March 25, 2012 Newsletter

Bearing Fruit
March 25, 2012

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Leroy Reber (3/29)

Offering for 3/18/12:  $2522.50 (regular)

Upcoming Events

·         *April 5 – Maundy Thursday Service at 6:30pm, Come and help us remember and celebrate the last supper       

                      Jesus shared with his disciples.

·       *April 8 – Easter Brunch at 8:30am, bring breakfast food to share.

·                     There will be no Sunday School Easter morning.

Prayers of Washington Mennonite

·       *Kalona Mennonite as they continue to grieve

·       *The Saturday Kitchen

To all those December Dessert Theatre Participants who contributed to a grocery gift card for me and mine: thank you, thank you!  And for all the hard work!  The gift card was so fun to use during dark January.  – Liz Widmer

Come hear Roger Farmer report on a recent 12 day trip to Ecuador with the Central Plains Conference tonight.  He visited Mennonite churches in Ecuador and listened to stories about Colombian refugees in Ecuador trying to escape both right-wing and left-wing guerillas in Colombia.  JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) is sponsoring this event here at church.  Come for a finger foods potluck and conversation (bring your own table service) at 6pm, or at 7pm to hear Roger’s presentation.  For more information call Roger Farmer at 319-653-2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short, yodershort at netins.net.

The Saturday Kitchen is held at the United Presbyterian fellowship hall every Saturday over noon.  Our church is responsible for the meal on March 31. We are responsible for preparing, serving, cleanup, and food expenses. An estimated 15 people will be needed each Saturday. See the sign-up sheets or Cindy Widmer for more information.

The Mennonite Church USA magazine seeks to fulfill its mission of helping readers glorify God, grow in faith and become agents of healing and hope in the world through articles that challenge and inspire, news that connects readers to the larger Mennonite community and much more.  If you would like to start receiving The Mennonite this next year, place a check for $37 in the offering along with a note including your current address by April 8^th.  For more information talk to Andrea Nussbaum.

Iowa Mennonite School

Students interested in attending IMS for the first time this coming fall, and their parents, are invited to an evening of info and getting acquainted on Monday, Mar 26.  It will begin at 7pm in Celebration Hall.  There will be a chance to meet teachers, parents, and students as well as receive info regarding curriculum.  Refreshments are available following the formal part of the evening.  For more info, contact Enrollment Director Candi Schmieder at candi.schmieder at gmail.com.

IMS’s Culinary Arts class comprised of nine seniors, will plan, prepare, host and serve ‘Mundi Cella: The World’s Pantry’ on 3 upcoming Wednesdays.  Reservations are required for the breakfasts, scheduled for Mar 28 (Indian cuisine), April 4 (Chinese) and April 28 (Brazilian)…$8 per person.  Serving will begin at 8:30am, and there is space for 32 guests per meal.  Please call the students to make reservations.

IMS’s Touring Choir, under the direction of Karenza Yoder, will continue their spring concert schedule with a program of worship at Wellman Mennonite Church on Sunday, April 1 at 7pm.  The choir is comprised of 31 juniors and seniors; they will present a variety of sacred pieces.  All are invited to attend the service.  A free-will offering will be taken for the school.

IMS’s Compassion Club is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Monday, April 2, from 7:30-11:30am in the gym.  Appointments can be made by calling the school (625-2073 or 683-2586); walk-ins are also welcome.

Mennonite Agencies

The annual Iowa Mennonite Disaster Service meeting will be March 25, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church.

Attention High School Seniors: Want to take some time off from school to focus on service and learning? Service Adventure gives you the opportunity to live in community with other young adults and a unit leader or couple while you learn more about what it means to serve God and each other. Visit Service.MennoniteMission.net for more information or an application.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Pray for the city directors of MMN’s partner, DOOR, as they host spring break service trips, plan for intense summer activity, and put together summer staff teams.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for David and Shana Peachey Boshart as they lead the pre-Easter services in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, April 1-4.

Washington Area

You are invited to attend the annual Kalona MOPS fundraiser meal on March 25th at Kalona Mennonite Church.  We will be serving from 11:30 - 1:30.  The menu features turkey, party mashed potatoes, green beans, lettuce salad, fluff, dinner roll, and dessert.  Free will donations will be accepted.  Please join us and help support your local MOPS group.

Answers in Genesis Conference will be held at Fairview Mennonite Church March 25-26.  Sunday evenings' topics are:  "Why Can't a Day Mean a Day?" beginning at 7:00 p.m. and "Noah's Ark & the Global Flood" beginning at 8:15 p.m.   Monday's schedule is:  7:00 p.m. - "Jurassic Prank:  A Dinosaur Tale" and 8:15 p.m. - "Worshipping the Creator God.  Answers Outreach prepares Christians to defend and share their faith with boldness and confidence. All are invited to attend!

Parkview Home is having their annual Peanut Auction for the residents on Wed, March 28, at 2pm.  They are seeking small donations by March 26^th of small items the residents will be able to ‘purchase’ with peanuts.  For a list of items like pens, crosswords, and shampoo see the orange paper on the bulletin board.

Christ in the Passover – A presentation by Jews for Jesus on Wednesday, March 28^th at 7:00pm at Faith Baptist Church.  For more information see the flyer on the bulletin board.

“Passion of the Christ” Screening - The Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church will sponsor the screening of “The Passion of the Christ,” on April 1 at 6:30 pm in Celebration Hall on the Iowa Mennonite School campus.  There is no admission and there will be childcare in the school gymnasium.  Due to the graphic nature of this movie, we advise parents to determine if it is appropriate for their children.  The film graphically displays the Biblical account of what Jesus went through to bring us God’s Salvation. You are invited to invest 127 minutes of your Holy Week to share this experience with us.

Jubilance Children's Choir, a community children's choir with 35 singers, will present their spring concert Come Celebrate God's Gift of Music on Sunday, April 1 at 4pm at Kalona Mennonite Church.  

The Washington Area Ministerial Association (WAMA) is inviting the entire community to come together on Good Friday, April 6^th at noon.  We will start at the post office for a moment of reflection and then continue on to 13 different locations around Central Park, ending at First Baptist Church.  We will be reflecting on Jesus’ suffering and death.  The walk will take around an hour.  Everyone is welcome to join!  If you have any questions, please call Pastor Jim Stiles at 319-653-5446.

The Crowded Closet is seeking 2 part time and 1 full time positions.  One part time workroom assistant, one part time retail assistant manager, and one full time workroom manager.  The workroom assistant would work with orienting and training volunteers.  The retail assistant would work with all aspects of merchandising, assist with advertising, and display work.  The workroom manager should have strong leadership and management skills, retail and marketing skills.  All positions must be able to lift, bend and be on your feet much of the day.  Should be able to work independently and as part of a team.  All positions will help with opening and closing the store, and answering phones.  Applicants must be able to work every other Saturday or equivalent, and occasional evenings.  Excellent public relations skills required.  Post secondary education appreciated.  For more information, contact Betsy or Karen at 319-337-5924.