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Foothill Focus Number 3 MARCH 2008 Volume 16In the HUNT again! Saturday, March 22nd 12:30 - 3 p.m. Last year on the Saturday before Easter, we discovered that there were many families in our community who were in the hunt for some fun. There were others in the hunt for conversation. There were others in the hunt for community. We laid out thousands of Easter eggs, provided some crafts, face painting, balloon sculptures, and even an Easter bunny. But just as important, many from Foothill just stood around and talked; engaged in conversation with people who seemed hungry for it. You may have been on the team last year. Even if you weren't, you're invited to join the team this year to provide each of these opportunities for our neighbors: fun, conversation, community, and more. There's something that every one can contribute from set up, to laying eggs, to giving out prizes, to taking photos. Most played more than one role, but most importantly, many offered themselves in casual conversation. If you'd like to bless our community at the HUNT on Saturday, March 22nd in the afternoon, talk to Mark Liedstrand, 408.739.9880 or mliedstr@aol.com. VISION TO ACTION What's happening on our vision teams. There continues to be a feeling that we are beingtransformed even as we seek ways to be agents of transformation in our communities. Here's what's happening Community Connections: has been busy holding our "Essentials of Discipline", a series ofparenting seminars using Focus on the Family presentations. We started with a nice sized group of parents who proved eager to learn and ask questions of our parent-coaches. Since then word has gotten out and the seminars have grown. At the same time some planning is being done to prepare for a second HUNT, the communityEaster egg hunt that we held last year on the lawns of MVHS. See the lead article for details. If you'd like to join the CC team, contact Mark Liedstrand, Brenda Brown, or Doug Ericsson. Mentor/Tutors: Our six Foothill mentors and tutors continue to be actively involved inmentoring or tutoring at area schools. An encouraging story about the power of simple presence comes from Graham MiddleSchool where Jim Gaderlund has been tutoring a 7th grade boy in reading since the fall. After the Christmas break, the boy was asked the difference in how he felt about reading in thefall and in the new year. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being "I hate to read" 10 being "I love toread"), the boy thought for a moment and said, "In the fall I was a 2, now I'm an 8." His answer was no surprise because he has been progressively picking harder and harder books toread as the school year has gone on. "Faith In Song"The North Park University Choir will be performing on Sunday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m. at Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City. It is a great choir with a renown director, Dr. Rollo Dilworth. They'll give a great concert. Don't miss it. MARCH WORSHIP/PREACHING -During Lent we will seek answers to the question: "What in the World Is Jesus Doing?" by his death and resurrection. We will explore many of the Bibles metaphors for what theologians call the atonement and look for those that bring us to a deeper understanding of Christ's great gift. Mar. 2 -Lent 4 - "Jesus Redeems Us" - Jim G Mar. 9 -Lent 5 - "Jesus Frees Us from Sin" - Jim G Mar. 16 -Palm/Passion - "Jesus Becomes Our Substitute" - Jim GMar. 23 -Easter - "Jesus Lives - We Live in Him" - Jim G Mar. 30 -Tom Langsdorf Regular Check Ups - March 9 & 16If you missed getting a spiritual life check up (a spiritual inventory) in February, you can still come on either March 9th or 16th. The sessions are in the Fireside Room and they begin at 9 a.m.. We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to maintain your spiritual health or chart a path towards growth. Baby Langsdorf ShowerYou are all invited to a Baby Shower for Megan, Tom and Baby Langsdorf on Sunday, March 16 at 7:00 pm in the Fireside Room. There will be light refreshments served. RSVP to Nancy Baldwinson (961-7571). If you are interested, Megan and Tom are registered at Target but they like many things. Baby's favorite colors are all of them. Clothes that can survive a hot climate and hand washing are preferred. Please let Nancy know if you would like to go in on a group gift. We look forward to seeing you - men, women and children! -at this fun exciting event. Saturday, March 22nd at Mountain View High School on the Bryant St. lawn 1:30 HUNT 12:30 - 3pm FUN March 16-23, 2008Palm/Passion Sunday 10:30 am Beginning with a triumphant, palm strewn procession Jesus begins the final week of his life as he obeys his father's plan for the salvation of the world. He is preparing for his atoning work on the cross, an act that will make it possible for us to be at peace with God. Maundy Thursday 7:30 pm Lord's Supper and Tenebrae Jesus gave us a "new commandment" (mandatum novum) to love each other (John 13:34) when he spent a final meal with his disciples. We know that meal as the Last Supper. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper and then observe a service of Tenebrae (Shadows) as we hear the passion story read. Easter Saturday 1:30 pm at Truman & Bryant Come help bless the children of the neighborhood by being part of the staff of the HUNT. Give the gift of your presence and a listening ear. It's a time when we can offer our neighbors a brief experience of a loving community, a place to gather and enjoy life together. Easter Sunday 10:30 am Come celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. With Jesus' death and resurrection, he offers us reconciliation, justification, redemption, liberation, and forgiveness of sin. We can live in freedom from debt and the power of sin. We can live in his righteousness assured of a secure place in God's family. Women's Bible StudyClass continues on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am in the Fireside Room. Marian Ecklund will be leading us in "Experiencing the Passion Of Christ." Everyone is welcome to this new study for this special time of the year. We will NOT be meeting on March 19 for Easter Break but will see you the following week. Women's Lunch BunchWe will meet at the Country Gourmet in Sunnyvale for lunch on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am, in this case March 6, 2008. Please call Ona Avent (408-984-7625) for more information. Stretch Yoga ClassWe continue our Stretch Yoga class on Wednesdays at Noon in the spring. We will NOT be meeting on March 19 for Easter Break but will see you the following week. Call Kay Roberts (408-255-7817) for more information. Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast: Come on March 8th at 8:00 a.m. to the Fireside Room. We will be hearing from Tom Langsdorf about his mission and experiences in Chad. There may even be pancakes! Please join us to listen to Tom and eat a hearty breakfast in good fellowship. Per, Doug, Lyle and Stan Men's Lunch Men of Foothill, please join us for lunch and informal conversation on Thursday, March 6th at Noon at Dinah's in Palo Alto. Please call Jim Gaderlund at 650.967.7447 with any questions. MISSION SPRINGS Winter/Spring 2008 CAMP/RETREAT BROCHURES ARE AVAILABLE!Find out what's going on this summer at Mission Springs for children and youth at FrontierRanch and Wild Oak and for families. You'll get your questions answered and find registration information and forms. The brochures are available in the lobby and office. MISSION SPRINGS Camps & Retreats 50 Plus March 9-12, 2008 Men's Conference March 8-30, 2008 Dads & Daughters Weekend April 25-27, 2008 Detailed brochures and registrations information are available online atwww.missionsprings.com. + + +the feastYou are invited to a multi-ethnic, intergenerational, spiritual life conference for the entireCovenant family. It's The Feast! There will be great speakers, worship, seminars, and recreation for all ages. It will be held at Green Lake Conference Center in central Wisconsin. June21-24, 2008. See the lobby table for registration brochures. + + + Part of a Larger FamilyKeep up to date on what God is doing in our larger church family. Visit the web sites for our Pacific Southwest Conference at www.pswc.org and for the Evangelical Covenant at www.covchurch.org. Each site has current news in churches and ministries around the Covenant. Or to have news sent to you, subscribe to Newswire by going to the home page on theCovenant web site and look for the link on the right side of the screen. |