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Published Seasonally By Salem Walmers Union ChurchVOLUME 2- ISSUE 2 • Lent 2016

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Mission StatementThe mission of Salem Walmers Union Church is to proclaim the Gospel

of Jesus Christ and minister to the communities in and around the Indiantown Gap area, as well as the entire body of the Christian church. Our mission involves creating and maintaining a place

where people of all types and backgrounds can be nurtured and discipled into faith in the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will accomplish this by staying true to our heritage,

history, style of worship and study, and the simple values of bone sty, hard work, faithfulness, humor, financial support and dedication that have kept us going since our founding. We pledge OUT

lives to the support of our leaders and pastors, in covenant with each other. and Jesus Christ our Lord, to demonstrate and share our experiences and faith with all those we come into contact with

now and in our future. Amen.

Historic Salem Walmers Church January 11,2015

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SAFE CHURCHPRACTICES SAFE CHURCH

PRACTICES

Church Directories Are StillAvailable for $24 Each. Contact

Dottie Krall

See any Sunshine Class Member

The Next Guys Nite Out will be onMarch 8th, and will be at 7pm atMoose's LZon the edge of the

Gap. AllGuys and their Gals areinvited.

"Fasting" doesn't mean eating fast food!

SASICAl-L.:Y,IT'S AT~N-ST~P PI<OGI<AM _

"SAF~ How CaIt we help '/W-?ze NE sARccJonestownOutteach

Pant~ Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center

visit

1ttp:/lwww.salemwalmers.com/compassion·..J_~~~~_.~il..comer-do-you-need-helpr for more

information, or ask any member to forward

your information to Pastor Bob.

ARlAA~CY ONAGING_,~~.}'... Y."

new ,f'mb class

April 2016

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Please Don'tForget

SAFE CHURCHPRAmCES

What Is God calling you to do? Teach. Acolyte.

Read. Slog. VBS. Somethlog else? Whatever It

ts. you owe tllo God to use your talenls.

Please contact Pastor Bob for your opportuntt;y .

•Do you have old treasures gathering dustin your closets? DONATE them to theChurch, and we will sell them on ebay!One man's trash is another's treasure.

All monies go to the church.

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Walmer's Church Meets and Prays TogetherEvery Tuesday 6pm In

The Church Basement. All People That PrayAre Welcome! All Prayer Concems Are

Addressed.(Please Contact Kathy SteinerFor Additional Information)

EA - STRAW EGG HUNT MEETING NOTES02/16/2016

Review of last years hunt. Everyone agreed that the attendance exceeded out currentcapabilities, and that we should limit publicity to only groups with a connection toWalmers church. Itwas also decided that we needed better communication to avoidmissteps (blocking offront door of church). We also discussed the problem of "adult"hunting and the problems that caused. We had 850 prize eggs, and approximately 2000plastic eggs. The "pin-Strawda" will be discontinued due to the fact that we need thehunting room, and it is not effective with larger groups.

Attendance and Crowd Control. Bob now has a megaphone and referee whistle. Wewill have designated "security" at this years hunt. Previously mentioned publicitychanges. Each child will need to donate a can of food for the food banks (JOY andGrantville) to get "in" the hunt. They will receive a color coded shoulder band whichmust be worn at all times and visible. No band = No hunt. We will be having 3 separatehunts, 0-3, 4-7,8-12* Only 0-3 can have a helper, and the helper must also have ahelper band. No band = No hunt. Itwill strongly be encouraged to have the helper teachand help, not do the hunt for the little one. We will attempt to enforce this. The 3 agegroups will start at 3 different times. This will allow us to adjust the hunting area basedupon the number in each age group. We will reload different areas so the older kids huntarea can be as large as needed. We will attempt to get pre registration by offering anincentive "golden" egg.

Straw. Bob will check with Guy about his source. Roy to check with his source as well.Rest TBD.

Filled Eggs and Prize Eggs. Dottie will coordinate and organize again. She mentionedthat last year Gage and Addison were a huge help in the craziness. They will be askedagain if they can help. We will contact the usual sources. Dairy Queen, TexasRoadhouse, Possibly KOA campground (ice cream). And other sources. People cansponsor chookie pops in the hunt with a donation. Carrie suggested and the group agreedwe should have gift bags for each child with materials about Walmers and other gifts.Carrie agreed to put 100 together.

Other Activities. Face Painting will be again, but we need some more helpers due to thepopularity. We will attempt to get some animals on display TBD. DDC Photographywill set up their photo booth again. Jenny will do the edible craft. We absolutely invitethe Dairy Princesses again. (Hope for the cow!) We will put out a donation box andsignage for First Responders (Rt 78 pileup).

Contingency Plan. There were several options discussed as backup plans and dates incase of bad weather. Itwas decided we will have the hunt RAIN OR SHINE.Accomodations will be discussed as the day and weather shapes up.

Other Ideas and Suggestions. We will advertise No Dogs Allowed. We will put moreegg recycle bins around outside for easier access. Each of the 3 hunts will start with thechurch bell ringingl

Miscellaneous. We will be selling Chookie Pops, as well as sub tickets, and chicken bbqtickets during the sale.

For 2016, The Dutch Dispatch willnow be published according to the

Church Seasons instead ofmonthly. You can expect the

following editions:

EPIPHANY(this issue)LENT

EASTERRESURECTIONjPENTECOST

ORDINARYHARVEST HOMEjWWCS

ADVENTCHRISTMAS

As always we welcome yourfeedback on the changes.

Pastor Office HoursPastor Bob is in his study in the church basement everyThursday from 4pm - 6pm. You can enter by parking

around back and coming to the back door of thebasement. Other appointment times available upon

request.To Contact Pastor Bob

717-215-3328 salemwalmers@hotmail.com

Hi.

-Meet in Pastor Bob's OfficeMarch 13th and 27th (Easter

Sunday)

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Minutes VBS Meeting 2/21116CAVE QUEST

In attendance: Dwylan Krall, Dennis Krall, Dotty Krall, Renee Swingholm, JustinSwingholm, Nicky Brandt, Carrie Sattazahn, Kathy Steiner, Pastor Bob and Jenny Sim,

Date for Vacation Bible School is going to be June 20-24,6:30-8:40

We reviewed the 2015 recap from our last meeting

Teachers will stay the same as last year, Nicky- opening & closing, Kathy- snack area,Renee- Bible story/crafts, Jenny- Video/games

Budget-Starting with $56.00 left over from last year and $501.00 from Christmas Eve.We have one expense so far for the kit at $155.03. Remaining balance is $402.03. Dennisadvised us that the men's class will be giving us money again this year.

Fundraisers- We discussed doing some fundraising again this year. We will have a fillthe hat starting in April. We also will be holding a carwash on April 23 at BGS Marketfrom 9-2. We also discussed possibly doing a stand at the Jonestown block party anddoing one of the Texas Roadhouse Fundraisers. Carrie has gotten some informationwhich we will discuss at the next meeting.

Operation Kid to Kid- This year they are raising money to fix up houses so we havedecided to contact Habitat for Humanity to see if we can raise money and keep it local.Pastor Bob will contact them to get info.

Back Ground checks- This year all teachers and helpers will have to have a free background check done per a new law. Jenny will run these for anyone who would like help

We have decided to plan for 50 kids again this year.

Decorations- Nicky is putting together a plan and will have one ready for next meeting.At this point she is looking for paper towel/wrapping paper rolls, paper grocery bags.

Future meeting dates are, March 14, April 4 & 25, May 9 & 23, June 6 at 6:30. We willalso have a time at each meeting to learn the music/videos for VBS.

Waterslide will be held later in the summer and no longer be a VBS event.

Next meeting we will discuss decorations, areas to be using, fundraising and start to putan order together.

The Dutch Dispatchis published Monthly

As a communication conduit to our membership and associates.Submissions from members are always welcome and can be

included in the next issue if they are submitted by email or hardcopy before the 4th Sunday of each month. The Editors

*************

2016 If you know anybody wbo you think would like to receive our newsletter,

please clip tbe coupon below, fill it out and place in tbe offering plate. They

will be added to our list at no cost!

r--------------------I NameI Street: CityI State/ZipI @-----

US MAIL EMAIL

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une 20th to June 24thWalmers VBS 2016*Subject to Change*

It Is~~Chookie POp

Time

Circle One Please

PLEASE ADD THIS PERSON

TO THE DUTCH DISPATCH

MAILING LIST

The Miracle Garden is now accepting Oreo Cookies in all flavors (Goldenand Regular MUST be Double Stuff). We are again this year selling pops infront of BG's Market the day before Easter and are looking for volunteers

to work either a morning shift, or an afternoon.

Last year this was one of our most profitable fund raisers.

Also--Chookies are available for purchase, or you could donate a dollar or two to

buy extra pops to be used in the EaStraw Egg Hunt.

TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON:

lO.Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day everyweek.(Or everyday of Lent!)Use the timeto read & pray. Learn about fasting.

9.Start a prayer rhythm. Each day of Lent, pray for another person.

8. Go deeper into the Bible. Take an online course

7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) Study a book on forgiveness, such as

Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey.

6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Inspire yourself to give up some food or drink as a way to grow closer

to God. Give the money you save to help folks in a different part of the world who are in crisis. Pick a current global

issue and help change the world.

5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 10 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Read a daily devotional for the season of

Lent. See how it can help you add spiritual practice to your daily life beyond Lent.

4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have

helped you along the way.

3.Participate in a Lent Photo-a-Day practice and pray each day with your camera in your hand.

2. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry.

1. Pray for others you see as you walk as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.

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What is Lent? Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting inorder to grow closer to God.

When is Lent? It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter.

Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash

Wednesday.This year it's from February 10 (Ash Wednesday) to March 27 (Easter), 2016.

Mardi Gras? What does that have to do with JESUS?? Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the day before

Lent starts. Since Lent always starts on a Wednesday, the day before is always a Tuesday. And it's called "Fat" or

"Great" because it's associated with great food and parties.

In earlier times, people used Lent as a time of fasting and repentance. Since they didn't want to be tempted by sweets,

meat and other distractions in the house, they cleaned out their cabinets. They used up all the sugar and yeast in sweet

breads before the Lent season started, and fixed meals with all the meat available. Itwas a great feast!Through the yearsMardi Gras has evolved (in some places) into a pretty wild party with little to do with preparing for the Lenten season of

repentance and simplicity. Oh well. But Christians still know its origin, and hang onto the true Spirit ofthe season.

So the real beginning of Lent is Ash Wednesday? Yes. Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, usually begins with aservice where we recognize our mortality, repent of our sins, and return to our loving God. We recognize life as a

precious gift from God, and re-turn our lives towards Jesus Christ. We may make resolutions and commit to change ourlives over the next forty days so that we might be more like Christ. In an Ash Wednesday service, usually a minister or

priest marks the sign of the cross on a person's forehead with ashes.

Why ashes? In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Mortality, because when wedie, our bodies eventually decompose and we become dust/dirt/ash/whatever, Repentance, because long ago, whenpeople felt remorse for something they did, they would put ashes on their head and wear "sackcloth" (scratchy clothing)to remind them that sin is pretty uncomfortable and leads to a sort of death of the spirit. This was their way of confessing

their sins and asking for forgiveness.

Where do the ashes come from? On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem while peoplewaved palms and cheered him on. Less then a week later, Jesus was killed. The palms that were waved in joy becameashes of sorrow. We get ashes for Ash Wednesday by saving the palms from Palm Sunday, burning them, and mixing

them with a little oil. It's symbolic.

What do Christians do with ashes? At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come forward to receive the

ashes. The minister will make a small cross on your forehead by smudging the ashes. While the ashes remind us of ourmortality and sin, the cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection (life after death) and forgiveness. It's a powerful, non-verbal

way that we can experience God's forgiveness and renewal as we return to Jesus.

So what is LENT? At Jesus' baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God, which looked like a dove, descended and

landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am pleased." Afterward, astold in Matthew 4: 1-11, Jesus was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit. Where he fasted and prayed for 40 days.During

his time there he was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterwards, he was ready to

begin his ministry.

(Speculation) Continued on Next Page

(Speculation) Continued from previous page

Maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort through the major changes happening in his life. Maybe he needed to

get away from family, friends and the familiar routine in order to see God (and himself) more clearly.Perhaps he wanted

some intentional time with God as he searched for direction and answers like you. Like Jesus, we may need to take some

serious time to pray and listen for God.

Why "DO" Lent?How do I start? Are you searching for something more?Tired of running in circles, but not really

living life with direction, purpose or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of classes, relationships,

family, and work.Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from living a life with Christ. We try to fill the

emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too many activities or other irrelevant

stuff We run away from life and from God.

Lent is a great time to "repent" -- to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It's a 40 day trial

run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart. You might try one of these practices for Lent:

FASTING:Some people have been known to go without food for days.But that's not the only way to fast.You can fast

by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God.Some Christians use the whole 40 days to fast

from candy, tv, soft drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day

and use that time to pray instead.Or you can give up some activity like worry or reality tv to spend time outside enjoying

God's creation. What do you need to let go of or "fast" from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and

life?How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do?

SERVICE:Some Christians take something onfor Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to

tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community.You can commit to help a different stranger, co-worker

or friend every day of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God.

PRA YER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or art as

a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening.All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God. Visit The Upper

Room Living Prayer Center online.

Christians from many different traditions celebrate Lent. How will you use the time to grow closer to God?

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of other seasons or days of the Christian year?

"These are vegetables, mother. You wouldn't want meto eat something I've given up for Lent, would you?"

Yes, r have given up chocolate for Lent-all this is for afterwards!