Blessed Lent Countryside Saints!

I love our Lenten Series entitled The Third Day, by Bishop Tom Berlin. Each week we are looking at the power of the resurrection. I love the cross of Jesus, but I love it because of the resurrection! Our challenge each week is to ask, "Am I living the resurrection life?" Have I joined Jesus in the victory won on the cross?

So far, we have looked a Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle Peter. In March, we will study the Disciple Thomas, the unnamed disciples on the road to Emmaus, the Apostle Paul, and on Palm Sunday we will look at Jesus himself!

Holy Week we will have our services of reflection on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday both at 7pm. Maundy is from the Latin word "Mandate," remembering the new commandment Jesus gives us to "love one another!". Good Friday is the somber service of "Tenebrae" meaning "darkness." This service we remember the crucifixion of our Lord and terrible cost of his unwavering faithful love for us.

Both services prepare us for the utter JOY that comes Easter Morning when we sing, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today! Hallelujah!"

The old English word, "Lent" means Springtime. It is the time of preparation for new life. Janelle and I have experienced an amazing gift of new life this Lent. Our daughter Michelle has just given birth to her firstborn and our second grandchild. I want to share with you our great joy in welcoming Jaiden Kay Weatherbee into the world. We could not be more grateful.

This Lent, continue to seek the joy of the Risen Christ each day. Invite the resurrected Christ to lead you into a life worth living forever.

Peace and Joy,

Pastor Paul Wilke

The Third Day Lenten Study Group Options

Friends Sunday School Class - Starts Sunday, February 18th at 9:30 a.m. in room B2.

Pastor Paul and Janelle Wilke, and Anne Vetter Gunn - Starts Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00 p.m. in room B2. CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THIS GROUP.

Pastors Jeff and Christine Potter - Starts Wednesday, February 21st at 6:45 p.m. at Cafe Quetzal.

Jamie Meyer - Starts Tuesday, February 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area

You Don't Need to Have a Lenten Book to Join a Group!

Would you like to order spring Easter flowers to adorn the sanctuary on Easter morning?

Holy Week we will have our services of reflection on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday both at 7pm.

Maundy is from the Latin word “Mandate,” remembering the new commandment Jesus gives us to “love one another!”.

Good Friday is the somber service of “Tenebrae” meaning “darkness.” This service we remember the crucifixion of our Lord and terrible cost of his unwavering faithful love for us.

Both services prepare us for the utter JOY that comes Easter Morning when we sing, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today! Hallelujah!”

Make Sanctuary Choir your special Lent project this year?

We would love to have you join us! You could come for all of Lent, or maybe just Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We practice each Thursday at 7:00pm in the chapel. If you don’t have time for the whole season, think about joining us for rehearsals on March 21 and 28, then singing on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter. There is no better way to proclaim your Risen Lord than through song!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2ND SUNDAY BUNCH ON MARCH 10TH

EVERY WEDNESDAY JOIN US FOR A MEAL & CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Wednesday Night Meal begins at 5pm (open to the community).
Please RSVP HERE
Wednesdays for Kids begins at 6pm and ends at 7:30pm. This midweek program is filled with Bible stories, projects, crafts, and Bell Rehearsals, for students in 1st to 6th grade.

Don't Hassle with Supper after work! Bring your family to eat at 5 and drop your kids off at 6pm!

There will be no Wednesday Night Meal or Wednesdays for Kids on March 13th due to Spring Break or on March 27th in observance of Holy Week.

Meals for Pastor Nancy

Please sign up by clicking the link below or by going to: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/k325kv

Please provide food for 2 adults, drop-off time between 4:00-6:30PM at: 2625 SW Tutbury Town Road Topeka

On Meal Train you can give a donation, a gift card, or sign up on the calendar to take them food.

If you have questions please contact Debbie Field-Kresie at 785-640-4745 or Deon at deon@countrysideumc.org

Click Here for Meal Train

Arlene Rothberger is turning 101! Let's shower her with cards for her birthday!

UMCOR Sunday, March 10th

On UMCOR Sunday, we partner with other UMC congregations in a special offering to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), an organization that acts on our behalf when there is a crisis. The funds UMCOR receives on this special Sunday are offered by millions of United Methodists to help cover the costs of doing business. From training volunteers to keeping the office lights on, the UMCOR Sunday special offering equips the organization to respond quickly when disaster strikes. Thanks to UMCOR’s informed and reliable infrastructure, expert leadership and experienced volunteers, every dollar received is leveraged to work as hard as possible. When you give generously to support UMCOR Sunday, you embody compassion and you shine God’s light into the shadows as a beacon of hope.

HOW TO GIVE: Write a check to your local church and write, “UMCOR Sunday offering” in the memo line. To give online or set up monthly giving, go to UMC.org/SSGive.

The Senior Adult Ministry trip to tour the Immaculata Cathedral in St. Mary's Kansas on Tuesday, March 12th is FULL.

Please contact Gerald Meyer at 785-633-2336 if you have any questions or would like to be put on a cancellation list.

Join us for Movie Night

Saturday, March 9th from 5:00-7:00pm

Soul Care Retreat March 9th

Holton First Methodist Church

Circle members you are invited to attend the Soul Care Retreat sponsored through the Topeka District at Holton UMC

Please notify Karen North at 785-633-8154 if you are interested. Cost of the retreat is $12.00

You Are Invited To A Birthday Gathering For
Bill Moulden
He is turning 90!
This will take place after the 11am worship service on Sunday, March 17th. Help us to wish him a happy birthday! There will be treats to enjoy as we wish this long time church member a very happy birthday!

COUNTRYSIDE FOREVER FOUNDATION
MARCH 2024
ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS

We would like to offer some information for you as you plan for your estate.

Make an appointment with an attorney
If you don’t know an attorney, ask a relative, friend or co-worker for a referral. Estate Planning is not just about making a will. The best estate plans eliminate the need for a will in many case.

Inventory Your assets
Make sure your estate planning Counselor knows the nature and value of your assets. Besides your home and investments, this includes life insurance proceeds from policies you own or are provided by your employer, disability benefits or insurance, retirement plans, cash, collections, jewelry and other personal property and businesses in which you have an interest. Also, be able to show how these assets are titled (solely owned, jointly owned, in joint tenancy or tenants-in-common) and who are the named beneficiaries of insurance proceeds and retirement plans.

Choose your beneficiaries
Reflect on the people and organizations you wish to support and benefit. Think about restrictions you may wish to impose on those you want to benefit.

Making a charitable bequest
If you are waiting until your death to make a charitable contribution, confirm with that charity the proper name of the charitable entity.

Look for more information in coming newsletters.

If you wish more information, Please contact a member of CFF listed below:

Stu Entz, Doug Flair, Missy Hiestand, Deb Larson, Jim Reardon. Ed Shamburg, Terry Wages, Gerald Meyer or Byron Schlosser.

Easter Egg Discovery Team & Donations

Help make Easter Egg Discovery possible! Help with set up, supervise a station, or help with clean up on Saturday, March 23rd. (Set up starts at 8:30/9am, the event runs from 10-11:30am).

Donations of individually wrapped candies (no jelly beans, etc.) are also greatly appreciated! Bring them to the welcome center by March 17th.

Contact Becky with questions, becky@countrysideumc.org.

Easter Egg Discovery, a family Easter celebration!

Kids, bring your grown ups for a morning with crafts, games, snack, and a non-competitive egg hunt. (Everyone will take home the same amount of candy!) Drop by the South Parking Lot anytime between 10-11:30am on Saturday, March 23d.

Don't forget to bring an Easter basket! (In the event of rain, visit our Countryside Kids Facebook page @CountrysideUMCKids for more information.) Contact Becky with questions, becky@countrysideumc.org

Please contact Rebecca Bowles, Coordinator of Youth Ministries for more information or to subscribe to the "Weekly Blast" Youth Newsletter

COUNTRYSIDE YOUTH FACEBOOK LINK

COUNTRYSIDE YOUTH CALENDAR LINK

We are hiring a Youth Intern for the summer!

If you are interested contact Rebecca.

Mark your calendar for SERVE Day!

On April 7th we will be serving lunch to everyone who helped serve. Students and parents are asked to help serve the meal and clean up afterward. It will be very minimal because we are using paper goods and having good cents. Serve Day starts at 9-1. We will eat lunch around noon. Serve Day is when we volunteer as a church and help Harvesters roll plastic bags for their big event.

CCDC Parent Fundraising EVENT

Join us for a "spring fling" dance on Friday, April 19th in the Celebration Center Gym from 6:30-8:00pm. Snack and refreshments will be available to purchase. Stop in and check out the silent Auction in the dining room.

Faith in Context Sunday School

This informal class meets periodically throughout the year to discuss a wide variety of topics related to current events and challenging issues. Sundays at 9:30 in B3/B4.

Life 101 Sunday School

The Life 101 class meets in room 4 on Sunday mornings. Beginning January 15, we will resume studying "The Chosen" series about Jesus and his followers which has become so popular across the country. It includes a film and a study guide and discussion about the session the following week. Everyone is invited. pastor Nancy is the leader of the class.

Seekers Sunday School

The Seekers Sunday School class is an adult bible study opportunity . Sundays at 10:45 in B6.

Friends Sunday School

Friends class is a large and diverse group of people of all ages who come together for study, fun and fellowship. Study and discuss a wide variety of topics, ranging from Biblical history to current events. Sundays at 9:30 in B2.

Lectionary

Lectionary starts Sept 11, 10:00

Making Connections

Making Connections begins Wed, Sept 20, 1:30 at Cafe Quetzal.

The Latest from the Church Library

New Library Book of the Week

Faithful Families of Lent

How do you share the deep mysteries of Lent, Easter, and Resurrection with children? Parents, guardians, teachers, and ministers will find dozens of fun and easy practices for celebrating the Easter season with our kids. The practices and seasonal prayers are grouped into chapters titled Ash Wednesday, Symbols, Lenten Prayers, Lenten Refraining, Lenten Acts of Service, Holy Week, Easter Vigil and Easter Day, and the Season of Resurrection. Smith also offers theological notes guiding parents on addressing the violence of the crucifixion and the meaning of Jesus' death.

New Kids Book of the Week: Dumb Bunny

Mon Mar 4th
9:00am - 3:30pm Great Plains Mercy and Justice Training
10:00am - 11:30am Lectionary Bible Study
1:30pm - 3:30pm Book Worms
6:00pm - 8:30pm NAMI Topeka Family 2 Family Workshop
7:00pm - 8:00pm Ya-ya Readers

Tue Mar 5th
6:00pm - 7:30pm Adult Basketball
6:30pm - 7:30pm Celebration Ringers
6:30pm - 7:30pm UWF Stepping Stones Circle
7:30pm - 8:30pm Lenten Bible Study

Wed Mar 6th
5:00pm - 6:00pm Wednesday Night Meal - RSVP HERE
5:30pm - 6:30pm Soul-Full Singers Rehearsal
6:00pm - 7:30pm Lenten Bible Study
6:00pm - 7:15pm Prayer & Pickleball
6:00pm - 7:00pm UWF Embrace Circle
6:00pm - 7:30pm Wednesdays for Kids
6:30pm - 7:30pm Celebration Worship Team rehearsal
6:45pm - 8:00pm Lenten Bible Study @Cafe Quetzal
7:15pm - 9:00pm Prayer & Pickleball
7:30pm - 9:00pm Shawnee Choral Society rehearsal

Thu Mar 7th
10:00am - 11:00am Centering Prayer
10:00am - 11:00am Senior Sippers @ Cafe Quetzal, 21st & Belle
12:30pm - 2:30pm Retired United Methodist Pastors
2:00pm - 3:30pm Fun & Fellowship Book Club at Cafe Quetzal
6:00pm - 7:00pm Wesley Ringers
6:30pm - 9:00pm Pickle Ball
7:00pm - 8:00pm Sanctuary Choir

Fri Mar 8th
8:00am - 10:00am TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly)

Sat Mar 9th
7:30am - 5:00pm Church Closed Due to Water Shut-OFF
5:00pm - 7:00pm All Church Movie Night

Sun Mar 10th
UMCOR One Great Hour of Sharing offering Sunday
8:00am - 11:30am Family Worship Room
8:00am - 9:00am Traditional Worship Service
9:00am - 11:00am 2nd Sunday Brunch
9:30am - 10:30am Online Worship Service via You Tube
9:30am - 12:00pm Child Care - ages 6 weeks to 5 years
9:30am - 10:30am Confirmation
9:30am - 10:30am Contemporary Sanctuary Worship Service
9:30am - 10:00am Countryside Ringers Too
9:30am - 10:25am Faith in Context Sunday School (B3/B4)
9:30am - 10:30am Friends Sunday School (B2)
9:30am - 10:30am Life 101 Adult Sunday School
9:30am - 10:30am Sunday Small Groups for Preschool - 5th/6th Grade
10:30am - 11:30am Seeker's Sunday School
11:00am - 12:00pm Online Worship Service via You Tube
11:00am - 12:00pm Traditional Worship Service
11:15am - 12:00pm Children's Chapel (Elementary Students)
12:15pm - 1:15pm Church Council Meeting
4:00pm - 5:00pm Countryside Orchestra
4:30pm - 5:00pm Countryside Youth Bells
5:00pm - 6:30pm Decluttering Class
5:00pm - 6:00pm Laudate Ringers
5:00pm - 7:00pm Youth Group "Illumin8" & Confirmation
6:30pm - 8:30pm Movie Group
7:00pm - 8:00pm Youth Praise Band

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION

Do you have an event or news worthy story you would like to get added to the newsletter? Please submit your information to deon@countrysideumc.org or https://info.countrysideumc.org/intakeform

Information for the newsletter is due on the third Tuesday of the month.

MORNING ANNOUNCEMENT SLIDES SUBMISSION

Do you have an event or news worthy story you would like to get added to the morning announcement slides, or on social media? Use the following link to submit your information.