Preparation
Have you ever noticed how much time we spend preparing for Christmas? My wife and I have concluded that the entire month of December and half of January seem to be dedicated to the season. We figure 1/12 (or 8%) of our lives are spent not celebrating Christmas, but preparing for it. We put up decorations. We hang lights. We schedule parties. We write Christmas cards. We bake cookies. We shop. We shop some more. And we do it all in anticipation of one day that celebrates a wonderful thing – the birth of our Lord.

Have you ever noticed how much time we don’t spend preparing for Easter? We go to church on Sunday, and if we are feeling particularly holy, we also attend on Friday. But there’s not much planning, and not much celebration.

Interestingly enough, without the cross, the manger doesn’t mean as much. At the manger He was already a king, but at the cross, He showed us that He is our Savior.

Without all the commercial reminders (the eggs and bunnies don’t quite do it for me), I need to remind myself to prepare my heart for what Easter truly means. I need to prepare my heart to receive Jesus anew every day, and remember that by suffering, dying, and rising again, Jesus conquered sin and death for me. My preparation for that fact needs to be not 8% of my life’s focus, but 100%. Which seems reasonable, after all, since Jesus gave 100% of himself for me.

Blessings to you and your family.

Brian Martin
Student Ministries Pastor

LifeStages
Our sympathy to Mark Johnson for the death of his mother, Helen Johnson, on March 13.

Our sympathy to Jay and Tracey Zollar for the death of Jay's father, Daniel Zollar, on March 12.

Our sympathy to Mark and Suzette Evensen and Cindy and Tommy Brown, for the death of their son, Grant Evensen, on March 12.

Congratulations to Carrie Walton and Don Kolczak who became engaged on March 19.

Good Friday
Friday, April 10
1:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Communion will be served
Childcare/classes provided for nursery – 3rd grade
Good Friday services not recommended for children 3rd grade and under

Easter
Saturday, April 11
5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12
8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Nursery – Pre-K, no KidsQuest elementary classes

Sunday, April 12
7:00 a.m. (extra service)
Simpler, intimate service in Chapel
No childcare or KidsQuest classes

Please join us!

Communion Date Changes
Since Communion will be served at both Good Friday services on April 10, no Communion will be served the weekend of April 4/5.

Starting in May, the Communion schedule will change to the second weekend of the month to alleviate the time crunch for Family Tree House, held between services from 9:45-10:15 a.m., the first Sunday of each month (except July and August).

Crown Financial
The Crown Financial Budget Workshops on April 5 & April 19 have been cancelled.

Life Group
10-Week Crown Biblical Financial Study. Starts mid-May and/or mid September. $45 per person or $55 per couple.
Learn how to manage money according to God’s principles in a small group of two leaders and eight participants. 

Crown Life Group Leader Training
Saturday, May 9
A one-day seminar to become certified to lead the 10-week Biblical Financial Study

Contact: Marc Traeger, 662-9962 or John Emery, 499-7859.

Feet to your Faith Local
Spring Serve Day - SCHOOL ZONE is Back!
Saturday, May 2
Serving all around the community
Mark your calendars to serve God by serving in the community during GBCC’s springtime church-wide serve day. We’ll be helping at schools in Howard – Suamico, Green Bay, and Pulaski, as well as the GBCC campus. Signups for Site Leaders are happening now, with volunteer signups beginning this weekend. Save this date and watch for more details as they become available!

Contact Shannon Kocourek, 464-0035.

Missionary Update
Click here for the latest updates from GBCC’s supported missionaries.


Needs for Africa ‘09
A number of people from GBCC are headed to Nairobi, Kenya this summer to work with residents in the slum of Kawangare. One of the many things we hope to do is teach people life skills that can help support their families. With that, we are looking for instruction books or pamphlets on basic knitting, sewing, and crocheting – especially those with pictures or drawings that visually explain the process (people will most likely not speak English). We are also accepting donations of knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn. If you have any of these items, please drop them in the drop box on the Special Events Center desk.

Watch future issues of eCommunity for other ways you may be able to help.

If you have questions, please contact Pat Jelen, 593-3490.

Help for the Homeless and The Giving Tree
Food and Hygiene Items Drive
March 7-31
You have five more days to drop off donations in the collection boxes in the vestibules. Click here for a list of needed items or pick up a list in one of the brochure racks.Click on these links for more information about Help for the Homeless and The Giving Tree.

Contact Pat Jelen, 594-3490.

Serving
Serve once in a while or on a regular basis. Check out GBCC's Serving Opportunities more>> 

Critical Serving Opportunites
KidsQuest Good Friday and Easter Serving Opps (new)
VBS Game Coordinator
VBS Craft Coordinator
Church Cleaners
Elementary Small Group Leader
Welcome Center Volunteer
Bankruptcy Professional
Funeral Assistant

Contact: Colleen Connors, 593-3485.

Dessert Potluck With Dan Thomas
Monday, April 20
7:00 p.m.
Youth Center
Former GBCC Pastor Dan Thomas is coming to GBCC for a visit. Catch up with Dan and hear about how God is using him and his family in Colorado to reach people for Christ. Dan is looking forward to connecting with old friends, supporters, and anyone interested in hearing more about Timblerline Lodge. Bring your favorite dessert to share!

Contact: Pat Jelen, 594-3490.

Spring Dance
April 3
7:00-11:00 p.m.
Youth Center
Whether you’ve taken Ballroom Dance or not, this is a fun event where you can strut your stuff and get to know others. Dress is nice to formal. Please bring a dish to pass and a non-perishable donation for the food pantry.

Contact: Dale Walton, 469-0949.

Reading Room
Some of you might not be aware that GBCC has a Reading Room/Library on the east end of the building. Please take some time to browse through books, DVD’s, and CD’s. You’re welcome to stay, read, or listen (provided the room is not booked), or check out your favorites and take them home. The daily schedule is posted outside the room.

The Reading Room/Library operates on a self-service basis - come on in and enjoy!

If you’d like to make donations of Christian-based literature or other media, just drop your donation in the wicker chest in the room.

Computer at WC
There is a computer at the Welcome Center in the West Lobby that you can use anytime to look up information on the GBCC website. It will come in especially handy for WC volunteers to use as a tool that will show people all that GBCC has to offer!

Grounds Clean-up
GBCC Campus
The snow is just about gone and there is a lot of garbage on the lawn that needs to be picked up and thrown away and clumps of sod that need to be replaced or removed so the grass can be cut when it is time (which is soon). If you would like to help, there are garbage bags in the Utility Room by the West Kitchen and the BIG garbage dumpster is in the back. Stop in anytime you’d like!

Contact: Patrick Jelen, 593-3492.

Outdoor Connection
Maple Syrupin' - A Celebration of Spring
Saturday, March 28
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Barkhuasen Waterfowl Preserve
Explore the age-old tradition of making maple syrup with the entire family. Stop in at the preserve anytime between 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. to learn about this fascinating process. Fun and informative, this day will feature educational stations through the “Sugar Bush,” a close-up look at our evaporating cabin, and ice cream with your own Barkhausen maple syrup!

No registration necessary, just come on out. Fees are $2 for kids, $3 for adults, and $10 for families. Hope to see you there!

Contact: Jeremy Kopke, 544-5455.

Men’s Spring Fishing Trip
May 15–19
Sunrise to Sunset!
The Aberdeen Lodge, Boulder Junction, WI
If you are like me, you're ready for spring and some open water fishing. Until the ice and snow melts all we can do is plan…so here is the plan. The OC will be hosting a fishing trip. The cost for the trip will be approximately $200. The cost includes gas, bait, and lodging. We are limiting this to the first 12 people to sign up and pay in full. You don’t have a boat? No worries, we will pair you up with someone who does.

Sign up today, the spots will fill fast! For more information or to register, please contact Jeremy Kopke or 544-5455.

KidsQuest
Good Friday & Easter Serving Opportunities
Good Friday, April 10 (Nursery – 3rd Grade)
1:00 or 6:00 p.m.

Easter, April 11/12 (Nursery – PreK)
5:00 p.m., 8:30 or 10:30 a.m.

We have an opportunity to serve GBCC families and visitors this Easter Weekend. This would be a great family serving opportunity!

Contact: Martha Spice, 338-1585.


KidsQuest Quarterly Calendars
Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary quarterly calendars are located in the KidsQuest section of the church website. Click on the link(s) to find out what your child is learning in their class each week. The Family Tree House schedule is also included in the calendars.


FamilyTimes Vitue Packs
Virtue Packs include a set of activities designed for families to do together during the week and reinforce the lessons learned during KidsQuest Elementary weekend classes and Family Tree House. You can find more information concerning Virtue Packs at www.familytimes.org.


Family Tree House - GBCC’s Monthly Family Service
April 5, May 3, June 7
9:45-10:15 a.m.


VBS
August 3-7
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Click here for VBS Serving Opportunities or pick up a brochure located in the brochure racks. Check it out and consider joining the VBS team!

*New this year: All volunteers must be in place by May 31 prior to Early Bird Registration kicking off on June 1.

Contact: Cindy Vandermause, 593-3489.

Student Ministries
Student Ministries Gala and Graduation
Wednesday, May 27
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gym
Mark your calendars for the biggest event of the year – the Student Ministries Gala and Graduation. Guests of honor include our leadership team and graduating seniors. All students, parents, and families are invited to attend, as well as any “friends of the ministry.” Save the date now!!

Additional information will be available closer to the event.

Contact: Brian Martin or 593-3484.

Football Camp is Back
Pick up a brochure or click here for camp details.

Contact: Tim Birr or 433-9605

Women's Spring Retreat
April 24-25
Friday, 5:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Chapel
The Women's Spring Retreat is coming! New for 2009: Green Bay Community Church will host the event on Friday evening, April 24 through mid-afternoon on Saturday, April 25. Therapist and author Brenda Spina will provide Biblical instruction as she reminds every woman of her God-given value, worth, and purpose in life. Elizabeth Gregg will lead us in worship. This is one event you cannot miss!

Cost is only $40 and includes 3 meals, speaker, and materials.

Registration deadline is Friday, April 17.

Click here for more information and a registration form or pick up a brochure.

Contact: Becky Williams or 468-8950.

Singles
Interest Group
If you’re single and would like to connect with other singles doing fun things such as movie nights, dances, bowling, and more – check out the Singles Calendar in the brochure racks or click here for details.

Group Life
One of the greatest longings of the human heart is to belong: to know others and be known by others; it's the way God intended us to live.

Group Life provides opportunities for individuals to experience a sense of belonging, to grow together on our spiritual journeys, and to serve others.

While each type of group (Interest, Care, Discovery, Life, and Serving) provides a different opportunity to connect, all are designed around our vision of attracting people to Christ and building community.

No matter where you choose to plug in, there is a place for you in Group Life.

Winter Discovery Group Classes
New and continuing Discovery Group Classes started in January. Please click on the links below to be directed to our website or pick up a Group Life Brochure for class details.
Care Groups
Co-ed (New Topic-Secret Church "New Testament Survey")
Men
Women
Singles
Seniors
Students
Children

Group Life Events and Activities
Click here to go to the GBCC Master Calendar, select a category in the drop down list, a month, then click "go" for a list of the events and activities scheduled.

Database
Please help us keep our database information accurate by notifying us when you change your phone number, email address, mailing address, family status/members, etc.  Contact Tracy, 593-3475 or click here.

Weekend Services
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.