Palm Leaf Church of the Palms March 2016

Connect with God, find community, Make a difference!

We are an Open and Affirming church—You are welcome here!

Here’s what’s coming up Events planned for this month include:

UCC 101 Wednesday, March 2, 3 P.M.

Miriam Circle Thursday, March 3, 10 A.M.

Wilma Berry; A Life Celebrated

Friday, March 4th 11AM

“Candidating Weekend”

Saturday, March 5

Welcome Potluck 3PM

Sunday, March 6

A special service by candidate,

The Rev. Paul Whitlock

Lifetouch Member Photos

March 9, 10, 11, and 12th

Lifeline Preventative Screening

March 11 8-5:30PM King Hall

Neuropathy Pain Group

Friday, March 11 10AM

Welcome New Members

Sunday, March 13

Mama Toledo’s Pie Truck

Sunday, March 13

Rummage Sale! (see page 6)

Set-up: March 13, 14, 15, 16, Sale days: March 17, 18, 19 7:30-2:30 p.m.

Concert of Hope (see page 4) March 20-Palm Sunday Church at Cactus 12-1PM Church of the Palms 3-4PM

Maundy Thursday March 24-Worship Service: Faith Presbyterian 5PM

Good Friday March 25-Worship Service: The Church of the Palms

Easter Sunday- March 27 Seeing is Believing

8:30-9:15AM Worship 10-11AM Worship/Communion

The Church of the Palms 2016 Picture Directory Our 2016 church album will be bursting with photos! 90 appointments have been scheduled for March. Some members are going off site or using their 2013 photo. Volunteers are taking photos of members who cannot easily come to church. If you are not yet scheduled for the new photo directory, contact Sandy Krueger (920-229-6374) or Nancy Mueller (623-980-0847) to discuss your options.

Pastor Jim’s message

DUO LOGOS

Each week this March brings an important event. We begin with the “Candidating Weekend” for our Search Committee and

Council’s choice for Sr. Minister, the Rev. Paul Whitlock, followed by the congregational vote. The next week we have our pictures taken for the new Church Directory, leading us to our Rummage Sale, then Holy Week and Easter

after that. All of a sudden, it’s April. Such is life in an active church. Easter is the concluding event when we give thanks for the new life our faith promises. New life, new hope, new possibilities. As we call a new spiritual leader, we breathe in the excitement that will take us into the future, exploring what God’s would have us to be and to do. For all of us, the next few months will go quickly. Soon we will be able to say “Spring has sprung” and then the heat of Summer. I find myself vacillating between the anticipation of being home more with Georgiana, and having to say “Good Bye” to so many friends I’ve made here in Sun City. Until then, I will enjoy serving you for the remainder of this interim season, and marvel at God’s blessings for us.

Pastor Jim

Give Up what?! Jim Alexander

As you read this article, we will be in the middle of Lent. So often we have heard, and maybe even practiced the “giving up” of something during this season. I don’t really know how successful we are when we think that way. I know in my own experience, when I begin the act of “giving up something”, my mind quickly moves to… “when can I start this thing again? I can’t wait until this little experiment is over!” I believe we would be more successful in our spiritual lives if we would approach Lent, Advent, and every other season of our spiritual journey with a “Beginning a new thing” mentality. Rather than giving up, God leads us to look at things differently, begin new habits, and renew our minds daily. In the renewing of our minds and practicing good “followship” in Christ, those things that we would give up might just seem a little less important and disappear from our lives anyway. As we move closer to Easter Sunday, may we commit to “beginning a new thing” for Lent. Very soon, The Church of the Palms will have the opportunity to “begin a new thing” in the form of a new Senior Pastor with a new vision and direction for our church. We will have the opportunity to practice good “followship” and approach all that means in a very positive light. If you are one of those who doesn’t like change (I know I struggle with this), maybe now during Lent is the time to “begin a new thing”, and open your heart and mind to the positives that are brought with change. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” In Christ, we certainly are promised a great future.

In Memory Earlene Callahan

06/1927 — 01/2016

Wilma Berry 01/ 2016

Glenna Harmount 02/2016

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Fellowship Breakfast: George Wall is talking us on a trip “down under”!

Join us on Tuesday, March 8, 8 to 9 a.m. for the Fellowship Breakfast to learn new things and discover new worlds.

One of the more interesting trips in my bird watching travels was to Australia in June of 2008. It was a few years ago, but it is still vivid in my mind. The beautiful birds I saw like the Emu and Kookaburra, animals like the Wallaby and Kangaroo, countryside scenery and colorful people including the aborigines and their beautiful artwork. I had a few laughs along the way and learned some of their language. I now know what a woop woop and a chook is. I hope you enjoy this PowerPoint presentation as much as I enjoyed making it and bringing back beautiful memories. This will be our final breakfast until the fall of 2016.

Easter lily orders ”And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Order coupons for Easter lilies will be part of the Sunday Order of Worship on March 13. If you have giving envelopes, please look for the “Lily Offering” envelope and add your gift. The cost of the Lily’s is $10 and all coupons or envelopes should be in by March 19th. Remember to list the name of your loved one “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”. The Deacons will be putting out the lilies on March 26.

"Jump Start” Bible Study 2016 Formerly, “Bible Study at Heritage

Palmeras” this study group now meets each Tuesday of the month in the chapel at The Church of the Palms at 4 p.m. All are welcome.

“Inchworms” Bible Study

Please be our guest, every Tuesday at 10 a.m. as our own industrious group of geometrids “inch” their way through the Bible. Lively and thought provoking discussion and a great group of folks.

March Birthdays!

03/04 Peg Wiegert 03/04 Lila Merlino 03/11 Ruth Remle 03/14 Jane Lane 03/16 Mary Kennicott 03/16 Charlotte Harger 03/17 Barbara Finkle 03/17 Patty Roundy 03/19 Ann Kovacs 03/19 Jeanne Chisholm 03/20 Nelson Hymans 03/21 Merrill Hofer 3/22 Sara Jackson 03/24 Mavis Treher 03/28 Gloria Peterson 03/28 Judy Beal

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Sheriff’s Posse-Open House

Sunday, March 6 from 1 to 3 PM at Posse Headquarters, 10861 Sunland Dr. This is an opportunity to tour posse Headquarters, view demonstrations of posse equipment, talk with the MCSO Swat Team and visit with an MCSO K-9 officer. All Sun City residents and guests are welcome. Enjoy the refreshments, participate to win a prize, and learn how the posse serves your community.

CONCERT OF HOPE

The Church at Cactus Palm Sunday, March 20

12:00 ~ 1:00 PM 8311 W. Cactus Peoria, AZ 85381

PALM SUNDAY

CONCERT OF HOPE The Church of the

Palms Palm Sunday, March 20

3:00 ~ 4:00 PM

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING (OGHS)

One of the programs the United Church of Christ supports through partnership with Global Ministries (a cooperative mission organization of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ) is the program that supports refugees who are displaced forcibly from their homes and are in need of access to food, medical attention, clean water, and education.

Our financial sharing through OGHS (One Great Hour of Sharing) with our financial gifts is one way helping these refugees meet their needs.

The green envelope in your stewardship box is designated for One Great Hour of

Sharing (OGHS) or the white and black envelope in the pew rack may also be used.

The date for receiving this offering is March 13, or it can be received at a time convenient for you. No amount of a gift is too small or too large.

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Services in March

Lord’s Day Service each week at 10 a.m.

Conversation Time in King Hall at

11 a.m.

For bus pick-up: Call Mary at 623-583-2254

by noon Friday for Sunday pick-up

Sunday, March 6 Fourth Sunday in Lent. The Reverend Paul Whitlock’s lesson will be

from Matthew 5:43-47 and the sermon title is “you’re in”.

Equal Exchange products will not be out this Sunday, please remember you can purchase Equal

Exchange items anytime through the office.

Sunday, March 13 Fifth Sunday in Lent. Pastor Jim’s sermon will be from Isaiah 43:16-21. “Rivers in a Dangerous Land”. The message, God promises us a way through the wilderness.

Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday. Pastor Jim will be

preaching from the scripture passage Philippians 2:5-11.

His message will be, What does the name “Jesus” mean to

you?

Sunday, March 27 Easter Sunday. Pastor Jim’s scripture today is John 20:1-18. The

message is “Seeing is Believing”. Seeing the Resurrection with more than our eyes.

Remembering Old Friends Church of the Palms members and friends who remember Rosemary Armbrust will be glad to know that she is alive and well and just turned 89 on her birthday in early February.

She is living in Crown Point, Indiana, and would be delighted to hear from her friends at Church of the Palms.

In a recent phone conversation with one of our members, she mentioned that while she really likes where she is now situated, she misses the good worship, activities, and friendships she had here among us.

Rosemary's address is: Rosemary Armbrust, 2727 Crown Point, Apartment 202; Anderson, IN 46012 and/or You can call our church office for her telephone number!

A card or call could make her day . . . and yours.

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Now is the time to go through your closets and storage areas and make a donation of those items that have served you well but now need to have a new life with a new owner who has been looking for just such an item. Your donated items should be brought to the church beginning Monday, March 14th thru Wednesday, March 16th.

There they will be sorted, priced and staged for the Rummage Sale which begins on Thursday, March 17th 7:30 to 2:30 thru Saturday, March 19- 7:30 to 12:00. If you need to have an item picked up prior to Monday, March 14th, please contact John Durbin. We will be accepting all donated items at this time but the actual sale of items has been divided into two parts:

In March we will be selling CLOTHING; HANDBAGS, SHOES, BELTS & LUGGAGE; COLLECTIBLES; LINENS & PILLOWS; BOOKS, DVD/CD’s & OFFICE ITEMS;

HOUSEWARES & KITCHEN APPLIANCES ; PICTURES & LAMPS; and FURNITURE.

In October we will be featuring CHRISTMAS ITEMS; SMALL ELECTRONICS, CAMERAS & HAND TOOLS; JEWELRY; CRAFTS; PICTURES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SPORTS

EQUIPMENT; HOUSEWARES; and FURNITURE.

Calling all Bakers! It’s time to check out your favorite recipes and stock up your basic supplies-flour, sugar, shortening, etc. The 2016 Rummage/Bake Sale is right around the corner. We would like

to have a variety of items for sale-pies, cakes, cookies, candy, breads, ect. Bake Sale Intake Day will be Wednesday, March 16, from 8-3PM. Please place your items

on disposable plates, etc., along with name and recipe, if you wish. We will price and shelve them. It takes everyone, men, women, grandchildren, etc. to make this successful!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!! If you can help or have questions please contact one of

the members of the Rummage Sale coordinating team (Joyce Spaulding, Pat Durbin, John Durbin). Please sign up on one of the Volunteer Sheets in the Church Narthex or

office. We need lots of help and we would love to have you be involved! ___________________________________________________________________

The Board of Worship and Fine Arts, has arranged for a food truck to be at Church of the Palms on Sunday, March 13th. The company is Mamma Toledo’s based in Phoenix. They also own the Pie Hole restaurant on 7th St. north of McDowell. The truck will be here from 10:45-2pm. This is also the day of the rummage sale set up, so we hope to give kitchen staff a break from preparing lunch for the helpers.

Mamma Toledo’s will serve slices of quiche, and slices of dessert pies. The cost is $3.00 per item payable directly to the truck staff. This is a great price for a lunch anywhere. They will also bring along an assortment of whole savory and

dessert pies just in case you might want to take some home. These will be available at regular price. You can enjoy your pie here during fellowship in King Hall or take the goodies home with you. What a great day to bring a friend to church! Contact Jeff Scruggs if you have any questions. 623-810-8044 - dzlbug@cox.net

CHURCH OF THE PALMS

RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE

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The Church Council unanimously voted to have Rev. Whitlock participate in a “Candidate Weekend” which will be March 5 and 6.

On Saturday, March 5 there will be a Welcoming Pot Luck meal at 3 pm for the whole congregation to meet Pastor Paul and his wife, Wendy. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex so you can tell us how many are coming and what kind of dish you will be bringing to greet Pastor Paul and his wife, Wendy! We really hope you will participate and greet the Whitlock’s.

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Sunday, March 6, will be exciting with Pastor Paul joining us to give the sermon. Afterwards, he will leave the Sanctuary, and the congregation members will stay to vote whether to accept him as our new Senior Pastor. If accepted, the Whitlock’s will join us for the coffee hour in King Hall.

The Rev. Whitlock graduated from Chapman

University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and attended post-graduate school at Lexington Theological Seminary and received his Master of

Divinity in 1990. Pastor Paul has been an active minister ever since.

Community and volunteer involvement:

Volunteer at Mesa Public School --- Elementary

Volunteer for “soldier’s best friend” matching service dogs with veterans.

Sabbatical – working an organic farm in Ghana

Desert Heritage Church – Open and Affirming in 2008.

Partnered with Arizonans for Children to provide healthy, safe and home-like supervised visitation for families 2005 to present.

Partnered with St. Maximilian Kolbe a Spanish speaking American Catholic congregation) to reach neighborhood families that speak only Spanish 2010 to present.

“Paul is one of the most deeply spiritual people I know. I watched him this last summer lead a large group of youth at Church Camp – and if you

could have seen him, you would know this to be true. He has a deep and abiding faith; prays often as a spiritual discipline; and has a relationship with God that grounds him. His faith expresses itself in a very simple,

very humble, and very grounded way. I think that you will be very happy with the decision you made.” The Rev. John Dorhauer

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Like Church of the Palms! If you use Facebook, you are invited to “like”

Church of the Palms and become a friend of the

church. Photos from events and outings reposted

there.

Missed a sermon? If you’ve missed church on Sunday and would

like to hear the sermon (or a past sermon) you

can hear it on our website at

www.thepalms.org.

Palm Leaf is a monthly newsletter from the

Church of the Palms that makes it easy for you to

keep up with opportunities, events, and friends

at church.

Articles deadline: 15th of each month

You may submit an article or information for

an article by:

Email jimeadows3184@yahoo.com or manager@thepalms.org

Phone (623-977-8359),

Or drop it off at the church.

Office Staff:

Rev. James I. Meadows, Interim Minister

Deborah Martin, Secretary

Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a

distinct and diverse community of Christians

that come together as one church, joining faith

and action.

In covenant with the church in all of its settings,

we serve God in the co- creation of a just and

sustainable world as made manifest in the

Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“That they may all be one,” Jesus, speaking

in prayer. —John 17:21

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Fellowship Breakfast 2015 Maria, Bonnie and George

This is a monthly ministry that is both educational and full of fellowship and good food for both belly and brain.

We have these fellowships monthly from September through May in King Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of each month starting at 8 a.m. George

Wall is the chef along with able assistance of Maria Wall and Bonnie Green. The menus for the breakfast can vary depending on the number of people attending and requests.

The programs range in topics from church/community interests to member trips or activities. We wish to thank all the speakers throughout 2015 for their

contributions of knowledge and enthusiasm for this fellowship. We are always looking for input from our members.

When a sign-up sheet goes out in the Narthex, be sure and sign up if you plan on attending as this provides the input needed to buy the proper amount of food and supplies to make the breakfasts.

This fellowship is open to everyone including non-members, and as always, there is never a charge for the breakfast. (Please add this page to your personal copy of the 2015 Annual Report)