Volume 50, Issue 4

Firs t Presbyter ian Church * Eau Cla ire

the bellwether

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

We are now entering the most important and central days and events of our Christian story. We hope all members plan to participate in the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection:

April 1 – Maundy Thursday – 7:00 p.m. On his last night with his disciples, Jesus gave us two lasting symbols: washing his disciples’ feet, and the Last Supper. We will remember, and celebrate, both of these events. Those who attend will have the op-portunity to experience either a foot, or hand, washing. Using the famous picture of Leonardo DaVinci, Pas-tor Eric will also speak about the Last Supper, and how the story of DaVinci’s masterpiece can help us more faithfully fulfill our calling ―to love one another as I have loved you.‖ April 2 – Good Friday – 12:10 p.m. Members of the congregation are invited to share in the Ecumenical Community observance of Good Friday at First Congregational Church, 310 Broadway Street. April 2 – Good Friday – 7:00 p.m. The members of our choir will be presenting ―A Service of Shadows‖ by Lani Smith. This combination of mu-sic and scripture will dramatically tell the story of Jesus’ final hours. The service will included extended times of prayer, using what are known as ―The Solemn Intercessions‖ and the ―Solemn Reproaches of the Cross.‖ April 3 – Easter Vigil Between the conclusion of the Good Friday service and the celebration of Easter morning, members and friends are invited to sign up for a 30 or 60 minute time slot in our Easter Prayer Vigil. A sign up board is in the Narthex – check for any remaining time slots. Readings for prayer and reflection are provided. Come and experience the stillness and silence of solitude with Christ in the sanctuary. April 4 – Easter Sunday – 10:00 a.m. Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join you for the greatest celebration of our Christian tradition. We will again have beautiful flowers, balloons and music. As this is also a Communion Sunday, Pastor Eric will speak upon the events of Easter afternoon along the Emmaus Road, and how our Risen Lord is made known to us ―in the breaking of the bread.‖

PRESBYTERIAN MAN OF THE YEAR: 2009 During the worship service on February 21 the Session presented the 2009 Presbyterian Man of the Year Award to none other than Pastor Eric! In recognition of his ongoing leadership and energy in our own congregation, his efforts to support Northern Waters Presbytery and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, as well as his ongoing efforts to work with local ministry groups and the local Chamber of Commerce, the Session felt this award was well deserved. Congratulations, Pas-tor Eric!

April 2010

Birthday/Anniversary 12

Bulletin Board 17

Birthday Offering 19

Christian Education 5

CLN 7

Daily Lectionary Scripture Reference 15

Fellowship - Express Game 17

Mission 9

Presbyterian Women 11

Puzzle Page 23

Worship 8

Youth News 6

Inside this issue: Scripture of the month

“Were not over hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” ~Luke 24:32

PAGE 2 THE BELLWETHER

The Bellwether is a monthly publication of

The First Presbyterian Church

2112 Rudolph Road

Eau Claire, WI 54701-4750

Phone/FAX: 715-832-1011

E-mail: bellwether@firstpres-eauclaire.org

Website: www.firstpres-eauclaire.org

Rev. Eric G. Nielsen, Pastor Brenda K. Parker, Editor

CHECK OUT THE BELLWETHER ON OUR WEB

SITE AT WWW.FIRSTPRES-EAUCLAIRE.ORG

SESSION NOTES: The Session held their regular monthly meeting on March 16. High-lights of that meeting include:

Approval of a Baptism Request for Parker Joseph Johnson on April 25

Approval to move forward on our the Sanctuary lighting and electrical concerns

An extended discussion was held of the various mission efforts and causes currently supported by the congregation and ways we can improve education, promotion and involvement by the congregation. Session continues to be greatly encouraged by the financial support of our various efforts, yet hopes to improve awareness of what all we are doing and how people can be more “hands on” in the work of Christ.

Office Notes

Volume 50, Issue 4

NUMBERS

BUDGET INFO January Year to Date

Receipts $18,184.24 $18,184.24

Expenditures $17,047.09 $17,047.09

Over (Short) $1,137.15 $1,137.15

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS January 2010

3 (119) 10 (108) 17 (112) 24 (106) 31 (112)

Average attendance 2010 = 111

Average attendance 2009 = 131

BUDGET INFO February Year to Date

Receipts $19,089.70 $37,273.94

Expenditures $18,891.14 $35,938.23

Over (Short) $198.56 $1,335.71

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS February 2010

7 (121) 14 (110) 21 (119) 28 (114)

Average attendance 2010 = 116

Average attendance 2009 = 142

Per Capital Goal

$3,500

Per Capita Received $2,442

PAGE 3 THE BELLWETHER

from the Pastor’s desk

Volume 50, Issue 4

Mandela, however, realizes the symbolic power of the green and gold for opponents with whom he must now work in the new gov-ernment. If they are not included, he reasons, the effort to create a new and more open South Africa will not succeed. He states, “Without them, we fail.” Mandela carries the day and the Spring-boks, clad in their traditional col-ors, go on to win the World Cup of Rugby, bringing acclaim to all of South Africa. He succeeds in get-ting the Springboks to be better than they think they can be. In so doing, he helps South Africa be-come a nation in which “all exceed our own expectations.”

Seeing the big picture is critical. Mandela’s vision was bigger than throwing out the old to get on with the new. It was to create some-thing new in which everyone had a place, everyone mattered. His was an audacious conviction that ene-mies could become friends, that truth can lead to freedom. “Reconciliation starts here. For-giveness starts here. It liberates the soul,” Mandela said. The truth conveyed in this epic movie (and it truly was epic – both in content and in cinematography) is also revealed in the Easter ac-counts of the gospels. After three full years of following him, but never fully understanding his teachings, Jesus could have given

“Jesus goes back to these disciples and

encourages them to be better than they

had ever been be fore. He places his

confidence in them to take the good

news of the Empty Tomb to all the

corners of the world.”

I like a good movie. But I confess that with the price of tickets and concessions I find myself more and more watching movies at home after they have come out on DVD. But once in awhile I am com-pelled to see a movie on the big screen – for instance, when the newest Star Trek movie comes out, a new James Bond, etc. Because of the subject matter, our family recently went to the theater to see the movie Invictus. This movie, staring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela (by the way, I think Freeman has been incredible in virtually every role he has taken – one of the great actors of our time), tells the story of post-apartheid South Africa in the early 1990s. A particular focus is Man-dela’s wisdom in bringing unity to a country long-divided over race, economics and power. The film invites us all to view Mandela’s approach to dealing with adver-saries through the lens of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks. To many of Man-dela’s supporters the Springboks and their green and gold uniforms represent the old South Africa and its unjust practices. They argue that a new day calls for change, particularly with the Springboks, who have an undistinguished re-cord in international competition. The effort to change this national athletic symbol gains traction, es-pecially in the black community, but Mandela is convinced that the change will do more harm than good. Mandela’s closest aid thinks it an unwise political move to in-vest so much in what she believes could be political suicide. Other, more pressing issues need Man-dela’s attention: the infrastruc-ture, the economy, etc.

up on his disciples. He could have thrown out the old, and started all over again with new people. After Peter’s three-fold denials, the scat-tering of the 10, and the betrayal of Judas, Jesus could have com-pletely written off his closest friends, just as many in South Afri-can wanted to write off the Spring-boks. But in the closing chapters of the gospels we find that Jesus goes back to these disciples and encourages them to be better than they had ever been before. He places his confidence in them to take the good news of the Empty Tomb to all the corners of the world. He eats with them along the lakeshore, conveying his for-giveness for their past failures, and sending them forth once again to “feed my sheep.” Just as Mandela realized that a new beginning would need to start with forgiveness and reconcilia-tion, so we find Jesus reconciling with his frightened and shamed disciples. And just as the Spring-boks surprised the world by play-ing to the level of a world cham-pion rugby team, so Jesus believes in us, and commissions us to be his instruments in taking the world-changing hope of the gospel to all peoples and lands. And if we were to take our role seriously, we would go on to be cast members in the most epic presentation of all time.

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PAGE 4 THE BELLWETHER

Volume 50, Issue 4

PAGE 5 THE BELLWETHER

Christian

Education

Volume 50, Issue 4

Children’s Sunday School Sundays at 9am

Rotation Workshop for children K-5

Children in rotation Sunday school learn about God & experience

Bible stories through hands-on lessons. Kids cook, create art,

hear stories, act, sing, play games, explore nature, investigate

with science experiments, watch and perform puppet shows and

learn with computers!

This year’s theme is Family.

April Unit is “Mary and Martha”

Sunday School for Preschoolers The Robin’s Nest is a self-contained Sunday school

classroom for children ages 3, 4, and 5, where our young-

est children can learn about God, through stories, play,

crafts, and music. Make new friends in a nurturing envi-

ronment!

Nursery A fully staffed nursery is available for infants and chil-

dren age 5 and under on Sunday mornings from 8:15am

until 11:30am. The nursery is also available for all chil-

dren whose parents are participating in Wednesday eve-

ning events from 6pm-8:15pm. Young children have fun

playing in the nursery and parents are only a few seconds

away with the use of our discreet paging system.

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

APRIL 4 —Easter

This summer, travel with us to

EGYPT Fun for the Whole Family this Year at VBS!

Evenings -June 13-17

The evening starts with a great meal and family worship time with high-energy music. Then children, preschool

through 5th grade, will rotate to centers involving art, drama/story, games and “Marketplace” activities. Kids

will explore the story of Joseph in Egypt while learning how God gives us hope, unique gifts and abilities, wis-

dom, forgiveness, and family.

To be a part of the VBS team, please contact Sara Gannon (834-0568) or Cindy Clauson (835-7308.)

Volunteer opportunities include cooking, designing, decorating, teaching, leading crafts, leading games, drama,

music/praise team, shepherding, setting up, cleaning up and more.

Book Group The next book group will meet on April

25th at 3pm downtown at Infinitea. We

will discuss Henri Nouwen’s beautiful

book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. For

more information, please contact Sara

PAGE 6 THE BELLWETHER

Youth

News

Volume 50, Issue 4

Upcoming Youth Events

April 18 —Youth Sunday

May —Youth Retreat –Camp Phillip

July 3-10 —NYC Youth Mission Trip

Sunday Mornings in the Youth Center Join our Sunday morning youth classes from 9:00am-

9:50 am. The middle school and high school classes

meet separately to learn about what it means to follow

Jesus in our every day lives in the world today. Hope

Naples, Nora Tepsa and Ginny Mossige are teaching the

middle school class and Ned & Sara Gannon are teach-

ing high school.

Joan of Arcadia Wednesday Evening Youth Fellowship

Joan of Arcadia will continue later this spring during

our Wednesday evening Youth Fellowship gatherings

each Wednesday at 6:15-7:45pm. Bring a friend and

join us as we share food, view ―Joan‖ and talk about

what happens in ―Joan‖ and how it might relate to your

relationship with God. ―Joan‖ will resume the last two

weeks of April following Youth Sunday.

For more information, please contact:

Hope Naples, Elder of Youth, 852-0210,

naplesfamily@charter.net

Sara Gannon, Christian Education Director,

832-1011 or 834-0568, cedir@firstpres-eauclaire.org

Retreat to be Rescheduled Due to numerous student scheduling con-

flicts in March, we will be attempting to

reschedule the youth retreat for May. Watch

for further details. If you want to participate

in the retreat at Camp Phillip you need to be

part of the Venturing Crew. Speak with

Sara or Hope for more info.

Ways to Support the Youth Mission Trip this Summer

Seven high school youth, one college student and 3 adults will be returning to New York

City this summer to work at Project Hospitality. Besides the on-going fund-raiser of selling

Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, the youth will be starting a new project in April —

selling Fair Trade Cloth Grocery Bags with a First Presbyterian logo. The bags offer an

environmentally conscious way to carry groceries home from the store or farmer’s market,

and the logo will communicate that the people of First Presbyterian Church care about the

earth. The bags should be arriving in April.

Youth Sunday Practices

The next Youth Sunday will be on April

18. The youth will be preparing for the ser-

vice during Wednesday evening Youth Fel-

lowship on April 7 and 14 and during the

Sunday school hour on April 11 and 18.

Also watch for other announcements re-

garding additional practices.

PAGE 7 THE BELLWETHER

CLN

Volume 50, Issue 4

CLEARWATER 2010:

From April 16-18, Pastor Eric and Elder Nelva Dykema

will be attending Clearwater 2010, an evangelism and church growth conference sponsored by our Presbytery

at our great treasure, camp Clearwater Forest. This year the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev.

Bruce Reyes-Chow, will be the keynote speaker. Rev. Andrew Dearman, professor of Old Testament at Fuller

Seminary, and formerly Austin Presbyterian Seminary,

will also teach at the event. There are also a series of workshops throughout the 3-day event. Please pray for

the success of this event and for all 125 Presbyters in attendance.

Pastor Eric, following the event, will be taking a 3-day

private retreat at the Hermitage at Clearwater Forest for rest and refreshment following the busy Lenten season.

CAMP REGISTRATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Registration forms for summer camps at Clearwater

Forest are still available through Sara Gannon or the church office. We already have some of our young

people going, but it is still possible to take more. But these camps fill up quickly, so you will want to regis-

ter very soon. You can also register online: www.clearwaterforest.org

The deadline to apply for scholarship assistance from

the Presbytery is April 1. We also have some schol-

arship monies available through our Celebration Fund. If you would like to apply for either/both of these re-

sources, please contact Pastor Eric right away.

SYNOD SCHOOL

“Grace Notes” is the theme of the 2010 Synod School, which will be held at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA, July 25-30. This year’s keynote convocation speaker is Rev. Roger Nishioka, the Benton Family Associate Pastor of Christian Education at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. Roger is a na-tionally recognized leader in the area of youth and family ministry; Roger has a passion for sharing how the changes we experience in our world can and should affect the way we witness to God’s love in the world.

You can go to: www.lakesandprairies.org/school to register for Synod School and to choose among the 67 course offerings. There are also classes and ac-tivities for children and youth of all ages. Childcare is also available throughout the day. And, as anyone who has ever attended Synod School can tell you, the food is plentiful and excellent!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE Don’t give up!! In March we walked through some of the most difficult, or tedious (depending on your viewpoint)

passages of the entire Bible – Numbers, having just gotten through Leviticus the month before. Currently we are in Deuteronomy, which in many ways is a recapitulation of Exodus. Our saving grace has been that in March we also

ended Mark’s gospel and entered into Luke’s; this is much easier and more familiar reading.

Soon in April we will enter into Joshua, and the stories of our people once we have entered into the Promised Land.

They are stories of challenge, quarreling, idolatry and grace – much like the stories we face in our own time. By the end of the month we will be in Judges, that unique time of leadership before a King is established for Israel. It

is here that you will probably run into many familiar names and stories. In the New Testament we will basically

complete Luke’s gospel by the end of the month.

SCIENCE AND FAITH: A Follow Up Opportunity

As a follow up to our adult/senior high class on

Faith and Science with John Wagner, there is an

incredible opportunity in our area on Thursday, April

29. Dr. Michael Zimmerman, professor of biology,

and founder of the Clergy Letter Project, will be

speaking at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chip-

pewa Falls (1300 Mansfield Street) at 7:00 p.m. A

flier with full information about this event is found in

this issue of the Bellwether. Several local congre-

gations, including our own, are helping to sponsor

this event.

PAGE 8 THE BELLWETHER

Worship

Volume 50, Issue 4

MARK YOUR CALENDARS We have been able to once again secure the Altoona Chamber Choir to come and share with us in worship this Spring. They will join us on Sunday, May 2. Be sure to mark this down on your calendar now!

APRIL WEEKLY PRAYER SCHEDULE

4 - Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and pray for his good news to spread to all 11 - Ned & Sara Gannon, Don Gillett, Sal Goins 18 - Sandy Griffin, Bill & Kim Halgren, Helen Hanson 25 - James Hazelton, Ellen & Greg Hazen, John & Gayle Helgeson, Derek Helgeson

WORSHIP NOTES: In addition to the services and events of Holy Week as listed on the front page, the celebration of Easter will con-

tinue throughout the months of April and May. Here are some hints about upcoming services:

April 11: ―Remember How To Ride A Bike?‖ – John 20: 19-31

It is said that one never forgets how to ride a bike, no matter how many years it may have been since you last set out on the two-wheeled vehicle. After the resurrection, Jesus appears to his frightened disciples. In his message

to them he challenges them to continue on in the ministry he gave them; like riding a bike, if they just get on board it will all come back to them. Whether you actually ride bikes or not, Jesus’ message to us is the same – get

back on board and engage the world in the way I have shown you, and you will do just fine.

April 18: Youth Sunday

Once again the members of our Middle School and Senior High youth group will be leading us in worship. Each Spring and Fall they continue to inspire us with their energy, their insights and their music. Plan to come and cele-

brate and share in worship with our youth!

April 25: ―Keeping Faith in Tragic Times‖ – Revelation 7: 9-17

Just because Jesus has defeated the power of sin and death on Easter does not mean that Evil does not lift its ugly head and inflict our lives. The early church experienced incredible persecution for their faith in the Risen Lord; the

book of Revelation, often frightening to some because of its symbolism, was written not to forecast the end of the world (as many try to read it even in our own time) but as a message of hope and encouragement to those suffer-

ing for their faith. We will listen for the hope that this well-known passage shares with us, and how it can give us

strength and encouragement for the battles we face in our Christian faith and journey today.

ELECTRONIC GIVING A Way To Still Visibly Give

Session is very thankful for the numbers of people who are taking advantage of the ability to have weekly or monthly giving handled electronically. More and more people are catching on that this is a great way to help manage monthly home finances as well as helping the church have a more ‘steady’ cash flow. One question, however, that has raised some concern is that of “what do I then do when the offering plates are passed?” Some feel self-conscious if they pass the offering plate without putting something in it. We have prepared “giving cards” for members who are using electronic giving. Located on the usher’s table in the Narthex, these cards read, “My monthly financial contribution has been given by electronic transfer.” You may pick these cards up before the worship service begins and then place them in the offering plates as they are passed.

PAGE 9 THE BELLWETHER

Mission

Volume 50, Issue 4

FEED MAY SHEEP: One Great Hour of Sharing (reprinted from Presbyterians Today, February 2010)

When Jesus instructed his disciples, “Feed my sheep,” he surely meant people like those of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Long and bitter civil wars in both of these West African nations have left them among the most im-poverished in the world. The destruction of farms, crops and infrastructure in the fighting left people in ru-ral areas unable to feed themselves. But now more than 3,500 people in 18 villages are eating locally grown food, thanks to an ambitious initia-tive supported by funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. The West Africa Initiative is training farmers in sustainable, affordable agricultural methods that nourish the soil. The farmers are using seeds that reproduce, so they can save seeds from one harvest for the next year’s planting. They also are learning to rely on organic fertilizers and traditional knowledge. The West Africa Initiative is a cooperative effort involving all three of the programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hun-ger Program. The three programs had long worked separately in the two countries. After the wars program leaders realized that they needed to work together – with each other and with churches in Liberia and Sierra Leone – to find new ways to address the devastation in the region. Together they decided to focus on train-ing farmers in agricultural techniques that would depend less on international corporations and more on local cooperation. The effects went much deeper than simply ensuring a few less-hungry mouths. The most lasting result of the partnership may be that people who felt helpless and fearful have begun to trust and hope again. Some possible next steps for the West Africa Initiative: providing materials for farmers to rebuild rat-proof containers where for months they can store rice and cassava to feed their families, and offering business training so groups can add value to their products – bottling their honey or processing and bagging their rice – to increase their market. This year’s One Great Hour of Sharing offering will expand the work in the first 18 communities targeted by the West African Initiative. It also will extend the initiative to 10 more villages, bringing food and hope to 2,000 more people. Gifts for OGHS will continue to be received through April 4.

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

Our next time to serve is April 4 - 11, 2010. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mary Daniels or check the sign-up board in the narthex.

THE COMMUNITY TABLE

The Community Table offers a hot meal and fellowship to those in need in Eau Claire. Our next time to serve is April 29. To help, call Sue Janke, 878-4316.

GOOD NEWS JAIL MINISTRY: Spring Banquet

The annual Spring Banquet for the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry will be held on Tuesday, April 27, at the Florien Gardens. The dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., with program to follow. The evening will consist of testi-

monies from former inmates and a word from the county sheriff. The guest speaker will be Chaplain Bob Potter

who has served with the national Good News Ministry for 30 years, and is currently the regional director for the Midwest.

Tickets are required for the banquet. These can be secured by contact chaplain Tom Herro at 839.6296

PAGE 10 THE BELLWETHER

Mission

Volume 50, Issue 4

EMPTY BOWLS: A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS

This year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser for Feed My People

was nothing short of a phenomenal success! Held on March 11, this year’s event served 1,500 people, and

raised $40,000. This money will allow 200,000 meals

to be served for area needy families. 5 local restau-rants – The Creamery, Randy’s, Hooligans, Sweet-

waters, and the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, pro-vided 60 5-gallon buckets of soup. The next time you

visit one of these places, please be sure to give them a word of thanks and appreciation for their donations!

1,600 handcrafted bowls were also donated for sale,

including 75 spun wood bowls that were sold via silent

auction.

Thanks to everyone who attended or supported this

year’s event!!

MISSION PLANS

In response to the visit of Roger Marriott last October, and the discussion at the special congregational meeting in

January concerning Haiti, the Session directed our Worship and Mission Committee to examine our current Mission funding and activities to see how we might improve our overall knowledge of mission efforts, both locally and as

part of our worldwide Presbyterian Church, as well as overall mission support.

In an effort to increase awareness within our congregation, we will be including a ―Moment for Mission‖ type of presentation during worship each week of March, April, May and June. Then, in early July, we will be sending out

an electronic survey to the congregation to get your feedback on what we have done. It will be from this feedback

that we will then look at future mission efforts and educational opportunities for the balance of 2010 and into up-coming years.

As always, members of Session value your input on this, or any, issue of congregational life. If you have specific

feedback or comment about the role and place of Mission in our fellowship, please feel free to speak with Worship and Mission Elders, Sal Goins and Shannon Berger, or any member of Session.

FEED MY PEOPLE FOOD CART I bet you’re wondering what happen to the food cart last

month. The Worship/Mission Committee have been dis-cussing ways in which Feed my people needs our help. It

seems that they have more than enough food but what

they do need are monetary donations. For the next four months on Feed My People Sunday,

instead of the food cart, in the narthex on a stand lo-cated by the kiosk will be the Feed My People donation

box. If you would still like to bring non-perishable food

items, feel free to do so. You may place them by the stand; any food that is brought will be going to the Sal-

vation Army Food Bank.

Thank you, Sal Goins, Mission Elder

PAGE 11 THE BELLWETHER

Presbyterian women

Volume 50, Issue 4

Calendar:

Naomi Circle: Met during Thrift Sale week to help with set-up. Next meeting is May 3.

PWCT: Tuesday, April 6 at 9 a.m. at home of Dorothy Rossow

Mary Circle: Wednesday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. at home of Bonnie Stone

Comfort Quilts Sewing Group: Tuesday, April 20 at 9 a.m. in FH

Annual PW Presbytery Meeting: Thursday, April 22 at Country Peace

Church in Superior.

PW Sunday, April 25

“For the Beauty of the Earth” Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Northern Waters will have their annual meeting on Thursday, April 22 at Country Peace Church in Superior, WI. The speaker and worship leader for the event will be Rev. Juanita Palmerhall. She is a retired Episcopal Priest and tells wonderful stories using dolls she has made. She is a very involved woman serving as the director of a shelter in Minneapolis and preaching at Native American mission churches in northern Minnesota. “For the Beauty of the Earth” will be her theme for blending Native American Spirituality and Christianity.

Her presentation is appropriate to introduce the PWUSA Mission Experience that is planned for September 8 – 17, 2010 “Meeting our Sisters in the Dakotas”. Twenty-four PW members from around the country will make this trip to learn about our Native American sisters beginning and ending in Sioux Fall, South Dakota.

Not only will this be a very interesting day, it is also closer to Eau Claire than most Presbytery events. Jodie Pierce (831-6107) has offered to drive us there. Please let her know you can attend. The cost for the luncheon is $6.

After Worship Coffee & Treats Guidelines

Following worship there are many who enjoy refreshments and time for fellowship. Over the years, the preparation

of coffee and provision of treats has been on a voluntary basis. On Sundays where there is interest and support, we have refreshments and on Sundays when no one signs up there are none. This system seems to work alright

but participation seems greater when refreshments are offered in the Narthex and lesser when offered downstairs in

Fellowship Hall and there seems to be no rhyme or reason behind where refreshments are offered.

In an effort to minimize confusion we suggest the following:

1. Memorial Day thru Labor Day refreshments will be will be offered on the main level. If crowding becomes an

issue the nicer weather should allow for doors to be opened and spillover to outside.

2. Coffee supplies will be provided and directions for brewing will be clearly posted in the kitchen and electronic

copies of directions made available upon request. Supplies will be the responsibility of CLN.

An annual sign-up calendar (similar to the Flower Sign Up) will be available in the Narthex that will allow for reser-vation of special days, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. to host.

We hope these guidelines provide clarity.

John Stedman – CLN Elder for adults

Nelva Dykema – Fellowship Elder

THANK YOU!! Thanks to everyone who helped during the thrift sale! The Sale made $2,700.00 which includes $196.54 from the Bake Sale.

~Sue Janke, chairman

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Volume 50, Issue 4

CELEBRATION FUND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

In Honor Of:

Keith & Carol Blomquist for 3-5 Club: The Bloomquist Children

Paul & Yvonne Rydning for 3-5 Club: Harold & Nelva Dykema

CONGRATULATIONS: We congratulate Jerry Spies upon his reception of the “Making A Difference” Award presented by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin. We congratulate Jerry & Dianne Moen upon the birth of their new granddaugh-ter, Aftyn Jayne Lantz on March 1.

2nd Michael Andrews

4th Bart Johnson

5th Chris Clark

Scott Anderson

6th Timothy Andrews

7th Jamie Radabaugh

8th Mariah Kewin

Jacqueline Johnson

10th Casey Thompson

Sharon Wilke

12th Braydon Kinderman

14th Kirk Olson

15th Cindy Clauson

16th Robin Korb

Mary Kell Cayley

17th Nancy Nason

Wesley Martin

18th Nancy Dahl

20th Matthew Staads

22nd Edna Parker

Helen Schmidt

28th Richard Vorpahl

Baylee Anderson

Olivia Morris

29th Brian Day

Anniversaries

15th Nathaniel and Pansy Jalil

Richard and Nancy Olson

In Our Thoughts and Prayers Don Gillett 30-Hour Famine Jim McDonald - 2nd Anniversary of kidney transplant Earthquake victims in Chili Haiti victims Eau Claire Schools upon murder of student George Samardich Yorman family - 5-yr mission to Czech Republic (Blythe Rinaldi’s son) Gloria Christensen Christians in Nigeria Donna Stromwall Birth of Parker Johnson Stephen Ministry Bolton House Campus Ministry Paula Tibbs Jon Bowe - death of his father Marge Womac Carol Poquette (Ryan’s mother) Children’s Easter program Homebound members Real Life Academy Thrift Sale Stephen Schultz - Death of his sister

BIRTHDAYS

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Volume 50, Issue 4

NEW PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE

The Presbyterian Foundation has announced the closing of the Illinois regional office. The Foundation, like all other financial entities, has had to respond to the change in the national economy and a constricted operating budget. As of April 1, our new Presbyterian Foundation representative is Stephen Keizer, who will be based in Kalamazoo, MI. He will now cover the congregations of Northern Waters Presby-tery. Stephen has worked with the Presbyte-rian Foundation since 2004 after spending 15 years at Western Michigan University in their development office. He is a member at West-minster Presbyterian Church in Portage, MI. The Presbyterian Foundation continues to pro-vide you the tools needed to leave a legacy of your faith for the future ministry of First Pres-byterian Church of Eau Claire. You can con-tact Stephen in the ways listed below: Stephen Keizer 1511 Helen Portage MI 49002 SMK@fdn.pcusa.org 1.866.317.0751

The 10 Commandments – Minnesota Style

(submitted by Lisa Nielsen)

1. Der’s only one God, ya know

2. Don’t make that fish on your mandle an idol

3. Cussin ain’t Minnesota nice

4. Go to church even when you’re up nort

5. Honor your folks

6. Don’t kill – catch and release only

7. There’s only one Lena for every Ole – no cheatin

8. If it ain’t your lutefisk, don’t take it

9. Don’t be braggin bout how much snow ya shoveled

10. Keep your mind off your neighbor’s hotdish

A BANNER YEAR? Many of you have noticed some of the new paraments that have been made for the chancel area. They are not

only beautiful, but they have been much needed as our current paraments are as old as our building - over 40 years.

In the same way, many of the banners which have decorated our sanctuary for years are getting very worn and tattered. Many are getting beyond repair. Some are simply faded and are looking rather poor.

We are hoping to create some new, colorful and larger banners for the sanctuary. But this is not a budgeted

item. We have several very creative people who are willing to help construct some new banners for the sanctuary;

we just need to come up with some funds to cover the cost of supplies. If you would be willing to contribute to such a banner fund, please send a gift to the church office, with "banner fund" on the memo line. We hope to be-

gin work in the summer if funds are available.

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News Stories

Volume 50, Issue 4

THE MULTICHANNEL CHURCH – Part 2 (the following is a follow up to last month’s article by Tom Ehrich, and was published in the February 8, 2010 issue of Presbyterian Outlook) It has taken little more than one generation for American Protestantism to lose control of Sunday morning. For more than a century, states tried to buttress religion by imposing ―blue laws‖ regulating commerce on Sunday. For most Americans those laws implemented a cultural consensus that one-day a week needed to be kept free from commerce and set aside for religion.

Such laws began to unravel fifty years ago, as exceptions proliferated, store owners insisted on seven days of revenue to justify seven days of rent, especially in highcost malls, and large sporting events like professional football and auto racing claimed Sunday. Without anyone intending a slap in Christianity’s face, churches lost their sole claim to Sunday morning.

Sunday church also lost ground to new patterns of leisure time. Youth athletics, for example, forced families to choose between church and soccer. Young professionals working six days a week saw Sunday as either their one day to sleep in or a quiet time for more billable hours. None of this was overtly anti-religion. But it certainly broke the habit of Sunday churchgoing and forced churches to compete for constituents’ time.

Church leaders working to navigate these changing social conditions have had to master two skills. Or, con-versely, church leaders who refused to master two new skills have seen their enterprises wither away, until their only active constituents are older adults for whom one hour on Sunday is plenty. First new skill: they have learned to read the marketplace, dispassionately observing where people’s loyalties lie, what their schedules dictate, and which needs will compel them to seek out the faith community. When I talk to pastors who are planting new congregations or redeveloping older ones, they are following new playbooks that emphasize flexible scheduling, activities and groups serving niche needs, community building beyond Sunday morning coffee, as well as richer offerings on Sunday. Second, nimble church leaders have learned to compete. At many congregations, production values at worship rival those of a rock concert. High-profile clergy present high-impact messages on huge screens in multiple loca-tions. They use Internet tools such as e-mail marketing to promote the congregation’s ―brand.‖ They offer coffee shops and food to create a total experience. This shift has been hard on clergy who were trained to be humble parsons, not entrepreneurs or rock stars, and to preside over a paradigm supported by habit, not a highstakes competition. The shift has been hard on older constituents, too. The new religious marketplace just feels wrong to them — too ―entertainment-oriented,‖ too much ―people-pleasing,‖ too much focus on the clergy, not to mention inconvenient. It calls for planning and implementation skills that they might not possess, and for a fresh look at budgeting. Newer constituents don’t miss the ―blue laws‖ era at all. If they go to church on Sunday, it’s a choice, not a habit, and it happens because the congregation has read their needs. They attend worship because preaching, music, liturgy, and fellowship are tuned to their yearnings. As a result, while mainline churches have ―lost‖ Sun-day morning as their guaranteed preserve, they have gained Sunday as a time when people bring high expecta-tions and enthusiasm to church. Church leaders must work in new ways to respond to those expectations, but they enjoy the satisfaction of serving people who are thrilled to be there and not just perpetuating stale habit. TOM EHRICH is a writer, church consultant, and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus,” and the founder of the Church Wellness Project

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Daily Lectionary Scripture Reference

Volume 50, Issue 4

April 1 Maundy Thursday Morning: Psalm 27; 147:12-20 Lamentations 2:10-18 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32

Mark 14:12-25 Evening: Psalm 126; 102 April 2 Good Friday Morning: Psalm 22; 148 Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33 1 Peter 1:10-20 John 13:36-38 (morning) or John 19:38-42 (evening) Evening: Psalm 105; 130 April 3 Holy Saturday Morning: Psalm 43; 149 Lamentations 3:37-58 Hebrews 4:1-16 (morning) Romans 8:1-11 (evening) Evening: Psalm 31; 143 April 4 Easter Sunday Morning: Psalm 93; 150 Exodus 12:1-14 (morning) John 1:1-18 (morning) or Isaiah 51:9-11 (evening) Luke 24:13-35 (evening) or John 20:19-23 (evening) Evening: Psalm 136; 117 April 5 Morning: Psalm 97; 145 Exodus 12:14-27 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8 Evening: Psalm 124; 115

April 6 Morning: Psalm 98; 146 Exodus 12:28-39 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 Mark 16:9-20 Evening: Psalm 66; 116 April 7 Morning: Psalm 99; 147:1-11 Exodus 12:40-51 1 Corinthians 15:(29) 30-41 Matthew 28:1-16 Evening: Psalm 9; 118 April 8 Morning: Psalm 47; 147:12-20 Exodus 13:3-10 1 Corinthians 15:41-50 Matthew 28:16-20 Evening: Psalm 68; 113 April 9 Morning: Psalm 96; 148 Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Luke 24:1-12 Evening: Psalm 49; 138 April 10 Morning: Psalm 92; 149 Exodus 13:17—14:4 2 Corinthians 4:16—5:10 Mark 12:18-27 Evening: Psalm 23; 114

April 11 Morning: Psalm 93; 150 Exodus 14:5-22 1 John 1:1-7 John 14:1-7 Evening: Psalm 136; 117 April 12 Morning: Psalm 97; 145 Exodus 14:21-31 1 Peter 1:1-12 John 14:(1-7) 8-17 Evening: Psalm 124; 115 April 13 Morning: Psalm 98; 146 Exodus 15:1-21 1 Peter 1:13-25 John 14:18-31 Evening: Psalm 66; 116 April 14 Morning: Psalm 99; 147:1-11 Exodus 15:22—16:10 1 Peter 2:1-10 John 15:1-11 Evening: Psalm 9; 118 April 15 Morning: Psalm 47; 147:12-20 Exodus 16:10-22 1 Peter 2:11—3:12 John 15:12-27 Evening: Psalm 68; 113

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Daily Lectionary Scripture Reference

Volume 50, Issue 4

April 16 Morning: Psalm 96; 148 Exodus 16:23-36 1 Peter 3:13—4:6 John 16:1-15 Evening: Psalm 49; 138 April 17 Morning: Psalm 92; 149 Exodus 17:1-16 1 Peter 4:7-19 John 16:16-33 Evening: Psalm 23; 114 April 18 Morning: Psalm 93; 150 Exodus 18:1-12 1 John 2:7-17 Mark 16:9-20 Evening: Psalm 136; 117 April 19 Morning: Psalm 97; 145 Exodus 18:13-27 1 Peter 5:1-14 Matthew (1:1-17) 3:1-6 Evening: Psalm 124; 115 April 20 Morning: Psalm 98; 146 Exodus 19:1-16 Colossians 1:1-14 Matthew 3:7-12 Evening: Psalm 66; 116

April 21 Morning: Psalm 99; 147:1-11 Exodus 19:16-25 Colossians 1:15-23 Matthew 3:13-17 Evening: Psalm 9; 118 April 22 Morning: Psalm 47; 147:12-20 Exodus 20:1-21 Colossians 1:24—2:7 Matthew 4:1-11 Evening: Psalm 68; 113 April 23 Morning: Psalm 96; 148 Exodus 24:1-18 Colossians 2:8-23 Matthew 4:12-17 Evening: Psalm 49; 138 April 24 Morning: Psalm 92; 149 Exodus 25:1-22 Colossians 3:1-17 Matthew 4:18-25 Evening: Psalm 23; 114 April 25 Morning: Psalm 93; 150 Exodus 28:1-4, 30-38 1 John 2:18-29 Mark 6:30-44 Evening: Psalm 136; 117

April 26 Morning: Psalm 97; 145 Exodus 32:1-20 Colossians 3:18—4:6 (7-18) Matthew 5:1-10 Evening: Psalm 124; 115 April 27 Morning: Psalm 98; 146 Exodus 32:21-34 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 5:11-16 Evening: Psalm 66; 116 April 28 Morning: Psalm 99; 147:1-11 Exodus 33:1-23 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:17-20 Evening: Psalm 9; 118 April 29 Morning: Psalm 47; 147:12-20 Exodus 34:1-17 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 Matthew 5:21-26 Evening: Psalm 68; 113 April 30 Morning: Psalm 96; 148 Exodus 34:18-35 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Matthew 5:27-37 Evening: Psalm 49; 138

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Bulletin Board

Volume 50, Issue 4

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Circle Meetings

Naomi Circle met during Thrift Sale Week to help with Set-Up.

Next meeting is May 3.

Mary Circle will meet Wednesday, April 14, 9:30 am at the home of Bonnie

Stone.

P. W. C. T. The next PWCT meeting will be Tuesday, April 6, 9:00 am at

the home of Dorothy Rossow.

Events Comfort Quilts Sewing Group will meet Tuesday, April 20, 9:00 am in the

Fellowship Hall. Annual PW Presbytery Meeting will be Thursday, April 22 at Country Peace

Church in Superior.

PW Sunday is April 25.

PRESBYTERIAN MEN Early Bird Men’s Breakfast Group meets Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. at Randy’s

Restaurant, MacArthur Ave.

See the Presbyterian Men’s website: www.presbyterianmen.org

OFFICE HOURS

OFFICE (Brenda’s) HOURS Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Pastor Eric’s Hours Monday - Thursday

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Christian Education Director’s (Sara’s) Hours

Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Wednesday 1:30 pm - Evening Activities

Volunteer’s Hours Tuesdays

12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

CLOSED FRIDAYS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENUS APRIL

7 Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Green Salad, Garlic Bread, Cake

14 Beef Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots & Peas, Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Bars

21 Taco Bar, Black Bean Confetti Salad, Baby Carrots, Apple Dumpling Bake

28 Cranberry Glazed Chicken, Chicken Nuggets, Buttered Noodles, Green Beans, Fruit Jello, Cookies

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

The Prayer Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday in the Fireside Room following worship. For more information, contact Jim Landsverk (835-5830).

WOODWORKING GROUP The woodworker’s group meets the 1st & 3rd MONDAY of

the month, 6:30 p.m. at Richard Vorpahl’s workshop, 2820

Comet Ct.

Mark Your Calendar

"Take me out to the ballgame" event is planned for Sunday, June 27, 2010. The picnic in the park begins at 4:30 p.m. and Pastor Eric sings the national anthem for the Eau Claire Ex-press game at 6 p.m. Grandstand tickets are just $5 each.

WARMER TEMPS AND COOLER DRINKS

As we move into the warmer temperatures of Spring, we also tend to consumer more cooler beverages, many of which come in alumi-num cans. Please be sure to live and think Green – bring those empty cans to the church for recycling. They can be placed by the recycling container near the pop machine, or even in the front Nar-thex. Thanks!

An arrogant astronomer approached a minister at a party. “Pastor,” the astronomer smugly asked, “wouldn‟t you agree that all of Christian theology could be summed up in this simple song, „Jesus love me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so?‟”

“Yes,” the pastor replied, “if you would agree that all of as-tronomy can be summed up in this song, „Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are!‟”

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Volume 50, Issue 4

LIGHTING PROJECT: Status Report At the congregational meeting on January 24, the congregation directed the Session to move forward on address-ing the electrical and lighting issues in the Sanctuary. While it is obvious that we might lighting problems, it was expressed that the primary concern was the fire hazard, and that the work should be commenced as soon as pos-sible.

A letter and pledge form was sent to all members of the congregation asking for support for this $30,000 project (a $10,000 had already been received). As of March 7, the response deadline, a total of $21,525 had been pledged for the project over two years; of that amount, $8,640 was given ―up front.‖

Session has given the go ahead to the electrical contractor, and work should begin sometime in mid-late April. It will take approximately 10 days to complete the work, so we will have at least one Sunday with some ―construction decorations‖ in worship.

To help with cash flow while pledges are paid and the remaining funds are raised, Session will be applying for loans through the Presbytery.

If anyone would wish to contribute, either an up front gift or a pledge, toward this project, please contract Bruce Fuerbringer – 831.1938 or fuerbringer@sbcglobal.net

LANDSCAPE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Last fall our new Columbarium was installed on our lot east of the church building. But we did not have the time to complete the planned landscaping around the structure.

In the last month we’ve had two inurnment ceremonies, and more are planning later this Spring. So we want to accomplish the landscape work in the near future. Our own Todd Andrews has created a landscape design as part of the Columbarium Task Force. Now we need some folks to help get the work done.

If you would have interest in helping with this landscaping work, please contact a member of the Columbarium Administrative Committee

– Jon Bowe, Lee Mossige or Jamie Mossige. Thanks!

PER CAPITA

In March we paid our $6,123 2010 Per Capita payment. Session is very thankful for those who have made extra commitment gifts toward this annual expense. If you would still like to make a gift toward our $3,500 goal, you can do so at any time. Simply mark your check memo line, or envelope, "Per Capita." Our per capita is based upon a $25.30 level for each active confirmed member of the congregation.

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Volume 50, Issue 4