Join Libby Snyder and Marilyn

Luschen for this invaluable prayer seminar. Learn how to be a “Prayer Warrior.” The cost ($45 per person / $55 per

couple) includes a book, workbook, snacks and lunch on Saturday. Scholarships are available.

VIEWS AND REVIEWS “PRAYING AND HOPING”

It’s not easy to trust God. Most of us prefer

to manage things ourselves. We like to set our course, devise a plan to arrive at the destination we identify and we work our plan. We want to keep the controls in our own hands.

To trust God means that we relinquish control. We ask for divine guidance instead of setting our own course. We look to God for empowerment rather than simply relying on our

own strengths and natural talents. We work according to God’s will rather than our own desires. None of that is easy.

The fact is that when things go wrong in the world – like an economic meltdown or disastrous wars – or when things go wrong in our personal lives – like job loss, serious illness

or divorce – our faith can get shaken. We can begin to give up hope. But in the midst of hardship we can learn anew that we must trust

in God, not ourselves. God can – and often does – make things happen when we cannot. And God often does this in unexpected ways. God is full of surprises.

At the heart of a trusting relationship with God is prayer. In prayer we lay ourselves before God. We submit our will to God’s will. We deliver our weaknesses – and strengths –

into God’s hands. We admit that we aren’t sure what we should do or how we should go about doing it. Prayer is our heart’s plea for the

presence and the power of God. In prayer we place our hope in God.

We have a continuing need to deepen our

prayer life. It is not enough to be hard working. It is not enough to be intelligent, confident and talented. We need to be prayerfully God dependent. Prayer, more than plans and

programs, is essential for a healthy and vibrant church with vital and faithful members. Prayer leads us to realize that no matter what has gone wrong, our hope is in God. And no matter

what goes right, it can never be good enough so that we don’t need to keep our hope in God. Keep praying. Grace and Peace,

Craig

PRESCHOOL NEWS FROM SUZANNE Make your reservations now for our 2nd Annual Family Bingo Night on Friday, February 13th, at 6:00

p.m. Ms. Reggie and crew are busy preparing a fun filled evening for the family. Join us for pizza,

drinks, dessert and lots of Bingo games with books for prizes. See Ms. Jane in the office for tickets. Our classes are all loving, caring and sharing

bunches during this month of February. Valentine decorations are brightening our hallways and classrooms. Teachers are planning great activities, and children are

smiling, laughing and giggling as they enjoy their days at school. February is “healthy heart month.” Take

great care of yourselves and your families. Eat well, sleep well and get plenty of exercise.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

2/3 School Board Meeting 2/10 & 11 Children’s Sharing with Pastor Craig 2/13 Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Family Bingo for Books – 6:00 pm 2/14 Happy Valentine’s Day 2/16 Holiday – Preschool closed Full Time Care open

Church Chatter February 2009

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:5-6)

2/1 Sarah Derby Andres Ortiz

Daniel Ortiz 2/2 Tina Wiedman 2/3 Emily Derby 2/6 Ryan Wolff

2/8 Michael Wolff 2/9 Judy Veliyathil 2/12 Michael Rucinski 2/13 Jim Martin

Paul Zahn 2/15 Craig Watts 2/20 Camilo Salas

2/22 Diane Wead 2/23 Juliana Angle 2/24 Billie Schaeffer 2/25 Diana Genno

Kathy Rucinski 2/26 Christie Krolczyk 2/27 Sophia Lagogiannis

Sydney Lagogiannis 2/28 Lisa Gerlach

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 2/7 Jeff & Libby Snyder 2/27 Mason & Donna Pruner

[We apologize if your name is not on the list. Please call the office to update your information!]

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST PRESIDENT PREACHES

AT INAUGURATION PRAYER SERVICE Disciples of Christ General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins, gave the sermon

last month at the National Prayer Service in Washington, D.C. on the day following the inauguration of President Obama, Disciples. She was the first woman ever to be invited to

give this address. Her sermon was presented before the President and First Lady, the Vice President and his wife, the members of the

Supreme Court, former President Clinton and many others. The National Prayer Service has been held the day after the inauguration since the days of

George Washington. Disciples of Christ leaders were especially prominent this year. Cynthia Hale, an African-American senior minister at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, GA

read the scripture for the service. Michael Kinnamon, ordained Disciples minister and Secretary General of the National Council of

Churches, had been invited to say the benediction for the service but had to decline. An online video can be found by going to the bottom of the following webpage:

www.disciples.org/tabid/176/General-Minister-And-President-Preaches-At-Nationa.aspx

WHAT IS LENT FOR? Before we celebrate Easter, we prepare our

hearts in Lent. Starting with Ash Wednesday – February 25th this year – and for the next six weeks, we get ready to rejoice over the

greatest event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We get ready through prayer, meditation, fasting (for some) and giving. Lent is a time of self-examination and rededication.

Sure the resurrection of Jesus is something that should always evoke our joy. And every day is a good time for prayer, meditation and generosity. But it can be helpful to have special

times that are dedicated to specific purposes. Lent is not “biblical” in any strict sense. But it can be helpful if it is observed with a God-

seeking heart. What can you do during Lent? Here are a few possibilities. (1) If you are not already doing so, designate a time each day to read a

brief portion of scripture. (2) Begin and end each day in prayer, giving thanks, seeking guidance, offering praise. (3) Choose a worthy

project and contribute your time. (4) Write several cards each week to offer encouragement, thanks, and love to people you know. (5) Give up a meal – or more – and

contribute the money it would have cost to a charity or to church. Please plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service at the beginning of Lent and our Maundy

Thursday service during the last week of Lent. You will find that it makes Easter all the more joyful.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP &

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS A class will be offered to any young person who is considering baptism and church membership. It will begin on Sunday, March 1st,

after the 10:45 worship service in the conference room. Lunch will be served. While we have no “official” age for baptism, we want

the child to be old enough to make his or her own decision of faith and to understand something of the meaning of baptism and what it means to be a member of the church.

Commonly this is around fifth grade.

GLOBAL MINISTRIES MISSIONARY Scott Couper, a missionary serving in South Africa, is going to share some of his adventures

during the CWF meeting on Monday, February 9th. We’ll begin with dinner at 7:00 pm, and his presentation will follow. Please join us for this informative and enjoyable evening.

INQUIRER’S CLASS FOR THOSE CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP

Have you been considering becoming a member of Royal Palm Christian Church? Do you have questions that you’ve been wondering

about? Come to the Inquirer’s Class led by our minister, Craig Watts. It will be after church on April 5th and will last approximately two hours. Basic information about the church will be

offered. Questions will be welcomed. Whether you are checking out the church casually or seriously planning on becoming a member,

please feel free to come. It will be held in the conference room after the 10:45 service, and lunch will be provided.

GOOD NEWS OF BLESSINGS

We already know that we have a generous family here at Royal Palm Christian Church &

Preschool. For years you have supported the RPCC/Gateway Food Pantry through donations. Since the articles about our food pantry

appeared – first in the Forum and later in the Sun-Sentinel – we have discovered that we are surrounded by generous people throughout the community.

We have had several schools doing food drives, fund raisers and “souper bowl” drives. We’ve had Girl Scouts selling cookies specifically

for the people who come to our pantry…a nice treat for them. We’ve had Boy Scouts bringing food – and putting it on the shelves – during their meetings.

An abundance of people – of varying faiths – continually walk through the doors bearing gifts. And several people have come forward offering to help cook and serve meals. Several parents

have taken their children shopping for groceries…using the opportunity to teach valuable lessons in sharing and caring for others.

The outpouring of love and support has been amazing. This increase has required an increase of support from many members of our RPCC family as well. Lots of phone time

coordinating collections and deliveries and even more sorting, marking and shelving time. We’ve also had more kitchen time as we

prepare meals. We are thankful for the flame of passion that has sparked in many hearts, and we praise God for the ways He blesses us.

Three days after article in the Sun-Sentinel

Enough to fill our cupboards…

With “left-overs” to share!