Pastor on Call
For an emergency over the weekend, please contact our Pastor, Jody Welker

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Sunday, February 11, 2007
Jody Welker, preacher

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:12-22
1 Corinthians 15:35-45

Sermon:
"What Happens When You Die?"

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Attendance Sunday, February 4:
9:00 a.m.: 252
11:00 a.m.: 365

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Pennies for Hunger:
Sunday, February 4: $58.30
Year to date total: $74.80

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Fellowship Time
Please plan to stay for fellowship with refreshments provided by an anonymous award-winning cookie baker following the 11:00 a.m. worship.

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Jody's Journal

Dear Family and Friends of the Kirk,

I returned from my time of Bible Study with clergy friends as we study the scripture we will use for sermons. Once again I am reminded of the value of Christian community and the way God speaks through our relationships. My understanding of God and life is richer because of our sharing together what we hear the scripture saying to us. My friends challenge me with their questions and give me new insights that I would have never received on my own. I hope you are finding such a place for spiritual growth at the Kirk whether it be with a small group, a special class, a circle, or a group of friends. While away I also spent some time with my dad who is 89 years old and living in a retirement facility. I enjoyed several meals there and saw many people who were members of my home church. I remembered how they had touched my life during my childhood and youth. I thought of how Christian relationships and fellowship had been a means of God’s grace in my life. Community is a gift of God. Last Sunday we had our first Explorer’s Class for those considering membership at the Kirk. There were 29 people present representing different backgrounds. We are very blessed to have wonderful people considering membership here. Whenever I meet new folks at the Kirk I pray that they may find a home of fellowship and welcome where they will experience God’s love for them and encourage them in sharing God’s love with others.

This month marks the beginning of Lent. It will start on Ash Wednesday (February 21) with our potluck supper followed by the Ash Wednesday service. Many report that this is one of the most meaningful services of the year for them. During Lent I am offering a class on Discerning God’s Will. I offer this class in response to the questions I receive from people like, “ How do I know where God wants me to serve?” “How do I know what God wants me to do?” These are questions about call and vocation from people seeking direction in life. We will explore the spiritual practice of discernment which is a gift God gives us to search for the answers to such questions.

Discernment is also the theme we could use in our Long Range Planning for the Kirk. In February I hope you will sign up for one of the small group conversations sponsored by the Long Range Planning Committee. One of the ways we discern God’s will is through conversations with Christian friends and mentors. Our conversations can reveal the passions and dreams God has given us at the Kirk and help us understand the circumstances that may give hints about our future. We need your participation and input in order to help us seek God’s call to the Kirk. Please remember to participate and pray for the Kirk in this time of discernment.

Long Range planning gives me a sense of energy and excitement about our future at the Kirk. Who knows what God has in store for us? Well, God does but the future is yet to be revealed. That’s okay. Part of the joy will be discovering that future together.

In faith, hope and love,

Jody

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Circles

Martha Circle
Will meet at the home of Anne Shambley on Monday, February 12, 9:30 a.m.

Joy Circle
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 13, 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Lydia Circle
Will meet next on Tuesday, February 13, 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Glenaire Circle
Will meet next on Wednesday, February 14, 10:30 a.m. at Glenaire.

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50+ Group
The 50+ Group will hold a Potluck Dinner/Game Night on Thursday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Anyone who enjoys good food, fun and fellowship is welcome even if not quite 50. Various games (Mexican Train, dominoes, Bingo, checkers, etc.) will be available.
Get questions answered and make reservations with Kae and Dick Meyer so we can set up for the amount planning to come.

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Stephen Ministry Commissionings
This coming Sunday, February 18, two Stephen Ministers and one Stephen Leader will be commissioned here at the Kirk. Mai Wickelgren and Page Ott, who will be commissioned as Stephen Ministers, will be providing care for people in our congregation and in the community who are grieving, need long term care, or are going through other crises in the lives.

Kathy White, about to be commissioned as a Stephen Leader, will help select, train, and supervise Stephen Ministers.

Please join us next Sunday to celebrate the completion of their training and the commissioning of these gifted and dedicated individuals.

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Scotch Bonnet
All Kirk ladies are cordially invited for lunch and Christian fellowship on Monday, February 19, 11:30 a.m. at "The Cary Cafe" (904 NE Maynard Road, Reedy Creek Plaza). If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Eake.

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Ash Wednesday Potluck Supper and Worship
Please join other Kirk members for a Potluck Supper on Wednesday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by our Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 p.m. Please bring enough of your dish to serve 10 - 12 persons using the following alphabetical listing by last name:

A - L: main dish
M - S: side dish
T - Z: dessert

Our Ash Wednesday service will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. This is a 30 minute service that starts off the season of Lent. We remember our need for a Savior. At the end of the service, ashes are put on each person's forehead. This is age-appropriate for most elementary-aged children. Childcare is available.

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Music Event In The Triangle Area
The Chamber Choirs of the Choral Society of Durham and the Duke Chorale, under the baton of Rodney Wynkoop, perform on Sunday, February 11, at 3:00 p.m. at the Duke Chapel. The program includes J. S. Bach's Cantata 150, J. C. Bach's Magnificat, and Arvo Pärt's Magnificat and Berlin Mass. Adults, $15; students, free. For tickets please contact Chris Mazzara or waylay him after worship. For directions to the Chapel go to www.map.duke.edu and click on "West."

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Faith Foundations Adult Class
Currently, The Faith Foundations adult Sunday school class that meets in Room S16 of the Classroom Building is learning about getting along with those in authority. After each study section we enjoy a break at Caribou Coffee so join us there on February 18. On February 25, Rich Woynicz will tell the class about the mission trip to New Orleans, and then on March 4 the class will begin studying what the Bible says about how to get along with other believers. No preparation is necessary and the class is very informal so come and enjoy it.

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Faith Quest Children
The Faith Quest elementary children are beginning their rotation on Moses, Plagues and Passover. In the Bible story, God sends Moses to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. In order to convince the Pharaoh to let the Israelite people go, God gives Moses certain powers and sends the plagues to demonstrate to everyone God's mighty power. The final plague comes with the “Angel of Death” who "passes over" Israelite homes that are marked with the blood of a lamb. Finally, Pharaoh agrees to let the Israelite people go. Jewish people today celebrate Passover to remember God's promise to rescue them from slavery in Egypt. God promised to deliver the Jewish people from slavery and God used Moses to do it.

We know that God keeps God’s promises, no matter how hopeless things seem! Our memory verse reminds us of God's presence. The memory verse is Romans 8:39 "Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!"

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Faith Walk Preschoolers
The Faith Walk preschool children are beginning their rotation on Jesus and his helpers. We will learn about Jesus calling his special friends, called disciples, to come follow him. We will also learn about Mary and Martha who were also Jesus' friends. There are many ways that we can be friends with Jesus by doing what he wants us to do, like helping our parents and loving others.

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Ushers for 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Needed
We are in need of volunteers on a rotating basis to usher at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. It is an easy job passing out bulletins, checking for open seats, and receiving the offering. If you feel you would want to help out in this way, please contact Jerry Bowser.

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Do You Want To Put Flowers In The Church?
The flower chart outling openings available to place flowers in the sanctuary and/or narthex is located on the wall near the elevator. There are many dates still available. Flowers in the sanctuary cost $65 and arrangements in the narthex alcoves cost $45 each. Simply add your name to an open date on the chart. You will be contacted by a member of the flower committee prior to your date.

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2007 Presbyterian Women Scholarship
If you are interested in applying, either come by the Kirk of Kildaire office or contact Sandra Clark for an application. The requirements are:

- must live in the Presbytery of New Hope and be a member of a church in the Presbytery

- may attend the college of your choice, but preference will be given to those applicants who are attending a Presbyterian-related school

- an information form is required

- a short essay entitled “My Plans for the Future, Shaped by My Faith” is required

- a copy of official secondary school transcript

- 3 letters of recommendation: 1 from your pastor, 1 from the moderator of Presbyterian Women, and 1 from your school guidance counselor or teacher/advisor

- application must be received by March 1, 2007.

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New Orleans Mission Trip on U-Tube
You may view a short clip from our recent New Orleans Mission trip by clicking on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjAwOh2CK1Q

The poem read is "The Problem" by Thomas C. Harris.

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New KOALA Liaison Needed
The Kirk Outreach Afterschool Learning Academy (KOALA), which provides one-on-one tutoring to children in grades K-2 who live in the Wrenn Drive area and attend Briarcliff Elementary School, is seeking a new liaison for the 2007-2008 academic year. The position requires a time commitment of two to five hours per week during the academic year. For more information please contact Stephanie Horman. Thanks!

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Blood Alert
The American Red Cross and thousands of patients need you and other blood donors to give blood right away!

Severe weather in many states has forced the cancellation of blood drives, resulting in dangerous blood shortages. Plus, widespread problems with cold and flu have kept donors away and further increased problems meeting hospital demand for blood.

The Red Cross is working to supply hard-hit areas so that all hospital patients will have the blood they need to survive. Currently, though, there is less than a one-day supply of type B negative, A negative and of type O blood, which is used extensively in emergency rooms -- and the number of patients who need blood is as high as ever.

Please make a difference for someone.
Give blood. Give Life.

Cary Blood Donation Center Hours
Monday 1:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thursday 1:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
2nd /4th Saturday's 7:30 am - 1:30 pm

Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) for an appointment.

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Souper Bowl Results
Regardless of which team you were rooting for on Sunday, the big winner in the "Souper" Bowl of Caring was the Food Bank of North Carolina. The Kirk raised a total of $1000.15, thanks to the generous contributions of our congregation and the tenacity of our youth. That beats last year's donation by eleven percent! We (and the Food Bank) greatly appreciate your support in the effort to fight hunger in North Carolina.

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Refugee Update
Our new family from Ethiopiia, Temesgen Abdissa - Husband, Etenesh Gadisa - wife, and Wada Temesgen - 3 month old baby girl, are happily getting settled in their new apartment. They wish to thank the Kirk members for donating the furnishings for their new home. If anyone has a coffee table or vacuum cleaner, we could still use those. Temesgen and Etenesh are happy to be here and look forward to becoming a part of the Kirk family.

Temesgen speaks English well and has a college degree in Agriculture. Presently he works two jobs in a restaurant at the airport and at a gas station sharing rides with others. He has his Learner's Permit already, and we really need a donated car for him. If anyone knows of a job that might more fully utilize his skills, please let us know. Contact Wendy Segreti if you can help.

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Prayer Request of the Week: Please include in your prayers this week the central Florida tornado victims.

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Our sympathies to the Snow family on the death of Margaret, and to Joe Long on the death of his brother-in-law.

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Prayers: We pray for Sue Armistead, Tom Eskew (Rex), Mai Wickelgren, Joe Long, Jerry Palmer, Pat Fennell, T. J. Guyton, Rebecca Slack, Sara Saunders, Alan MacIlroy, Colleen Calwell

If you would like more information regarding any of our concerns, please contact the church office.

Glenaire Healthcare Unit: Ruth Wagnon, Nedra Chesnutt, Martha Haake, Louise Harter, Mary Frances Webb, Lillian Soo-Hoo.

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The Conversations are Starting!!! (1) What does God have in store for us? (2) What role do you play in creating the Kirk's Long Range Plan? Number (1) is hard. We need your help.

Number (2) is easy --Please sign up for one of the small group, facilitated conversations about the future of the Kirk. These conversations begin February 22 and continue almost daily through February 28th. The sign up sheets will be in this week's bulletin or you download the form from http://www.kirkofkildaire.org/com/lrp.html.

Become part of the vision.

Long Range Planning Taskforce

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SIGN UP FOR

A MIDWEEK CLASS ON DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
TUESDAYS, 11AM AND 7PM STARTING FEBRUARY 27TH

As Christians we believe God loves each of us, knows us by name and calls out to us to share in his divine work in our lives as we live in God’s world. How can we hear that call? What could hearing it mean if we were as we live day by day? This class will explore the spiritual practice of discernment that invites us to be aware of, and responsive to God as we listen with our hearts. We will use the book, "Listening Hearts." The class will be led by Jody Welker and offered Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sign up for the class by February 20 in order to get the book we will use as our text. The cost is $12.00 for the book. You can sign up by calling the church office or emailing Bonnie Pendleton.

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• One small suitcase and a backpack (you need to carry your own stuff)
• Snack to share:
Last name A-G-snack food.
Last Name H-Z-2-liter non-caffenated soda. Don't pack this, keep separate for snack bin.
• Bag supper to eat on the bus and a CAPPED DRINK. No cans please.
• $$ for lunch on the way home.
• $$ for movie and lunch on Saturday if you are not skiing.
• $16.00 in cash for lessons. If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late. We recommend all snowboarders take lessons.
• Appropriate ski apparrel, no jeans on the slopes. Don't forget hats and and extra pair of gloves in case one pair gets wet.
• Linens not needed. Those with long hair might want an extra towel.

• Put your suitcase under the appropriate bus, HS or MS.
• Get onto the bus and reserve your seat by putting your supper and backpack on the seat The front seats are for adults.
• Put your snack to share in the bins provided.
• Go to the Great Hall and check in. Use the restroom and stay until told to move to the buses.

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