The Pilgrim Broadcaster

Transcription

1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC 31 W. Milwaukee Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI Church Office #: (920) Church Office Fax #: (920) Church s officefortucc@gmail.com Church s Website: Moderator (Roy Hetts) - rhetts@charter.net Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor Rev. Chris r evchr isfor tfcc@gmail.com Rev. Chris Home #: (920) Like and follow us on Facebook for more updates! FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 31 W. MILWAUKEE AVE., FORT ATKINSON, WI The Pilgrim Broadcaster Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Week 15 Bi Weekly Newsletter Why the Resurrection of Christ Matters Feed My Starving Children Feed My Starving Children Jefferson County Mobilepack is organizing a food packing event on Saturday, May 11. The goal is to pack 272,00 meals in one day at the Jefferson County Fair Park. These meals will feed 750 children at least one meal a day for a full year. Recruitment for 1,000 volunteers to work two-hour shifts starts March 1. First Congregational UCC Outreach Ministry is asking for you and your families to sign up for 1 or more 2 hour shifts on May 11. It s simple to pack meals. Just scoop rice, dried veggies, vitamins/ proteins, and bag. Anyone 5 years and older can participate but children must have an adult with them. Mothers and grandmothers, can ask to have their children and grandchildren participate with them on this Mother s Day weekend. First Congregational UCC Outreach Ministry is asking for 100 adults and children volunteers to sign up for a twohour shift. Registration information table is in the Narthex. Together, we will change a child s life! Make Me a Blessing That is the name of one of the songs Lend-a-hand sang with Rev. Chris at their meeting this month. Some of the words, Be to the helpless a helper indeed, Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, and Love as the master loved you, embody what we are trying to do when we help with Feed My Starving Children. So I hope it is not too corny to ask you to carry the words and the tune of the chorus in our heads as we go through the week. Chorus: Make me a blessing, make me a blessing Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:1-5 NRSV` You may not have thought about this question before, but do believe in the resurrection of the body of Christ, or do you think that something else occurred? I ask this because most of us don't consider other possibilities-that is- what other explanations could there be for the disappearance of Christ's body? Or, did his body ever really disappear? Some scholars, like the noted John Dominic Crossan, believe that Christ's body was never removed from the cross because it was the Roman custom to show their brutal dominance by letting bodies rot and decay on crosses. It was like a warning sign to all others- If you give us any cause this will happen to you too! When you think about it in that way then a cross is a pretty powerful deterrent. But, our gospel stories tell us otherwise. The main reason that most of us don't consider other options, when it comes to the mystery of Easter, is because the scriptures tell us that Jesus rose on the third day. That's the end of the story. That's what happened! And to be clear, this is what I believe. I believe that the story from the book of Luke is true. Even though we may have some questions, I don't think that it's plausible that the disciples, and the many followers of the disciples, would have made up a story like the resurrection of Jesus, if it weren't true. People in the first century understood that dead meant dead. There are scholars, and many other of our fellow Christian, who believe that the story of the resurrection may just be a story to explain why (Continued on page 2)

2 the followers of Jesus (known as The Way ) continued to preach in his name after his death. After all, they might say, Jesus' message of God's love and grace is true, and his teachings are sound. That just doesn't cut it for me. But this isn't about me, this is about what you believe. What does the resurrection matter to you? What do we get out of reenacting the events of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, in which we wave palm branches, if the resurrection never happened? Why do we share communion on Maundy Thursday, the day in which we remember Jesus' last meal with his disciples, and the day in which Jesus was betrayed and turned over to the authorities who wanted him dead, if the resurrection never occurred? And, why do we worship on Good Friday, in which we remember the trial, beating, and crucifixion of Jesus, if the resurrection never happened? Why didn't this movement, these followers of Jesus, just quit and go back to their lives dreaming of another Messiah, if Jesus wasn't raised on the third day? There is no plausible explanation for the followers of Jesus to continue his ministry, and to teach others that Jesus died and rose again, if it never happened. There certainly was no reason for a Pharisee, named Saul (who became Paul) to become a follower of Jesus, if the resurrection wasn't real. It just doesn't make sense. But, again, what does this mean to you? Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter? BECAUSE IT HAPPENED! And in so doing, through Jesus, God has changed our lives and futures. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16, NRSV Join me for our Holy Week services, and make the reality of Christ's resurrection matter! Remember, you are loved! Pastor Chris New Adult Study: All in God s Family Creating Allies for our LGBT Families Beginning the week after Easter, our 8:45 a.m. Adult Study will be centered on preparing for the congregational call to become Open and Affirming, welcoming all people regardless of their sexuality, disability or race. In three sessions, we ll hear teens talk about their gay or lesbian parents, we ll study scripture where Jesus explains how all are welcomed, and we ll think about where each of us is personally on these issues, and about where we d like to see our church as we travel this journey together. Topics for the sessions are: April 28 Hearing the Stories We ll watch and then discuss a short video written by and showing five high school students being raised by gay, lesbian, or transgender parents. They take you into their school and their homes and talk about life as a teen in a family whose parents validity is often questioned because of their sexuality. May 5 Scriptural Engagement We ll read and discuss scripture passages from Acts and Matthew that remind us that Jesus included everyone in his preaching, even people who had previously been excluded. We will also take time to discuss other passages that class members would like to explore. May 12 Transforming the Status Quo We ll ponder our own personal journey regarding sexuality and gender identity (don t worry, we won t ask you to share unless you want to), and then discuss our journey as a congregation. Our classes are safe places to learn and explore. We encourage discussion, but no one is required to share, and no one is judged by their comments. Come and learn with us.

3 Thursday, April 11 th 1:30 pm Lend-a-Hand Meeting 5 pm Wedding 6-8 pm Preschool Bunny Bash 6 pm Chapel Bells Sunday, April 14 th 8 am Breeze Early Worship 8:30 9:30 am Palm Sunday Breakfast 9:30 am Children s Choir Rehearsal 10 am Worship Service 11 am Fellowship Hour Monday, April 15 th 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, April 16 th 9:30 am Preschool Singing w/pastor Chris 5:30 pm Moderator Mtg. 6:30 pm Council Mtg. Wednesday, April 17 th 9 am Prayer Quilts 12:00 pm Lenten Worship Service Trinity Church 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, April 18 th 7 pm Maundy Thursday Worship Service Friday, April 19 th - Good Friday Church Office CLOSED 12 pm Good Friday Worship Service Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday, April 21 st - Easter Sunday 8 am Breeze Early Worship 10 am Worship Service Schedule of Events 11 am Fellowship Hour Monday, April 22 nd 9 am Broadcaster Article Deadline 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, April 23 rd 9:30 am Preschool Singing w/pastor Chris Wednesday, April 24 th 10 am Mail Broadcaster 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, April 25 th 6 pm Chapel Bells Sunday, April 28 th 8 am Breeze Early Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 8:45 am Children s Choir 8:45 am Confirmation Class 8:45 am Adult CE Class 10 am Worship Service 11 am Fellowship Hour 11:15 am Long Range Planning Mtg. Monday, April 29 th 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, April 30 th 9:30 am Preschool Singing w/pastor Chris Wednesday, May 1 st 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, May 2 nd 9:15 am Circle of Faith 10:30 am Dycora Ministry 6 pm Chapel Bells Sets of Resurrection Eggs Available (Created by our Sunday School & Confirmation Class) Can you tell the Easter Story to your kids? Can your kids tell the Easter Story to you? Want a great way to share the story together and easily be able to retell the story? Resurrection Eggs tell the story of Jesus (Palm Sunday Easter morning). Eggs are filled with items representing 12 Easter Story events This is a set that you will be able to pull out and use year after year. What a great tradition to start each Easter! Opening each egg and telling the scripture that goes along with it. Take turns around the table and everyone gets to help! The eggs are all numbered and a master story sheet goes along with each set. Sets are available for the congregation, there is no charge for the sets however voluntary contributions will be accepted. Thank you! Sunday School & Confirmation Kids PLEASE, GIVE US TWO HOURS The Facilities Committee has set Saturday, May 18th as the date for the annual church Spring clean up. We are asking those who are able, to bring their rakes, shovels and gloves to assist in this endeavor for two hours, starting at 8:00 a.m. Many hands make light work! There will be treats and coffee. Many helpers are required for this task, no previous experience is needed! Thank You. The Facilities Committee

4 Prayer Concerns of our Church Family of Faith Prayer Concerns of our Extended Family & Friends of Faith Tony Ehrike, Marjorie Fenn, Mark Miller, Susan Woods Izayah Wirth, Abigail Ehlers Gwen Strassburger (Sarah Brietzke s Sister-In-Law) Eric Jung (Harley & Pat Jung s Son) Carl (Skip) Armstrong (Carol Maasz s Brother) Bill Ratzburg, Clarice Fernelius Jennifer Woods, Mary Crane, Marsha Anderson, Lana Wallace, Karissa Patefield Judy Wittenwyler, Emily Klatt, Jessica Wallace Dorothy Schademann (Ann Olsen s Mother) Carolyn Taylor (Rev. Chris s Mother) Marleen Laplant (E.G. Becker s Sister) HOLY WEEK SERVICES **Palm Sunday, April 14th 8 am Breeze Early Worship Service No Sunday School or No Adult Classes 8:30 am 9:30 am Palm Sunday Breakfast 10 am Worship Service Barbara TeVrucht (Gary Vorpahl s Sister) Those Serving in the Military and the families they have waiting at home. Scripture Readings: April 14 Ps 118:1-2, 19-29; Luke 19:28-40; Isa 50:4-9; Ps 31:9-16; Phil 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49 April 18 Ex12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14; Ps 116:1-2, 12-19; I Cor 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 April 19 Isa 52:13-53:12; Ps 22; Heb 10:16-25 or Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42 April 21 - Acts 10:34-43 or?isa 65:17-25; Ps 118:1-2, 14-24; I Cor 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12 Our appeal for the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry during the month of April is: Macaroni & Cheese Prayer Discipline Week 1 Prayer Discipline Week 2 Bryan, Amanda & Brooks Wallace Bill Wild Susan Waterman Susan & Max Wilde Lisa Watters, Ali & Max Jaeger John & Jane Wilmet Tom, Marie & Anna Weigand Jane Winiarski Tim, Doreen, Morgan & Evan Wendlandt Joel & Linda Winn Kurt, Sydney, Lyndsey & Ryan Wesemann Jake, Misty, Izayah & Jeramyah Wirth **Maundy Thursday, April 18th 7 pm Communion Service by Intinction Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. The word Maundy comes to us as an Anglo-French word derived from the Latin mandatum, which means commandment. It refers to when Jesus, in the Upper Room during the Last Super, said to the disciples: A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34, Revised Standard Version). **Good Friday, April 19th 12:00 noon Ecumenical Service Ecumenical Good Friday Service to be held at: Trinity Lutheran Church 314 Barrie St. Fort Atkinson **Easter Sunday Services Sunday, April 21st 8 am Early Service 10 am Traditional Worship Service No Sunday School or Adult Study Lenten devotionals for adults, teens, youth and families are available in the hallway. Please help yourself to these wonderful tools.

5 Fort Atkinson Preschool and Childcare News! 4K registration for is down district-wide. Please help get the word out to families and friends you may know who have children who will turn four before September 1, These children are eligible to attend school district sponsored 4K at no charge. 4K is a play-based program which prepares children for kindergarten and includes the beginning stages of the Everyday Math Curriculum, the school district literacy curriculum and more. 4K is offered at a variety of community and school based sites including Fort Atkinson Preschool and Childcare. At our center we have three sessions of 4K, two morning sessions which run 8-11:10 am and one afternoon session which runs from 11:50 am-3 pm. 4K operates Monday-Thursday on the school district calendar with the first day being September 3, Our center is also able to offer wraparound care, fee-based care for hours before and after 4K, for working families who need more care. If you know any families who may be interested in 4K at our center please have them call Jen Graf, Director of Fort -Atkinson Preschool and Childcare, at for more information.

6 Fort Atkinson Lions Club 49th Annual Smelt & Fish Fry! ALL YOU CAN EAT! Friday, April 12th 4:30 pm 7:30 pm Municipal Building, Fort Atkinson Adults $11.00 in advance $12.00 at the Door Children under 10 $4.00 at the Door only Menu: Fresh Smelt, Cod, Buttered Rye Bread, Cole Slaw, French Fries, Coffee or Milk Tickets may be purchased at: Goyer Ace Hardware Fort Atkinson Premier Bank Fort Atkinson/Jefferson/Johnson Creek FCCU Fort Atkinson Badger Bank Fort Atkinson Graduation Celebration. Hey, parents, grandparents and families! We need to know if you have a child or family member who is graduating this year from high school, technical school, college or graduate school. We want to honor their accomplishments in our worship service on June 2nd. Would you please call the church office ( ) or Tammy officefortucc@gmail.com) by May 13th to let us know? Thank you! Our Deepest Sympathies to Barbara Huber and Family & Sally Smith and Family. Barbara and Sally s Sister Wilma Billie Bumbard passed away on Sunday, March 31, Feed My Starving Children update As of Tuesday morning April 9th, we have 101 volunteers out of the 100 volunteers we pledged. CONGRATULATIONS to all, we reached our goal!! But it doesn t have to stop there, keep talking to your friends. They do not have to be members of our Church to join our teams. The Commitment is two hours. Sessions are: 8:30-10:30, 11:30-1:30, and 2:00-4:00 on Saturday May, 11th. Contact the church office to sign up ( ) or on Sunday's in the Narthex. Together, we will change a child s life! Please join us on Sunday, May 12th for our special Teacher Appreciation Sunday! We will be honoring our Sunday School Teachers, Adult Education Facilitators, our Choir, Chapel Bells and Band Members during our 10 am Worship Service. A reception provided by the Nurture Ministry Team will be held after the service in the Burr Oak Room. Join us for this special Sunday to give thanks to those that have shared the Love of God with us throughout the year. We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated and talented volunteers!

7 Schedule April 14 Palm Sunday April 18th Maundy Thursday April 21st Easter Sunday Announcements Mary Ann Ehrike N/A David Stedman Zach Finch Bob Rose Audio Operator Steve Heitz Kurt Wesemann Bob Buell Rick Stegehuis Kevin Becker Greeters Mary Beyerly Confirmands Marsha & Roger Anderson Rick & Sarah Brietzke Roger & Marsha Anderson Lay Reader Mike Rankin Confirmands Cheryl Stedman Zach Finch Bob Rose Ushers Bob & Mary Ann Ehrike, Trent Topel, Nancy Witt Cheryl Stedman, John Hershman, Confirmands Erv Forgy,? Volunteers needed Bob & Sue Buell, Judy Knapp, Heidi Siefkes Roger Anderson, Gloria Janke, Peter & Clarice Fernelius Reminders: No Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Education Classes on Sunday, April 14th. Please enjoy our Palm Sunday Breakfast with your family! Be sure to get your tickets! Save $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for kids by purchasing your tickets before Palm Sunday. Children sing Sunday, April 14th during the 10 am Worship Service and are needed for our Palm processional at the beginning of the service. Maundy Thursday service is on Thursday, April 18th at 7 pm. Please check our Lenten service information article for more information. April 28th May 5th Knights of Columbus Friday Baked Fish Dinner April 19th from 4:30-7pm at St. Joseph Church Hall at Endl Blvd. & Hachbarth Rd. $12.00 Adults, $6.00 kids age 3-12, children under 2 eat FREE Carry-Outs available after 4:30 pm, please call , ext 1205 We are in need of volunteers for the following: Easter Sunday, April 21st 10 am service Ushers 3 more needed! If you are available and would like to volunteer, please contact Tammy in the church office( ). Thank You!!!