ANNOUNCEMENTS
The attendance at the April 9th Mid-Week Lenten service was 33.
The attendance at the April 13th Palm Sunday worship service was 126.
The flowers gracing the altar for the April 20th worship service are presented to the glory of God and in memory of John's dad, John Evanchesky and Ginger's dad, James Saylor Jr. by John & Ginger Evanchesky.
It has come to the attention of the council that there is a need to accommodate worshipers who have physical disabilities (for example, wheelchairs). The sanctuary was examined and most of the pews are too close together to remove a piece for wheelchair access. However, the front pews have the room. The council decided that a section of each of the front pews--off the center aisle--will be removed after Easter. We hope this act will be a welcome benefit to those persons with physical disabilities.
The Garrett Christian Community Church Choir and Friends will present their annual Easter cantata, "It is Finished" on Sunday evening, April 27th at 7:00 p.m. at their church at 800 Walker Street in Garrett. A time of fellowship will conclude the evening. This is the former Garrett United Methodist Church.
Our annual road clean-up will be towards the end of April. The youth will be working parts of Ridge Road on Saturday, April 26th. They would appreciate any help. If you or your family help to clean the litter off Ridge Road or one of the side roads of the Ridge, please inform Pastor Nila. All litter collected from the road can be deposited down towards the grove and will be picked up at the end of April.
The Chicken BBQ dinner will be held at the Grove on May 17th. Tickets are now on sale for $12 and can be purchased from members of the Food Service Committee.
The church office hours for the week of April 20th are Wednesday 8:30--4:30 and Friday 9:00--1:00. Also, the church office will be closed on April 18th in observance of Good Friday.
Due to the rainy weather, Grove clean up days have been rescheduled to April 28th and 29th. Everyone is welcome to come out and help!
The Food Service Committee will be accepting donations of cookies for the 5K race on April 19th. Cookies can be dropped off before the race early on April 19th or contact Dan Glass at (717)818-9210 to arrange drop off on April 18th.
The St. Thomas Lutheran Church second annual 5K Race/Walk will be held on Saturday, April 19th, the day before Easter Sunday at 10:00 a.m. This year’s race will focus on Community Celebration. Registration and sponsor forms are available on the St. Thomas website and at the church during regular business hours.
Easter is late this year; April 20th. With the late date and with the Spring Bible Study, a Seder Meal is being planned for the evening of April 17th to observe Maundy Thursday. The meal will be at the grove at 7:00 p.m. If you plan on attending, please sign the sheet on the table in the narthex.
Heartland Hospice Volunteer Program is currently looking for volunteers in our area. Our volunteers offer support, companionship and practical, compassionate help. Some interact directly with patients and families. Others prefer to work behind the scenes in the office setting. As a volunteer, you help determine which tasks you're best suited to perform. For more information, please visit heartlandhospice.com or call (814)443-6450. A flyer is also posted on the bulletin board.
Upcoming dates in April:
April 17--Maundy Thursday--Seder Meal w/Holy Communion at the Grove--7:00 p.m.
(Please make reservations by signing the sheet on the table in the narthex.)
April 18--Good Friday Tenebrae Service--7:00 p.m.
April 19--Decorate the Sanctuary for Worship--9:00 a.m.
5K Race--10:00 a.m.
April 20--Easter Sunrise Service--6:30 a.m.
Easter Festival Service--9:00 a.m.
April 26--Road Clean-Up
April 27--Worship Service w/Anointing for Healing
April 28 & 29--Grove Clean-Up
The flower chart for 2025 is now posted on the bulletin board. Please consider sponsoring flowers. The prices are $25 for chancel flowers and $35 for altar flowers. A reminder that if you would like an announcement placed in the bulletin, please let the secretary know by noon on Wednesday of the previous week. There are announcement papers available near the flower chart or announcements may be emailed.
All contributions given to missionary will now be directed to Heart for Mission. This is a mission group run by the Thorstad family in Laos/Thailand. If you would like more information, please see their website www.heartformission.com.