2016 03 10 Central Connection

CENTRALCONNECTION
MARCH 10, 2016
WORSHIP SERIES
Our Story Through the Ages
Lenten Worship
When we acknowledge God as the author of life,
“Letting Go of the Pen” becomes possible. There are
necessary moments in our stories when we come to the end
of ourselves and realize the need to give up our pen. This is
when we have opportunities to recognize the Word planted in
us and to rely on the Author to be our provider/daily bread,
by allowing his hand to write our lives.
This is a time to remember the limitedness of our humanity
and our sinfulness. We confess and repent in preparation for
and in anticipation of the celebration of Easter and the
salvation we have through the death and resurrection of Christ.
REFLECTION
Last Sunday, March 6, was the fourth Sunday of Lent.
Pastor Dave preached a sermon entitled “It Used to Be
Sooo Easy.” When relationships stop being easy, the love
of Christ urges us on. We all enjoyed hearing Becky Elkins’
story of how she trusted God when God asked her to go
to Guatemala.
LOOKING AHEAD
This Sunday, March 13, is the fifth Sunday of Lent.
Pastor Dave will preach from John 12.1-8. This Sunday
will include a special offering for the Building Fund.
Pastor Regina will lead the Prayer of God’s People. You
may contact her or the church office with prayer requests.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 10
7-8:30 pm Quiz Practice
Thursday-Friday, March 10-11
Becoming Missional: Re-Learning How to Be Sent
Friday-Saturday, March 11-12
Ohio Conference Annual Conference Assembly
Saturday, March 12
8:30 am Quiz Practice
Sunday, March 13
9:30 am Worship Service, Lent 5
10:45 am Sunday School
2:00 pm Quiz Meet at Central
Tuesday, March 15
5 - 6 pm Free Community Meal at St. John’s
7-8:30 pm Quiz Practice
Wednesday, March 16
8:00 am Morning Prayers
6:15 pm Awana Family Pizza
6:45 pm Awana
6:45 pm Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF)
7:00 pm Mennonite Youth Fellowship (MYF)
Thursday, March 17
7-8:30 pm Quiz Practice
Friday, March 18
7:00 pm Ryan & Friends: Comedian & Ventriloquist
Saturday-Sunday, March 19-20
Quiz Invitational at Kidron, OH
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, March 20
9:30 am Worship
10:45 am Sunday School
Noon Congregational Meal
Maundy Thursday, March 24
7:00 pm Worship with Communion
and Footwashing
Easter Sunday, March 27
6:30 am Sunrise Service
7:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Worship
10:45 am Sunday School
*Information on calendar events are on the following pages.
DISCIPLING
COMMUNITY LIFE
Awana, March 16
Crazy Hair Night
JYF, March 16
Skating Party—Meet at the church at 6:00 to load the bus
to go to Wauseon. We will return at approximately 8:45
MYF, March 16
“Come as you are” Game Night
News from the Library
The library has fiction books that are available to take for
a freewill donation. There is a table set up across from the
library with books. Donations may be given to the office.
Vacation Bible School, June 5-9
Mark your calendars for Vacation Bible School, evenings
June 5 -9 . We are in need of someone to help direct VBS
this year. Please contact Karla Ringenberg if you are able.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
March 10
Julisa Nafziger
Loyal Briskey
March 13
Kelsey Stamm
March 14
Grace Coon
Congratulations
We offer our prayers and best wishes to Justin Sauder
and Bethany Wingate who will be married this Saturday
at Whiteford Wesleyan Church in Ottawa Lake, MI.
Ryan & Friends: Comedian & Ventriloquist
Coming to Central * March 18 * 7:00 pm. See the flyer on
the bulletin board or visit ryanandfriends.com for details.
Lodging Needed
The choir from Christopher Dock Mennonite High
School will be giving a concert on Thursday evening,
April 7 at 7:30. Forty-three students are traveling from
Pennsylvania to Iowa. We are asked to provide lodging
Please contact Bev Miller at 419-822-6397 (phone or text),
email bevs50@bright.net, or sign up at the table outside
the office on Sunday morning.
MCC says Thank You
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), along with our
partners around the world, are blessed by your continuing
support. Thanks to you, our friends and supporters at
Central Mennonite Church, for the many ways you
contribute to the work of MCC. In addition to the energy
and time you give at relief sales, thrift shops, meat canning
and material resources, your congregation contributed
$24,463.61 in 2015.
We are especially grateful for your prayer support for
MCC's work of relief, development and peace in the name
of Christ. Your support is sharing God's love.
Thank you! Matthew Tschetter, MCC Great Lakes
Tobin King
March 15
Liesel Schoenhals
Happy 85th Birthday Liesel
March 16
Jennifer Meyer
March 19
Ed Stamm
CENTRAL CONNECTION is published weekly for
Central Mennonite Church. Items for inclusion should
be received by Wednesday at 12:00 noon.
Send to office@centralmennonite.org.
Central Mennonite Church
21703 St. Rt. 2 Archbold, OH 43502
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 191, Archbold, OH 43502
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Phone: 419.445.3856
Email: office@centralmennonite.org
Website: www.centralmennonite.org
Facebook: facebook.com/centralmennonite
WORSHIP
Morning Prayers
Morning Prayers are held each Wednesday morning at 8:00.
(Please note the change of time.) Your presence and your
prayers are welcome whenever you can make it.
Pastor: Dave Elkins, 419.979.6246, dave@centralmennonite.org , off Friday
Pastor: Regina Wenger, 717.606.2507, regina@centralmennonite.org, off Monday
Board: Nancy Roynon (chair), 419.446.2967, Joyce Klingelsmith (v-chair),
Tyson Stuckey, Ed Nofziger and Ken Gruenhagen
Office Manager: Dana Short
Assistant Office Manager: Karen Grieser
Custodian: Ron & Elaine Zaerr & Family
Live broadcast: 96.1 WMTR Radio
View on RTEC Cable
(Channel 14) Wed: 7:00 pm
View on Time Warner Cable
(Channel 96-6) Mon: 10:00 am, 2:00 pm,
7:00 pm, Wed: 12:30 pm & 7:30 pm
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BEYOND CENTRAL
What you need to know about life insurance
Even some people who think life insurance is important
don’t have it because they’re confused about the different
types of policies and how much coverage they need. That’s
why Everence created a presentation called Why life? Have
your questions answered at 6:30 pm, March 29 at Lockport
Mennonite Church. To RSVP, call Denise at 419-446-4618
or email denise.waidelich@everence.com. Child Care will
be provided
Amigo Center
Friends of Amigo Banquet. Yellow Creek Mennonite
Church is hosting our banquet this year on March 31.
Meet and greet the staff and board at 6:00 pm, followed
by dinner at 6:30. If you would like to attend, please
contact Amigo by March 21 either by phone or email.
Tickets are free but we will ask for donations to support
the camp ministry.
* 369.651.2811 * info@amigocentre.org *
* www.amigocentre.org *
Kairos, March 31-April 3
Ken Gruenhagen, Pete Nofziger, and Duane Dowdy are
in training for the next Kairos weekend at Toledo
Correctional Institution to spread God’s love with
the residents. You can help! Needs are:
 Placemats colored by children
 Prayers via a Prayer Vigil
 Monetary donations
 450 dozen cookies
 People to attend the closing on Sunday April 3.
We have specific instructions for each of these activities
and will be available in the lobby after worship for you
to sign-up and ask questions.
Mennonite Disaster Service
On April 2, there will be a free breakfast at Lockport
with Kevin King, Executive Director of MDS (Mennonite
Disaster Service). This is an informal meeting of stories
and information of the MDS ministry and the possibilities
of getting involved. More information to come.
50th Annual Fairlawn Haven Auxiliary Auction
April 7 & 8, 2016.
Donations of crafts & handmade items, baked goods,
candy, event tickets and more are greatly appreciated.
Drop off non-food items at Fairlawn by April 4.
Proceeds benefit projects for Fairlawn Haven Residents.
Fairlawn truly needs and appreciates the support of our
area congregations.
Hands of Grace Craft Show
Pettisville Missionary, April 16, 9 - 3 pm
We are looking for crafters. If you are interested, check
our website at handsofgrace.org or call the office at
419.822.3556 for a vendor’s application.
Golfers - it’s that time of year again!
Plan to attend the Annual Shalom Ministries Golf Scramble
Benefit at Suburban Golf Course, on Saturday morning,
May 21. Be watching for details and more information
soon! To register your team, sponsor a hole, or make a
donation contact Tara Conklin or Amy Clark at Shalom,
419-445-1552 or e-mail tconklin@shalomworks.org or
aclark@shalomworks.org. Hurry as we are once again
limited on the number of teams we can register.
MCC Borderlands Learning Tour:
We welcome you to join Mennonite Central Committee
(MCC) on a learning tour designed to bring awareness to
the issues caused by the border wall along the Mexico/U.S.
border. Participants will increase their understanding and
knowledge of the social, economic, political and theological
significance of migration in border communities, including
advocacy tools and capacity building to engage others on
borderlands and migration issues. The tour will take place
on May 25-29 in Arizona and will include crossing the
border into Mexico. Attendees will also have the option to
participate in the Migrant Trail walk following the tour. For
more information, including a tentative schedule and online
registration, visit mcc.org/borderlands-tour.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Weekly Register for March 6, 2016
Worship Attendance: 245
Budget Offering: $ 7,571.90
Building Fund: $ 305.00
Building Fund Update
The current building mortgage balance is $110, 020.00
Please prayerfully consider giving to this Sunday's special
offering for the building fund as we work together to bring
the balance to $0.
OHIO CONFERENCE
Worship at ACA (Annual Conference Assembly)
Everyone is invited to join the ACA worship services this
weekend. The service on Friday will begin at 1:00 and on
Saturday at 12:45. All are welcome!
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THE WORD OF GOD
John 12.1-8
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Six days before the Passover Jesus came to
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‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hun-
Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had
dred denarii and the money given to the poor?’
raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner
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for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of
poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the
those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound
common purse and used to steal what was put
of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed
into it.) 7Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She
Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The
bought it so that she might keep it for the day
house was filled with the fragrance of the per-
of my burial. 8You always have the poor with
fume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples
you, but you do not always have me.’
(He said this not because he cared about the
(the one who was about to betray him), said,
COMMUNITY LIFE (CONT’D)
Pastoral Care Notes
Please pray for the following this week:

Ohio Conference’s Annual Conference Assembly &
Becoming Missional event, March 10-12

Heini Schoenhals who is in Hospice care at Fairlawn,
Rm 158.

Grace Eicher who is at UTMC with heart related issues.

Brandy Gresock, Marty Pennington’s daughter, who has
mild pneumonia and a blocked kidney.

Jeanette Beck is recovering from a broken leg at
Fulton Manor

Don Vasvery has moved home and is recovering well.

Vera Schmidt and Robert Short continue to recover
at Rupp Rehab.

Ruth Roth, John Smith, Inez King and Janice Nafziger
continue to recuperate at home.
March 20
Hawaiian Theme
Looking for help with:
 decorating
 Set-up/preparations
 clean-up
See Denise in the lobby
on Sunday to sign up
If you have a prayer request to pass along you may contact
Pastor Regina, Pastor Dave or the church office.
Updates may be found by the mailboxes.
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