The fourth Sunday in Lent like the third Sunday in Advent is a Sunday of Joy. The color for joy in these seasons is a rose shade of pink. If there is anything in your closet that is pink, wear it this Sunday. The detail above from the purple stole that hangs on our baptismal font in Advent and Lent has pink accents to remind us of that joy.

Our Next Intergenerational Confirmation Labyrinth Walk

This Sunday is our next 9:00 am labyrinth walk. Remember this walk is open to everyone of all ages. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to walk with Lars during his confirmation journey. The text for this walk is Luke 15:1-2, 11b-32, the Prodigal Son.

Lent Four Worship

As we make our way through the Lenten season recognizing “The Journey Is Home,” we will engage the theme of “Homeward Bound” on Sunday. For whom are you praying this week, as you choose prayer requests from your prayer box?

Keep the Cardboard Coming for Bookcase Project Bookmarks

Our supply of cardboard fronts of boxes – cereal boxes, cake mixes, granola bar boxes, cracker boxes, etc. will soon be turned into 50 bookmarks for the preschoolers who will receive this year’s Bookcase Project books. We just need the box front, not the entire box.  You can recycle the rest of the box at home. Your box fronts can be left in the plastic container you’ll see in the Gathering Area. Thank you.

Remember, we are saving plastic caps for the Granville UCC.  Bring them to church in coming weeks. Becky will deliver them on our behalf to the Granville church.

One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC all church offering)

As communities in Nebraska and other states began to access their needs after this month’s massive flooding, the initial response from the UCC, using OGHS funds, was $6000 for local UCC food pantries in affected areas. Other forms of considerable support will follow to help sustain long-term recovery.  There will be OGHS offering envelopes in our bulletins this week. If you do not have one of these envelopes, make sure to clearly mark your check or envelope “OGHS.” Our OGHS collection will run through April 7.

Heather and her children were accompanied at church last Sunday by several Chinese exchange students who were with them for the day.  It is always good to welcome others from around the world into our midst.

News From JAMS

Watch next week’s memo for a JAMS update from Diana.  It will include information on our former student Anita and will introduce us to our new student Lina.

Upcoming Highlights
Spring Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, April 6, 6:30 – 11:00 am.  Remind neighbors, friends, and family members to mark their calendars. Sign-up sheets are out in the Gathering Area. Can you offer a hand with this semi-annual Mayfield fundraiser? Thanks to Angela and Dawn for organizing all the pancake breakfast details. Don’t forget the Fellowship Baked Goods Table and Attic Treasures.  Baked goods can be left at church on Friday morning, April 5 or early Saturday morning, April 6. Attic treasures need to be at church by Friday morning, April 5. (no electronics please)  If you would like to make a contribution to help cover the cost of the hog processing for our whole hog sausage, your gift will be appreciated.
Maundy Thursday Salad Potluck and Worship – Thursday evening, April 18
Easter – Sunday, April 21
6th Annual Retreat – Saturday, April 27, MacQueen Forest Preserve, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. This retreat flyer for Finding Resilient Hearts in These Days is attached with this memo.
Bookcase Project Presentation –Saturday afternoon, May 4, at Faranda’s in DeKalb.  More details to follow.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Ed told us a story last Sunday about a local group that he is involved with that generates a large amount of money monthly for hunger efforts in the county. He described the massive amount of food that the food bank is able to deliver to them each month through their capacity to buy in bulk. Every $1 donated is converted into $8 of food. He also mentioned to them that his church, Mayfield Church, makes contributions to the Food Bank. Their respond to him was that they know about Mayfield Church.  Our support really does make a difference. Gifts may be placed in either the food bank box or the offering plate.