God’s 2008 theme for Chilson Hills is Reaching Up and Reaching Out! I believe God wants us to know and love all people, especially those who do not yet know the Risen Christ as their Lord and Savior.  As we move through the Easter Season, think of a person with whom you can share your experience with the Risen Lord. Ask God to give you the words, share with them your story, and then invite them to come to Chilson with you next Sunday.

The time between Easter and Pentecost (March 23—May 11) is known in the Christian Calendar as the Easter Season. During this season Sunday’s Scripture readings and sermons will highlight Jesus’ resurrection. Take time each day this week to give thanks for the fact of Jesus being alive in your life and within our world! 

Thanks to everyone who continues to purchase Scrip, bring in VG’s receipts, and donate money to the Love, Inc. Fund. In March we are able to help a number of families: $350.00 for rental assistance and $150.00 for utility assistance.

Thank you all for the surprise early birthday party last Sunday. Thank you to everyone who worked to make it a surprise. The cakes were really good—especially the ice cream cake! Jenny Melkvik’s song was as dirge like as always. The gifts were very creative! The running shoes to keep me going in the 2^nd half of life were great! (Especially the part about the 2^nd half of life!) I have the monkey beanie friend in my office. I’m not sure what to do with the blond and black haired wigs! Any suggestions? Some gifts were over the top: including the First Alert Explosive Gas Alarm; the Preparation H; the Laxative suppositories; the latex glove; the red flannel long johns; the ‘geezer tweezers; the hearing enhancer scrub brush; and “Over The Hill” Cologne named Old Musty! Thanks for the two useful gift certificates to Ritter’s Ice Cream that will be greatly enjoyed! “Cherry Bon Bon Sunday” here I come!

Thanks to Jesse Ping who worked all year to get his 1948 automobile out of his barn and into running condition so that “someone” could place that sign on it! I’m glad the car is still running. 1948 was a very good year! Of course a certain person did say that more is yet to come since my birthday is not until April 16^th! I thought the party was wonderful and sufficient!

The Executive Team met last week for their normal monthly meeting. The BHAGS are still being worked on! Certain ministry teams are preparing reports to begin to meet this goals. The Children’s Ministry Team and Vacation Bible School Team are planning some big events for our children this year. The Worship Design Team is developing plans for a ‘warm up’ of the front of the Worship Center. The Personal Team is in process of reviewing the entire staff plan of the church including salaried and unsalaried staff. The Audio Visual Team submitted a plan to upgrade the cameras for Worship that will enable us to pod cast our Worship Services. The Executive Team also approved a new all church offering for the support of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan to be received on May 18^th.

The Deacons met last week as well. After much prayer and discussion they are recommending to the Worship Design Team and the Executive Team that a new Worship Schedule be adopted. The summer Garden Worship will be at 8:30 beginning June 1 and stopping August 30^th. The Main Worship Service for all year will change to 10:30 A.M. on June 1^st. Whether we have an 8:30 service or not after August is still under discussion. What’s your idea?

Grace and Peace,

David