Jesus Resurrection: Hope for Humanity Luke 24:1-12

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1 Jesus Resurrection: Hope for Humanity Luke 24:1-12 REMEMBER is a key word in the Bible. To remember the covenant is to keep it; to forget it is to break it. To remember what God has done is to have an identity; to forget that identity is to lose it. At Easter we remember the resurrection of Jesus in order to find hope. Luke uses "remember" in his version of the resurrection story. For him the followers of Jesus should have known not to "look for the living among the dead." Had they understood what Jesus told them, they would have anticipated the resurrection. On Easter morning the two men in dazzling clothes urged the terrified women at the tomb to "remember bow he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." They remembered his words and were able to return to the others and tell them what had happened. The remembering that Luke has in mind stretches beyond the message of these two men, for throughout his' two-volume work he reminds Christians to recollect how their faith came into being. In that remembering they will find new life and hope. Peter calls upon his hearers to remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. From such remembering, he concludes, comes the conviction that "everyone who believes in him receives the forgiveness of sins through his name." In 1 Corinthians Paul also reminds his readers to remember "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day." The recollection is crucial, because Christian hope is based on the resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, "we are of all people most to be pitied," because our hope will turn out to have been a delusion. Better not to hope at all than to hope and have hope dashed. The resurrection of Jesus is a penultimate event, the beginning of a conquest which is yet to be completed. Were it not begun, we would be left with despair and pessimism. Were it finished, we could claim optimism. In the interim we are given the confidence that the present struggle has meaning. Life has a goal after all. The risen Christ is at work, defeating "all his enemies," "every ruler and every authority and power." Amid the dashed optimism of this blood-stained century, we remember the resurrection of Jesus and find hope.

2 LECTIONARY FOR MAY May 6 Acts 6:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31 I John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8 May 13 Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98 I John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 May 20 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1 I John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 May 27 Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 EASTER FLOWERS For those that did not see the lovely flowers on the altar for Easter, we are listing those that shared them with our congregation. IN LOVING MEMORY OF Mary & Dee Dalziel Kathy Curtin & Mary Jane Koslosky Albert Henel & Betty Lamont Doris Henel Loved Ones Valdez Family Fred Gmitter Kathryn Gmitter Loved Ones Leona Parker Loved Ones Doris Stamer George Koslosky MaryJane Koslosky & Kathy Curtin Loved Ones Mildred Ebert Victorio Peralta Ida Peralta Parents Lorraine & Bob Carhart Loved Ones Lorraine & Bob Carhart Michael Hinko - Hinko Family Caitlin Elizabeth Russell Dorothy & Richard Gerbounka Loved Ones Ruth Schulte IN HONOR OF Parents Valdez Family Simplico Paguno Ida Peralta Tulips and Hyacinths given in memory of Loved Ones by Gertrude and NancyJane Baldwin HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY TO: Kerry Abbott 2 Laurel Hanns 3 Richard Woodfield 4 Irene Modrak 4 Curtis Burns 5 Nancy Martinson 5 Carolyn Franz 7 Joyce Carhart 7 Lorraine Carhart 8 Ethel Strand 9 Bridget Crespo 10 Patricia Martinson 16 Ed Burns 18 Richard Brinckman 20 Evan Schickel 20 Alan G. Woodfield 26 Theresa Heinaman 27 Courtney Martinson 28 and many, many more!! IMPORTANT NOTICE THE PAST WEEKS, MONEY WAS COLLECTED FOR THE NEEDY IN A JAR IN THE SANCTUARY AND KEPT IN A CABINET IN THE OFFICE DURING THE WEEK. RECENTLY WE FOUND THAT SOMEONE HAD TAKEN THE MONEY FROM THE JAR IN THE OFFICE. WHEN MONEY IN TWO PEW ENVELOPES MARKED EASTER FLOWERS WAS PUT IN THE PROPER SLOT IN THE CHURCH OFFICE, THEY TOO DISAPPEARED. WE ARE CAUTIONING ALL NOT TO LEAVE ANY MONEY IN THE OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE MONEY, PUT IT IN AN ENVELOPE AND IN THE MAIL SLOT AT THE FOOT OF WOOD AVE. DRIVEWAY. THIS IS ALWAYS LOCKED.

3 INTERFAITH LENTEN BIBLE STUDY On Sunday afternoons, March 4 th, 11 th and 18 th, the Interfaith Council sponsored the Lenten Bible Study group at our church. Rev. Landino led the first discussion, Mary and John Arrowood, the second session and Robert Jenco the third. all from Calvin Presbyterian Church. Discussion centered around Pontius Pilate, Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Judas Iscariot along with Bible readings from Matthew, Mark and John. There was a good attendance from the churches of Linden and all that attended enjoy and appreciate the dedication of those leading the Bible Study. Refreshments were donated by women of the churches and served by women of our church. We thank all for their help and support of this very worthwhile study group. We thank our drivers and were very pleased to have Rev. Ramos join us. Vivienne was happy to see him and especially enjoyed his prayers for her. Many pictures were taken that day, and if they are developed in time, you will find them in another part of this newsletter. WHO WILL BE GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL THIS YEAR? We are listing those that we know about. if you know of others, please call doris henel, , so they can be listed. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN On Tuesday, April 3 rd, Rev. Ramos and MaryJane Koslosky furnished transportation for 10 people to travel to the Springhill Assisted Living residence at 473 DeMott Lane, Rm.217, Somerset, N. J. Vivienne Merrill, a member of the United Methodist Women now resides there and we were all pleased to visit her and enjoyed a private room to have lunch together. Springhill is a beautiful place in a lovely country setting and everyone was very impressed with the buildings and the care that is taken with each person living there. We are planning to visit Vivienne again in the fall. Please use the address listed above to send her a card to remind her that she is still missed. Megan Stamer Ramapo College, NEW JERSEY Zachary Moore edinboro UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA nina & Alec henelsmith ANALY HIGH SCHOOL, CALIFORNIA Patrick dziamba Rutgers university NEW JERSEY matthew martinson j. F. K. HIGH SCHOOL, NEW JERSEY SARAH SCHULTE ROWAN COLLEGE, NEW JERSEY JASMINE VALDEZ LINDEN HIGH SCHOOL NEW JERSEY Jennifer Zahorbenski Rutgers University, New Jersey CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL. may the future be bright for each one.

4 BITS AND PIECES A special thank you from Lorraine and Bob Carhart to Lorraine s daughter, Donna and her husband for the help they provided for the Easter breakfast in Aldersgate Hall. Not only did they help that day, Donna also made the delicious French toast that was served along with scrambled eggs, sausage and a beautiful large red strawberry! The breakfast has become a tradition in our church and one that we always look forward to. Thank you, Bob and Lorraine, for continuing that tradition! This has been a busy Easter holiday for the Carharts. Not just taking on the breakfast, Bob made a delicious vegetable soup for the soup supper on Holy Thursday following the serving of Communion by Rev. Ramos. We had a very good turnout and all that attended enjoyed the soup and the very serious and meaningful Communion served around the tables in Aldersgate Hall. Congratulations to Bill and Louise Forster who celebrated their 57 th wedding anniversary on April 9, Although Bill has some health problems we are always so pleased to see that his daughter, who visits them often, make sure he gets to the church Sunday services as often as possible. It is always a joy to see them both. We were pleased to hear that Joy Hinko has been hired by the Pathmark on Stiles Street, Linden. She has been looking for an additional job, besides the one she has at Pizza Hut. Good luck, Joy. She and her son will be moving into a new apartment soon. made by NancyJane Baldwin, and hidden around the property. And they found every one!! We thank the Linden Presbyterian Church for inviting the members of our church and the Reformed Church to their Good Friday service. It is always a very meaningful service and we appreciate the invitation. PRAYER LIST OVER THE LAST MONTH Leona Parker George Barnes Marie Dziamba Cammarata Family Janet Pavlinic Gale Williams Marge Varga Angel Mecado Maggie Chichester Family Bill Stevens Larry Diaz & Family Dan Ajuka Mycroft Laryea Sophia Meolia Please continue to pray for them all. Kathryn Gmitter will be leaving soon for another visit with her son, Fred, and his family in Florida. This time she will be staying with them in their brand new home that they recently had built for them. That should be fun! Enjoy!! Carolyn Franz and her sister, Barbara are both very happy! Barbara, who has been trying to find a new location, was recently accepted into the Springfield Senior Citizen housing complex. She moved in early April, with some help from Carolyn in packing things up, and is very happy in her new apartment. Easter was very special this year for Gertrude Baldwin and her family. They all, (Steven and Sue Zahorbenski and family, and Jayne & Otts Schnellenger from Kentucky) gathered at the new home of her son, Walter and Susan, in Mullica Hill, N. J. They had lots of fun looking for the 1,200 eggs

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6 BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees reported that they are hopeful that the parsonage repairs will be completed by the end of April or early in May. It has taken much longer than anticipated, but working through the Board of Trustees, the Church, the Conference and Insurance Company takes time. They will be pleased when they can invite the congregation to view the parsonage. In the meantime, the Trustees have continued with other projects. The damage done to the inside of the sanctuary vestibule and church office from Hurricane Irene has not been repaired due to the continued leakage around the large high window at the front of the church. The contractor to repair this has been hired and as soon as that is completed the inside work will be done. We have already received the check from the insurance company for the inside work. The rest of the roof was repaired in March although not covered by insurance. The railing on the platform at the foot of the Wood Avenue driveway has been replaced AGAIN!! This is the 3 rd time for this project. We ask everyone to be very careful if they park in the driveway DO NOT GO TOO CLOSE TO THAT RAILING!! We have no way of knowing who might be hitting it with their car many people, members and non-members, use the driveway. Two broken windows have been replaced, the bathrooms in Epworth Hall have been repaired and are now in good condition, and the sump pump room has been cleaned out, which it really needed. When the heat is turned off the system will be cleaned out and repaired where necessary so that we will not have a problem with the heat in the sanctuary next winter as we did occasionally this year. Gertrude Baldwin, representative of the Trustees, accompanied by Lorraine Carhart, Lay Leader and Doris Henel, Finance Chairperson, met with officers of New Canaan U.M.C. who have been meeting in our church on Sunday evenings since December. They have requested permission to stay through June and Gertrude will make a report and recommendation to the Board of Trustees at their next meeting. We thank Donald Beyer, President of the Board of Trustees, and members, Gertrude Baldwin, Tom Henel, Bob Losyk, Charles Ethel and Joe Stammer for the care and responsibility they take for our church buildings. It is very much appreciated! AROUND THE CHURCH. Rev. Ramos enjoys the refreshments....and so does Leona Parker! We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.

7 BAPTISM On Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. the following children were baptized in our sanctuary by Rev. Dr. Ricardo Ramos-Diaz: Savannah Jaid Ortiz-Satterfield Born March 29, 2008 August. Please keep her informed about the interesting things that happen to you during the summer and that your church family would like to hear about. And especially if there are church events or meetings that will be taking place during the summer or in September. **************************************** Ezabella Nevaeh Satterfield Born - January 2, 2012 The parents, are Jessica Ann Satterfield and Ein Nevell Satterfield. The godparents for each child are listed below: Savannah Jaid Satterfield Danine Hoaq and Dawn Hoaq Ezabella Nevaeh Satterfield Elizabeth Picard and Duckers St. Preux Children of God by water and the Spirit, we welcome you into God s new creation. Share with us in Christ s royal priesthood. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as members of Christ s church. We look forward to greeting you in our church and hope you will become an active part of it. LAST MESSENGER UNTIL THE FALL In June you will receive the last Messenger until September. If you have any information or reports that should be in the June Messenger, please see that Doris Henel receives them. If your birthday falls in June, July or August, and has not been previously listed, please make sure she also receives that information. A reminder that the secretary does not work during July or August but she will be working on the September Messenger over the summer so that you will know what has been happening when that newsletter goes out the end of Nellie Lyles, and her deceased husband, Russell and their son, Rusty, were all active members of our church until they moved back to North Carolina after Russell retired. For those that remember them, we are showing a picture of Rusty and his wife, Edie s, grandchildren. When our children are having children, we know we are getting old! Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don t say!

8 MAY 2012 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 6 9 Choir Rehearsal 10:30-Worship Ser 13 9 AM - Choir 10:30 - Worship 7 7 Board of Trustees D.Beyer,T.Henel,B.Losyk, G.Baldwin,J.Stamer, C.Ettel,W.Hanns 4:30 9:30 Fencing Sch. 14 4:30-9: :30-United Methodist Women 10:30- Bible Study 4:30-Weight Watchers 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch. 8 10:30-Bible Study in Youth Room 4:30-Weight Watchers 4:30-9:30 Fencing Sch :30-Bible Study 4:30-6:30-Weight Watchers 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch 2 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch. 9 4:30-9:30 Fencing School 16 4:30-9:30-Fenc.Sch. 3 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch 10 4:30-9: :30-9:30-Fenc.Sch :30-1:30 9:30-1:30 in gym :30-1:30- in gym 20 9 AM Choir 10:30-Worship 21 4:30 9: :30-Bible Study 4:30-6:30-Weight Watchers in Aldersgate Hall 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch 23 4:30-9: :30-9:30-Fencing Sch :30-1:30 Fencing Sch. in Gym :00 Choir 10:30-Worship 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch. 4:30-9:30-Fenc. Sch. 4:30-9:30-Fenc. Sch. 4:30-9:30-Fencing Sch. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 5/31 TO 6/2/12