One Great Hour of Sharing

On Easter Sunday, Presbyterians join Christians of many other denominations in receiving a special offering intended to support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development at home and abroad. This offering is known as One Great Hour of Sharing. "Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future" (PCUSA Web site). The offering received in our church, is distributed as follows: 36% goes to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, 32% to Self-Development of People, and 32% to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. For more information on these programs, visit www.pcusa.org/oghs. Look for inserts about One Great Hour of Sharing in your worship bulletin beginning March 25.

Pastor on Call
For an emergency over the weekend, please contact our Associate Pastor, Cathy Church Norman.

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Sunday, March 18, 2007
Jody Welker, Preacher

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

Sermon:
"The Love that Will Not Let Us (or Anyone) Go"

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Attendance Sunday, March 11:
9:00 a.m.: 203
11:00 a.m.: 352

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Fellowship Time
Please plan to stay for fellowship with refreshments provided by the members of our Small Groups following the 11:00 a.m. worship.

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Mary Kay's Cary Days

Dear Friends, I am sitting here in my freshly painted mint green office (courtesy of Joel with paint color chosen by his Sunday School class) in the early morning, marveling at the light coming

We were treated last week to a terrific service led by our great youth here at the Kirk. A very special thanks goes to the musicians of the morning, Bobby Cassell, Lauren Porter, Eva Godwin, Emily Milks, Julia Pogue, Tiffany Clark, Amanda Decker, Katie Cole, Helen Anthony, Abby Bell, Whitney Bell, Jennifer MacLean, Lauren MacLean, Rachel Mazzara, Anna Roach-Howell and Katherine Snow. Your work ethic and sincerity is appreciated. Bravo!

At Sunday worship this week, Psalm 150 will share their gift for contemporary music at our 9:00 a.m. service. They will lead us in a new hymn and offer their unique arrangement of “The Ninety and Nine.”. Grace Ringers led by Katherine Brekke, continues to grow in expertise and spirit and will play at both services this week. Both ensembles are new this year and compliment our existing music ministry programs. Yes, we really do have a little something for everyone! At the 11:00 a.m. service Chancel Choir is singing one of my favorite spirituals, “Give Me Jesus.” As Jody is preaching on the story of the Prodigal Son, the Hope Choir (our middle school ensemble) has prepared a special anthem for 11:00 a.m. worship to tell of the parables of the son, the lost coin and the lost sheep.

Come and enjoy a time of reflection at our Wednesday noontime music and meditations for Lent, “Sounds of the Spirit.” Lunch this week is Santa Fe soup with orange cake prepared by Elizabeth Luttrell and served with Allison Connor’s assistance. Once again our pastoral staff will share thoughts and prayers. Last Wednesday I played an arrangement of Londonderry Aire (better known as “Danny Boy”) with a new text by Dottie Rambo. Hope you will reflect on this tune and text as you wear the green this weekend!

“Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that bought my liberty;
I do not know just why Christ came to love me so,
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me;
How marvelous the grace that
caught my falling soul,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.”

Peace,
Mary Kay

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September Katrina Trip
Please plan to attend an informational meeting on March 18 after 11:00 a.m. worship about the September 23-29 mission trip to New Orleans. Veterans of the Kirk's previous Katrina trips will tell of their experiences and answer your questions about cleanup and reconstruction work in the Crescent City. Sign ups will begin that day, too. Our meeting room has been changed to the Session Room. Come join us. Bagels will be served.

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Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN)
WIHN provides shelter, meals, case management and educational services to homeless families in addition to promoting action and awareness in the community regarding homelessness. The Kirk provides temporary housing to homeless families three or four weeks out of the year.

Our next host week is April 15– 22. Please consider volunteering to setup, transport the families, cook meals, greet our guests, spend the night, clean up, or provide food.

“Signup” and “Information” sheets will be in the narthex starting March 18.

(Note: Mark your calendars for the other two weeks in 2007 … July 15-22, and December 30–January 6, 2008.)

Sandra Clark, WIHN Coordinator

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PW Women's Retreat Postponed
The Spring Presbyterian Women's Retreat has been postponed. We are hoping to reschedule for the fall. If you have pre-paid, your check will be returned to you. If you are interested in participating in the development of the program, please contact Elizabeth Luttrell or Elaine Loyack. Thank you!

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Thursday Morning Bible Study
Starting April 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall the Women’s Thursday Morning Bible Study will begin delving into the life of King David. The study book is entitled "A Heart Like His" by Beth Moore and it may be purchased at Lifeway Book Store, near BJs in Crossroads shopping area. Studying the ancient Middle East may give insight into the unrest in that area today as well as understanding about the struggles of a man dedicated to God. All women are welcome to join the group for lively discussion, information and fellowship.

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Carying Place Annual Benefit Auction
Please make plans to attend the Sixth Annual Benefit Auction benefiting The Carying Place. It will be held on May 11, at The Matthews House in Cary. If you would like to attend you can contact The Carying Place at 462-1800. You can also contact the church liaison Liz Hynson.

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The Bible from Scratch Class

You are invited to join the “Bible From Scratch” class. This is a short-term Sunday morning class (10am). The class begins on March 25 and ends on May 14.

This class is designed to be a guided tour through the Old Testament and an introduction to basic tools and skills for Bible study. Participants will get a sense of the general “sweep” of the biblical story, including the major people and the chronology. There will be an opportunity to practice using basic Bible study tools such as concordances, Bible dictionaries and commentaries.

Registration is limited to 15 participants. To register, please email Bonnie Pendleton or call the church office (467-4944).

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Did You Loan This Book?
The book "Thy Kingdom Come, An Evangelical's Lament" by Randall Balmer is looking for its owner. If it is you, please contact Val Peters.

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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 collecting the offering. If you want to help, please contact Jerry Bowser.

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Lawn Mowing Teams Forming As the weather begins to turn warm we need to begin mowing again. We are now forming mowing teams. If you would like to help out in this way, please contact Rusty Parks.

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Wanted: Welcome Team Members
I hope you have noticed the Kirk Members with the red nametags in the narthex on Sunday mornings. They are members of the Sunday Morning Welcome Teams who help greet visitors and provide them with information and a familiar face. We are getting ready to plan a new schedule and would love to have anyone who is interested in this important ministry join our teams. This is only a commitment on Sunday mornings for five Sundays every five months. We will have an orientation meeting on Sunday, March 25, after the 11:00 a.m. service or Tuesday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m. Please come join our exciting ministry. Contact Liz Pogue with questions.

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Dr. Frances Taylor Gench
to Lead Lenten Study at Glenaire

On Thursday, March 29, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench, Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, will lead a Bible study of two Lenten passages from John's gospel in the auditorium at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary.

Dr. Gench, whose Westminster Bible Companion commentary of John will be published in April, will give two one hour studies of passages from John.

Commentaries on Hebrews and James by Dr. Gench have previously been published. She is also the author of "Back to the Well: Women's Encounters with Jesus in the Gospels" (copies of which will be available for purchase at a discounted price).

The Spiritual Life Committee of Glenaire is delighted that Dr. Gench, whose parents live at Glenaire, has agreed to be with us and lead us in this study. All are cordially invited.

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Kirk Softball Team Forming Want to join the team? Both men and women with all levels of ability are wanted for the Kirk Softball team. If you are interested in playing or have questions regarding the team, please contact Lynnie Sullivan.

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New KOALA Staff Needed
The Kirk Outreach Afterschool Learning Academy (KOALA), which provides one-on-one tutoring to local children in grades K-2, is still looking for a new liaison for the 2007-2008 academic year. The time commitment is flexible, but usually 2-5 hours per week. For more information, contact Stephanie Horman.

KOALA is also looking for a new van driver to take students from Briarcliff to the Kirk one afternoon a week, either Tuesday or Thursday, beginning in October. The time commitment is about 45 minutes (2:45-3:30). For more information, contact Jerry Rhodes.

Both of these positions are very important; the program can scarcely run without them. Please help if you are able. Thanks!

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Prayer Request of the Week: Please include in your prayer this week our choirs and musicians as they prepare for Holy Week.

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Prayers: We pray for Andrew Coats, Tom Eskew, Mai Wickelgren, Joe Long, Jerry Palmer, 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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All of our music ensembles are open to new members! You can find a bright green brochure in the narthex describing our many choices. Of particular need are the following:

1. Chancel Choir is seeking to expand! All voice types are encouraged to join us. At this time we are especially in need of female singers who have a comfortable soprano range. Our choral music is eclectic and we work together in a relaxed yet productive manner! Students singers are invited, too! The Kirk is a family friendly congregation. Any singers who would like to sit with their children on Sunday mornings and join us in the chancel for anthems are most welcome. Just attend rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 – 8:55 in the choir room on the lower level as we prepare our many worship selections. Hope to see you! For more information, please contact Mary Kay (director) (234-9446).

2. Seeking Musicians - The Kirk’s vocal-and-guitar ensemble “Psalm 150” is always interested in meeting talented musicians. In particular we’re still seeking keyboard, bass, and additional guitar players. We’re also interested in meeting new singers and people who play any musical instrument. Join us for fun singing traditional and contemporary music. Please contact director Ken Purchase.

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It's not too late to schedule a portrait sitting for your directory photo. You can now call Directory Innovations toll-free at 1-866-442-4874 (ext. 109) between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment.

If we fill up the times we have been given, they will add more days and times for us. Everyone will receive a postcard reminder of their appointment times.

Great News! You will receive your complimentary 8x10 photo right at your sitting. Also, if you choose to purchase portraits on a CD, they will create that right there for you as well.

We want to include everyone, so we will be photographing Glenaire residents at Glenaire on Thursday, March 22 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Also, if you are not able to attend any portrait session, we can accept a previous photo or portrait for inclusion in this directory.

If you are available to work in a two hour shift greeting families as they come for photography, please contact me, Julie Sherk.

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