From the Pastor’s Desk

Southminster Presbyterian Church

4200 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459

(281) 499-2310

http://www.southminpres.org

Non Profit

Permit #4

POSTAGE PAID

Missouri City, TX 77459

Rev. Kent Landry……....……………….............. Pastor

Rev. David Northcutt…………….....…Parish Associate

for Pastoral Care

Pam Drake………….…..…………….Church Secretary

Christy Balenene…………………….Business Manager

Scott Lofgren.................................Facilities Coordinator

Scott Bonasso……..……..…Director of Music Ministry

Andrew Meddaugh…..…...Contemporary Music Leader

Donald Doucet…...……….………………Accompanist

Gabriele Hodges.......Dir. Handbell & Children’s Choirs

Jane Rusk………........…………………...Signal Editor

Jeanne Peabody…………..……..Childcare Coordinator

Irma Feliu-Badalo…...…………....Childcare Supervisor

*********************************************

Southminster School

Angela Holden.….Acting.Head of Southminster School

Karen Rombach..................................Preschool Director

What traditions do your family have to celebrate Easter? Almost everyone has a tradition with a visit

from the Easter Bunny bringing candy in a basket for the kids Easter morning. But my wife’s family

originally comes from the Ukraine region, and her grandparents brought with them an additional

tradition – one that involves the dying

and decorating of eggs, with are called

the pysanka. Here’s what they look like:

The art of the decorated egg in Ukraine,

or the pysanka, probably dates back to

ancient times. As in many ancient

cultures, Ukrainians retained parts of

their pre-Christian pagan traditions after

the Catholic Church became the common

faith. With the advent of Christianity,

the symbolism of the egg was changed to

represent, not nature's rebirth, but the

rebirth of man.

Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose. With the

acceptance of Christianity in 988, the decorated pysanka, in time, was adapted to play an important

role in Ukrainian rituals of the new religion.

In modern times, the art of the pysanka was carried abroad by Ukrainian emigrants to North and

South America, where the custom took hold, and concurrently banished in Ukraine by the Soviet

regime (as a religious practice), where it was nearly forgotten. Since Ukrainian Independence in

1991, there has been a rebirth of the art in its homeland.

So do something special to celebrate this most important of holidays. Maybe rediscover your families

traditions surrounding the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Happy Easter!

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group will meet

on FRIDAY, MARCH 15th

from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you

would l ike more information

concerning the Bridge Group, please

contact

The deadline for the April 2013 Signal will be MARCH 15th. Please help me by emailing your article(s) to me, Jane Rusk, at rjrusk@clear.net as soon as possible.

EDITOR’S

CORNER

Suggested food

products are:

corn meal, cooking

oil, flour, canned

meat, juice, laundry

detergent, dish

liquid, toothpaste, tooth brushes and

hygiene items, such as deodorant,

feminine products, shaving cream,

razors, shampoo, etc.

Our day to work at the Food Pantry:

March 12th & 26th

10:00am - 1:30pm.

Please come and join us!

RECYCLING

Thank you for your

recycling efforts.

Please remember to

bring your aluminum cans the first

Sunday of each month.

EYEGLASSES

Dorothy Goforth is collecting

eyeglasses for a mission in Peru.

Please leave them in the treasure box

in the Narthex.

All adults are welcome for this

time of fun and fellowship!

Saturday, March 16,

6:30pm Johnny Carino’s

(5750 Hwy 6)

A special menu will offer six entrees from which to choose;

includes salad, drink, mini dessert, tax and tip $15.00/person

For reservations call by March 11

Marilyn Purcell 281-835-9322

Ed Schwer/Bess Tucker 281-208-0964

SOUTHMISTER

BLOOD DRIVE

Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday)

between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm

in the fellowship hall.

Each blood donation can help save as many as three lives

so please come out and do your part!

For information on eligibility or questions about donating; check out

the website for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood

Center at www.giveblood.org.

In Matthew 22:39 Jesus tells us: “Thou shalt love

thy neighbor as thyself”. Can you think of a better

way to show your love for our neighbors in need?

Signup sheets in the narthex.

Seeking coordinator for Family Promise Program

Involves coordinating families staying at SMPC

3-4X a year with assistance from congregation,

Organizational & telephone skills required,

Monthly meetings

Contact Kathy Pitts kathypnp@gmail.com for more info

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of

John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you

know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He

answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of

my sheep.” 17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you

love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you

love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17

How are you serving others? Are you as Jesus said “feeding his lambs or taking care of his sheep?

Is dropping a check into the collection plate enough?

There are many ways to serve the Lord included in this newsletter or you could:

*Be a greeter Sunday morning

*Provide a ride to church to someone unable to drive themselves

*Serve on a committee

*Help with the upkeep of our grounds

*Work on a mission project of the Church

*Greet a visitor with a warm smile and a friendly “Hello and welcome”

These are but a few ways to serve the Lord. If you truly do love the Lord Jesus, then as he requires

“Take care of my sheep.”

Sr. High Youth Group Middle-Schoolers in God’s Hands Together

SR High Schedule

March 3 - Chli Cook-off 5-7pm (youth 4pm)

March 10 - No Meeting - Spring Break FBISD

March 17 - Lesson & Activities - St. Patrick’s Day

March 24 – Lesson #3

March 31 - No Meeting - Easter

EASTER LILY SALE

Join us in decorating the sanctuary for

Easter by purchasing a beautiful Lily

$11.00 per plant

May be taken home after the Easter Service

Middle High Schedule

March 3 - Chili Cook-off 5-7 pm (youth 4pm)

March 10 - No meeting; spring break FBISD

March 17 - Lesson

March 24 - Activity

March 31 - No meeting - Easter

Friday, April 12 Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road

Beginning at 6:30pm

Guests will enjoy dinner, live and silent auctions, plus dancing

to the music of

The Houston ReBeats.

Tickets are $50/guest

Our presenting sponsor, Texas Direct Auto, has generously donated

a fully loaded 2012 FIAT 500 Sport as a raffle item for which tickets are only

$25/each or five for $100.00

Tickets are available in the church office

During the gala, attendees can also participate in a Diamond Dig

where one lucky participant will win a one-carat diamond donated by

Texas Gold & Diamond Exchange,

plus a pair of designer denim jeans.

Tickets for the Diamond Dig are $5/each or five for $20.

Proceeds benefit Southminster School.

For tickets or more information, call 281-261-8872

or go to www.southminsterschoolgala.org

Southminster School cordially invites you to

Mar 24 Palm Sunday Services 9 & 11:15am

Mar 28 Maundy Thursday Service 7pm

Mar 29 Good Friday Service 7pm

Mar 30 Pancake Breakfast & Easter Bunny

Crafts & Egg Hunt with “Y” 8:30-10am

Mar 31 Easter Sunday Services 9 & 11:15am

Spring Spruce Up

Come out and help clean up the church

grounds Saturday, March 23

SESSIONAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS 2012-2013 Clerk of Session: Greg Wettman Christian Education & Youth: Brad Federwisch (Moderator), Jon Schwartz Congregational Care & Fellowship: Jennifer Mockaitis (Moderator), Joann Dunmire Mission & Evangelism: Kathy Pitts (Moderator), J. O. Dravis Resources, Management& Stewardship: Myron Goforth (Moderator), Brian Wolf Southminster School: Bob Crosley (Moderator), Megan Hutchens Worship and Music: Tim Cashion (Moderator), Robert Hodge Treasurer: Richard Early

FORT BEND HUMAN NEEDS MINISTRY NEWS

The 4th Annual Fort Bend Empty Bowls Friday, April 5th at Safari

Texas Ranch. We are looking forward to a fun and entertaining event that

will help East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry continue to serve our

Fort Bend neighbors in need. Tickets to the event are on sale for $25 each

and can be purchased at EFBHNM or online at www.humanneeds.org.

Dine & Donate – Tuesday, March 5th – Dine at Fish City Grill (Lunch & Dinner ) and 15% of

the day’s sales will be donated to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. Call 281-494-3474 for

take-out orders. Fish City Grill is located in Sugar Land Town Square at 15890 City Walk.

Feinstein Challenge - For the 16th straight year, philanthropist Alan Feinstein will divide $1

million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide to help them raise funds during March and

April, 2012. East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry is once again taking on this challenge and

we need your help! From March 1st thru April 30th, all cash, checks, online donations and food

items donated to the EFBHNM will be counted as part of this challenge. Food items are given a

value of $1 each. The $1 million donation from the Feinstein Challenge is divided up

proportionately with all the many other participating hunger fighting agencies.

Volunteer Needs - Current volunteer opportunities are:

- Monday evenings from 6 pm-8 pm helping in the food pantry

- Wed. evenings from 6 pm-8 pm to work as receptionist

- Wed. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – working with clients needing financial assistance

- Sorting food donations from Souper Bowl of Caring

- Food Fair – 2nd Saturday & 4th Thursday of the month from 10 a.m.-noon

- Tri-City Churches Resale Shop

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities please contact Mary Weiland at

Mary@humanneeds.org or call 281.261.1006.

Resale Shop - Dress your best for less! Shop at “The Boutique” located inside Tri-City

Churches Resale Shop. “The Boutique” is the perfect place to find name brand, vintage and

designer fashions for much, much, much less! If you’re looking for a special occasion dress that

you know you’ll only wear once…then “The Boutique” is where you need to shop! All items

have been gently used and some have never been worn - with the tag still on the dress! The

Boutique is located inside Tri-City Churches Resale Shop at 425 Stafford Run Road in Stafford.

Hours of operation: Mon-Sat. – 10 am – 4 pm; Wed – 10 am – 7:30 pm. Proceeds from the

Resale Shop and The Boutique benefit East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. All donations are

tax deductible.

Designated Associate Pastor Search This Associate Pastor’s duties will include Youth & Family

Ministries as well as Christian Education. Your Nominating

Committee has been busy. They have received several resumes from

individuals interested in our church’s position. From these resumes,

phone & Skype interviews have been conducted and more interviews

are scheduled. Please keep the committee and

candidates in your prayers.

The Christian Education Committee meets the

3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm.

Please join us if you’re interested in the growth and

development of Christian education and studies.

The Youth Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.

All are welcome who are interested n supporting our youth.

WHISPERS Ladies’ Bible Study Meets Monday from 9:15am-11:15am in the Youth Lounge.

Jennifer Rothschild. Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. For more information contact Lisa Landry at 713-447-5203

THE MARLENE CIRCLE Meets the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm in member’s homes.

For more information, contact Anne Beatty, 281-499-1821 HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY

All women are invited to join us as we meet the 2nd Monday of each month in the Multi Purpose Room at 9:30 am.

For information please contact Joyce Smith at 281-438-6103 WINGS CIRCLE (Women in God’s Spirit)

Meets the 2nd Monday of each month in member’s homes. For information please contact Ginger Jones at 281-835-9137.

If you’re new to the church

or just want to get to know more

people...

There are lots of opportunities to get

Involved….. Divine Diners is a monthly fellowship dinner for all adults. It’s not for a particular age group or a couples

group.

Mid Week Manna A weekly fellowship dinner followed by a devotional

Quilters A sewing fellowship group that meets every Tues 9:30am. You can knit, crochet, sew or just learn with

us.

Bridge This fun card loving group meets once a month on the 3rd Friday.

If you have any questions about anything you see feel free to call the church office (281) 499-2310

Everyone is welcome at this weekly dinner and devotional time

March 6 No MWM; March 13 Vegetable Beef Soup, Salad, Rolls, Dessert; March 20 Tuna

Alfredo Fettuccini, Salad, Rolls, Dessert; March 27 No MWM - Holy Week

Dinner reservations are due Tuesday by 10 am RSVP to Marianne Irish 281-437-7888 orirish7171@aol.com.

Donations of plastic Easter Eggs and

individually wrapped candies are needed for the Easter Egg Hunt

March 30, 2013

Donations may be placed in the box in the Narthex.

We will collect candy up until SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2013

Thank you for your support !

Volunteers needed for

Pancake Breakfast & Easter Crafts Saturday March 30th

Please contact Leslie & Bob Crosley

crosleyca@aol.com

Southminster Presbyterian Church and the Fort Bend YMCA

partner to bring YOU the annual Eggstravaganza!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Pancake Breakfast at the church 8:30am – 10:00am

Easter Crafts and Pictures with the Easter Bunny 8:30am - 10:00am

Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Bend YMCA

Everybunny welcome. No charge. Join us for some Easter Fellowship and Fun!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Megan Hutchens

Offutt Johnson

2 Nell Schwartz

3

4 Ashleigh Holden

Kris Kergin

5 Greg Kergis

6 Danielle Hertel

7 Jehan Herron

8

9 Jim Soko

10 Ellen DeKanter

Darlyne Fratt

Margo Johnson

Nicolas Nelsen

11

12 Jennifer Browning

William Simmons

13 Rick Bramer

Robert Evans

Julia Herron

14

Sloan James

Melissa Wolf

15

16 Emmanuel Dasi

17 Chandler Mayes

Emily Wood

18

19 Dawn Foley

20 Phyllis Browning

21 Ashley Bramer

22

23

24 Amanda Funderburk

Jordyn Walther

25 Lecia Alexander

Susan Evans

Gavin Whitis

26

27

28 Leslie Bauer

Derek Walther

29 Brindley Drake

Anastasia Layus

30 Adam Hauschel

31 John Sturrock

Is your birthday missing or incorrect? Contact Pam Drake in the church office.

AUDIO VISUAL

9:00am 11:15am

3rd

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Leslie Crosley

Debbie Yoho

Brad McKee

Leslie Crosley

Benny Gilbert

10th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Benny Gilbert

Brad Federwisch

Benny Gilbert

Jon Schwartz

17th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Jon Schwartz

Rick & Niki

Bramer

Jon Schwartz

Benny Gilbert

24th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Leslie Crosley

Brad Federwisch

Stephen James

Leslie Crosley

Carrie & Nicole

Freund

31st

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Benny Gilbert

Brad Federwisch

Benny Gilbert

Jon Schwartz

TELLERS

3rd Myron Goforth & Frank Haines

10th Bea McClung & Pat Welsh

17th Owen Irish & Clif Peabody

24th David Bauer & Travis Boyd

31st John Barnhart & Don Watts

CHILDREN’S SERMON

9:00am Service 11:15am Service

3rd David Northcutt David Northcutt

10th J.O. Dravis

17th Brad Federwisch Susan Evans

24th Cherub/Calvin Choirs Cherub/Calvin Choirs

31st Kent Landry Kent Landry

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

9:00am Service 11:15am Service

3rd David Northcutt David Northcutt

10th Rick Bramer

17th Nancy Kosarek

24th Jennifer Mockaitis

31st Rachel Hauschel Megan Hutchens

ELDERS SCHEDULED TO SERVE

MARCH 3, 2013

Communion Preparers Communion Servers 11:15

Bonnie Northcutt Bob Jones

Naomi Maxwell Megan Hutchins

Communion Servers 9:00 Brian Wolf

Travis Boyd Chandler Mayes

Dan Hauschel