Bergen UMC News. April 2019 FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER SHARING HIM WITH OTHERS. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2019

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1 April 2019 FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER SHARING HIM WITH OTHERS. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2019 Sunday April 14, Palm/Passion Sunday 9:15 Service Gather outside the sanctuary and process in, led by our children, waving palms and singing Hosanna! The service will continue with a special presentation of the Passion of our Lord and end with a Stripping of the Altar in preparation for gathering together on Good Friday. 11:00 Service Gather in the sanctuary; palms will be distributed as you enter. April 18, 7 PM Holy (Maundy) Thursday Service Community Service at Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church April 19, 7 PM Good Friday Service At Bergen UMC April 21, Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord! From the stark emptiness of the sanctuary on Good Friday, we will gather in a space that is bursting with color and joy - it may even feel like a party! Come join us as we raise our voices in celebration of our risen Lord! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! 6:30 AM Sunrise Service at the Water Tower Hill hosted by Stone Church 7:30 AM Ecumenical Easter Breakfast at Bergen UMC 9:15 Service - Celebration of the Resurrection The service will include a baptism. 11:00 Service Celebration of the Resurrection This celebration will include an opportunity to remember our baptism.

Page 2 Pastor Wilson While it has been several years since Mel Gibson s The Passion of the Christ made its mark on our culture, some of the images from that film are still very (maybe too) vivid: the

2 Page 2 Pastor Wilson While it has been several years since Mel Gibson s The Passion of the Christ made its mark on our culture, some of the images from that film are still very (maybe too) vivid: the look on Mary s face as she stands at the foot of the cross; the tear drop from heaven when Jesus breathes his last; the earthquake that split the curtain of the Holy of Holies in two; the fear in the eyes of those who had simply followed orders by hanging Jesus on a cross; the realization by the priest that something extra-ordinary and awe-ful has just happened; the victory yell of the figure of Satan. As I watched the last nine minutes of this movie over again many years later, I was struck with the contrast between the power and impact of Jesus death and the subtle portrayal of the Resurrection. I struggled that the Resurrection seemed to be an anti-climactic post-log. While the crucifixion seemed to affect all of creation, the Resurrection passed seemingly unnoticed. And, yes, while the death of Jesus was an earthshaking event where Satan s power seemingly gained the upper hand, it was the Resurrection that unleashed the power of God to break the bonds of sin and death and to trumpet the turning of the tide. We know from the empty tomb that God s grace and power eventually won the day. Some would say that the movie reflects Gibson s Roman Catholic theology and an emphasis on the sacrifice of Christ. But the Roman Catholics don t have a corner on this market. When I listen to Protestants talk about their faith, the fact that Jesus died for our sins is far more pervasive than talk about our Risen Lord. While it would seem strange to some to sing Christ the Lord is Risen Today on an ordinary Sunday in October, the singing of There is A Fountain Filled with Blood during that same service would evoke little comment (unless of course you happen to not like that song). In just a few weeks, we will gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord. I remember a few years ago the church I was serving decided to have Communion on Easter. For some, those two things didn t seem to fit together. Communion on Holy Thursday? Sure! But Communion on Easter? Isn t Holy Communion about Jesus death? I was surprised when I learned that in the early Church the emphasis on Holy Communion was not remembering that Jesus died for us but rather celebrating the Resurrection. It seems that in Medieval times, Communion took on a much more penitential nature. However, in the past 40 years, there has been an emphasis on recovering a joyful tone in the sacrament.

Page 3 Yes, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus in the Great Thanksgiving but we also proclaim: Christ has died! Christ is Risen! Christ will come again!

What a great way to celebrate the fact that Jesus is risen from the dead by coming together and joining in the feast that he has given us.

On March 10 Pastor Wilson and about 25 people gathered for some soup, sandwiches, and sharing. The food was incredible and a thank you goes out to all who brought soup or sandwiches to share.

3 Page 3 Yes, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus in the Great Thanksgiving but we also proclaim: Christ has died! Christ is Risen! Christ will come again! I am thankful that Bergen UMC celebrates Holy Communion every week. And I am thankful that we will be celebrating the Sacrament on Easter Sunday. What a great way to celebrate the fact that Jesus is risen from the dead by coming together and joining in the feast that he has given us. May this Easter be a time when each and every one of us experiences this important truth once again: Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! On March 10 Pastor Wilson and about 25 people gathered for some soup, sandwiches, and sharing. The food was incredible and a thank you goes out to all who brought soup or sandwiches to share. The purpose was to explore how the youth group has been important to the church and to those gathered. This information will help us better understand the role our youth ministry plays in our church as we move forward. Keep your eyes open for more Soup, Sandwiches, and Sharing events in the future. United in Christ, we are led by the Spirit and called to worship, build relationships, and dig deep into the Scriptures so that each person grows into maturity. God calls and empowers all of us to go out to our communities to build relationships so that others will come to know the exceptional love of Jesus.

4 Page 4 We are pleased to announce that the SPRC has hired Leta Williams as the new director for our UNDERGROUND Youth Ministry. Leta has two degrees in youth ministry: a Bachelor s from Eastern University in St. David s, PA and a Master s from Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN. She started and led the youth ministry at Troy UMC in Troy, TN for 3 years before moving back to New York Underground News The Underground sponsored two outings in February, inviting the BUMC Youth Group to join in. These two groups of teens will continue to work together for combined outings. A future all-day outing to Letchworth Park is being planned for May. In addition, the Underground is currently in a spring recruitment drive and is participating in community service projects. We welcome Char Fuller to our volunteer staff. Leta is currently Director of Christian Education and an administrative assistant at the United Church of Pittsford, a position she will continue to hold while serving Bergen UMC. She has also served as the Ministry Team Director for Camp Vick and for Pathfinder Lodge since the summer of Leta will be starting with us on March 26 th. Praise the Lord and thank you for all of your prayers during the search.

Next we will be jumping into a curriculum called Shine which teaches the youth how to share their faith, encouraging them to share Jesus wherever they go.

5 Sunday School News We have been having a lot of fun in Junior/ Senior High Sunday School this year. The group, led by April House and Sandy Bater, has been watching videos, fun and educational, that highlight different men and women of the New Testament. Next we will be jumping into a curriculum called Shine which teaches the youth how to share their faith, encouraging them to share Jesus wherever they go. Each week the youth share their high and low for the past week, and tell where they saw God move in their lives. We always share lots of laughs and a gathering would not be complete without sweet treats provided by Miss Sandy. Easter April 21- No Sunday School classes so families can worship together. Happy Easter! Sunday School Staff. Page 5 Birthdays & Anniversaries 1 Gary Cornelius 2 Zachary Bater Chris Oehler Becky Young 5 Steve & Kris Taylor* 7 Donna Krause 8 Maggie Hintz 9 Dennis Janas 10 Don Read, Sr. 11 Tim McAdam 13 Linda Wagner John Hamel 14 Sydney Miller Rich Pringle Richard Reynolds 15 Larry MacConnell 16 Betty Ruhland Annette Cornelius 17 Tom Zastrocky 18 Steven Bater Olga Cassada 20 Jason Mack 21 Robin Wahls 22 George & Sandra Parry* Mary McKee 24 Alaina House 25 Jim & Wilda Keller* 26 Bob Gartz Hannah Wies 27 Chad & Katina Miller* Wilda Keller Wayne Weiler Amy Koziej 29 Mollie Ashley 30 Harry & Linda Garner*

6 Page 6 April Layhelper Schedule 9:15 Worship Greeter 7 Donna Lievense 14 Bonnie Brinkman 21 Warren Pocock 28 Mary McKee Nursery / Cradle 7 Deb Coleman 14 Vicki Kuipers Acolytes & Ushers 7 Gary Cooper / Jan Cooper 14 Ed Adams / Ginny Adams 21 Ron Chraston / Sherry Chraston 28 Bonnie Brinkman / Brian Pocock Scripture Reader 7 Marie Aradine 14 Sherry Starowitz 21 Barb Wallence 28 Donna Pringle 11:00 Worship Greeter 7 Nancy Daniels 14 Katina Miller 21 Kaitlyn House 28 Liz Mundell Scripture Reader 7 Alysia Fink 14 April House 21 Dick Gates 28 Donna Weiler Nursery / Cradle 7 Liz Mundell 14 Devon Zinter 21 Nancy Daniels 28 Jude Miller If you cannot serve as scheduled, please attempt to switch Sundays with someone on a different week and call the office at with the change. Opportunities are available for all positions in the 9:15 and 11:00 Worship Services. Please call Nancy Daniels at or at nancydnls@rochester.rr.com to volunteer to serve. YOU are needed!

God blessed us with a beautiful celebration of her life with Pastor Wilson, Laurie, and Alysia.

7 Page 7 Dear BUMC Family, The family of Jeanelle Sant would like to express our deepest gratitude for the many prayers that went up for her during her battle with cancer. We are also very thankful for the outpouring of love through prayers and cards upon her passing. God blessed us with a beautiful celebration of her life with Pastor Wilson, Laurie, and Alysia. NAOMI The Naomi Circle will meet on Wednesday, April 10 at the church, hosted by Mary McKee. All women are Invited to gather at 1:30pm. Thank you for all of your love and support. Sincerely, Marsha Borys and Family

Page 8 PUTTERING TEAM WORK DAY APRIL 6 The Puttering Team is scheduling a work day on Saturday April 6 for taking down and cutting up several trees near the parking lot.

Chain saws, log splitters, and trailers will be provided, but bring your own tools, too. We also need helping hands for carrying, loading, clean-up, cookies, etc.

8 Page 8 PUTTERING TEAM WORK DAY APRIL 6 The Puttering Team is scheduling a work day on Saturday April 6 for taking down and cutting up several trees near the parking lot. We will be taking down some pine trees and discarding the wood and a sizable dead ash tree which we will cut and split into firewood for anyone who needs some for next winter. Chain saws, log splitters, and trailers will be provided, but bring your own tools, too. We also need helping hands for carrying, loading, clean-up, cookies, etc. We will start at 9 AM, take a break for pizza, and hope to finish up around 3 PM, including a trip to a farm in Elba where we will off-load the junk wood. Come and join in the satisfaction and fellowship of serving the Lord by serving our church. Questions - see Steve Daniels.

9 Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This year s Little Hands Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction raised one of the highest totals ever for the Barry Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund!! And this despite serving fewer people this year, about 230. Many thanks to Steve Mundell for his time and talents in the kitchen and to all of the church family that came out to support us. Our thanks also go to everyone who bought tickets, donated baskets for our auction, and bid on baskets, as well as everyone that was praying for our event! We are so grateful for all of you!

10 BERGEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 27 South Lake Avenue P.O. Box 216 Bergen, NY ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Following Jesus - Together -Sharing Him with others. Office: bergenoffice.umc@gmail.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Wilson Jones pastor.bergenumc@gmail.org Check us out on Facebook! Sunday Worship Services 9:15 am Traditional (organ and hymns) 11:00 am Contemporary (praise band) (Childcare available at both services) Sunday School 9:15 am Children

Bergen UMC News 2019 PUTTERERS SATURDAYS. January 2019 FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER SHARING HIM WITH OTHERS. JANUARY 12 FEBRUARY 9 MARCH

Bergen UMC News 2019 PUTTERERS SATURDAYS. January 2019 FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER SHARING HIM WITH OTHERS. JANUARY 12 FEBRUARY 9 MARCH Bergen UMC News January 2019 FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER SHARING HIM WITH OTHERS. 2019 PUTTERERS SATURDAYS Sunday Morning Small Group Update! Come join us Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM in the Fellowship Center