THE WEDNESDAY LENTEN OFFERINGS for this year were designated for two ministries: the local ministry was C-U at Home, the ministry to homeless people in Champaign-Urbana, and the global ministry was Water Mission, an organization which provides water treatment machines to villages throughout the world that don’t have clean, safe water. Each organization received checks for $834.50. You are a gracious and generous congregation! Thanks for your efforts to help others locally and throughout the world, the Lord’s blessings are extended through your gifts!

ILLINI FIGHTING HUNGER EVENT In March Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph sponsored an Illini Fighting Hunger event. The goal was to package meals for those who are at risk of hunger. Prince of Peace sponsors this event every other year. We at New Beginnings are considering sponsoring the event on the years Prince of Peace does not package the meals. The event consists of packaging simple meals that are sealed in plastic bags, then given to those who are lacking in food. The meals are easy to cook, requiring only boiling water. What the packaging event consists of is first of all raising money for the food to be packaged. The packaging day includes pouring measured amounts of rice, dried vegetables, soy, and a nutrition fortifier; weighing the package, then heat sealing it. The cost of each meal is about 15 cents. We would like to gauge interest in hosting a meal packaging event. Please sign on the sheet in the narthex. No date has been set, and this sign-up is simply to see if there is enough interest in the congregation to host an event. If we host and event, it would likely be late next February or early next March.

MILES FOR SMILES I wanted to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation for all those that donated to the Crisis Nursery and kept me in your prayers for my race this past Saturday! –Melissa Hunsinger

FAMILY OF GOD AT NEW BEGINNINGS- There are no words to thank you enough for the kindnesses you have shown to me in these recent weeks. The prayer shawl is so beautiful and the gift of God’s love is warmly felt. What a beautiful ministry you are sharing with others. I think you for the shawl, your prayers and your love. May God continue to bless you as you have so warmly blessed me. I have finished the eight required treatments of radiation therapy to the tumor in my left lung. Now I wait. In his love, Pastor Barbara Busboom

QUARTLY GIVING STATEMENTS are in a basket out in the narthex for you to pick up.

ATTENDANCE for Sunday, April 22nd was 68. The Offering was $3,071.00.