Greg Helman (right), pastor of the UB church in Dillsburg, Pa., sent this report about his daughter: “My daughter Greta Helman was diagnosed on Thursday (April 27) with a benign tumor in the lining of her brain. It is about the size of a 50-cent piece and is pressing on her brain causing pain. We will have a consultation with a neurosurgeon at Hershey Medical Center on Wednesday, May 3rd at 9:00 am. There is a very good probability of the need for plastic surgery because of the tumor’s location. So, please pray for Greta’s physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well-being. Greta works part-time at our church as a Worship Leader and just gave her notice on Monday of resigning from being an assistant manager at Bruster’s in Camp Hill. Her new job as the director of a day-care in Harrisburg will give her benefits after three months. But, neither the church nor Bruster’s offer her benefits. Therefore, she could only afford a personal insurance plan that pays 80% of her bills. Thank you very much ahead of time for your consideration of this prayer need.”

Wes and Jean Bell are UB endorsed missionaries doing educational work with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Brazil. The following report came on April 28 from Jean Bell:
“We can hardly believe it’s May–only four weeks of school left and less than 2 months before we leave here for a six- furlough in the U.S.
As some of you know, my mother went to be with the Lord on March 26. I was able to be there with my family for 5 days. The grieving we did together was healing. For your gifts, cards, notes of sympathy and compassion, I thank you. Often over the past months as my mother’s health deteriorated, I said, ‘Thank God for heaven!’ I still say it but with more enthusiasm than ever, knowing my mother is there now too. Thank you again for your encouragement.”

On Saturday morning, an 18-year-old young man was found dead at Camp Cobutic, the camp in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was with a non-UB church group that was using the camp. Bishop Ron Ramsey asks that you, as churches and individuals, remember in prayer the family of the young man who died, and Camp Director Dave Stephens as he deals with the aftermath of this tragedy.

Rick Pride, senior pastor of Eagle Quest UB church in Columbia City, Ind., sent this report: “As always Easter was an exciting time at Eagle Quest. On Thursday night we held a ‘Love Feast and Foot Washing’ with over 70 in attendance. The Love Feast started out the evening with a very simple meal of beef, lamb, broth, bread, cheese, grapes, and juice. After the meal our drama team presented a reenactment of the last supper. As Christ led the disciples to ‘eat and drink,’ the dinner guests were instructed to do likewise, as we all shared communion together.
“Following the dinner and presentation, the men went to a different room and the women stayed in the sanctuary to participate in the foot washing.This was a very moving and emotional experience for all who took part.
“On Easter Sunday morning, I shared a message from Acts 17, where Paul preached in Athens. The message centered around the reality and truth of the resurrection and our duty to share the love of Christ with a lost and spiritually confused world. The standing room only crowd was challenged to become Christ followers and then to be like Paul and share Christ where ever we go.”

Jenny Willard from Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.) reports on their Easter events: “We had 5 services this year! One will be on the Thursday after Easter, for all of our spring-breakers who might’ve missed Easter Sunday.
“We continued our series on Romans, and on Easter Pastor Tim Flickinger (right) addressed ‘A Fork in the Road…Which Road do you Choose?’ We had a special women’s choir, a men’s trio, and a video drama about a couple driving down Graceless Blvd, Easy Street, and Faith Road.”
A postcard was sent to people to announce the Easter services.

Lester Smith (right), senior pastor of Hillsdale UB church in Hillsdale, Mich., tells about Easter events at his church. “The Hillsdale UB Church presented the musical drama ‘More Than Just A Man’ in two of the three Easter weekend worship services. Total attendance was 825, which set an all-time record for Hillsdale UB. There was also a Sonrise Breakfast in between services sponsored by the teens, with donations going toward the expenses for their mission trip this summer.
“After breakfast, many from the congregation signed up at tables to participate in one of the small groups being held during the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign that begins April 30. Radio and newspaper ads are now being run to announce to the community the offer of a free copy of Rick Warren’s best-seller, if they sign up for one of over 40 home groups being hosted by HUB members.”

Pastor Tim Hallman of Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) sent this report about the church’s Easter service: “We have been holding two services since September 2005, but for Easter Sunday went to one service. We had a full house and a lot of fun celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. For Resurrection Sunday we focused on the Empty Tomb. Some members of our music team built a huge tomb on the front stage. It was a great looking piece of art. Inside we placed the communion table, covering it with a white sheet, along with some folded linens, marking where Jesus had laid dead. We ended the service with communion. One by one a family would walk into the empty tomb to receive the elements. It was very cool.”

Steve Smith (right), pastor of Lake View UB in Camden, Mich., writes: “Lake View Church enjoyed hosting the Community Good Friday Service for the Pioneer Area Ministerial Association. What a blessing to see about 200 people from this rural area gather for worship and communion. We are blessed to live in a community that has a strong evangelical influence. Our new ensemble named ‘Uniquely His’ presented the special music for this service, and our worship team led the praise and worship singing. Other area pastors were involved in the greeting, serving of communion, prayers and readings. Praise the Lord for a great service.
“Easter Sunday was a record-setting day for Lake View Church. We started the day with our Sunrise service and breakfast fellowship, and then continued with our regular services that include 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Celebration. Our focus in worship was on the empty tomb and all that it offers to us. We praise the Lord for the privilege of seeing three adults accept Christ as their personal Savior in the morning worship. In addition, we rejoice in the record attendance of 345! The entire day was a wonderful time of worship and celebration.”

Sally Harrison reports on Holy Week observances at the West Windsor UB church in Dimondale, Mich.:
“We gave a the drama of ‘Living Last Supper,’ a one-act play in which the 12 disciples each speak their minds about Jesus’ words, ‘One of you will betray me.’ It is based on the Da Vinci Painting of the Last Supper. We had performances on Thursday and Friday nights. About 80 people came on Thursday, and the 140 people who came on Friday maxxed out our sanctuary, which usually holds just 110.
“We had a afterglow (party with snacks) after the performance on Friday, and most everyone stayed. Some were family and friends, but some were new people from the community that we want to invite to our church as future friends. Pastor Paul Wall (right) was the driving force in this production and Mrs. Deb Fish was the director.
“On Easter Sunday at 7 a.m., we held a sunrise service at the cemetery CRYPT in Dimondale. We sang songs and prayed, and Pastor Paul gave a short sermon. We then went back to the church for breakfast at 8:00 and at 11:00 we held our regular church service, with many new people joining us.”