Sunday Morning

8:30 a.m. - Traditional Service in the Chapel

8:15-9:30 a.m. - "First Perks" Hospitality Time in the Garden Room 

9:30 a.m. - Sunday School

10:30 a.m. - "Common Ground" Service in the Christian Life Center (nontraditional)

10:45 a.m. - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

Scripture for March 14, 2010
Joshua 5:9-12
2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Gospel Lesson
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

 1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 3Then Jesus told them this parable:

The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
      "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Hospitality Orientation

On the evening of March 21st we will be having a Hospitality Orientation.  We will meet at 6 PM in the Christian Learning Center for a snack supper and then gather for an overview of how we can be a more effective welcoming church.  Ken and Shirley West will be leading the orientation and our hope is to give our members an opportunity to sign up to serve as a host/hostess, greeter, or as an usher so that we would be ready for Easter Sunday. 

We are asking all those that are interested in attending to register for this orientation by using the attached form.  Please make a copy of this form, complete the requested information, and then return it to the church office.

May God continue to bless you in His service,

DD