Thanks to the hard work of Pat Modlin with some donations from the Church the Round Barn DayCare Center now has a new Washer and Dryer. Pat announced this good news during the Service on April 27th. Pat said that the addition of the washer and dryer will relieve the DayCare Center Staff from the task of taking laundry home for washing. Good work Pat!!
John Anderson
During the April 27th Service the 2008 Graduates were recognized for their achievements. The following were honored:
Phillip Weirich, Depauw University
Samuel Rund, Depauw University
Stacey Sands, Depauw University
Leah Souder, Depauw University
Lindsey Doan, Ohio Wesleyan
James Griffin, DAVE School (Digital Animation & Effect)
Brian Griffin, Northview High School & Army Basic Training
Allison Hutchens Lanie, IUPUI Nursing School
Mary Jane Jones presented the honorees with a gift from the Church in recoginition of their hard work. Following the Service a Pitch-In dinner was provided to the graduates in attendance.
John Anderson
The children of Round Barn Day Care participated in a Trike-a-Thon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The kids spent the week learning about bike safety, then put their newly-learned skills to work in the parking lot of the church. The kids really enjoyed their day and collected a total of $233.00 for the kids at St. Jude’s!
Sunday Services March 30, 2008 On Sunday March 30, 2008 the congregation of the Church was treated to a wonderful Service conducted by Rev. Steve Williams. Rev. Williams is the Chaplain for the Putnam County Hospital, a Chaplain for Advocate Hospice, and pastor of Greencastle Grace Tabernacle. Oh yes, he is also the husband of Jane, our very own church secretary.As Lay Reader on Sunday I did my best to help Rev. Williams become familiar with the Church facilities and the order of the Service which we normally conduct. Due to the this being the end of Spring Break for the local Schools we had a slight challenge. First of all Mark McKee was still in Florida, or on his way home, so I had no idea how to “wire up” Rev. Williams for sound, or how to turn on the system. Fortunately Rev. Williams and Jane got the system up and running. Then Andy Lorimer showed up to work the sound board. Next, no one knew how to get the Power Point presentation from the computer to the overhead projector. Even with the help of several DePauw experts we still had no overhead projector. But this was not a big problem as the Service proceeded right on time. Then just as I resumed my seat in our usual Pew, Pam said to me “we forgot to light the candles”. But the Service that followed was so enjoyable that no one really cared.Rev. Williams started off with a Children’s Sermon that asked the children “who does Jesus love” Next he asked the children what types of shoes they wore for what. (This would soon be related to his Sermon). He closed this Children’s session with everyone singing “He’s got the whole world in his hands”.Were you aware of Jane’s musical abilities? I sure was not. Jane and her Husband Rev. Williams performed a number of songs that accompanied a Sermon that spoke to the” Beautiful Feet” of those who go forth and spread the word of the Gospels.Pam and I would like to thank Jane, and her Husband Reverend Steve Williams for a very enjoyable Service. We hope that they will come back again some time.Not to worry Robert, you were still missed. John Anderson
On March 20th, Maundy Thursday the members of the Church celebrated the evening services with a Christian Passover Seder Meal. “Seder” refers both to the service of the Passover meal, and the entire festival meal itself. The Hebrew translation of “Seder” is order. Our service differed slightly from the Jewish Service. The goal in presenting a Christian adaptation of Passover was to retain the theological, confessional, and educational dimensions of the service. Although the service was presented purposefully as a Christian service, every effort was made to preserve the spirit of the Jewish traditions and experience in the service, and to respect the faith journey of Israelites and Jews across the centuries. Apart from the fact that the participants at this event were Christians, the thoroughly Christian dimension of the service came at the end of the service with the Serving of Communion.
A few weeks prior to the celebration Rev. Robert Shaw suggested that rather than a traditional Maundy Thursday Service the Congregation might enjoy the experience of a Christian “Seder Meal”. This meal requires numerous symbolistic Hebrew foods i.e. karpas, maror, charoset, and beitzah. These are accompanied by the telling of the Passover Story with associated music, and song.
Without knowing what we were getting into Pam and I volunteered to coordinate the meal itself. Due to the complexity and order of the meal it took a lot of study, and follow-up which we feel was well worth the effort. Rev. Shaw developed the program and the music with the help of Cheryl Beck. Volunteers from the Congregation helped to set up the meal, and provide the food items required.
The Meal was served to a large group of attendees, and if the congregation’s comments are any measure was enjoyed by all. Rev. Shaw led the group through the twelve steps of the meal which make up the “Seder” or order. A light dinner was served in the middle of the meal followed by the Communion Service presented as part of the overall program.
I would like to thank all those who helped, and hope that like Pam and I that it was not only an enjoyable experience, but an educational one too.
Pictures of the event are shown. Hope you enjoy them
John Anderson
