The Clarion. Alleluia, Christ is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!

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1 The Clarion Vol. 47, No. 4, April S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas stcyprianschurch.org Alleluia, Christ is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! As Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the other Mary along with Salome approached Jesus tomb to perform the sad duty of anointing his body, the last thing they expected was to find it empty. They didn t know how they would get inside, but they surely didn t expect to find the stone already rolled away. They were startled to find it gone and a young stranger telling them from inside, Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Their first reaction is not joy but terror and confusion. In fact, they flee, so horrified and puzzled that they said nothing to anyone. On Easter Day, we also approach the empty tomb. Our sanctuaries are decorated with flowers. Joyful brass and strings will punctuate rousing melodies and the pews will echo with uncountable Alleluias. We will also be told that Jesus has risen. What will we make of it? Can we find within ourselves the same fresh amazement of those women from two millennia ago? It is easy to forget the shock and the improbability of the resurrection. It is easy to accept it blandly, like a clichéd greeting-card message. Instead, we must allow ourselves to be amazed anew. On Good Friday, we counted ourselves among the losers of history. We saw our beloved teacher humiliated and crucified. We watched his lifeless body lowered and put away. We mourned. But on Easter Sunday we are told He lives again, eternal and invincible. The power of God defies our expectations. Resurrection must always shock us. In our faith, the dead rise! And we, who were dead in our estrangement from God are reborn and lifted up into new life. Every year we ought to wonder at it: how we always get another chance, according to God s promise. Christ is risen, the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia, Fr. Ralph+ Mission Statement We are a Parish called by God to be a growing family of Christians who serve Jesus Christ by demonstrating His love through our daily lives, service, and worship.

2 Page 2 The Clarion, April 2018 School Happenings by Dr. Sherry Durham Once again our environmental science classes are putting our school on the map. This past fall, people across the northern hemisphere planted Red Emperor tulip bulbs in Journey North Test gardens to monitor seasonal change in a scientific way. This spring when plants emerge and bloom, gardeners report their observations and data. One garden at a time, the relationship between climate, geography, and the arrival of spring is revealed. St. Cyprian s Episcopal School was the first school in the nation to report blooms! Visit the Journey North website and click on the red dot in Texas to view our school s report and progress in this environmental test! Reflecting on the beginnings of the dry and dead looking tulip bulbs and the glorious beauties that emerged, you will certainly sing Natalie Sleeth s words in Hymn of Promise with new appreciation for the wonderful signs God gives us through nature of His love for each of us. Searching for Seniors! If you know of any students in our parish who are graduating from high school, please notify either the office ( ) or Jordan Dietz (jordan@sceclufkin.org). May 6th will be Senior Sunday where we honor and celebrate our graduating high school seniors! April s First Wednesday Fellowship April 4th, 6pm, Parish Hall Our speakers will be the various heads of St. Cyprian s ministries. Each will give a 5 to 10 minute presentation on what their ministry is about and how to be a part of it. The church will provide fried chicken for dinner. Church members are asked to bring a side dish, salad and/or dessert to share. Church Treasurer Report Despite a YTD positive margin, Income continues to track behind last year's, suggesting that we are behind in our pledge receipts. Overall expenses are tracking close to budgeted expenses but exclude approximately $6,666 in YTD Community Outreach expenditures. The current cash reserves are sufficient to cover normal cash flows and emergency contingencies. February YTD Actual February YTD Budget YTD Budget Variance Income $108,302 $100,308 $7,994 Expenses 97, ,308 (2,511) Margin $10,505 $0 $10,505

3 Page 3 The Clarion, April 2018 Music Notes by Greg Simmons, Music Director At the beginning of March, we had the first of our new monthly Celtic Evensong services. This service turned out to be a very moving and deeply meaningful service. The meditation brought forth by one of our parishioners, Chris DeVore, was not only moving but was also extremely thought provoking. It was truly a night reminding us that we are not alone. We are surrounded by loved ones and the loving One. No matter our walk or pathway in life, it is nice to be reminded that we are not alone. I hope you will consider joining us for the next Celtic Evensong service on April 8th at 6:30pm. If you are not sure what this is about, please feel free to speak with Fr. Ralph or ask someone who attended how the service affected them. I know that this service that can touch all, but don t just take my word for it. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew Our church s new men s ministry will meet on the 11th and 25th of April from 5:15pm to 6pm in the Parlor. All adult men are welcome! The Brotherhood s vision is to bring men and youth closer to Christ. It offers an opportunity that can be hard to find in our modern culture for a group of men to bond together for worship, study, and service. Contact Chis Logan at clogan@adacdet.org. Flowering of the Cross Backstory In spite of its function as a brutal form of execution, the cross stands at the center of our faith as a symbol of life. Saint Paul speaks of the shame of the cross, while Saint John portrays the cross as the principal sign of the glory of Christ, but both recognize that the cross is the source of life. There can be no Easter without Good Friday, no Resurrection without the Crucifixion. Indeed, the cross, rather than the empty tomb, has held the place of honor as the primary symbol of the Christian faith. Christian art certainly has many examples of the cross as an instrument of suffering and death, but some of the earliest depictions of the cross emphasize its life-giving qualities. The flowering cross is found in Christian art as early as the sixth century and is based on a legend that says that the cross itself burst into bloom at the moment that Jesus died. A modern expression of this idea may be found in the custom of flowering the cross. On Easter morning, flowers are used to decorate a cross. If gardens are in bloom, bringing cut flowers from home can be a wonderful offering in honor of the risen Lord and can also provide an opportunity for families to talk about the meaning of the cross and the resurrection. Celtic Evensong An Evening of Prayer and Worship Join us Easter Sunday Morning at 9am in the Parish Hall to flower a cross for St. Cyprian s!

4 Page 4 The Clarion, April 2018 LAY MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2018 Ministry April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 7:30am Acolytes K Jones J Bell C Westbrook C Logan R Temple 10am Acolytes Cr: Matt H Cl: Autumn S Ca: Reagan M Ca: Grace L Banner: Nick H Banner: Christian Cr: Charlotte P Cl: Hayne E Ca: Catherine E Ca: Luke O Cr: Oliver N Cl: Alex H Ca: Hallie D Ca: Millie H Cr: Christian Cl: Austin G Ca: Wyatt P Ca: Vaden Cr: Matt H Cl: Nick H Ca: Thatcher Ca: Jacob Ushers R Blanks W Enos B Eckmann J Squiers B Franks G Minshaw M Hineman C Logan T McDonald M Picou Altar Guild Teams 1 and 2: D Hineman and S Short Team 3: MM Riley Team 4: S Treadwell Team 5: T Morgan Team 1: D Hineman Breakfast Teams Team 1: R Loggins Team 2: M Todd Team 3: B Dobrec Team 4: R Temple Team 5: F Preston Coffee L Logan B Preston R Blanks L Frost A Moss Lay Readers 7:30am J Bell B Brown S Griffin C DeVore B Zeagler Lay Readers 10am I C Moore C C Riley R1 H Squiers R2 B Hylands I B Killam C B Geist R1 J Dietz R2 B Estes I J Peterson C T Gonzalez R1 T Morgan R2 N Muir I L Squiers C D Hineman R1 M Weibe R2 K Frost I K Frost C C DeVore R1 C Moore R2 B Killam Vestryman T Enos C Logan K Picou C Hunt L Squiers J Franks R Loggins C Moore L Stover G Frost Upcoming Dates Senior Sunday May 6 Hymn Fest May 6 Mother s Day May 13 Pentecost Sunday May 20 Memorial Day May 28 Vacation Bible School July 23-27

5 Please refer to the calendar link on St. Cyprian s Church s website for more extensive and up-to-date information. Page 5 The Clarion, April 2018 April Birthdays 2 Ann Matthews 9 Sophie Glover 17 Wanda Leary 24 Marie Nickle 3 Len Medford Jaelynn June 19 Susie Shands Gavin Richardson Sophia Reed 10 Blake Cherry Julianne Greak 25 Allison Moss 4 Thomas Gibbs 11 Brennen Peterson Patrick Haney 26 Amy Loggins Victoria Viet 13 EllenJean McGuinness Luke Owens Halle DeVore 5 Gerry Powell Dyson Nickle, Jr. 20 Ron Haney 27 Jennifer McCall 6 Ella Grace Taylor 14 Kae Richert Andrew Peterson Claire Inselmann 7 Judith Rucker Jay Shands 22 Cynthia Gonzalez Ryan Rasmussen Jim Bell Rachel Inselmann Matthew Logan Thatcher Shadden 8 Debbie Lloyd 16 Charlie Brittain Samantha Havard 28 Richard Dorion Karen Peterson Greg Gibbs 23 Todd Raines Robert Ramsey Will Foster Lauren Leedy Michael Mays 29 Katie Ronaghan 9 Tricia Fajen Patrick Gordon 24 Sherry Simmons 30 Jackie Franks April Anniversaries 6 Sarah and Kyle Mettlen 20 Laurie and Bob Love 27 Susie and Jay Shands 15 Betty and Fred Preston 21 Deborah and Jerry Huffman 29 Eleanor and Robert Estes 16 Suzi and Gerry Powell 24 Sally and Max Alvis 17 Emily and Jeff Havard 26 Deanna and Charlie Brittain Event Date Time Location Easter 4/1 Easter Rite I Worship 4/1 7:30am Sanctuary Easter Rite II Worship 4/1 10:00am Sanctuary Easter Egg Hunt 4/1 11:30am Church Grounds Office Closed 4/2 DAR Meeting 4/3 1:00pm Parish Hall First Wednesday Fellowship 4/4 6:00pm Parish Hall MS Support Group 4/5 5:00pm Parlor Private Birthday Party 4/7 4:00pm Parish Hall Celtic Evensong 4/8 6:30pm Sanctuary Brotherhood of St. Andrew 4/11 5:15pm Parlor Pineywoods Beekeepers Assoc 4/12 6:00pm Parish Hall EYC BBQ Fundraiser 4/14 11:00am School DOK Meeting 4/15 3:00pm Parlor Vestry 4/16 5:30pm Parlor Lock In (3rd - 5th grade) 4/21 TBA Children's Wing Stitch In 4/21 11:00am Parish Hall Brotherhood of St. Andrew 4/25 5:15pm Parlor EYC: CAMO MANIA 4/27-4/28 7:00pm 1010 Woodland Dr.

6 Page 6 The Clarion, April 2018 We are excited to announce that our summer Mission Trips have been officially set. It has taken a while to work out the details, but we are excited to finally have trip information to share with you. With all of the disasters that have hit the Texas Gulf Coast, there is a great need for help in all areas. The hurricanes, flooding, and rains have created an opportunity for us to serve those communities through clean-up, construction, painting, organizing, and demolition. So much is needed! We are excited to announce that both the Junior High and High School Mission Trips will be to the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas Coast to help with whatever God calls us to help with. The trip dates are as follows. Junior High Trip: June 3-10 High School Trip: June On top of our Mission Trips, we also offer a Lead Week trip. This trip is finally locked down as well. As in years past, the students will not be told where this trip is heading until we get there! The goal is for the students to practice walking in faith without seeing the whole picture. Lead Week Trip: July 9-13 Seven Reasons Why You Should Go on a Mission Trip! 1. You need to get out of your comfort zone. 2. You will see the world differently. 3. You will meet Jesus. 4. Jesus tells us to. 5. You will walk in the footsteps of saints. 6. You can bring your friends! 7. You have no good reason not to. All youth volunteers and events are coordinated through our Minister to Youth and Young Adults, Jordan Dietz, at Jordan@sceclufkin.org.

7 Page 7 The Clarion, April 2018 Easter is the only time of the year that it is a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket. We are in need of donated filled plastic Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Please drop off the eggs at the church office before Easter Sunday so that we will know if we have enough. You may designate the eggs to be for toddlers or older children. April 1st, 9am Parish Hall Bring flowers from your yard or use the ones provided to decorate a cross. There will be no children s Sunday school. Camo Mania Family Campout April 27th, 7pm to 8am Bring your family and friends, tents and your sleeping bags. Everyone is invited to come camp outside at 1010Woodland Drive, Lufkin. If you do not have a tent, please let Mrs. Lena know so that she can find one for you. VBS changes This Year We will have VBS in the evenings 6pm to 8pm instead of the mornings. The dates will be July 23-27, Contact Mrs. Lena at (936) or lnickle@lufkinisd.org.

8 St. Cyprian s Episcopal Church 919 S. John Redditt Dr. Lufkin, TX THE CLARION, (USPS ), published monthly by St. Cyprian s Church, 919 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas Periodicals postage paid at Lufkin, Texas. Address Service Requested.