The Pastor s Prayers

Transcription

1 March 2016 The Pastor s Prayers We are fast approaching the holiest time of the Christian year. All our faith revolves around Easter, which in turn rests upon the foundation of Holy Week. Holy Week will start on March 20 th with Palms to Passion Sunday. In this worship service, we acknowledge first Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then realize what a short time it is before people turn against him, leading to his betrayal, suffering and death. During Holy Week, I will once again observe noon prayer in the sanctuary. Anyone is invited to join me for minutes of scripture reading and silent prayer at 12:00, Tuesday March 22, through Friday, March 25. Maundy Thursday is March 24. Our friends from College Hill Community Presbyterian will be joining us for dinner and worship that evening. Worship will include the Lord s Supper, as we remember how Jesus taught his friends to share this meal in remembrance of him. Worship will end with the service of Tenebrae, where we hear readings from Jesus Passion and extinguish candles to mark Jesus dark journey to Golgotha. At the end of the Maundy Thursday bulletin we read: The work of the Church continues as we watch and wait in prayer until Easter morning. You may want to take special time in prayer on Good Friday or Holy Saturday to remember Jesus wondrous love for us and the extent to which he was willing to go to save us. After the solemnity of Holy Week, Easter is a joyous celebration! Scripture, triumphant music, beautiful flowers all proclaim that Christ is risen! Thanks be to God for Jesus victory over sin and death. Grace and peace, Pastor Karen ** Dear God, may the spirit of Jesus guide us during Holy Week. May we sense the depth of his passion and the significance of his sacrifice for us. Bring us to a new understanding of Easter and the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. 1

2 ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Since 1949, the ecumenical One Great Hour of Sharing offering, in which 29 different denominations participate during the season of Lent, has been helping to change the lives of people around the world who lack access to food, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Today, projects supported by OGHS are underway in more than 100 countries. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), three programs supported by this special offering make a difference in the world: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) receives 32% of the funds raised from the OGHS offering. PDA works within communities after the devastation of natural or human-caused disasters as those communities recover and find hope. These communities can be both national and international, and include such ongoing efforts as support following severe winter storms in the Northeast, California wildfires, flooding in Texas, and response to Superstorm Sandy in NY and NJ, as well as earthquakes in Nepal, humanitarian care provided to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, and support to 15 different countries after catastrophic events. The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) receives 36% of the funds raised through OGHS. PHP works to alleviate hunger and helps to create access to healthy food for entire communities. Over $1.6 million was provided for local, national, and international hunger work. Over 308,000 people who were living in extreme poverty in more than 30 countries now have increased food security and livelihoods. Self-Development of People (SDOP) receives 32% of these special offering funds. SDOP partners with people and communities with tools for development and education to alleviate poverty, oppression, and injustice. Across the United States, including the focus areas of New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, and Los Angeles, SDOP has entered into partnerships with 20 self-help projects focusing on literacy, human rights, rehabilitation, and skill development. SDOP also works with economically poor communities in Belize, India, and the Dominican Republic. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing support all of these initiatives here and abroad. First Church will receive the OGHS offering on Palm Sunday (March 20) and Easter (March 27). Please give generously, as you are able. 2

3 Memorial Gifts A gift in memory of all members and friends deceased in 2015 has been received from Betsy Priaulx. It was designated for the Fairborn Primary School Fund. Richard Winters sent a gift in loving memory of Wanda Winters. Harold Hale, Wanda Winters, and Jean Luc Lo Cicéro were remembered by Bob Hendrix. Nancy & Gene Welch honored the memory of Dee Hendrix with their gift to the school project s Snak Paks fund. Sally Stroud, Dee Hendrix, and Wanda Winters were remembered by Jane Bigelow. ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION for MARCH Sunday mornings at 8:45am in the Board Room We are currently studying the book of James, and all are welcome when we gather to pray, read various Bible translations, and discuss ways of making God s word relevant for us today. Please speak to Denise Lo Cicéro, Margo Gaillard-Barnes, Beth Thomas, or any other class participant for additional information. Tuesday mornings at 7:00am at Foy s Grill Woody Ensor leads this study, using the Upper Room materials. Thursday afternoons at 1:00pm in the Lounge Shirley Schlafman and Denise Lo Cicéro are facilitating our very popular class, The Cathedral, with media support from Bob Hendrix. Here are the upcoming topics: Date March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 Class The Medieval Mind: How to Build a Cathedral (part two) Early Gothic Architecture in England Decorated and Perpendicular English Gothic NO CLASS (Maundy Thursday) Gothic Churches in the Holy Roman Empire YOU are welcome at all of these classes and discussion groups! 3

4 Thanks to the Fairborn First congregation, Kirkmont Center is open and offering more for more people. I hope you can come up for one of our seasonal Days of Renewal. Peace, Buzz Reed / Kirkmont Board EASTER LILY ORDERS You are invited to share in the decoration of the sanctuary with lilies. The bulletin for the Easter morning service on March 27 will include names of the donors and the names of those for whom a gift was given. It is suggested that gifts be at least $10, but may be up to any amount you wish. The form and your check need to be received by Sunday, March 20; the check should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church and marked Easter Lilies. (To order: Use the form on the last page of this Lifeline or pick one up with your Sunday bulletins in March.) 4

5 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER 2016 VALENTINE MEET & EAT They had so much fun! 5

6 Mar 10 Art Gooray 13 Mark Priaulx Norm Willoughby 17 Joyce Burnette 18 Doris Bastin 19 Robert Lawler 20 Kay Smith 25 Tommy Thomas 28 Christy Riselay 31 Max Fueger Thank you for supporting Souper Bowl Sunday! Your generosity raised $222 for Snak Paks at Fairborn Primary. It is greatly appreciated! The CLS Team Thank you for the lovely flowers presented to me for my birthday by Deacon Tom Kelsey. Apr 3 Bette Malavich 4 Jan Smith 11 Michael Barnes 12 Bob Hendrix 17 Darrel Leister 21 Emily Haynes Dolores Calhoun 24 Frank Lowe 25 Robert Williams 28 Terry Riselay They are still beautiful and help brighten the dreary days we have been having. Love, Harriet Ensor During Holy Week, Pastor Karen will once again observe noon prayer in the sanctuary. Anyone is invited to join for minutes of scripture reading and silent prayer at 12:00, Tuesday March 22, through Friday March 25. 6

7 March 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 1:00 pm Hope Circle Lounge 6:30 pm Chancel Ringers rehearsal Music Room 3 1:00 pm The Cathedral Class Lounge 4 9:00 am United Chimes MR :30 pm Chancel Choir Sanctuary :45 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Communion 6:30 pm Chancel Ringers rehearsal Music Room 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Sanctuary 1:00 pm The Cathedral Class Lounge 2:30 pm CLS Meeting Board room 9:00 am United Chimes MR 10:30 am Operations meeting Board Room Daylight Savings time begins. 8:45 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Worship Bells 11:00 am St Vincent Cooks 5:30 pm St Vincent Servers 7:00 pm Session Mtg Board Room 6:30 pm Chancel Ringers rehearsal Music Room 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Sanctuary 1:00 pm The Cathedral Class Lounge 2:30 pm Deacons Mtg Board room 9:00 am United Chimes MR :45 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Worship Palm Sunday No Bells Rehearsal tonite 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Sanctuary Maundy Thursday 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Worship Lifeline Deadline 9:00 am United Chimes MR Church Office Closed 27 Easter 8:45 am Adult Bible Study 10:15 am Worship Holy Week Scripture reading and silent prayer at 12 noon Monday through Friday this week! :30 pm Chancel Ringers rehearsal Music Room No Choir tonite 31 1:00 pm The Cathedral Class Lounge 7

8 Lifeline the monthly newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairborn, Ohio 1130 Highview Dr, Fairborn, OH The Friendliest Church in Town Sunday Adult Bible Study: 8:45 am Sunday Worship: 10:15 am Pastor: Reverend Karen Cassedy Congregational Activities Coordinator and Director of Music: Denise Lo Cicéro Financial Secretary: Carolyn McMillan Director of Chancel Ringers: Rena Leatherman Organist: Jeff Firestone Church Secretary: Shelia Yux Sexton: Ron Gross Office Hours: Tuesday Friday, 10 am 4 pm (closed Monday) Phone: Fax: EASTER LILIES You are invited to share in the decoration of the sanctuary with lilies. The bulletin for the Easter morning service on March 27 will include names of the donors and the names of those for whom a gift was given. It is suggested that gifts be at least $10, but may be up to any amount you wish. This form and your check need to be received by Sunday, March 20; the check should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church and marked Easter Lilies. Enclosed is my check for $ for lilies. In memory of...in honor of...celebrating (encircle one) Given by (Use this form from the Lifeline or pick one up with your bulletin on Sunday mornings.) (Please print names as you wish them to appear in the bulletin.) 8