The Church at Horseshoe Bay

Transcription

1 April 2017 The Church at Horseshoe Bay 600 HI RIDGE, PO BOX 8295, HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS , FAX , CHURCH-HSB.ORG Palm Sunday-Holy Week-Easter Palm Sunday Easter Easter. The most important day for a Christian. But to understand Easter, one must understand Holy Week. Each of the four gospels contains more material about Jesus' final week on earth than his birth. While the birth of Jesus is tremendously important, clearly the gospel writers felt the death of Jesus was equally so - and spent more time writing about it than his birth. Why? Because without Jesus death, the whole plan of redemption doesn't happen and if salvation doesn t happen, then the Apostle Paul has it precisely correct: If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep... have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15: 16-19). Over the centuries, theologians have discerned in scripture several understandings of the why and how of Jesus' death in providing atonement for humankind. But the end result is the same: without Holy Week... without Maundy Thursday... without Good Friday... there is no Easter -- which is the greatest scandalous news in history. The most frequent command in scripture is what the messenger said to the women at Jesus' empty tomb and what Jesus later repeats: "Don't be afraid." In other words: yes, something astonishingly new has happened, but don't be afraid of it; yes, your life will now be turned upside down, but don't be afraid of it. It is all good and will be all right. You ll want to participate in all the Palm Sunday-Easter events. See the calendar and accompanying articles for details. Invite your friends. Holy Week Easter is fast approaching. This is the perfect time to invite your friends, neighbors, and family to the worship services prepared for this Holy time of year. The Stations of the Cross Christ crucified April 9-15, greeters available 4 p.m. 7 p.m. Palm Sunday Christ enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds to welcome Him. April 9, services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Choral Cantata: Worthy Christian Education Bible Study- Final Lenten study. April 12, 4:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary Maundy Thursday The Last Supper with His disciples. April 13, 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Good Friday Last words of Jesus April 14, 7 p.m. Stand-up service in the Remembrance Garden. (if inclement weather, Sanctuary) Easter Sunday Christ is risen! Hallelujah! April 16, services 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.

2 Stations of the Cross The exact origin of The Stations of the Cross is not entirely clear, though it is associated with Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem in the early Christian centuries. Those who were able to walk along the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion were deeply moved by this experience. There s something about being in the actual place where something momentous happened that makes the event more real. Christians throughout the last 2000 years have made pilgrimages to walk the Via Dolorosa, pausing to remember The Stations of the Cross along the way. Each Station of the Cross assists the pilgrim to vicariously experience the journey of Jesus to Calvary. The images at each Station, the scripture verses read, and the prayers offered - invite you to follow Jesus to the cross, so that you might experience deeper gratitude for the blessings of God s amazing grace. The Church at Horseshoe Bay is recreating The Stations of the Cross in the beautiful Remembrance Garden behind the church overlooking Lake LBJ and the community of Horseshoe Bay. This will be a self-guided experience for individuals, couples, or small groups beginning on Sunday, April 9, continuing each day of Passion Week through Easter Sunday, April 16. Devotional Guides with suggested scriptures and prayers will be available at the entrance to the Remembrance Garden to give guidance to pilgrims who walk through the Stations. Greeters from the Christian Education Ministry of the church will be on site from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm each day, but pilgrims are invited to come at any convenient time. The Garden is beautifully lit in the evening, but a flashlight is necessary to read the guide. The entire Highland Lakes Community is invited to experience The Stations of the Cross this Easter Season in the Remembrance Garden of The Church at Horseshoe Bay. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! A Palm Sunday Service arranged by Garry Kesler connecting events of Holy Week to the only Worthy Lamb of God Worthy Worthy is the title for the collection of anthems to be presented as a cantata by the Sanctuary choir for worship services on Palm Sunday, April 9. As in previous years, this service will begin with the joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and conclude with the knowledge Christ had about his impending crucifixion. This is accomplished through music, scripture and spoken word. The celebration of Jesus coming into the city is presented by the first anthem, Who Is He? This very rhythmic selection is sure to get you excited about his approaching arrival. Many had heard of Jesus and were excited to see him; others were just caught up in the moment of the day. Some just simply ask who is he? as they saw this man being treated as a King entering Jerusalem. This set the feeling of excitement that many believe was filling the air that very special day. Later that week, Jesus, knowing his destiny, invites his disciples to join together in the upper room for a meal. The significance of this meal is told in The True Passover Lamb. Soon after the Passover meal, Into the Woods My Master Went describes Jesus entering the garden to pray. As Jesus is praying, his betrayal by Judas begins. The anthem Thirty Pieces of Silver questions Judas and his betrayal of Jesus by asking, For thirty pieces of silver, Oh, Judas, what have you done? This question has been asked for thousands of years by many that for such a small price how could Judas have done such a deed. Because of Judas actions, we follow with In Pilate s Hall, a description of the meeting of Jesus and Pilate. It shows how Pilate must have felt as he questioned and ultimately judged this man of such popularity. Worthy Is the Lamb of God is taken straight from Revelations 5:12 stating Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. The final selection A Celtic Kyrie confirms the love many have for Jesus who that died for those that were needy, weakened of body, weary of soul and looking for His compassion. This song will be sung in English and Latin using the words Kyrie eleison and Christe eleison, (Lord have mercy and Christ have mercy). All of this will be accompanied with piano, organ, strings and woodwinds as a chamber orchestra. Service times are 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m..

3 Maundy Thursday On Maundy Thursday of Passion Week, April 13, at 7:00 pm, The Church at Horseshoe Bay will get a sense of Jesus last supper with his disciples by offering Communion around tables in the Fellowship Hall in remembrance of the night Jesus was betrayed. Add to your experience of this holy night by walking through The Stations of the Cross before or after attending the Maundy Thursday Service. The meaning of the term maundy is uncertain, but probably is a derivative of the Latin word for mandate. The Scriptures tell us on Maundy Thursday night of Holy Week, Jesus washed his disciples feet and gave them the mandate that they should love and serve one another as he had loved and served them. So that we would remember his love for us, he initiated the new meaning of the Passover with the mandate that we should do this in remembrance of him. From John s Gospel we know that Jesus then prayed for his disciples, and by extension, he prayed for all of us. He retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed and relinquished himself to his Father s will, sweating drops of blood. On Maundy Thursday evening, April 13 at 7:00 pm, we will remember and commemorate these sacred events in the life of Jesus our LORD. On Good Friday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Remembrance Garden at The Church at Horseshoe Bay, we will conclude Passion/ Holy Week by hearing the final words of Jesus on the cross and listening to music appropriate to Jesus final hours on earth. At first glance, good Friday seems a misnomer. But, the original word good is an old English expression and means holy. So Good Friday is also called Holy Friday. If inclement weather, the service will be in the Sanctuary. EASTER LILIES Living Cross Don t forget to bring short stemmed fresh cut flowers to add to the Living Cross on Easter morning, Sunday April 16. Feel free to bring a blossom or two from your yard so that you can add to the living cross. Each year the opportunity to purchase Easter Lilies is offered. Those who contribute to the fund will have the appropriate dedication listed in a special brochure. Contributions beyond that which is required for the purchase of the plants will be given to the Benevolence Committee for distribution to approved agencies. If you would like to contribute to the Easter Lily Fund, at $10.00 per plant, please complete the appropriate form. Return the completed form with your check made payable to The Church at Horseshoe Bay, Easter Lily Fund, and place it in the offering plate or leave it in the church office by the close of business Monday, April 10. Those who wish to take a plant home can do so following the 11:00 a.m. Easter service.

4 Station of the Cross Worship + 2 offers our congregation two ways to serve Our beautiful and unique Stations of the Cross will draw many visitors during Holy Week. The busiest time of day is 4:00 to 7:00 pm. We are asking for docents to help greet and direct people along the way. It is an easy job, but very fulfilling. Call another couple or friend and make plans to spend a few pleasant hours at this marvelous garden. You may call the Church office or Ronda Rodman for the day, Monday through Friday, April , that you would be interested in volunteering on. There will be pew cards on Sunday, April 2 and 9. Community Service Opportunity: Texas Open at HSB The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation will be holding their Texas Open tournament on Ram and Apple on May 13 and 14th. This is a byinvitation-only tournament for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. They need many volunteers and will donate $20 to our church for every shift that our members fill. They need help with starters, pace of play, scoring, scorecard runners and player registration. You may choose your shift on-line at texasopen2017.my-trs.com or contact Ronda Rodman with questions or help signing up , rondahsb@gmail.com Child Care for Easter Easter Sunday is very special for The Church at Horseshoe Bay. We will be having three services at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. We expect all three services to be well attended. With that in mind, we also expect to have more children in attendance. Our nursery will be available for the 8 a.m. service, but, in addition, we are asking for volunteers to help our very capable Nursery Coordinator, Sue Martini, at the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services. Babies and preschool children will be in another classroom with Easter activities. If you could lend a hand on this very special morning, please call the church office or Ronda Rodman and indicate which service time (9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. you would like to participate in. Ronda Rodman: Worship + 2 Coordinator, rondahsb@gmail.com Christian Education The Christian Education department s Lenten Study continues on Wednesdays through April 12. Along with watching the DVD and reading the book by Adam Hamilton, the participants in this study are collecting clothing and shoes to donate to Birth of Hope Baptist Church in Cottonwood Shores for their Clothes Closet ministry. They help people not only in their area, but Granite Shoals, Kingsland, and the Church under the Bridge in Austin. If you are cleaning out your closets this spring, place your gently used clothing in the box in the Fellowship Hall as a Lenten offering to those less fortunate. We want to thank everyone who called, sent cards, prepared meals, and said prayers as Ken went for his surgery. We are truly blessed to be apart of such a wonderful church family. Blessings, Jean and Ken Many thanks to our church family for all their care during my recent surgery. The cards, food, transportation and especially the prayers were sweet expressions of care that amaze me. It is such a privilege to be a part of this family. Lala Jackson

5 Our Christian Education program continues to grow and to accommodate that growth, we are making some modifications to the existing space. Men of Faith Fellowship Breakfast, March 28, 2017 The Men of Faith hosted a Fellowship Breakfast on March 28, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall at the Church at Horseshoe Bay. The men prepared a man-sized breakfast of pancakes, breakfast tacos, ham, sausage, orange juice and coffee that was served buffet style. About 145 men from the Highland Lakes area attended. Men of Faith Chairman, Bob Rogers introduced the guest speaker for the morning our own Senior Pastor, Johnny White, who has served at The Church at Horseshoe Bay for over 11 years. He is well known throughout the Highland Lakes area and when he was introduced and stepped up to the podium, the breakfast crowd gave him a standing ovation. Johnny welcomed the guests and said that people look at things differently as not everyone arrives at the same place in their faith or do they arrive at the same level. Most folks carry questions about the happenings in their life. Johnny advanced the idea that today we know too much but we still there is a mystery about parts of our life. He said that maturity is learning to live in ambiguity of the mystery of life and that while living in the mystery you must walk by faith. Throughout Johnny s talk he used personal experiences to highlight his theme. He told of hospital experiences during his visits to church members in need. Additionally, he elaborated his thoughts gathered during two separate trips to Siberia as a teacher to young Russian pastors. These young pastors had unanswered questions too, but they possessed strong desires learn and to live in faith. In closing Pastor Johnny said that since he was 16 years old, he has followed Jesus faithfully. He said that he wonders what would Jesus do if He were here in this culture we live in today. 1. Removal of the wall between Classrooms #1 and #2. This will provide much needed additional space for the Seekers class. 2. The New Beginnings class will then meet in the library. 3. Adding a door for entrance from the outside to Classrooms #3 and #4. These changes are to address our short-term needs. The Long Range planning committee has developed a comprehensive expansion plan for our Christian Education building. Over the course of this year, the Board of Trustees will be considering the plan for expansion. The changes we are making now are consistent first steps with the more comprehensive expansion plan and will be complimentary to that plan. These changes will be effective on the Sunday following Easter Sunday. Books and Scones Tuesday, April 25 at 2:30 pm Books and Scones will meet on Tuesday, April 25th, at 2:30 in the Church Library. Our book for April is Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith and Second Chances. The long title tells a wonderful heartwarming story of an irrepressible donkey who needed a home and forever changed a family. The author's family was at the end of their rope. What would the future hold? If only God would somehow let them know that everything was going to be all right... and then Flash the donkey appeared. Get the book, come and enjoy the discussion. You will enjoy it!

6 BENEVOLENCE AGENCIES You re Invited to our Open House Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services Central Office 5920 W. William Cannon Drive Bldg. 3 Suite 100, Austin, Tx Our 2017 Central Office Open House will take place: April 18th from 3-6pm Please R.S.V.P. to Erin Reed at: or erin.reed@pchas.org In December of 2011, the Llano High School Student Council began Backpack Buddies, a program to help feed and serve LISD s most at risk students. Since the inception of this program, we have continuously fed these children each weekend of the school year for the past six years. Currently we are serving 100 children each week. The Church at Horseshoe Bay is an integral part of our program funding. Our council is so thankful for the support that your Church has provided because your contribution feeds 42 children for the entire year! We have now expanded our service to include at risk children. We have also forged partnerships with entities such as the Wesleyan Nurses that provide soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste as well as literature about healthy hygiene habits to educate children. Additionally, our Student Council has introduced a clothes closet with clothes for students from K-12 called Keeping Kids Clothed which are available during open house events and distributed to students in need through the campus nurses. Thank you again for your support, your donation could be the difference in a child going to bed hungry or coming to school prepared and ready to learn! Lisa Petty, Sponsor of Backpack Buddies Llano High School NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Mark it on your calendar - the National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 4. More details to come but we will have a time of learning, lunch and prayer. Hi everyone. My name is Nathaniel and my friend is Jason. We are special kids. I am autistic and Jason walks funny. We decided we wanted to thank you for all the help you have given us and the other kids and parents at Bluebonnet Trails ECI (early childhood intervention). I have a very special blanket. Besides Jason, it is my best friend. When I get overwhelmed or super excited, Mommy has me lie down with it. It is heavy and makes me feel safe. Mommy says it cost the moon. I don t know how much the moon costs but I bet it $125. I also go through a lot more diapers than less special kid. ECI helps out with diapers. You help with that too. Jason received the bestest toy! His mom says its educational. Jason doesn t care. It is his special toy. It is voice activated. There are others which are touch activated. I think it is probably one of the moon things too. You and your church made Jason s and my second best friends possible. Sometimes other kids don t want to play with us. Play time can be lonely and sad. Not any more!!! Your church s donation helped us get vouchers for Well Played. It is here in Marble Falls and is a fun place where we learn social skills and have motor stimulation activity. Jason s mom had to quit her job to take care of him so money is tight. But she is able to bring him to play. Next week our two families are going to San Antonio to Morgan s Wonderland. It is cooler than Six Flags! It is a totally accessible for all children park. We could not go without help from your church. There are lots of other ways you and your church have helped. There is an emergency gasoline fund to help kids get to their doctor appointments. There is a lending library for parents with books on helping their special need kid. We enter the program, each of us receives an age appropriate book. Mommy still reads to me from mine. It is our cuddle time. For someone who does not speak, I ve said a lot. Mommy says it s polite to say thank you. So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from all the kids and their families at ECI. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and giving hearts. Nathaniel and Jason Over the last few years, the ECI budget has been cut by the Federal and State government. Our Benevolence gifts to this very worthy organization is increasingly necessary. If you want to know more, please check out

7 Steve & Karen Jarrard 4/4 Joe & Bonnie DeAtkine 4/25 John & Sandy Smith 4/13 Raymond & Claire Ploeger 4/27 Thomas & Julie Mills 4/17 J. T. & Ora Dell McMahon 4/27 John & Barbara Racz 4/18 Jud & Sally Cary 4/28 Jerry & Andrea Osborne 4/20 Rich & Mauveen Guffey 4/28 Bill & Gwen Sweet 4/21 Mary Kay Heck 4/1 Georgia McDaniel 4/7 Rob Roser 4/13 Dick Nicholson 4/23 James Stuard 4/1 Vicki Grimm 4/7 Barbara Fox 4/13 Donna Sugg 4/23 Michael Williams 4/1 Bea Pine 4/8 Donna Canter 4/16 Carole Minyard 4/26 Dale Amstutz 4/1 Jimmie Lapham 4/8 Jim Jorden 4/16 Irv Boshears 4/26 Buddy Hurst 4/2 Dennis Jensen 4/8 Joel Elliott 4/16 Jarrett Bates 4/27 Eileen Hurd 4/2 James Hower 4/9 Bill Wines 4/17 Wayne Ratisseau 4/27 Phyllis Mitchell 4/2 Joy Van Der Pool 4/10 Claire Edwards 4/18 Toni Covin 4/28 Vicki Mansheim 4/5 Bob Poole 4/10 Carolyn Davis 4/20 Patricia White 4/28 Donna Wheeler 4/5 John Redden 4/10 Hank Mitchell 4/20 Dwight King 4/29 Mary O'Connell 4/5 Tari Pilgreen 4/11 Jay Harris 4/21 Kay Gibert 4/29 Sara Teague 4/5 Sanny Hoffman 4/11 Spencer Davies 4/21 Kristi Lofton 4/29 Johnny Mitchell 4/5 Shirley Dano 4/11 Wilma Jamison 4/22 John Bird 4/30 Jack Hampton 4/6 LuLu Glass 4/11 Jeff Robinson 4/22 Linda Amstutz 4/30 Dorothy Long 4/6 C.L. Newsome 4/12 Bob Lambert 4/23 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES Sundays at 9:45 am BIBLE ALIVE Rm.3 4/2 Mark 3:7-35, Organizing Forces, Led by Larry Sherwood 4/9 Mark 4:1-41, A Day of Kingdom Parables 4/23 Mark 5:1-43, Faith, Failing, and Triumphant 4/30 Mark 6:1-56, Beginning of Discipleship, Led by Art Hawkinson SEEKERS CLASS Rm.2 Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation 4/2 Jesus as Messiah in Mark, Led by Stan Smith 4/9 Mark on the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Led by Russell York 4/23 The Dynamics of Forgiveness in Matthew, Led by Linda Wilson 4/30 Luke on a World Upside Down, Led by Jim Jorden WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY Rm.4 Christian History Made Easy 4/2 Session 8- The Reformation, AD /9 Session 9- Post-Revolution Growing Pains, AD /23 Session 11- Ageless Faith in an Age of Reason, AD /30 Session 12- A Global Gospel, AD 1900-Present FAITH BRIDGE- F.H. 4/2 He Chose to Give Us Victory 4/9 Bridge Lesson New Study- Wide Angle by Rick Warren and Chuck Colson 4/23 Session1- My Worldview Matters, Led by Jane Bosivert 4/30 Session 2- How Do We Know NEW BEGINNINGS Rm.1 The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul by Adam Hamilton 4/2 Called to Suffer, Led by Kent Graham 4/9 Called to Love, Led by Larry Buxton 4/23 Called to Give, Led by Bob Rogers 4/30 Called to be Faithful,

8 The Church at Horseshoe Bay 600 Hi Ridge Rd. PO Box 8295 Horseshoe Bay, Tx NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage Paid Marble Falls, TX Permit # 51 The Church at Horseshoe Bay 2017 Board of Trustees Kent Graham Chairperson Ken Lindgren Vice-Chairperson Bob Thomas Treasurer Ruth Newman Asst.Treasurer Don Eckelbarger Corp. Secretary Frances Highsmith, RondaRodman, Jim Hower, Bill Stevenson, Pat McMurtrie, Norman Homburg, Lee Peterson, Bobbie Walker Linda Wilson Church Staff Johnny P. White Senior Pastor Malcolm McQueen Pastor Garry Kesler Minister of Music Kena Richert Bus. Administrator Amy Childress Pianist DeDe Hodge Office Manager Shell Reynolds Maintenance Michael Pittard Custodian Sue Martini Nursery Save the Date: Pastor Johnny Retirement Party Wednesday, May 24 5:30 p.m. The Church at Horseshoe Bay Fellowship Hall CHURCH-HSB.ORG , FAX Weekly Recurring Church Calendar Sunday: Worship 8:30 am & 11:00 am Monday: Prayer Ministry Group 9 am Yoga 11 am Handbell Choir 1 pm Bluebonnet Chorale 12:30 & 2:00 pm Highland Lakes Men s Chorus 3:30 pm Tuesday: Yoga 11 am Al-Anon 12 pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 pm Wednesday: Sonrise Singers 10 am Prayer Ministry Group 1:30 pm Chancel Choir 3 pm Thursday: Staff Meeting 10 am Forum 2 pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 pm Friday: Prayer Ministry Group 1:00 pm Sermons are available by logging on to our website at church-hsb.org and click on sermons