Friends, I was rereading a journal I wrote in 5 years ago and came across the story of Sheryl and me sitting down to enjoy a dramatic portrayal of Martha Washington during our visit to Colonial Williamsburg. After we were seated on the hill overlooking the performance a mother with two boys sat in front of us, thankfully just off to the side a little, but she had people directly behind her and her charges. About five minutes into the presentation the mother got out a very large umbrella, opened it, and held it high over herself, seemingly oblivious to the fact she was blocking the view of several people behind her. I glanced over and witnessed the dismayed look on one face and the look of irritation on some others’ who happened to be behind her. In my journal I wrote that the mother was “blinded by her own need.” It was hot and we were sitting in the sun, but it seemed pretty selfish to me at the time. I should also admit that I wrote, “sermon in there” right after the above words. Am I, are we, “blinded by our own need?” Are there times where I am seeking after what I want and think I need regardless of how it might impact others? Jesus showed us by His example how we are to think of others first and be selfless rather than selfish. We are to be imitators of Christ, so what should the world be seeing in us?

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 NIV

Easter is coming up and we have the supreme example of Christ’s selflessness shown. This past month at my dad’s funeral I smiled when I shared how I had only received one spanking I didn’t deserve, but of course there were many I did deserve that I never received. Because of the selflessness of Jesus, I will not get what I deserve since I have placed my trust and life upon Him! Oh what amazing grace!

. . . but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Phil 2:7-8 NIV

So today let’s ask ourselves if we are imitating Jesus or the ‘woman of Williamsburg’? Are there areas in our lives where we are consumed with what we want? Are there ways we are blinded? Ask Christ to reveal these and if they are there, ask for forgiveness and guidance in banishing those ways from our lives. May others be able to recognize Jesus in us through the way we live and treat others and then may they seek to know Him as well. Blessings.

In Christ, Pastor Alan

APRIL2019Churchofficehours Pastor’sHoursM-W-F8:00-Noon MW8:30-Noon

BulletinDeadlineFriday8:00

InthisIssue:• LetterfromPastorAlan• EasterCantata• Bi-MonthlyMeetingMinutes• NEWCQHdates•

SUNDAY 8:15 Praise Team 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship 5:30 Young Adults & Pebbles (every other week) MON. & TUE 6:30 Bible Studies WEDNESDAY 5:15 Chuckwagon 5:45 Pioneer Club 6:00 Middle School THURSDAY 9:00a Men’s Group

IAYMEVENTSApril13–CQHSpringClean-upApril23-27MarshalltownBlitzApril25–YouthWorkers’Dinner atGrinnellApril27USFWSpringFlingMay7,14,21–CQHworkdaysMay25–CookieDayJuly24-27IAYMMinistryConference

PIONEER CLUB

The last day of Pioneer Club for this spring is

Wednesday, April 17 Club will resume again

in the fall.

Vandervelde Scholarship Application forms for the Vandervelde Scholarship are available from the Church Office. The scholarship is available to anyone who attends an accredited school for academic credit whether full or part-time. Other selection criteria are outlined in the application form. Applications are due April 15. The scholarship will be awarded by June 15 and will be available to use for tuition costs for the Fall, 2019 term.

Graduates AllGraduateswhowishtobeincludedinour annual recognition of graduatesneed to turn in their information (andHighSchoolseniorsonlyneedtoturninawalletsizephoto)tothechurchofficenolaterthanSunday,April21.Pleaseletus know when and where you aregraduating from, what degree (ifapplicable),andwhatyourplansareforthefuture.

CAMPQUAKERHEIGHTS

NewDates!Duetoschoolsmakingupsnowdays,thedatesforcamparechanged.Belowaredatesandcosts.$25discountforearlybirdregistration.TalktoDenisePhippsorMichelleStubbstoregister.

June13-18HighSchool$325June13-17MiddleSchool$265June16-22KaleoAcademyJune18-21Elementary$205

June21-23LittleFry$205(1adult+1child)$75foradditionalchild

Marshalltown BLITZ April 23-27

FriendsResponseTeamis joiningHabitat forHumanity and other organizations inMarshalltownwhoplan tohelp repair 30-40homesdamagedbythetornadolastJuly.TheMarshalltown Friends Church will be theheadquarters fortheFriendsteamandMikeMoyeriscoordinator.PleaseletMikeknowbyApril20Ifyoucanhelpandlethimknowwhichdaysyouwillbeavailable.ContactMikeat

moyerm@wmpenn.edu;641-455-3470Applicants for rebuilding assistance shouldcontactMICAbycallingHabitat’smainofficeat515-266-6886.

Le Grand Monthly Meeting met after worship today with 15 members present. Clerk Jay Wyatt opened the meeting with prayer. Denise Phipps read the minutes from the January meeting and they were approved as read.

Treasurer Nancy Slingluff presented her reports for the months of January & February. Giving for January was $9,424.07 & expenses were $8,849.33 Giving for February was $6,377.69 & expenses were $8,548.42, meeting only two Sundays due to inclement weather. She noted that the $800.00 rebate had been received from the new furnace. Permission was given for her to send $100.00 to the East Marshall After-Prom committee if a request is received. A question was presented about the donation Bill & Joyce Wagoner had made last year for continuing education, wondering if it had any stipulations. To make sure, Lloyd Stangland will check with them & get back to Meeting. Meeting approved Nancy’s reports.

Pastor Alan presented his reports for the months of January & February. Average numbers for January

ScholarshipsforMinistryTrainingTwoscholarshipsareavailablefromIaYMforthose interested in pursuing Christianministry. The Garrison Scholarship forChristian ministry will award three $1000scholarships. Applications are due May 15andareavailableat:hhtps://www.iaymyouth.org/training.html.There are also limited funds available forseminary studies (Masters or Doctoralprogram)forthose interested inministryaspastors,missionaries,ChristianEducationoryouth workers. Applications should bereceivedbyMay1forthenextschoolyear.contactiaym.orgformoreinformation.

EASTEROFFERINGSamburuMissionislocatedinadryareainKenyawhere there are limited opportunities for income.Last fall themission began to construct a buildingthatwouldhousesevenstallswhichlocalmerchantscould rent to sellwares and food. The rentwouldhelp support the Friendsmission.Unfortunately, astorm ripped off the roof and halted the project.$8,000 are needed to complete the building. ThisyearIaYMmissionofferingwillgotohelpcompletethisprojectforSamburuFriendsMission.

were: SS - 35 & worship - 76; for February, SS-27 & worship - 69. He noted how amazed he’s been at the consistency of attendance with the weather this winter. Highlights for him these months were: continuing to announce at the EM basketball games, attending several junior high athletic events and the Quaker Men’s Banquet. Pastor Alan also gave appreciation for the freedom he was given in being able to spend time with his dad & family during his passing. Meeting approved his reports.

For Trustees, Phil Rush noted that most lights on the main floor of church building, except for the sanctuary, have been converted to LED. He also mentioned that the memorial tree from the family of Gary Cooling, that was planted west of the church, has probably died & will be replaced.

Moose Slingluff, chairman of Stewardship, noted that Lloyd Stangeland had audited all accounts associated with the church and all have been found to be in good order. Thanks was given to him for doing this.

Meeting was closed in prayer by Jay.

LEGRANDFRIENDSBI-MONTHLYMEETINGMARCH10,2019

LeGrandFriendsChurch206WestMain,DrawerCLeGrand,IA50142Phone641-479-2025E-maillfc@iowatelecom.netWebaddress:ww.legrandfriends.org

Non-profit Organization U.S. postage paid LeGrand, IA 50142 Permit #001 Return Service Requested

PASTOR Alan Mullikin

MEETING CLERK Jay Wyatt

RECORDING CLERK Denise Phipps

SECRETARY Charlotte Stangeland

TREASURER Nancy Slingluff

APRIL 2019

StrengtheningandExpandingtheChurchofJesusChrist0neheartatatime.

Easter Cantata More than just a Man

Sat. April 20 - 7:00 p.m. & Easter Sunday Morning

April 21 - 10:00 a.m.