YOUTH GATHERING UPDATE

As the weather starts to warm, we realize that summer and the National Youth Gathering is fast approaching. Due to the generosity of our church family, we have our airline tickets and down payment of our registration and hotel rooms paid for. At present, that leaves $3640.00 in our bank account with the following due: Registration completion ($2600.00, due by May 15^th , the balance of the hotel rooms (due upon check out) $4914.00, for a total due of $7,514.00. This leaves us $3,874.00 left to raise. We will have one more event at which you can donate towards our cause. On the next 5^th Sunday, April 29^th, we will host a baked spaghetti plate sale after the combined worship service. We do ask for your support of these events. As always, any other donations would be greatly appreciated. This event is always a highlight for the youth and your generosity and support is a reflection of the love you have for our young people. Thanks again from all of the participants: Wyatt and Bowen Strang, Felder and Davis Fogle, Bree and Chase Plesko, Katie Fischer, Kathleen Dial, Krista Spoores, Max Roehrs, Pastor and Beth Fischer and Amy Goodson.

WALKING FOR LENT
During Lent many use this time to practice “giving up” something while others may practice “taking up” something. What if you could do both? This Lenten season, the Health Ministry Committee invites you to “take up” healthy eating while “giving up some” of the ingredients and cooking practices that make our food less healthy. Starting Sunday, February 11th, every week, there will be a week’s worth of recipes available from the “Seasoning Lent” cookbook from Church Health. This cookbook includes healthy recipes, reflections, and prayer. The recipes are not only healthy but also easy and family friendly. These weekly packets of recipes will be in the Narthex each Sunday. Please take one per family. Please let Amy Goodson know if more copies are needed. Also, we will be starting a Lenten walking devotional starting Saturday, February 17th at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Amy Goodson if you are interested in participating and if you need a devotional.

THANK YOU FROM THE YOUTH GROUP
On Reformation Sunday, by providing a fifth Sunday meal, our Youth raised a total of $867.00 to help with the cost of The Youth Gathering next year. Our thanks to all of the parents, grandparents and friends and especially our church family for your generous donations! Amy Goodson

WALKING WITH THE APOSTLE PAUL
How would you like to make small changes and simple lifestyle improvements in your health and to grow in faith? Starting Saturday, September 23rd, we will embark on a six week journey using the “Walking With Paul” devotional. This is a daily walking program which includes reflection on Paul’s ministry as well as simple diet changes to care for mind, body and soul! We will meet as a group each Saturday to discuss our journey and to get tips on diet, stress reduction and more. In order to have enough devotional books for all, you need to sign up on the sheet in the narthex. As the seasons change, won’t you take this opportunity to make some healthy lifestyle changes?
Group leader, Amy Goodson