MOSES WINS!

Last night in Bible Idol, the Favorite finally won. In previous weeks, we were suprised by "underdogs" moving forward-- Noah was ousted by Abraham, Joseph beaten by Rebekah. But last night, the favorite stole the show. Moses was our winner along with his rousing rendition of "Pharaoh Pharaoh" and his miraculous journey from child to hero. It was an exciting round of competition, and the judges did a terrific job!

Also in Primtime last night the Scrapbookers kept working and the Study groups met for their discussions. Dinner was grilled cheese and soup... the perfect meal on a cold February night!

The youth worked on their Puppet act for Friday's cabaret. They are really working hard to create a great act!

Sorry we missed you...won't you please join us next week?

PRIMETIME PREVIEW!

Are you freezing? Then come in out of the cold and warm up with another "hot" night of programming here at CSUMC's Primetime!

Tonight all sorts of rehearsals and activities will be in full swing to prepare us for Friday's Cabaret! The Childrens and Youth Choirs will be rehearsing, the youth puppeteers will be getting their act in shape, and everyone will be helping with set up!

Additionally, another delicious dinner will be served at 6:15 in the Dining Room. The cost is only 2.50 for individuals and $10 for families!

The kids will continue their search for "The Bible's Biggest Star" in tonights installment of BIBLE IDOL! Tonights contestants are the Exodus heroes Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. Who will move one step closer tonight? Think you know the answer? Stay tuned!

There are only 2 more weeks left of the scrapbooking class! This group will meet this Wednesday and Next Wednesday as well.

Also, the Gospel of John study continues...this takes place from 7-8 pm and is taught by our own Ray Rhoads. Come for dinner and stay for the study!

This Week at Court Street

It's another busy week at Court Street!

Today:
9:00 Quilters/History and Archives
6:00 Bell Choir*
7:00 Chancel Choir*

Tomorrow (Wednesday):
6:30am and 7:00 pm Fellowship of Christian Men Group
5:30 PRIMETIME!!!
5:30 Kids Choir/ Youth in Balcony West
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Bible Idol/ Youth Choir
7:30 Rejoice! Rehearsal

After Rejoice! Rehearsal, there will be set-up work for Friday's Cabaret.

Thursday:
7:00 Task Force

Friday:
7:00 CABARET!!!! This is our annual talent/variety show. Please come join us for our Carribean
Fiesta!-- If you are joining us, please park in 2nd Congregational's lot.
7:30 Mendelssohn Concert in the Sanctuary: Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Tickets available by
contacting Medelssohn at 964-9713

Sunday:
8:00 Worship in the Chapel
8:45 Rejoice! Worship in the Sanctuary
9:10 Better Living Sunday School Class
9:30 Lamplighters
9:50 Sunday School
10:45 Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
After Worship: Ad Council and Task Force Meeting (Dining Room)
5:30 Youth Nite!

*Due to today's weather, please contact the church to be sure these activities are still happening!

The Sunday Summary

We had a GREAT day at Court Street this Sunday! We held a combined service where all of our members worshipped together. It was a great service. One of the highlights of the service was the dedication of the "Artisans Quilt" which was a project initiated by former pastor of CSUMC, Rev. Norma Lee Barnhart as part of her work towrad her Doctor of Ministry Degree. It was presented to the congregation and consecrated by Pastor Keith, Verlette Gorman, Perky Flynn-Heath, Rita Johnson, Jereve Miller and Rae Ann Wlaters. Others who worked on the project included Rev. Barnhart, Tim Gorman, and Bruce Johnson. Here is a picture of the quilt!

It was a great day for music at Court Street, too. The Youth Choir presented "Chatter with the Angels" and the Chancel Choir presented "They That Wait Upon the Lord". I (Becca) was lucky enough to get to play my flute along with the choir which was quite a treat for me. The Ju-Bell-ation Bell Choir also participated by ringing on our closing hymn "This Is the Feast of Victory".

It was also the first sunday of the month so we celebrated the Sacrament fo Holy Communion together. There was something really special about the whole congregation getting to partake together.

The Scriptures for the week wer Isaiah 6: 1-8 (The Call of Isaiah) and Luke 5: 1-11 (Fishers of Men)." I attempted to actually fish for people during the children's time, but the children quickly corrected me and taught me that Jesus meant for us to actually go out into our community and bring people in instead of sitting in the sanctuary with a fishin' pole.

Pastor Keith's sermon, "Did You Hear?" was about being called and how difficult it might be to say "Here I am Lord" like Isaiah Did. He challenged us to change our mindset about what it means to be a downtown church. A few points from his sermon:

• There are many kinds of calls. Some are calls from God, some calls compete with God.


• We often feel inadequate or unqualified when God calls us to do something.


• God does not call qualified people. God qualifies the people whom God calls.


• "We are here today because we were called by a God who loves us and wants us to make something out of nothing."


• God is aking us to trust and then work: hard work, creativity, inguinuity.


• "Lets not be afraid to make our city and our church what it can be."

Pastor Keith, Rob Kennan, and I were also treated to a reception in the dining room presented by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. It was a great chance to fellowship together as a whole church and for all of us to meet all of you! Thanks to SPRC for making this happen.

Soup-er Bowllllll Sundaaaaay!

The Soup-er Bowl party was a great success. We had about 20 kids, youth, and adults gather at Forest Hills Lanes in Loves Park for food, fun, and of course BOWLING! It was a great night and we had alot of fun together.

Here's the link to the pictures!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81463035@N00/


Thanks to everyone who came out tonight and contributed soup to the Food Pantry. Also, special thanks to Kathy and Diane for all their help making tonight happen.

Something to look forward to!

We're going to have a big day on Sunday at Court Street...with so much going on you definately don't want to miss it!

We'll be celebrating worship as a combined congregation at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary...we will be together as one whole family of God this week!

Sunday school classes will meet at 9 am this week.

We'll be dedicating the "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" quilt that the artisan group put together. This is an AMAZINGLY beautiful quilt that shows off all the areas of our church. You will be impressed with this beautiful work of art.

Also, after the service we'll be celebrating in the Dining Room at a reception for all the new staff that have come to Court Street in the past year. Now would be the perfect time for everyone to meet Pastor Keith, Rob, and myself Becca.

The Youth are having thier Soup-er Bowl party at Forest Hills Lanes (in Loves Park) at 4:30. Admission is a can of soup. Come BOWLLLLLL with us!

REBKEAH WINS!!!

It was a great night at Bible Idol...it was a very close contest between Joseph and Rebekah. The judges were clearly unimpressed by Jacob. Perhaps it was his constant fighting with his brother Esau, or his favoritism towards one of his children, but the judges knocked Jacob out of hte running early. But as the scores came in, it became clear that the race between Joseph and Rebekah would come down to the wire. While all the adults clearly thought that Joseph would win, afterall he has that famous coat and all! But, well, Rebekah came out on top! It was indeed a suprise, but she'll be moving on to the final rounds of competition.

In addition to Bible Idol, the rest of Primetime was great too! We had a delicious meal and some great fellowship with one another. The Scrapbookers were working feverishly, the youth were their usual crazy selves, and the kids and youth choirs practiced. Additionally the men's group had a meeting with Pastor Keith as well.

We're sorry you weren't there to join in the fun!! Join us next week!