Yesterday, I woke to a beautiful sunny sky, the first in I can’t remember how long. We’ve really been having crummy weather lately. But what can I say? It’s March and March is always crazy.

Thanks be to God we missed the tornadoes last week. But since then – it’s been rain, hail, snow and high winds. And so very cold.

But this hasn’t stopped the critters in the backyard from coming out. I’ve been watching a squirrel digging up dead grass, putting it in its mouth and then dashing off somewhere. It’s probably building its nest. It doesn’t feel like it but the 1st day of spring is this Friday. Maybe that nest it’s building will have new baby squirrels in it sometime soon.

I’ve also been seeing birds I haven’t seen in a while. There was a rather large woodpecker right outside my window with a white face and a red stripe from its beak and top of its head and down to its shoulders. The rest of its body was that mix of black and white feathers.

 
And there was another bird that I don’t remember seeing before. It was a light brown color with red on its head with a stripe of red on its neck and upper back. It also had red on its upper chest. It was so beautiful and I’ve no idea what kind of bird it is.

So, every morning, I put on my coat and go out to the back yard to toss the ice out of the pan and fill it with fresh water for the birds and animals to drink. I scatter some critter food on the lawn. And then go back to my desk where I work. And I thank God for this front row seat I have. And marvel at God’s good creation.

As the Good Book says: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is God’s faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen

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                                           Announcements: 

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The Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Women's Club, will be held on Sunday, Palm Sunday, March 29th, after church services.

All are invited. 

 

The next Women's Club meeting will be held on Monday, April 6th, in the narthex, at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. 

 

The last day to order Easter Flowers will be this Sunday, March 22nd. The order forms are available on the wooden table, entrance to the sanctuary. Tulips or Lillies can be be ordered. It's $9.00 per flower.

 

This Sunday is Penny-Pantry Sunday. We collect now ill the end of March for the Bishop's Appeal. 

 

This year, Northern Illinois United Methodists will be donating to one Bishop’s Appeal for two worthy recipients: a high school in Tanzania and Endowment Fund for Theological Education in the Central Conferences (which comprise Africa, Europe, and the Philippines). Gifts will be distributed equally to these projects.

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    Holy Week Services at Crete United Methodist Church

 

Maundy Thursday Come and Go Communion, April 2 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Come when you can, leave when you must. Holy Communion will be served. Join with
others seated around a table following a brief time of Scripture reading and prayer.

Good Friday Service, April 03, from  2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
A Tenebrae Service consisting of scripture readings with the gradual extinguishing of candles to symbolize the growing darkness of Jesus’ death on the cross.

And Join Us for Easter Sunday Worship, April 5 at 10 a.m.
A service of joy, music and song celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ

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