to state that I don’t agree with the whole letter (and I would recommend taking the time to read it), but I can’t gloat, I’ve made too many mistakes myself. Instead, I must give Camping credit for admitting that he was wrong. It’s something that many public figures can’t seem to bring themselves to do.
The apology can be found on the Family Radio website under “An Important Letter from Mr. Camping.”
Hat Tip: Sojourners