10 a.m. Christian Education for adults and CRASH for youth
Reflections
The Doorman
For those who live in high rise luxury apartments or stay in ritzy hotels, the presence of a dapper individual, dressed in a long coat and cap, opening doors and offering well-wishes is simply a part of daily living. These are the doormen, the ones responsible for ingress and egress, for letting in the guests and providing security against those with malicious intentions. Postings for the position of doorman insist the person must be “guest-centered and committed to making a difference every day.”
Of course, one need not have a Park Avenue or a 90210 address to enjoy the services of a helpful doorman. According to John 10, Jesus positions himself as the ultimate doorman—willing even to lay down his life for the residents of his domain. It’s rather grand, actually—the owner of the building choosing to don the costume and play the servant.
Given human character, however—especially in those corners of the world where such things like individualism, consumerism, egalitarianism, and their brethren “—isms” reside, deference to the owner-turned-servant can be tragically short-lived. On the first day, and maybe for the first month, we’re all, “No, no, no—please allow me,” and “I don’t deserve your kindnesses, sir.” Eventually our words of wonder and looks of lauding turn into head nods of hurriedness and cacophonies of complaints. “Hey, can you get the door for me? It’s cold out here.” “No time to talk—got to run.” “You know, it’s clear you prefer the Smiths in Unit 713.”
Our familiarity with having the Lord of the Universe open and close doors for us does not resolve the mind-blowing juxtaposition of Lord Doorman. There may come a day when through scientific discovery we become accustomed to hot ice cream or pollution-free pollution. Disney has already introduced us to a fairly nice ogre. Grocery stores even stock meatless meatballs. Time and exposure will cause these oddities to become normalities—if it hasn’t happened already. When we permit familiarity to degrade the shock contained in “the good shepherd (i.e. Jesus!) lays down his life for his sheep” so that we begin treating our Lord Doorman more like a doormat, according to Revelation 3:16 we risk eviction.
– Bob Jordan
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Dundee Lenten Schedule 2010
- March 14 - Fourth sermon: Who Does Jesus Think He Is? The Doorman, John 10:11-21
- March 17 - Lent Prayer Service, 7 p.m., chapel
- March 21 - Fifth sermon: Who Does Jesus Think He Is? The Only Game in Town, John 14:1-11
- March 28 - Palm Sunday, Sixth sermon: Who Does Jesus Think He Is? Your Only Hope, John 15:1-17 - Children’s Palm Procession, 9 &11 a.m.
- April 1 - Maundy Thursday Communion Service, 7 p.m.
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April 2 - Good Friday Service, 12:15 p.m. - Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. and after service
Good Friday evening, time to be determined, Dinner & a Movie
- April 3 - Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., for children and their families
- April 4 - Easter, Sermon: I Have Seen the Lord!, John 20:1-18 - Easter Brunch served by the Deacons, 8:30-11 a.m., dining room
Time to Order Lilies
The sanctuary blooms with lilies every Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and serving as a symbol of Easter for Dundee Church. You may purchase a lily as a gift to the congregation or as a remembrance of a loved one or special occasion. Complete the yellow card on the tables outside the sanctuary or call the church office (558-2330). Each plant costs $13. Please return the card and payment to the church office by Monday, March 29.
Take “A Look at Dundee”
Have you been taking in things at Dundee for a while and are now considering joining the church. The perfect opportunity is just around the corner—A Look at Dundee is a five-week class for anyone interested in learning more about Dundee and an opportunity to join the church family. The first session will begin on April 11 during the 10 a.m. hour in the dining room annex. For more information, call the church, 558-2330.
Lenten Prayer Service
Prayer is intimate conversation with God. A time to talk with Him from our hearts. As part of your observance of Lent, join in a service of prayer on Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in the chapel. Encounter Jesus through prayer as you walk with Him during the last week of His life. Philip Yancey wrote in The Jesus I Never Knew, “Jesus often went aside and prayed, as if to breathe in pure air from a life-support system that would give him the strength to continue living on a polluted planet.” Being made in the image of God, we too need to set aside time to breathe in pure air from our life-support system. Join together to pray and be strengthened in your walk with Christ.
February Session Highlights
The session approved serving communion on the first Sunday of each month starting in May in order to enable all of us to experience the Lord’s Supper as a regular and expected part of our worship experience. We’ll also continue serving communion on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday—two special services during the weeks leading up to Easter. The elders have begun reading the book Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church by E. Stanley Ott. The book is available online or through a local bookstore if you’d like to read it, too.
We Need Your Smiles
Everyone is invited to have their family portrait taken by Olan Mills. The Dundee Family Photo Directory is scheduled for April 14-17. Photo registrations will be held Sunday, March 14, 21, and 28. It is also possible to register online at www.signup.olanmills.com. Any questions regarding photo sessions call the church, 558-2330, or Kim Clure, 391-3934.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 3 at 10 a.m. is the annual Dundee Easter Egg Hunt! The Easter egg hunt is for all the children up through grade 6. Join with other friends and family of Dundee for great fun!
Colon Cancer Awareness
The Care & Wellness Committee and Parish Nurses will be offering opportunities to get a free information packet and test kit (total value of screening estimated at $70) on Sundays during March (Colon Cancer Awareness Month).
Candy Donations Needed
Easter is just around the corner and it is time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Dundee’s lawn! We need your help in collecting enough wrapped candy to fill over 2000 eggs—that’s A LOT of candy! Drop off your donations in the box at the Reception Desk from now until Sunday, March 21st. Thanks!
Mariners March Meeting
On Saturday, March 13, we’ll hear from our Haitian mission team led by Chris Olsen. The mission team will share photos from the experience and update us on the people they worked with there and how they’re doing after the earthquakes. Social hour is at 6 p.m. with potluck dinner at 6:30. Everyone is welcome to join us. Please make a reservation by calling Jo Martig, 571-3527.
Palm Sunday Procession
It is the tradition here at Dundee Church for the children to process at the beginning of worship at 9 and 11 a.m. carrying palm branches. If your child would like to participate, we will gather in the dining room at 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 28. Children will process in the service, then go directly to Kid’s Own Worship.
Joy Choir to Sing
The Joy Choir, for children age 3-grade 2 who attend Kid’s Own Worship, will sing at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 21. Please meet in the Chapel at 8:30 a.m. that Sunday so we can prepare.
Start Planning for Camp
Dundee Camp Registration forms are now available for campers at the Reception Desk. Camp is open to children and youth who will be entering Grades 4 through 12 in the fall of 2010 and is held at Camp Calvin Crest, a Presbyterian-owned and operated camp facility near Fremont, Nebraska. The purpose of camp is to: create a week of Christian community; offer opportunities for Bible study and worship; encourage children and youth to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ; have fun!
Cost is $325 if you register prior to March 15, after the 15th, cost increases.
Blood Pressure Screening
The parish nurses will be checking blood pressure after worship services this Sunday, March 14 in Suzie Payne’s office. Blood pressure screenings will be held the second Sunday of each month.
Where Is Your Path Leading?
The Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #7 is a journey in Christian community, designed to nurture Christians in their spiritual growth and to provide them with a renewed foundation for individual and community living. This three-day weekend experience at Camp Calvin Crest begins at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 22 and concludes by 5 p.m., Sunday, April 25. To register, contact Darlene Grandia at 712-323-0148 or darlenegrandia@hotmail.com, or go to www.gpppilgrimage.org. Cost for the weekend is $230/person. Scholarships are available.
Your Prayers Please
The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee has begun to meet to start the process of calling a minister. The members of the committee ask for your prayers.
From the Desk of the Sr. Pastor – March 2010
I thought you would want to know …
We began our Lenten study of Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew, with over 80 in attendance! The text and the conversations are saturated with insights on who the Jesus of Scripture really is.
Fantastic growth taking place in our kids. Eight 1st Graders and their families investigated the meaning of communion as part of one of the Children’s Ministries’ Faith Milestones, and then led communion on the 21st. Another Faith Milestone had three 4th graders and their families exploring Christ’s teachings on being servants in this world. Each student and their family chose a project and represented God’s love to people in need.
As part of a larger effort to upgrade our communications, our Communications Team is hard at work designing an updated website for our church. We anticipate it to be up and running before the summer. In the meantime, keep using our current website.
The search team that will be looking for our new Associate Pastor for Congregational Life met with a representative of the presbytery and has begun its work. Please keep the group in your prayers. The Youth Director search team is deep into its research phase.
Attendance is up!
We’ve begun our second sermon series of the year, focusing on the “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Desired goal: strengthen our understanding of and relationship with Jesus.
Prayer is growing as a priority throughout our congregation. Anticipate a church-wide prayer service at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 17.
I’m ecstatic that we have a parking problem (beats the alternative!). The Trustees have begun looking into possible ways to provide more spaces. If you’re able, consider parking in one of the Brownell lots or further down a street—you’ll help show our guests that they are truly welcome.
The Stewardship and Finance Team has started reading Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn, with a desire to serve you better.
I continue meeting with gatherings of our congregation in various homes. More have been scheduled for March. I’d love the privilege of conversing with each of you at one of these special times.
Sermons are aired on radio the week following their live date.