EAST UNION MENNONITE CHURCH

Kalona, Iowa

Jay Miiller, Pastor

Elders: Ed Yoder, Norman Schrock, Charlene Rhodes, Keith Dickel

9:15 a.m.           Prelude

9:30 a.m.           Worship

Special Music

Readers Theater

Singing

First Fruits Offering

Children’s Time

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Sermon: “Into the Depths of the Mind of Christ”

Song of Response

Sharing/Prayer

Parting Song

Sending
Announcements/Dismissal

10:45 a.m. Sunday School

Nursery Attendants during the worship service are:  Jim Miller, Ryan Bontrager                   

Next Sunday: Renae Miller, Linnea Slabaugh

The nursery is open for any children up to five years of age.  Please feel free to bring children in before the service starts or at any time during the service.

Pleasantview Resident:  Martin & Leona Boller

Recuperating: Clarabelle Schlabaugh

Mercy Hospital: Nina Yoder

Special Concerns: Peggy Blosser, Menno Helmuth

College Students: Chase Gingerich, Shane Miller, Rachel Yoder

From Last Week’s Sharing Time: Jan Yoder (Surgery this week)

Global Concerns

From Mission Network: MMN worker Gretchen Kingsley & Ute Paul, both members of the Mennonite Team in the Argentine Chaco, have prepared a Christian education teaching tool appropriate for Toba indigenous churches.  Pray that the first booklets for sale will be accepted & that the biblical stories may come alive for the children.

I would like to thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers given to our family during this difficult time.  I am grateful to be a part of such a loving and kind community. 

Betsy Slabaugh & family.

Thank you church family for the prayers and many ways you have ministered to us during the illness and passing of Lora Shetler.

               Carol & Maynard Gingerich Family

Thank you for the many ways you have shown care, support and encouragement through my injury’s and recovery the past months.  We feel blessed to be part of such a loving church family. 

            Thank you, Karen and Bruce

Corrected address for:

Chuck and Jan Yoder:

2631 Lakeside  Drive, Apt. 2

Iowa City, IA  52240

Maundy Thursday hymns by the choir will include “In the Garden” (Life Songs) with text and tune by Mennonites: text – J. L. Horst; tune – H. D. Weaver.  Also the communion hymn “Sing My Tongue the Savior’s Glory” - Text: Thomas Aquinas (1263); and tune – Sarum Plainsong.  The Latin hymn and tune “Pange lingua glorios’” were familiar to the early Anabaptists and the tune was specified often in The Ausbund.

Spring Work Days for IMS students are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 24 & 25. If you would like to hire a student, please contact an IMS student or call the school office (656-2073).

The Concert Choir from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., will sing at Iowa Mennonite School (1421 540th Street SW, Kalona) at 1:45 p.m. and at West Union Mennonite Church (3253 305th Street, Parnell) at 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 4. The 45-voice choir sings a repertoire of mostly sacred music under the direction of Dr. William Eash. The concert is free and open to the public. Contact: 319-656-2073. 

On Wednesday, March 26th, starting at 7:00 PM in the Mid-Prairie High School Student Center, a second “Caring Community Initiative” meeting will be held. The “Caring Community Initiative” began and continues as a joint effort between the Council of Mid-Prairie Churches, Washington County Mental Health Agency, United Action for Youth of Iowa City, Grant Wood Area Agency, and the Mid-Prairie Community School District.  This initiative was started to help the community understand teen stress and the behaviors associated with that stress.  The first session, held November 14th, was well attended.  The March session will focus on identifying ways that community members can become involved with students and schools through a variety of ways.  Additionally, information about cyberbullying and teen online social networks like Facebook will be presented.  All parents and adult community members are invited to attend to become informed and involved in this effort to enhance a positive and nurturing environment in partnership with teens.

The Kalona First Responders Spring Blood Drive will be Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1 & 2, at the Methodist Church hall, from 2-7 PM.  Your support and donation is greatly appreciated.    All blood will be used for patients at the University Hospital.  Successful donors will receive free cholesterol screening or a beautiful Hawkeye umbrella.  For questions or to sign up, call Ethel Bontrager, 656-2481.

CrossWorks Youth Ministries of Upper Deer Creek Church is having their annual BBQ pork dinner on March 30 at 11:45am at the church. The cost is on a donation basis and funds raised will go towards various outreaches ministering to needs within the community this summer.

Washington Area Habitat for Humanity (WAHFH) will be holding its annual APPRECIATION DINNER, Thursday March 27th at the Washington United Methodist Church. The meal begins at 6:00 pm and will be followed by a fund-raising auction of unique items. Anyone wishing to donate items for the auction is asked to deliver them to the WUMC Fellowship Hall on the 27th, or contact a board member to make arrangements for pick up. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at Federation Bank or from any of the following Habitat board members: Lee Buchholz, Tom Davey, Wayne Fryenberger, Rhonda Henry, Lynn Patrick, Terry Miller, Tammy Negrete, Lynette Sievers, Rod Stogdill, Nicole Thomas and Brenda Vittetoe. Thank you for your continued support of WAHFH by making your night out count!

On April 6, 2008, Washington Mennonite Church will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.  Peter Wiebe will be speaking at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM with a noon meal beginning at 11:45 AM and a drama/reminiscing at 1 PM.  We invite you to join us in celebrating this special milestone of our congregation.

Family, Friends, Neighbors, Coworkers . . . Is someone you know hurting from Divorce?   Tell him or her about DivorceCare, a special weekly seminar and support group for persons who are separated or divorced.  Sessions are starting Tues., March 25 at 7 pm at First Mennonite Church of Iowa City.  For more information contact Marian Schwabbauer at 319-351-3450 or ischwab@ia.net.  If you are interested in viewing a video clip of what DivorceCare offers visit DivorceCare on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DivorceCare.

David Miller, pastor at Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford, NE, will be licensed to the ministry during the morning worship service on Sunday, March 16. Sharon Kennel, Conference Minister, will officiate.  Please remember this service and this ministry in your prayers.

Audrey Ratzlaff, pastor at Zion Mennonite Church in Donnellson, IA will be licensed toward ordination on Sunday March 16, 2008 during the morning worship service. Tim Detweiler, Conference Minister, will officiate. Please remember Audrey and Zion Mennonite in your prayers.

Today, March 16

• J-POG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invites you to view the video “King Corn, You Are What You Eat,” a feature documentary about two college friends from Iowa who grow an acre of corn and then follow its path into the American food system.  “King Corn” is a penetrating but humorous look at the relationship between corn production, grocery shopping, government subsidies, and the American epidemic of diabetes and obesity.  Join us at 5:00 p.m. for a finger foods potluck or at 6:00 at East Union for the video followed by responses from a panel of local farmers.  For more information, call Eric Rumsey at 319-338-5104.
• Professional actress and dramatist Lora Schneider will be performing at Lower Deer Creek at 6:00 p.m.  Lora has performed her one-woman shows in Iowa and surrounding states for over 10 years.  “Mary” is scripturally based drama tracing Mary’s life from the angel Gabriel’s initial visit through the years to her old age.  Mark your calendars; you won’t want to miss this.  A free will offering will be taken.

Monday, March 17

• All students interested in attending IMS for the first time in the fall of 2008—and their parents—are invited to an informational meeting, at 7:00 p.m. in Celebration Hall. The evening will allow the opportunity for parents and students to ask questions; to meet other potential classmates, as well as IMS faculty members; and receive valuable information about IMS. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

Wednesday, March 19

• Choir will practice at 7:15 p.m. at the church.
• MYF will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. to carpool to The Crowded Closet for a Volunteer Nite.  Please let Rebecca know if you can't make it or if you want to meet us at the Crowded Closet by 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 20

• IMS Prospective Student Day is rescheduled for Thursday. This is a visitation day to attend classes and chapel for any 8^th grade student, as well as older students considering a transfer this fall. Please contact Larry Swartzendruber for more information.
• We will hold our Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m.  Bring bread, cheese, and fruit for your family to share in our meal followed by communion and footwashing.

Saturday, March 22

• Promise Keepers at East Union – 7:00 a.m.
• It’s About All! An old-fashioned radio show goes “on the air” at 7:00 p.m. from the IMS Celebration Hall stage. Reserved tickets can be purchased by calling the school office (656-2073; 683-2586) or purchasing the evening of the show. This will also be the opening night of Tia Widmer’s photography show in the IMS Art Gallery.

Next Sunday, March 23

• The MYF would like to invite everyone to the Easter Breakfast.  We will be serving from 8:00 to 8:45.
• There will be NO Sunday school.
• You are invited to bring flowers to decorate our living cross. You may bring extra flowers for visitors.
• April Chronicle articles due.

Attendance Last Sunday: Morning Service – 144

                                Sunday School – 136

East Union’s website:: www.eastunionmennonite.org

Bulletin announcements should be in the office by 9:30 a.m. on Fridays. 

E-mail address for bulletin announcements: Joyceschrock@hotmail.com

Phone Numbers:

Ed Yoder – 656-2134

Norman Schrock – 656-2172 – home

Charlene Rhodes – 679-2823

Keith Dickel – 683-2360

Secretary – Joyce Schrock – 656-2172 home

Office Hours – Wed & Fri. 8:30 to 1:30 pm

Pastor Jay Miiller – 683-3158 – home