in Christ

In an Ash Wednesday devotional, Frederick Buechner writes,"In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year's income to some holy use. For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year's days. After being baptized by John in the River Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself what it meant to be Jesus. During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves." I would add "...themselves (in Christ.)"

As Paul taught about the Christian life to the young Christians in the churches he had planted, he often used the phrase "in Christ" to describe the substance and quality of the new life that they had entered. I would like to invite you during the coming Lenten season to use this lens as we look at Jesus' life as he approaches Jerusalem and his death and resurrection. What do we find out about Jesus and ourselves as we, not just look at, but enter into Jesus' life.

You may want to simply sit with each of these scriptures for a week at a time or you may want to take one of the Lenten devotionals that you'll find on the lobby tables to help you in your journey.

Come find your true self in Christ.

VISION TO ACTION

What's happening on our vision teams. You've heard a number of stories on recent Sundays about vision team ministries and fourth ministries. Here's what else happening

Community Connections: is gearing up for our 2009 HUNT whichwill be on Saturday, April 11th. This has been a great neighborhoodgathering time on the north lawn of MVHS. We hope you'll join theteam to spend time with our neighbors. Keep your eyes open for signup lists on Sundays. If you would like to join the team, please talk toMark Liedstrand, team leader.

We continue to host INDOOR PARK, an informal, every-Thursday(11-Noon) play time for kids, 0-3 years. Some of the moms from our Genesis group havebeen developing it and we're now open for business. If you know of young parents whomight want a warm and dry place (our nursery) for kids to play and parents to chat, grab afew invitation cards and hand them out. If you have questions about the time, talk to SarahCerrona.

Mentor/Tutors: Most of our mentors and tutors have new students this year and are activelyat work with them. The students mostly come from Mountain View High School and Graham Middle School. If you are interested in ministering to the needs of our community in thisway, call Pastor Jim and he'll help get you started.

Music and Meditations

Wednesday, March 4th - 7:30 p.m.

You are invited to a special contemplative worship service. A trio of jazz musicians fromthe Phoenix area will lead us in a time of meditation and quiet worship combined with scripture and visuals. It will be a time to come away from the rush and crush of life; to breathedeeply and be refreshed. Be sure to join us and invite friends.

MARCH WORSHIP/PREACHING -The first Sunday in March opens the Lenten season.During Lent, we will join Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem. We will look at the stories of Jesus' life through the lens that Paul presents to us when he tells us that our lives are "inChrist". How does it change how we live, if we join Jesus in his journey to his death andresurrection. We will be praying Soren Kierkegaard's prayer, "O Lord Jesus Christ, save usfrom the error of wishing to admire you instead of being willing to follow you and resembleyou." March 1 - Mk 1.9-15 -"The Start of the Journey" - Jim G

March 8 - Mk 8.31-38 -"Give Up Your Life/Take Up Your Cross" - JG

March 15 - Jn 2.13-22 -"What Is Your Focus?" - Jim G

March 22 - Jn 3.14-22 -"What I True Love?" - Jim G

March 29 - Jn 1220-33 -"We'd Like to See Jesus" - Jim G

CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL BY-LAWS

We will have our last conversation on March 1st at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. We anticipate that some time in the following month, we will have a Congregational Meeting atwhich a finished draft of the by-laws will be read into the minutes for later action in August.The Executive Committee has decided that we will follow the current constitution literally,waiting one year from presentation of the constitution to the vote, and so we will not vote onthe constitution and by-laws until an extra mid-August Congregational Meeting.

NEW ADDRESSES for families who've recently moved into new homes:

Peter & Tina Kelly Jon, Sarah & Rebekah Cerrona 117 Hunters Run Circle NW 4583 Hilo Cleveland, TN 37312 Fremont, CA 94538 423.476.7222 501.659.1707

Daylight Savings Time Begins March 8

Spring forward, fall back

Women's Bible Study

Women's Bible Study is on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am. We are studying Hebrews this year, ably lead by Marian Ecklund and supported by Nancy Baldwinson. We look forward to seeing you!

Women's Lunch Bunch

We will look forward to lunching together at the Country Gourmet in Sunnyvale on Thursday, March 5 at 11:30 am. Please call Ona Avent (408-984-7625) for more information.

Stretch Yoga Class

We continue our Stretch Yoga class on Wednesdays at Noon during the spring. Call Kay Roberts (408-255-7817) for more information.

Men's Lunch

We will be meeting on Thursday, March 5th at Noon. We'll be looking for you at Brian's Restaurant in Los Altos in the Rancho Shopping Center on Foothill and Magdalena. Please call Jim Gaderlund at 650.967.7447 with any questions.

Booklover's Group will be meeting on March 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Ruth Magnuson's house to talk about the books we love to read. See Ruth for more details!

BLESSING OF A CHILD Sonia Mai Ecklund, daughter of Kier and Hung Ecklund, was dedicated to the Lord on February 15, 2009 with her grandparents, Stan & Marian Ecklund, and Uncle and Aunt, present with Kier and Hung. Pray for Sonia and the family and bless her each time you see her with the grace of our Lord.

Some other new babies in our larger family: Dale & Sara Lusk welcomed Sawyer Isaac Lester Lusk to their family on February 14, 2009. He was 7lb 4oz and 20 inches long. In Japan,Ryan & Isabella Klint gave Dave & Jean their first granddaughter, Isabella Charles LauraKlint, born on February 12, 2009, 19.4 inches, 7 lbs 15.8 ounces.

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MISSION SPRINGS Winter/Spring 2009 CAMP RETREAT BROCHURES AND POSTCARD FLYERS 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

Moms & Daughters Weekend Feb. 6-8, 2009 Men's Conference Mar. 27-29, 2009 Dads & Daughters Weekend April 24-26, 2009

Detailed brochures and registrations information are available online atwww.missionsprings.com.