Announcements for February 10, 2008

Happening Today - First Sunday in Lent

Worship 8:15, 9:45, Sanctuary and 11:15 - Historic Church

Westminster Woods Breakfast

Adult Bible Study 9:45am - Fireside Room

Y.E.S. Practice 11:15 - Sanctuary

Monday, February 11^th    

Finance Team 9am - Resource Room

HELP Placement 1:30pm - Fireside Room

Rebekah Circle 1:30pm - Price Hall

HELP Board 6:30pm - Resource Room

Lent Series 6:30pm - Price Hall

Peace & Justice 6:45pm - Fireside Room

Tuesday, February 12^th    

PATH 8:30 & 9:45 - Price Hall

Historic Church open noon-12:30 for Lenten Reading

Bells Appealing 4:30pm - Sanctuary

God’s Promises 5:30pm - Sanctuary

Kids of the Kingdom 6pm - Sanctuary

Congregation Team 6:30pm - Health Ministry Room

Wednesday, February 13^th    

FCW Board 10am - Fireside Room

Staff Meeting 10am - Health Ministry Room

Celtic Communion noon - Historic Church

Worship Ministry Team 4:30pm - Health Ministry Room

Jr. High 4:30pm - Youth Room / Price Hall

Sr. High 6pm - Youth Room / Price Hall

Praise Team 6pm - Sanctuary

Celebration Singers 7pm - Sanctuary

Thursday, February 14^th    

El Dorado Convalescent Worship 10am

Historic Church open noon-12:30 for Lenten Reading

Lamplighters 1pm - Price Hall

Friendship Circle 6:30pm - Price Hall

Friday, February 15^th

PATH 8:30 & 9:45 - Price Hall

Saturday, February 16^th  

Dorthea Engstrom Memorial 11am - Sanctuary

Next Sunday, February 17^th  

Worship 8:15, 9:45 Sanctuary and 11:15 Historic Church

Blood Pressure Sunday

Adult Bible Study 9:45am - Fireside Room

Y.E.S. Practice 11:15 - Sanctuary

Visit our website!

www.eldoradofederatedchurch.org

Federated Peace with Justice Ministry - The newly reactivated Federated, Peace with Justice Ministry Team is having its second meeting of the new year.  The meeting will be Monday February 11^th at 6:45 pm in the Fireside Room.  We will be planning our next events or projects.  Ideas are welcome. Everyone is invited (young to experienced) and the Team hopes to see you there.

ALWAYS REFORMING!  As our worship services change, our sanctuary changes, too. The Worship Ministry Team is exploring ways to make our chancel area more useful and more beautiful in the service of the church. If you have any ideas, please join us at our next meeting, Wednesday, February 13 at 4:30 in the Sanctuary.  We will be listening to input and gathering ideas for future planning.

Lamplighters will meet on Thursday, February 14 at 1:00pm. All are heartily welcome to come to Price Hall for coffee, tea, and dessert, as well as heart-warming fellowship. For more information or to let us know that you are planning to come, please contact Fred or Helen Unterleitner at fritz@cal.net.

Federated Sunday at Upper Room February 17 - Shift Times Have Been Shortened!  The third Sunday of every month is Federated’s turn to prepare and serve the meal at the Upper Room, the local dining hall that serves a hot meal to low-income and homeless people 364 days a year.  Since we have such an efficient crew, we’ve shortened the shift times.  Preparation is from 1:30-3:30, and serving is from 3:30-6:00.  The sign up sheet is in the church entry, or call Helen at 622-0273, ext. 16.

Ways You Can Help the Youth Build Bridges in Mexico! - Okay, so we are really building three houses this year, but what we do also builds bridges. And even if you aren't a youth, you can help with the trip in these ways:  Sign up to provide 2 dozen cookies;  Sign up to provide a housewarming gift for one of the Mexican  families; Buy a cross of nails  (all of these are on a little white table outside the church entrance!); Contribute to the Ray Perry Memorial Scholarship fund which helps youth who otherwise would not be able to afford the trips.

FEDERATED BOOK CLUB - Please join us at 1pm in the Fireside Room  the first Thursday of the month - the next meeting will be on March 6^th.  The upcoming selections are:  March - Water for Elephants by Sara Green; April - Henri Nouwen: A Restless Seeking for God by Jurgen Beumer; May - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert; June - Rolf in the Woods by Ernest Thompson Seaton.

Baptism & Beginnings:  New Member Class 2008 - If you are an adult interested in membership or in baptism for yourself or your child, you are invited to consider the meaning of baptism and new beginnings at our annual new member class.  The class will be held from 6:15 to 7:45pm (time change) on three consecutive Sundays - February 24^th, March 2^nd and March 9^th; the sacrament of baptism and reception of new members will take place on Easter Sunday, March 23^rd.  Please speak to a staff member or call the office if you are interested.

Sunday, February 24^th - The Ministry of Word and Sacrament - An evening with Andrew

Sunday, March 2^nd - Ministry in Praise and Pastoral Care - An evening with Bonnie and Karen

Sunday, March 9^th - Ministry with Children and Youth - An evening with Helen and Jodie

GATHERING NEWS AND NOTIONS, DUE FEBRUARY 24 – Everything you ever wanted to know about Federated Church has a place in the Gathering. The next issue will be published the first of March—please email articles, photos and graphics to shunn@comcast.net or place them in the Gathering mailbox in the church office no later than Sunday, February 24^th. Earlier is better! Questions? Contact Susan Hunn, shunn@comcast.net.

Small Dinner Groups - Would you like to meet and enjoy dinner and friendships together?  Join a small dinner group - lunch, dinner, picnic - whatever you’d like to do.  Call Marilyn Allen or Virginia Duncan to sign up.

Do you need a prayer?  The prayer chain is available at all times for your prayer request.  If you have a prayer request, please call Dot Polston  Norma Paulin or Carol White.  We need more links added to our chain - if you believe in the power of prayer; you can add powerful strength to our chain.  We need you and you have only one call to make to pass on a prayer request.  Call Dot Polston if you would like to be a part of this powerful ministry.

fe Health Ministry  fe

Blood pressure screenings will be offered next Sunday in Price Hall! 

Here are some great websites for health and older adult health questions:

medlineplus.gov -sponsored by the National Institute of Health provides reliable and up to date information on health, illness, medications and wellness/prevention. 
nihseniorhealth.gov -a senior-friendly website from the National Institute on Aging and National Library of Medicine.  This simple to use website features popular health topics for older adults.  It has large type and a 'talking' function that reads the text out loud.

                                 YOUTH MINISTRY AT FEDERATED

Fellowship and fun for youth 7^th-12^th grade

Junior High 4:30-6:00

Senior High 6:00-8:00

Join us for food, fellowship, and fun. This week’s topic is “What Do You Absolutely Have to Have?” We’ll be talking about how attached to our “stuff” we get and how consistent that is with our faith values.

One Space Available for Sierra Service Project

This year we will be going to the Table Bluff Reservation to do home repair for the Wiyot tribe.  The dates are July 27-Aug. 2.  We have worked with this tribe before and it was a very rich cultural experience.  The deadline for claiming this space is March 1, so don’t delay.

Helen’s Schedule This Semester

Helen is in the bay area for classes (really hard classes!) Monday-Tuesday, and Thursday this semester. If you really, really need to reach her (ie, EMERGENCY) you can call her on her cell 530-558-5473. Otherwise leave a message on her office voice mail listed below or email her.  She will return your call or email on Wednesday.

For more information on any youth activities, contact Helen Mansfield at 622-0273, ext. 16, or email her at victori@directcon.net

Lent and the Holiness of Ordinary Things

Lent began on Ash Wednesday.  On that day the shape of a cross was inscribed on the foreheads of Christians using ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday branches.  The imposition of these ashes speaks of our mortality, fear of death and our hope of eternal life in Christ.  During Lent, we will continue thinking about these themes in the light of the simple objects we use in worship Sunday by Sunday.

A Lenten Series on the Objects We Use in Worship

1^st Sunday in Lent: Today, February 10^th

Scripture:  Isaiah 40:1-8; Luke 3:1-20

Theme: “The Pulpit, the Preacher and How to Listen to Sermons”

2^nd Sunday In Lent:  February 17^th

Scripture: Genesis 1; Revelation:1

Message: “The Celtic Cross and the Color Purple”

3^rd Sunday In Lent:  February 28^th

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Message: “The Font and the Meaning of Baptism”

4^th  Sunday In Lent:  March 2^nd

Scripture: I Kings 19:1-8; John 6:25-40

Message: “The Plate and the Bread of Life”

5^th  Sunday In Lent:  March 9^th

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30, 36-46

Message: “The Cup and the New Wine of Salvation”

6^th  Sunday In Lent:  Passion Sunday, March 16^th

Scripture: Psalm 23; Luke 22:24-30

Message: “The Table and Life in the Kingdom”

GREAT DECISIONS 2008

8 Wednesday nights and/or 8 Sunday mornings

beginning after Easter (March 26/30)

study books available now in Patio Hall

For the fifth year Federated Church will offer the Great Decisions eight week series, coordinated by Rev. Bob Olmstead.  Topics for 2008 include:
 

A Endgame in Iraq - What Can We Hope For?

A Russia and >Putinism= - Friend or Foe?”

A U.S. / China Trade Rivalry

A U.S. Defense Policy - Who Is the Enemy?

A European Unification . . . Is Latin America Going >Left ? . .

 New Philanthropy
 

The Great Decisions series is published annually by the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan group dedicated to helping Americans discuss the U.S. role in the world with accurate information.  Colleges, churches, libraries and other groups utilize the materials.  Public Broadcasting Systems carry half-hour video debates. 

Classes (including video) are designed to present information and elicit discussion, not to promote a position.

Attend when you can and when the topic interests you.

If you have knowledgeable guest speakers to suggest - or if you would/could assist in leading one of the sessions - please contact Bob Olmstead: BobOlmst@aol.com / 295-5561.

Children & Families Programs

Welcome to Bartholomew’s Basement!

Bartholomew’s Basement is the name of our children’s classroom area downstairs.

Children are encouraged to be curious and feel at-home in this space that is created just for them.

Children's Sunday School lessons & activities are offered at the 9:45am worship.  The nursery is open as a changing room during the 8:15 service and staffed for baby/toddler/PreK care during the 9:45am worship service.

Babies, Toddlers and Pre-K’s:  The Nursery is open for happy and loving play time with our energetic and loving Nursery Caregivers:  Anna Jennings, Deanna Vincent and Jocelyn Lane. The nursery is upstairs in the back hallway. Our nursery has a changing table, clean toys & a safe & fun play area.  Be sure to leave your cell phone number with the staff and turn your phone on vibrate so that we can contact you during worship if your child needs you.  Thank You!

Grandchildren and young relatives coming for Easter?

Why not bring them to the 9:45am service to be with the other children?

We’ll have a big group for an energetic and meaningful Easter Lesson.

9:45am Worship Today ~ “SECOND SUNDAY”

Right After Children’s Time ~ Children go downstairs for a special youth presentation about Westminster Woods: (www.westminsterwoods.org)

“A Christian camp & retreat center dedicated to the glory of God”

Youth who have gone to this camp for many years

will come tell the children all about their faith building experiences there.

(Today is the Westminster Woods fund-raising Breakfast in Price Hall)

We will also kick-off our Children’s Lenten Series.

Children Return to Worship today

for communion and anointing with their families.

Children’s Lenten Series

The Fruits of the Spirit: Galations 5:22-23

February 10: Love

February 17: Joy

February 24: Peace

March 2: Patience & Kindness

March 9: Goodness

March 16: Faithfulness

March 23: Gentleness

6/5 Alive Students will also be part of the Fruits of the Spirit Series

They will keep a weekly Character Trait Journal

(Compassion; Sense of Humor; Peace Seeking;

Understanding Others; Generosity; Loyalty; and Humility)

·  ·  ·

“LIGHT” Training Class for 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th graders

Would your child like to light candles during worship?

Let Jodie know.  Training Class on Palm Sunday, March 16^th, right after worship

Tuesday Evening Dinners

Everyone is welcome to come eat together in Price Hall.

For a small price, you can feed your family before or after choir, or just for fun.  We alternate between Pizza & Salad, Quesadillas and “Taco Mountain”

Flat File?  Does anyone have a flat-drawer filing cabinet that they would be willing to donate to children’s ministries?  We have posters that need better storage.

Thank you!

Announcements for December 9, 2007

Happening Today - Second Sunday in Advent

Worship 8:15, 9:45 Sanctuary and 11:15 Historic Church

Youth/Westminster Woods Breakfast - Price Hall

Peace and Justice 9:15am - Health Ministry Room

Adult Bible Study 9:45am - Fireside Room

Y.E.S. Practice 11:15 - Sanctuary

Pierce Powers is 90 today!  Please come and join in cake and song

in Price Hall after the first and second services!

Miracle on Main Street 2pm - Sanctuary

Monday, December 10^th

HELP Placement 1:30pm - Fireside Room

Rebekah Circle 1:30pm - Price Hall

HELP 4pm - Fireside Room

HELP Board 6:30pm - Resource Center

Tuesday, December 11^th

PATH 8:30, 9:45 - Price Hall

Bells Appealing 4:30pm - Sanctuary

Congregation Team 6:30pm - Health Ministry Room

Wednesday, December 12^th

Staff Meeting 10am - Health Ministry Room

FCW Board 10am - Fireside Room

Celtic Communion Noon - Historic Church

Worship Team 4:30pm - Health Ministry Room

Jr. & Sr. High Youth 5:30-7:30pm - Location to be announced

Praise Team 6pm - Sanctuary

Celebration Singers 7pm - Sanctuary

Thursday, December 13^th

El Dorado Convalescent Worship 10am

Connections Ministry Team 6:30 - Fireside Room

Friday, December 14^th

PATH 8:30, 9:45 - Price Hall

Next Sunday, December 16^th  - Second Sunday in Advent

Worship 8:15, 9:45 Sanctuary and 11:15 Historic Church

Blood Pressure Sunday

Adult Bible Study 9:45am - Fireside Room

Y.E.S. Practice 11:15 - Sanctuary

Visit our website!

www.eldoradofederatedchurch.org

Many thanks to Dottie McCalley of Ardencaple Christmas Forest for donating the beautiful tree for the Historic Church this year.

do you need a prayer?  The prayer chain is available at all times for your prayer request.  If you have a prayer request, please call Dot Polston, Norma Paulin or Carol White.  We need more links added to our chain - if you believe in the power of prayer; you can add powerful strength to our chain.  We need you and you have only one call to make to pass on a prayer request.  Call Dot Polston if you would like to be a part of this powerful ministry.

Sunday Bible Study - All adults are invited to Sunday Bible Study at 9:45am in the Fireside Room.  Our present focus is the Atonement and our teacher is Dr. R. C. Speoul, pastor, theologian and Bible teacher on radio and TV.  Questions?  See Burney Sheeks.

The Little Blue Book - Take Advent and Christmas one day at a time!  Enjoy a 6 minute daily reflection on the weekday gospels in The Little Blue Book from December 2 through January 13.  Time of day will vary for you, but this booklet gives you a pattern for prayer.  The right hand page is the gospel reflection.  The left hand page is the feast about various traditions and customs of Christmas.  This Advent booklet is based upon the writing of Bishop Ken Untener, a friend of neighbor of our very own Leslie and Dick Bush when they lived in Saginaw, Michigan.

STEPPIN' FORTH in 2008: Every year we have to count on new people to "step up" in the footsteps of older members who die, or move away, or find themselves in reduced circumstances.  Happily, Federated Church has just such folks ready to "step up" and be counted (on).  We have received 25 NEW pledges and 39 INCREASED pledges (a total of 200 pledges) for 2008.  Pledges for 2008 already exceed the total for this year by nearly $7,000 and there remain a few folks still to be heard from.  We welcome the gifts of time, talents and treasure from ALL our people; and at this time we offer special THANKS to those who pledged for 2008.  Federated wants to budget prudently and pledges (estimates of giving) make this possible.

THANKS FROM YOUR TREE OF KINDNESS TEAM!

Wow – The response to the Tree of Kindness has been fantastic! However, I do have one request:  BE SURE TO FILL OUT THE GREEN ½ SHEET AND PUT IT IN THE RED BOX BESIDE THE TREE OF KINDNESS. We need to know who has adopted each family in case there is a change or we need to contact you for some reason.  I am missing green sheets for these families: 8, 15, 17, 25, 28, 30, 43, 44, and 69. If you took a green sheet home by mistake, PLEASE call to tell me (Robin Stanley) your name and phone number and the name and number of the family you adopted (you can leave a message).  Also, because we had more large families this year, I divided some of those families into two requests to make adopting “half” of a family a bit easier  Remember – gifts that will be picked up by the families are due to the church by Sunday, Dec. 16^th.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Robin Stanley.

FEDERATED BOOK CLUB - Please join us at 1pm in the Fireside Room

January 3^rd - The Mapmaker's Wife by Robert Whitaker

February 7^th - A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Federated Sunday at Upper Room Next Sunday December 16 - Shift Times Have Been Shortened!  The third Sunday of every month is Federated’s turn to prepare and serve the meal at the Upper Room, a local soup kitchen that serves a hot meal to low-income and homeless people 364 days a year.  Since we have such an efficient crew, we’ve shortened the shift times.  Preparation is from 1:30-3:30, and serving is from 3:30-6:00.  The sign up sheet is in the church entry, or call Helen at 622-0273, ext. 16.

Grace Place - the guests at Grace Place badly need some warm socks.  Grey or dark colors would be best.  Also, there is a need for more towels.  Please leave the items clearly marked for ‘Grace Place’ in the Resource Center and the Sunday Team Leader can take them to Grace Place.  Many Thanks.

TIRED OF SINGING ALONE IN YOUR CAR?  Come raise the roof with your family and friends, singing carols in joyful praise in the old church on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 7:00 p.m.  Cookies and fellowship afterwards in Price Hall.  Want to bring some cookies to share?  Please call Leslie Bush.

Glenn and Marian White have a new address:  Heritage Pointe - 1765 Shuey Ave.  - Apt. 127 - Walnut Creek 94596 .

HOW EXCITING IT IS TO KNOW THAT THROUGH YOUR ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING WE HAVE SHARED WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD!

40 Jerry cans to carry water                                    3 shares of a pump (toward a $1000 pump)

42 oral re-hydration kits                              2 shares of a well (toward a $5000 well)

(helping save the lives of children)             1 share of a school rehabilitation ($15,800)

11 school kits                                              3 health care for orphans

28 pairs of rabbits                                       3 water buffalo

550 chicks                                                   4 literacy training

50 chicks and a wire coop                           9 health kits

10 seeds and tools (hoe, etc.)                                  2 ½ micro-credit loans of $10

64 blankets                                                  3/10 of a sewing machine plus training

Just think of the lives you have touched through Church World Service!  AND …….. WE HAVE ENOUGH ($2500) TO HELP SET UP A GRANARY FOR A VILLAGE IN THE CAMEROONS WITH A START ON A SECOND VILLAGE.  The granary will be used to store grain for the next year’s planting and for food.  The people of the village will be trained on how to keep records of the grain and also to make sure that it is dispensed properly.  This project is under Joining Hands for Hunger of the Presbyterian Church with Christi Boyd as our contact in the Cameroons.  The Boyd family visited us this summer and were with many of our children at Kamp Koinonia.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING - What better way to share the Joy of Christmas than to help with the work of our Methodist mission partners, the Graner family, who work with the Thiu Rancho Center in Bolivia.  (See their Christmas card and newsletter on the bulletin board near Price Hall).  We will send half of our Joy offering to the Graners and half to Presbyterian Disaster Relief for the people in the state of Tabasco in Mexico, where devastating floods occurred a few months ago.  Joy offering envelopes are in the pews and the offering will be next Sunday, Dec. 16.

fe Health Ministry  fe

Deacons meet this Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the Health Ministry room. 

Holiday Health Tip #4  Rest your mind!  Silence during this busy season can be a rarity.  Our senses are bombarded with the music, lights, to do lists, and our days are filled with self imposed expectations. Take time during this Advent season of waiting, carving out a time in your day, a quiet space to just sit, gaze, pray, listen.  Silence is good self care. 

“Legal Made Simple” is the focus of the December 19 workshop with Diana Steele, attorney with El Dorado County Senior Legal services.  Learn about trusts, living wills, estate planning to plan now to safeguard yourself and those you love.  Workshop held at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St from 1:30-3:00 pm. 

YOUTH MINISTRY AT FEDERATED

Fellowship and fun for youth 7^th-12^th grade

Christmas Party for Junior and Senior High Youth This Week!

Bring a side dish to share and a wrapped white elephant gift for exchange.  We’ll provide pizza and sodas.  If you plan to attend, email (victori@directcon.net) or call Helen and she will tell you where it will be.  We kinda  decided last minute to do the party that evening because more people could attend, but haven’t confirmed whose house it will be at!  We’ll split the difference timewise and have it from 5:30-7:30 pm.

God still needs a few good carpenters…

And roofers, painters, wheel chair ramp builders, and just generally handy people with a heart for spreading God’s love!  That’s exactly what our youth do when they go to Mexico over spring break to build houses and to Native American reservations over the summer to do home repair.  The Mexico trip costs youth $550 and the Sierra Service Project trip costs $410.  One thing we are doing this year to help offset costs is offering crosses made from carpenter’s nails.  Youth will be in front of the church from now until we leave for Mexico or SSP with these crosses.  Your donation for a cross helps defray the costs of these mission trips.  Check them out toady!

For more information on any youth activities,

contact Helen Mansfield at 622-0273, ext. 16.

Children & Families Programs

Welcome to Bartholomew’s Basement!

Bartholomew’s Basement is the name of our children’s classroom area downstairs.

Children are encouraged to be curious and feel at-home in this space that is created just for them.

·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·

Children's Sunday School lessons & activities are offered at the 9:45am worship.

The nursery is open as a changing room during the 8:15 service and staffed for baby/toddler/PreK care during the 9:45am worship service.

·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·

Babies, Toddlers and Pre-K’s:  At 9:45, the Nursery is open for happy and loving play time with our energetic and loving Nursery Caregivers: 

Deanna Vincent and Jocelyn Lane.

The nursery is upstairs in the back hallway. Our nursery has a changing table, clean toys & a safe & fun play area.  Be sure to leave your cell phone number with the staff and turn your phone on vibrate so that we can contact you during worship if your child needs you.

·  ·  · 

9:45am Worship Today:

It’s “Second Sunday”

Today the children will go with Jodie Regan for a short time during the sermon.

They will return for communion and anointing with their families.

·  ·  ·

Tuesday Evening Dinner is done for the year

See you January 6^th

·  ·  ·

Calling all Jars!

We would like to make “snow globes” in the Children’s Program.

 Weekly Announcements Archive

• Announcements for December 2, 2007
   
• Announcements for November 25, 2007
   
• Announcements for November 18, 2007
   
• November 11 2007
  Announcements
   
• November 4 2007 Announcements
   
• October 28  2007 Announcements
   
• October 21  2007  Announcements
   
• October 14 2007 Announcements
   
• October  7 2007 Announcements