Koinonia Times Vol. 25, Issue 2
Easter Is Closer Than
You Think!
Easter is almost here. Almost everyone I
talk to comments how early Easter is this year. Usually in
April. The kids will be on vacation. Family will come for dinner. At
church, everyone will greet each other, “He is risen!”
“He is risen, indeed!” Easter lilies will decorate the
sanctuary. For some, this will be the first time in church since Christmas. Maybe the last time until next Christmas. Unless
someone dies or is married. Easter is almost here. Early
this year. But the same as always.
Yet the first Easter wasn’t the same. It wasn’t part of a dull and regular
routine. It was different. Exciting. Even chaotic. I’ve always wondered at the methodical
sameness of the Passion story where all four Gospels are in basic agreement
with one another; and the Easter accounts, which are so scattered and varied in
each Gospel. He is here. He is there. He is everywhere. He is with one person. Then another. He is with everyone. There is control and predictability
when human authority is present; there is creativity, spontaneity and freedom
where the Spirit of God is at work.
Easter is almost here. Early this year. But it
doesn’t need to be the same. For Easter represents new life for all–not just for
Christ who rose from the dead, but for all those who allow the Spirit of Christ
to be with them. He wants to work in everyone, young and old, male and female,
old-time members, and those who are new to the church. He wants to work in all
parts of life bringing hope and healing, bringing new ideas and new direction,
bringing joy and peace. No one, and nothing, is left behind.
Easter is almost here. Early this year. But you
don’t have to wait for Easter for the new life that Christ promises. Find out
more about what this new life is all about. Don’t wait for Easter. That’s too
late when Christ’s presence can be with you now.
Pastor L. S. Emery
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Prayer Chain
When concerns come up during the week –between
services–there is a prayer chain that is put into action. This way, people can
be supported by prayer with an immediate need. If you would like to be part of
the prayer chain, or have a special need, please contact the church office. Let
us know your e-mail address, or phone number.
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school
for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a
note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a
large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the
apples."
New Walkway is Home Tour
Special Project
Money raised for the 2005 Home Tour will be used for needed building
maintenance and a special new addition - a walkway between the north sanctuary
doors and the sidewalk leading to Koinonia! The design will include brickwork
and benches. This new walkway will enable people to get to the sanctuary and
fellowship hall in an easier and more direct way.
Home Tour invitations are available in the
Narthex or though the church office for those who want to send one to friends
and relatives. Tickets will be available to sell around the middle of March.
Contact Gail Morris or Lynn Ortega at the church office for further
information.
Page 3
New Members to the
Church Family
A Big Welcome to Lucy and Jim Van Andel and Betsy
Jenkins who became new members on Feb. 6 during the worship service. Cory and
Renee Van Andel were also baptized at the same service. We are so glad to have
you among us!
Palm Sunday Reception for New Members
A new member’s
class will be held on Tuesday evening, March 1 and 8 at 7 p.m. This class is
open to all who wish to join the church at this time, or who are more
interested in finding out about who we are and what we
believe. New members will be received into our church family on Palm Sunday,
March 20. A reception will be held in their honor in Koinonia Hall immediately
following the service.
Order Your
Easter Lilies
Do you have a special someone you’d like to
honor or remember? The beautiful lilies that decorate the chancel are purchased
by friends and
family in honor–or in loving memory– of friends and family. The name of the
person (or people) being honored is printed in the Easter Sunday Bulletin.
Order forms are available for you in the
narthex or the church office for your convenience. We will accept orders until
Monday, March 21.
Brunch will be
served in Koinonia Hall following the 9:30 a.m. Worship Service on Easter
Sunday, March 27th. For hardy souls who
attend the Sunrise Service in
Maundy Thursday
Reader’s Theatre March 24, 7 p.m.
Part of our Maundy Thursday Service will be
a re-enactment of the Lord’s Supper with various members of the congregation
given different parts to read. This reflective reader’s theatre will help us to
prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper. The Chancel Choir will also perform a
special anthem. Babysitting will be provided.
Maundy Thursday marks the night that Jesus
celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples Maundy comes from the Latin word
for commandment remembering Jesus’ words that night, “A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another.”
Easter
(across from the
elementary school)
Sunday, March 27 at 6:30 a.m.
Easter Sunrise Service this year
will consist of several members of the congregation sharing about the meaning
of Easter in their lives. Bring a blanket and a cup of hot coffee or chocolate,
and join us for this inspirational service. The tradition of Easter Sunrise
Services goes back to the earliest days of the church, and is patterned after
those who “on the first day of the week, at early dawn, came to the tomb (of
Jesus) and found the stone rolled away.” (Luke 24, 1 - 2)
An Easter egg hunt for kids of all ages
will take place following the brunch. Bring your baskets!
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Helping Hands
It’s often the little details that help the church be the welcoming place
it is. Over the last few weeks, we have received new thermostats that can be
programmed to go on and off at the needed times in order to save on heat costs.
Bless you, Larry and Pat Horn!
Page 5
Tsunami Disaster Relief Efforts Update
from PCUSA
Please thank your congregation for their
most generous support. More than 1.4 million dollars has come in from
Presbyterians around the country. Two of our staff members are now in South
East Asia meeting with partner churches and determining the specific needs and
best way to assist. We coordinate our
work with other churches working in these areas. It is critical to coordinate our efforts and
to use local people who know the language, the territory and the people and
their needs. In some cases your funds
might buy a new fishing boat so that a man can return to his work and once
again support his family.
Gwen Crawley - Disaster
Relief PCUSA
Church to Adopt Philippine Pastor in 2005
In December, 2004, a massive
mudslide caused extensive damage in Quezon Province, on the east coast of Luzon
Island, Philippines. Several churches of the United Church of Christ of the
Philippines (UCCP) and their pastors were displaced, losing all household
items. These churches are part of the church conference that has a partnership
with the Presbytery of Sacramento.
Our pastor, Larry Emery, is chairperson of
the Philippine Partnership Committee, and has visited some of these churches
while in the Philippines. The Partnership is asking several churches in
Sacramento Presbytery to help sponsor a pastor during 2005 while these churches
and their communities rebuild. Pastoral ministry is very important during a
time of community crisis, and their financial support is important for the
spiritual health and well-being of these churches and their members.
The Mission Committee of our church has
agreed to sponsor the pastor of the UCCP church in Infanta for one year at $100
per month. Would you consider donating $10 per month for a year ABOVE your
regular offering for the support of this pastor? If you wish to do so, please
contact the church office. Checks can be designated in the memo section
“Infanta Pastor support.”
Infanta is located on a narrow plain between
the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madra and the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the
oldest towns in the area, and was renamed “Infanta” by the Spanish in honor of
the infant Jesus. The population of 40,000 has in recent years been occupied in
fishing, coconut production, lumbering, and tourism - with many resorts in the
area along the ocean shore.
Page 6
T.N.T. Group is Growing and
Learning
Tuesday Nights Together, (TNT) is eagerly learning
and growing in faith and knowledge of God’s Word. Youth leaders David and
Margaret Jamieson, Jim and Lucy Van Andel and Edna Williams have passed out 37
Bibles to children who have successfully memorized selected Bible verses. The
youth group of children from grades K -
4 meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m., and follows the school calendar.
Leaders hope to reach out to all children who want to learn about God and have
a great time with many activities and fun times. There’s still room for more,
so give us a call!
WOW to go
Roller Skating
Way Out Wednesdays (WOW), our youth group for
grades 5 - 8, will take a break from its regular Wednesday night schedule
during Easter week to go roller skating. We will meet at 6 p.m. on Wed., March
23, and will go to Kings Skate in Franklin. Please bring $15 to cover a pizza
dinner and admission. But don’t forget our regular Wednesday meetings at 6:30
p.m. at the church. Hope to see you there!
Spaghetti Dinner
Camp Fundraiser
There will be a spaghetti dinner on Sunday, April 3, to raise money for
summer camp. Watch for details in the church bulletin!
Hey Kids! Summer Camp
at Westminster Woods
Summer wouldn’t be complete without an
unforgettable time at Westminster Woods, a summer camp owned and operated by
the Presbyterian Church in the beautiful redwood forest near Occidental, CA.
Campers for grades 4 - high school will attend a week-long session during the
week of July 31 - Aug. 6, and campers in grades 2 and 3 will attend a 4-day
session at a time determined by parents of children in that age group. Be sure
to get your registration in by March 15 and save $25 per camper! Registration
is $70 with the balance to be paid 30 days before the opening day for camp
session. Fundraisers will be held in spring and summer by campers to help
off-set camping costs. Contact the church office today for more details and
registration forms.
Fixer-upper
Family Weekend
at Zephyr Point
Here’s a family togetherness
project featuring fresh air and free lodging at Zephyr Point the weekend of
April 15-17.
Adopt
a Zephyr Point cabin as a mission project. Let them know your skills and
interests, bring a few tools, paint brushes, etc., and enjoy a productive, fun
weekend with the family. Zephyr Point will provide the supplies for the
project.
Sleep in cozy beds and relish six tasty,
nutritious home-cooked meals. Meals are your only expense at $44 for ages 10
and up, and $30 for ages 3 - 9. Register
early by calling Zephyr Point at (775) 588-1835, or e-mail lynne@zephyrpoint.org.
Page 7
Church Archivist
The church collects pictures and documents
from past and present events, but we need someone to keep these records in
order. Does this sound like a job for you? Let us know!
Missed a Service?
Audio tapes of
most services are available through the
church office. See Frank Robinson or contact the church office for details.
Gala Dinner Celebrates
Valentine’s Day
A good time was had by all on
February 12 as members of the church and community mingled to enjoy a Red and
White (e.g., Italian) dinner. Gail
Morris, Adrienne Young, and Mary Fulster lent their decorating talents to the
hall, and as usual wrought a miracle - it’s never looked lovelier.
Thanks to all who contributed effort - not
only Gail, Adrienne, and Mary, but newcomers to the committee: Lucy Van Andel and Nancy Rutherford. Last but
not by any means least, my sincere thanks to Lois Gregg and her hardy wait
staff - those kids work hard and do a terrific job, and we really appreciate
them.
The very good news is that we cleared $700,
of which (as pledged) $500 will go to Presbyterian Tsunami Relief. The remainder will go into the General Fund,
from which ongoing church expenses are paid.
Watch for news of our next fundraiser,
currently planned for April - an ice cream social. Unless you don’t like ice
cream -
Fellowship Committee Membership,
2005
The following have graciously consented to serve on Fellowship for the
coming 12 months: Mary Fulster, Gail
Morris, Nancy Rutherford, Lucy Van Andel, Linda van Loben Sels (after the Home
Tour!) and Adrienne Young. Thanks to all of you for saying “Yes” when I asked.
Shirley Hobart
Mark your calendars:
Palm Sunday Service 9:30 a.m., March 20 in the Sanctuary
Easter Sunrise Service 7 a.m.,
March 27 at Paul Barnes Community Park
Easter Brunch 11
a.m., March 27 in Koinonia Hall
Easter Service 9:30
a.m. in the Sanctuary
Children’s Breakfast 7: a.m., Tuesday mornings (following the
school calendar)
Choir Practice: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Westminster Woods Register for summer camp by Mar. 15 and
save $25
TNT Youth Fellowship 6:30 p.m.,
Tuesdays
Way Out Wednesday 7 p.m., Wednesdays
Youth
Fellowship Skating Party March 23 at 6 p.m.
Communion March 6, April 3, May 1 (every 1st Sunday
(open to all) of the month during 9:30 a.m. worship.)
Spaghetti Dinner 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., April 3 in Koinonia
Hall
Ice Cream Social 2 - 4 p.m., April 23 in Koinonia Hall
Monday
through Thursday from
8:30 a.m. to
1 p.m.