Newsletter
The spirit blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.
John 3:8
I am a little bit of a kite expert. This is because for many years on my birthday (March 7th) my mom would organize kite flying parties. What is awesome about kite flying is that it happens almost by magic. There is no visible sign that the kite is going to fly. It is driven by wind, and you cant see wind. You can experience wind by feeling on your face, or seeing it move trees or kites. Once the wind takes your kite you feel the tug on the string and then you see your kite fly higher and higher. The Holy Spirit works on us in much the same way. You cant see it. But you feel it move you to climb higher and higher. It is the Holy Spirit that connects us to God, and pushes us to new spiritual heights. When it comes and goes no one really knows. In order for us to get off the ground we need the Holy Spirit.
This lent I wonder where the Holy Spirit is moving in your life. What are the ways that the Holy Spirit is lifting you up to new heights? What are the ways the Holy Spirit is bringing you closer to God? You cant see it, but you will feel it. You will feel the Holy Spirit tug at your heart to give you more lift. You will feel the Holy Spirit on your face as it encourages you to grow and change into Gods child.
Here at Concordia I think we are going through a Holy Spirit change. It is nothing that I can see. It is just something I feel about the work we are doing for the Gospel. The recent coat drive is a good example. On the surface it seems like an average event. We collected some coats, gave them away, and helped others. However, if you were here as a volunteer on Friday night we talked about how it is a shame we live in a world where people go without coats. We talked about how every 3 seconds someone dies of hunger in the world. As we gathered to get ready for people to come to our church to get coats I felt the Holy Spirit among us who were doing this important work. On Saturday as we welcomed people to get coats, as we saw the gratitude on peoples faces, and as we shared fellowship with one another the Holy Spirit was moving us again. I felt it bringing us higher towards God. This past Sunday Edwina Landry told us that a colleague of hers called our church the little church that could. I believe it is because the Holy Spirit is moving us higher to a new space of outreach and giving. So even though you cannot see it I hope you feel the Holy Spirit moving you and our congregation closer to God.
God Bless,
Pastor Jon
Youth Group News!
NEXT MEETING: 'Pizza and Planning' Thursday, March 4th, from 5:30-7:30 at church. We will put together the Uno's Soulful raffle basket, sign up for times to greet at Uno's on March 7th,fill out forms for The Hampshire Hills Lock-In, talk about upcoming events and play games!!!
All youth Grade 7-12 are welcome! Friends are always welcome!
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LOCK IN at Hampshire Hills, Milford, NH sponsored by Christ the KingLutheran Church, Friday, April 9th, 8 pm to Sat., 7 AM. Up all night, this fun night includes swimming, rock climbing, movies, pizza, sports and a concert by Captive Free... The cost is $35 per person (Chaperons are $15). The registration form is due March 26th, so we can fill it out at our meeting. Each person going must fill out a waiver, so pleaseknow if you are going by the March 4th meeting. Friends are welcome! Chaperones needed. If you are going to attend or chaperone, please contact Andi Kelleher at 226-3148
VBS News: VBS planning begins! This years theme is Gospel Express! Climb aboard Gods Celebration Train! VBS will be held the week of Aug. 16th from 5:30 -8:00 pm. If you would like to volunteer to help please background building, snack prep, teaching, assistants -- let Andi Kelleher or Vicki Hopkins know, so we can coordinate a schedule. Teen helpers are always a big hit!Let us know if you want to help out!
Easter
Sunday School is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd. Helpers are needed to hide eggs that morningwhile the kids are off visiting the nursing homes! Dont forget your basket!
Tired? Rushed? Dont want to cook dinner? Enjoy a dinner out and help Concordia Youth Group. The Youth Group will be hosting a fundraiser at UNOs RESTAURANT on Fort Eddy Road on March 7th from 11:30 am to Midnight for their trip to Soulfest this summer. UNOs will donate 20% of your food bill that will help support our trip. The Youth Group will be passing out coupons in the next couple of weeks, or you can clip the coupon below. Thank you for supporting our Youth Group. Questions? Call Andi Kelleher at 226-3148.
Please clip to use.
Operation Health Kits 2010
The Outreach Committee continues to ask for your help with our Health Kit Project. This project is in conjunction with Church World Service (CWS), we will be collecting Health Kits to be distributed to those in need both in the United States and worldwide.
Church World Service is always one of the first responders in any disaster situation as in the case of the recent catastrophe in Haiti. These kits are also distributed to those facing violence and poverty and can mean the difference between sickness and health to struggling families.
Health Kits will be collected through Sunday, April 25th. Kits will be picked up for distribution the beginning of May.
To assemble a Health Kit, include the following items in a one-gallon zip-lock bag and drop off in a specially marked box at Concordia:
- One hand towel (not a bath towel)
- One washcloth
- One wide-tooth comb (in original packaging)
- One nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards)
- One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
- One toothbrush (in original packaging)
- Six Band-Aids
Toothpaste is not needed. Toothpaste that has an extended expiration date will be added to the kits just prior to shipment by CWS.
Monetary donations are also welcome as we need to include $2.00 toward shipping and handling fees for each kit.
Our goal this year is at least 200 kits, to date we have collected 30, so please consider assembling a kit and ask your friends and family as well. These kits are a visible sign from Concordia that we care for those in need. Working together with one heart we can make a difference! Thank you.
Coat Drive
FINAL RESULTS
In our continued response to address the needs of the homeless in Concord, the Outreach Committee organized a coat drive in February.
As a result of all the help from the more than 19 volunteers, here are this years results.
- More than 100 coats collected
- 50 coats were purchased
- 40 individuals came to pick out a coat
- More than 75 coats were distributed
- The remaining coats were given to Rise Again, an outreach organization that provides clothing to those in need.
Jesus commands us to care for one another and says in Mathew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. As we thank God for the comfort and heat of our homes, let us not forget those who have no home. Thank you for your generosity and for showing those in need that God cares about them.
FOOD PANTRY Requested items for March are toiletries as we continue to support the large number of refugees. Items may include shampoo, hand lotion, soap, hand wash, toothpaste/brushes, comb/brushes, deodorant and shaving cream. Please leave your donations in the wicker basket in the hall.
CONCORDIAS PEOPLE
To the Glory of God
Im one of those behind the scenes kind of people. I thought this might be my opportunity to witness to Gods hand at work.
About 3 years ago I had a bleeding aneurysm in the brain, resulting in a stroke which left me using a walker and not having the use of my left hand. A year later, I became ill with Wegeners Granulomatosis, a rare, incurable auto immune disease which destroyed my kidneys. I was on dialysis for about 6 months. Before this I was a fairly active person and now found myself depressed. Ive lost my independence and certainly cannot do what I used to.
Through all this I have found just how loving and caring my husband is. A man who never went to church now takes me and stays with me. He sometimes helps out at church, although he is not a member.
I am not afraid of death. Actually, I look forward to Gods promise. I believe God has saved my life for reasons I dont know. I continue to try to do His work as much as I am capable. Thanks be to God I am here.
Diane Surran
Upcoming Lenten Schedule
Every Wednesday during Lent:
6:00 Soup and Bread with All Saints Anglican Church (Sign up for a week)
6:30 Taize Worship
7:00 Bible Study
Greater Concord Interfaith Council - Lenten Luncheons
DATE: Thursday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25
HOSTED BY: St. John the Evangelist Church Parish Activity Center (72 S. Main St)
Ticket price per luncheon: $6.00 available at the door.
You are invited to attend the 2010 Lenten Luncheon series sponsored by the Greater Concord Interfaith Council. A different speaker will be featured each week. The Greater Concord Interfaith Council began sponsoring the annual Lenten Luncheon series in 1959, and is pleased to continue offering this historic series to the Greater Concord community as an opportunity to fellowship and spiritual growth. Proceeds from the Lenten Luncheon tickets sales will benefit the work of Friends of Forgotten Children.
Holy Week Schedule
April 1 Maundy Thursday 7 pm Worship w/Foot washing
April 2 Good Friday 12 3 pm Personal Prayer (Church Opened)
Tennebrae Services 7 pm
April 2 April 4 Waiting by the Tomb *
April 3 Sunday School 9 am Visit to Nursing Home Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Morning 8 am Worship followed by breakfast
10:30 am Worship
*Waiting by the tomb This year from Good Friday (after worship) to Easter morning (6:00 am) we will be offering people a chance to sign up to sit in the sanctuary for an hour in silence. This is time for prayer and mediation about events of Holy Week. It is meant to be a time to think about your life in relation to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have always found it one of the most rewarding parts of my spiritual journey during that time. Look for the sign-up sheet in church. God Bless. Pastor Jon
