The Pioneer News

Vol. 1 February 2012 Issue 3

Happy Birthday!! Happy Anniversary!!

Belated Happy Birthday to Joyce Plunkett 19th Barb Peterson 24th Jan Hoard

No anniversaries this month.



Scriptures for the month based on the lectionary.

February 5th Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11,20c Isaiah 40:21-31 1Corinthians 9:16-23

February 12th 2Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 1Corinthians 9:24-27 Mark 1:40-45

February 19th 2Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9

February 22nd Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-17 2Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February 26th Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 1Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15







Food Pantry Sunday

February 19th is Food Pantry Sunday. It’s important for us to remember our local pantry as new families are coming in every month. The time after the holidays is a rough time for the pantry as donations are generally down during this time of year. Let’s see what we can do to help!

Ash Wednesday

We will observe Ash Wednesday on Wednesday February 22nd at 7:00pm. There will be no meal beforehand. We will begin our study from “24 Hours That Changed the World” so make sure to order your book right away. We need to allow at least a week for them to come in.

Liturgists for January

February 5 Barb Norton

February 12 need someone to sign up

February 19 Barb Norton

February 26 need someone to sign up

January 29 need some to sign up Please sign up to help!!

Up Coming Events

February 5th Communion Sunday and Potluck following the service February 12th SPRC/Admin Meeting following the service February 19th Food Pantry Sunday February 22nd Ash Wednesday Service 7:00pm March 14th Spring Dinner at the Community Center ~ 4:00pm to 8:00pm March 24th Spring Craft Fair at the Community Center from 9:00am to 4:00pm





Up Coming Events cont.

April 1 is Palm Sunday.

Maundy Thursday service will be April 5.

Good Friday service will be community service. Details to be determined.

Easter Sunday is April 8.

Upcoming Meetings

The SPRC/Administrative Counsel meets February 12 following worship.

Please submit items, articles, news for the March newsletter by February 19th.

















Pastor’s Pen Einstein said: The definition of sanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the a different result. Will 2012 be the same as last year? It will be if you continue to do the same things. If you would like to change, then become more Christ-like. Practice rigorous honesty in all aspects of your life. Be truthful with yourself and others. My mom always told me, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” So tell the truth, but always tell it so not to hurt, but to help. Give more of yourself in random acts of kindness to other in 2012. Jesus says we must forgive everyone who hurts us. “If you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, you Father in heaven will not forgive you.” –Matt 6:14-15 Jesus’ command: Love one another. Read the Bible every day in 2012. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to know “it’s a good thing.” Read one page Psalms, one from Proverbs, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament each day. Get an understandable Bible. I recommend the Life Application Bible (New Living Translation) because it has practical commentaries at the bottom of each page. The Message (Bono from U2 reads from this during concerts) is a great translation. This Bible uses language that you and I use every day to communicate. After all, since you’re going to read the Bible, you may as well understand it. Watch less TV and spend more time praying and talking to God. Listen to what God is saying. In other words, do less. Satan is the king of busyness. That old devil will keep you busy doing things, so that you can never get around to doing great things, like spending time with your spouse, kids, and grand kids, visiting shut-ins, coming to church, etc. Top priority in 2012: read the Bible and pray. I like to save the last 20 minutes of my day to read the Bible. I keep a journal nearby so that I can jot down anything that comes to mind. When you make Bible reading a routine expect God to speak to you routinely. The Bible contains the Living Word, and when you expose yourself to new life, you will grow. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “You will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way you should go.’ So many times we are lost. Seek Christ. Ask Jesus for directions in 2012. You’ll be healthy, happy and wise. Tap into the Spirit and experience a “peace that surpasses all understanding.” Slight changes in 2012 will bring big results. The cost of following Jesus can’t be measured in dollars. The cost of following Jesus is measured in change. Change your thinking. Change your lifestyle. Change your understanding about why you are here. It’s not about you. Get closer to Jesus and find true meaning in life.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Sue