"HELP for HAITI" - Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is launching a national $3 million "Helping Haiti" effort. Thrivent will contribute $1, up to $1 million, for every $2 in donations that members make by March 31st to the following organizations: Lutheran World Relief, LCMS World Relief/Human Care, ELCA Disaster Response, and WELS Committee on Relief. To do so, and to partner with Thrivent to get this much needed help to Haiti, you may make your donations by logging on to: www.Thrivent.com/helpinghaiti or by calling 1-800-236-3736 between 7 a.m. And 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. When prompted, say "directory" and enter extension 83003. If you have any questions about this disaster response, please call the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736.

Preschool Update form Mary Robinson - Our most recent step to opening Christ's Kids preschool involved another application to the Ashland Zoning Board for a conditional use permit. While the city comprehensive plan recommends no new commercial businesses in our neighborhood, the city ordinance allows the zoning board for permit daycares in all zoning districts. We again presented our request at the Feb. 23 meeting and that was followed by the opportunity for anyone to speak against the request. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 even though the opposition had not completed its arguments as some members of the zoning board had commitments to be elsewhere. The meeting will resume on March 9. at 5:30pm, in the meeting room on the third floor of the city building. We encourage all that can to attend this meeting as a show of support but also to get a sense of the animosity that has been shown by one opposing party in particular. Please continue to remember our preschool mission in your prayers and also remember our neighbors.

Lewisburg, WV - If you know of anyone with a Lutheran background in the area of Lewisburg, WV, let them know a new LCMS church may form in the Greenbrier Valley. Contact Rev. Kevin Wilson (wilsonk@oh.lcms.org) for more information

2009 Contribution Forms - The 2009 Contribution Forms for income tax purposes are put alphabetically in the newsletter box. As a courtesy to those of you who put loose checks in the weekly offering plate, 2009 forms are also available in the newsletter box. Please pick yours up today to save the church postage.

Kroger Gift Cards - We still have $5 Kroger Gift cards available for purchase. You can use them for groceries or gas at no additional cost to you. Once purchased, if you recharge them, Christ's Kids will get credit for the recharge and when our recharges total $5,000, the Preschool will get a 5% rebate. What a great way to show your support of the Preschool. See Carol Bruce to purchase a gift card.

Family Roster and Birthday List Update - We are updating the St. Paul's Family Roster and Birthday List. A draft copy of each is located on the back credenza. Please check you address, phone number, children's names, etc., and make any changes needed to the Family Roster, and if we don't have your birthday, please add it to the Birthday List. Thank You!

Pledge Support - In order to meet the our financial obligations to a number of pledges (decided upon at our voters meeting), we are asking members of the congregation to make a special offering each Sunday to the pledge of the week. Special offering envelopes can be found in the rear of the church for this purpose. Your support is needed and will be greatly appreciated. The pledge of the week that we ask you to support are:
1/st Sunday of each month - DORCAS
2/nd Sunday of each month - Ohio District Mission
3/rd Sunday of each month - Our Seminary Student
4/th Sunday of each month - Our Radio Ministry
5/th Sunday (when there is one) - CAReS

Cancer Patients Need Your Help - Cancer patients from your community need your help to get to and from their medical treatments and appointments. Road to Recovery, an American Cancer Society transportation assistance program, needs kind people to volunteer their time and use their own vehicles to drive patients to and from their appointments. Schedules are flexible. For more information, call Tiffanie Buckner at 606-325-8251.

Issues Ect. - Issues Ect. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio. You can listen to this series at your convenience at http://www.issuesect.org .

Shelter of Hope - This organization helps homeless families, and are in constant need of the following items: towels, washcloths. toilet paper, paper towels, light bulbs, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, bedding and pillows, soap, shampoo, razors, hairbrushes and combs, laundry baskets, trash bags, sandwich bags, diapers, wipes, deodorant, brooms, mops, dustpans, small appliances, dishes, silverware, pots and pans. Also volunteers are needed for fundraising, maintenance, pantry operations, donation pick-ups, apartment cleaning and heavy lifting. If interested contact Shelter of Hope, 2944 Winchester Ave., Ashland.

Card Rack - Cards are available for purchase. All proceeds will go to support the Youth Group. The card rack is located next to the adult classroom on the second floor.

JCPLAYZONE - What is it? It is a new link on our church web site for the children to have fun on the internet. It is a “safe” place hosted by Lutheran Hour Ministries, and it can be found at www.stpaulsashland.org and listed under the “Lutheran Links” section. Kids can find crafts, play games, send e-cards, recipes and more. Encourage your children or grandchildren to check it out. It is a place where faith, learning and fun come together. There is also a place called JCParentZone that can be reached from the JCPLAYZONE site.