THE EPISTLE

Volume 15 Issue 4 APRIL 22, 2010

This is the season of Easter; what the churchhas called “The Great Fifty Days” ending withthe festival of Pentecost. It is a time of hopebecause we believe that God has had the lastword by raising Jesus from death to life.During these fifty days we will celebrateJesus’ ascension and conclude on the festivalof Pentecost with the giving of the gift of theHoly Spirit to the Church. It is a wonderfulseason. Thanks be to God for the great gift of new life in Christ!Still, in this season of hope we hear voicesof despair. Our political life is harsh withcharges, counter charges and recriminationsall around. There are raised voices and shoutsthat sometimes become hate speech. Lines aredrawn. Gauntlets are thrown down. Civiltongues are often silenced. Rigidity seems tobe the order of the day. We see this not only inthe political realm but also in the realm of faith. Radicals of all stripes seem to have themicrophone today and they want to make itperfectly clear that it is their way or thehighway. Frankly this troubles me and makesme sad. What especially troubles me are thoseChristians who seem to say that there is onlyway to be a Christian and it is their way.The Christian faith is not an “end sumgame” with winners and losers. The Godwho is revealed in Jesus Christ is not theGod of just those who confess Jesus Christas Lord and Savior, but the God who isCreator of all humanity, and who in Jesusseeks out one and all. In John’s gospel(10:14-16), Jesus says:

“I am the good shepherd. I know myown and my own know me, just as theFather knows me and I know the Father.And I lay down my life for the sheep. Ihave other sheep that do not belong tothis fold. I must bring them also, and theywill listen to my voice. So there will beone flock, one shepherd.

Yes, there are those who say that there isone way to be Christian; one way to bechurch. I would respectfully disagree.Sometimes it is hard to be a “MainlineProtestant Christian”. We are told that weare a dying breed and that what we have tosay and preach and teach is “out of fashion.”Yes, we no longer hold the levers of powerin the world, and perhaps that is a goodthing, but let us not spend our timewhimpering about how things are not whatthey used to be. We mainline folk have agreat tradition of faith which goes back tothe beginning of the undivided church andwhich is as relevant today as it has alwaysbeen. It is a faith which has shaped andformed countless millions of men andwomen down through the ages; a faith

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which takes seriously God’s call in Jesus to behis disciples in the world.This is a wondrous and great calling. Areyou up for it?Blessings,

John John John John

SUNDAY WORSHIP

SUNDAY WORSHIP DURING THEMONTH OF MAYMay 2: Fifth Sunday of Easter-TheSacrament of Holy Communion

Acts 11:1-18: God saves the GentilesPsalm 148: The splendor of the Lord is overearth and heavenRevelation 21:1-6: New heaven, new earthJohn 13:31-35: Love one another

“New Heaven; New Earth”May 9: Ascension Sunday

Acts 1:1-11: Jesus sends the apostlesPsalm 93: Ever since the world began, yourthrone has been establishedEphesians: 1:15-23: Seeing the risen andascended ChristLuke 24:44-53: Christ present in all times andplaces

“Where are you looking?”May 16: Seventh Sunday of Easter-AnnualMeeting Sunday

Acts 16:16-34: A jailer is baptizedPsalm 97: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteousRevelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21: Blessedare those who wash their robesJohn 17:20-26: Christ’s prayer for hisdisciples

“Unity and Diversity”May 23: Day of PentecostWear Red to Church!

Genesis 11:1-9: God destroys the tower of BabelPsalm 104:24-34, 35b: Send forth yourSpirit and renew the face of the earthAct 2:1-21: Filled with the SpiritJohn 14:8-17 (25-27): The Spirit of Truth

“God’s Family”May 30: The Holy Trinity—First Sundayafter Pentecost

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31: Wisdom rejoices inthe creationPsalm 8: Your glory is chanted above theheavensRomans 5:1-5: God’s love poured into ourheartsJohn 16:12-15: The Spirit will guide youinto the truth

“The Name of God”

WHAT’S COMING UP IN ADULTEDUCATIONSunday Mornings

May 2

–

TBD

May 9 – Organizations We Support

Come learn about the various organizationssupported by our church! A Board of Missions member will explain how wedecide who will receive our support in agiven year.

May 16

– Annual Meeting

No adult ed. classes today

May 23 – Joining Hearts & HandsFoundation in Africa

Bill and Joanne Cala will catch us up onthe wonderful outreach efforts their non-

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profit organization is currently working on inAfrica.These classes/events will be held duringChristian Education time in the Snow Roomfollowing the worship service.

NOTE: Sunday morning classes willbe suspended over the summer (May 30– Sept. 5). Classes will resume onSept. 12.

Wednesday Morning Bible StudyReturns

Join us on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the SnowRoom. We will study the Bible passagesslated for the following Sunday’s lesson.Pastor Cedarleaf will lead our discussion.

BOARDS AND COMMITTEESUPDATES

MORNING CIRCLE

Morning Circle will hold its May 11 meetingat Joyce Cowden’s home, at 10 AM. Sincethere is VERY LIMITED parking there andno on-street parking is permitted, we willgather in the church parking lot at 9:30 AMand depart by 9:40 AM in carpools.These cars will be parking in EileenSlocum’s driveway at 23 Gentian Way, with afive minute walk to Joyce’s. If you have anyquestions, or if you are unable to attend,please call Joyce at 223-0258.

MISSIONS CORNER

When we think of the term “Goodfellas”, weconjure up images of gangsters and mobsters asdepicted in the book by the same name. TheRochester version of Good Fellas, is hardlythat. Good Fellas is a brother organization toDetermined Divas, an organization we nowsupport that reaches out to inner city teenagegirls to discover alternatives to violent lifestyles.Good Fellas was recently formed for teenageboys so that they too will have an alternative tostreet violence. Pathways For Peace a City of Rochester funded program sponsors bothprograms and which is headed by counselor,Michael Brooks.Good Fellas meets every other Wednesday atthe Danforth Community Center. The sessionsare structured to provide workshops andactivities on everything from increased self-esteem: to job seeking skills and mentorships.The organization is relatively new and has manyhurdles starting up. Participants are constantlytold that first impressions count, especiallywhen they seek their first job. Unfortunately,many of these youth cannot afford the clothingrequired to make that first impression. DirectorMichael Brooks is hoping to establish a rack of clothes and shoes appropriate for young menthat would include dress shirts, dress slacks anddress shoes.Starting this coming Sunday, we will begin aclothing drive for Good Fellas specificallytargeted at providing the items mentionedabove. If you have any of these items that youwill no longer use, please bring them toFellowship Hall where we will establish aclothing center for Good Fellas. We willcontinue this drive through the end of June.We wish Good Fellas much success as theyundertake this important endeavor.