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FRIENDLY MESSENGER
March 2004This Month's Contents:
"You are dust, and to dust you shall return." With these words the Season of Lent will begin on ASH WEDNESDAY, February 25. Join us that evening at 7:30 for our SERVICE OF PENITENCE AND COMMUNION. |
| March 3 | - | "UNDERSTANDING ISLAM" |
| March 10 | - | "THE FACES OF POVERTY IN NEW JERSEY" |
| March 17 | - | "THE DISAPPEARING 20-SOMETHINGS" |
| March 24 | - | "THE ELCA IN CHILE" |
| March 31 | - | a portion of the dramatic film "JESUS OF NAZARETH" |
As I have read, "The ashes on our faces confront us with...our inevitable return to the dust from which we have come." Indeed, it is with sadness that this newsletter reports the death of all too many loved ones from our church family. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..."
But remember, too, the rest of the words, which complete that familiar phrase from our Service for the Burial of the Dead - "in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life!"
Yet the Lenten call " to return" is also found on the lips of the prophet - "Return to the Lord your God with all your heart!" We call it repentance; being so sorry for our sins that we really mean to return to God's way and God's will in our lives!
Therefore, our "return to dust," our being marked on our foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross, signifies that, because of God's forgiveness of us through Jesus Christ, we can "die to sin, and rise to newness of life."
Again, the words of the prophet make us think! "Change your hearts, not your clothes!"
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The January 12th meeting was opened with devotions called "Seeking Light."
Pastor's report was filled with many thanks for all the extra efforts that were done at Christmas. The Annual Meeting will be held January 25th at 11:30 AM, following the Church Service.
Pastor presented the Annual Council Resolutions. These were adopted and will be printed and presented at the Annual Meeting.
The Financial Secretary said all bills were up to date. Thanks to the membership for being so very generous at Christmas.
Walter Blenderman presented the 2004 proposed budget. With some discussion, this was accepted by Council and is to be presented at our Annual Meeting.
After hearing Committee Reports and having no further business, the meeting was adjourned with The Lord's Prayer.
In Christ's Service,
Orvie Hoffman
The February meeting was opened with devotions from Matthew 17:4.
The Season of Lent begins with our Ash Wednesday Service of Penitence and Communion on February 25th. On the five Wednesdays of Lent we will have the opportunity to view a variety of videos.
Our Self-Denial Quarter Folders will be mailed out very soon.
Having new members on Council, all the individual standing committee responsibilities were reviewed.
The Property Committee was very busy replacing light bulbs in the church.
Under New Business, the donation of a vacuum cleaner to the church for small cleanups around the church was approved.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.
In Christ's Service,
Orvie Hoffman
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After the meeting, the Congregation Council elected the following officers for 2003: Vice-President, Orvie Hoffman; Secretary, Irene Plitz; Financial Secretary, Pat Johnston; Treasurer, Dorothea Sundvall.
Our committee assignments for the year are as follows:
Christian Education - Diane Pasquarello
Worship and Music - Pat and Bill Shebey
Evangelism - Judy Jacobs
Social Ministry - Olga Bruce, Barbara Shebey
Stewardship - Dorothea Sundvall
Finance - Walter Blenderman
Property - Rob Lavelle, Art Klatt
And also by the death of Elsie Korany, mother of our Parish Secretary, Gail Konopada.
We have received word as well that our member, Catherine Bowers, who has lived in Pennsylvania for many years, has died.
"If we have been united with Christ in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like His!"
Dates to Member:
March 5 - Church Women United World Day of Prayer - Covenant United Methodist Church, Front Street, Plainfield
March 6 - Prayer Breakfast at St. Peter's, 9:00 AM, Linda Nietman will serve as Worship Leader.
March 28 - Blanket Sunday - donate a clean blanket or $5 for the purchase of a new one.
World Day of Prayer (WDP) is an international event that unites Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christian women and men in 179 countries in prayer. Throughout the day, from the first sunrise to the last sunset, our prayers follow the sun's path around the globe. Spoken in hundreds of languages and dialects, WDP strives to bring "informed prayer and prayerful action" to our communities.
Christian women from Panama invite us to become better informed about their country, its history and its needs. Through the WDP service, "In Faith, Women Shape the Future," they share their faith with us. Panama has conducted World Day of Prayer uninterrupted for fifty years.
The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Kelly Fryer, author of "Reclaiming the L Word, Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core."
See Pastor for workshop information, directions to the school, and registration forms. The cost is $10 with and option of a $5 lunch. Registrations must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 10th.
But with the best leaders
When the work is done,
The task accomplished,
The people will say,
"We have done this ourselves."
This inspiring quote was made by Lao Tsu, China - 700 B.C.
How true this statement applies to the work of EPES, helping and loving and teaching local people of our time in Santiago and Conception, Chile and now Resistencia, Argentina. God's work is never done and thanks to St. Peter's Congregation for their support. St. Peter's received a lovely note of thanks from Rosario Castillo, Executive Director of the E.P.E.S. in Santiago, for our support. This note is posted on the Mission Bulletin Board.
There are many Sundays available on the Mission Chart for sponsorship.
In Christ's Service,
Evelyn Troy
Congregational Mission Interpreter
