COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON ANCHOR. "Hope is like an anchor for our lives, an anchor safe and sure" - Heb. 6:19. April 2015

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1 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON ANCHOR Rev. Dr. Linden DeBie Senior Minister "Hope is like an anchor for our lives, an anchor safe and sure" - Heb. 6:19 April 2015 Dearly Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ: One should not count one s chickens before they hatch, but I will stick my neck out and say, so far, our centennial has been nothing short of brilliant. Kevin Wolfe inspired our membership with his talk about the history and architecture of our church and community, and he filled our parlor with guests all asking questions about our history and future; all reveling in the past with optimism for the future. It was wonderful! We really switched gears in February just having a great laugh and social time at the Douglaston Club with our Murder Mystery. It doesn t hurt that we raised five thousand dollars to boot! This event inspired us to look to similar ideas for fund raising in the future. Andi LaGrassa was a big part of the success of this event and will guide us in the future. Thanks Andi! In March our focus was on our Lenten Vigil as it led to a most lovely Easter Service on the first Sunday in April, with spectacular music and a church full of folks who seek Christ in so many, many different ways. It s just great that part of that way is Community Church. Somehow they see the connection and we just pray they always will. Now here it is April and our focus is on the upcoming centennial worship. The committee has been hard at work and they have raised sufficient money such that both worship and reception are completely paid for. We have invited all the local clergy, distinguished politicians, honored former ministers and old friends from the past. The worship will center on music and prayer, and it will feature both our Adult and Junior Choirs. We are thrilled to announce that catering what promises to be a delectable reception after worship, is our own Mauro and his famed Il Toscano Restaurant. We promised that our centennial would be a community as well as church celebration and Il Toscano is at the heart of our community. Indeed, there is another good neighbor contributing to our birthday worship event! The flowers for church and reception are thanks to Cress Florist, another special friend who has been amazingly generous in seeing to our sanctuary s beauty. To that end I want to enthusiastically invite you, your family and all your friends to this historic worship and celebration! Please mark your calendar for April 26 at 4 PM and be prepared for

2 an afternoon of joy, fellowship and inspiration with perhaps just a touch of nostalgia thrown in! Blessings in service to our God and community these 100 years, Linden PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Monday, April 13 GEORGE MILLER IS SHAVING HIS HEAD George Miller is once again going to shave his head for childhood cancer and the St. Baldrick s Foundation. Witness this event at Floral Park s Trinity Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, April 25 th at 3 pm. You can help George support this cause by donating. Go to StBaldricks.org and donate under George M. for April 25 th or George s mom, Christina, will collect checks or cash donations at church. Thank you. MOTHER S DAY SALE Sunday, April 19, 11:30 am - Parlor Many Small Gifts Joan Hoffman & Susan Slater Meets second Monday of each month in the parlor at 7 pm. Anyone who knits or crochets is welcome. Prayer shawls are a tangible way of embracing those who are in need of comfort, and wrapping them in prayer. A prayer shawl is for anyone who is hurting. Please see Joan Hoffman for more information. Community Church of Douglaston s Early Childhood Center Free UPK Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Registration is on going until classes are filled First come, first served. Questions? Contact us: Anna or Susan UPK: or UPKofDouglaston@gmail.com

3 The Elders Corner The Nature of God's Love Sometimes when life gets discouraging, the best thing we can do is remind ourselves of the nature of God's love. One of the most beautiful things the Bible says is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (see Romans 5:8). He did not wait for us to deserve His love. He loves us unconditionally. To be honest, that's hard for many of us to comprehend because we are so accustomed to having to earn everything in life. Because of His great, wonderful and intense love for us, God poured His life out for us freely. That is revolutionary love, real, revolutionary love that gives itself away because it can never be satisfied doing anything less. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4, 5 NIV It is God's unconditional love that draws us to Him, His amazing grace that erases our sin, and His powerful sacrifice that makes a way for us to enter His presence. His love will never quit, never give up, and never leave you. Whenever you feel down or depressed, remember the great love that God has for you Prayer Starter: God, Your love overwhelms me. Even when I don't feel like it, I know that Your love never quits. You gave Your all for me, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You love me. Peace be with you. In His Service, Ed Palafox Think globally, act locally! The Udalls Cove Preservation Committee invites you to participate in the 46 th Annual Udalls Cove Cleanup on Saturday, April 25th, 2015 at 10 AM. For over four decades UCPC has worked to preserve, conserve and restore the wetlands and woodlands of Udalls Cove and the Douglaston/Little Neck area. Join us to celebrate Earth Day and pitch in as we clean up the Wildlife Preserve and shoreline. Meet at the Back Road near Aurora Pond, just west of the Little Neck Railroad Station. Wear work gloves, boots and long pants; sunscreen & bug juice advisable. And stay for a free picnic lunch at Memorial Field after the Cleanup! Questions? Call Walter Mugdan or Vivienne Lenk at (718) , or visit: You can also follow us on Facebook at:

4 REV. JOHN H. MEYER, as well as other former Pastors have been invited back for the Centennial Worship Service. Rev. Meyer was the minister here for 28 years, until Pastor and his wife, Kathy, arrived here in 1972 along with their four children, who entered Kindergarten, 2 nd, 3 rd and 5 th grades at P.S. 98 next door. The kids were all active in church and the three oldest were married here and four of their five grandchildren were baptized here. Their daughter was also ordained as a RCA pastor here. Pastor Meyer and his wife have very happy memories of the years at CCD; unfortunately they will not be able to attend the service.

5 CENTENNIAL WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY APRIL 26 at 4:00 pm All during 2015 we are celebrating our 100 years of ministry and service within our community. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend our special Sunday, April 26th Centennial Service at 4pm. Local clergy have been invited as well as former CCD clergy. Please plan to attend this special service which includes a reception afterwards in the parlor. The service will be filled with music and joy, as we look forward to another 100 years of service to our God and community. Food Donations are continuously needed to help those in need. CCD supports the Food pantry that is located at the Church on the Hill, a RCA church. Donations of spring clothing, gently used and clean are appreciated. Please leave items on the inside bench by the back Church door. ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK? So is The Community Church of Douglaston! Please LIKE our page ChurchofDouglaston IMMEDIATE PRAYERS FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ROBERT REINA. CORRECTION FROM MARCH ANCHOR The Occhipinti Family may be reached at CONTINUED PRAYERS CHARLIE STONE, COLLEEN, NOBREGA, PATRICK, SUSAN ROSE TRUSSUX. ERIKA S SPRING 2015 JEWELRY & CRAFT SHOW The winter is finally over. It s time again to celebrate weddings, graduations, birthdays and especially Mother s Day. May 1 Fri 3:00 pm 7:00 pm May 2 Sat 12:00 am 6:00 pm May 3 Sun 11:30 am - 5:00 pm May 8 Fri 3:00 pm 7:00 pm May 9 Sat 12:00 am - 6:00 pm May 10 Sun Mother s Day 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Come join us in the Jean Kenny Parlor at CCD As always, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Community Church of Douglaston.

6 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE God Friday Choir Left to right: AILEEN WEBSTER, IZABELA GRAJNER-PARTYKA, LINDA MULÉ, KAMÉ BARNES, CARMEN JAMES, CHERYL WARFIELD, CLAIRE GOLDSTEIN, KIMBERLY IANNUZZI, TOM OLIVA, TOM WOOD, DENNIS PIDHERNY, ALEX SCHIRLING and REUVEN ARISTIGUETA Photo courtesy of Victor Dadras EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE - Children s Message with Rev. DeBie Photo courtesy of Jean Koerber

7 10:30 am Easter Service Photo courtesy of Victor Dadras Photo courtesy of Jean Koerber WAYNE PAUL SINGS OPERA Baritone soloist, Wayne Paul, who sang at CCD on Sundays for about a year and a half, will be performing the role of Dancairo in NY Opera Exchange's 'Carmen'. This is his first opera role with a full orchestra since his undergrad at New England Conservatory, so he is looking forward to getting back on the stage! His performances are: Saturday, May 9th-2pm and Sunday May 10th- 3pm Church of the Covenant, 310 E 42nd Street, NY, NY Tickets are available at: Facebook link

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9 EASTER FLOWER LIST We thank the following people for their gifts to the Flower Fund to make possible the beautiful Easter flowers gracing our Sanctuary. The glorious Crown of Flowers for the Cross was handmade by Barbara Bartley-Baldwin, in honor of loved ones and the promise of the Resurrection Marian Ales The Barnes Family Easter Messages To Brother Patrick with all our love Elizabeth Ehrler Margaret King From The DeBie Family Alleluia! He has Risen, He has Risen in deed; and in loving memory of Joseph Carabene He is Risen! In Loving Remembrance of Our close friend Rod O Connell My mother and father Rene and Jeanine Fiechter Bernard Kahn and Florence O Hare With loving and wonderful memories of my parents, brother, husband, son and dear friends Marilyn Stone The Thomas Family From John Douglas Marguerite Espada Fiechter Family Helen Kahn Marylyn Mackay Thomas and George Olson Jean-Pierre and Claire Savary My father, Sung Whang Astrid Christina and George Miller, and Grace Olson Philippe and Sarah Savary Caroline Warshaw Rett Zabriskie My Parents William and Elsie Ferares and Brother William Ferares Kathy Zidel Thank you to Marilyn Stone & Victor Dadras for decorating the Sanctuary & Cress Florist

10 SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY SEA OPEN HOUSE Monday, APRIL 20th 5:30pm-7:30pm Fellowship Community Church of Douglaston Click on the picture to download the full registration packet. To register and hold your family's spot in our program, you will need to pay the $125 one-time non-refundable registration fee. Click here to download the registration packet to check out our program, pricing & payment options, etc. Any questions, please us at CCDSummer@gmail.com Darlene O'Rourke & Jacqueline Montgomery Program Developers/Owners Summer Enrichment Academy, Ocean's 33 LLC Our mailing address is: Community Church of Douglaston - Summer Enrichment Academy Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, NY 11363

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12 CENTENNIAL WORSHIP SERVICE MUSIC The COMMUNITY CHURCH CHOIR is gearing up for the Celebration on April 26 th, by working on golden, exalting choral classics. As part of the celebratory liturgy, they will be joined by the children s choir on a well known familiar hymn and hopefully, YOU as part of the congregation, will participate as well. Timpanist, Dan Granda who helped create the joyous music we heard on Easter morning will be joining us again, making the music even more glorious. The Junior/Youth Choir will offer an anthem written especially for them by our own composer and soprano, Kimberly Iannuzzi. "Walk Through the Bible" is a joyful piece which teaches the children to remember all the books of the Bible, and for this service, Kimberly has written special lyrics to commemorate CCD's centennial. COMMUNITY CHURCH OF DOUGLASTON Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York (718)