A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church & Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ. March 2018

Transcription

1 A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church & Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ March 2018

2 EASTER LILIES One of the joys of Easter morning is a chancel full of Easter Lilies. The forms to dedicate a lily in memory or honor of someone are available now through March 18th. You may Fill out the form from this newsletter, or pick up one with your Sunday bulletin. UCC people please place in the offering plate during worship. St. John s folks may put forms and money in the envelope on the secretaries desk in the office. If you re unable to join us for worship, you may call the church office. Donation for each lily is $15.

3 EASTER LILY MEMORIALS If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for Easter Sunday (4/1/2018) please fill out this form and place it in the offering plate or in the correct folder on the desk in the office. These need to be in the office no later than March 18. Please donate $15 per plant. Plants can be taken home anytime after St. John s Easter Service. There will be an insert in the bulletin on Easter listing all the loved ones remembered and honored. PLEASE CHOOSE In Memory of: In Honor of: Donated by: Amount enclosed: St. John s EASTER LILY MEMORIALS If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for Easter Sunday (4/1/2018) please fill out this form and place it in the offering plate. These need to be in the office by March 18th. Please donate $15 per plant. Plants can be taken home anytime after St. John s Easter Service. There will be an insert in the bulletin on Easter listing all the loved ones remembered and honored. PLEASE CHOOSE In Memory of: In Honor of: Donated by: Amount enclosed: UCC

4 PASTORAL PONDERINGS Well we are in the thick of it. Lent, that is. It officially started February 14th with Ash Wednesday. Each year this season begins with reflections on our need for repentance and grace, on our need for a new way of living. On the first Sunday of Lent, we always hear the story of Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days. We began the season of Lent here at Union on Sunday, February 18th with some worship wanderings. We went to the river Jordan to be reminded of Jesus belovedness, as well as our own. We dared to wander into the wilderness where there are temptations, wild beast and angels. There was also time to consider our own mortality: we are dust and to dust we shall one day return. This year, the reminder of our mortality had great impact on me, and perhaps you too. The unexpected losses of loved ones and the 18th school shooting this year that killed 17 in Parkland, Florida were stark reminders that we just do not know how our days may be numbered. For some of us, life will be too short. For others, we may live well into old age. Either way, how do we live? That is the question raised by the symbolic ashes of Lent. We are dust and to dust we shall return. How do we live in the meantime? There is much cruelty, violence, and hatred in the world. As followers of Jesus, our call and our challenge is to counter that evil with kindness, compassion, and love. We are to be people of grace in the face of the world s terrible lack of grace. And this is not about spoken platitudes. Keeping the wounded and grieving in our thoughts and prayers is not enough. We are called and challenged to speak out, to share from our resources and to work towards justice. Not only is this hard work, for surely it will change us; it is also scary. Remember where it led Jesus? Yah. The cross. But this is our good news: the cross didn t (and doesn t) get the final word. The world did (and does) its worst and God stands firm with divine mercy and love. Through the resurrection, God brings new life out of death, giving hope in the midst of despair and courage in the face of injustice. The good news of Easter is not that there is no pain or suffering, cruelty or violence, but even in the face of it all, God gives renewed strength and direction to live life fully and to love deeply. That s how we live in the meantime. Some may call us foolish. Some will surely mock us, calling our efforts a waste of time and energy and money. But we know the truth: good overcomes evil and death does not get the final say. Love does. We choose love. That s the challenge of Lent and the good news of Easter. Traveling mercies on this road to the cross and beyond Pastor Jenny (If you were unable to be with on the 18th, there will be dove blessings, angel rocks and reflections available on the old altar outside the sanctuary doors. You can also pick up a praying hands lapel pin and the 2018 Lenten Devotional, Speaking of God )

5 Sun. 3/ 4: 9:00 a.m. Worship, Communion, & Fellowship One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Wed. 3/7 Noon Graceful Disruptions (Fireside Room) Sun. 3/11 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS (set clocks ahead) 9:00 a.m. Worship, Faith Exploration & Fellowship Mon. 3/12 6:00/7:00 p.m. Diaconate/Trustees Wed. 3/14 Noon Graceful Disruptions (Fireside Room) Fri. Sun. 3/16-18 Women s Retreat (Lakeside Lodge) Sun. 3/18 9:00 a.m. Worship & Fellowship Wed. 3/21 Noon Graceful Disruptions (Fireside Room) Sun. 3/25 9:00 a.m. Worship, Faith Exploration & Fellowship Thurs.3/29 6:30 p.m. Agape Meal and Tenebrae (Fellowship Hall) Cody Smart 1 Betty Jean Taylor 5 Spencer Travis 10 Pam Smart 11 Nancy Probst 11 Amy Burke 13 Bob Maddox 27 Mark Beery 30 Heidi Brown 31 WEEKLY CHURCH EVENTS: Sundays 9:00 a.m. Worship Mondays 8:45 a.m. Coffee Group Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. Craft Group 6:30 p.m. Quilters Check office calendar for scouts and other regular groups. Bob and Donna Cudney 2 Narcotics Anonymous Mansface Church is home to the local NA chapter. Sunday night meetings are always an open meeting which means if you or a loved one is struggling with a drug addiction, you are welcomed to come. They meet at 8:00 p.m. in the Sunday School rooms.

6 One Great Hour of Sharing More Than We Can Imagine Give a farmer a seed In places lacking health and educational resources our gifts make a difference. What makes a house a home? In places where natural disasters strike our donations rebuild life and restore hope, not just in the immediate aftermath of storm or flood, but for years to come. Envelopes and inserts will be available on Sunday March 4 th. Mid-Week Lenten Gathering Graceful Disruptions We are meeting in the Fireside Room on Wednesdays from Noon 1:30 p.m. We will share a meal and fellowship, as well as discussion. Our study this year is Graceful Disruptions, created for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming. There will be a free will offering to help with cost of dinner. Daylight Savings begins Sunday, March 11 th. Be sure to set your clock one hour ahead when you go to be Saturday night or you ll miss church all together. Oh no! You don t want to do that! Teach Us To Pray A Lenten Worship Series Prayer is central to the Christian life, and yet, it has a tendency to intimidate and confound us. Our insecurities about prayer are as basic as what do I say? to do my prayer really make any difference? During the season of Lent we will explore the deep meaning and power of prayer through the Lord s Prayer, a gift Jesus gave to his followers. Come let Jesus teach us how to pray.

7 Moderator s Message March 2018 As we begin a new church year, it is with excitement that I have committed to be your moderator. There are some very big, shoes to fill in the wonderful people who have completed this job with such excellence, Judy Graham, Kelly Strampe, Duane Kerr, Janet Hoyt, Sid Sturlaugson, Janet Irwin, Lisa Botham and Barb Bates to name a very few. I am open to any suggestions or comments that will help me better serve our church during my time. As I look outside this morning, I marvel at God s creation! Like Sparkling diamonds as the day comes to life. In Matthew it tells us when we see Jesus, HIS clothes will be white as snow. How amazing! To stand in His presence because HE has covered us with HIS glory- simply overwhelming!! Thanks be to our Lord for providing us with this blessing. Matthew 28:3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. -Kathy Wiekhorst Maundy Thursday Agape Meal & Tenebrae Thursday, March 29 we remember the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. Come gather in the fellowship hall at 6:30 p.m. for an Agape Meal. You may participate in a symbolic hand-washing before we eat and then during the meal we will hear the new meaning Jesus gave to the bread and cup of blessing that was part of the Seder meal. Following our meal we will have a service of Tenebrae (Shadows).

8 COME ONE COME ALL TO THE EASTER EGG HUNT!!! The Grandmas of the church are once again planning the hunt. However, since last year there seemed to be many conflicts we want to accommodate everyone. So please shoot an back to the church, which of the following times work best for your family and friends: March 24, 25 or 31? Union Congregational Church has joined Amazon Smile! For every penny you spend, Amazon donates a percentage back to us. Please help us by linking your amazon account with amazon smile. Just go to the link below and follow the steps. Don t forget to share it with your friends and family. Once you are registered remember to always start your shopping from for your purchases to count! (the best way to remember this is to bookmark it in your browser) Happy Shopping!!! Does someone s drinking bother you? Al-Anon can help. Meetings are held in Green River at 96 N. 1st E St., Green River, Wyoming on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.

9 Support Union Congregational Church every time you shop at Smith s! Signing up is FREE and EASY! 1. Go to SmithsFoodandDrug.com/inspire 2. Sign into your digital account or choose Create an Account and fill in the information. 3. Link your Rewards Card, search Union Congregational Church Green River, WY or use NR617 and choose Save. What purchases qualify? Just about everything you purchase during your regular shopping trips! The only exclusions are alcohol, tobacco, postage stamps, Smith s Gift Cards, reloadable Gift Cards and Debit Cards, lottery and promotional tickets, Western Union, fuel, and sales tax. Remember, there s no cost to participate in this program, and you ll still earn fuel points on eligible purchases every time you shop. ***If you were previously linked you may need to re-link your account due to changes with the Smiths program. If you need help linking RayChelle can help you in the church office but please bring in your Smith s account login information or an and Password to set one up***

10 St John s Episcopal Church 350 Mansface / P.O. Box 400 Green River, WY mansfacechurch@sweetwaterhsa.com St. John s March Worship Schedule March 4, Third Sunday of Lent 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Ruth Lauritzen Reader: Angie Bennet March 11, Fourth Sunday of Lent 11:00 Morning Prayer Service Leader: Terry Warren Reader: Tony Harrell March 18, Fifth Sunday of Lent 11:00 Morning Prayer Service: Chuck Realing Reader: Wilma Realing March 25, Palm Sunday Holy Eucharist Service: Ruth Lauritzen Reader: John Cundall March 30, Good Friday Service: Ruth Lauritzen Reader: TBA

11 The Priest s Corner Winter is hard no matter who you are. As we endure the deep freeze part of the year, let us remember those who might be cold and hungry. There are a number of charities which can help in this situation. First of all, remember our own thrift shop where coats and winter clothing can be found for just a little money, or even free if the need is there. We can support our thrift shop by donating gently used clothing and household items and volunteering to help run the shop. A faithful corps of volunteers, led by Angie Bennett, keep our shop open. Without them we would not have this vital service to our community. The shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations can be made at these times. To feed the hungry we can donate to our local food bank by giving food or even cash donations. Food donations can be dropped off in the big red bucket in the foyer. They can also be made during distribution and business hours (1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 10 a.m. -4:45 p.m.) at the Green River Food Bank at 550 Uinta Drive Suite F. Donations the Food Bank can accept are; perishable foods (meat, as long as it has been professionally packaged and dairies, refrigerated and freezer food items) non-perishable foods (canned foods, dry packaged food items), baby food/diapers, children's books, and personal items (shampoo, toothpaste, soap etc...). The Food Bank is now accepting donations of fresh and frozen items. Non-Perishable donations are also accepted at your local library in Rock Springs or Green River during regular library hours. We also have a red bin at the Church next to the office that we collect items and take them to the food bank regularly. Monetary donations are always welcome, and can be sent to the Rock Springs Food Bank, 90 Center Street Rock Springs, WY Specify in the memo or a note, which town you would like your donation to be applied. -Ruth Lauritzen

12 Please remember these families in your prayers Cherie and Jack Haire, Eleonore, Jose Alvarez, Margo, Jack, Kyle, Tim, Evie Grace Huebner, Kasyn, the Porter family, Marion, Kenny, Nathan and Briana Wolfe, Joan Palin, Gary Rieben, Kristin Gasaway, Friede Foster, family of Don Ruess, & Debbie and Kendra The next Vestry meeting will be Sunday, March 11 after coffee hour. Gene Carmody 4 Quinten Gasaway 4 D. Toby Cummings 5 Kay Carmody 7 Jason Urasky 21 Tom Ruess 22 Jack Ruess 22 Brian and Karin Kelly 19 Thursday Night Book Study The Thursday evening Bible class is beginning a lectionarybased study of the scripture passages for Sunday. We meet at 6:30 p.m. and are usually home by 8:00 p.m. All are welcome.