The ad read: “Lost - a dog. Brown hair, white spots. Left leg broken, hip injured. Blind in one eye and one ear missing. Answers to the name - Lucky. REWARD!” Some might think that doesn’t seem like an appropriate name for a dog with a broken leg, a hurt hip, one blind eye, and an ear missing. Lucky, indeed.
And yet, isn’t that the perfect name for such a dog? With all those imperfections, that lucky little dog is still wanted! Someone was willing to pay a reward to get him back home again. Isn’t that extraordinary? Despite his flaws, that little dog is wanted.
You and I are like that. With our faults and blemishes on public display, we are still wanted. We are loved! With all the sin and greed and pride that is in us, God still desires to welcome us home. God paid an incredibly high price for us. “For God so loved the world that God gave the only Son, so that everyone who believes will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Isn’t that the most remarkable gift? The knowledge that God loves us enough to freely give what is most precious to God, should give us reason to rejoice. It is motivation to rise above our imperfections into the perfection that is God’s love.
Think for a moment about how lucky we are. Broken and hurt and unattractive because of the blows received by life, we are WANTED by God! Regardless of how we are treated at work, school, or even at home, we have the assurance that God’s love for us is so great, God paid the supreme price for us. What Good News we have. Think of the impact this news could have on the broken, hurting, hopeless people of the world. You may not know the deep affection of any human being, but you have the promise that in all God’s glory, God adores you. Extraordinary!
I fear there are people who don’t know this great truth yet and are dying to know. Think what that knowledge could do for the lonely child whose only dream is to be treasured by someone. That child is loved by God…. Think of what that knowledge could do for the refugee who has no place to call home. That person is loved by God…. Think what that knowledge could do for the forgotten senior whose life is nearing the end in painful solitude. That servant is loved by God…. Think what that knowledge could do for the COVID patient in isolation, the battered woman convinced the pain is somehow her fault, the person of color wanting to find a place that feels like home. They are all loved by God. Think about what that knowledge has done for you! We are LUCKY indeed! We are loved by God! How amazing is that?
Love, Pastor John
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I really appreciate the ways that we look out for one another here at church. For example, yesterday after getting back to the church from Mack Hunter's beautiful memorial service we got a call from the Zimmermans not even two minutes after I walked in the door to let me know that my right (at least, I think it's the right) brake light is out. Now, I did already know this and have had the replacement bulb for [redacted] weeks, but Jerry's call was a nice, warm reminder of the care we offer one another in our community.
Earlier that day, many of us gathered in the building to assemble the spring break Buddy Bags! It was the first time I had been able to help with it, and wow, what a process! It was so organized, so joyful, and so determined as we went through the piles of food. Cathy Wilson and Linda Belding helped each other out with the oatmeal, Nancy Hinkle made sure people put the bags in the right place in the Family Room, Lin Hanna meticulously sorted out granola bars and helped get them in bags- I could go on. The Buddy Bags assembly was a nice, warm reminder of the care we offer one another in our community.
This past week, with many preschool teachers out for various reasons, I've gotten to see Kara and Rachael Jacobs, Tracy Noens, and even Maggie Young, helping in all sorts of ways to keep our preschoolers in a loving, fun, and safe environment. With the warm weather today, many of them got to run and play outside as our Allisonville friends kept watch. The way they gave of their time (even on spring break!!) was a nice, warm reminder of the care we offer one another in our community.
As we approach Holy Week and then the Easter season, I hope and I pray that this care not only continues, but that it grows in love and in scope for all people we encounter.
Peace and blessings,
Josh
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Joys:
- Kathie Meyer's son-in-law, Michael Smith, had a successful surgery
- Buddy Bags have been assembled and delivered
- We celebrate with the Keltner family who is closing on a new home
Concerns:
- We offer love and condolences to Pearl Ross and the loved ones of Bill Ross, who passed away last week. Services are pending.
- We pray for Emily Hunter and the family of Mack Hunter, whose life was celebrated this past Tuesday.
- We continue praying for Debbie Bonhomme and Joyce Jones in the recent loss of their brothers.
- Herb and Sue Feltner's son, Jeff is recovering from eye surgery
- Betty Wright, new health issues
Continued prayers for:
- Bonnie Ross
- Carol Q. Cosby
- Diana Moore
- Cora King
- Dottie Lloyd
- Bob Hessong
- Ben Hinton
- Davis Goforth
- Lee Ridoux
- David Parker
- Linda Belding and Lois Nahre's brother, Dave
For the people of Ukraine
For all who are grieving
For all who are affected by COVID
For our work and all work to be an anti-racist church and people
We pray with our Global Ministries partners this week for Morocco.
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Special Easter Offering for DMF (Disciples Mission Fund) - April 10 and 17
We have a rich opportunity to assist the many branches of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through our giving to the special DMF Easter Offering. We will receive gifts for this important ministry on April 10 and 17. Several times a year, special offerings help support the ministries of the larger church. Your Easter gifts support among many other things - college students in leadership development programs, global mission partners, health and social service ministries, the formation of new congregations, support for pastors and chaplains. When we share our gifts with other congregations across the US and Canada, we are able to help in much larger ways than we can alone. Your gifts make a real difference.
Your gift to the Easter Offering is part of God’s enduring love that creates:
- Bible studies that challenge and inspire
- Opportunities for clergy to gather in prayer
- Spiritual care for those in prison
- Resources for mental health and trauma care
Your gifts are part of God’s enduring love that inspires:
- Visionary leadership that calls us to imagine new ways of being church
- New congregations that worship in a variety of languages and worship styles
- Ministries of compassion and care
Your generosity is a part of God’s enduring love that makes a difference:
- Global ministry partners who work for justice, reconciliation and peace
- Colleges, universities, seminaries that nurture Christian leaders
- Collaborative response in the wake of disaster
- Support for congregational service ministries that serve hungry neighbors
Your gift to the Easter offering benefits general ministries, allowing us to do more together than we can do alone. More ministry! More impact! More of God’s love in the world. Thank you for supporting the special Easter offering on April 10 and 17, 2022.
One of our members has offered to add a special above and beyond gift as a percentage of our total Easter offering! We thank them for such a generous gift to increase the congregation’s usual generosity.
Gratefully,
Pastor John
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Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The Nominating Committee is accepting names for people to serve as Elders and Deacons for the coming term. Please submit nominations to any committee member: Mindy Armstrong, Sue Shadburne Call, Cindy Coble, Gary Hume, Christina Martin, and Sandy Nagy. Nominations are being accepted from now until Sunday, April 10.
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Family Promise/IHN
Dear ACC family,
I received this plea from Mike, Director, asking for our help. Please look at number one and number two and see if you can respond with help. I will be addressing number 3 and signing us with a month to collect housewares. Thank you for your continued support.
1) Plan to give to the #NightWithoutABed fundraising campaign launching Friday, April 1, or participating in the interfaith "sleepout" April 30!
2) Mustard Seed (furniture bank) has temporarily shut its doors. Can you donate a piece of used furniture?
3) Can your congregation or company do a housewares drive this year and volunteer to set up an apartment shelter? (I'm handling this)
Click the link below to read more about these programs and/or sign up to
Sherilee Mclain, Coordinator
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Welcome Center Greeters
With the relaxing of COVID restrictions, we are starting up our Welcome Center again! If you would like to be a greeter on Sunday mornings to help welcome members and greet newcomers, please sign up here! You can reach out to Josh if you have any questions.
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Buddy Bags
Thank you for helping to fill the Buddy Bags for Clearwater Elementary, Eastwood Middle School, and Northview Middle School. Through food donations, monetary donations, and volunteering to shop, pack, or deliver, we could not have done it without you! We were able to provide 90 bags of food to these 3 schools for students to take home for their Spring break. Because of you, these students can enjoy their break without wondering if they will eat that day.
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Easter Lilies on Sale
Lilies will be used to adorn our sanctuary this Easter Season. If you would like to place an order, please watch for forms in the bulletin in the coming weeks! The lilies will be $10 per plant. Please provide cash or check (made payable to Allisonville Christian Church with "Lilies' in the memo) along with the order form and leave in the offering plate.
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Easter Egg Hunt Volunteer Sign Up
Saturday, April 16th from 10-11am ACC is hosting our Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt is one of our most popular community events and we need lots of volunteers to help make it a great event! It is short and sweet and a great way to welcome our community. A few areas we need help are: Set Up & Clean Up Crew; people to run our game booths; people to run our crafts tables; people to play with our littlest hunters in the "Toddler Zone"; people to read or tell Easter Stories; people to hide Easter Eggs; and someone to be our "SWIM" / safety volunteer. You can sign up by clicking on the sign up genius link below or email [email protected].
We also need people who could donate Easter Candy (individually packaged & nut free) AND/OR Fill the Easter Eggs with donated candy prior to the hunt. You can grab a bag of eggs to fill from Pastor Josh's Office or bring the candy to the church.
Contact Josh or Liz Young with any questions!
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Volunteers needed for Coffee Cafe!
This is a mission that takes little of your time but is a fun and fulfilling way to serve your church. Providing Coffee Cafe, casual fellowship is an important part of our Sunday morning schedule.
We have six teams of hosts which means that you serve just once every six weeks. We will provide training and you get dibs on the first cup of coffee! If you are interested, please contact Toni Medlen at [email protected]
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YOU. Yes, YOU! We want to “Get to Know You”
I am looking for members who haven’t yet been profiled who are willing to be interviewed for a “Getting To Know Us” entry. I promise it’s painless, and will take less than an hour. Your interview can be “live” or via Zoom.
I’d love to talk to you! Please contact me at 317-965-7852 or [email protected] if you’re willing.
Thanks!
Ginny Campbell
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Youth Group Meals for the Spring
We continue to have a signup to provide youth group lunch this semester. It is wide open, so please take a moment and find a day that you might want to bring lunch for the youth group. If you have questions, talk to Josh.
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Apr 3 | Food Pantry Sunday
As usual, we will be collecting items for the Linwood Food Pantry. Bring your items to worship this Sunday and drop off in the narthex. Thank you in advance for your contributions. The list of priority needs for April are as follows:
- Diapers: 4s & 5s
- Easter Candy (small, individually wrapped)
- Toilet paper
- Peanut butter
- Cereal
- Sanitary napkins (not pantiliners)
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Apr 3 | No Youth Group Today
We will not have youth group this coming Sunday, April 3, because of Spring Break! Enjoy your time off from school and we will see y'all on April 10 to start planning Youth Sunday on May 15!
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Apr 3 | Lenten Study, 3pm via Zoom
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Mar 30 | Council Meeting In-Person and via Zoom
The next ACC Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 30. This meeting with be a hybrid, with both in-person and virtual capabilities.
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Apr 1 | ACC Office Closed
The ACC Office will be closed on Friday, April 1. If you need access to the building on Friday, please contact the office in advance to make arrangements.
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Apr 2 | Men's Breakfast
Men's Breakfast is held on the 1st Saturday of the month. Join us this Saturday, April 2 at Skillets Pancake House located at 9546 Allisonville Rd. We meet at 8am.
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Apr 2 | Crafting Group
The Crafters will be meeting this Saturday, April 2 from 9:00-12:00 in the Family Room . We welcome all crafters with any craft large or small. Any questions can be directed to Carol Wakefield.
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Apr 7 | Grief Group for This Week
Grief Group will meet Thursdays, 6:00-7:00pm via Zoom. Everyone welcome:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 858 113 1740
Passcode: 7srZvu
Note that there will not be a meeting on April 14, so that people are free to attend the Maundy Thursday service.
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Apr 13 | Prime Timers Lunch - RSVP by April 11
We are pleased to announce that our April 13 lunch, 11:30 AM, will be at Ginger's Cafe. We have been to Ginger's before and have gone in smaller groups. This restaurant has a small town feel, very casual decor, and some spectacular food. Prices are very attractive and the choices are many, Sandy and Jerry Zimmerman are the coordinators. You can see them at church, email at [email protected] or call 317-407-7936. Let them know by Mon 4/11 as we have our own dining room reserved.
Ginger's address, 1111 S 10th St, Noblesville, is straight up Allisonville Road. It is approximately 10 miles north of our church. Drive up Allisonville until you reach the round about and keep going straight. As soon as you pass the round about, turn left into the strip center on the west side of the street. Ginger's is located near the south end of that center. If you would like to carpool, mention to Zimmermans and we will try to combine rides leaving church at just after 11 AM.
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Apr 13 | Sarah Circle
Sarah Circle will hold its monthly meeting in person in room 14 at church on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:00pm. Karen Campbell is hostess, and Betty Kaiser is study leader covering “Forgiveness, Saviorism, and Internet” from our study book. Water will be provided, but feel free to bring your own beverage.
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Apr 24 | Anti-Racism Book Study and Club
The Anti-Racism Book Study and Club has finished our discussion of Waking Up White. For April we will be reading The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. This book will have a one-time discussion on Zoom on Sunday, April 24 at 5:00 pm. We encourage anybody who has read this book or wants to read this book to join us for this discussion.
The Fire Next Time - James Baldwin
A national bestseller when it first appeared in 1963, The Fire Next Time galvanized the nation, gave passionate voice to the emerging civil rights movement--and still lights the way to understanding race in America today.
“With clarity, conviction, and passion, James Baldwin delivers a dire warning of the effects of racism that remains urgent nearly sixty years after its original publication.
Penguin Random House Books
IndyPL has many copies of this in various forms - book, CD book, e-audiobook, ebook
We also hope to have pizza and a movie - look for details coming soon!
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Apr 26 | ACC Book Club
Our ACC Book Club will be reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz in April. We will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 pm. Amazon says: “ This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.”
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Exploring Worship and Worship and Wonder Volunteers
Would you like to be involved in our children's ministry? We are still in need of volunteers for both Exploring Worship and Worship and Wonder. Here are a brief description of the roles we are needing to fill:
W&W Greeter - The Greeter helps to welcome the kids to Worship and Wonder and assists the Storyteller in crowd control and keeping the ministry flowing.
W&W Storyteller - The Storyteller leads the lesson directly from the Worship and Wonder curriculum. We have access to the official W&W training.
EW Teacher - The Teacher leads the activity for the day, such as the sharing of joys and concerns, reading the scripture for the day, etc.
EW Shepherd - The Shepherd assists the Teacher in getting the kids to the EW space and keeping the activity going smoothly.
If you are interested in any of these roles or if you would like more information about them, please reach out to Josh!
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COVID Guidelines for Worship - UPDATED 3/2/2022
After careful consideration, our COVID team has updated our guidelines to move us closer to a
more “normal” use of our facilities. Beginning, March 6, we will observe the following:
- Masks are optional during worship and other activities. If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, please do so. Our number one goal continues to keep everyone safe, comfortable and healthy.
- Please seat yourself for worship; all pews are open. Be aware that some worshipers may still prefer a little space between them and their pew mates, so just do a quick check in with them about their space preferences.
- We will continue to observe our offering time and communion as we have been doing during the COVID restrictions. It was agreed that it was healthier to have limited contact with offering trays and communion ware until numbers are significantly down.
- Hymnals will be returned to the pews and ready to use on March 6.
- The Membership Committee will begin our Coffee Cafe after Easter.
- You may schedule groups or class meetings at the church. Please call the office to reserve a room or follow the link below. Zoom calls for meetings are still an option depending on the group’s preference.
- Greeting one another is encouraged, always respecting one another’s comfort. Instead of hugs and handshakes, fist bumps or elbow bumps are suggested. Social distancing continues to be encouraged.
- The Nursery is open each Sunday morning, along with Children’s Worship and Wonder and Exploring Worship which are in session each week.
We are moving closer to a sense of normal for our life at the church. It is our prayer that we can
continue to care for all among us with the deepest Christian care. These guidelines are subject
to change depending on need. Thank you for your patience and for participating fully in keeping
everyone safe and healthy.
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