As we come into March each of us looks forward to Spring; the cold weather March 2013 will subside and

we will begin to see the signs of green grass, flower bulbs and trees budding. It gives us hope that the past days of grayness and cold will Cicero United soon be gone. Some peoples hope will be so strong that they will begin to Methodist Church plan and sometimes plan too soon. We must remember that God has His timP AST OR B yron Frit z ing and we need not run ahead. It is the same with the hope that we will find at P. O. Box 617 the end of this Lenten season, when we will celebrate Easter. Easter is the ultiCicero, IN. 46034 mate hope, to know that the grayness and cold of death will be swallowed up in the brightness of the resurrection. That hope grows and becomes more real Pastor 1 as our lives grow older, partly because we have to deal with the reality of death more often. I hear my father, who has just turned 88 years old, tell me his General News 2-7 main events are going to the funeral home; many of the men he worked with and friends he had in school are gone. Death has come and gone oh so freBirthdays & quently. But there is hope; we know that the event of Easter gives us the Anniversaries 4 strength to know that death is not the end, that death is truly the beginning of a life that God has put before us. Again, we must remember that God has His Those Serving 5 timing and we must learn to trust in Him daily. This past weekend, as I was on the Chrysalis Flight with 30 teenagers, we heard over and over again of youth Prayer Requests 6 who had friends who were murdered, and illnesses that ended in death. Our timing is not the same as God, but let us not put accidents into the hands of Youth 5 God as if God made them happen. One phrase that we need to never use is God took them. This paints the picture of a God up in heaven going around March Readings 7 and deciding to just take people at His choosing. The phrase that needs to be said is God receives them. There are such things as accidents, and evil peoJust for Kids 8 ple who cause deaths, so such things are because of our own choosing, to walk in a path that does not please God. The other idea is that when something bad Calendar 9 happens that it is a person is being punished by God. Again, this paints the picture of a God who will always punish us for the things that we do. If that is true I think we would be seeing Sodom and Gomorrah events in our lives. Remember we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Yes God does judge, but God also shows mercy and grace. In this season that seems to bring to your mind coldness and death, let us look toward the Easter that brings warmth and life.

In The Story of the Easter Robin (Zonderkidz), Dandi Daley Mackall retells an old Pennsylvania Dutch tale of the robins compassion as he witnessed Jesus death. On Good Friday, a plain brown robin flying over Jerusalem was curious about the nest atop Jesus head. When the bird realized it was a crown of thorns, he tried to dislodge it. As the robin pulled out a long thorn from Jesus forehead, a drop of blood landed on the robins breast, staining it red. Now the robins red breast is a symbol of Jesus loving sacrifice, and th robins early-Spring song is a Reminder of Jesus joyful resurrection.

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IMPORTANT
All Committees Meet 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10th. Church Council Meets 1:00 - 2:30p.m. Sunday, March 10th.
(A light lunch will be provided for those staying for Church Council.)

It is important that everyone involved plan to be present at their meeting!

WEATHER ALERTS The season for bad weather is upon us. We may have to notify you of delays or cancellations. Any delay or closing will be publicized on Fox 59 & CW 4. Please tune in to one of these stations if you are unsure about any delays.

IMPORANT L

L Update

Thank you to those who have contributed to purchase the new plastic cafeteria-type trays and soup cups. We are now using very minimal consumable paper products! Volunteers are needed to prepare meals in March, and we need 3 volunteers to take the dishes home each week to be washed in home dishwashers. Please see Jeannie Ecker, if you can help. Our attendance has been low this winter, but our guests always enjoy a warm meal and great fellowship. The Lenten programs have started, and everyone is invited to join us each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.!

College Students
We will be collecting money and/or $5 gift cards to send to our college students in early April. If you would like to contribute to this project, please see Jeannie Ecker or place your monetary donation in the offering plate with COLLEGE STUDENTS in the memo line. Appropriate gift cards include Starbucks, Target, Subway, Wal-Mart, McDonald's, etc. The deadline for contributions is Sunday, April 7th. If your college student was not on our December 2012 list, please submit the information to the church office for inclusion in this project.

VBS
THEME: Everywhere Fun Fair DATES: June 3-7 from 5-8 p.m. each evening Come out for a VBS Kick Off Carnival 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on June 2nd More info to come!!!!

If you have changed e-mail addresses or have never given your email address to the church office, please do it so we can keep our emailing list updated and keep you informed of church activities

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Angels Attic Food Pantry and the CUMC Food Closet Food Collection Barrel
Angels Attic is a twice weekly operation (Tuesday 6-7 pm and Thursday 6-7 pm), with a managed distribution process, that provides food to families once a month. The CUMC Food Closet is now operating as an emergency food source based on referrals from Chris Miller, the Jackson Township Trustee. During normal Church office hours, Nancy or Byron will help with distribution requests. After hours, Mike Murphy or Karen Mann will help with distribution requests. This past year there was a tremendous need for food by local families in the Cicero, Arcadia area. Both Angels Attic and the CUMC food programs have depended on sources such as the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank (HCHFB). As of May of last year, the HCHFBs inventory was almost depleted. Normally, the HCHFB is able to maintain an adequate inventory until late summer or early fall, at which time the traditional food drives begin. This year, the demand has exceeded the normal year. As an opportunity to help . . . . . . please feed the Angels Attic Food Pantry (and CUMC Food Closet) Collection Barrel, located in the Narthex. All non-perishable food is appreciated! Paper products and canned meats are also GREATLY appreciated!

COPIES OF THE UPPER ROOM ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX

LAY LEADER / CHURCH COUNCIL CHAIR Along with Susie Browning and Pastor Byron, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop on "Encouraging the Joy of Generous Giving" that was presented by the United Methodist Rejuvenate Ministry committee. It was a workshop that was well worth the time spent and I think we all came away with new ways of thinking about giving in our church. It is a workshop that I would recommend to all of our church leadership and fortunately, is available again on Saturday, May 4 in Kokomo. It is a lively 4 hour workshop that presents new ways about looking at giving in the United Methodist Church. One thing we learned was that Stewardship is more than just money. Stewardship is a very big word in the Green Movement. In that movement it means the care of our planet that has been entrusted to us. As Christians, we know who has created this planet on which we live and we know who has entrusted it to our care. God has entrusted the care of this planet to us. Yet, we as humans,have made some very poor - even stupid - decisions on how we treat His creation. And even as we have made some poor decisions on our care of this planet, we have probably made some poor decisions on our giving and how the needs of the church can be presented. If you are interested in learning more about the "Encouraging the Joy of Generous Giving" workshop please speak with Susie, Pastor Byron or me. I will be happy to get you the information that you will need in order to enroll.

~Dennis Schrumpf, Church Council Chair & Lay Leader

March Worship Events

March 17 - Childrens Choirs will perform March 24 - Palm Sunday Penny Raiders (UMCOR One Great Hour of Sharing) Every Wednesday we have a short Monologue called Six Lives-Six Stories at 6:30 during LOL March 28 Maundy Thursday 7:00 we will be having a Tenebrae Service called Lovelight. March 29 Good Friday 7:00 United Family Wesleyan Church. The Tri Town Ministerial Association will be putting on a live Last Supper with communion for all the churches in the area. March 31 Sunrise Service at 23 Point Lane 7:00 a.m., followed by breakfast at CUMC. No Sunday school. Church will be at 10:30.

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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES: 3 - Zach Osborn 5 - Harold & Doris Chattin 4 - Nancy Cook 17 - Dennis & Evelyn Schrumpf 8 - Maranda Pennington 21 - John & Susan Peterson 10 - Logan Fleming 11 - Mark Patterson 12 - Mandie Dixon 14 - Dar Gilmore 15 - Joe Veger 16 - Karen Rice, Jay Dunbar 18 - Tom Mollet, Luke Shotwell, Don Dane & Jill Fleming 22 - Lynda K. Smith 26 - Matt Rice 27 - Jerry Cook If you are not presently on our birthday & anniversary lists, and would like to be added, please let me know. We will be more than happy to add you.
Walking With God Enoch, Noahs great-grandfather, lived to be 365. But he didnt die; instead, God took him away to heaven (Genesis 5:24). The reason according to the Bible, is that Enoch walked with God. Such intimate communion with God, said Edward Griffin (1770-1837), is very fitly represented by two close friends walking together, engrossed with each other, unmindful of all the world besides. Griffin added: When two friends thus walk together they keep the same course, and thus are advancing toward the same object. So the [person] who walks with God is conformed to Him in moral character. Benevolence reigns.

March Scouting News

Five Webelos Scouts crossed over into Boy Scouts on Sunday evening, February 10 and are now a part of the Scout Troop. The Troop welcomes these new members into their ranks. The Venture Crew returned from the Venture Kick Back Weekend in Michigan. They traveled to a scout camp near Holland, Michigan in the Gerald R. Ford Council to participate in a weekend of fun in the snow. The Crew members went ice fishing and snowmobiling. I understand a small northern pike was caught by one of the boys in the Crew. He put it back because it wasn't a keeper. The report that I received was that they all had a great time and look forward to participating next year. March is Scouting For Food month. On Saturday, March 16 the Troop and Crew will be putting out Scouting For Food tags around the Town of Cicero. On Saturday, March 23 they will gather up any of the bags of food that have been set out by the people in town. If you reside in Cicero, look for your tag and then put out your food items for the Scouts to collect. If you live outside the town limits but would like to contribute, please bring your food items to the church by Saturday, March 23. All of the food collected in Cicero will stay in the Cicero area. In the past we have supplied the food pantry at Sacred Heart Church and Angels Attic and will do so again this year. We thank you for your support of this national service project of the Boy Scouts of America.
~Dennis Schrumpf, Chartered Partner Representative

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THOSE PERSONS SERVING THE MONTH OF MARCH: 1st Sunday, March 3: Welcome Center: Lannie Nickel Greeters & Ushers: Ed & Pat Catron, Marilyn Gerber, David Wallace Liturgist: Chris Osborn Nursery: Megan Green & Debbee Yeryar 2nd Sunday, March 10th: Welcome Center: Ron & Linda Adamson Greeters & Ushers: Su Simpson, Mary Johnson, Evelyn Schrumpf & Chris Osborn Liturgist: Betty Hann Nursery: Megan Green & Jane Morton 3rd Sunday, March 17th: Welcome Center: Lonnie Whitehead Greeters & Ushers: Lonnie & Karen Whitehead, Jim & Jane Allen Liturgist: Joe Green Nursery: Megan Green & Alexandra Smith 4th Sunday, March 24th: Welcome Center: Jim Allen Greeters & Ushers: Dar & Mel Gilmore, John Rice, Bob Mann Liturgist: Judy Mace Nursery: Megan Green & Mary Johnson 5th Sunday, March 31st: Welcome Center: Johnny Rice Greeters & Ushers: Keith Ecker, Brad Hanni, Jay Dunbar, Bob Mann Liturgist: John Kidwell Nursery: Megan Green & Debbee Yeryar Penny Raiders for March 24th will be for UMCORs One Great Hour of Sharing. 5th Sunday will be for CUMC Compassion Fund. If you cannot serve as listed, please contact the Secretary.

Dare we set our hope and hearts in the hands of a small-town carpenter? The answer rests in the Jerusalem graveyard. If Jesus tomb is empty, then his promise is not. ~Max Lucado, Fearless The Greatest News
Death carries with it a certain dread. It has always been the enemy, the great, mysterious monster that makes people quake with fear. Death stalks the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated. Death is no respecter of race, color or creed. Its shadow haunts us day and night. We never know when the moment of death will come for us. Is there any hope? . . . . The greatest news that mortal ear has ever heard is the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, as he had promised . . . .Because Christ lives, we also shall live. The greatest truth that you can ever hear is that Jesus Christ died but rose again, and that you, too, will die but can rise again into newness of life.
~Billy Graham

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Had a great time learning how we fit in our families this last month. We spent our time exploring our roles in our families at home, our church family, and our Christian family. Love was our key focus, and how we are to show that love to others. We learned that no role is more important than the other, and if we help one another we all can be happier together. We had an Mystery outing this past month, where we went bowling and to the arcade. We had a great time fellowshipping together and a lot of fun. We also started a Bible Trivia this month, each week the kids had "homework" to do. The questions this month were: What made Methuselah special? Where did Samson get his strength? & who was the 13th disciple? (one appointed by man, the other appointed by Jesus). We are doing this to not only strengthen their Bible knowledge but to also have them explore the Bible on their own. Can you answer all these questions? Test the kids to see if they remember. ~Joe Green, Youth Leader CICERO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRAYER LIST
Prayer List policy: Those added to the prayer list will remain there for two weeks. After two weeks they may be deleted. You will need to call the church office in order to reinstate your prayer concerns.

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

Marge Marquis (Harbor Manor, 1667 Sheridan Road, Room # 218, Noblesville, IN 46062) Lena Ketring (c/o Sanders Glen, 334 S. Cherry, Room #231, Westfield, IN 46074, phone 896-9777) Elna Alexander (Monte Alexanders mother) Jo Brown (7235 Riverwalk Way N., Apt. 201, Noblesville, IN 46062) Tom & Anna Davis (The Lodge, Cabin #31, 1667 Sheridan Rd., Noblesville, IN 46062, Phone 317-770-3481) George Kanouse (6350 Winter Park Drive, Apt. #369, North Richland Hills, TX 76180) Martha Clanton P. O. Box 333, 159 N. Byron Street, Cicero, IN 46034 Kyle ONeill Thomas Richards Don Swickert (cancer) Leonard Lee (pancreatic cancer) and wife Mary (dear friend of Sherry Neavear) Tim Mulkey - Dan Smiths uncle (mouth cancer) Carter Nebesio (6 yr. old girl with Leukemia) Marilyn Gerbers sister-in-law (also Marillyn Gerber) Alzheimers Our Country & its Leaders Gary Andrews (Colon Cancer) Our Missionaries & families Brenda Machgan (Jon Coys sister/breast cancer) Our Servicemen and women Dan Smith (heart issues) Cathy Rowley (Brenda Hinz sister) Carl Bentley (being added to the heart transplant list) Sharon Robbins (cancer) Sondra Fruth Ron Pryor Levi Farmer Allegra Hibma Jon Coy

If you would like to be on the church e-mail list to receive prayer requests and other church news, please send your e-mail address to the church office: rethinkchurch@ciceroumc.org. If you do not have e-mail but wish to be on the prayer/information list, please call the church office, 984-4971. Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song.
~Pope John Paul II

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KUDOS TO: the February fellowship dinner team for an enjoyable Valentine's Day themed meal the faithful LOL team who plans and prepares delicious meals and engaging programs week after week Susie and Earline for their beautiful music while Sondra was unable to play the piano those who work behind the scenes each week to make sure our church is safe, clean, and welcoming our new "shepherds" and Welcome Center team members

March Readings
01 Leviticus 24:1-25:46 Mark 10:13-31 Psalm 44:9-26 Proverbs 10:20-21 09 Numbers 11:24-13:33 17 Numbers 26:1-51 Mark 14:22-52 Luke 2:36-52 Psalm 52:1-9 Psalm 60:1-12 Proverbs 11:1-3 Proverbs 11:15 25 Deuteronomy 4:1-49 Luke 6:39-7:10 Psalm 68:1-18 Proverbs 11:28

02 Leviticus 25:47-27:13 10 Numbers 14:1-15:16 Mark 10:32-52 Mark 14:53-72 Psalm 45:1-17 Psalm 53:1-6 Proverbs 10:22 Proverbs 11:4 03 Leviticus 27:14Numbers 1:54 Mark 11:1-26 Psalm 46:1-11 Proverbs 10:23 04 Numbers 2:1-3:51 Mark 11:27-12:17 Psalm 47:1-9 Proverbs 10:24-25 05 Numbers 4:1-5:31 Mark 12:18-37 Psalm 48:1-14 Proverbs 10:26 06 Numbers 6:1-7:89 Mark 12:38-13:13 Psalm 49:1-20 Proverbs 10:27-28 07 Numbers 8:1-9:23 Mark 13:14-37 Psalm 50:1-23 Proverbs 10:29-30 08 Numbers 10:1-11:23 Mark 14:1-21 Psalm 51:1-19 Proverbs 10:31-32

18 Numbers 26:52-28:15 26 Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25 Luke 7:11-35 Luke 3:1-22 Psalm 68:19-35 Psalm 61:1-8 Proverbs 11:29-31 Proverbs 11:16-17
27 Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20 Luke 7:36-8:3 Psalm 69:1-8 Proverbs 12:1 28 Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22 Luke 8:4-21 Psalm 69:19-36 Proverbs 12:2-3 29 Deut.11:1-12:32 Luke 8:22-39 Psalm 70:1-5 Proverbs 12:4 30 Deut. 13:1-15:23 Luke 8:40-9-6 Psalm 71:1-24 Proverbs12:5-7

11 Numbers 15:17-16:40 19 Numbers 28:16-29:40 Mark 15:1-47 Luke 3:23-38 Psalm 54:1-7 Psalm 62:1-12 Proverbs 11:5-6 Proverbs 11:18-19 12 Numbers 16:41-18:32 20 Numbers 30:1-31:54 Mark 16:1-20 Luke 4:1-30 Psalm 55:1-23 Psalm 63:1-11 Proverbs 11:7 Proverbs 11:20-21 13 Numbers 19:1-20:29 Luke 1:1-25 Psalm 56:1-13 Proverbs 11:8 14 Numbers 21:1-22:20 Luke 1:26-56 Psalm 57:1-11 Proverbs 11:9-11 21 Numbers 32:1-33:39 Luke 4:31-5:11 Psalm 64:1-10 Proverbs 11:22

22 Numbers 33:40-35:34 Luke 5:12-28 Psalm 65:1-13 31 Deut. 16:1-17-20 Proverbs 11:23
Luke 9:7-27 Psalm 72:17:20 Proverbs 12:8-9

15 Numbers 22:21-23:30 23 Numbers 36:1-Deut. Luke 1:57-80 1:46 Psalm 58:1-11 Luke 5:29-6:11 Proverbs 11:12-13 Psalm 66:1-20 Proverbs 11:24-26 16 Numbers 24:1-25:18 Luke 2:1-35 24 Deut.2:1-3:29 Psalm 59:1-17 Luke 6:12-38 Proverbs 11:14 Psalm 67:1-7 Proverbs 11:27

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G O D IS SO G O O D

BIBLE QUIZ When Jesus was crucified, over what time period did darkness cover the earth? A. B. C. D. 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 12 noon to 3 p.m.

For the answer see Mark 15:33.

2013
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
5 2:00 Youth 4:00 Disciple I 6:30 Disciple II 1:30 Beth Moore 10 Girl Scout Sunday 11 6:30 Boy Scout Mtg. 2:00 Youth 4:00 Disciple I 6:30 Disciple II 12 1:30 Beth Moore Bible Study 13 6-7:30 L.O.L. & The Dog Park 7:30 Choir Practice 14 6:00 Tiger Cub Den Mtg. 15 4 6:30 Pack Committee Meeting 6:30 Boy Scout Mtg. 5 9 a.m. Tri Town Ministerial Meets 6 6-7:30 L.O.L. & The Dog Park 7:30 Choir Practice 7 8

Fri

Sat

1 World Day of Prayer

9 Sea Cadets BMR training & summer training prep

16

9 a.m. Boy Scouts Scouting for Food (Fellowship Hall) until 1 p.m. 20 6-7:30 L.O.L. & The Dog Park 7 p.m. Troop Adult Leaders Mtg. 21 22

17 Childrens Choirs perform 2:00 Youth 4:00 Disciple I 6:30 Disciple II 6:30 Boy Scout Mtg.

18 Newsletter Deadline

19 1:30 Beth Moore Bible Study

23 Scouting for Food Collection

7:30 Choir Practice 24 2nd Sunday in Lent PENNY RAIDER (UMCOR One Great Hour of Sharing) 2:00 Youth 4:00 Disciple I 6:30 Disciple II 25 6:30 Boy Scout Mtg. 31 5th Sunday Offering (CUMC Compassion Fund) 7 a.m. Community Sunrise Service @ 23 Point Lane 26 1:30 Beth Moore Bible Study 27 6-7:30 L.O.L. & The Dog Park 7:30 Choir Practice 28 6:00 Tiger Cub Den Mtg. 7:00 Tenebrae Service

29 Live Last Supper with communion for all churches in the area7:00 @ the United Family Wesleyan Church

30

March 2013 Cicero United Methodist Church P. O. Box 617 100 E. Jackson Street Cicero, IN 46034 Phone: (317)984-4971 Fax: (317)984-7571 Website: www.ciceroumc.org Email: rethinkchurch@ciceroumc.org

Address Service Requested Want on or off the mailing list? Call (317)984-4971

A modern-day parable . . . . .
My friend had a large hydrangea bush in her yard. Each year for a decade, she found only one or two blooms. Cut it down! she told her husband in frustration. But he, a very patient man, urged, Lets give it one more year. Ill water it and fertilize it with coffee grounds. If it still doesnt bloom, Ill chop it down. The next year, as the couple anticipated carrying out the death sentence, the bush not only bloomed but bloomed in abundance and in multiple colors that amazed my friend, an avid gardener. Its the barren fig tree all over again! she exclaimed. Indeed sometimes God replicates His miracles, perhaps because we need a refresher course in patiently waiting for his glorious blessings.
~ Heidi Mann