News from The Orchard

You don't want to miss
SPECIAL CELEBRATION SERVICE
this Sunday !

April 24-30, 2010

The Weekly Word

The Joy of Being Found

“And they began to celebrate”
Like 15:24

Lost & FoundRecently I thought I might have lost a very special friend – my journal. I knew where I had left it, but could only pray for some kind soul to find it. I wondered if I would ever feel its pages in my hands again or read its words that in part share the story of my life.

The same week I took our nine year old son Brady to a doctor’s appointment. As we were waiting in the lobby, he observed two nuns in holy garb, including full habit. He learned about sisters and their convent home by watching the classic movie, The Sound of Music last winter. With wide eyes of surprise, he said to me, “Daddy, what are those ladies doing out of their place?” He thought they were lost. They did look a bit out of pocket outside the walls of their normal world. They probably felt so too. Brady’s observation caused me to consider the possibility that even the holy can experience a sense of lostness.

Richard Foster writes, “lost doesn’t always mean doomed or damned for all eternity. It means that whatever is lost is in the wrong place; it’s not where it should be. This is true of all of Jesus’ parables such as the lost coin, the lost sheep, and about people too. Things and people are lost when they are not in the right place.”

Ever felt out of place? Of course we all have sometimes while even being in the right place. Whether we are in fact lost in that moment or just feel the painful perception of being lost, we are loved by a searching Father who forever lives to seek the lost and bring back the strayed (Ezekiel 34:16).

Some kind soul did find and return my journal. I’m hopeful that the sisters made it back to their place! I celebrate all the times you and me have ended up in a far country and our kind Father has found us with a holy embrace and the blessing of a kiss.

Celebrating the Kind Soul of the Father,

Pastor Chris

 

 

Weekly Prayer Focus

Prayer Fpcus

Sunday - Pray for the Hebel's - Jim and Barb.

Monday - Pray for the Heineman's - John, Wendy and Bethanne

Tuesday - Pray for Noemi Hernandez

Wednesday - Pray for Cory Jervis

Thursday - Pray for Linda Jones

Friday - Pray for Dianne Jordan and Effie Wiggins

Saturday - Pray for the Knight's - Dave and Marilyn


 

 

Weekly Financial Report

Weekly Need: $5,171
Last Week's Giving: $5,437
Over/Under:$266

Actual Weekly Giving Average: $4,380
YTD Weekly Average Over/Under Need: -$791
YTD Total Over/Under Need: -$12,657

All contributions given to The Orchard Church will be used exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with laws governing a tax-exempt organization organized under state law provisions and that of the Internal Revenue Code. In keeping with the foregoing commitment, we reserve the right to distribute all funds contributed to the area of greatest need.

Church Happenings

CLICK HERE...
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for a full Calendar of Events


Very Special Service This Sunday

Special "Growing Deep and Branching Out" Celebration Service on Sunday. Don't Miss It! Many members of your church family are involved in this special service. We will have never before seen videos, testimonies, and beautiful worship music. Also, come and see our NEW TREE!


Important Congregational Meeting

Quarterly Congregatonal Meeting this Sunday right after worship. We really need everyone's attendance at this brief meeting. Meeting should last no more than 20 minutes but the information is very important! It would be a big encouragement to have the congregation's full support!


Newlywed (Oldywed) Game Rescheduled

Newlywed (Oldywed) GameThe Orchard's 5th Annual Newlywed (Oldywed) Game will be held Saturday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. Join us for a night of food, fellowship, competition and laughter! There will be prizes. Everyone is invited, whether you've been married one month or 100 years. If you are single or your spouse cannot attend, please come and be a judge. Bring an appetizer to share. Childcare will be provided. There will be a sign up sheet at church on Sunday. For more information contact Rob and Julie Tomsett - 794-5799 or blessedbygrace@comcast.net.


Church-Wide Yard Sale

Yard SaleThe Orchard will be sponsoring a Church-wide Yard Sale on May 21-22 to help us raise money for the church. Please clean out your closets, garage, sheds etc, price the items and bring them to the church ASAP. This is a great way to help you get organized and to benefit the church.


New Children's Outreach

The Children's Ministry has begun a new outreach ministry at the Williamson Medical Center ICU Waiting Room soon. We are placing snacks in the waiting room for the family members of those who are hospitalized in the ICU. We are asking that each child bring a box of snacks (individually wrapped) each week as their offering - Little Debbies, Snack Crackers, Nuts, Cookies etc. Each package will be identified as a gift from The Orchard Church Children's Ministry. Children, let's reach out to those in need.


 

The Grand Sweep

Grand Sweep Reading Schedule

April 19-25: 1 Chronicles 1 - 18
April 26 - May 2: 1 Chronicles 19 - 2 Chronicles 9


Dates at a Glance

Mark your calendars for the following events:

Apr 24 - Newlywed (Oldywed) Game
Apr 25
- Qrtly. Congregation Mtg.
May 16
- Children's Musical
May 21-22
- Church-wide Yard Sale


 

Inviting lost and hurting people to receive New Life and Healing!

Please visit The Orchard website at www.theorchardfranklin.com
www.TheOrchardFranklin.com