Sunday, March 24     10:00 am Palm Sunday Service
                                    Sharing of the Palm Branches

Thursday, March 28   7:00 pm  Maundy Thursday Service 
                                     Communion and Chancel Choir cantata: “Song of the Shadows”

Friday, March 29        7:00 pm Good Friday Service
                                     at First Congregational Church of DeKalb (615 N. First St.)

Sunday, March 31     10:00 am Easter Resurrection Worship
                                    Easter Egg Hunt for the children after worship

Join us on Maundy Thursday evening as we prepare ourselves for the events leading up to the crucifixion.  The 7:00 pm Service will be a tenebrae service (service of candles) and will include communion by intinction.  The Chancel Choir will present “Song of the Shadows,” a cantata by Joseph M. Martin which carries us from the Palm Sunday glory through to the crucifixion.
This is a very moving work, presented in an ever darker sanctuary – as the candles are extinguished one by one during the performance.  You will feel the angst that Jesus and his followers felt as they tried to take in the meaning of these events.

Join us after Easter Service, Sunday, March 31^st, for Federated’s 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt. All ages are welcome to join in the fun after church on our front lawn or playground for our youngest members. Remember how excited our children were last year and the joy as adults we had watching them hunt for eggs? Let’s do it again.

The Revelation Fully Revealed

Twenty centuries ago a faithful Christian believer who wanted to give warning, encouragement, and hope to Christians who were suffering or were about to suffer persecution under the Roman Empire wrote a letter, an epistle to seven churches.  This letter expressed judgment and despair, victory and hope.  It was an affirmation of faith in God’s power and love.  Undoubtedly, the seven churches that received this letter understood the message it contained and were strengthened by it.  Since then, however, this letter has been much misunderstood and distorted by both opportunists and well meaning people.

People come to the study of Revelation with a wide variety of feelings and preconceived notions.  We will be taking a deep look at the contents of this book, which was the most disputed book to make it into the canon of the New Testament.   We’ll look at the history, customs, and symbols of the day when it was written on the rocky island of Patmos.

I am inviting you to all or some of these sessions.   Bring your questions and impressions of the book that Martin Luther felt did not belong in any scripture.  (He also felt that the book of James should be “ripped” out of the canon.)  Here is the syllabus for our course.  Please bring your favorite Bible.  We will meet in the Youth Room every Tuesday beginning February 12, from 7 to 8:30 PM.

NOTE:  The schedule has changed some from what is printed below.  You are still invited; please call the church for specific details.

February 12:  The One in the Midst of the Lampstands…read Revelation chapter 1

February 19:  Christ’s messages to the Seven Churches…read chapters 2 & 3

February 26:  The Throne, the Sealed Book, the Lamb and the Seven Seals Opened…Read Revelation 4-7

March 5:   The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets…read chapters 8-11

March 12:   The Woman, The Red Dragon, and Two Beasts…read chapters 12-15

March 19:   The Pouring of the Seven Bowls….read chapters 16-20

March 26:   The New Heaven and the New Earth…read chapters 21 & 22..

Please call me with any questions.   They will be most welcome.

In peace,
Pastor Dennis Johnson

Our annual Thrift Sale will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 9 am to 2 pm in Dutton Hall.  Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Welcome Cafe at UUFD in DeKalb and the School Supply Pantry.  Items available will include clothing, household goods, linens & bedding, electronics, books, knick knacks, toys and games.

A concurrent Plant Sale will benefit the courtyard garden.  In addition, there will be a silent auction of a few special items.

Set-up will be Friday evening, April 19, beginning at 6pm with pizza provided.

Everyone is encouraged to go through your closets for burried treasurers and bring your donations to the Youth Room beginning Sunday, April 14.

During worship on March 17, Pastor Dennis and the Deacons offered a healing prayer to anyone interested in coming to the chancel area to have hands laid upon them.  Literally “good touch.”

Saturday, March 16, 2013  – thirty-one Federated Church members attended the Stage Coach Players performance of Jesus Christ Superstar in DeKalb Saturday evening preceded by dinner at Rosita’s.  The performance was outstanding and we are proud that our own Director of Music, Gary Mattin, was the rehearsal accompanist and played keyboards for the show.

The Board of Religious Education hosted its first Meager Meal on Wednesday, March 13, at 5:30 pm.  Designed for fellowship, food, and getting to know one another over homemade soups and bread. Food and child care provided.  The meal was followed by an enlightening program presented by Pastor Amy Johnson entitled “Clean Up Your Act”.  Who among us hasn’t wondered what to do with Grandma’s handmade Christmas candelabra?

Saturday, December 1, 10 AM
‘Pre-decorate’ our sanctuary and facility. 
Sunday, December 2, First Sunday in Advent, Hope
 “Hanging of the Greens” worship and “Advent Workshop” after worship.
Friday, December 7, 5:30 PM,     Caroling at Oak Crest & County Nursing Home.
Sunday, December 9, Second Sunday in Advent, Peace.
Deacons will distribute cookies to shut-ins.
Sunday, December 16, Third Sunday in Advent, Love.
Handbell Choir performs during worship.  Kids Club pageant, The Polar Express.
Sunday, December 23, Fourth Sunday in Advent, Joy.
Christmas Cantata during 10 AM worship.
Monday, December 24  Christmas Eve Family Worship—5:00 pm
                                     Christmas Eve Candlelight  Worship—11:00 pm

An exciting adult education series studying the Lord’s Prayer was held on Tuesdays in November and December.  The sessions were based upon a Kerygma course titled “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” and various books by John Crossan, Will Willamon, Stanley Hauerwas and W. Robert McClelland.