The Good News. The Pastor s Pen. April 2011 Monthly Newsletter of Northfield Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 The Good News April 2011 Monthly Newsletter of Northfield Presbyterian Church The Pastor s Pen Dear Friends and Church Family, It is wonderful after a long winter to sense that Spring is here. There is no other time of year that speaks to the promise of a fresh start than the present. And this month we celebrate the greatest assurance of a fresh start that ever has been: Easter! Easter is a message of hope for the whole world. Last month the tragedy of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor problems in Japan was frontpage news. Along with those reports were lesser-known reports mostly on Christian broadcasting stations about the Japanese people without hope asking the hard questions such as why such natural disasters occur. I was amazed when I heard that the governor of Tokyo publicly stated, the heavens have punished us because we have become greedy. He was probably not a Christian, but there seemed to be the recognition that a higher authority may have been judging Japan. Actually there is a higher authority who judges, but not because of our greed that is but a symptom that we are sinners who have all turned away from God. But while God is righteous and judge, He is also gracious. God knew that there was no way that we could meet a standard of goodness that could make amends for our wrongdoing. And if we took the appropriate punishment for our sins, that would be the end of our lives. So God did for us what we couldn t do for ourselves. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21) The great news is that Jesus, who, although he died on the cross and was laid in a tomb, did not remain there. On the first day of the week when the women went to the tomb to finish the hurried burial preparations from Friday, discovered that there wasn t anything to do. He had risen from the dead. He was alive! Because he defeated death and is alive, he can and will give to us the same life He has eternal life. It all begins when, by faith, we receive Him as the one who has saved us from the penalty we deserved for our sin. As Paul wrote to the Romans, That if confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Rom. 10:9,10) So as we look forward to celebrating the resurrection on Easter, please do two things. First, take time to reflect on your relationship with the Lord. And if you question whether you really have that relationship, confess your need to him and ask Him to come into your life. Second, take time to pray for the millions in Japan who are asking the hard questions and seeking desperately the answer to life. Pray for those who are on the ground for Christ in Japan seeking to bring them good news. In His Grip, Art Helin By the way On Palm Sunday we will have an extra 50 to 75 guests for worship. Welcome them warmly and let them see Christ in you. Some may not know Christ or have a church home! Other Holy Week services are highlighted on Page 2. Check them out!

2 12 SEATS AT THE TABLE Directed by Cassie Wolfe-Jackson Thursday, April 21, 2011 Northfield Presbyterian Church 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to experience this special presentation. Childcare for younger children will be available. Rehearsals are beginning for the Maundy Thursday April 21, 2011 worship service Twelve Seats at the Table. This is a dramatization of the Last Supper, where we meet each of the 12 disciples who explain why they left their old lives to follow Jesus and what this experience has met to them personally. We are delighted to have a wonderful group of men who will bring this story to life for us. Leading us in worship will be Art Helin, Keith Miller, Jack Stitt, Gil Polcen, John Jackson, Rich Enczur, Dave Cavanaugh, Tim Maholm, Scott Williamson, John Gallagher, Zack Miller, Keith Kremyar, Jonathan Oliver and Ron Maxhimer. Connor Louis will act as the Boy with the Fishes and Loaves. Our Music Director, Zeger Verhage will design and lead the worship music for the service. Marianne Fiala has taken charge of creating the costumes and is looking for others with sewing talent to assist her. We are looking for others who might want to assist with photography, publicity, properties and set items. See Cassie Jackson if you would like to take part in the production of this worship event or call her at Palm Sunday April 17: The children of NPC Jr. Church and the Day Care will present special music at the beginning of the service. Maundy Thursday April 21: Twelve Seats at the Table (see ad to the left) Good Friday April 22: The Sanctuary will be open through the afternoon for personal, reflective prayer. (NO SUNDAY SCHOOL) Easter Sunday April 24 8:30 am Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall (Free will offering) Please sign up for helpers and attendance on sheet in the Narthex 10:15 am RESURRECTION SERVICE Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for any or all of these special services. It could change their lives!

3 Women s Association The next meeting will be Monday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m. We will continue our study of Proverbs, Learning to Live Wisely: April - "The Sluggard", hosted by Cindy Maxhimer. Lunch together at a local restaurant follows the meeting. Thanks to all who helped host the Northfield Center Bingo party on March 28th. Baptism Congratulations We welcomed Logan Benjamin Schmid into Christ s family on Sunday, March 20th. Logan is the infant son of Stephanie and Paul Schmid and grandson of Debbie Czech. Stewardship Report Please contact a member of the committee if you have any questions. March INCOME: $ 12,254 EXPENSES: $ 19,711 Does not include March 27 offering. SAVE THE DATE & START SAVING YOUR STUFF! SPRING RUMMAGE SALE When: Saturday, May 14, 2011 We will begin collecting items for the sale Sunday May 8 th thru Thursday May 13 th (During normal church hours) Please place your donated items on the stage in the Fellowship hall. For special arrangement call Or leave a message with the church office. We will take clean, usable TOOLS, FURNITURE, TOYS, HOUSE- HOLD ITEMS, ELECTRONICS, BOOKS, CLOTHES, ETC. MORE INFO TO COME LATER! DAY CARE FUNDRAISER For those who ordered Malley s Easter Candy from the Day Care Fundraiser, it will be delivered to the church on April 12th in the afternoon. Please pick up your order in the Day Care office as soon as you can after that time! Thank You for your support. PANTRY ITEMS CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED The Women s Association will continue to collect food items for the Macedonia Emergency Center. They need dry, boxed nonperishable food items such as: Spaghetti noodles and all other types of pasta either in a box or bags as well as rice, instant potatoes, cereal, hamburger or tuna helper, crackers jellies and Jams. There is a container in the narthex where church families can drop off their donations on Sundays or any other day they are in the building. We will continue to collect them as long as they are being donated. Thank You!

4 From the Director of Music Last Wednesday night, before our choir rehearsal, I was struck by the beauty of our sanctuary as a stunning sunset hit the west windows and a heavenly light illuminated the pews. The serenity of the moment was the highlight of my day and a perfect opportunity for some quiet time for reflection during this season of Lent. As Holy Week draws near, I am excited to announce we have found a drummer. Bob Taylor will enhance our worship on the drums on Palm Sunday, April 17. Please give him a warm NPC welcome that day. We will also enjoy our youth (Preschool-1st grade) on some Palm Sunday songs along with some 25(!) children from our NPC day care. I have had a lot of fun getting to know these kids on Wednesday mornings during Chapel time as I teach them new songs and we listen to Pastor Art's children's message. Our Maundy Thursday Service (April 21 at 7:30 pm) will once again feature the "12 Seats" play, combined with some reflective instrumental, vocal and choral offerings. Then join us for an Easter celebration on Sunday April 24 where some beautiful festive music will be featured, including my wife Elayna, on the violin. May all our efforts be a sweet sound in His ear! Zeger Verhage Announcements: There will be a special Congregational Meeting after the service on April 10th to approve changes to the By Laws and other church business. The Christian Career Group meeting for April has been postponed due to the 12 Seats Presentation. Be on the lookout for the next meeting when teens and young adults are invited to practice interviewing skills and strategies. Cindy Maxhimer Richard Enczur Kim Scott David Ellis Irene Peters Beverly Meyer Connor Louis Tom Hall Steve Tartaglione Bonita Romero Margaret Frost Chris Louis Shirley Nowak Cory Louis Ellen Miller Travis Scott Jennifer Fox 1-Apr 1-Apr 2-Apr 3-Apr 5-Apr 5-Apr 8-Apr 13-Apr 17-Apr 17-Apr 18-Apr 18-Apr 19-Apr 20-Apr 24-Apr 26-Apr 29-Apr A New Look in the Classrooms This winter we looked at the curtains in the second floor library and classrooms and decided a change was in order (especially when taking some to the dry cleaner resulted in total disintegration!). Using money from the Memorial Fund and a donation from the Women s Association, we purchased new deep rust colored drapes from JC Penney. They arrived and were installed on the 21st (just in time for spring!). Take a moment to check out the new look next time you re in the building.

5 April 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 9:30 am 12 Seats Rehearsal 3 Communion 8 am Worship 9am Sunday School 10:15 am Worship 7pm 12 Seats Rehear. 4 7pm Boy Scouts 5 6 6:30 am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A Time 6:30 pm Cub Scouts & Venture :30 am 12 Seats Rehearsal 10 9am Sunday School 10:15 am Worship 7pm 12 Seats Rehearsal am Women s Association 7:30 pm Deacons 12 Afternoon: Malley s Delivery 13 Time 6:30 pm VBC Prayer 7 pm Choir 8pm 12 Seats Rehea. 14 7pm Building and Grounds am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 9:30 am 12 Seats Rehearsal 17 9am Sunday School 10:15 am Palm Sunday Worship 5pm 12 Seats Dress Rehearsal & Dinner 18 7pm Session 7pm Boy Scouts 19 7pm Day Care Board 20 6:30 am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 6:30 pm Cub Scouts & Venture 7 pm Choir 8:30 12 seats rehear. 21 7:30 pm 12 Seats at the Table Presentation :30 am EASTER BREAKFAST 10:15 am EASTER Worship 25 7pm Boy Scouts & Scout Parents Time 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 pm Choir :30 pm Community Meal 30 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A

6 Easter Flowers Order Form Spring will be here soon and with it the season of rebirth and renewal. Easter is on April 4th and it is time for the Deacons to place our holiday order for Flowers. The Easter Lilies and other varieties of flowers listed below are available for purchase. The cost is $9.00 for a 6 ½ foil wrapped pot. All orders must be received in the church office by Sunday, April 10th. The order will be placed with the greenhouse the following day to assure pricing and delivery dates. Please indicate your choice of flower, circle color preference where necessary, and mark the number of plants desired. Checks should be made payable to Northfield Presbyterian Church and marked for Easter Flowers. Cash payments should be placed in an envelope and also marked Easter Flowers. Payment must accompany all orders. Easter Lilies Daffodils Pansy Baskets (Assorted Colors) Tulips (red, pink, or yellow) Hyacinths (Blue, Pink, or White) Your Name(s) Phone # In Memory of In Honor of Taking flowers home? Yes No Cash ( ) Check ( ) Total $ Flowers marked for take home should be picked up after the 10:15am service on Easter Sunday, April 24th. All other flowers will be distributed to those who are ill or shut-in. Please mark your order form appropriately. Northfield Presbyterian Church 7755 S. Boyden Rd. Northfield, OH npc7755@roadrunner.com