Lunds Corner Courier MARCH/APRIL, VOLUME # 97, 2014 Edited by Cynthia Francis Does evil exist? Does evil exist? The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists? A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!" "God created everything?" The professor asked. "Yes, sir," the student replied. The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil." The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased with him self and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?" "Of course," replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?" "What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat. The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?" The professor responded, "Of course it does." The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present." Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world."these manifestations are nothing else but evil." To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. (continued on p. 3)! PAGE 1
From the Pastor: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Just when it seems as if the snow, and the cold snap just might never, ever, show signs of stopping, or even slowing down, and just when it seems as if the Polar Vortex was here to stay, something beautiful happens almost as if an unexpected blessing, a lagniappe, the warm rays of the sun pierce through the cold, gray skies, as if to say though it is bleak right now, there is hope that warmer weather is on the way! The promise of potential is why the Easter trinity (Lent, Easter and Pentecost) is my favorite time of the church year. One of the reasons for why this season has captured my heart is the promise fulfilled the people who walked in darkness or trudged through the snow, sleet and rain have seen a great light and we know the light to be that which the Gospel of John identified as the Light of the World Jesus. This season spotlights for us the trials, torment and triumph of Jesus, and even there in these words we see something beautiful and mystical emerge before our eyes. We see an unforced and unhurried rhythm taking place almost a 1,2,3 1,2,3 waltz through the Life of Christ led by the Lord of the Dance himself. Perhaps all this talk about the unforced rhythm of the Holy Spirit can be seen not only reflected in our lives, but also in the waltz-like steps of the church year 1-2-3 Advent Christmas Epiphany 1-2-3 Lent Easter Pentecost Each step carries with it either anticipation (Advent and Lent), fulfillment (Christmas and Easter), and realization (Epiphany and Pentecost), and each step we take with Jesus, whether in anticipation, fulfillment, or realization, carries with it its own measure of Joy. As we journey ahead through the contemplative season of Lent into Easter, let us pause and reflect, not only on the road leading to the cross, but also the trail leading to the empty tomb, and pointing to the skies, and come to grips with the idea that Jesus endured our humiliation and punishment, for no other reason than HE LOVES US and he bids us to come and dance with him the Lord of the Dance. I Bid You Peace Dr. Ken+ Let Us Join the Dance: 2 Samuel: 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; Psalms:149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.! PAGE 2
(continued from p. 1) Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down. The young mans name --- Albert Einstein Women s Fellowship Hi Ladies, Just thought I would send out a recap of the meeting, since not everyone was able to attend. We are planning a dinner/show fundraiser in March with the Occasion Singers as we had discussed at earlier meetings. I emailed the information to Caroline and March 15th 6-8pm works for them. St. Patrick's Day theme. They will do some Broadway show tunes and some other appropriate tunes as well. They also will be selling tickets, $20 per person as discussed. They will also be putting the information on their website. We will plan for the Lenten supper as soon as we have a date. (March 12) Up coming events: April 6, a cake walk after church on fellowship Sunday Although we didn't discuss it, May is Mother's Day Sunday June a "summer" theme cake walk August "Sundae Sunday" Other ideas as they develop Also, the raffle dinner was on Sunday Feb. 9th. Deb and Matt Brady offered to deliver the food. The young man was most grateful and said the food was all incredible! He fed all his friends at the HOC and brought enough home to feed his everyone in his house the next day too. Way to go Ladies!!! I think that is it... Stay Warm:) Blessings, Lenten Series: Lenten Series Every Wed.evening at the designated Church: 6:00 PM Monica March12, Lunds Corner Congregational Church, N.B. March19, St. John Neuman Church, Freetown March 26, United Church of Assonet April 2, East Freetown Congregational Church April 9, Calvary Pentecostal Church, N.B. St. Bernard s Assonet - Stations of the Cross Pathways A new g r o u p h a s b e g u n meeting in the small hall after r e g u l a r service. This is a sort of support group to help us find the way to a more healthy, balanced, life style to serve the Lord more fully. We deal with the essentials of Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus and Friends. We would love for YOU to join us. Welcome New Friends! Our congregation is pleased to welcome a fledgling church to share our facilities.! PAGE 3
This is a very small group of Christian brothers and sisters who will be meeting at noontime on Sundays after our regular service. They will also be holding a Bible Study group on Tuesday evenings in the small hall. When the weather becomes warmer they will be moving across the street to the chapel. You should be able to find out more about them soon in a link from our web site. Again, welcome friends in Christ! will begin at 6pm and the Occasion Singers show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $20 per person. Call Monica or talk to anyone of the church ladies for tickets. Or you can call Sandy Morgan for more info or to Saturday, March 15, 2014 6 reserve your seats 8pm, 508-942-6483. Come and enjoy Join the Occasion Singers at the the local talent. First Congregational Church in New Bedford for a dinner and a show. It is a St. Patrick Day theme, so do not be alarmed if there is something green on your plate!! The food will be traditional Irish Boiled dinner with all the fixings, prepared by the Women s Fellowship. Dinner Speaking of Our Web Site!!!! Great things are in the works online, please visit us at : www.thyspace.weebly.com We will be adding new things to the site, brightening it up, and renewing old favorites. If you have any ideas or pictures to share or things you would like to see changed...please speak to Cindy Francis.! PAGE 4
There was a boy who had a favorite tree. He spent many happy days there i the shelter of it s branches. He proposed to his love there and was married beneath it s canopy of summer leaves. He hung a swing on a sturdy branch and pushed his little ones through the air. He was sad when it died and had to be cut down, but all living thing pass on.!! PAGE 5
MARCH 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Lenten Series Every Wed.evening at the designated Church: 6:00 PM 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9:30 AM Bible Study Bible Study Worship and Jean Quitin s house Small Hall of Church Communion Fellowship following the service. The Oaks 9 Daylight Savings 10 11 12 13 14 15 9:30 AM Bible Study First Bible Study Worship Jean Quitin s house Congregational Small Hall of Church 16 17 Church: Lunds Cormer Alden Court St. Patrick's Day 18 19 20 Vernal equinox 21 22 9:30 AM Bible Study St. John Bible Study Worship Jean Quitin s house Neumann Church Small Hall of Church Freetown The Royal 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 9:30 AM Bible Study United Church Bible Study Worship Jean Quitin s house of Assonet Small Hall of Church 1 8-10 AM Free Community Breakfast Bring a friend! 30 31 Notes:
APRIL 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday April Fool's 1 Day 2 Lenten series: 3 4 5 East Freetown Bible Study 8-10 AM Congregational Small Hall of Church Free Community Church The Oaks 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9:30 AM Bible Study Calvary Bible Study Worship and Jean Quitin s house Pentecostal Small Hall of Church Communion Church Fellowship following New Bedford the service. 13 14 15 Taxes Due 16 17 Alden Court Service of Tenebrae 7pm 18 Good Friday 19 Breakfast Bring a friend! 9:30 AM Bible Study Passover St. Brenard s Communion in Solemn Collects Holly Saturday Worship Jean Quitin s house Assonet the Shadows Stations of the Cross Church will be open 20 Easter 21 22 Earth Day 23 Stations of the Cross Church of from noon to 3 pm Our Savior for prayer The Royal Sunrise Service Bible Study Bible Study New Bedford Admin Assist Day 24 25 26 5:45am@ Wash- Jean Quitin s house Small Hall of Church burn Pond Frtwn. 9:30 AM Worship 27 28 29 30 9:30 AM Bible Study Worship Jean Quitin s house Notes:
OUR RISEN SAVIOR by Margaret Cagle It was the first day of the week. The women found the stone rolled away. The body of Jesus they did seek. They went to see where their Master lay. Two angels appeared and stood by them. The women's fear was very great. "He is not here. Why seek ye Him?" "He is risen!" the angels did state. He was crucified, and His blood was shed. For all mankind, the sin debt was paid. They buried His body, but He arose from the dead. "Behold the place where His body was laid." Over death, the victory has been won! Because He lives, we can live too. For our sins, God gave His only Son. Trust in the Savior; God's Word is true. Send any articles or requests to : () Cynthia Francis / or cindy20@mindspring.com c/o Lunds Cor. Congregational Church 2195 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, MA 02745 or If you would like to have a copy of this bimonthly newsletter mailed to you send your information to Cindy. There is a $3.00@year printing and mailing cost, or you could come and visit us and pick one up for free. FOLD, TAPE, & STAMP FOR MAILING From: The First Congregational Church at Lunds Corner 2195 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, Ma 02745 TO: