PASTOR OUT OF OFFICE Pastor Oman will be at a Pastor’s conference this week and vacation next week. If you have an emergency pastoral need please contact Pr. Jim Lehmann at 217-417-4156 or 217-694-4157. Pr. Cindy Bisser is also available at 920-979-5673 or call Pr. Oman at 217-621-8697.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASS We are planning to hold First Communion classes in March for those who are 10 years old or older who have not completed the class. Contact Pr. Oman for details.

LENT BEGINS MARCH 1 Lent will begin on Wednesday, March 1st, with the Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. The theme for this year will be Penitential Psalms. The NALC pastors will again host a round robin during the Wednesdays of Lent. Our worship services here at NBLC will be at 7:00 p.m., with a light supper served before worship, starting at 5:45. Plan to come!

WALK TO JERUSALUM Since January 15 our walkers have gone about 407 miles, not quite halfway to Boston. So there are only 6,200 miles to go to Jerusalem, keep up the good work. Watch for the Boston Cream Pie during fellowship when we have made it to Boston. Proverbs 4:18-19 “But the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favor; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the darkness.”

SOC LOOKING AHEAD The next movie and lunch date will be in April. The movie will be “Risen” which is the story of the Resurrection as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Our congregation will be hosting the Candlewood lunches in June. When the date is confirmed we will send out more information. July will be our congregation’s month to work at Helping Hands on the collection/drop off day and community pick up day. These are usually on the second and third Saturdays. We will send out more information when the date is confirmed.We are planning a “Good Neighbor cookout and movie” for our church families and friends, and our neighbors around us. This will be held toward the end of summer so watch for more information. October is the date set for this year’s 4th Annual Walk for Water. Last October was a perfect day for a great walk. Keep the date in mind and join in to raise money for Water Missions to help supply safe drinking water where needed throughout the world.

MEN’S MEATING Monday, Feb, 13, 5:30-6:45. Fellowship hall. A place where men can meet and find biblically supported advice and conversation. Topic is Brats. Come and help us kick this off! Please RSVP so we know how many brats to provide. For information or RSVP call Rich 621-4288 or richardgegg@yahoo.com.

ORIGIN OF CROPS CIRCLES EXPLORED AT LIFETREE CAFÉ Research on the cause and after effects of crop circles will be explored at Lifetree Café on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 12:30 p.m. at the Candlewood Pool House. The program, titled, “Crop Circles: They’re Not What You Think,” features a filmed interview Nancy Talbott, a leading international crop circle researcher. During the interview, Talbott describes witnessing the formation of a crop circle firsthand. “This tube of light lit my room up as if I were on Broadway and lit the field up, only for an instant,” she says. “Then it disappeared. Before I could think much about it, another came.” During the program, participants will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the cause of crop circles.
SWEET LIFE CAFÉ RETREAT Ladies, come savor time with God and friends at Sweet Life Café Retreat on Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We all love going out for a warm cup of coffee or tea with friends. And most of us long to extend those short visits and take time to slow down and really enjoy time together. That’s exactly what we’ll do at Sweet Life Café. Join us at this retreat, where we’ll savor time with God and friends. Together we’ll experience meaningful Bible studies, flavor-filled activities, and scrumptiously delicious fun! For more information contact Bobbie Schnitkey, 898-0358 or rjscpaill@hotmail.com.

ATTENDANCE for Sunday, February 5 was 92 and the offering was $3,131.