APRIL A Bridge Over

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1 First United Church of Christ, Palmerton, PA APRIL 2017 A Bridge Over April News 2 Church Council 3 Worship Schedule 5 Calendar 6 Birthdays 7 People & Places 7 The other day as I was driving home,

I began to think about the song performed by Simon and Garfunkel, Like a bridge over troubled water.

The cross of Christ promises us a safe passage, not only into heaven, when we truly believe in Christ, but a safe passage over the valleys of our lives as we live with Christ.

the canyon seems. Christ is there! This month we will once again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Remember Christ s first words from the cross were Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

1 1 First United Church of Christ, Palmerton, PA APRIL 2017 A Bridge Over April News 2 Church Council 3 Worship Schedule 5 Calendar 6 Birthdays 7 People & Places 7 The other day as I was driving home, I crossed over the bridge near my home. This bridge will soon be dismantled and a new one will take its place. I began to think about the song performed by Simon and Garfunkel, Like a bridge over troubled water. Then as I reflected on the worship text I began to see the cross of Christ, not standing tall on Calvary, but lying over the gulf of space, just like a bridge so that safe travel could be given. The cross of Christ promises us a safe passage, not only into heaven, when we truly believe in Christ, but a safe passage over the valleys of our lives as we live with Christ. As the song promises us I ll be there we too should be able to hear Christ s love for us for He too is certainly there for us, no matter what we are trying to cross, and no matter how deep and wide the canyon seems. Christ is there! This month we will once again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. We have to come to the cross in order for us to cross over into the forgiveness and the love of our God. Remember Christ s first words from the cross were Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. True love and strength given for each of us and for us to then bridge the gaps of hatred and war with a greater peace and forgiveness than we will ever know or experience in our lives. The cross, not a symbol of death and annihilation, but a bridge to new life, to hope, and to peace. We sang at Christmas, how love came down from God to us, now we proclaim the Hosanna of Christ, not entering Jerusalem, but entering into our hearts and minds and carrying us over the valley of the shadow of death to new life. No more crucify him!, just Alleluia, He is Risen, He is Risen indeed! Let us remember why we are Christ s disciples and strengthen our resolve to worship together, to pray for each other, and to offer the same gift of forgiveness to others that He offers to us. Holy week takes us through the celebration of a King amongst the people, to a hostile environment where the shouts of celebration turned to shouts of anger. How often our lives follow that same emotional roller coaster as well. Yet my friends, there is a bridge over our troubled waters, and that bridge is the One who conquered His death and ours and is Risen. He is Risen Indeed! Have a blessed Easter and worship our Savior with thanksgiving and praise. Pastor Martin

2 April Announcement Confirmation classes for April will be held on the 2 nd and 4 th Mondays of the month. The class will begin at 5Pm and end at approximately 6pm when prayer is over.

Last of the Lenten Services One more Lite Lenten lunch is planned for Wednesday, April 5 th at Noon in the Parlor.

2 2 April Announcement Confirmation classes for April will be held on the 2 nd and 4 th Mondays of the month. The class will begin at 5Pm and end at approximately 6pm when prayer is over. Meeting dates are on April 9 th and 23 rd. If there are any questions please contact Pastor Martin. Last of the Lenten Services One more Lite Lenten lunch is planned for Wednesday, April 5 th at Noon in the Parlor. All are welcome to come for lunch and a brief service of reflection together based on the topic Am I Guilty? If you would like to provide sandwiches or a dessert please feel free to contact Pastor Martin. A free will offering will be received for CACPAC at these services. Likewise, St. Paul s will also be hosting the final mid-week Lenten service on Wednesday, April 5 th as well. The service will begin at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join in this reflective journey together as we conclude the theme Meet the Best. Holy Week services begin on Sunday, April 9 th with the Palm/Passion Sunday experience. Palm branches will be distributed at this service. On Thursday, April 13 th at 7:30PM in Fellowship Hall of St. Paul s, we will gather around the tables for a Maundy Thursday reflection and celebration of Holy Communion. All are encouraged to attend. 787 Almond Road, Walnutport, PA is the address of St. Paul s. On Friday, April 14 th at 7:30PM in the Sanctuary of First UCC, we will gather to worship and enter into the darkness of Christ s death with our Tenebrae service. All are welcome to experience this moving service as well. Easter is on Sunday, April 16 th and we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus this day at 9AM here at First UCC.

I know many of you were memebers of committees in the past. We also have Congregation Memebers that never sat on committees. Please, this is the time to step-front and help our church.

3 3 Council Summary: Spring is here at last! As the last of the snow melts away, we prepare our hearts, minds and souls for the upcoming Easter Holiday. Let us remember why we are here and renew our commitment to our faith. We need your help, we have open seats on committees that need to be filled so these committees can help the church run smoothly. I know many of you were memebers of committees in the past. We also have Congregation Memebers that never sat on committees. Please, this is the time to step-front and help our church. We are a small, but mighty group. It always helps to have fresh people on these committees who have fresh ideas and motivation. The time is now and we need you. Many of these committees only meet quarterly, once a year or as needed. Please search your heart and consider joining one of the following committees, these again are necessary committees for the church to run smoothly and efficiently: 1. Covenance: Committee oversees all paid staff of First UCC; 2. Property: Committee oversees maintenance issues, will make small easy repairs and will report to Council on maintenance issues and repairs. Please note, it is not expected that anyone on this committee be at the church 24/7 making repairs. You will not get a phone call in the wee morning hours because a light is out. We need a good team together to help sort-out the maintenance needs and repairs and prioritize them. This Committee is urgently needed. 3. Council: Please also note we have a vacant seat open on our Church Council. We would greatly appreciate any and all interest in any Congregation Members wishing to come aboard. As you know, Council is the governing body of the church. Our Council is able to hold a maximum of 12 individuals with a minimum of 9. Currently, we have 8 seats filled. Please consider joining our Council. We meet once a month to review church business. Again, fresh ideas and perspective are welcome. No-one judges you, you are entitled to your opinion and we all have the best interests of the Church at heart. The call to act is now, we hope you hear it and come forward. Should you have any questions on these Committees or if you are interested in serving our Church, please do not hesitate to contact me. I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter and I look forward to worshipping with you. Sincerely, Jennifer Sommers, Council President

4 The Rummage room will reopen Thursday April 6th from 6-7:30. $3 bag sale.

Come shop, you never know what you may find.

Feel free to bring any church appropriate jokes or stories to share during the open times of sharing we will have.

4 4 The Rummage room will reopen Thursday April 6th from 6-7:30. $3 bag sale. If you have donations you can drop off at that time or call the office to make arrangements. Come shop, you never know what you may find. On Sunday, April 23rd we will take some time to laugh and joke together as we commemorate Holy Humor Sunday once again. Feel free to bring any church appropriate jokes or stories to share during the open times of sharing we will have. Laughter can help us feel better and so much more so please feel free to come ready to laugh and to share a humorous moment together. Young, old, in between and unsure are welcome to share. No rotten tomatoes please. If you receive your newsletter through please pick up your Easter offering envelope in the back of the church. Thanks.

5 April 2, 2017 APRIL WORSHIP SCHEDULE April 23, 2017 Easter Greeters & Ushers Conrad Biege Conrad & Romaine Biege Nuscher Family OPEN Fallon Family Greeters & Ushers: Jenn Sommers Pete & Shirley

5 5 April 2, 2017 APRIL WORSHIP SCHEDULE April 23, 2017 Easter Greeters & Ushers Conrad Biege Conrad & Romaine Biege Nuscher Family OPEN Fallon Family Greeters & Ushers: Jenn Sommers Pete & Shirley Blynn Marge & Lester Bass Carol Thomas The Serfass Family April 9, 2017 April 30, 2017 Greeters & Ushers: Erv Prutzman Dick & Darlene Nothstein Ann & Andy Behler Biff Hayes Ann & Andy Behler Greeters: Ushers: Darlene Nothstein Ed & Lisa Shellhammer Carol Thomas OPEN OPEN April 16, 2017 Palm Sunday Greeters: Ushers: Sherri Fallon TBA Jenn & Andy Lesher Dick & Darlene Nothstein Jenn & Andy Lesher

6 APRIL CALENDAR 6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Communion 3 Daisey Troop Rummage Sale 6 Girl scouts Confirmation 5 11 Council Girl Scouts 6 14 Good Friday Easter 17 Daisey Troop Rummage Sale 6 Girl scouts Confirmation Girl Scouts

7 APRIL Birthdays 1 Ashley Badman Nathan Serfass Caleb Sommers 6 Calissa Blynn 7 William Drake IV 9 Donna Serfass Max Nuscher 15

Jeanette Christman Ines Kuhenbeaker Toby Sander Chris Walkowiak In Nursing Homes: The Summit, Lehighton Eleanor Perhonich

Kassandra Hertzog, Kutztown Jonathan Anthony, Moravian College Max Nuscher, Slippery Rock University 24 Silas Costenbader

7 7 APRIL Birthdays 1 Ashley Badman Nathan Serfass Caleb Sommers 6 Calissa Blynn 7 William Drake IV 9 Donna Serfass Max Nuscher 15 Allen Attieh Elsa Attieh Nancy Mendsen 16 Tyra Wentz 17 Tony Patrick Brody Lesher 18 Eric Kuhenbeaker 19 Carissa Fallon 20 Jeanette Christman Ines Kuhenbeaker Toby Sander Chris Walkowiak In Nursing Homes: The Summit, Lehighton Eleanor Perhonich Serving Our Country: Ben Heinze, U.S. Coast Guard College Students: Darren Stauffer, Penn State Lydia Anthony, Elizabethtown Kassandra Hertzog, Kutztown Jonathan Anthony, Moravian College Max Nuscher, Slippery Rock University 24 Silas Costenbader Matthew Anthony 29 Joshua Bankes Barry Serfass Homebound: Kay Costenbader Lehigh Center - Macungie Susan Zern In Personal Care: Louise Heck, Grace Park

8 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PALMERTON, PA 457 DELAWARE AVENUE PALMERTON, PA 18071 (610) 826-2696 EMAIL: OFFICE@FIRSTUCCPALMERTON.

8 8 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PALMERTON, PA 457 DELAWARE AVENUE PALMERTON, PA (610) The First Edition April 2017 Submissions are welcome at any time. If you have submissions please contact the church office by phone or before the 20th of preceding month. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with First UCC. We look forward to seeing you soon at worship or anywhere else! A Place Where Faith, Life, & Friends Meet Each Week FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 457 Delaware Avenue Palmerton PA 18071

Church of the Palms United Church of Christ Where faith happens and love abounds

Church of the Palms United Church of Christ Where faith happens and love abounds 1960 N. Swinton Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33444 561.276.6347 + www.churchofthepalms.net Sunday, April 14, 2019, 10:00