Scottsdale Presbyterian Church The Messenger April, 2017 Vol. 37 Issue 4 Since 1958 Pastor's Column While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head." Mark 14:3 Just over the crest of the Mount of Olives lies Bethany, the hometown of Jesus' best friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Here Lazarus was raised from the dead. Here Jesus will be anointed for his own burial. Alabaster is a soft, translucent stone that has been carved and polished by crafts people for thousands of years. This one alabaster jar held perfume worth nearly a year's wages. All of it is poured out on Jesus. It is an act of deep devotion and gratitude. Because of who the Master is, what he has done and the gospel message he has spoken, Mary acts extravagantly. Jesus calls this act of extravagance a beautiful thing and commands that a record of this act be preserve and passed on. Why? It is proper to love Jesus without holding back. Devotion and gratitude are fitting responses to the one who is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The words "Christ" and "Messiah" literally mean "anointed one." Jesus was anointed of God for his mission. We are anointed by God's Spirit for ministry in His name. Our corporate and private worship of God can be times of anointed praise if you and I are ready abandon our hearts to the love of God. Am I ready to drop down my guard and meet with the Master? Am I ready for praise? In His service, Pastor Bruce And I am surely with you always Matthew 28:20 A nd surely I am with you always page 1 page 1
The observance of Easter is marked with family, friends, worship services, and perhaps a new Easter outfit. The meditations of Holy Week beginning on Palm Sunday have become meaningful to each of us in very personal ways. This year SPC s Music Team will once again bring Easter music offerings of praise and worship which bring to mind Christ s sufferings, death and resurrection. Please join us and as we observe this deeply spiritual season with the following music offerings: Palm Sunday The Power of the Cross - Getty and Townend, arr. Mark Hayes Choir and Instrumentalist Quintet Pre-service music by Ensemble Winter from Four Seasons - Vivaldi Easter Mercy Tree - Neale, Nordhoff, arr Joseph Martin Choir, Instrumental Quintet with Haley Linnig, Soloist Hallelujah Chorus - G. F. Handel from MESSIAH with Congregation Pre-service music by Ensemble Spring from Four Seasons - Vivaldi May your spiritual journey be strengthened and refreshed as we prepare our hearts and spirits for the Easter celebration! HALLELUJAH!
Prayer Requests Our prayer chain consists of people who would be happy to pray for you, your loved ones, and for any other praises or concerns you may have. Please call the church office 480-946-4207 or email info@scottsdalechurch.com to have your requests added to the prayer chain. Preaching Schedule April 9 April 2 April 9 April 16 April 23 April 30 Mark 10:17-34 Mark 11:1-25 Mark 16:1-8 Mark 1:21-45 Mark 2:1-12 Palm Sunday Worship @ 9:30 AM Choir and Instrumental Ensemble Community Lunch @11:00 AM Treasure Hunters The Daily Commute Looking for the Wrong Thing Easter News that Matters Your Next Adventure April 13 Maundy Thursday @ 6:30 PM Communion Service April 14 Good Friday Prayer Service @ 12:00 noon April 16 Easter Sunday @ 9:30 AM Choir and Instrumental Ensemble "Hallelujah Chorus" Sing-along Palm Sunday Joint Meal with Redemption Church On Sunday, April 9th, the congregation of Scottsdale Presbyterian Church and Redemption Church Scottsdale will come together after worship for a joint meal. Dessert are needed, so please sign-up in the church narthex if you would like to bring one. And I am surely with you always Matthew 28:20 page 3
Special Offering Palm Sunday An offering will be collected on April 9th, Palm Sunday, to support the work of Paiute Neighborhood Center. In Scottsdale, 15,000 people live below the Federal poverty level, including more than 7,000 school children. The Paiute Neighborhood Center is a vital part of helping people in our city faced with a variety of life's challenges. Maundy Thursday Communion Service, April 13 @ 6:30 PM "Jesus in the Garden" is the theme of our Communion Service on the Thursday of Holy Week. His time of testing in prayer occurs as his desire for fellowship with his disciples and with his Heavenly Father are both expressed. We will delve into this story as well as the mysterious cup that would not pass beginning at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary. Good Fridar Prayer Service, April 14 @ 12:00 Noon A noontime prayer service in the sanctuary will be held on Good Friday, April 14. The service will symbolically mark the crucifixion of our Savior, his removal from the cross and his burial in the tomb. According to the Gospels Jesus spoke seven times while he hung on the cross. The service will be structured around these seven "words" or "sayings". Easter Day Worship, April 16 @ 9:30 AM Come join the Easter celebration with special music, singing and great joy. The Lord is risen! Easter Lillys for Easter Sunday Order forms are available in the Sunday Bulletin or at the church office now. Cost is $10 per plant. Deadline for ordering is Sunday, April 9th. Lillys may be taken home after the Easter morning worship service.
The last Community Collaborative concert of the season is "Traditional China", a concert and cultural event featuring music performed on ancient Chinese instruments dating back 8,000 years. Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 3 PM in the Sanctuary. Free admission. Donations accepted. The recent build day for Habitat for Humanity took place on March 25th in Tempe. THANK YOU to all who participated in making this a great day, with much accomplished! Want to help with our next build day? See Rick Widner for information or sign up in the Narthex. Operation Christmas Child Update by Richard Garner This is Fiona who received one of the shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child that Mary and I personnally packed. Fiona's mother said that she is 3 years old and is the youngest of three children. What a thrill it is to receive this photo and a thank you note. It certainly made it all worthwhile! Page 5
and Give a Prayer and Praise Please keep the following people in your prayers this month: President Donald Trump, Governor Doug Ducey and Mayor Jim Lane. Prayers that our Youth will be filled with the Holy Spirit and God will do mighty things in their lives. For our church: That we will love God, one another and our neighborhood. Pastor, Staff, Elders and Deacons & Vision Team. For those receiving medical care and for homebound/long-term care: For Our Deacons: Nellie Schwartz, Gail Widner, Pat Reynolds, Heather George and Ginny Mountain, Sherry Blanchard, Pat Cook, Natallie Day and Patti Otto. For Our Elders: Jeff Barton, Judy Davis, Tina Sedlock, Terry Linnig, Haley Linnig, Eric Palumbo, Brett Recen and Hal Koontz. For our Vision Team:Pastor Bruce Johnson, Carol Petersen, Bob Howard, Liz Hill, Rick Widner and Jeff Barton Be in prayer for our troops, as well as their families, who are serving abroad for our freedom. Please be in additional prayer for PC(USA) Missionaries Greg and Chris Callison, Carolyn Kurtz, Dorothy Hanson, and Pastor Tazera Belachew. And last but not least: 1. Tuesday Bible study is taking a short Spring recess. See Craig Reynolds for more information. 2. Thursday Night Women's Bible Study. All are invited to join. Contact Teresa Wilbur for more information. 3. 4. Thursday Prayer gathering is at 3 pm in the Church office. See Craig Reynolds for more information. Vista del Camino needs our help. Donation items for April are: Rice and Pinto Beans. These items may be dropped off in the Narthex on Sunday morning or in the Church Office during the A nd surely I am with you always page 6
April, 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Worship 6:30 PM Women's Bible Study 7 PM 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Adult Sunday School 10:45 am MNO Concert 3pm Bible Study 10 AM Handbells 6-6:50 PM 7-8:15 Choir Women's Bible Study 7 PM 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Adult Sunday School Bible Study 10 AM Deacon's Meeting 2 PM Handbells 6-6:50 PM 7-8:15 Choir Worship 6:30 PM Worship Noon Men s Breakfast 7:30 8:30 am Randy s Café Chaparral & Hayden 10:45 am 17 18 19 20 21 22 Bible Study 10 AM Newsletter articles due Handbells 6-6:50 PM 7-8:15 Choir 23 24 25 26 28 27 29 Bible Study Adult Sunday School 10:45 am Cafe Justo Available 10 AM Handbells 6-6:50 PM 7-8:15 Choir 30 Adult Sunday School 10:45 am A nd surely I am with you always page 7
Scottsdale Presbyterian Church Vl. 37, Issue 4 April, 2017 Since 1958 The Messenger is published monthly by Scottsdale Presbyterian Church USPS 4860000 Periodical postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Postmaster send address changes to: 3421 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 946-4207 Email: Info@scottsdalechurch.com Website: www.scottsdalechurch.com Our Mission Statement Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joyfully follows the Lord Jesus Christ. Moved by His power, Motivated by His love, Equipped for His ministry, So that our community and our world, Will know His grace. CHURCH STAFF Pastor Bruce Johnson bruce@scottsdalechurch.com Director of Music Carol Petersen Office Manager Vicki Susan Carr Vicki@scottsdalechurch.com Sexton Nursery Care Attendant Mission Statement Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joyfully follows the Lord Jesus Christ, Moved by His power, Motivated by His love, Equipped for His ministry, So that our community and our world, will know His grace. Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Church e-mail info@scottsdalechurch.com Website www.scottsdalechurch.com Newsletter Editor Liz Hill Lannh25@gmail.com A nd surely I am with you always page 8