Hallelujah! It’s finally getting warmer. The forecast says we’ll be getting into the 50’s and 60’s this week. On Friday it says we’ll experience a whopping 71 degrees! But there’s also a lot of rain in the forecast. But I don’t mind. The ground is pretty dry.

We’ve not had much snow this winter. I looked it up and we’ve only had around 32 inches of snow in Crete. But it’s been dry, powdery snow that’s fallen and that converts to only 1.6 inches of water. So, we need the rain.

A while ago I started worrying about the critters in the backyard. How do they get any water in the cold winter? They must be terribly thirsty.

 
So, I found a pan – only about 2 inches deep – and took it down the backstairs; placed it right outside my window where I work. I filled the pan about 2 inches deep with water and when I sat back down in my chair about 5 minutes later there were birds standing on the rim of the pan right in front of me - already drinking that water. They must have flown right to it as soon as I closed the back door!

So every day I’ve been putting fresh water in the pan. I’ve seen so many birds and squirrels lapping that water up with gusto. The squirrels are incredibly cute in the way they drink.

 

They put their mouth just at the top of the water – make an O with their mouth – and sort of suck the water up. 

 

I’m so happy they have water now. And while I watch them quenching their thirst, I give thanks to God for these critters he’s created to share this life with us.
 

And I remember the words from Psalm 104:10-11a 

You make the springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal.

Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen

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                                          Announcements: 

 

Pancake Breakfast will be held on Palm Sunday- March 29th. The Women's Club will be hosting this event. All are welcome, so, invite friends and neighbors to join us for church service and breakfast. There will be a sign- up sheet as the event approaches. 

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Daylight Saving Time is this weekend. Please remember to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday for Sunday Service. Church service begins Sunday at 10:00 a.m. 

 

PENNY-PANTRY SUNDAY- March 22, 2026. From January to March, we collect for the Bishop's Appeal. 

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This year, Northern Illinois United Methodists will be donating to one Bishop’s Appeal for two worthy recipients.

 

One beneficiary of the appeal for Education for the Central Conferences is the construction of a high school in Tanzania, at a mission site led by missionary and NIC clergy member Rev. Christina Kim. The other is the Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences (which comprise Africa, Europe, and the Philippines). Gifts will be distributed equally to these projects.

 

The appeal “is not about charity; it is about justice, empowerment, and partnership,” says Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC’s director of connectional ministries. “As a connectional church, we believe that every child deserves an education, and every community deserves well-trained spiritual leadership.”

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Rev. Kim and the people of Dar Es Salaam completed a much-needed secondary school three years ago. When the first phase was completed, 41 students enrolled. By 2024, the school had 148 students. More youth wanted to enroll than the school could accommodate.

 

Now the mission is planning to build a high school, which will help young people continue their education and pursue a future they may never have thought possible. Northern Illinois United Methodists can help empower these young adults to achieve the education and callings they discern.

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                                        Holy Week Schedule:

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Come N' Go Communion

Maundy Thursday

April 02, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

You are invited to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion at anytime during these posted hours. Come when you can, leave when you must.

 

Good Friday Worship Service

April 3, from 2:30 to 3:15pm.

Come to this moving service of the extinguishing of light as we hear the Gospel testimonies of the last days of Jesus’ life and his death on the cross. The time of this service correlates to the time Jesus died on the cross at 3:00 p.m.

 

Easter Sunday Worship Service, April 05, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

A service of joy, music, and song celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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