MISSION EMPHASES FOR APRIL:  Dr. Elma Jocson and

HabitAt for Humanity

Dr. Elma Jocson is a general surgeon and a United Methodist missionary who is originally from the Philippines. She is sponsored in part by Ridgecrest United Methodist Church and the General Board of Global Missions of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Jocson is now at her new post at Ganta Hospital in Liberia.

             We are proud to be the first congregation in the Indian Wells Valley to raise enough money to construct a complete Habitat home, and contribute many person hours and lunches for work crews. We expect Habitat for Humanity to continue to prosper and build homes for the needy. While the pace of building homes is slow, it meets a need for the estimated 1500 families living in sub-standard housing in our valley. Remember that Habitat for Humanity is Christian-based and non-profit.  All money invested in Habitat will continue to build new homes as the partner families pay off their mortgages. Habitat for Humanity deserves our continued mission support.

 

UMCOR—JAPAN EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI RELIEF

Following the recent earthquakes in Japan, the United Methodist Committee on Relief has established Advance #3021317 to aid injured and displaced people. Please make checks out to the Ridgecrest United Methodist Church with this number or "Japan Relief" on the memo line.

 

Food fOR the Month

For the month of April we are asking for Top Ramen. Please place your items in the blue bucket in the Narthex, and they will be taken to the Salvation Army.

 

SISTER'S ACT

Sister's Act, a UMW circle, invites all interested parties to join them for their meeting on Wednesday, April 20 at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Room where they will be discussing the book Three Cups of Tea. Please come if you have read or are reading this book, and join in the discussion.

 

Vacation Bible School Planning
If you are interested in helping with our VBS program this June, please come to the planning meeting on Tuesday, April 26 in Room 11 at 9:00 am—our focus this month will be on crafts and snacks!

 

ST. PETERSBURG MEN'S ENSEMBLE

On Sunday afternoon, May 1 at 4:00 pm, The Ridgecrest United Methodist Church will once again be hosting the St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble.  If you have not heard them before, now is your chance. A minimum $10.00 donation is requested. CDs will be available for $15.00.

 

TREE OF LIFE QUILT

The new quilt in the Narthex is centered around the Tree of Life motif. The quilt was prepared by members and friends of the Quilt Group which includes Terry Millett, Carol Sakai, Linda Anderson, Margaret Anderson, Barbara Mason, Lynn Wade and Janet Tonkin. There will be a brief dedication of the new quilt following both morning services today.

 

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Church Office Hours: 8:00 am—2:00 pm  Monday—Friday

Today, Sunday             April 17, 2011—Palm Sunday 

            8:00 am            Celebration of Worship

                                    Pastor Rich's Message: "FAR FROM THE MELTING CROWD"

            9:00 am            Dedication of New Narthex Quilt

            9:00 am            Sunday School for All Ages in the Education Building

         10:30 am             Celebration of Worship

                                    Pastor Rich's Message: "FAR FROM THE MELTING CROWD"

         11:45 am             Dedication of New Narthex Quilt

            2:30 pm            UMYF Middle School in Room 2

            4:00 pm            UMYF Senior High in Room 2

                                                               

Monday                       April 18, 2011             

            6:30 pm            Monday Night Bible Study meets in the Fellowship Room

                                                                                               

Wednesday                  April 20, 2011

            9:00 am            Sister's Act meets in the Fellowship Room

            12 Noon          3M Circle meets at the home of Mary Atkinson,

                                    538 N. Sierra View

            6:00 pm            Final Lenten Soup Supper in the Social Hall

            7:00 pm            Administrative Council meets in the Fellowship Room

               

Thursday                      April 21, 2011—Maundy Thursday

            7:00 pm            Choral Cantata by Pepper Choplin: "Come Walk With Me"

                                    Holy Communion and Tenebrae

                                    Adult Choir Rehearsal following the service

               

Next Sunday                April 24, 2011—Easter Sunday

            6:30 am            Easter Sunrise Service in the Sanctuary

                                    Pastor Rich's Message: "THIS PIVOTAL EVENT"

            8:00 am            Easter Celebration in the Sanctuary with Expressive Dance

                                    Pastor Rich's Message: "THIS PIVOTAL EVENT"

            9:00 am            Easter Egg Hunt for Kids in the Garden

         10:30 am             Easter Celebration in the Sanctuary with Children's Drama

                                    Pastor Rich's Message: "THIS PIVOTAL EVENT"

         11:30 am             Easter Egg Hunt for the Kids in the Garden

                                    UMYF Middle School and Senior High will not meet on Easter

 

NEW MEMBER OPPORTUNITY SUNDAY, MAY 1

Please speak to Pastor Rich if you wish to join, or have questions.

PRESENCE, GIFTS, SERVICE

PRESENCE 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Worship Attendance:  8:00 am  37     10:30 am  167      Total 204 

Sunday School Attendance: Teachers 6     Students 10   Total  16

Monday Bible Study April 11:   Total  8

 

GIFTS

Stewardship for Sunday, April 10, 2011

General Fund $9,312.00                                Loose Plate Offering: $65.00

Heifer Project $7.00                                      UMCOR (Japan Relief) $100.00         

Dr. Elma Jocson $200.00                              Togo African Ministries $1,203.00       

Youth Fund $25.00                                       UMM April Fools Dinner $440.00

Easter Offering:  $92.00                                 SSP Soap Sales $316.50

Relay for Life $35.00                                     Easter Lilies $202.00

UMCOR $25.00                                           Rancho International Ministries $30.00

Total: $11,352.50

 

  SERVICE

  ASSISTING TODAY IN WORSHIP

Liturgists:           8:00 am        Peter Brown

                       10:30 am        Peter Brown

Ushers:              8:00 am        Juanita Morton and helpers      

                       10:30 am        Dwight and Mary Atkinson, Bill and Janet Tonkin

Song Leaders:   8:00 am        Adult Choir Members

                       10:30 am      Adult Choir Members    

 

Director of Music:  Janice Anderson

Pianist: Patrick Rindt

Nursery Attendants: Parvin Paymanian and Rebecca Shaw

Offering Counters:  Mary Atkinson, Sheri Boston, Nancy Saxton

Creative Expression: Michelle Kilikauskas and Sheri Boston

Fellowship Hosts: Mary Atkinson, Terry Ratcliff, Lillian Daley

Fellowship Hosts Next Sunday: Rebecca Toll, Patty Bayne, Janet Tonkin

 

Pastor: Rich LaShure

Pastor Emeritus: Ed Jayne

Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Amy Ochoa

Secretary: Diane Wadelin

Custodian: Rex Ratcliff

WEEKLY PRAYER LIST RECIPIENTS

Avery Anderson                                 Trudy Wood                                            

 

 

U.S. MILITARY SERVICE PERSONNEL

Victor Aquino                                    David Bird                                      Alan Bradford           Ryan Carmichael                                                         Jonathan Cox                                  Musashi Cummings

Jason Desmarais                                Brandon Deusenberry                      David Dunaway          James Garwalki                                                         Sheldon Greshem                            Todd Holland             Michael Leveille            Ben Marvin                                               Jason McCalf              Rob Merritt  Tyler Odell                             Danny Oestreich       Tyson Price                                       Karl Randall                                    James Ryan               Andrew Smith   Gary Sullivan                                              Matthew Taylor         Maggis Tidwell        Andrew Toll                  Andrew Valadez         Katie Werback                                   Steven Whitmore                             Randall Zade 

 

MILITARY ALTAR CANDLE

The third candle on the altar, the one with the red, white and blue ribbons, is lighted each Sunday in honor of and in prayerful support for our men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. They are truly our heroes. Want to do more to show your support? Check out this web site: http://www.ourmilitary.mil/Message.aspx?SectionID=5

 

FELLOWSHIP TIME

Each Sunday following the 8:00 am worship, everyone is invited to stay for refreshments

and fellowship time outside the Narthex.  In addtion, every Sunday following the 10:30 am worship, everyone is invited to a time of fellowship in the Social Hall, southward through the campus and over the little arched bridge. Refreshments are provided. Come on over, bring a friend, and share in the fellowship!

 

HEARING DEVICES

For anyone who is hearing impaired, or if you need volume enhancement, hearing assistance is available.  Please notify an usher if you would like the use of a headset.

 

WORSHIP CDS AVAILABLE

CD's of any of the Worship Service can be obtained by marking "Request CD" when you sign the attendance registration pad.  They are $1.00 each.