March   Sparta Notes for March

“HOW TO EAT YOUR BIBLE”
On six Wednesdays beginning March 11th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Upper Room One, Dan McEver will be offering a small group experience called, “How to Eat Your Bible”.  The purpose is to encourage and enable participants to practice ways of converting Bible facts into food for the soul.  These video-based sessions will help us to taste, savor and digest a passage while guiding us toward a closer relationship with God through the test.  The cost for the guidebook is $10.  Please call the church office (729-6197) or email Dan at dmcever@fpcsparta.org if you want to participate.

                        NEW MEMBER CLASS
MARCH 6, 7 & 8
Friday, March 6:  7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7:  9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                        (Lunch provided)
Sunday, March 8:  7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Call the Church Office @ 973-729-6197 or email Pastor Tom @ tlitteer@fpcsparta.org if you plan to attend.  Pick up the new member notebook “The Inheritance of the Children of God” from the Church Office any day of the week or after worship on Sunday.  Nursery will be provided if you let us know.

FELLOWSHIP POT-LUCK DINNER
Sunday, March 8th @ 6:00 p.m.
We encourage you to come and be strengthened by fellow members of the Body of Christ in an informal and upbeat atmosphere of round table fellowship.
This is a pot-luck dinner, so please bring enough of your dish to feed at least 10 people.  Last names beginning with the following letters are to bring: A-F: Meat (main dish); G-L: Vegetable; M-P: Green or pasta salad; R-Z; dessert.
Help with clean-up is very much appreciated.  If you have questions or would like to help, contact Carol Bennett (383-3402).

VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSE will be given by TODAY’S CHOICE on Monday & Tuesday evenings, March 16 & 17 and 23 & 24 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, 8:15-3:00 p.m.  Cost is $25/person (covers cost of training manual & materials).  For more information or to register call 973-579-2272 or email todayschoice@embarqmail.com
Volunteering for just a few hours a week can make a difference in someone’s life.  By being a good listener and speaking truth in love, you can affirm the natural response of a mother or father to love and nurture life. 

KAREN ANN QUINLAN HOSPICE
JOSEPH T. QUINLAN BEREAVEMENT CENTER
We will be offering the Bereavement Facilitator Training Series “Establishing & Maintaining Grief Support Groups” on Monday, March 16, 2009 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. and March 23, 2009 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ.  To register call 973-383-0115.

SUSSEX COUNTY INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY (SCIHN)
11TH ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION Saturday, March 28th @ 6:00 p.m.
Perona Farms, 350 Andover-Sparta Rd., Andover $50 per ticket or table of 10 for $400
Silent and Live Auction Special Guest Speaker: Founder of IHN, Karen Olson
For further information or to purchase tickets contact SCIHN office (973)579-1180

May   Sparta Notes for March

ANGOLA PRISON-Angola Louisiana  On May 3-9 Leo McLaughlin will be leading a trip to Angola prison where they will work with Samaritan’s Purse (Franklin Graham’s Ministry) to help build a Chapel on the prison grounds.  Samaritan’s Purse is a great organization to work with and a unique opportunity to work in a maximum security prison that is infamous for promoting evangelism and bringing prisoners to Christ.  The trip will cost approx. $350.  There are still several spots open.  If you are interested in this trip contact Leo as soon as possible:  Leo McLaughlin leoelaine_nj@yahoo.com.

Information     Areas To Serve | Youth Info | Loving Arms | A Soul Cafe | Make a Donation

ANY SOLDIER UPDATE
Many thanks to all who donated towels for the soldiers.  That drive has ended but the request below is still in effect until the end of this month. Army Chaplain Lisa Northway, who ministers to over 500 men & women in her unit currently stationed in Iraq, writes the following:
“…If you prefer to be on the advanced planning for Resurrection Sunday (otherwise known as Easter) I would love to have a few hundred mini-gift books of The Case for Easter by Lee Stroebel to pass out in services, prayer breakfast, etc.  It will still be fine to send chocolate bunnies, lambs & marshmallow peeps for some time (the sugar-free are a big hit here too).”

If anyone feels led to help with this request to provide Lee Strobel’s mini books to our soldiers, please make check payable to FPCS, use the Special Offering Envelope found in the pew racks, write “Any Soldier” and indicate “mini books”. 

Also we welcome donations to help with postage costs.  Make check payable to “FPC”, use Special Offering Envelope and indicate “Any Soldier” on memo line.  As in the past, thank you for all your generous support!!!  Leo McLaughlin  more     Thank you, Leo McLaughlin

Snow Closing/Delays

We will try not to “cancel” the Sunday morning worship services and will attempt to have a “delayed’ service at 9:30 a.m. instead.  The decision to cancel or delay will be made (if possible) on Saturday evening or certainly by 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Note:  Sunday School will not be delayed.  If the worship service is cancelled or delayed, it will be cancelled. Notice will be the same as above.

DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL NEEDS OR DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO ASSIST THOSE WHO DO?
Due to the drastic state of the economy, we as a church and as INDIVIDUALS need to be reaching out to members of the congregation in particular, and to the greater community in general, who are experiencing extreme hardship—be it loss of jobs, financial issues, foreclosures, evictions, medical issues, food needs etc., etc.  In order for this outreach to be effective we need to know who is in need and who is then in a position to help, i.e. physically, spiritually, financially, professionally, or who could assist with networking and counseling.  This is an excellent opportunity to become servants of God and to touch the lives of others in a mighty way.  Please pray about this, then call the Church Office and let us know of your needs or your skills.  Confidentiality will be adhered to as much as is possible.  (see below need)

This request is in response to the above article in the bulletin regarding needs/skills – an outreach to those experiencing hard times.
Glenn & Carol are experiencing financial hardship.  Carol has lost her job and is seeking employment in the administrative assistant, marketing fields.  Glenn gives guitar lessons and is in need of more pupils.  He is also seeking employment as a sound track musician.  If anyone is able to help in any way, please call Margaret in the Church Office – 973-729-6197.

Have you noticed something missing when the handbell choir plays?  You’re right - the brass bells!  That is because we are short 2 ringers to play them.  Sometimes we pick up one here or there to add to the sound but they need someone who would like to hear them again to come and join us.  We practice on Monday evenings in the Music Room at 7:30 p.m.  Questions – call Nancy Claus (729-3647).

POSITION AVAILABLE:  Treasurer/Bookkeeper for Blessed Beginnings.  This volunteer position requires someone with a servant’s heart who wants to be part of an important ministry to children, and has a background in accounting.  Contact Pam Mudrick at 973-726-7180 or Sandy Poots at 973-726-7513.

COFFEE HOUR 9:30-10:30 A.M. Please note the sign-up sheet at coffee hour each week.  The person who signs up needs only to bring the “goodies”, put them out, and bring a half gallon of whole milk for the coffee.  The set-up is all done ahead of time and the coffee is made by Dave Peach.  If everyone took a turn, no one would have to do it very often.  Thank you also for your donations which help with the expense of buying the coffee, tea, cups, sugar, hot chocolate, napkins etc.

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Food Pantry
I wanted to let you know that we broke a record for # of people served for the third month in a row.  We served 876 people in Oct., up 19% from the previous month.  We saw 148 new people that had never used our services before.  This is an alarming 60% increase over Sept. and 165% increase over the number of new people we were seeing in the first quarter of this year.  The good news is that the shelves in our pantry are currently full and we have a good amount of money in the bank. The credit for this goes to Margaret and her continued effort to bring attention to our need for donations. Also, thanks goes to Shop Rite for an additional and very generous donation that we can use to buy food from the food bank.  Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate your faithfulness and devotion to the poor and needy in the community. Keep up the good work!     Janice Ernsting
Food and monetary donations are always welcome.  Use the special offering envelope in the pew rack, make check payable to “FPC” and indicate “Food Pantry” on envelope.

WE WILL SOON BE PRINTING A NEW CHURCH ADDRESS/PHONE DIRECTORY FOR THE COMING YEAR.  If there is any change in your address or household, please let the Church Office know as soon as possible.  If you wish not to be listed in our directory, please let us know that too.  Call the Church Office (729-6197) or email Diane (fpcchurc@fpcsparta.org).

Do we have your email address?  We’d like to stay in touch with you with little email messages.  Also, let me know if you’d rather have your Sparta Notes emailed.  It would save us paper & postage costs.  Email me at
fpcchurc@fpcsparta.org. Thanks.  Diane

CONCERNED ABOUT POVERTY & HOMELESS FAMILIES
 IN OUR COMMUNITY?
Join our Interfaith Advocacy Program, and make a difference.  The work of the Sussex County Interfaith Advocacy Program fulfills the mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network by educating clergy, volunteers and community members about the root causes of family homelessness, viable solutions to these problems and opportunities for making their voices heard by state and national legislators.  Please join us TODAY at 1:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor to learn more about this important effort!  For more information contact Frankie Smith @ 973-729-7523 or Clare Neary, Family Promise National Office at cneary@familypromise.org

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• EASY WAY TO SUPPORT TONY LOEFFLER & THE SHOOTING STARS PRISON MINISTRY
  There is a new and exciting and innovative way of financially supporting prison ministry.  All you need to do is purchase your books and music, personal, and even business supplies on-line through Shooting Stars “Shopping Mall”.  You will not only find attractive pricing, but a portion of each sale—up to 10% -- will go to the prison ministry.  Try it!  www.supportthisministry,com/shootingstars

• Mission Card Shop
  

  The Mission Card Shop has special frames for 25th & 50th anniversaries, pretty glass bluebirds for special occasions, and 2 small dolls for that granddaughter having a July birthday.  Other miscellaneous items are featured on our gift table.  Check it out after you have coffee in the courtyard.  All donations go to missions. 
                                                                                   Thank you!  Nancy Claus

• TO SAVE ON COSTS OF PAPER & POSTAGE, the Church Office would like to offer you the option to receive your Sparta Notes by email.  If you would rather receive yours by email, please let Diane know at fpcchurc@fpcsparta.org or fill out the form below and place in the Offering Plate.  Sparta notes is also available on our website Sparta Notes

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