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FRIENDLY MESSENGER
March 2008This Month's Contents:
One of the many gifts of this community is our gift of hospitality. We are, after all, “the welcome place,” and even have added into our new purpose statement that “we are a place of welcome.” I believe that hospitality is one of the key elements of what it means to be a Christian Community. We are called to be a place of welcome, to receive with open hearts and arms all those who God sends into our midst. This spirit of hospitality is a gift of this community, made known in our kindness, generosity and graciousness. |
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St. Peter’s Church Council met on Monday evening, February 11th. We opened with Psalm 121 read by Pia. This was a good reminder that God is always watching over us and caring for us. We were all saddened as Pastor Sara announced the passing of Walter Hoffman. Our thoughts and prayers are with Orvie in this difficult time.
Pastor Sara told us in her report of the “Institute for Congregational Ministry” that she attended where she learned that St. Peter’s situation is by no means unique. There are many congregations who are also in a period of struggle to find what they are about in these changing times. It seems that the churches that are growing are the ones that are looking outward, not inward, that are heeding God’s call to exist not for their own sake, but for the sake of the world. We are all challenged to be about discovering ways that we can implement this call using the unique gifts of our members in our particular situation.
Irene and Bill reported our financial situation. We made it through January without dipping into our reserves. February looks like it will be tight, however, so let’s all keep this in mind as we continue our offerings in the coming month.
Leigh reported that the fire department has notified us that we are not up to code. We will need a telephone and alarm system in the basement in order to meet requirements. This is an estimated cost of $2,000, with a possible additional $200 a year maintenance fee.
It was decided to keep the fellowship hall thermostat set at 55 degrees when the hall is unoccupied and 68 degrees when occupied. It is requested that only those authorized to set it, do so. Signs will be posted in this regard.
Social Ministry Committee will hold a meeting after church to brainstorm new ideas for activities. Anyone interested is welcome to join.
The request for use of the building by Inglesia Wesleyana de Plainfield, Haydee Tolentino, Pastor, was discussed and the request approved. The congregation will be using the building on Saturday evenings from 6:30 - 9:30, and on Sunday evenings from 5:30 - 8:30, and on Friday evenings to rehearse for worship. They will pay a monthly building fee of $450, which will cover the additional costs for our utilities and normal building wear and tear. The council approved their building request as an opportunity to partner in ministry with other Christians, and to express hospitality to others in our community. It is the council’s hope that we will be able to work together with this congregation, learn from them, and perhaps find opportunities to fellowship and worship together periodically throughout the year. The council will be glad to hear your questions, concerns and hopes for this new mission partner. The committee of Pastor Sara, Pat Klatt and Bill Shebey will make the final arrangements. We are fortunate to have Bill’s legal expertise to see that the contract is in order.
The parking situation was discussed. It was requested that persons from the congregation not leave a lot of space between cars on Sunday, so that more cars can fit.
Lastly, Pastor Sara and Joan Hassard reported on the Discipleship Academy on church renewal that they attended. It was very inspirational. The council was given the “assignment” for the coming month to listen and pray about what God is calling us to do in this congregation. We were encouraged to “dream big.” We will discuss this at our next meeting.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.
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| 9:00 AM | - | Palm Sunday Breakfast |
| 10:15 AM | - | Procession With Palms |
| 10:30 AM | - | Communion Service |
Maundy Thursday, March 20th
| 7:30 PM | - | “In Remembrance” Table Communion Service |
Good Friday, March 21st
| 7:30 PM | - | “Procession of the Cross” Service |
We will be joined by our friends from
Trinity Reformed Church and
Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
Easter Sunday, March 23rd
| 10:30 AM | - | Communion Service |
We are also grieving the death of Mary Ster, mother of Mary Ann Schwarz, our Director of Music. Our prayers are with Mary Ann and her family, as well, as we place our trust in the hope of Christ's resurrection.
God works in amazing ways through the generous and humble service of faithful people. In our newsletter each month we are going to share gratitude for the people who have done so much for our congregation in the past month. The purpose of this is for us to give praise to God for the many gifts and generous work of our community. If there is something or someone you want to thank and give praise to God for, please let the office know and we can include them here...
We thank God for:
Pat Shebey and our Altar Guild, Tony, Diane and Dominique Pasquarello, and Girl Scout Troop #654 for making our worship space so lovely during Christmas,
Mary Ann Schwarz and our Choir for all their special Christmas music,
Odessa Lemley for preparing all the great food for our Annual meeting,
Leigh Rink, Ken Troy, Tony Pasquarello and LMM for keeping our building warm, well-lit and comfortable,
Irene Plitz, Bill Shebey and Oretha Duo-Covin for the financial preparations for the Annual Meeting,
Chris Zehrfuhs, Olga Bruce and Gary Johnson for their service on Council,
Tom Johnston for his work on our audit,
Pat Shebey and WELCA for preparing and hosting our Lenten Soup Fellowship,
Lynn and Walter Blenderman for their work on our Website,
Ev Troy, Odessa Lemley, Barbara Shebey and LMM for hosting Mary Thorburn’s Memorial Service Luncheon.
We give thanks to God for you, and for your willingness to share your many gifts!
In June, 2007, our women delivered an additional 85 quilts to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. Thankoffering Sunday is held in November. 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!
Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Each month, the men collect and deliver many bags of food to the local FISH program. 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!
The success I witnessed at EPES illustrates that dialogue which respects and listens to all voices, has the possibility of inspiring great and lasting social improvements. The community health promoters often told me that, before EPES, they felt worthless, but when they began participating in the events at EPES it gave them a reason to get up in the morning. The women who work with EPES were some of the most inspired people I have ever met.
Meghan Chapman, EPES Intern, Marlboro College, Vermont
St. Peter’s support of $20 weekly, which is given by our members in memory or in honor of a loved one, or to remember a special occasion, helps us keep our yearly pledge of $1,040, which goes directly to EPES in Santiago, Chile. Sign up on the chart in the office hallway, and pleae use an envelope clearly marked EPES Mission Support.
Thank you St. Peter's, for supporting this important and sorely needed mission.
Evelyn Troy, C.M.I.
Please continue to be a part of this picture by giving generously to our church’s World Hunger Appeal.
Gifts can be given through St. Peter’s, or sent directly to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.
One simple way to read these texts is to ask yourself the following questions:
1. What does this piece of scripture tell me about God?
2. What is God up to in this text?
3. What does this text call me (or us) to do or to be?
These are some of the questions I pray and ponder as I prepare for my sermons each week, and perhaps as you begin to ask them with me. We can grow in deeper conversation and connection with God and God's mission in the world. And you might even have a deeper experience of worship on Sunday morning.
Week before March 2, Fourth Sunday in Lent:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23 (5)
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
Week before March 9th, Fifth Sunday in Lent:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130 (5)
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
Week before March 16th, Passion/Palm Sunday:
Matthew 21:1-11 (Procession with Palms)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16 (5)
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Maundy Thursday, March 20th:
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (13)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday, March 21st:
Isaiah 52:13 53:12
Psalm 22 (1)
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
Easter Sunday, March 23rd::
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (24)
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10
Week before March 30th, Second Sunday of Easter:
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16 (11)
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
Some spoke about out-of-the-ordinary experiences when they or a loved one were in imminent danger. When all were safe again, they felt that surely God was with them and had brought them through.
But I said, the question was not “when did you feel the presence of the living God?”, but “when did you know you were in the presence of the Living God?” We discussed whether or not this was the same thing. I say no, it’s not.
I said, I know I am in the presence of God when I take Communion. Here Jesus gives himself to me in the bread and the wine. He comes to dwell in me. I know this happens every time. But, sad to say, I must admit I don't always feel it. When I am preoccupied with some problem or when I let my mind wander to the events of my busy days or when I’m caught up in the throes of some other feeling, I don“t always feel the presence. But I know it is there, none-the-less.
Feeling the presence of God is our human response. Knowing that God is present is our gift of grace from God. It is our faith. It is precisely when we don’t feel God with us that we need to rely on our God-given faith. The lives of the many saints of past and present include times when they passed through what is known as “the dark night of the soul,” times when they could not feel God present with them but none-the-less clung to their faith. They did not feel, but they knew.
These are agonizing times, to feel the absence of God, but they are part of being human. Even Jesus in his humanity experienced this feeling - “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Even so, his divinity knew he could not be separated from his father - “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”
As I pondered all this I thought, “How can I learn from this, and how can I apply it to my everyday life? What can I do as my Lenten practice this year to get me started in the right direction? Here’s what i came up with:
First, (because it makes all the rest possible) Jesus promised that he and the father and the Spirit will dwell in us and remain in us when we remain in him. (see John, chapters 14 and 15.) We have divinity in us - so we are always in the presence of God. The problem, as I see it, is that we aren’t always in touch with this Divine Inhabitant of our inner being. Jesus wants to change us, to make us more and more like him, to share with us his relationship with the Father - and we are too often preoccupied with “the things of this world” to pay him much attention. It’s like we are a well, and deep within is the Water of Life. But the well is full of debris - dried leaves, dead tree limbs, even a few discarded toys and old galoshes. We need to get rid of some of this junk so we can draw this life-giving water and drink deeply of it.
What is down your well? What’s keeping you from drinking this wonderful Water of Life, from realizing more fully and really feeling the presence of God? I’ve already identified some of my “debris.” And that’s what I’m going to “fast” from this Lent - or try to, at least. I’m aiming for less time on the internet and computer games, less TV, definitely less catalog shopping, and more spiritual reading, and seeking out opportunities to show God’s love to others. Come to think of it, there really isn’t anything different here than I’ve tried a number of times before. Do I think I’ll be more successful this year? Only if I realize that for the “I” alone, this is impossible. But when I join the “I” to the great “I am” within me, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Yours in Christ,
Linda Nietman
