First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake St., South Lyon, MI

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1 The April 2014 The First Word Page 1 Vol. 16 No. 4 April 2014 First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake St., South Lyon, MI HOW WILL EASTER EFFECT YOU? It won t be long before our Sanctuary is filled with beautiful Easter lilies, showing off their blooms of white. Soon, we will gather to sing our favorite Easter hymns as we proclaim the good news that Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, will be a day of joy and renewed hope as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But what will be in store for us on Monday, April 21st? What effect will Easter have had on you? German pastor Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt wrote: It is not enough to celebrate Easter and say Christ is Risen. It is useless to proclaim this unless at the same time we can say that we have also risen, that we have received something from heaven. We must feel appalled when the tremendous events that took place, the death and resurrection of Jesus, are proclaimed again and again and yet actually nothing happens with us. It has no effect (excerpt from Bread and Wine: Readings For Lent and Easter, page 350). My prayer for you this season is that Easter will not just pass you by. I pray that you will be effected, moved, and even transformed by the Holy Spirit so that you may experience new ways in which God comes into our lives. Perhaps you will be led to the church to experience new ministries that await to be implemented, such as the Everyone Eats hunger ministry, Stories on the Lawn, a revamped Sunday school program, and much more. Together we will seek new ways in which to bear witness to the good news within our community. May the new life we experience this Easter continue to grow and transform us as we seek to serve Christ. With Grace and Peace, Pastor Mike Next month s edition of the First Word will feature an article written by Tina Van Ochten, of her experience at the 58th Commission to the UN on the Status of Women.

2 Page 2 The First Word April 2014 MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE Join us on Maundy Thursday, April 17th at 8:00 pm for a Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows), as we explore the final events leading up to Jesus crucifixion through word, song, and the extinguishing of candles. What promises be a powerful and moving worship experience will surely enhance and give greater meaning as we celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Don t miss this very special night in the life of the church. At 6:30 p.m., prior to our worship service, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a soup and salad dinner. ALL CHURCH WORK DAY Join us on Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00 a.m. 1:00p.m., for an all-church work day. Help us spruce up our grounds both inside and out as we prepare for Holy Week. Many visitors will be attending our special services and we want our building to look its best. Come for the entire time or come for just an hour or two. A light lunch will be provided. FPC HOSTS GOOD FRIDAY COMMUNITY SERVICE Join us as we host this year s Good Friday Community Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18th. We will be joined by other congregations from South Lyon and New Hudson as we worship and sing together during this very special service. We will need members to serve as greeters and ushers. If you can assist, please contact Shirley Brooks or Kenny Chapman. EVERYONE EATS Everyone Eats is one of the Hunger Ministries of the Presbytery of Detroit. Every Wednesday, lunch is served to the homeless community in Detroit. The ministry was started years ago by the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, now Ecumenical Theological Seminary. The mission has since moved to the Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit. Join us on Wednesday, April 16th at 9:30 a.m, as we head down to prepare and serve a lunch. Please sign-up at the Friendship Table. Other churches that support this ministry include: Faith Community Presbyterian Church in Novi; First Presbyterian Church of Northville; and Grosse Pointe Memorial Church.

3 April 2014 The First Word Page 3 March 2014 Session Notes Present: Moderator M. Horlocker; Clerk- Elder A. Lyke; Elders A. Clifton, K. Colley, T. Goodman, R. McClintock, J. Morgan, D. Rae; Deacon representative M. Mueller. Excused: Treasurer R. Weinburger. Absent: Elder J. Schaffer. Actions taken: Allow one (1) week of study leave for the Pastor to attend the 2014 Festival of Homiletics May (inclusive). Allow one (1) week of study leave for the Pastor to attend Bible study at Montreat Conference Center 2-8 June 2014 (inclusive). Spend up to $ to provide a meal for the homeless on Wednesday 16 April 2014 for the Everybody Eats program. Reimburse the Pastor $ for the work on the manse s sewer line. Participate in Pumpkinfest by having an art show and attendant activities. Have a car show and attendant activities. Have a fund raiser at the Olga s Kitchen in the shopping center on Grand River, near the Home Depot. Job description for Parish Associate of Young Family Ministries. Set the ordination date for new class of elders and deacons as Sunday 8 June 2014 (Pentecost) during Worship Service. Spend no more than $225 for 2015 offering envelopes. Receive and dedicate One Great Hour of Sharing offering on 13 April 2014 (Palm Sunday). Spend up to $ from General Fund for supplies to repair the manse roof s leak. Spend $ from the Capital Improvement Fund to repair the Sanctuary lighting. Traveling VBS will be on 1, 8, and 15 August Respectfully submitted, Anne Lyke Remember going to church on Easter Sunday and seeing all those hats and bonnets? Somewhere in time, this tradition has begun to fade away. Let s bring it back to South Lyon. This Easter wear your favorite hat or bonnet. Men, if you re feeling left out, consider wearing your favorite tie.

4 Page 4 The First Word April 2014 Psalm 33:22 Let your unfailing love surround us Lord for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 34: 18 The Lord is close to the broken hearted. Greetings and blessings, I would love to share with you some of my most comforting psalms taken from the NLT bible. I pray that you will drink these verses in and that they will refresh and sustain you in the dry times. Wrap these words around your spirit and let the presence of God cradle you and pamper your soul. Psalm 3:3 But you O Lord are a shield around me. You are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 31:5,7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love for you have seen my troubles and you care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 38:9 You know what I long for Lord, you hear my every sigh. Let s take a moment and thank God for these promises for they are true, pure and will never fail us. Be blessed my friends, Barbara Morgan We are looking for helpers to assemble our Easter baskets on Saturday, April 5th, from 9:00-11:00 am. If you are interested in helping please see the sign-up sheet at the Friendship Table.

5 April 2014 The First Word Page 5 MARY STEPHEN CIRCLE Wednesday, April 9th 12:15 p.m. Bring a sandwich and meet in the church parlor for fellowship and Bible study. Hostess: Vonda Boatman Lesson: The Promise Land Word: Promise Each month a group of ladies look forward to our Circle meetings. We share a meal, study our lesson, enjoy the fellowship, and come away feeling good. We invite ladies of our church to come and join us. You will be very welcome. Children & the Sacraments Workshop Saturday, April 5th, 10a.m. - Noon Pastor Mike and Jo Morgan will offer this workshop for families who wish to become more familiar with the sacraments of Baptism and Communion as celebrated in the Presbyterian Church. The workshop will include crafts and activities that help to develop an understanding of the sacraments, a talk by Pastor Mike or Jo Morgan about how sacraments are celebrated, the filling of trays for the celebration of Communion on Sunday, April 6, and will conclude with a little luncheon for all participants! Please contact the church office at to make your reservation! If you have questions, please contact Jo Morgan at ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Our offering to the One Great Hour of Sharing will be received and dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 13th. Our gifts support the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self- Development of People, and Presbyterian Disaster Relief. Please remember to pick up a coin bank and return your fish bank or envelope on that Sunday. And please remember to FEED THE FISH

6 Page 6 The First Word April 2014 COKESBURY S VBS 2014 Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God Monday, June 23 Friday June 27 9 am Noon PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE! First Presbyterian usually holds VBS the week after school lets out, but due to general assembly this year, it will be one week later. But that won t diminish the fun! Our 2014 VBS program is filled with exciting crafts, great stories, fun games, and delicious snacks. Plus we have some of the best volunteers in the universe! So make sure to join us children in grades K-5 can register using the form on the Welcome Table, or online on the church website. Youth and adult volunteers can simply use the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary, or by calling the church office. If you have any question, or would like more information, please contact Jo Morgan at You DON T want to miss this! THE Good News at 6:00 RETURNS! Fridays, August 1, 8, 18, pm Please join us as our Good News at 6:00 VBS program returns for a second exciting year! Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church South Lyon and held at South Lyon Woods Park Clubhouse, the program for this year has expanded to include not only children in grades K-5, but also a concurrent program for youth in grades 6-8. Each evening s program includes dinner, Bible storytelling, crafts, music and games appropriate to each level. While the children are enjoying the program, parents are free to either join in, or to enjoy some time on their own. Those volunteering to run the program will work with the whole group of their age level for the evening, which helps us to get to know the kids better, and for the kids to know us better, too! There is a sing-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary check out the opportunities, and see where you can help! If you have questions of would like more information, don t hesitate to contact Jo Morgan (734) she can help you find the role where you can make a difference in the lives of children, and have a great time doing it!

7 April 2014 The First Word Page 7 EASTER LILY ORDER FORM Help to decorate the sanctuary for Easter by purchasing a beautiful Easter lily. Your plant can be taken home following the Easter service. Just complete this form and place it in the offering plate, or return it to the church office, with your payment, no later than April 13th. $15 FPC TO BEGIN NEW PRAYER GROUP PRAYER: the study Beginning 22 April there will be an adult study on prayer at 9:30am on Tuesdays. Bring your favorite Bible (any translation or paraphrase) for this daytime opportunity to delve into prayer: the what, why, and how of it, as well as famous prayers and influential pray-ers. PRAYER: the action After Easter Sunday, a weekly prayer team will begin meeting at 10:30am on Tuesdays. The format will start with conversation that will lead into prayer. All participants will be required to pray aloud. In faith, this team will develop into an ongoing mission of this congregation. Anne Lyke will facilitate the gatherings. If you are unable to join us physically, set this time aside to pray and join us spiritually. Do you feel called to this action?

8 Page 8 The First Word April 2014 Pray for... Rita Chenoweth Kay Fisher Paul Lloyd Leonard LaChance Harry and Shirley Prentis Millie Turnbull James Gentilia the family of James Stephen Penny Nancy Wendy Barbara Johanningsmeier s cousin Jeff, and cousin Jeanne s family on her passing. Kim MacNish s cousin s husband, and friend Lorrie. Peggy Hart s friend Nadeen Gary Schultz s uncle, on the passing of his wife. Kaylee s grandmother Kathleen Mary Docherty s mom Debbie Cheryl Sneddon s friend Brittney for everyone choosing to help with our VBS program in June for those struggling with day to day life for the conflict between the Ukraine and Russia for all affected by the missing airline in Malaysia for Spring to make itself more evident! Our Men Serving in the Armed Forces Ben Bond Kenny Bond Dante Panicacci Brian Peterson Jared Roth Our Shut-ins and Homebound Hildreth Bakhaus Jane Beckstein Joan Borsh Bob and Elaine Callsen Rita Chenoweth Bill & Glenna Clogg Eleanor Donley Betty Ross Shirley Westacott Our friends under the care of the Presbytery Jo Morgan Anne Lyke Request prayer by calling the church office at (248) or online at Please let your Deacon know how your prayer is being answered. If you do not know who your Deacon is, contact the church office.

9 April 2014 The First Word Page 9 FROM THE MUSIC MINISTRY After a very long and cold winter, we welcome this new transition in many ways. Little by little the weather is getting warmer and there is strong evidence that spring is really on the way here in Michigan. It is also great to have more daylight towards the end of the day with our time change! As the ground is slowly beginning to thaw after all the snow we have received, the ground is still a little muddy. It is great to see the trees are all budded out and will soon be ready to pop out into leaf and adding new color to our somewhat dismal landscape. The birds seem to be singing more cheerfully, knowing warmer weather is soon ahead. How glorious this is! This year, when Easter is a little later, seems to make this change in seasons all the more special. I can remember years when we would trudge through the snow and carrying Easter lilies home from church and worrying about them being affected by the cold on the way home. I don t think we will need to worry about that his year. As we continue through the season of Lent, we look forward with great anticipation to Easter Sunday, as we celebrate the grand and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Chancel Choir and Celebration Ringers will be providing special music of the season, along with welcoming vocal soloists and instrumentalist to add additional offerings to our music program. On Maundy Thursday we will celebrate Communion together and take part in a Tenebrae Service or Service of Darkness, which is always very meaningful. Good Friday our church will be hosting the ecumenical community service with our neighboring churches. There will be a mass choir, comprised of singers for all the various churches. This service normally has a huge attendance, 250 people or more, so come early if you want to get a good seat! Please join us on Easter Sunday as we raise the roof in singing Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Hallelujah! With Peace & Blessings, Jeff by Jeff Burke Director of Music

10 Page 10 The First Word April 2014 WHAT IS GENERAL ASSEMBLY General Assembly (GA) is the biennial meeting of the highest governing body in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Every two years, commissioners and advisory delegates from the 172 presbyteries, as well as observers from around the world, gather to debate issues and set policy for our denomination. This year, the 221st General Assembly will convene in Detroit at COBO Center from Saturday, June 14 through Saturday, June 21. This is a rare opportunity to learn more about our denomination and to see its decision-making process in action. In addition to business sessions, GA offers committee meetings, an exhibit hall, daily worship services, and mission tours sponsored by the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA). Opening worship takes place Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 am and is a highlight of the assembly. Members of local churches are encouraged to attend this service at COBO Center. GA is open to anyone who registers to be an Observer ($30 for the week), but if you volunteer to help, you will receive free access to most GA events for the entire time. CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER During Holy Week (Mon-Wed, April 14th-16th), self-guided prayer stations will be set up throughout the Sanctuary. The stations are designed to help you encounter God more intimately during this very special time of year. Remember, the Sanctuary is always available during normal church office hours if you ever need a place to sit and pray. STORIES ON THE LAWN It s coming something very special. It s for kids for families for all ages. Stories on the lawn It s coming to Frist Presbyterian Church South Lyon! Details to follow soon! SERVICE FOR WHOLENESS AND HEALING Thursday, April 3, 2014 At 7:00 p.m.

11 April 2014 The First Word Page 11 PLEASE HELP OUR VBS PROGRAM! Our VBS program is in need of 50 heavy jugs to make tool buckets. The large bleach jugs are best the labels remove cleanly but vinegar or other heavy jugs are okay. THE JUGS MUST BE RINSED OUT especially the bleach! and it is preferred that the labels be removed. We are also in need of tall cans, preferable with lids, to make robots for VBS. Coffee cans, Pringles type cans anything tall will work. We will also accept tall juice cans. Live from V8, even without the lids, in case we don t get enough of the others. There is a box outside the Sanctuary to leave these treasures. Remember, each time you give a jug or can, you help us to fund our VBS program, as these found items help us to keep the cost down considerably. If you have questions, see Jo Morgan. Thanks so much for all your support! WORSHIP 10:00 AM FELLOWSHIP TIME 11:00 AM Rev. Michael Horlocker, Pastor mhorlocker1@gmail.com Office Hours: T, W, TH, F Laura Goode, Administrative Assistant office@fpcsouthlyon.org Office Hours: M, T, W, F 9-3 Jeff Burke, Director of Music and Organist jeffb113@sbcglobal.net Bob Weinburger, Treasurer Peggy Hart, Custodian Office: Fax:

12 Page 12 The First Word April 2014 First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake Street South Lyon, MI The First Word is the newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of South Lyon, published eleven times a year. The deadline for submission of articles is noon on the third Monday of each month. Check us out on the web at Our Mission We are called to J oyfully E xalt our S avior by U sing our talents to S erve God and others daily. Our Vision We strive to be the Image of Christ in the world: a place where the Son always shines.