TIGHT AS HAIR IN A
Biscuit!!  That's because there were so many choir members in the choir loft.  In addition to them being so large in number, the heavenly angels could not have been heard to be as serene!!  The "orchestra" filled out the rest of Chancel area and if a person shut their eyes, they would have thought that they were in some metropolitan area of Philadelphia, New York or Moscow....the "orchestra" sounded that good!!!  Narrative reading, solos, organist/pianist, lighting, sound projection, etc. and of course, direction by our own Steve Wheltle rounded out the night of James Martin's Easter Cantata "Song of the Shadows."  This Palm Sunday evening cantata event was a HUGE success and just showcased great talent "on loan from God!!!" We praise God for this great event in our church!!  I am telling you, a person would have had to go somewhere like New York to equal what transpired in Garner church on Sunday night!!!!!  Hats off to ALL involved in this great worship event!!!!!!!

NEXT UP:
Palm Sunday done up right!!  Cantata, blowing the DOORS off!!
So what's next at the church for Easter/Passion Week??????  Maundy Thursday services will be THIS Thursday (duh!!) night at 7 PM in the church's sanctuary.  Brother Steve has gotten a great line up of music planned for this service.  Then a compilation of readings and hymns will make this a very moving and thought provoking service and evening!!  Come and prepare as the crescendo to Easter approaches!!! 

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Boxed Mac'n Cheese

EVEN WHILE RIDING IN
a car all the way across the United States (as she and Shannon are helping move their daughter Melissa and son in law Adam to CA), Patricia is still barking orders.....I mean...working, working, working!!!  She wanted me to remind you folks to PLEASE get your tickets for the "Night With Sammy (Hudson)" event here in our church on
03 April (Thursday night) at 6 PM.  Brother Sammy is going to be coming and singing and presenting testimony and talking about a new camp that he is involved with in Greene County.
This camp is for underprivileged children. The Youth summer mission trip this year will be to help build this camp for the ground up.  The menu for the evening is grilled chicken breasts, noodle/vegetable back, a salad and dessert.  The suggested price (but you are WELCOME to give more....) is
$10 for adults and $5 for children 10 years of age and under.
It's going to be a great evening of music, sharing and testimony with Sammy!!!!  REMEMBER: you have to have a ticket to eat (so we don't waste food) so EACH Sunday between now and the 03 April there will be a table out in the gathering area OR you may stop by the office to get tickets as well.

WHO SHOULD WE THANK???
for the GREAT instrumental music that was heard at 8:30 and 11 AM worship services this past Sunday at Garner church???  Here you go:  A special thank you to the Garner Brass and Tympani for playing at our 11:00 worship today. This ensemble consists of: Scot McGrath and Joseph Schmoll, trumpets Phillip Condreay and Alex Borgen: trombones, Ryan Philman, tuba and Matt Morrow, tympani.

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Boxed Mac'n Cheese

ALL HER BASES COVERED!!
Even though Patricia is going to be out of town, she has tried to cover all her bases!!  For that reason she wanted to remind ALL Youth that Youth Bible Study will be held on 19 and 26 March!!!!  Tonya Clark will be leading both of these sessions!!!  The study will begin at 6 PM with pizza and the entire session will be over around the 7:30 PM time frame!!!
Got pizza, have Bible.....let study begin!!!!!!!!!!

YOUTH??  DO YOU KNOW WHAT
you are doing to help with the Relay for Life event coming soon to our church/community???  If not, e-mail Alex Hagwood and she has the down low on ways that youth can get involved!!!!!!

WHAT ARE THE YOUTH
doing on 30 March, for youth activities??  Can't tell you "what"(shhhhhh!!) but can tell you this:  Sr. High Quest & Jr. High Youth will meet at Lake Benson Park from 2-4 March 30th.  If weather does not permit us to be in the park
we will meet in the CLC.  Thanks, Patricia!!!

 

FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Boxed Mac'n Cheese

WHAT AN EXCITING ENDING
to one of the most fun events in the youth year!!!  Here's Patricia with more:  Quest Retreat - April 11-13th at the beach.  If you have participated in The Quest, our final adventure will begin Friday April 11th at 7 PM as we leave the church for a fun, spirit filled weekend.  We will return to the church about 4 PM on Sunday.  You will have free time to work on homework if needed. Patricia.

PARENTS OF GRADUATING SENIORS
(or even) graduating seniors yourselves, pay attention to this one:  May 18th - Graduation Sunday.  All 2008 graduates will be recognized at the worship services on May 18th.  If you have a student graduating from High School OR College please call the church office and let us know by April 20th.  There will also be a luncheon for all graduates and their families on May 18th at 12:15 PM.  
 
DUE TO EASTER WEEKEND,
and our desire for youth and counselors to be with their families at this special time, there will be NO Youth activities of any kind this coming Sunday night.

30 MARCH DEADLINE IS
fast approaching for those of you planning on applying for the Men's Bible Class scholarship!!!  This does not mean that you start thinking about filling out an application on this date, but rather your completed application HAS to be turned in by 30 March!!!  The sands of time is falling fast on this deadline!!!  Get your's in before it's too late!!!!!   

 

MADE FOR PRAISE CHOIR MEMBERS!!!
Made for Praise  The cast of Acorns to Oaks will be singing for the Holy Thursday service this week.  Please meet with Mrs. Carol at 6:30 PROMPTLY for a brief run thru with piano before the service.  Remember to listen to your CD and review your word sheets to be better prepared..Thanks, Mrs. Carol!!

 

RELAY FOR LIFE UPDATES!!
Reminders and Areas to Help
Needed: 
**Large coolers and Igloo water coolers with spouts
**Cooking of chickens will commence at 4:00am on Friday, March 28th.  Come armed and ready.  
**Needed:  Desserts, desserts, desserts.  Please bring your desserts to the CLC kitchen by 4:00pm on Thursday, March 27th. 
**Get a leg up on cancer and vote for your favorite pair of legs to kick cancer.  This fun contest has started and currently Pair #5 is in the lead.  Visit the Relay table in the gathering area and vote with your pocket change.  
Needed:  Shade tents for outside take-out area.

 

HANDBELL RINGERS REMEMBER!!!

There will be NO hand bell practice THIS week NOR next week!!  We will start back on 02 April!!!!  Make a note of this reminder please!!  Thanks, Steve. 

 

CHILDREN'S EASTER EGG HUNT
We would like to thank Jerry and Carol Snead for allowing the children to play games and hunt for Easter eggs at their farm.  The kids had a wonderful time as they played games and prepared the 30 Easter buckets for the children at the Ronald McDonald House.  Thanks to everyone for sending in the Easter bucket items!!!

KID'S FIGHTING CANCER WALK
Kids 15 and younger are wanted to walk and raise funds for Relay for Life at Lake Benson Park on Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.  This is a fun way for the kids to get involved as they walk around the track and enjoy games and music.  They will not only be making a difference in someone else's life, but their own as well as we come together as community to help fight cancer.  Registration forms for the Kid's walk may be found on the Relay table in the gathering area. 

 

HOPE MINISTRY UPDATE:

As this ministry grows and develops, we are turning to a quarterly rotating schedule for meals.  Volunteers provide one portion of the meal, once every 3 months, or 4 times a year.  Each week we have a main dish, 3 side dishes, bread, drinks, and bottled water to feed 25 to 30.  THANKS to the many groups and individuals who have already offered to help.  We still need the following:
Main dish (spaghetti, roast beef, meat loaf)  NEED 2 MORE VOLUNTEERS

Side dishes (vegetables, casseroles, potatoes, salad, fruit)  NEED 12

Bread (2 -3 dozen rolls, garlic bread)  NEED 7

Drinks for the meal (2 or 3 2 liter drinks)  NEED 7
Case of bottled water (so they can take a bottle with them)  NEED 9.
Providers bring food/supplies (clearly labeled) to the downstairs kitchen by 2:00 on Saturday.  You are welcome to stay for the fellowship if you wish.  Schedules will be provided.  To sign up, call Lee Ellen Coffey at 662-0206, or send a message to our special email for HOPE meals (appropriately called HOPEmeals@yahoo.com).  Please let me know if you have questions or need further information.
HOPE stands for Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement.  Think about how you can participate and provide HOPE to some of the least of these.  It can be as easy as buying 2 or 3 2 liters of Coke once a quarter!  And it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much.


FOOD OF THE MONTH:  Boxed Mac'n Cheese.

CHURCH BAY:
SCRAPBOOKING TO BE HELD HERE!!!
Do you have pictures tucked away in a box?  Would you like to see these memories come to life?  Help us celebrate National Scrapbooking Day by joining us for a day of celebration & fun.   
Set aside a little time to craft, unwind and use your mind.
National Scrapbook Day April 19, 2008
        
***8 hours of album making!

***No interruptions, just pure paper fun! Includes:

Dedicated time to work on albums and other memory celebration projects
***Exclusive products you can't get anywhere else

***Fun with friends

***Coffee/Tea  in am,  catered lunch, snacks & beverages

TIME: 9am-5pm,  April 19, 2008

PLACE:  Garner United Methodist Church  201 Methodist Drive, Garner, NC
$25.00 per person ( 5.00 donated to Relay for Life/Cook
for the Cure sponsored by Garner Untied Methodist Church)
Get $5 off each fee if you register a group of 4 or more at one time!  Bring a snack and get extra tickets for prize drawings.
RSVP to Karel Standish kstandish@bellsouth.net 

Fees must be paid prior to April 11, 2008

Door prizes and other goodies to be given away.
IT'S TIME TO GET THOSE PICTURES OUT OF THEIR HIDING PLACES AND INTO ALBUMS!