Home Page | Who We Are | Event Calendar | What We Offer | Related Sites
Email: office@stmarysucc.org
Page last updated: April 1, 2006
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXVII April 2006 No 4- modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, January '06, February '06, March '06)
Easter Celebration - April 8th
A Special Palm Sunday - April 9th
Special Easter Offering - April 16th
VBS Volunteers Needed - July 17-21
Food Stand at Farm Sale - April 22nd
Mother's Day Bulletin - before May 7th
Musical Instruments Needed - before June 1st
Jesus is alive! This is the good news that we have to share with all the world. This is the message that fills our hearts with gladness and inspires us to greatness we never thought possible for ourselves. This is the proclamation that gives us courage to be faithful followers in the face or any hardship and danger. Worldly powers would rather shroud the message. But Jesus preached hope where he found despair. Jesus brought healing in the midst of illness and disease. Jesus brought joy for those who were filled with sorrow. An intolerant and violent world sought to destroy him. He was betrayed; he was tortured; he was crucified. The cross and the tomb could have remained symbols of the world's cruelty and evil. But death was no match for the Christ of God. And Easter has become our day to celebrate the ultimate reality; Jesus is Alive! He died on a cross; he was buried in a tomb. But now he is alive. And because he lives, we too shall live.
During the month of April, we as the congregation of St. Mary's United Church of Christ have the opportunity once again to join in the drama of salvation. We will walk with Jesus from the high hopes of Palm Sunday, into the upper room of Maundy Thursday, through the darkness of Good Friday. And on Easter Sunday, we will gather to experience all the hope and joy of the resurrection story. We will celebrate life that triumphs over sin and death. And we will be reminded of our participation in this new life, which is ours to share. As Christ's disciples, we follow Jesus wherever he leads us. As our living Lord, he leads us on the road of life that shares the love of God with all the world. Like him, ours too is the cross, the grave, and the skies. We follow Jesus on the road of life, life that is full and abundant and everlasting.
Grace and peace, Dick
The Easter Celebration will be held Saturday, April 8th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. There will be crafts, games, egg hunts and a visit from someone special. Donations of small prizes and cakes are welcomed. Please see Stacy or Nancy for details.
Holy week provides us with an appropriate climax to this Lenten season. Our week will begin with our celebration of Palm Sunday on April 9th when our Bells of St. Mary's Bell Choir will be featured at our 10:00 AM worship service. On Maundy Thursday, April 13th, we will remember the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples as we gather for a service of worship and communion at 7:30 PM. Our service at 7:30 PM on Good Friday, April 14th, is the traditional service of Tenebrae when we remember and reflect upon Jesus' suffering and death upon the cross. And finally, on Easter Sunday, April 16th, we will start the morning with an outdoor Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM with breakfast served in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 AM. A Contemporary praise service will be offered at 8:00 AM lead by our praise band, Winds of the Spirit, and a Traditional style service will take place at 10:00 AM featuring our Church Choir. At both services the sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered at stations in the front of the sanctuary. As you are able, we hope that you are able to come and share in the drama and the joy as celebrate this central mystery of our Christian faith: " Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again."
We have an opportunity to enjoy a very special Palm Sunday this year. We will be
receiving new members into our congregation at our 10:00 AM worship service on
Palm Sunday, April 9th. We will also be treated to Special music provided
throughout the service by our Church Choir and Bell Choir. To make this special
service possible and to accommodate the full participation or our Bell Choir,
Consistory has authorized the temporary rearrangement of seating in the sanctuary
for that Sunday. All seating will be restored in time for our remaining
Holy Week and Easter Services. Also, Table Fellowship will be offered downstairs
in the Fellowship Hall after the service as a time to greet our new members as
we conclude this special day of celebration.
A special envelope is enclosed with this month's newsletter for our annual Easter Benevolence Offering. In years gone by, many of us had filled coin folders during Lent as a way of reminding us to share our God given resources with those less fortunate. Again this year, our offerings using theses special envelopes will help our church reach out to the world in a very tangible way through the support of our Benevolence Fund. Offerings made using these envelopes can be placed in the offering plate during our Lenten and Easter services or mailed to the church office. Additional envelopes are available in the sanctuary on the back windowsills. Thank you for your continuing support of our benevolence giving. Please give generously as you are able, as together in Christ's name we continue to make a difference.
LAST CALL FOR ANNIVERSARY THROW
There are still a few Anniversary Throws available that will be on sale in the Vestry through Easter. Proceeds from the sale of these Throws that commemorate our church's 240th anniversary are helping to complete our funding of our sanctuary and organ renovations. The sale price is $30 per throw. Those interested in purchasing one of these lovely keepsakes are invited to call the church office or see Tommie.
St. Mary's UCC has recently enrolled in the Stephen Series. The Stephen Series system trains and organizes lay people to do caring ministries. Pastor Scott, Steve and Dorothy Ellen will be attending an intensive seven-day Leader's Training Course in Pittsburgh, July 30 thru August 5, 2006. They will then return to train some of our members to be Stephen Ministers here at St. Mary's. Those training for Stephen Ministry will learn skills and develop their talents for bringing Christ's healing over to people who are grieving, hurting, or experiencing other stresses in life.
Teachers and helpers are needed for Vacation Bible School, July 17,-21. Contact the church office or Bonnie for more details.
St. Mary's UCC will have a food stand at the April 22nd farm sale for Carolyn Brown. The sale will be located on Green Meadow Lane at 10am. We will serve soup, hot dogs and baked goods. If you can make something and/or help at the stand please call Becky or the church office.
The Mother's class will again sponsor the Mother's Day bulletin. Names in Honor or or Memory of can included for $1.00 each. Sign up envelopes are on the back windowsill of the sanctuary or contact Betty. We look forward to making another contribution to the Sanctuary Fund. Your cooperation and help will be appreciated. Deadline to sign up is May 7th..
Do you have a musical instrument that is not being used? Project "Band Aid" is an effort to collect used musical instruments and send them to Our Lady of Prompt Succor School in Chalmette, LA. This school suffered severe damage from Hurricane Katrina and is in need of musical instrument for their musical program. Your instrument can be dropped off at Stu's Music Shop on Route 140 in Westminster before June 1st. Your instrument will be cleaned and repaired by Stu's and you will receive a donation receipt for tax purposes. For more information, call 410-8348-7585.
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
|
|
|
|
Home Page | Who We Are | Event Calendar | What We Offer | Related Sites |
|
|
|
|
|
Email: office@stmarysucc.org Page last updated: April 1, 2006 |
|