Save These Dates
Maundy Thursday Service
April 9th, 7 p.m.
FWSCS Meeting
Monday, April 13th, 7:15 p.m.
Bible Study with Pastor Dave
Beginning April 23rd, 3- 4:30 p.m. or 7- 8:30 p.m.
Annual Rummage Sale, May 1st- May 2nd
PASTOR’S LETTER
APRIL 2009
Dear Friends at Lyall Church,
April begins with Holy Week. It is a week with many different emotions. Palm Sunday is the hope that finally Jesus is going to set up his kingdom or at least do something great in the holy city. Prophetic cries are heard in the street. Hope is just around the corner, just like today in our present world situation, help is on the way. Well, maybe yes and maybe no. But we hope.
However, the hope of Palm Sunday seems to have a horrible outcome. There comes betrayal, loneliness, pain, suffering and even death on a cross. For most, hope dies. Even Jesus seems to lose it for a while. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
The hope of easy solutions dies. But if we persevere, a new abiding hope emerges, that is, the hope and assurance that God prevails. Even death does not have the final word. We can live in the power of the resurrection.
More than ever this Easter offers new hope to all of us. So keep faith as the Psalmist says:
"Why are you disquieted within me?" (That is, why are you worried about the future?)
"Hope thou in God, He is your strength and refuge." (Psalm 42-43)
Therefore, I encourage you to live Holy Week at Lyall Church, from Palm Sunday (April 5th--a service with palms, but no communion), to a very special service on Maundy Thursday at 7pm with communion, tenebrae service and special music. (We are asking that you bring a candle, with holder, from your home for the service. You may take it home after the service.)
Then on to Easter. We will begin with an early outdoor service at 8:00 am in Nine Partners Cemetery, near the Quaker Meeting House. There will be a very special Easter Celebration at 10:30am.
Hope is alive for all of us if we keep the faith.
Yours in the Risen Christ,
Pastor Dave
BIBLE Study
By Kathy King
Pastor Dave is hosting a Bible study, entitled Jesus’ Subversive Theology about the Kingdom of God: a Study of the Parables and More. Jesus turned the conventional thought of the day upside down: come and learn why!
You are invited to participate in
“Jesus’ Subversive Theology
about the Kingdom of God”
A study of the Parables & more
with
The Rev. David Hondorp
Starting April 23, 2009
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
for about six sessions.
There is no fee.
Yes, I am interested in attending:
Name: __________________________
Phone number: ___________________
E-Mail: ________________________
|
FWSCS News
The FWSCS will begin the meeting at 7:15 p.m., on Monday, April 13. Kathy King will be talking about “The Day of the Cross & the Good Friday Sky of Jerusalem.” The stars show us that at the beginning of the world, God had His salvation for us already in place.
Church Library
By Kathy King
We have two new books in our church library which tell us more about God and His redemptive purposes. Although they are both novels, they hold many truths in them. In The Shack, by William P. Young, a man spends a weekend conversing with the Trinity. The conversation may transform you or at least give you much food for thought. In The Christmas Sweater, by Glen Beck, we learn the true meaning of a gift is love.
We have a couple of thousand books and audio/visual materials in our library waiting for you!
Chancel Flower Arrangements, 2009
By Nancy O’Leary
We have one open date in our flower calendar for Sunday morning church services, Nov. 8th. These beautiful flowers are displayed, then distributed to those who are ill, or shut-ins. If you would like to donate a flower arrangement, please contact Nancy O’Leary at 677-3715 or ngloleary@optonline.net. The cost is $45. Thank you.
Special Dates
* Passion/Palm Sunday, April 5th
* Maundy/Holy Thursday, April 9th
* Good Friday, April 10th
* Holy Saturday, April 11th
* Easter Sunday, April 12th
April Birthdays
By Joyce Nielsen
1. Nicole Anderson
Shirley Harris
Cheryl Bruzgal
Ella Munderback
3. Helen Lomangino
Melissa Myler
7. Caitlin Papageorge
8. Phyllis Randall
Alison Simmons
9. Judy Oppenheimer
11. Walter Doland
12. Andrew Strayer
13. Mikey Curcio
Sarah Rizzo
15. Al Conklin
Helen Doland
Richard Moretti
18. Amy Olson
22. Danielle Swartz
Julia Williams
23. Jacob DeLuca
24. John Peacock
25. Evelyn Grainger
Julia Rizzo
28. Timothy Simmons
30. Brianna Bownas
April Anniversaries
By Joyce Nielsen
19. Richard & Marie Burr
23. Peter & Elizabeth Colen
* Administrative Professionals Day
April 22nd
HOLY WEEK
By Kathy King
Palm Sunday: We will begin on Palm Sunday, April 05, with a joyous worship service of celebration at the coming of the Messiah. We will praise the Lord through song, prayer, meditation, and the waving of palms.
Maundy Thursday: We will come together at 7:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 09, to remember the last few hours of our Lord’s earthly life and His death.
* The barren cross will be on the front lawn of the church.
* There will be a barren cross in the chancel, as well.
* Those who attend the service are asked to bring a candle to set on the Communion table upon
entering the sanctuary.
* The service itself will have several distinct parts:
- Hand-washing
- Holy Communion
- The Passion of our Lord Jesus (a skit)
- Tenebrae (extinguishing of candles)
- Candle of Hope
- Ringing of church bell
The music portions of the service will be beautiful and solemn.
At the close of the service, each of us should walk away with at least a partial understanding of the enormity God’s love for us as found in John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Easter Sunday: We will have two services on Easter Sunday, April 12. There will be an early service at 8:00 a.m. at Nine Partners’ Cemetery (or in the Quaker Meeting House, if the weather is bad). There will be a second Easter service in the main sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. The cross in the chancel will have been transformed into a site of celebration, the music will be most joyous and beautiful, and the morning’s message will declare the whole reason for our hope and faith in Christ: His resurrection. As we leave the sanctuary, we will transform the outside cross into a Flowering Cross for the entire Millbrook community to see.
Do plan to take an active role during Holy Week as we commemorate the life, death, and resurrected life of our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!
Thoughts and Prayers
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the following individuals: Phyllis Anderson, at home; Gordon Anderson, at home; Walter Doland, recovering at home; Marvelle Hondorp, recovering from a knee replacement; George Davis, at home; continued healing for Maureen Tonner; continued prayers for Sue and Ken Robertson and Jerry Secor; Bob Secor, in Sharon Health Care Center for rehab; Herb Harris, prayers for restored health; Florence Harris, at home, recovering from pneumonia; Lisa Prisco, undergoing treatment for cancer; Sandy Beaumont; Charlie Ferris, at Sharon Health Care; Rob Watson, friend of Anne Kading, with pancreatic cancer; John Wolf, friend of Helen and Len Lomangino; Judy Kelly, neighbor of Adelaide Jasmine, with lung cancer; Dick Enders, uncle of Harriet Cole, in hospital in North Carolina, with pneumonia; Terry Della-Volpe, in Sharon Health care, recovering from pneumonia.
Sunday School News
By Dawn Blackburn
Sunday School attendance has been down a bit during the winter months, but we are looking forward to a spring-induced revival. If you've been "under the weather", please know that we have missed you and would love to see you back at Sunday School!
On Palm Sunday, the primary & intermediate classes will be decorating bags to be used for gathering the treats and treasures they will find at our annual Easter Egg Hunt during Sunday School on Easter Sunday. Members of the teen class will help prepare, setup and supervise this event.
If any congregation members are in need of some cheerful and able assistance with spring cleanup tasks, please consider hiring our teens and supporting their Water for Life project. They have made terrific progress toward their goal, but need some more fundraising opportunities to reach completion by the end of the school year.
Attention
Meals-on-Wheels Cook Needed
Volunteer cooks are needed to rotate on Wednesdays for Meals-on-Wheels. Please call 677-5056 for information.
Happy Easter!!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RUMMAGE!
By Katrina Wack
It's that time of year again. Our annual rummage sale will be held May 1-2.
Reduce: the amount of clutter in your home. Pack up your gently used; household items, kid's clothing, adult clothing, toys etc. and bring them to the church during the last week of April.
Reuse: is what some lucky person will be able to do with your unneeded items, and at a bargain price.
Recycle: is what it's all about. (and you thought it was the Hokey Pokey). By gathering our surplus stuff and making it available to someone who needs it, or who just can't live without that little tchotchke, we are contributing to the recycling of items rather than the wasting of our resources. In addition, items that we do not sell, and that are still in good condition, will be given to other organizations which are also raising money for charitable works.
So, clean out that garage, attic, basement, wherever your stuff collects, and bring it to church the last week in April. Please make sure items are clean and have all parts. Baggies and plastic containers are great for children's toys that have small accessories.
All proceeds go to the numerous missions that FWSCS (Federated Women's Society of Christian Service) supports.
Rummage Sale Support Team
By Katrina Wack
The Women's Society needs your help to make our Rummage Sale a success. We need volunteers to help sort and price items the last week in April, work as cashiers and baggers on May 1 & 2, and help clean up at the end of the sale. If you would like to offer your time and support for our biggest mission fundraiser please contact Betty Doyle 868-7148, or any other member of FWSCS.
Also, there will be a planning meeting on Monday, March 23 at 7pm.
Condolences
We as a church family express our sympathy to the family and friends of Bea Birdsall, who went to be with God, on Sat., March 7th. She was a long-time member of our church. She was active in the FWSCS and was one of the women who was part of the group who used to make beautiful homemade quilts for us to sell. May she rest with God.
Spring Clean-up Day
By Dave Adams
Spring is upon us, and the Building and Grounds committee has set our annual Spring Clean-up Day for Saturday, May 9th from 9:00 am to 1:00pm. We are looking for some energetic volunteers to help us to spruce up the Church and grounds. We will be taking down and storing storm windows, sweeping the parking areas, raking, etc. We also have a couple of other projects such as leveling air conditioner pads, installing a storm water drain and perhaps some work at the Parsonage as well if we get enough help. Bring your work gloves and a smile, and remember
“Many hands make light work”. (The rain-date will be Sat. May 16th). Thank-you.
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