Mark-ing Time Until Easter 

Our fearless leader is following Mark's example, "sandwich"ing the rest of Mark's Gospel into just two Sundays.  We'll have to listen fast!

So, how are your improved relationships with others going this week?  Boy -- you teach a lesson and watch out!  One would think the teacher is exempt from the test.  Remember the importance of the word "yet"?  I'm not there yet.  Because I have not "yet" arrived, I'll continue the journey, as did Jesus' disciples.

This week our journey takes us to Jerusalem.  Expectations are great as Jesus enters the city. The disciples have their expectations and the large crowd has it own expectations.  Three times Jesus described the process he must endure to his disciples, but they still didn't get it!

How many times do you find yourself explaining the same thing to your teens?  After the third time, you're probably wondering if they will ever get it!

I wonder if we are more like Jesus' disciples than we know.  Are there things in our lives that Jesus has patiently explained to us for many years?  Aren't we appreciative for his patience?

Our lesson this week covers Mark 10:46 - 13:37. 

I hope to see you this Sunday as we discuss . . .

with Great Expectations,

Don

Pizza Pizza !!

The SPOTclass won't be going to Little Caesars, but we will be doubling up on pizza over the next two Sundays.

After second hour this week, CSM Leadership will be conducting a 40-hour Famine organizational meeting.  If your teenager is participating in the Famine this year, you and your teen need to be there.  And since talking about fasting works up an appetite, the meeting will wrap up with pizza for everyone -- teenagers and parents alike.

SPOTlunch at CiCi's will be delayed one week as a consequence.  On March 28, we'll mark the end of Don's enlightening series on Mark's Gospel at the south county CiCi's Pizza location across from Dave Sinclair's  Ford & Lincoln Mercury dealerships. 

Brooks will try not to make a wrong turn when he gets there.    

Paintball SPOTS

Tore, an Xtreme Paintball Park www.xtremepaintballpark.com near Jefferson Barracks, has offered Concord members a great package price for a half-day of paintball.

Here are the details -- Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  A $25 fee covers entry, air, gun rental, face mask, and your first 500 paintballs.   There is no additional cost to play longer or later. If less than 10 were still playing, then we'd join open play and lose our private ref. That's all. No additional costs unless you need more paint.

SPOTclass ex-patriot Bob Hohmeier is coordinating the activity.  He offers a treatese on the subject for the uninitiated on the SPOTblog -- TMI for SPOTmail -- but it sounds like he's  the last person you'll see on the course before your goggles turn some opaque shade of red and you hear an evil laugh.  One hint:  if you see him, aim low!

 If you're interested in decorating your body in paint SPOTs at a discount price, contact Bob at  314-541-7429 or via email at Jubes56@gmail.com.  He needs a head count by April 3.

EGGSperienced Volunteers Wanted

The SPOTclass will be helping with this years' Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 (that's in the morning) until noon. 

We will be manning the Knock It Over event -- running the game, handing out the prizes, and interacting with the kids who play.  We will need a few volunteers to help, and it's important that you play well with others. 

You can volunteer for a single shift or for the entire day.  If you can help, email spotspot@gmx.com or scribble your name on the sign-up sheet in the SPOTfolder on Sunday.

SPOTfun Polling

SPOTclass continues its survey of class members to determine your idea of fun social activities for the class. 

Do you want to watch the ponies at Fairmont, see the Grizzlies or the Rascals play minor league baseball, or vent your frustrations on the tenpins at the local bowling establishment?

Watch the SPOTfolder Sunday for an informal poll on what our next social event should be!  You can help make the call by jotting your ideas on the poll this Sunday!

Snacks

• 3/21 -- Linda Conrad
• 3/28 -- Kevin & Susan Hurt

Prayer Requests

• Rusty Phillips has an employee at work (Mike) nearing retirement and now thinks he has dementia or Alzheimer's. 
• Ed Martin requests prayer for his sister's continuing cancer treatments.  She is struggling with new chemo.
• Ed Martin's brother-in-law had a defibrillator installed on Monday.
• Kevin's sister continues to be hospitalized for complications of asthma.
• A "Gay and Christian" organization is presenting and debating at Southwest Baptist University.  Some of our youth attend there.
• Lori's dad is doing better, but more investigation is to come.  Continue to pray for God's healing.

Dave Ramsey on Money and Marriage   (from Focus on the Family)

It has been established that men and women have different financial and communication styles. Add to that the fact that opposites attract. Now we have room for conflict everywhere.
One spouse is usually more creative and spontaneous than the other, what I call a Free Spirit. That mate tends to see budgeting as a form of torture or control. The other mate likely has a bent toward numbers and tends to shoulder responsibility for the budget. Deep inside him or her is a Nerd with the capacity to create a 17-page budget and present it like a gloating dictator. The Free Spirit will smile — then spend money however he or she wants. And the budget wars are on.   Click the link below to read more (about yourself).
www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/money_and_finances/pursuing_financial_unity/working_with_your_differences.aspx