“March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.” — Old Saying

It seems to me we, as the people of God — the church — are always seeking balance in our life together. We are busy about the Gospel Good News inside — and outside our immediate circle. We seek to grow in our passion for Jesus Christ — and in our compassion for those who have not heard how much God loves them. The forty days of the Season of Lent, leading up to the glory of Easter Sunday, has been a traditional time to sweep the dust and cobwebs out of our lives. We do this to prepare the way for the Lord to emerge from the cold, dark tomb of death into the sunlight of New Life.

The old saying quoted above is mostly about the weather. It is a hopeful expression beyond

our weariness with winter wind and rain. We look expectantly to the blooming of Spring flowers — daffodil, tulip, narcis-sus and azalea. This also expresses our spiritual longing. We hold fast to our faith that the Lion of Judah, the Lord Jesus, will defend against the forces of darkness. In the shelter of His fiery love, we live out our faith that the Perfect Lamb of God, God’s only Son, Messiah, washes away our sins and rebellion. I am praying that these Lenten themes are bringing you hope and joy in the “lengthening days” — the Season of Lent. May each one be strengthened personally, and as the body of Christ for a year of mission and ministry!

Yours in Christ, Pastor Margot

March/april2016

Banks Community

United Methodist Church

Pastor: Margot ThompsonOffice: 503-324-7711

Parsonage: 503-324-5651

Cell:971-732-2351

E-mail: our-church@bcumc.net

Web site: www.bcumc.netPastor’s email:

revmargot@gmail.com

42451 NW Depot St. Banks, OR 97106

Banks Teller

happy Birthday! 03/01 ~ Leslee Sipp 03/05 ~ Bud Statton 03/09 ~ Andy Haboush 03/13 ~ Rodger Bond Jr. 03/28 ~ Gail Haboush03/28 ~ Kathy Douglas

04/02 ~ Fred Van Dyke 04/03 ~ Claire McGinnis 04/07 ~ Mikaila Medinger 04/10 ~ Nancy Danielson 04/11 ~ Mary Mock04/22 ~ Linda Wygle04/26 ~ Dave Bernel

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 04/08 ~ Dave & Teruko Bernel04/24 ~ Bill & Glenda Kincaid

calendar for March/april:03/05 ~ First Saturday Art Camp - Fiber Art03/13 ~ Daylight Savings begins03/20 ~ Palm Sunday03/24 ~ Combined church potluck with Service of Holy Communion immediately following 03/25 ~ Good Friday03/27 ~ 7:00 AM Easter Sunrise Service at Kelly Field, Banks High School03/27 ~ BCUMC Easter Worship Service

04/02 ~ First Saturday Art Camp - Art Show

Mondays: 7:00 pM: Monday Night Bible Study - We have begun a video study of the Gospel of Matthew. We meet at the home of Leola Stigleman. Questions? Call Pastor Margot at 503- 324-5651 or 971-732-2351.

Wednesdays: 9:30 aM: oGc a “retired guys fellowship” meets at the Trailhead Café. 9:30 aM: Women’s Bible study led by Dianne Harrang at her home. We are looking at church history during the Middle Ages. For more information call Dianne at 503-324-3102.

sundays: 10:00 aM: Choir practice.

canned food of the MonthHere is the list of foods for this year:

Mar – canned fruit Apr – jello May – pork & beans June – tuna July – refried beans Aug – diced tomatoes Sept – hearty soup Oct – chicken stove top stuffing Nov/Dec – chicken broth

Thank you all for your contributions!

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lenten Mission project

The spring season from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday began February 10th. We have the opportunity to take part in the joy of giving day by day as we anticipate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya Africa is the mission that touches lives for Christ through medical care and community health development. We are partnering with the Methodist Church in Kenya for this outreach. Home collection water bottles for giving will be available during worship beginning Ash Wednesday. This is General Board of Global Mission Advance No. 09610A. The annual goal is $60,000.

People in the remote rural areas around Maua Methodist Hospital catchment area had little or no access to high quality major healthcare because of the lack of transportation, the distance to the hospital and access to clean water. As a result, many people suffered from health problems that could have been prevented with access to healthcare. This outreach project provides training in personal hygiene and health awareness in these surrounding villages. Community water supply development is an important feature of community based healthcare (CBHC).

This mobile healthcare program shows love

in the name of Jesus Christ. Maua Hospital’s outreach provides health services in twenty primary schools in the area, expanding the CBHC effort. It is a multi-faceted program offering health check-ups, nutrition support, immunization and follow-up care. In addition, CBHC offers training in health practices, seminars and parents’ day learning activities.

Be sure to come to worship in this beautiful season! Get your water bottle for collecting change to give to our Lenten Mission Project.

Blessings, Pastor Margot

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EastEr sEason at BCUMC

March 24th, Holy thursdayat BCUMC Hayes Fellowship Hall42451 nW Depot street, Banks Combined Church Potluck at 6:00 p.m. service of Holy Communion immediately following

March 27th, sunrise services of Worship: Ministerial association Community service—7:00 a.m. at Kelly Field, Banks High school, Banks

March 27th, Easter services of Worship: 11:00 a.m. Banks Community UMC in the sanctuary

I am a Seenager (Senior teenager) 

I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. • I don’t have to go to school or work. • I get an allowance every month. • I have my own pad. • I don’t have a curfew. • I have a driver’s license and my own car. • I have ID that gets me into bars and the whisky store.• The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant. • and I don’t have acne. • Life is good! also, you will feel much more

intelligent after reading this:

Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe. much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full, so too, do humans take longer to access information when their brains are full.

researchers say this slowing down process is not the same as cognitive decline.  The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. michael ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time.  The brains of older people do not get weak.  On the contrary, they simply know more.

also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for.  It is nOT a memory problem, it is nature’s way of making older people do more exercise.

SO THere!!

I have more friends I should share this with, but right now I can’t remember their names.  So, please share this with your friends; they may be my friends, too.

4(Courtesy of “Mikey’s Funnies”)

operation christMas child

The final figures are in and the numbers are impressive. Worldwide 11,213,010 shoe boxes were collected, the final destination being over 11 million children reached in the name of Jesus Christ.

The breakdown is: United States 8,765,637 NW region (OR, WA, ID, MT, AK) 298,748 Portland Metro area 26,385 Banks Relay Center 1,061 Banks Community UMC 76

Although it has been a few months since we prayed over our shoeboxes and shipped them out to the distribution centers, we know many of these boxes are still on a very long journey to very remote parts of the world. As we hear from Phil Warkentien, an OCC leader in Brazil, “Brazil is among the most difficult of countries to get the shoe boxes cleared from customs. There are presently two containers in the Port of Recife and we were not allowed to get them out. Pray that God will give us favor with the Brazilian authorities so that they will grant us the right to have them sent to children in another country.” (Phil is with Go Ye Fellowship, a mission in Brazil that our church supports.)

Prayer is an important part of our shoe box mission, from the prayers you say when packing your boxes, those said over them as

we send them off, and the continued prayers as the boxes make their way, under the God’s leadership, to the millions of children who will be blessed in the name of Jesus Christ and be given the opportunity to hear the Good News. So, please keep praying.

Grace BiBle church

As of the end of January the congregation of Grace Bible Church has been sharing our church facilities. They have been very grateful to have a location to meet and remain in Banks. Their Sunday School starts at 1:00, Worship is at 2:00. They have Bible studies and prayer meetings throughout the week and have a regular potluck on the 2nd Sunday of each month during their Sunday School time.

It’s been a month now and this schedule seems to be working nicely. From time to time there may be an overlap of the activities of both congregations but in time, and with cooperation we can accommodate all. With patience this transition can be a blessing to both congregations.

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spanish class

Hola! Como estas usted? Spanish Conversation Class, facilitated by Gonzalo Calderon, started up again at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan.19th in the Mooberry Room on the campus of CUMC. We began practicing useful phrases and getting acquainted with one another. You are invited to join in for free the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

General conference 2016

Volunteer! You are invited to serve at General Conference May 10th - 20th at the Oregon Conference Center. The Oregon-Idaho Conference will be hosting the 2016 meeting of the international UMC. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The role of local volunteers is to offer

extravagant hospitality to those coming to participate in General Conference. A welcome smile should be the first and last thing a delegate or visitor to General Conference remembers. Volunteers will help by serving as airport greeters, hotel information providers, registration desk helpers, door openers, traffic directors, translators and much more! You can sign up for one or many four-hour shifts to share the gift of a warm smile and welcome to Portland.

Volunteers will work in four-hour shifts

and can work multiple shifts per day and multiple days. There will be an orientation and training session for all volunteers before their first working shift. When registering online, volunteers will havethe opportunity to choose the area and tasks that hold the most interest for

them. Get started at www.GC2016pdx.org.

prayer

The most vital part of the ministry of a congregation of Jesus-followers is to pray together. Thursday Evening Prayer Time (6:15 p.m. in the CUMC sanctuary) has been small but intentional the past few years. Come out and add your presence and your voice to this refreshing and essential time of seeking the Lord! We pray 6:15-7:00 p.m. every other Thursday. Next prayer meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 3rd. Call Pastor Margot with your questions.

cornelius faMily proMise Ministry dessertMarch 14th at 6:30 p.m. - in the fellowship hall, Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1124 Beech St. Cornelius OR

You are invited to a dessert to honor those from various neighboring congregations who have volunteered to assist our Family Promise guests at the Emanuel Lutheran Church over the past year. Certificates from the Washington County Family Promise Council will be presented to all volunteers by Annie Heart, Executive Director of the Washington County Family Promise Network.

Representative Susan McLain will speak on the legislative efforts to support homeless and low income families. The evening will include an overview of volunteer opportunities and duties for those who have not volunteered yet.

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shoes in church

I showered and shaved........ I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat......... In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer...... As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me....... Touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side......... I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’ It bothered me, his shoe touching mine.. But it didn’t bother him much. A prayer began: ‘Our Father’............. I thought, ‘This man with the shoes, has no pride. They’re dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!’ ‘Thank You for blessings,’ the prayer went on. The shoe man said................. A quiet ‘Amen.’ I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.. Aren’t we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door? ‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought, glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud..... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters........ His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man’s voice from the sky. It was time for the offering........ And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.I saw what was pulled out..........

What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft ‘clink’ as when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that’s no lie. It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service........ As is the custom here. We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow........... And wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess..... But I thanked him for coming.......... For being our guest... He said, ‘My name’s Charlie............ I’m glad to meet you, my friend.’ There were tears in his eyes......... But he had a large, wide grin.. ‘Let me explain,’ he said............. Wiping tears from his eyes. ‘I’ve been coming here for months...... And you’re the first to say ‘Hi.’’‘I know that my appearance........... Is not like all the rest. ‘But I really do try.................... To always look my best.’ ‘I always clean and polish my shoes... Before my very long walk.’‘But by the time I get here........ They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’My heart filled with pain............ And I swallowed to hide my tears. As he continued to apologize.......... For daring to sit so near. He said, ‘When I get here............ (Continued on page 8.)

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I know I must look a sight.’ ‘But I thought if I could touch you.... Then maybe our souls might unite.’ I was silent for a moment............. Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison.... I spoke from my heart, not my head. ‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said....... ’And taught me, in part’ ‘That the best of any man.............. Is what is found in his heart.’ The rest, I thought,............... This shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am.... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

Live each day as your last, for we never know our time here on earth and remember that it is not how we look on the outside but how we look within.

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pastor MarGot’s office hours Banks Community UMCTuesday - 10:00 a.m. - noon 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Thursday - 10:00 a.m. - noon 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cornelius UMCMonday - 10:00 a.m. - noon 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. - noon 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (At all hours, and any day Sunday through

Thursday, please use her cell phone number - 971-732-2351 to reach her.) She is also available for urgent or emergency matters at all times via cell.

Banks teller

All submissions to the Banks Teller are due By the 15th of the Month preceding the month you wish it to run. The Banks Teller will be published every two months starting with Jan/Feb 2016.

Email to: ellen.sadler@comcast.net

Phone: 503-324-4302

(Continued from page 7.)

(Courtesy of “Mikey’s Funnies”)