Friendly Messenger April 2004
Friendly Messenger April 2004
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FRIENDLY MESSENGER

April 2004


This Month's Contents:

  • Pastor's Points
  • Congregational Council Highlights
  • Parish Happenings

    PASTOR'S POINTS

    There's an old joke: "She was only a farmer's daughter, but all the horsemen knew her!" Repeat this line quickly and you'll get the obvious play on words.

    Recently, on a Sunday morning, Jesus told us the Parable of the Fig Tree which wouldn't bear fruit and deserved to be cut down. But the gardener said, "Let it alone, until I dig around it and put manure on it."

    What good news for sinners! Maybe Mary Magdalene wasn't so wrong when she came to the tomb on Easter morn supposing the Risen Christ to be "the gardener!"

    Surely Jesus will be "digging around" our faith and response all during HOLY WEEK and EASTER:

    PALM/PASSION SUNDAY, April 5

     8:30 AM-"New Songs" Service
     9:00 AM-Palm Sunday Breakfast
    10:15 AM-"Processional Service with Palms" (in Narthex)
    10:30 AM-Service of Holy Communion

    MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 8
     7:30 PM-"In Remembrance Table Communion Service"

    GOOD FRIDAY, April 9
     7:30 PM-"Good Friday Liturgy"

    (We join our friends to worship at Holy Cross Episcopal Church)

    EASTER SUNDAY, April 11th
     9:00 AM-Communion Service
     10:30 AM-Communion Service

    (There will be no "New Songs" Service on Easter Sunday)

    There's another old joke: "I wouldn't want to belong to any group that would have somebody like me for a member!"

    But is there a better definition for the church? The place that welcomes even you and me!


    CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

    The March meeting was opened with devotions from Exodus 15:20. It told the story of Miriam dancing and playing the tambourine to express her happiness.

    We will be receiving three new members on March 14th. They are Barbara Hodge, Joy Maye and Meg Stoyle Corby. We won't have tambourines, but will be very happy to have them.

    Holy Week is approaching and our Palm Sunday Breakfast will take place at 9:00 that morning. Also, on Maundy Thursday our "In Remembrance" Table Communion Service will be at 7:30 PM. On Good Friday we will be worshipping with Holy Cross Episcopal Church in their sanctuary at 7:30 PM.

    While we will be at Holy Cross, the Hispanic Church which meets there will be using our church from 5:30 - 9:30 PM.

    The conference on Congregational Ministries will be held March 20th, at Steinert High School in Hamilton Township. The theme in "Grow the Church."

    Pastor Anderson has been busy as he hosted the pastors of the community and greeted the new pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Dave Taylor. He was also working with the Synod to update the Audio/Visual Library and beginning to prepare a new catalog. He will attend Ministerium Day on march 15th, at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Ewing Township.

    Our energetic Evangelism Chairperson, Judy Jacobs, is in the process of getting an ad in the newspaper for Easter, as well as printing Palm/Passion Sunday as a Friendship Sunday. "Ignite to Invite." Also, the Spring Fling will be held on May 1st this year.

    The Property Committee will install smoke alarms in the Sunday School rooms as suggested by the Fire Department.

    Having heard all committee reports, and with no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.

    In Christ's Service,
    Orvie Hoffman


    PARISH HAPPENINGS

    Welcome New Members

    What a great day it was! On Sunday, march 14th, with enormous pleasure we welcomed three new friends into the fellowship of our congregation. Joining us are Barbara Hodge, Joy Maye, and Meg Stoyle Corby. Folks, it is so good to have you here at St. Peter's!

    Palm Sunday Breakfast

    On Palm Sunday, April 13th, we are all invited to come to church for breakfast at 9 a.m. A Processional Service will follow at 10:15 a.m. as we enter church on what is also known as Passion Sunday. Come and begin Holy Week together. WEAR RED!

    Palm Sunday will also be a "Friendship Sunday." "IGNITE TO INVITE." Invite someone to join you for Breakfast and Worship. You could invite a relative (spouse, sons, daughters, or grandchildren, etc.), a friend (members invite other members), a neighbor, or a coworker who has no other church home. If you don't have anyone to invite, bring yourself! "IGNITE TO INVITE" every Sunday to St. Peter's - "The Welcome Place."

    "New Songs" Service

    Each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. we offer an alternative worship experience. This style is informal, the length is only half an hour. The Lord's Supper is celebrated every week. Attendance is growing. Join us if you are looking for something different, or if you are unable to worship at the later hour or, as some do, if you would just like to spend the whole morning here at church. "Come and see."

    Varied Video Viewing

    Our Lenten Midweek Study Series continues each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. through March 31st. Viewings of, "The ELCA in Chile," as well as a portion of the dramatic film, "Jesus of Nazareth," remain before us. Join your friends in our "Narthex Theater."

    Adult Forum

    Christian Education is available for all adults! Every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Nursery Room, Pat Johnston leads a study and discussion on the scripture lessons to be read in church that day. Join the class! Join your friends! If you are here for the early "New Songs" Service, or if you are bringing your children to Sunday School, stay; Christian Education is for you, too! Folks, be part of the experience!

    95ERS Softball

    How many activities can remain going on for as long as 30 years? Well, such is the case of our Sports' Ministry program of Inter Church Softball, which this Spring enters its 30th season!

    So, be a 95ER during this very special Anniversary Year. We would love to have a full team of nine or even more players each week. Remember, fun and fellowship is what our league is all about. Great athletic ability is not necessary, after all, Pastor Anderson plays! Men, women, and teenagers are welcome to join the team. Let's make a good showing, as a team from Holy Cross Episcopal Church, as well as participants from Christ Lutheran Church in Union and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elizabeth join us on the field. Become a 95ER in 2004. Sign up to play on the Display Area in th Narthex. Fans and cheerleaders are really needed, too!

    Our season begins on Thursday, April 29th, and will continue on each Thursday through the end of June. We will play on West End School fields, Greenbrook Road and West End Avenue. Game time will be 6:45 p.m., with warm ups at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to terrific season.

    Women of the ELCA

    The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) invite all women to participate in their many activities. Meetings with a specific theme or activity are usually held at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Our Katie's Quilters usually meet twice a month on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 and a Friday evening at 7:30. last summer our women delivered 170 quilts and 13 health kits to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. They assisted our Lutheran Men in Mission at our Annual Dinner Theater on November 22nd. Thankoffering Sunday was held on November 9th. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As you can see, our women are very active. To find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America look forward to welcoming you!

    WELA is planning a Dinner Theater Trip on Sunday, June 13th to see "Everybody Loves Opal" at 2 p.m., at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. The cost is $48.50 per ticket, and there are four meal selections. Make checks payable to Pat Shebey by Sunday, May 2nd. Sign up on the WELCA bulletin board entering Fellowship Hall to attend and make your meal selection. We will carpool from the church at approximately 1 p.m. on June 13th.

    Lutheran Men in Mission

    Our Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7;30 PM at the Church. All men of the church, young and senior alike, are welcome and encouraged to attend. We need you! If you need a ride, please see or call Ken Troy. LMM sponsored our Annual Picnic, a spring fishing trip, a spring bus trip to the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Mother's Day refreshments and carnations. They organized and cooked for our Annual Dinner Theater which took place on November 22nd. Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As with the Women's Group, to find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Lutheran Men in Mission look forward to welcoming you!

    LMM is sponsoring a trip to see our own Steve Wilson in the "Philadelphia Story" in Philadelphia on April 24th. Tickets are sold out, but they are starting a "wait list." See Art Klatt if interested.

    Ministry to Persons Without Homes

    We have recently welcomed our guests for another week of this most important ministry. Shelter, food, compassion and hope have once again been provided for people in desperate need. Many thanks to all our volunteer supporters. This is surely church being church! Our next week of service begins on May 9th. Watch for opportunities to serve.

    Spring Fling

    Mark your calendars right way for Saturday, May 1st, from 1-3 p.m., in our Fellowship Hall. Well known folk singer, Linda Russell, will entertain with songs from colonial and other olden times, And of course, there will also be singing, games, jokes and prizes. Senior citizens are our special guests, but all are invited. So some, and bring a friend or a neighbor.

    Our refreshment table is always one of the Spring Fling's main attractions. Donations of homemade finger food goodies would be appreciated. These may be brought that day or the day before. If you can help out in any way, please talk to Barbara Shebey. Thanks!


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    Last modified 3/24/2004