The Weekly Visitor -- Online Edition

From the Minister's Desk

We are so fortunate to have two hospitals in Memphis that deal exclusively with children. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital does a wonderful job with children who have special problems. Our congregation has been influenced by this hospital twice over the past several months. Chris and Mary Lee Murley have had a son in that hospital more than once treating him for a rare disorder. If it were not for Le Bonheur, Conner might not be with us today. Nettie Hoard's grandson, Sean Farris is another child that has been treated by the good people at Le Bonheur. He too, has had problems that ordinary hospitals rarely deal with. The other hospital is world renowned St. Jude. I can remember Danny Thomas pleading with the world to support the ongoing efforts of St. Jude. Later, his daughter took up the battle cry. Recently, Ann Moorehead's grandson, Hunter Horn was admitted to St. Jude's where he had surgery done on his mouth. I was at the hospital and can assure you that those pictures you see of children walking and pushing their I.V. holders is real. Children whose hair has come out due to chemotherapy is real. I saw children who appeared to be as young as three and four years old who were obviously very sick. And I saw some of their parents, who were by all outward appearances, not financially well off.

Why am I mentioning this? Because I received a call from St. Jude's a couple weeks ago telling me that my name had been submitted as one who might be interested in helping St. Jude with their annual fund-raiser. They asked if they could "put me in jail" for an hour or two while I raised money from those who had a heart for the work at St. Jude Hospital. What I told them was that I would do what I could to raise money and would see to it that they received it promptly, but that the day they wanted me to "go to jail" was already taken. They agreed. So I am asking those of you who have a heart for the work at St. Jude and the thousands of children that they give new life to, please give Ada a check made out to either St. Jude Hospital or DTCC (and Ada will write one check to St. Jude for the entire amount). Your contribution will be greatly appreciated by the people of St. Jude and especially by the children who will be helped in the future.

Once again, look forward to worshipping with you on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

Your Pastor

We express our deepest sympathy to Margaret Fann and her family in the death of her sister, Jan Wesdell. Jan died early Monday morning in St. Louis. Services will be in St. Louis. We also extend our sympathy to Roy Stone and his family in the death of his stepfather, David Heflin. Mr. Heflin’s service was held in Knoxville last week.

We welcomed the following visitors: Stephanie & Mohammad Sharifi, Susan Alders, Sue Mikula, Lolita & Mike Horton, Beth & Brittany Duke, Ann McAlister, Sandy Jarvis, Aimee McAlister, Ricky Hutchens, Rachel & Jacob Cobb, Nettie Whitehead, Scott, Alex, & Jake Coley, Sharon Pilon, Emily Palazolo

Our Lenten programs for Refill Your Cup Dinners are scripture based play readings of the events leading up to the crucifixion.

Next week we will have sub-sandwiches, drinks and dessert. Have you made your reservations? If not, be sure to do so Sunday – we need a fairly accurate count to prepare the meal. Thanks!

Cost for the dinners this year are as follows: $5 per adult, $3 per child ages 5-12 and children 4 and under free.

The CYF will be selling flats of bedding plants sometime in April. Be sure to wait to buy your plants from us! All money raised will go towards our summer mission trip.

The CYF will be collecting small teddy bears for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. These bears are given to children as the officers make calls to their homes.

We are also collecting candy to fill plastic eggs for the Ronald McDonald House Easter Egg Hunt. Bags of small candy may also be left in the Sr. High room or given to Deborah King. If you would like to donate a new teddy bear or candy, please bring them to the Sr. High room before April 1

We are contemplating a golf scramble in the near future (2 or 3 months). But before setting a date, choosing a course, we need to know how many people (men & women) would be interested. Please contact Vic Carpenter, Lem Gorden, or the church office 388-4511 if you are interested in playing.

MIHN’s golf scramble is scheduled for Monday, April 30, at Memphis National Golf Club. Sign up forms and fees should be returned by March 31. See Paul Moore or Bill Parks for additional info.

Please save your white or yellow gallon milk containers for a SWAT service project. You can leave these in a bay in the narthex of the Education Bldg. or give to Judy or Courtney Sandlin.

The Membership Dept. will meet this Sunday, March 25, immediately after church in the Agape classroom.

Anyone who wants to help make gifts for Breakfast with Santa, please meet us in the Agape classroom this Friday at 12:30 p.m. Call Gerry Wilson for additional information.

We have ordered 60 Easter lilies to be used in the sanctuary Easter Sunday. Order forms will be available in the bulletin Sunday for your convenience. The lilies will be $8 each and you may take them home after worship Easter Sunday. This is a beautiful way to honor loved ones and decorate the sanctuary at the same time.

Emily Garrett is the wicked witch in Bolton’s upcoming production of "The Wiz." The CYF will attend the show on Sunday April 22 – if you would like to come along let Deborah King know by March 25. The other performance dates are April 19-24. If you would like to attend, please let Cathy Garrett know. Thank you!