What’s Happenin’ in March?...

1 - CHT HC in Guild Room, 10:00 am

2 - Ran Dank piano concert, 2:00 pm

5 - Alpha meal & program, 6:00 pm

6 - HC in Guild Room, 10:00 am

8 - CHT HC in Guild Room, 10:00 am

9 – Daylight Savings Time begins

9 – Blanket Sunday offering

12 – Alpha meal & program, 6:00 pm

13 – Vestry meeting, 7:00 pm

13 – Mary Margaret Guild, 11:00 am

 

15 – Acolyte rehearsal for those serving

         on Palm Sunday, 12:30-2:00 pm

         Lunch Provided for Acolytes.

15 - CHT HC in Guild Room, 10:00 am

16 – Palm Sunday

Food Pantry Collection

Epistle news & Easter flower deadline

17 – St. Patrick’s Day dinner,6:00 pm

19 – St. Elizabeth Guild, 12 noon

20 – Maundy Thursday meal,6:00 pm

Maundy Thursday Service,

7:00 pm

Prayer vigil following service

 

21 – Good Friday Services:

Community, noon

St. Peter’s, 2:00 & 7:00 pm

22 – Acolyte rehearsal with meal,

10:00 am for those serving at

         Easter or Easter Vigil.

Easter Vigil, begins at 6:41 p.m.

 

 

23 – Easter Sunday Eucharists,

8:00 & 10:00 a.m.

25 – Evening Guild, 7:00 pm

26 – Alpha meal & program, 6:00 pm

27 – HC meal & program

29 – Alpha, 12:30 – will be done by 3pm

Sub Sandwiches are provided.

30 – Alpha, 3:00 p.m., meal provided, no

potluck

 

Who’s Cookin’ Breakfast in March?...

 

2 – Diane Podgorny Group

9 – Grotto Group

16 – Clayman Group

23 – Youth Group

30 – Pam Bean’s Girl Scout Group

 

Different Details, One Story…

~ from Editor’s Clip Sheets ~

 

Have you ever had the experience of being in a room when someone rushes in to tell you some exciting news? They’re overflowing with excitement - so much so that the story just bursts out of them and some of the details jumble together.

Then, a moment later, someone else rushes in to tell the same story with the same level of enthusiasm, only their version is a little bit different. Then another person comes in, and later still another – all of them excited, all of them eager to share their version of the same story.

In the telling, the details vary a little. One person says things happened this way; another that way. But the basic story is the same. Perhaps one person wants to emphasize one aspect, and so they leave something out. Another person has a different “take” and so they come at things from a different angle.

That’s kind of what the Easter stories in the Bible are like. The story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the highlight of the Gospel, and each of the Gospel writers wants to tell it with great joy and excitement. That they differ in a few details (the number and names of the women, for example, or the number of angels) is not really surprising. Nor

is it surprising that they want to emphasize different things, and each writer has a unique style and approach.

The facts may differ, but the truth of the story is what really matters. And the truth is consistent in all of the accounts: Jesus Christ is risen, bringing new life to all people. Thanks be to God!

 

On March 9, 2008 we will be accepting contributions for CHURCH WORLD SERVICE. This organization provides tools, blankets and other assistance so people

in need can help themselves.

Thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

~ Ernestine Bush ~

 

 

Many thanks to everyone who baked, came out on that cold snowy Sunday and bought every bit of the wares offered.

One hundred and fifty dollars were made from the sale.

~ Karen Flack ~

 

 

We are planning to have baptisms on Easter weekend. If you are interested, or know someone who is, call Fr. David on his cell phone at (814) 397-6920, or e-mail at: cdevans@erie.net.

 

 

Who would you like to remember with flowers on Easter Sunday? To let us know in time to be on the printed list, please call or write to the office by March 16. That Sunday, Palm Sunday, is the absolute deadline for names to be included in the bulletin.

 

A Worthwhile Hour or so…

 

The Wednesday night pot-luck suppers, camaraderie and learning sessions have – at this writing- begun in the auditorium of the Parish House. So far we have met twice.

We have been eating, singing, laughing and learning who Jesus was and why His life planned out the way it did. Discussions have been lively and our beliefs more closely examined.

All in all, it’s worth finding out more about and perhaps joining the Alpha group.

If this intrigues you, call Fr. David at

(814) 397-6920 (cell phone).

 

 

A prayer request has gone out for Julia, the daughter of John & Stacy Rocco and granddaughter of Dale & Billie Theis. Julia is a year old and has neuroblastoma.

 

Please pray for Theresa Kinney, an elementary school teacher. She had a tumor removed from her brain.

 

God’s Positive Answers…

 

You say: It’s impossible.

God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)

 

You say: I’m too tired.

God says: I will give you rest.

(Matthew 11:28)

 

You say: Nobody really loves me.

God says: I love you. (John 3:16)

 

You say: I can’t go on.

God says: My grace is sufficient.

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

You say: I can’t do it.

God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

 

You say: I can’t figure things out.

God says: I will direct your steps.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

You say: I’m not able.

God says: I am able. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

 

You say: It’s not worth it.

God says: It will be worth it.

(Romans 8:18)

 

You say: I can’t forgive myself.

God says: I forgive you.

(1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

 

You say: I can’t manage.

God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)

 

You say: I’m afraid.

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

You say: I’m always worried and frustrated.

God says: Cast all your cares on Me.

(1 Peter 5:7)

 

You say: I’m not smart enough.

God says: I give you wisdom.

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

 

A Thought to Ponder…

Faith is an excitement and an enthusiasm: it is a condition of intellectual magnificence to which we must cling as to a treasure, and not squander on our way through life in the small coin of empty words, or in exact and priggish argument.

~ George Sand ~

 

Rituals to Close the Day…

 

Simple rituals in the home setting are a wonderful way to bring all ages together, even for a brief time of sharing. Using a candle can provide a visual for centering, and add a sense that this is a special time, different from other times. If possible, allow young children to light the candle and blow it out, taking turns as appropriate.

Some families find it appropriate to share rituals around the table during the evening meal, taking advantage of the sense of community and conversation while eating together, perhaps at the close of the meal.

Others prefer to gather in a special place that they have set aside for ritual. You will soon discover what works best for you.

Ritual can be used in family or group settings to celebrate God’s presence with us each day. At the close of each day, spend time as a family to let go of the things that have weighted upon you, and to offer thanks for the joys of the day. You might choose to do this ritual at your evening meal, if everyone is together, or just prior to bedtime.

Light a candle (be sure to place it somewhere safe, out of the reach of small children). Invite each person to share something that was not good about the day – it might be a frustration, something that did not turn out the way that they had hoped, a bad feeling, or something else that they would like to forget.

Next, invite each person to share something good that happened during the day. No matter what the day was like, there is always something for which to give thanks!

During both times of sharing, it is important to welcome and honor each person’s words without comment or criticism, although words of affirmation are welcome. Close the ritual by saying together:

Thank you, God, for the gift of this day.

Bless us this night , O God, we pray.

Amen.

 

IHS

 

“Pastor,” the woman said, “isn’t it time to put the ‘I Have Suffered’ on the altar?”

The minister looked at the woman with a puzzled look, not quite sure at all what she was referring to.

“You know, the green cloth with the letters IHS on it – the “I Have Suffered.”

A light bulb went off for the minister, who wanted immediately to correct the devoted church member, but then thought better of it, and simply nodded.

The letters IHS sometimes appear on altar cloths, stained glass windows, clergy vestments, and numerous other places associated with Christians.

What do they stand for?

There are a couple of “official” answers. The most commonly accepted is that they represent the Greek letters iota, eta, and sigma, the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek.

Another explanation, which makes sense in those instances where the letters are separated by periods, is that they are the first letters of the Latin words Iesu Hominum Salvator, meaning “Jesus, Savior of Humankind.”

There are several other understandings, including “In His Service.” Most important of all, the letters are a symbol, and symbols by their very nature can have many meanings, just as God is experienced and understood in many ways.

Elie Wiesel said it:

(Elie was a survivor of the Death Camps during WWIII)

 

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.

         Did you know that the word for disbelief in Greek is Apetheo – from which we get the word apathy?

 

Ostensibly seen in church bulletins...

 

·      Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at First Christian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

·      The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

·      Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on “It’s a Terrible Experience.”

 

Just a gentle reminder that the news items for the April Epistle are due on or before Palm Sunday – March 16^th.

 

Fun for Kids of All Ages…

 

 

A Final Thought for the month…

Jesus uttered a triumphant cry: “It is accomplished!” and it was as though he had said: “Everything has begun!”

~ Nikos Kazantzakis ~

The Last Temptation of Christ