No One Gets Left Behind

The movie, “Black Hawk Down,” based on the book by the same name, is about the 1993 attempt by American soldiers to capture two revolutionary leaders. When a “Black Hawk” helicopter is shot down in the middle of Mogadishu, Somalia, the U. S. military went into the city to rescue survivors. To spite overwhelming odds, the military was committed to its vow, “No one gets left behind.” Officers or enlisted men, pilots or radiomen, healthy or wounded, regular troops or special forces. “No one gets left behind.”

We in the church can learn something from the U.S. military—in most cases it seems the military can learn something from the church. We too must have an attitude, “No one gets left behind.” The love of Jesus encompasses

everyone. Not everyone “except” or everyone “but mostly.” Everyone! If the love of Jesus encompasses everyone, so should ours—as individuals and as a church. For Jesus, for the people of God, “No one gets left behind.”

On Sunday, May 2, the members and friends of our church will be asked to affirm our “Mission Statement” which Session and Deacons approved in February. The statement is a revision of an earlier “Congregational Covenant” adopted 20 years ago. The result of much prayer and

continued on page 2….

study, this “Mission Statement” affirms, among other things, our commitment to the principal “No one gets left behind.” Now comes the hard part; putting this “Mission Statement” into practice, actually being a people who reach out with the love of Jesus Christ to everyone in an accepting, affirming, and understanding way. Yes, this will be the hard part, but the changes that will take place in ourselves, and in our church, will be worth the effort.

Pastor L. S. Emery

Mission Statement

of the

Walnut Grove Community

Presbyterian Church

We, the Congregation,

promise by covenant:

To provide a Christian community that encourages people to discover, each in their own way, Jesus Christ as Lord of life, and invites all people to experience salvation through His transforming grace.

To provide a Christian community that exhibits love and concern for the people of our congregation and the greater world, creating a prayerful atmosphere that is open, accepting, forgiving, and supportive of dialogue.

To provide a Christian community that is sensitive to the needs of differing age groups, educational levels, races, and backgrounds, and to the unique needs of the modern family.

Youth Activities...

A wonderful time was had by all at the Easter Egg Hunt. There was a great turnout of kids ready to hunt, and almost as many adults to watch the fun. We are thankful for everyone who made donations, who volunteered their time to fill eggs and hide them, and for the families that participated in the event. Those lucky enough to find the golden eggs won a beautiful basket filled with goodies, including a children’s Bible. If you have plastic eggs leftover, please turn them in to the church office as they will be filled and used again next year.

Appreciation goes to those who attended the spaghetti dinner last month. Families with children attending Westminster Woods this summer are preparing for another dinner set for Sunday, May 23, 5-7 P.M. This important fundraiser will help with the expenses of sending more than a dozen children to camp. Buy your tickets now from Edna Williams, Melanie Schauer, Virginia La Bahn or Lucy Van Andel.

Tuesday Children’s Breakfast Group is still going strong. We greatly appreciate the volunteer chefs who rise early to prepare for this weekly outreach event.

Sunday School is experiencing many blessings. We have a great group of children and teachers who are all enjoying the time they spend together learning about the Bible, reciting prayers, singing songs, doing art and playing games. New children are always welcome! Come by and see us this Sunday!

New Members Join the Congregation

Pastor Emery and the congregation welcomed David and Margaret Jamieson and Frank and Maria Robinson as new members of the church on Palm Sunday,

April 4. Margaret has graciously accepted a position on the Fellowship Committee, as has Lucy Van Andel. Thanks, Ladies! We’re glad to have all of you with us!

Summer Camp at Westminster Woods

Twelve children and three counselors from the church and community are signed up for summer camp at Westminster Woods, a Presbyterian conference center located in the redwood forest near Occidental, CA. There is still time to sign up. However, spaces fill up fast, so stop by the church and pick up a registration form or ask to see the video on Westminster Woods summer camps for grades 4-12.

Young people from our community have attended summer camp there for many years and have returned with stories of new and exciting experiences, new friends, and new growth in their relationship with God. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

ATTENTION ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS!!

GREAT BREAKFAST

EVERY TUESDAY MORNING

7AM SHARP

COME EAT

PLAY GAMES

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOD AND THE EXCITING WORLD AROUND US AND PRAY FOR GOD’S BEST IN YOUR LIFE.

FUN, FUN, FUN………

P. S. Invite a friend!

Everyone’s welcome.

FELLOWSHIP NOTES

Easter Brunch was a tasty success, thanks to the efforts of

all who contributed their culinary and artistic talents:

Gail Morris, Mary Fulster, Fern Cummings, Barbara Rose, Lucy Van Andel, and Shirley Hobart. (And thanks to Costco

for their labor-saving and attractive fruit and veggie trays!) Thanks, too, to those who moved furniture around for us in Koinonia on Thursday evening. We

couldn’t have done it without you!

While the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast isn’t (strictly speaking) a Fellowship Committee event, members have traditionally helped Joanne and Gene Wiseman – as have a throng of others from church and community. This year, the Glorious Fourth falls on a Sunday, which will make scheduling breakfast, worship service, and

parade-viewing a challenge – but we know it’ll all work out.

Planning for a Steak Fry fundraiser is on hold, awaiting a firm date for a weekend visit by Sonny Salisbury. He’s a guitarist, songwriter, and devout Christian who volunteers time and talent to small churches

like ours. If possible, we want to have him entertain during the Steak Fry on Saturday night, then lead the congregation in Praise and Worship on Sunday morning. So stay tuned, and we’ll announce the date as soon as it’s set. And then we’ll be needing your help!

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From the Worship Committee….

Whatever is a parament? You see them every time you are at church but perhaps haven’t particularly thought about them. Paraments are cloths that cover the pulpit and lectern, and decorate the communion table and chancel table. They come in various colors to signify certain seasons of the church year, and the same colors are used to make banners that decorate the walls.

The basic color is green, the symbolic color of life and growth, and most of the time, paraments used are green. During two seasons of preparation, the paraments are changed to purple. Advent is the time we prepare for the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth, and Lent is the time we are encouraged to consider the life, suffering and death, and resurrection of Jesus.

During the time of great celebration in the church, we use the beautiful white cloths. These may also be used for weddings.

A fourth color is red, which is only used during Pentecost to symbolize fire that represents the gift of the Holy Spirit. In many congregations, worshippers are encouraged to wear red that day.

From the Worship Committee….

During the time of great celebration in the church, we use the beautiful white cloths. These may also be used for weddings.

A fourth color is red, which is only used during Pentecost to symbolize fire that represents the gift of the Holy Spirit. In many congregations, worshippers are encouraged to wear red that day.

You may also have noticed that the paraments are decorated with symbols embroidered in gold. We use traditional symbols that may be found in many Christian churches throughout the world. On the green paraments is the Celtic cross, a cross with a circle behind it. The cross symbolizes the sacrifice made by Christ, and the circle represents the sun, symbol of the hope brought by the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. On the purple paraments, we use the cross and the crown, symbols of the death and the kingship of Jesus. The white paraments have the beginning and ending letters of the Greek alphabet, the Alpha and the Omega, symbolizing what Jesus said of Himself, that He is the beginning and the end. There are many other symbols Christians have used through the years, and some of these may be used in the future in our church to help direct our thoughts during worship.

The Worship Committee would like to make a set of banners to hang in the front of the church during the summer months. Banners that beautified the church on Easter and the following weeks were hand crafted by Coralee Downs, Joanne Wiseman, Shirley Hobart and Audrey Mondeel. Believe it or not, there is very little sewing involved in creating a banner similar to the ones seen in the last few weeks. What is needed is sharp scissors and a good iron! If you would be willing to work on a new set of banners, please see Audrey Mondeel or call her at (916) 776 - 5759, and we’ll set up a time in Koinonia—probably in May—to get started. It’s nice to have this change of scenery in the church!

Congregational Meeting for the Election of a New Elder

On Sunday, June 6 following the Worship Service, there will be a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing one new elder to replace Chris Hudson, who has moved to the Bay area.

Play Areas Get Makeover

Parents and helpers of the Walnut Grove Playgroup expanded the box for playground equipment, and replaced carpet in the nursery. The playground box was lined with black tarp to discourage weed growth, and layered with playground fill. Materials were donated by Ron and Lisa Galindo and Frank and Lorna Olagary. Labor was furnished by Phillip Perez, Tony Maldonado and William Updegraff.

Seann and Angie Rooney donated carpet materials for the nursery room floor that was cleaned and carpeted by Sally Christie, Kate Bould, Laura Uslan and Angie Rooney. Great job, everyone!

Heave, Hoe!

A wonderful work crew showed up with power tools and paint, rakes and weed whackers, and window cleaner and pruning shears for the workday on Saturday April 3. In just a few hours, the church grounds were clean and trimmed for Easter week services. Bill Schauer coordinated the work crew and hauled away two pick-up loads of debris. Larry Horn, Russ Munson and David Jamieson repaired water lines, replaced lights and miscellaneous fixtures, and helped load up the ivy clippings and tree branches. Coralee Downs and Margaret Jamieson swept, raked, trimmed and kept the work crew laughing, while Jim Van Andel painted the patio posts, and plans to come back and paint under the awning. Mike Downs and Pastor Emery trimmed trees and ivy while Bill Schauer, Lynn Ortega, Shirley Hobart and Domir Tomicic tackled the sidewalks with edge trimmers, rakes, shears and a power blower. God bless you all for your help!

New Members Join the Congregation

Pastor Emery and the congregation welcomed David and Margaret Jamieson and Frank and Maria Robinson as new members of the church on Palm Sunday,

April 4. Margaret has graciously accepted a position on the Fellowship Committee, as has Lucy Van Andel. Thanks, Ladies! We’re glad to have all of you with us!

Help

Wanted!

The Church is currently in need of a volunteer “Church Archivist” to update and maintain pictures, letters and other records of church events. Another need we have is for someone to be a volunteer “webmaster” - a fancy name for someone who keeps the church website current. Classes on websites are available in Sacramento or Stockton, and we can help arrange one for you. If this is YOU, please contact the office at 776 - 1106.

We Will Miss You…

Friends, family and community gathered to pay last respects to Gloria Santos and Bob Hart this spring.

Gloria was an active member of the church who served on the Fellowship Committee, attended Thursday night Bible study, and loved singing in the choir for all occasions. She was known as the choir’s “biggest fan.” An avid gardener and participant at lots of fun-filled activities with family and many friends, Gloria will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Bob Hart was a member of the church for almost 50 years. He served on many committees and as an Elder, giving his time and talents whenever needed. He loved the church, and the Walnut Grove community.

We remember Gloria and Bob, and continue to lift up their families in prayer.

A Note of Thanks from the Deacons

Many thanks go out to those who gave their time, talents, and gifts of flowers, food, and beverage for memorial services for Gloria Santos and Bob Hart. During times of sorrow, your help is a wonderful blessing to family, friends and the community.

The Director’s Stand

by Debbie Phulps

“Bursting With Song”

It was just a month or so ago that the grey, damp hand of Winter wrapped itself around the Delta followed by a pummeling of wind and rain. It was a chore to venture outside. However, Nature ventured out. Throughout the storm season there were periods where she donned her clear blue bonnet and took a stroll in the intermittent sunshine. The raincoat she wore was splashed with the vibrant green of new grass, the yellows and whites of daffodils, and the bright pinks of quince. Feeling alive, she burst into song through the migrating geese and bathing finch. Yes, Spring would not be out-done by Winter’s fury.

Sometimes our days are stormy, and it seems like we will never be able to throw off the grey shroud around us. As “Easter-Day people” we are assured, both by God’s scriptural promise and the evidence of His love, that the storms do pass. In fact, the storm is necessary for the glory to be evidenced. Reflect on Easter.

The Choir passed through one such storm leading into Easter week - the sudden loss of our dear friend and member, Gloria Santos. It is odd to not see her in the back row of the loft, caught in some joke with her soprano cohorts. However, we have faith in the glory to come, and we shall join her in song forevermore.

For the interim, we must continue with the tasks before us. Unbelievably, there are seven weeks remaining in this choral season and then your Choir will be on summer hiatus through Labor Day. Choir Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, June 13. This is a special, music- packed service wherein the Choir will present its favorite pieces from the 2003- 04 season. We extend to all a hearty invitation to join us as, like Nature herself, we burst forth in song ...... in the face of life’s storms.

“... we’ve no less days to sing God’s

praise than when we’d first begun”

A beautiful new Bible for the lectern has been purchased in memory of Gloria Santos by a loving friend. The old one was well-used and, unfortunately too well-marked. The office will provide tabs for readers to mark scriptures for convenience.

Thank you all for your willingness to read!

Mark your calendars:

Spaghetti Dinner May 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Koinonia

Pentecost Sunday May 30

Scholarship Sunday /

Presbytery Meeting May 11 at Folsom Presbyterian Church

Congregational Meeting June 6 during Worship

Delta High Baccalaureate June 6 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Choir Sunday June 13 at 9:30 a.m.

Summer Break Summer break begins Monday, June 14

for Tuesday Morning Breakfast group and The Walnut Grove Playgroup