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Jesus had important decisions to make. To make them he prayed and kept a fast. A fast is a personal act of devotion to God. It is not a hunger strike. It is not anorexia nervosa. It is a disciplined diet, not total abstention from food. During a religious fast, you may still eat, but intentionally abstain from some foods. Traditionally, people have fasted by eliminating some items from their diet: often abstaining from meat. Or during a fast, a person might choose to drink only water. It is often believed that when Jesus fasted he abstained from all foods except water, honey and nuts.

To fast, we might eliminate one or two items from our diet which we would regularly eat. Every time we have a desire to eat those things, we will be reminded of our fast and that will remind us of the reason for our fast, and we can pray instead of eating. This will have immense spiritual benefit. Our stomach becomes a spiritual snooze alarm!

Ancient Jews fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. Early Christians fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, because they believed Jesus commanded them to observe those days as fast days: Wednesday to commemorate His betrayal, and Friday to commemorate His crucifixion.

My personal recommendation and challenge for spiritual discipline:

Follow the ancient Christian practice of morning and evening prayer.

Have a nice long chat with God first thing in the morning and in the evening. If you have a habit of taking a daily walk, you could resolve to talk to God during that entire walk.

Pray at each meal and before going to sleep. Regular, faithful conversations with God make a difference in the spirit of our life. We think it is important to have quality time with our children. How much more God wants quality time with us!

Fast when you need intensive prayer. Instead of eating your usual treat, pray.

Jesus went to the mountain and prayed all night. When was the last time you prayed for ten minutes?

Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights to prepare for His ministry. When was the last time you skipped lunch to spend the time with God?

Let’s use this Lenten Season to intentionally grow in our relationship with God! With Jesus, let us fast and pray.

Pastor Frank

Community Good Friday Service

Friday, April 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

Richland Center Fellowship

The Richland County Ministerial Association (RCMA) is sponsoring a community Good Friday service on Friday, April 2. As part of this service, Richland Center Fellowship has agreed to the use of their building for a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ.

Each church in the RCMA is being asked to recruit two people who would be willing to be involved in this re-enactment.

There will be a two hour rehearsal on Friday, March 26, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. If you would be willing to be in the Good Friday re-enactment, please speak with Pastor Frank as soon as possible.

Easter Offering

Our Easter Offering for this year will be divided between Passages and A Child’s Place.

We will send out, the middle of March, Pastor Frank’s Easter letter with a special offering envelope inside. Both Passages and A Child’s Place need our financial help. Please give accordingly, to help these two organizations as part of your Easter offering.

Easter Lilies

Easter falls on the 4^th of April this year. If you would like to bring in a lily or two during Holy Week and would like to dedicate it to "in memory of" or "in honor of" a loved one, we will include this in the bulletin on Easter morning.

Please let Lorraine Ewing know if you will be bringing in a plant and then let the office know as well so we can get the correct information in the bulletin.

Lilies can be brought in during the week of March 29 and put in the Kindergarten Room. We will have a table set up for you to place your plant(s) on. Please make sure to pick up your lily after the worship service on Easter morning. Any plants left on Monday will be donated to the area nursing homes for the residents to enjoy.

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly".

–Richard Bach

Prayer Shawls and Baby Blankets

2010 UMW Assembly

by: Betty Doherty

From April 30 to May 2, I will be attending the Assembly in St. Louis. The Assembly happens every four years and is open to all United Methodist Women and others world-wide. I have found it to be a most inspiring and spiritual experience. There is always special music, Bible studies, many displays, excellent speakers and many activities to help women on their spiritual journeys. We are inspired by the mission of the United Methodist Women. Displays show many mission sites and programs that are supported by our money. There are approximately 300 sites and programs world-wide and approximately 100 in the United States. Our money combines with money from others around the world to help support these sites and projects. In this way, we do make a difference.

The vision of the United Methodist Women is "turning faith, hope and love into action for women, children and youth around the world". It affirms our commitment to helping women experience and articulate their faith, hear God’s call in their lives and find ways to offer themselves in mission.

We are asked to bring prayer shawls and baby blankets to the Assembly. These will be distributed to mission institutions and persons in physical and/or spiritual need. Some of the shawls will be available for sale with the money going to Mission Giving.

The shawls and blankets may be sewn with fabric, knitted or crocheted. Suggested sizes for the prayer shawls are: triangles 65" long and 32" from center back; rectangles 19"x69" or 14"x70". Baby blankets are 30"x30", 32"x32", 36"x36" or 38"x38". These are only suggested sizes.

I am hoping to take several baby blankets and prayer shawls with me to the Assembly. You may leave your finished items in a box by the fire place in Friends Room.

Please, in the spirit of Faith-Hope-Love-Action, use your talents and skills to share warmth and love with others. If you need yarn, there is some in the Friends Room kitchen. Thank you.

UMW Spring Retreat

The Spring Retreat at Bethel Horizons, March 26 - 27, Joy From Beginning ...To End. The Spring Retreat is a program where you can be yourself, experience spiritual enrichment, meet with old friends and gain new friends, connect with God and allow him to guide you in your mission, your purpose and set aside 24 hours with God. Yes, 24 hours!

***March 10*** is the Registration Deadline. Please be sure to check the UMW bulletin board in the Union Street foyer for details and registration blanks.

UMW Cluster Meetings

April 14, 2010

Avoca UMC - 6:30 p.m.

The UMW Spring Cluster Meeting’s theme is "Expanding Mission through Education and Action." The emphasis for the meeting will be placed on learning more about the national goal of Environmental problems with the focus on "Water Issues".

The Mission project will be to collect cash/check donations for the New Sudan Education Initiative School. Checks may be made out to the Coulee District UMW, with a notation on the memo line "NeSEI". The leaders for our Spring Cluster Meeting are Deb Yanske, Lorraine Ewing and Betty Schott.

All United Methodist Women are encouraged to attend our Spring Cluster Meeting.

Girls Retreat

Our 5^th - 7^th grade girls held a sleep-over on February 12-13 under the direction of Pam Peterson-Kintz. Pam reports that everyone had a great time and they are looking forward to doing something again in the near future.

It was a great time to have our girls invite other girls to spend the night. There were 2 fifth graders, 2 sixth graders and 4 seventh graders. Pam said this was a good way to talk about God and girl stuff. They made baby blankets and donated them to Passages.

Pastoral Calls

It is difficult to keep up on news and concerns since I’m not in residence in the community full-time. I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know of a parishioner who is hospitalized or ill at home.

You may call my home at 608-224-1593, my cell phone at 608-443-6361 or the church office at 647-4559. You may also e-mail me at frgaylord@charter.net with the information.

By your helping me out with this information, will help me to be a better pastor to you and those around you and also keep me connected.

Lenten Schedule

Our Mid-week Lenten Worship Services will be held at Schmitt Woodland Hills in the 2^nd Floor Activity Room. All services will begin at 7:00 p.m. and there will be refreshments served after the service.

The churches involved are Bloom City/Boaz UMC’s, First Baptist Church, The Church of the Nazarene, Peace/Trinity UMC’s and Schmitt Woodland Hills.

There will be a free will offering taken at every Wednesday evening service and it will go to the Salvation Army.

March 3 - Speaker: Pastor Frank Gaylord.

Peace UMC & Trinity UMC

March 10 - Speaker: Pastor Charles Hayes,

The Church of the Nazarene

March 17 - Speaker: Pastor Barbara S. Miller,

Bloom City UMC & Boaz UMC

March 24 - Soup & Sandwich Meal starting at 5:00 p.m.

Speaker: Rev. Craig Peach

Schmitt Woodland Hills

April 1 - Maundy Thursday

There will be two services:

11:00 a.m. at Trinity UMC

7:00 p.m. at Peace UMC

April 2 - Good Friday

There will be two services:

10:00 a.m. at SWH

7:00 p.m. at Richland Center Fellowship

Everyone is encouraged to attend these services as the community of Richland Center comes together during the Lenten season.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Schmitt Woodland Hills and their staff for helping support our area churches and its members during Lent. You are a blessing to our community.

Scripture for the Month of March

7^th: Isaiah 55:1-9

Psalm 63:1-8

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

14^th: Joshua 5:9-12

Psalm 32

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

21^st: Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:4b-14

John 12:1-8

28^th: Palm Sunday:

Luke 19:28-40

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:14-23:56 or

Luke 23:1-49

Passion Sunday:

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:14-23:56 or

Luke 23:1-49

April 1^st: Holy Thursday or

Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS

Mission Emphasis for March

Phil & Kris Nelson Family

Sentani, Indonesia

Phil, Kris, Daniel, Timmy and Laura Nelson who are currently serving in Sentani, Indonesia through Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) are the Mission Emphasis for this month.

For those who don’t know, Kris is Dr. Blackmore’s daughter who was a teacher at UW-Richland Campus. Kris attended our church as a teenager.

Phil is a pilot and will get the chance to fly the new Kodiak plane that MAF has just put on the field.

Haiti through UMCOR

We want to thank everyone who gave to help the people in Haiti. We’re happy to say that almost $2,500 was given through Peace Church.

We have Health Kits that were sent out the end of February. Thanks for giving!

JESUS Film Project

If you would like to see one of the greatest tools ever to help spread the Word of God - it’s right in our library. It is the "JESUS" film using all the words of Jesus from the book of Luke. Please take it home and watch it as a family. This film is translated into over 1,000 languages.

Lowell & Claudia Wertz Updates

The New Year has begun with everyone back in ‘full swing’ as we again have the needed funds to continue our ministries of teaching, feeding and helping the poor, and building; so we can all go forward.

As we look forward to these next couple of months, we will be catching up on a backlog of office work - not Lowell’s favorite job. We’ll be continuing the finishing work of the Community Center building and a large utility building (holding a water tank, pump room, generator room, and laundry room) and an over-flow guesthouse.

Our guesthouses continue to be a huge blessing. One is named the KITLEY HOUSE and one the CALVIN HOUSE. One of our recent guests asked, "How did you come up with those names?" I said, "They paid for it - would you like one with your name on it?" Right now there is a missionary couple living in our guesthouse while they build their home, up the lake in a distant village, where there are no missionaries. It’s a trick to build a house where there are no roads or other means of transportation other than boat!

We are so grateful to you and we will keep you posted on what is happening here. May God bless you richly this year as together, we serve the Lord.

Heifer International

Thank you for choosing to help families in need this year by supporting Heifer International! We are so pleased to thank you for your very generous donations this past year.

Below is a list of what you purchased and the amount.

1 goat for $120.00

1 share of a goat for $22.71

1 sheep for $120.00

1 share of a sheep for $20.00

12 shares of rabbits for $120.00

16.5 flocks of chickens for $330.09

1 heifer for $500.00

For a total of $1,232.80. Once again thank you very much.

Please note for 2010, the adults are collecting to send a water buffalo and the children are collecting for a lamb.

Scholarship Opportunity

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2010-2011 Kenneth M. Orchard Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to aid needy and qualified undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus who are United Methodists. It was established by gifts made by family, friends and colleagues of the late Kenneth M. Orchard. Scholarships normally range from $200-$600 and are awarded to several recipients each year. Applications are due by April 25. Please contact the office if you are interested in applying

In Memory of: John E. Jacob

May 30, 1924 to February 12, 2010

John Emil Jacob, age 84, died on Friday, February 12, at Pine Valley Healthcare. He was born May 30, 1924 in Hell Hollow, Ithaca Township, Richland County, the son of Anna (Riedel) and Emil F. Jacob.

John attended Oakwood Grade School and graduated from Ithaca Union High School in 1942. He served in the Navy from 1944-1946. Following his graduation from Platteville State Teachers College in 1951, he taught at Fall Creek, Lone Rock and Ithaca Schools. He and his brother Donald owned and operated the Ithaca Service Station.

John was united with Patricia Etscheid on June 5, 1954 in Waterloo, Wisconsin. He bought a farm in 1955 near Gotham. In 1964, he was appointed Post Master in Lone Rock, retiring in 1984. Following his retirement, he had a number of part-time jobs in Richland Center, including at the Shopping News.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pat of Richland Center. Their children: Cathy Jacob (John Mueller) of Cambria; Karen (Kenneth) Tetzlaff of Lone Rock; David (Nancy) Jacob of Bamberg, Germany and Amy Jacob (Bob Brown) of Lone Rock. Several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 20, at Pratts. Burial was in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Willow Township where military rites were provided by the local Veterans Military Memorial Honors Unit.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the Military Honor Roll Memorial.

We would like to extend our sympathies to Pat and their children, from Peace. John will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Sunday, March 14, 2010

ACT justly

LOVE mercy

WALK humbly

"She’s only 26 years old and came to me in tears. In a whisper the girl said to me, ‘I’m afraid. I think I have AIDS, but please do not tell my family.’" Angie Willicore tells this woman’s story to illustrate the terrible stigma of AIDS in Liberia. Angie is a registered nurse for Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia, and head of the community-based HIV/AIDS counseling team.

"I want to relax them and get them to talk," said Angie of her approach for patients such as this young woman. "Talk, talk, talk. Every time, this is how I gain their trust. They then come straight back to me." With her hand tapping at the door, Angie continues, "See this door? It’s always open, and they know I will talk to them. I’ve even learned how to take blood directly for the HIV test because people don’t want to leave this room and go to the lab."

UMCOR supports Ganta and 16 other United Methodist hospitals in Africa and Asia in their community-based health programs, such as the HIV/AIDS ministry at Ganta Hospital. Committed people like Angie live out God’s command to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly.

Through comprehensive programs like these that help provide healing and hope for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, UMCOR is there on your behalf providing help to people in distress.

Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation of all of UMCOR’S work by covering the costs of doing business. This means all gifts designated to specific programs can go 100% to those programs because UMCOR’s basic expenses are covered.

Another example of how One Great Hour of Sharing helped those in Haiti.

When the first tremors of the earthquake in Haiti rocked that island nation, UMCOR (United Committee on Relief) staff were already in the country, strategizing how United Methodists could help improve the lives of the people there. Their work is a direct result of the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, which supports the operating expenses of those who bring healing and help in our name. It makes it possible, when we respond to an emergency, like Haiti, to know that 100% of our gift goes directly to where the suffering is happening. Every year, but this year more than ever, please give generously so we can continue to help where we are needed.

Wisconsin United Methodists Raise $187,396.96 For Haiti!

(The following article was received via e-mail from the Conference Office).

Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, Wisconsin United Methodists have rallied to provide support for Haitians in need. Already, these efforts have made quite a difference. The Wisconsin Conference reported $187,396.93 in donations from members of local churches on February 9. One hundred percent of these donations will go directly to aid efforts in Haiti - which include the distribution of food, water, medical supplies, and other resources - because of the financial assistance that UMCOR received in part through the General Board of Global Ministries from apportionments.

In addition, churches have brought layette kits and 250 health kits. The Wisconsin Conference and UMCOR would like to thank all, who have made donations, for your generosity.

Please give generously on March 14 to One Great Hour of Sharing.

Builders Fellowship

Builder’s will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, starting with a potluck. Ron Fruit will be our guest speaker for the program part of our evening. He will be speaking on the history of WRCO.

All are welcome to attend.

Our annual Walk with GRACE Hymn Sing will be Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Peace. More details next month

UMW Calendar at a Glance

UMW Calendar for March

5^th - 9:00 a.m. - World Day of Prayer sponsored by Church Women United

9^th - 9:15 a.m. - Thrift Shop - Rebecca

9^th - 1:30 p.m. - Ruth Circle

Hazel Marshall - Lesson

Rita Staum - Lunch

18^th - 1:30 p.m. - Rebecca Circle

Ramona Adsit/Ariel Ferguson - Lesson

Gert Walter - Lunch

22^nd - 9:15 a.m. - Thrift Shop - Ruth

26^th - 27^th - Spring Retreat - Bethel Horizon

31^st - 11:30 p.m. - PWEO - Place TBA

Spring Retreat. There is another article in the newsletter explaining about the Retreat.

April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Coulee District Spring Cluster Meetings. Our Cluster meeting will be held at Avoca UMC. There is a more complete article in this newsletter.

"Reach up as far as you can, and God will reach down all the rest of the way."

–John Vincent

To Our Church Family,

We want to thank you for all the prayers and cards as well as the plant that was delivered to me while I was in the hospital.

We are so blessed to have a Church Family.

Thank you,

Roger & Ardella Barnes

Dear Peace Church,

Thank you to all who helped publicize, contributed food or worked together to make the Haiti Fundraiser a big success. We grossed over $8,400 and, after all expenses were subtracted, we netted $6,641.83 to go to the Salvation Army for Haiti relief. This bottom line included $800 in matching funds from Thrivent Insurance.

Since we underestimated the amount of fish needed, we had to round up fish from all suppliers in town and the extra fish cost a bit more than if it had all come from Sysco. However, I think we were fortunate just to find the extra fish needed. God provided.

We had at least 700 in attendance but we lost count and there could have been more like 800-900 by the time we were done. What I thought was most remarkable was the good spirit of so many Christians from various churches working and eating together for such an important cause. I believe this was a great witness to the community that our Christian churches here can each have their own views but still love each other and work together for mission.

God’s Blessings to all,

Pastor Ken Halstead,

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Dear Peace Family,

Words can’t even describe the joy you have put back in our hearts. The Love of Christ flows through our church by the generosity of our members. On behalf of my family and I, I would like to thank you for being our light in a dark cloud.

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father". Matthew 5:16

P.S. Some of the things we received in bulk will be going to 2 health kits for Haiti and to the Food Pantry. I really love to pay it forward for Jesus. Many thanks to everyone!

God Bless!

Dear Peace Church,

Many days in the hallway at Riverdale the following words can be heard outside my First Grade classroom. "Mrs. Baker, can I borrow some gloves?" "I can’t find my hat." Students come back the next year to borrow from the locker full of winter items. They think I am magical and are very appreciative of the items that you generously donate to our School District.

Your warm hearts keep little hands warm here!

Thanks,

Jeannie Baker

Dear Peace Congregation,

Thank you for letting the RCMA use your beautiful tablecloth for the Wedding Show. It was perfect!

God Bless you all,

Pastor Mary Jeffries,

Committee Chair

Church Mouse

Can I just say, "I’m on vacation?" I really don’t want to work. I would just as soon go find a nice spot and sleep. I found this really nice hidey hole in Pastor Frank’s office where I can sleep and even he can find me. It’s perfect! For a mouse, that is. Just don’t tell him to move that red box on his desk!

Did you notice the big cross in the sanctuary? You know the one with the purple cloth on it? Have you noticed that it’s a bit longer on one end? Yup! You guessed it. I tried to swing on it and the cloth slipped. How was I supposed to know that stuff was slippery! You know who found me hanging upside down with my foot caught in the strings. I was so glad to see a human that morning since I had been hanging like that for hours! She wasn’t exactly happy to see me.

Anyway, someone says I’m supposed to remind everyone that the deadline for the April issue of Peace To You will be noon on Monday, March 15.

Now if I can just find a way to swing. . .