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October 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

10/1/2019

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Friends-
How are you with change?  I suppose it depends on whether it is a change for the better, or a change for the worse.  The trouble is, how can you tell?

People who love summer say changing to fall is for the worse:  shorter days, less sunshine, fewer outdoor activities, more darkness, the onset of cooler weather.

Those who love fall say the change is wonderful: cooler weather, trees turning color, campfires, no lawns to mow.

The secret, I believe, is in learning to accept change as it comes.  You can have a favorite season, but learn to find beauty in all of them.  Being open to change allows us to embrace every day as a gift and an adventure, and to find God in the midst of it.

Jesus says, "Behold!  I make all things new!"  Paul writes, "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.  The old has past away, and the new has come."  If you are going to be in Christ, and be his follower, he is going to make you new.  He is going to change you.  Count on it.

And what you see as a bad change, might in the bigger picture, turn in to one of great joy.  We cannot see what God sees.  Trust him with your changes.  He will turn them to good.

Have a great month!
Gary
 
Calendar
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - New time - 6 PM - All welcome.

Thursdays - 10/3 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                      10/24 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Help and/or Eat.

Fridays - 10/18 - Chili Shootout and Bonfire - 6 PM - Stacy and Angela Greens home

Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am
                  10/6 - Communion Sunday

Other News - 
Margaret LaMont - Turns 100 years old on October 7!  Please send her a card at a new different address in Michigan. 

Chili Shootout and Bonfire - Who makes the best chili? If you think you do, then we need you! Who likes to eat chili?  We need you too!  We will be having a chili shootout on Friday, October 18  at 6:00 PM at Stacy and Angela Greens home.  There will be a sign-up sheet for chili, cornbread, drinks, desserts, and other items. We will be voting for the best chili at Caledonia Congregational! We will have a bonfire as well, weather permitting. This is an all-church event, and we hope you come and come hungry! Their home is across from the church, the one with the big yard and chicken coop.

Congratulations - Kyle, Brittni, and Anna Zick welcomed Griffin John on 9/10/19!  Mike Pffanginger was featured on WIFR about his upcoming retirement as head custodian at Caledonia Elementary.  You can Google it and watch it! 

Directory - We will be updating our church directory.  If any of your information has changed, or you want to be included, please let Nikki Maurice know. 

Spiritual Growth Ideas - Is there something you would like to study or learn about that could help you grow spiritually?  Or maybe an event or training you would like to have?  do you have some ideas or suggestions?  Please share those with Pastor Gary.  We are looking for new opportunities if there is interest. 

Refreshments - Thanks for all the great treats on Sunday mornings!  We will continue with our potluck-style fellowship. If you want to bring something to share, please do!

Coin Collection - Our jars of coins were collected September 30 and will be again December 29.  The coins are used for our benevolence giving. 

Men's Campout -  Caledonia men are invited to our annual men's campout, October 24-27 at Devil's Lake, Wisconsin.  Great food, great fun, great fellowship.  Consider joining us.  Let Stacy or Gary know of your interest.

Looking Ahead
Sunday, November 24 we will decorate the church for the Christmas season.  Plan on staying after fellowship time to help.
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September 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

9/1/2019

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Friends-
I love this time of year... and I hate it. 

I love the freshness of fall, the beginnings of change in the weather and the colors, the depth of blue in the sky,  crickets singing every night.

I'm not so crazy about having to wear more layers of clothing, the end of summer activities, the end of summer freedom.

Most of my life has had summer as the end and fall as the beginning of my year.  That's because for most of my life I was either in school or working with students who were.  So this is the time of year that always pushes me to ask, "What do I need to know this year?"  "What do I want to learn?"

I always want to be learning.  I always want to know more.  And as important as that all is, there is something more important than knowledge.

Wisdom.  Wisdom is how we apply what we know.  Without it, all of our knowledge is worthless, or even dangerous.  The book of Proverbs champions the value and importance of wisdom; the need to grow in it, and to hang on to it.  It tells us this:  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"  Proverbs 9:10

Putting God first in all matters, in all areas of our lives, is the way to be wise.  It doesn't matter the month or the season.  If we are going to live the life God intends, we need to be wise, we need to be submitted to Him.

Are you wise?

Have a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am
                9/1 - Communion Sunday
                      - Congregational Meeting to vote on the new basement windows. 
                9/29 - Coin Collection Sunday 

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room  Between topics.  Good time to join us!
              
Thursdays - 9/5 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                    9/26 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Eat and/or serve.


Other News - 

Towel Collection - Sisters in Service and Spirit would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support of the towel collection this summer.  What a blessing to be able to give so many towels to the Rockford Rescue Mission.  Thank you so much!

Spiritual Growth Ideas - Is there something you would like to study or learn about that would help you grow spiritually? Or maybe an event or training you would like to have? Do you have some ideas or suggestions?  Please share those with Pastor Gary.  We are looking for new opportunities if there is interest. 

Directory - We will be updating our church directory.  If any of your information has changed, please let Nikki Maurice know.  

Coin Collection - Time to bring in your jars of coins again!  Please bring them in on Sunday, September 29. This money is used for benevolence giving. 

Refreshments - Thanks for those who have occasionally brought some treats this summer.  We will continue on with our potluck-style fellowship time on Sundays. No sign-up, please consider bringing something to share.
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Towel Collection

7/20/2019

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Picture
Sisters in Spirit and Service would like everyone to be a part of our bath towel collection for the Rockford Rescue Mission.  We will be collecting gently used or new bath towels until Sunday, August 4th. You can start bringing them immediately and put them in the bin that will be in the fellowship room.  Oral and Diane Staman are volunteers there and know that the mission is always in need of towels.  The towels will be used for the overnight guests at the mission and also for those who are in their programs. 
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July 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

7/1/2019

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Friends -
If you are anything like us, summer comes and we are create two long lists:  all we want to do; all we need to do.  Both are extensive, and time- especially this summer- is short.  How to decide?  How to prioritize?

In a general way, all of life is like that- how do we determine where our time and energy goes?  What is the overall vision for our lives that helps us decide?

As followers of Jesus, it would seem logical- at least to me- that whatever guides our decisions should be in line with the overall plan that Jesus operated in and operates by.  And what is that?

Jesus taught many things, both verbally and by example. But at one point, when questioned by the religious authorities, he stated clearly what was the foundation of his life.  Essentially it was this:  love God; love others.  And if we are going to follow him, that becomes the foundation for our lives as well.  And the source of that love?  God himself!

So what am I/are we planning this summer?  Work or play, if it isn't birthed in love, if it doesn't result in love, we need to make new plans.

"Live a life of Love!"  Ephesians 5:2

Have a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am
                  7/7 - Communion Sunday 
                  7/28 - Fire Station Annual Chicken Barbeque
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - Open to all. 
Thursdays - 7/11 - Church Board - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                     7/25 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Eat and/or serve.

Other News - 
Prayers - Please continue to pray for Dylan and Angela.  He continues to be in the hospital and needs the healing power of the Lord. Pray for the rest of the family as well back here in Caledonia. 

Bulletin - Sue Pfaffinger has stepped down from making our Sunday bulletins. We are grateful for her many years of designing and printing our bulletin!  We are glad to say that Angela Green has taken on the bulletin duties. Thank you, Sue and Angela!

Towel Collection - Sisters in Spirit and Service would like everyone to be a part of our bath towel collection for the Rockford Rescue Mission.  We will be collecting gently used or new bath towels until Sunday, August 4th. You can start bringing them immediately and put them in the bin that will be in the fellowship room.  Oral and Diane Staman are volunteers there and know that the mission is always in need of towels.  The towels will be used for the overnight guests at the mission and also for those who are in their programs. 

Refreshments - Fellowship time is a great way to get to know one another.  Talking around food is always fun!  Please take a turn, and bring something to share some time this month.  No sign-up sheet, just potluck each week.  Cold drinks are welcome as well.

New Songbooks - We are happy to say that the new songbooks have been printed and are in the pews! There will be new songs in addition to ones from the previous songbook.  Thanks to Angela and Terry for their work on getting this done. 

Steak Fry for Men -  Gary is speaking in Rockford on Tuesday, July 23 at a Men's Steak Fry sponsored by First Covenant Church.  He would like to invite any men from Caledonia to come.  It will be held at 6 PM at Alpine Park, shelter 1.  Cost is $14. Talk to Gary if you are interested. 

Looking Ahead -
Holocaust Museum - Still time to join a group of us that are planning on attending the Holocaust Museum in Skokie sometime in the near future.  Sara Akerlund will be our tour guide.
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June 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

6/1/2019

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Friends-
Just as we FINALLY get summer to start, the days start getting shorter!  WHAT?!?  How can that be?

Just remember:  every blessing carries a shadow side, and every shadow a blessing.  

And remember this, too: "God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28).  Our challenge is not just to remember this, but to live it every day.  By being grateful.  By celebrating each moment, each day.  

You won't notice those shorter days if you are busy filling them gratitude for all that each one brings.

Happy Summer!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am.
                 6/2 - Communion Sunday
                 6/30 - Coin Collection for Benevolence

Tuesdays - 6/11 - Ladies Lunch - 11:30 am - Hearth Rock Cafe

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - Everyone invited. 

Thursdays - 6/13 - Church Board - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - note different date.
                    6/27 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Eat and/or serve. See Sandy Free.

Other News -
Ladies Lunch - Come out for lunch on Tuesday, June 11 at 11:30 am and get to know other women in the church!  Join us inside Benson Stone in Rockford for lunch at the Hearth Rock Cafe. Talk to Leslie if you are interested. 

Refreshments - Everyone seems to enjoy the treats on Sunday, so let's all try to participate in the new format. It is basically like a potluck each Sunday.  Bring something when you can!  

Coin Collection - Don't forget to bring your jar of coins on Sunday, June 30.  We collect these coins for our Benevolence giving.  Next date will be Sunday, September 29.

New address -  Correspondence to Dylan Dosett (and Angela) should now be sent to:
Comer Children's Hospital / Attn. Dylan Dosett / Room 606 / 5721 S. Maryland Ave. / Chicago, IL  60637

Challenge - Remember the challenge- what else should we be doing as a congregation?  Share those ideas!

Looking Ahead - 
Holocaust Museum - If you would be interested in going to Skokie to visit the Holocaust Museum sometime, please talk to Jennifer. Sara Akerlund is very involved there and she would be our tour guide.
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May 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

5/1/2019

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Friends-
The month of May always reminds me that following Jesus is an option.

We "may" choose to follow him.  We "may" choose to ignore him.

The choice is up to us.

There is a very small word that is very significant in our life of faith.  It is the word "if".  Jesus used it a lot, especially as it applies to following him and being his disciple.  He said,
    "If anyone would be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me."
Paul wrote,
    "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation- the old has gone, the new has come."

I can promise you that the choice of following him, of being his disciple, of being made new is a costly and not easy one.  It is a choice that Jesus himself said we should weigh well before making.

I can also promise that the decision to follow him will never disappoint.  It will bless in ways we can't even imagine.  It will lead to the full, abundant life that we all long for, that we were made for.

We don't have to choose that life... but we may.

What are you choosing?
Gary

Calendar
Thursdays - 5/2 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                    5/2 - National Day of Prayer - Pray for our country today!
                    5/23 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - Come to eat and/or serve.

Sundays - Every Sunday - Worship Service - 10:30 am.
                    5/5 - Communion Sunday  

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - various topics.

Other News:
Thanks - Thank you to all those who helped clean the church in April.  Also thanks to everyone who brought food for the Maundy Thursday dinner.  

Refreshments - Just a reminder that everyone is invited to participate in our new format for treats.  No signup sheet, just bring something when you would like. It can be whatever you would like. Even a bottle of juice is appreciated. Also feel free to put something in the bottom shelf of the kitchen freezer to be used for a future Sunday.  

Coin Collection - Thanks to all who contributed to our recent coin collection.  The next coin collection is June 30.
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April 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

4/1/2019

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Friends-
In a month that begins with a celebration of foolishness, it might be important to remember that we are told in Proverbs that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
 
It is also a month in which we, and our brothers and sisters around the world, celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus.  In this death and resurrection, we believe that we have been set free from the power of sin and death, made new creations, given eternal life.
 
And it is a month when spring really takes hold, and we say goodbye to winter and start to amp up for summer!

 Pretty big month!
 
I’m excited to be celebrating this month with you, and working together with you, and enjoying fellowship with you.
 
Looking forward to a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - studying sermon topic from the Sunday before.

Thursdays - 4/4 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room. 
                    4/18 - Maundy Thursday - 5:30 Soup Supper and 7 PM Communion Worship Service. 
                    4/25 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM.

Saturdays - 4/13 - Church Spring Cleaning Day - 9 am - 12 noon.

Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
                 4/7 - Communion Sunday
                 4/14 - Palm Sunday
                 4/21 - Easter Sunday! 

Other News:
Help support Dylan's family - T-Shirt fund-raiser. The proceeds from the sale of these shirts will help defray his medical costs.

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/dylan-dossett-shirt-fundraiser

Church Spring Cleaning Day - Our annual church cleaning day will be Saturday, April 13 from 9 am - 12 noon. Everyone is encouraged to come and help in some way.  

Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 18 - We will gather for a soup supper in the basement at 5:30 PM. Then we will head upstairs for a 7 PM Communion worship service.  If you would like to help provide food for the meal, there is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship room. 

Thanks - Thanks to Bruce and Ginny Johnson for all their work for our gospel and bluegrass concert.  It was a great evening.  Thanks to anyone else who helped in any way. 

Refreshments - Every Sunday is like a mini potluck now during our fellowship hour.  There is no longer a sign-up sheet, but feel free to bring some kind of snack once in a while. Thanks to those who have been contributing!

Community Dinner - Did you know our church is responsible for the community dinner on the 4th Thursday of every month? It is held at the Poplar Grove Methodist Church, but it is not their program.  Several of our members prepare and serve the meal.  We are all invited to help or to come to eat and fellowship with the people who are eating.   It is a great chance to minister to others.  Please talk to Sandy Free or Curt Moore if you are interested. 

Coin Collection - Our next quarterly coin collection will be Sunday, June 30.  Bring your jars of coins and we will collect them for benevolence.  Thanks for all your generosity to others!
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March 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

3/1/2019

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Friends-
By now, many, maybe most of you know that March has the only day of the year that is a command.  And if you know that, you probably also know that it is my birthday!  That's right, March 4th (march forth) is the only day of the year that is a command.  I take it as my destiny call!

But, so what?  Is this just a shameless plug for birthday greetings?  What does this fact have to do with the ministry we do at Caledonia?

Actually, the call to march forth is throughout scripture.  The Jewish people launched out of Egypt on such a command!  Countless Old Testament battles were led by kings and generals who heard the call.  In the New Testament, everyone who heard and followed the call to follow Jesus was in fact, following a call to march forth, to step out in faith, and go wherever he went.

Perhaps the strongest call to this was in the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples.  In Matthew 28:20, just before he left this earth to return to his Father, Jesus told them to "go into all the world and make disciples of all people".  Talk about marching orders!

That assignment is why we and every other Christian congregation exists.  To bring the good news of God's love and salvation to all.  Let's march forth into that assignment every day!
Gary

PS - A couple more things: The Wednesday night Bible discussion is using the theme and scriptures from the previous Sunday as our discussion guide.  Everyone is welcome to join us in that discussion- it's not a closed group.

- Last Sunday we talked about living moment to moment, focused on God.  One practical way to practice this is to begin work on turning our thoughts into prayers, our monologues into dialogues. We are always thinking, and we can, with only a little effort, begin to change those thoughts into prayers by addressing them to God.  Talk to me if you would like some examples of what I mean.

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
                  3/3 - Communion Sunday
                  3/31 - Coin Collection for Benevolence fund.

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                         3/6 - Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins.

Thursdays - 3/14 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
                   3/28 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - eat and/or serve.

Saturdays - 3/9 - Set your clocks ahead one hour tonight - Daylight Savings begins!  
                  3/16 - Music Concert - 7 PM - Sanctuary - Bluegrass Band and Gospel Quartet.

Other News:
Thanks - Thank you to everyone who helped before, during, and after Susan Siek's funeral. So many helped to make it a wonderful day to celebrate her life. 

Concert - Do you have cabin fever from this long winter?  Then come on out for an evening of music on Saturday, March 16 from 7- 9 PM in the sanctuary.  The first act will be our own Bruce Johnson's Timber Point Bluegrass Band. The second act will be Hope 4, a gospel quartet from Hope Free Church.  Ginny Johnson's brother is in that group!  We could use some people to help, so please talk to Bruce if you are willing to help with this event.  This is open to the public and we want to get the word out.  Please plan on attending a fun night of wonderful music and fun fellowship. Invite your family and friends!

Refreshments - Just a reminder that our Sunday fellowship treats will no longer have a sign-up sheet. Anytime you feel like sharing something, just bring it.  We hope everyone can participate in this simple plan at some point in time.   We will always have coffee.  

Coin Collection - Our next quarterly coin collection will be Sunday, March 31.  Bring your jars of coins and we will collect them for our Benevolence Fund.

Looking Ahead:
Thursday, April 18 - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service.

Sunday, April 21 - Easter Sunday! 
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Service Cancelled on 02/10/19

2/9/2019

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Due to heavy ice at the church and concern for safety, worship service is cancelled for tomorrow, Sunday, 02/10/19. Please spread the word.
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February 2019 at Caledonia Congregational Church

2/2/2019

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Friends,
This is NOT the month of Feb-You-Ary.  It's the month of Fe-Brew-Ary.

And that reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we can either brew up trouble, or brew up blessings- the choice is up to us.

See, the choices we make every day are either taking us in the direction of trouble, or in the direction of blessing.  What we choose makes all the difference... good choices, good consequences.  Bad choices... well, you get the idea.

"...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."  (Paul, writing to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:1-3))

And, speaking of brewing, in that same letter, Paul writes: " Do not get drunk with wine, but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit."  (5:18) I think the issue here is bigger than wine.  We can "get drunk" on other things as well: pleasure, power, money- anything that takes us over and usurps Gods rightful first place in our lives.  The emphasis, I believe, is on the second part of that statement.  When you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, you will little want or need to be filled with anything else.

So, what are you brewing up this month?  Make sure it's something that's good for you, and for those around you.

Have a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service at 10:30 am.
                  1/3 - Communion Sunday

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 PM - Fellowship Room - Everyone
                           invited!

Thursdays - 2/7 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room.
                     2/28 - Community Dinner - Poplar Grove Church - 5:30 PM - Come to serve, 
                                 and/or eat.

Saturdays - 2/9 - Southern Breakfast - 8 am - 12 noon - House of God - 840 Brooke Road, Rockford.

Other News:
Southern Breakfast - Some of us are going to a southern breakfast put on at the House of God in Rockford on Saturday, February 9.  It is located at 840 Brooke Road.  It is a cultural experience you won't want to miss.  The menu usually consists of eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, ham, coffee, juice and probably more. Cost is usually around $10. Talk to Gary if you have questions. 

Refreshments - Starting in February we are trying a new approach for our fellowship hour.  For now, there will no longer be a refreshment sign-up sheet. Any given Sunday that you feel like bringing a plate of something to share, just bring it. Please consider occasionally bringing something.  It can be a plate of cookies or bowl of fruit or cheese and crackers or anything you want! We are not very picky! We are hoping this will simplify things and that more people can participate in this way. Some weeks we may have a lot and maybe some weeks very little.  We will always have coffee.  Please be patient while we try this new approach and please participate! 

Church Board - The board for 2019 consists of Deacons: Barb Kohl and Mark Zellman, Trustees: Curt Moore, Bob Lyford, and Dave Kohl, Communion Helpers: Rita Gillette and Deb Zellman, Financial Secretary: Nathalie Lyford, Treasurer: Dave Walker and Moderator: Pastor Gary. 

Coordinator Needed - We are still seeking someone who will coordinate details for Christmas Eve.  Please talk to Jennifer if you are interested. Thanks for others who have stepped up to fill the other positions. 

Flowers - There are still a few months open for signing up to provide flowers or some type of decoration for the front of the church.  Sign up in the fellowship room.

Coin Collection - Our next coin collection for benevolence will be March 31. Thanks for saving your coins!
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    Gary Schwerin, pastor

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