Volume 10 Number 4 April from the Rector. The Rev. Donald Lowery. It s not about a Bunny

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1 The Bell Tower The Church of the Holy Innocents Newsletter Volume 10 Number 4 April 2014 Inside this Issue From the Rector It s not about a Bunny Upcoming Church Events From the Rector...cont. Holy Week & Easter Parish News... Youth Group ECW Tabitha Vestry News... Parish Life April Schedule of Events Treasurer s Report... Deacon s Bench... April Birthdays and Anniversaries Remember in Your Prayers Special Dates Unified Serving Schedule Just for Kids Easter Cake He Has Risen The Church of the Holy Innocents 210 South Chestnut Street Henderson, North Carolina Telephone: hinnocents@centurylink.net Church Web Site Address: Visit us on Facebook from the Rector The Rev. Donald Lowery It s not about a Bunny I begin with a joke. Three young people were on a game show and had to answer a question about religion to advance towards the prize money. The question was, What is Easter? Contestant one answers: It is an autumn holiday when people gather with family and eat turkey. That person was gonged off the show. Contestant two answers: It is a spring festival when people drink green beer and remember some dude named Patrick who chased all the snakes out of Ireland. Again, the contestant was gonged off the show. Contestant three answers: It is a spring Holy Day when Christians remember Jesus died on the cross and rose again, and if he sees his shadow as he comes out of the tomb we will have six more weeks of spring weather. You can guess what happened... From the Rector cont. pg.2 UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS Mark Your Calendar LENTEN PROGRAM April 2 and 9 5:30 p.m. Holy Communion 6:00 p.m. Soup and Sandwich Supper in Lower Hall HOLY WEEK & EASTER April 13 - Palm Sunday April 17 - Maundy Thursday April 18 - Good Friday April 20 - Easter Sunday (Service details on page 2.) COMMUNITY HOLY WEEK SERVICES April 14 - April 18 First Presbyterian Church (Noon services followed by lunch)

2 April 2014 As our culture becomes more and more secular, we risk the significance of our holiest days being lost to memory. Christmas has largely shifted to being a winter solstice holiday with presents and parties. Baby Jesus fades into the background as the commercial frenzy becomes the basis for many retailers profitability and even viability. One need only read post-christmas reports about once vibrant chains like Sears and J.C. Penny to know that not only has Jesus vanished but the very survival of companies depends in part on holiday sales. The saying Jesus is the reason for the Season is in danger of being replaced with Sales are the reason for the Season. Easter does not yet suffer the commercial frenzy that surrounds Christmas. However, from the old traditions of buying new dress clothing and sweets to modern events like companies bringing out their spring and summer merchandise lines, the most important feast of the Christian year is at risk of having its meaning eroded away. For those of us who have a church connection, that may seem impossible, but let me illustrate with a true story. A friend of mine, who is an Episcopal priest, went into a Belk s store in Charlotte to buy a gold cross for a goddaughter as an Easter gift. The teenager working the jewelry counter asked, Do you want a plain one, or one with the little man hanging on it? The startled priest gently questioned her and discovered she had no idea who the little man hanging on it was. There is no better reaffirmation of the meaning of Holy Week and Easter than to attend the worship services of this holiest of Christian Seasons. Let me review them for us all. victory and defeat within the one service. Yet, is not that how our own lives are lived? We are reminded that whatever we experience in life, whether joy or sorrow, Jesus is with us. Maundy Thursday Service begins at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Again this service shifts between joy and sorrow. We remember Jesus great commandment that we love one another as he has loved us. We celebrate the first Lord s Supper or Holy Communion and so the altar is vested in festal white. However, as the service ends, the Sacrament is reserved for Communion on Good Friday and the Altar is solemnly stripped of all hangings to remind us that Jesus leaves that Upper Room to go to the Garden of Gethsemane and betrayal by one of his own disciples. Good Friday has two services in the parish church. At 3:00 p.m., the traditional hour of Jesus death, we gather for Stations of the Cross. Step by step and aided in our devotions by simple pictures, we journey with Jesus to Golgotha. This service generally takes about half an hour. At 7:00 p.m. we gather once more for the Proper Liturgy for Good Friday. Communion is given to those who desire it from sacrament set aside on Maundy Thursday. Vigil, a Sunrise Service at 6:00 a.m. at Old St. John s, the 1772 church in Williamsborough. This is one of my favorite services of the year. Beginning in darkness, the service starts with a symbolic Easter Fire and procession through the old cemetery. After moving indoors, we remember the story of our salvation by God s saving acts on behalf humanity. Because the building sits on an East-West orientation, sunlight gradually begins to stream through the windows; a reminder the Jesus is the Light of the world. Worship opportunities continue at Holy Innocents with 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion, 10:30 a.m. Service with Sung Festal Eucharist and 12:30 p.m. Eucharist in Spanish. The rector then goes home and has a little nap. At this point in time I plan for the youth group to meet after my nap at the usual time. Along with all the services listed above, Holy Innocents participates with the other downtown churches in Holy Week Community Services. These will be held at First Presbyterian Church this year. Each service begins at noon and is followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. at our host church. I will preach on Maundy Thursday and the ECW will serve lunch in the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to join with fellow Christians in affirming our common faith in Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday s Services will be held at the usual Sunday Service times but will begin in the Memorial Garden, weather permitting. If weather is inclement we will begin in the Great Hall. In our Palm procession, we remember the triumph of our Lord as he enters Jerusalem as King of Kings. Yet, we progress rapidly to the Passion Gospel and his death on the Cross. As Christians we hold in tension triumph and tragedy, 2 Easter Sunday is wonderfully busy as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. The first service is the Easter.

3 Parish News VesTrY News THE BELL TOWER April Schedule The Rev. Donald Lowery The Church Office will be closed on Easter Monday, Aril 21. The Rev. Donald Lowery The youth group will meet on the Sundays of April at 5:00 p.m. beginning in the Hughes House and then moving on to supper and the youth room in the Parish House. We may not have youth group on April 27th as I have a wedding booked for that Sunday afternoon. Sunday weddings are rare but they do happen from time to time. I have not yet confirmed the time with the couple so if it appears I can be back in time for youth group, I ll let the youth group know. Betsy Seifert, President Eleven members were present at the ECW meeting in the Ladies Parlor on Tuesday morning, March 25th. Those of you who can t join us in the day time, please plan to be with us next month on Tuesday evening, April 29th at 7:00 pm. We ll discuss bazaar plans and Wednesday night covered-dish suppers for the fall and other things!! Tabitha Guild Janet White, Betsy Catlett & Margaret Williamson We would love to have some more knitters (or chatters!) join us! AND, if anyone knows of someone who would benefit from having a shawl, please let us know! Call Betsy ( ); Margaret ( ); or Janet ( ) Thanks! Parish Life Committee Kathy Taylor, Chairman On March 4 6:00 pm the Vestry Sponsored Pancake Supper got underway and served pancakes, bacon, sausage, desserts, fruit & drinks to over 50 people. A great time was had by all that attended. After Lenten services on Wednesdays this year, all attending the services and all members of the church were invited to come to the Lower Hall and share soup and sandwiches, drinks and desserts. So far we ve served an average of 25 people each Wednesday and we ve had chili and pimento cheese sandwiches, beef vegetable soup with ham/cheese rolls and chicken noodle soup with Cuban sandwiches along with drinks and desserts. Thanks go out to the following people who have either helped and / or supplied the food for these gatherings in March: ECW for the chili, Anne Almand, Anne Bliss, Betsy Catlett, Betty and Marshall Cooper, Tom Church, Mariana Davis, Barbara Foster, Sofia Ford, Valerie Gwynn, Marcia Hartness, Tracy Madigan, Anora Rainey, Annette Roberson, Nish and Michael Roberson, Stephanie Rogers, Roberta Scott, Betsy Seifert, Cat Watkins, Janet White, Linda and Porter Shaw, Margaret Williamson and Shirley Young. Thank you all for everything you ve done to make this such a successful venture!!! And of course Thanks goes out to Keith Aiken and Frank Madigan who do such a wonderful job getting everything ready for our Wednesday nights. We could not gather together without your awesome assistance every week!! Thanks to all and looking forward to the next few Soup & Sandwich nights left in April. Choir Weekly Practice Schedule Hand Bell Choir Wed, at 6:00 PM Parish Choir Mon, at 6:00 PM DAILY MORNING PRAYER Monday - Thursday (weekly) 7:30 AM, Hughes House Wednesday April 2 5:30 PM, Holy Communion 6:00 PM, Soup & Sandwich Supper Sunday April 6 8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:35 AM, Adult Forum 9:45 AM, Children s Sunday School 10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio Tuesday April 8 10:00 AM, Tabitha Guild (Ladies Parlor) Wednesday April 9 3:00 PM, Nursing Home Ministry 5:30 PM, Holy Communion 6:00 PM, Soup & Sandwich Supper Sunday April 13 ( Palm Sunday) 8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:35 AM, Adult Forum 9:45 AM, Children s Sunday School 10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio Thursday April 17(Maundy Thurs) 7:00 PM, Holy Communion with solemn stripping of the Altar Friday- April 18 (Good Friday) 3:00 PM, Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM, Liturgy w/ Communion Sunday April 20 (Easter Sunday) 6:00 AM, Sunrise Service - St. John s 8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:35 AM, Adult Forum 9:45 AM, Children s Sunday School 10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II 12:30 PM, Misa por Pascua Wednesday April 23 3:00 PM, Nursing Home Ministry Sunday April 27 8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:35 AM, Adult Forum 9:45 AM, Children s Sunday School 10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist Rite I 12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio Tuesday April 29 7:00 PM, ECW (Ladies Parlor) Tabitha All services are conducted in the Church, unless otherwise noted. 3

4 April 2014 Treasurer s Report Bob Nelson, Treasurer 4

5 April 2014 The Deacon s Bench by the Rev. Harrel Johnson April 2014 Forty Days and Nights of God s Grace and Love We have just celebrated 0ur third Sunday in the season of Lent. The forty days that we commemorate and experience Jesus s temptation in the wilderness. Have you ever been in the wilderness? I have and I have found that wilderness can take many forms. There are emotional wildernesses like the time I had to bury my first born child a stillborn daughter in the pouring down rain with only the funeral director and my self present at the grave. There are physical and frustrating wildernesses like when you run a boat hard aground on a mudflat only 100 yards from deep water and have to sit and wait hours for the tide to change and come back in. There are wildernesses that we seek out when we need to be alone. All have their associated test and all provide lots of opportunity for reflection which is what lent is all about or at least it is to me. Have you ever been to a secluded place, by yourself, just to think about things and be quiet and be still? This would be somewhat like going on a retreat. How would you spend your time alone? When I go to a secluded place, I like to walk and think things over. Sometimes I ll stop and sit down to keep on thinking, appreciating, thanking and just marveling at the sights and sounds. But wouldn t this time alone also be a good time to evaluate our lives? Wouldn t this be a perfect time to reflect on our sins, our mistakes, and shortcomings and consider how we could do better next time? Wouldn t it be a great time to pray and find God; to praise and thank him for the many blessings he has given us in our lives? What motivated Jesus to spend forty days and nights of solitude, prayer and fasting in the wilderness of Judea? Hardly anyone lived in the desert and one who were to travel in it would encounter many dangers-the scorching heat by day, extreme cold at night, wild animals, scorpions and a lack of food and water. The desert was a place of testing, encounter and renewal. Moses went to Mount Sinai to encounter God and he stayed there for forty days and nights. Elijah the prophet spent forty days of journey in the desert. Jesus spent forty days in the desert to prepare himself for the mission the Father sent him to accomplish. But Jesus preparation included times of testing and temptations by the devil. The word tempt in English usually means to entice to sin. The scriptural word also means test in the sense of proving and purifying someone to see if they are ready for the task at hand. What are you doing during these forty days? Will you be ready for the task at hand? 5

6 THE BELL TOWER Birthdays Griselle Woodard... 4/02 Edward Stevenson... 4/04 Macon Pearsall... 4/04 Catherine Watkins 4/05 Jean Palamar... 4/06 Henry Strause... 4/08 Meredith Ellis... 4/08 Graham Shearin... 4/12 Mariana Davis... 4/14 John Zollicoffer... 4/15 Anna Parks Stewardson... 4/18 D. Boyd Kimball... 4/19 Fagan Goodwin... 4/20 Al Catlett /27 Thornton Gholson... 4/27 Butch Gray /28 Bob Herford /30 Remember In Your Prayers Pray for Healing and Comfort: Cynthia Shaw, Helen Church Miles, Trayce Wheless, Barbara Collins, Staci Barnett, Harry Collins, MaryAnn Hill, Barbara Madigan, Melody Shearin, Virginia Frank, Carolyn Lowery, Belinda Catlett, Mary Shearin, Randy Palamar, Rebecca Aiken, Bev Tucker, VivieDrake, Meghan Bunn, Marion Devoe, John Amos, Joy Suther, Peggy Polak, Nancy Phillips & Phillip Redwine. Special Dates Fifth Sunday in Lent April 6, 2014 Palm Sunday April 13, 2014 Maundy Thursday April 17, 2014 Good Friday April 18, 2014 Holy Saturday April 19, 2014 Anniversaries Easter Sunday April 20, 2014 Katherine and Bob Kittrell... 4/16 Fagan and James Goodwin... 4/19 Holy Week April 13-19, 2014 APRIL Unified Serving Schedule Apr Acolytes Crucifer Lay Reader / Chalice Bearer Ushers Altar Guild Greens/ Flowers Vestry Greeter 6 Lucy Catherine Olmert Lehman Ford Mary Beth Parish Sarah Rose Parish Book-Genie Parish Uriah Ford William Parish 8:00am - Lucy Gray 10:30am - Ruth Hartness PALM SUNDAY 8:00am - Bob Nelson 10:30am - Richard Davis Frank Madigan Marshall Cooper Jerry Cottrell Rick Palamar Frank Madigan Marshall Cooper Jerry Cottrell Rick Palamar Mariana Davis Anora Rainey Janet White Mrs. Alston MAUNDY THURSDAY Liz Presho Amber Presho Book -Anne Presho Chris Nelson 7:00pm - Lucy Gray Anora Parham Family Rainey Alton Stainback Anne Almand 18 Matthew Williamson GOOD FRIDAY 3:00pm -Stations of the Cross 7:00pm - Liturgy for Good Friday Anora Rainey Clodfelter Genie Parish Mary Beth Parish Sarah Rose Parish Anne Presho **** Brennan Olmert Tucker Olmert Book-Uriah Ford Matthew Williamson Lehman Ford EASTER SUNDAY 6:00am - Nick Andrews 8:00am - Hut Wester 10:30am - Nancy Whitt 8:00am - Steve Flannagan 10:30am - Tom Church Frank Madigan Marshall Cooper Jerry Cottrell Rick Palamar Frank Madigan Marshall Cooper Jerry Cottrell Rick Palamar Anora Rainey Shirley Young Katherine Kittrell Griselle Woodward Lisa Miravalle Tom Church **** Book Bearer, Liz Presho / Banner, William Parish / Tintinabulus, Amber Presho / Kite, Chris Nelson 6

7 THE BELL TOWER Note from the Editor... Marsha Nelson May Newsletter items are due: April 25th Please news items to: 7

8 PHONE: THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS 210 South Chestnut Street Henderson, NC The Church of the Holy Innocents All are welcome to join us as we joyfully greet each person present at our worship. May our love and respect for one another be steady and true as we strive to follow Christ our Lord.