The Dynamic Duos Sermon Service this weekend will address Naomi and Ruth.  Your scripture text is from the Book of Ruth 1:6-14.

Hidden Valley Snow Tubing:
To those who signed up for snow tubing at Hidden Valley on Saturday, March 2, it looks like it’s going to be a great event. The weather will be cool so dress warmly.   The church van is not available, so families/individuals will be driving independently.  Please plan to meet at the Hidden Valley Snow Tubing Area between 9:30-9:45am on Saturday morning to allow for adequate time to complete and sign the waiver, purchase tickets, and gear up. We will be tubing from 10 am – 12:00 noon and the cost is $16 per person. The waiver is absolutely  required and will be available onsite.  You may print the waiver attached to this email blast.   If your child is 10 years of age or older and you are sending them with another parent, please complete the waiver ahead of time and send it with your child. If you haven’t signed up there’s still room, just meet us there!
 
General guidelines for Hidden Valley Tubing are provided below:
– The tubing park is open to children ages 10 and older without adult supervision.

• – Children ages 4 – 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
• – Children must be at least 4 years-old to tube.
• – Each person must ride in their own tube.
• – Space is limited, so arrive early.
• – No advance reservations can be taken over the phone. A limited number of ticket vouchers are available  for each session online.
• – Ski boots are not permitted.

Capital Campaign Update: 
As of Thursday, February 28, the total amount pledged was $250,740.  Cash received so far was $106,640.  Stock gifts amount to $57,400. (Some stock has been sold).  Total cash and stock receipts are $164,040.   The campaign and project are going well.    Thank you for your prayerful support of our building project.  If you choose to make a donation toward the project, please indicate CAPITAL CAMPAIGN in the memo line of your check or on the cards in the pew racks.

And…because the renovation project is progressing on schedule, there will soon be some necessary changes relating to entering the church building:   Beginning Tuesday, March 4, the parking lot entrance will be closed due to the remodeling work.  For church Services, please use the narthex entrance along 7th Street, the handicap entrance from the courtyard, or the side entrance along Church Street to enter the church building.  During the week, please use the handicap or 7th Street entrances. 
 
Pastor Bill has written a dynamic Easter play titled, “The Unexpected Ways of the Shepherd” that will be presented during Holy Week, April 18 and 19.    Attention Dancers:  We would like to add liturgical dancers to the Easter play.  If you are twelve or older and would like to dance in the show, please contact Leslie Swentosky at lswentosky@yahoo.com or the call the church office.   

Fabric donations are needed for the Easter play.  Anyone who would like to donate a minimum of two yards or more of any color solid fabric or striped fabric, should bring it to the Parlor Room 102.  Seamstresses needed:  Anyone who would like to sew costumes for the Easter play,  please contact the church office or Leslie Swentosky, 724-388-6084.

 Women’s Evening Fellowship will meet Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 pm in the Parlor.  Caroline Porter will be demonstrating her delicious Pretzel Bite recipe.  All women of the church are invited.  Contact Mary Helen Taylor at 724-349-9023 if you have any questions.
 
Attention Grace Seniors!  Sign up in the Welcome Center to join us at Phipps Conservatory on Thursday, March 28.  It will be the “Spring Flower Show” and they are celebrating their 25th year. The cost is $20 to cover admission and transportation.  We will park at Mack Park for an 8:30 a.m. departure. Checks should be written to: Grace UMC and in the memo: Phipps.  Questions?  Please contact Donna Overdorff at 724 464-7552.
 
Ash Wednesday Service:  Everyone is welcome to join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service in the church sanctuary on March 6 at 7:00 pm.  The service will include the imposition of ashes.   There will be no Wednesday Dinner and no evening groups and classes on Ash Wednesday so that everyone will have the opportunity to attend the worship service.
 
Missions Presentation:  Mark your calendars!  There will be a missions presentation during the Sunday school hour on Sunday, April 7.  Our Mission Teams do some amazing work–often behind the scenes–as they minister to people in our community, our region, our country and around the world.  The presentation will be interesting and may even prompt YOU to join in their efforts!  Please support our Mission Committee and Mission Teams by attending this presentation.

You can get involved with the Mission Team immediately as you pray for the team leaving next Saturday for Bethel Bible Village in Tennessee where they will be repairing/replacing roofs and ministering in countless ways to the children and staff there.
 
Three Childcare staff positions are available for evening activities and church services.   Contact Mary Beth Rine at 724-388-8332.  
 
New GEMs Group  – Now there are two different times to choose from; Sunday mornings or Thursday afternoons!  Ladies, if you are looking for support to lose weight using Scripture and Christian songs, a new GEMs group has begun on Thursdays at 5:15 pm in room 102.  (Childcare is not available on Thursday).  Please contact Julie Bracken at bracken.family@comcast.net or 724-599-4232 for more information. 
 
Movie Night at Grace is Coming Soon!  Our next movie will be on Friday, March 08.  Come join us and remember – this is a great opportunity to invite a friend.  Mark your calendars for future Movie Nights:  April 12, and May 10.  The movies will start at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. 
 
Midnight Mission:  Friday, March 22 from 9:30 pm – 2:00 am in the Church Courtyard – We need smiling volunteers to interact with college students.  Donations of bottled water, soda, cookies, baked goods and other sweet treats would be greatly appreciated. Sign up in the Welcome Center.  Please drop donations off in the Parlors by Thursday, March 21.  Email Phil Floyd at phil.floyd@cru.org For more information.
 
Chevy Chase Community Center Famous Souper Fridays Are Coming Back!  Every other Friday, 11:30 – 12:30 at 640 North 5th Ave. in Indiana.  Pick-up, delivery or eat in at the Center.  Soup, bread and dessert for $6.  Soup kinds will be posted on the Facebook page.  Please call your order in to 724-463-0674 by 2:00 pm on Thursday.  All proceeds benefit the Chevy Chase Community Action Council. 

Don’t forget to check the Welcome Center Lost/Found box if you are missing any of the items posted in last week’s special email blast.