You hear about it on the news; you see pictures on television. The radio, television, newspaper, magazines and even the internet keep us informed when flooding, drought, earthquakes or other disasters touch the lives of people. Our compassionate hearts reach out yet the distance keeps us shielded from the personal touch.

Week of Compassion is the program of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that seeks to give direct aid and assistance to people in need of immediate care. Through our Week of Compassion offering we help those in need in every corner of the world throughout the year. Through this responsible agency the money goes to aid and assist people in need.

You are invited to give a special offering to Week of Compassion, and through your church touch the lives of countless thousands around the world.

A congregational leadership meeting will be held this Sunday evening from 5:00 – 6:30 as the Faithful Planning Task Force reports the vision for Englewood Christian. More specific details of the vision will be shared. Anyone interested in attending is invited to participate.

Money was being handed out this past Sunday as Invest Our Talents begins for this year. Seed money to start a project using your gifts and talents is available for the asking. See Rev. Helseth for more details.

Saturday May 4 will be the conclusion with a big Spring Fling Bazaar in the fellowship hall. Consensus seems to be that everyone focus on concluding all their projects and having them available on just that day instead of trying to have activities each Sunday morning.

Step out on faith! Take a risk! Explore some hidden talents. Be creative! Use this seed money to make a difference. And – let’s have fun in the process.

February Food Fellowship continues this week with spaghetti as the main course. Salad, French bread and orange sherbet cups will round out the menu. Last week’s baked potatoes were a great hit!

See you this Sunday for worship and another delightful meal together.

The first two lunches have brought in $916.55.

Sharlene Sloop had surgery on Monday to remove a growth from a nerve in her inner ear. No word had been received as of Wednesday morning.

Kent Roberts flew to Wichita on Monday to be with his parents. His father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Congratulations to Gardner and Annette Lance on the birth of a son, C.J. born on February 7.

Kathy Helseth’s mother, Jean Kizer, discovered that she does have pancreatic cancer.

Once again the Youth had a successful meeting. They shared in a lesson about rebellion. They learned that there are times to rebel and there are times not to rebel. When is it okay? Well, they learned that it is okay as long as you glorify God. After all, one of the most famous rebels we know was Jesus.

Some of our Youth are members of other groups as well. Derek Brown is one of those youth and has invited our group to participate this Sunday, February 17, 2002, in one of their functions. We will gather together this Sunday at 5:00 pm and head over to Trinity Baptist Church. While there we will participate in their evening service. It sounds like it will be a fun service of energetic music and devotion. Following the service we are all traveling to Glenwood Square to watch a movie and snack on munchies. All you need is $3.00 to enjoy in the fun.

As many of you know our Internet Service Provider (ISP) was bought out. Some time ago Northwest Info Net bought out Internet express. What this means to Englewood Christian Church is that our web address needs to change. We have been lucky that Northwest Info Net carried our old address as far as they have. Our old web address is www.ixpnet.com/~englewood. Our new address is www.nwinfo.net/~englewood. Please note the change on your favorites. On our web page you will find copies of David’s sermons, the latest newsletter, and general information about our Church.

Members of the congregation will be preparing a meal for the 100 college students at 6:00 Sunday evening.

Lenten Devotional Booklets having a devotional thought for each day of Lent are on the table in the narthex. Please feel free to pick up one per family.

Interested in learning more about our Christian faith and church membership? Rev. Helseth invites you to attend his Discoverer’s Class held at 9:30 a.m. in Room #12 downstairs. The next three Sundays will focus on basic beliefs of the Christian faith and basic elements of our church.

The class is open to any who wish to attend.

The Forum Class, which meets on Sunday morning at 9:30, will have Lori Camp as the guest speaker this Sunday, February 17. Lori works with Aging and Long Term Care and will be present to talk about current issues regarding seniors and various health care options.

On February 17 Patti Nagle will speak about the foster child care program; Patti works for the Department of Social and Health Services.

Twelve young adults gathered this last Sunday. Yes, you read it right! It was great seeing all our young families gathered to eat and fellowship. They talked about ways to make our young families more visible in the life of the church. So, keep your eyes open for future gatherings and activities of our young adults.

On behalf of the Oberlender family we would like to thank you, the congregation, for all your love during the joy of the birth of Lillie. Thank you for the meals, prayers, and gifts that you have showered our family with. It is nice to know that we have family here in Yakima.

–The Oberlenders

For much of our daily life’s activities, we keep track of time and events with a calendar. A new year begins with January and runs the twelve months until December. Then we start all over again. We here in the Northwest can sense the flow of the year through the four distinct seasons: Spring, summer, fall and winter. The days are getting longer and warmer and we can begin to sense hints of spring not too far away.

The church has developed its own means by which to keep track of time and faith through a church calendar. This calendar, developed over many centuries, begins with the season of Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas. We celebrate Christmas until January 6 when we remember the Magi’s visit to Jesus. This week we begin the season of Lent, the 40 days before Easter not including Sundays. This has historically been a time of self-examination and discipline as a means to prepare for Christ’s death and resurrection. Easter season continues for 7 weeks until Pentecost, the birthday of the church, is celebrated. Following Pentecost the church celebrates growth in Christ until Advent again.

There is the cycle of the year: anticip-ation, birth, God’s presence, preparation for Christ’s death and resurrection, celebrating Christ’s resurrection and then the birth of the Church and new life through the Holy Spirit.

So, this week begins Lent, a time of preparation and reflection. I invite you to use this time for your own spiritual renewal.

First Sunday of Lent

SERMON

Rev. David Helseth

SCRIPTURES

Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7; Matthew 4: 1-11

Coming Events

8:30am Contempory Worship

9:30am Church School

10:45am Traditional Worship

12:00pm Food Fellowship

Spaghetti, salad, and dessert

5:00pm Chi Rho and CYF

Presidents Day – Office Closed

7:30pm Bible Study

10-12am Thailand Circle

10:45am Bible Study

7:30pm Board Meeting

7:00pm Choir Practice