As most of us are looking at the beginning of a new year the preschool is looking ahead to the next school year. We will begin registration this month and already have a waiting list of children for next fall. If you know of anyone who may be interested please have them contact the church office or Linda Brewer at 537-9944.

Preschool classes for the 2006-07 year are completely full. WE have enjoyed a very diverse group of bright young children who have daily taught the teachers. Their enthusiasm is contagious. If only their energy was!

In an effort to prepare the three year old class for next year we have worked on recognizing shapes, counting, cutting skills, hand and eye coordination activities, and activities to improve fine motor skills. We have also worked on recognizing the alphabet, counting, and learning the days of the week. Learning to share, to be kind to others and using good manners has also been part of our day.

The two year old class which started off with great difficulty has morphed into a fantastic group of young children. They too are very bright, learn easily, and have become a pleasure. What a difference four months of coming to school has made.

Each month the children have decorated the bulletin board in the Walker Building with their creations. This month it is penguins. They are so proud to see their name and work in the board. Please stop by to see their creativity. Also, please feel free to stop by for a visit.

In the next few weeks, we’re going to begin a new series in Children’s Church.

Also we will plan for the children to remain in the sanctuary for the entire service when we are celebrating Communion. Children should be nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table.

Lelia Frazier and Alice Ricks

The Pioneers have not returned from Christmas holiday yet.  We will be getting back together next Sunday the 28th for youth supper.  Also, we will be meeting with the women of the church that afternoon, 2-4 pm, at the Angel's Closet at the old Medlin school to help sort clothing for that organization.

 Our group decided to use the money they had raised from the Stewardship Dinner to have a Christmas celebration.  We met on Sunday, December 17th at the Roanoke Rapids bowling alley, where we bowled a couple of games.  From there we went to Big Lots and each child bought a gift to drop in the Toys for Tots bin.  Afterward we went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner.

The women of the church will join with the youth on Sunday, January 28, from 2-4 in the afternoon.  We will be sorting, sizing, and hanging clothes for the Roanoke Rapids clothes closet at Medlin School.  Please park your car on Cedar Street and enter the school from that entrance.

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Our Valentine local mission project will be a "Pamper Pounding".  Your circle leader will give you more information on this worthy project.

Our church is hosting the Lenten luncheon on Wednesday, March 28th.  Please say "YES" when asked to help.

We are looking forward to "Celebrate the gifts of Women Sunday" on March 4th.

Who: All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. Many other churches also observe some of the traditions of Lent. For each of us—it is optional.

Dates: Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, February 21^st and ends on April 7^th, which is the day before Easter. We skip the Sundays when counting the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Some churches count Lent’s 40 days from the Sunday following Ash Wednesday. They count all the Sundays then Lent ends with Maundy Thursday.

Why 40 Days: In large part, because Jesus fasted and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days in preparation for his ministry. Also, God led the Hebrews out of Egypt and into the desert for 40 years, until they learned the trust they lacked. And, in Noah’s day, forty days of flooding washed away the evil that had infected the world

Why Observe Lent: The highlight of the year for Christians is Easter, the day when our Lord rose from the dead. Just as Advent is a season of preparation for the birth of Jesus, Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. We prepare for the celebration of renewal in the life of faith that is ours through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Put simply, Lent is a time to examine ourselves carefully. Here are some questions upon which you might pray and meditate during Lent:

February 2007

February 11, 2007 -The Reverend John Speight. The Reverend Speight is a retired minister and resides in Greenville, NC.

February 18, 2007 -The Reverend John Speight. We will be celebrating Communion on this Sunday.