TOWER TOPICS COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MARCH EVENTS JOURNEYING WITH PASTOR MANNY. 3/1 Worship Service Communion 11:00am Second Sunday in Lent

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1 TOWER TOPICS COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MARCH EVENTS 3/1 Worship Service Communion 11:00am Second Sunday in Lent 3/3 Trustees 7:30pm 3/8 Worship Service 11:00am Third Sunday in Lent 3/11 MOPS 9:15am 3/14 Men s Group 9:00am 3/15 Worship Service 11:00am Forth Sunday in Lent 3/16 CPS Meeting 12:15pm 3/22 Worship Service 11:00am Fifth Sunday in Lent 3/26 Prayer Meeting 7:00pm 3/28 Rotary Spaghetti Dinner & Crafters 2pm-7pm 3/29 Worship Service 11:00am Palm Sunday JOURNEYING WITH PASTOR MANNY March 2015 As we begin our journey through Lent, I am inviting you to contemplate with me on the spiritual discipline of repentance. Biblically understood as a change of heart and mind towards God, the concept of repentance reveals different layers of meaning. First of all, repentance is to recognize that we are all beloved children of God. It is to reaffirm that the true personhood of all human beings can be defined only in terms of being God s beloved. As Jesus understood most intimately his relationship with God, so we need to be deeply aware that God loves us just as we are. Our constant acceptance of God s love leads us then to a humble recognition that we have all sinned against each other no matter how we have been trying to live peacefully with humankind and non-human creations. In the intricate web of human relationship where we are all part of the complex interlocking of good and evil, repentance calls us to a continual humble recognition of our complicity in the suffering of humanity and our planet. God s forgiveness is the third layer of repentance that we commonly claim in the process of repentance. It is a full recognition that we have received total forgiveness from all our transgressions by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. By receiving God s forgiveness, we are fully restored to our true personhood. In effect, we let our hearts be creatively transformed as we begin to right our wrongs and will the well-being of others. Restitution in whatever forms is a necessary component of genuine repentance. But a flourishing repentant life requires more than a changed heart and restorative act. It compels us to persistently seek a new liberating vision of humanity and our relationship with the whole of God s creation. This new vision prompts us to live out progressively the alternative models of Jesus in our way of thinking, living, relating, and dwelling. True repentance is our constant surrender to be affected humbly and empathetically by the lives of others so that all may live justly, peacefully, meaningfully, and creatively in a world of colorful difference and multiplicity. As we journey through Lent, I would like to ask you to pray with me, Loving, forgiving, and recreating God, sustain us as we let ourselves die a little every day. Help us to be affected by the travails and sufferings of our neighbors and the whole earth as you lead us to the cross of Jesus. Enlarge our hearts for an inclusively shared celebration and joyful 301 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park, NJ 07204

2 experience of Christ s resurrection by being a blessing to all of your creation. Amen. Rev. Manuel P. Cruz, Jr. STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON EASTER LILIES 2015 It s that time of year again to begin preparing for our Easter celebration. As in the past, an integral part of that celebration is the creation of our beautiful Lily Cross. Would you like to remember or honor your loved ones by donating a lily (or two)? Please complete the form found in this Tower Topics or the Sunday bulletin. The cost per lily is $8.00. May we all look forward to experiencing the joy of Easter and enjoying the beauty of our Lily Cross! (For those who are curious, the cross needs a minimum of 92 lilies to make it come alive.) If you have any questions, Please contact the Church Office at (908) or Eileen Hirsch at (908) CUMC is so blessed to have a wonderful, dedicated, devoted, professional and faithful paid staff. Many, like the Pastor and our Music Director are visible to all of us on a weekly basis. But there are others, behind the scenes, who help us keep our building clean, who pay the bills to keep the heat and lights on, and who produce our weekly bulletins, this Tower Topics, and keep communications going between the outside world and our church office and Pastor. The SPRC sponsored a Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Sunday, 2/22 to show our staff in a small way how much we are blessed that they share their time and talents with us. Despite the weather, we were able to humbly thank and honor: Pastor Manuel Cruz, Jr. Jeff Manno, Music Director Sharon Kessler, Business Manager Tim Orcutt, Custodian Drew Batich, jack-of-all-trades Sonya Leingang, Church Secretary/Office Manager On behalf of the SPRC and the CUMC congregation, I would also like to thank all those who helped with the event and especially all those who attended. 1 Corinthians 1:4 Paul says "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Jesus Christ" AMEN! JOINT ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE Ash Wednesday at CUMC was somber yet the message, hopeful. In a joint service with Roselle UMC, we were blessed to hear a beautiful anthem "Marvelous Mystery" sung by the combined choirs and scriptures meaningfully read by two of our new congregants, Isaac and Guerdie and one of Roselle's youth, Imani. Pastor Manny's message, "Remember You Are Dust" focused on the symbolic ashes being not just a sign of our sin and need for repentance but as a cross to symbolize God's love and forgiveness through Christ, and a fertilizer to symbolize the hope that is unfolding within us. May we continue to remember God's abundant love and grace and continue to grow and mature during this Lenten Season and always. Blessings, Eileen

3 DOWN BY THE STATION EARLY IN THE EVENING PLEASE PRAY FOR: Garry B., Lisa Smith Diana Rineer, Alix Dennis Berry Don & Jean Apsley Catherine & Frank Wargo Mrs. D.N. Alahakoon Tissera CUMC our church family The MOPS Group Community Preschool CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR: Those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and the loved ones of those who suffer. For the safety and the service of men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas bases, and for their families. NURSING HOMES & REHABILITATION FACILITIES Thomas Gilbert Black Patricia Klose Gertrude Taynor Edna Delventhal Patricia Gunther RESIDENT PASTOR Rev. Manuel P. Cruz, Jr. Phone: CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm At five-thirty on Ash Wednesday, Pastor Manny, Drew Batich and I, met at the Roselle Park Railroad Station to offer ashes on the foreheads of those commuters who wanted them. We stationed ourselves in a little alcove at the beginning of the small tunnel that led to the stairs of the platforms where people waited for their trains or merged from theirs. We served a number of people heading for their train. I held up a beautiful sign Pastor Manny had made. The three of us approached commuters. Pastor Manny would put ashes on their foreheads saying Remember, you are dust; in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. We had a few refusals. But one lady we had served brought two other ladies back to receive theirs. When the train came in, it was difficult to approach the horde descending upon us. Pastor Manny estimated we served about forty-five commuters. One gentleman even gave him a five-dollar bill. I was freezing in the winter cold though dressed warmly. But it was a wellreceived outreach to the community. Worthwhile, I m sure we ll do it again. George Hollings, 3 rd COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL Community PreSchool was very excited to host Laura Sassi, author of Goodnight, Ark, at our Open House event on January 31st. Both children and parents had the opportunity to hear this book being read by the author, and see how much fun Community PreSchool is! Many thanks go to our super staff for preparing and hosting this special event. February is full of warmth, love, and fun regardless of the weather! Mrs. Ferraro, the Yoga Playtime instructor, has been keeping us moving and active every Friday. Our inside playground (Reeves Hall!) is also a favorite for our kids! A farmer from Quiver Farm came to teach us how to be "good farmers" and showed us a couple of live chickens, too! We are now babysitting 12 eggs, awaiting the day they hatch! After we have

4 a few days to cuddle and snuggle them, the farmer will take them back to the farm. This project is always so exciting for the kids, and they learn so much! PLEASE PRAY FOR: Garry B., Lisa Smith Diana Rineer, Alix Dennis Berry Don & Jean Apsley Catherine & Frank Wargo Mrs. D.N. Alahakoon Tissera CUMC our church family The MOPS Group Community Preschool CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR: Those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and the loved ones of those who suffer. For the safety and the service of men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas bases, and for their families. NURSING HOMES & REHABILITATION FACILITIES Thomas Gilbert Black Patricia Klose Gertrude Taynor Edna Delventhal Patricia Gunther March will also be filled with lots of learning and great experiences! We will start off with our annual Trike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It is such a great opportunity to use our good health to help children who are not as lucky as we are. Donations will be taken until March 9th. We are also starting a 2 year old class on March 3rd! We are so pleased to be able to now offer this program, and plan to continue the 2's class next year as well! Thank you to all the many hands that make our PreSchool a wonderful place for our children and families. It is only through this teamwork that we are touching these young souls and making such a great difference in their lives. I often hear adults say how they loved coming to this school when they were young, and now they are excited to enroll their sons and daughters! Thank you for continuing such a wonderful legacy in Roselle Park! Pamela Henn, Preschool Director ROTARY CLUB SPAGHETTI DINNER AND CRAFTERS The Rotary Club of Roselle/Roselle Park will be having its 30 th Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday March 28, in the Fellowship Hall of CUMC, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. As part of the tradition, the Boy Scouts of Roselle Park will help serve dinner. Come early to enjoy the different Crafters who will also take part in this event from 2pm to 7pm. If you, or someone you know might be interested in renting a table, please contact the office or Mr. Woodruff at An 8 foot table and 2 chairs can be rented for $20. RESIDENT PASTOR Rev. Manuel P. Cruz, Jr. Phone: manpcruz@yahoo.com CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

5 LILIES ORDER FORM HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Orders should be in the office by Sunday, March 15, Please send in your payment to the church office by March 29. Thank you! March 3 March 7 March 14 March 20 March 31 Milt Woodruff Rod Thomas Chloe Stafford Kelly Gallagher Stacy Amador David Kessler Easter Lilies are $8.00 each In Memory of: Given by: In Honor of: Given by: HOLY THURSDAY: Joint Service at CUMC Thursday April 2 nd, 8:00pm GOOD FRIDAY: Joint service at CUMC Friday April 3 rd, 8:00pm EASTER SUNDAY: Sunday April 5 th 11:00 am at CUMC Total lilies Ordered: Envelope # Number of plants to be taken: Total Amt Due: Total Paid: Amount Due:

6 PASTOR MANNY WILL BE AWAY Pastor Manny will be taking a well-deserved vacation and will be out of the office from Monday March 2 nd to Wednesday March 18 th. We will be having Communion on the First Sunday of March. Pastor Kwakye Akyeampong will be preaching Sunday March 8 th and Charles Gallagher on Sunday March 15 th. For any pastoral emergencies, Rev. Rey Salazar will be on call. SAVE THE DATE Please contact the office for more information. Our monthly prayer meeting will be held at CUMC on Thursday March 26, at 7:00pm ALL ARE WELCOME! MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS MEETINGS CUMC proudly sponsors a MOPS group which meets every second Wednesday of the month until June. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other mothers, get support, and learn from each other s experiences. Please call the preschool office at or Betty Woodruff at if you have any questions. COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 301 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park, NJ PHONE: (908) FAX: (908) cumcrosellepark@gmail.com WEBSITE: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL: DO NOT HOLD