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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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| Weekly Happenings at SHPC | April 17, 2014 |
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Holy Thursday, Good Friday,
and the Celebration of Easter
Today is Holy Thursday, when we remember Jesus' Last Supper
with his disciples. We re-live this meal every time we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. Bless and break bread with someone you love today!
Tomorrow is Good Friday, a day of solidarity with all those who live in sorrow. Traditionally we put time aside from noon until 3 p.m. to remember Jesus on the cross. All are invited to a Service of the Seven Last Words of Christ, with scripture, music, and reflection Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Saturday is a day of waiting and preparation.
And then Sunday, Easter Sunday, sorrow is transformed into joy. He lives! All are welcome to a celebration of the resurrection, and an exploration of resurrection power in our own lives and in the world. Our text is John 20:1-18. The SHPC Singers and Children's Choir will sing!
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A Note From
When I was growing up in Virginia, children got bunnies and chicks for Easter, because along with eggs, the baby creatures were symbols of new life. Here in San Anselmo, even though chicken coops are popular, I haven't been hearing about Easter baskets of chicks. What are our signs of new life here today?
Here at church, I'm looking out the back windows to the green hills, the wee garden awaiting planting, and the stakes in the back yard marking the future home of our new Community Justice Garden.
Every Sunday we rejoice in celebrating the Living God, with folks of all ages growing spiritually and building community together. And then there's the children's choir! We rejoice in the SHPC Singers! We rejoice that God has blessed us with THREE composers in residence, Stephen Iverson, Hallie Foster, and Michael McCarty! We rejoice in the beauty created by the Flower Guild! And we rejoice that we are putting in a large bike rack, because we have so many folks biking to church on Sunday!
What a joy to be surrounded by so many signs of new life, and to see clearly that we are participating in the ongoing renewal of creation.
May your Easter be blessed, and may our church continue to be a blessing to the community and to the world,
Bev
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April and May Calendar
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Thursday, April 17
7:30 p.m. No Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 18
12:00 p.m. Good Friday - No Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Service of the Seven Last Words of Christ
with Stephen Iverson and Pastor Bev
Sunday, April 20
9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, From Tears to Joy!
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - Egg Hunt for kids
Thursday, April 24
7:30 p.m. Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 25
12:00 p.m. Bible Study Recess
Sunday, April 27
9:30 a.m. Be A Miracle, with
Guest Preacher Rachel Pence
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
4:00 p.m. Mexico Mission Mandatory Meeting:
Team Building
Sunday, May 4
9:30 a.m. All Church Work Day and Cinco de Mayo Feast
Children and Youth plant Wee Garden
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Sunday, May 11
9:30 a.m. Celebrating the Gifts of Women, with Pastor Bev
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Sunday, May 18
9:30 a.m. Guest preacher Rev. Jeff Cheifetz
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Sunday, May 25
9:30 a.m. Guest preacher Bentley Stewart
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
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Holy Week Bible Study
Bible Study will not meet on Good Friday April 18th, but all are invited to study the texts of the Seven Last Words of Christ, Luke 23:32-34, Luke 23:35-43, John 19:25b-27, John 19:28-29, Mark 15:33-37, Luke 23:44-46, John 19:30. Regular Bible Study, which meets at noon on Fridays, will take a recess on April 25th and will resume May 2nd.
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A Ressurected Lord is the key to Tough Relationships, Battles We Fight, and Change
I am writing you today from Los Angeles while I prepare to leave tomorrow for Toronto. It's always tough being on the road during Easter because, for me, I'm going to miss so many wonderful moments in Sunday's spectacular Church service (with all the gorgeous flowers), and a chance to join in celebrating and realizing the significance of our Lord's resurection from the dead..
I found myself asking this morning ... what is the "so what" of this unbelievable miracle? I believe the answer starts with how Christ's resurection affects us, changes us, and ultimately influences our character and conduct.
Our Lord's victory over death means God is "alive" today. Yes ... Alive (not dead). Jesus is Alive and active. Involved and consequential. Jesus is the catalyst to our becoming better and different as we face life's day to day challenges. We have the ability to make changes in both our character and conduct because of Jesus. In the scriptures 2 Corinthians 5:17 says. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. The old is passed away; behold all things have become new"." Isaiah 43:18 "Forget former things, do not dwell on the past". Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
I work in a highly explosive field - show business. One where egos are exaggerated. Creative discussions are vehement and hellacious. The pressure on artists by their Producers to excel and be brilliant is intense.
So in my case, I turn the the Lord each morning and ask that I remain steady, balanced and calm throughout the day, because I know a tidal wave of emotions is bottled up and could erupt at any time. I need extraordinary help to manage these situations and wound up personalities. An alive Christ is there to help me. A dead Christ would not be able to.
In your life ... what is your biggest challenge? That one thing that is bottled up and "bigger than you"? It could be a broken relationship, trouble at work, finances, an additction, your temper, low self esteem or a lack of hope. Through an "alive" Christ we have the power and opportunity to change things. Ask for God's direct help in your life.
Jesus is the person to resurrect a dead career, to resurect a wounded spirit, and guide you out of a wounded past. Whatever you are feeling, believe me you are not alone. We are a family here at the Church and here for each other. Reach out to Pastor Bev at any time to ask her for individual help, to ask how to plug into Christ's resurection power - and learn what its significance really means to you. Most importantly commit to making some new changes in your life - starting this Easter.
Pictured here is last year's Easter service. I was with you then. This year I will be far away in Canada - but have no pity. God is with me. and has allowed me to make many changes in my life this past year. My dream of making Musicals is now happening. My personal life has been jump started in a terrific way. And it is due to an understanding that Christ is alive and there for me too. I did plug in. I committed to changes. I hope you will too.
I'm not what I want to be yet ... but thank God I'm not what I used to be.
Happy Easter ... from Toronto.
Paul
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Good Friday Service
Friday April 18th, 7:00 p.m.
Our Good Friday service commemorates the seven last words of Christ, with scripture, chants, hymns, prayer, and reflection. Come and bring your deepest sorrows, and the sorrows of the world, and lay them at the foot of the cross.
--Stephen Iverson and Pastor Bev.
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Easter Flower Remembrances
Do you have a special person you would like remembered this Easter season? If so, you may donate a lily or other plant in their honor for Easter Sunday service. Plants can be dropped off at church Friday morning before noon, or Saturday morning before 11 a.m.
Special thanks from the Flower Guild
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Garage Sale Fundraiser for Owen Hamilton's Mexico Mission Trip
Saturday, April 19th, 9 a.m. to Noon
Owen Hamilton is holding a garage sale on Saturday April 19th from 9:00 a.m. to noon to raise funds for his trip to Mexico to build a home for a needy family. Please support his efforts. The garage sale will take place at 18 Grove Lane near downtown San Anselmo. Some of the many items he'll be selling are: Vintage pottery (Roseville, Hull), antique dresser, kids toys, housewares, baseball cards, espresso maker, and antique lamps. Come check out the sale items or ask how you can purchase a nail that will be used for the building of the home. Your goodwill will travel with us because your name will be attached to the nail. Thanks in advance for your support!
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The Stranger is on You Tube
If you missed the debut production of The Stranger on April 6th, you can now watch it on You Tube by clicking here. With an original score and lyrics by Hallie Foster, and an original script by Cathy Sarkisian, this musical charted new territory for the SHPC Singers. The story centers around the interactions of three members of a family, played by Scott, Sharon, and Nate Hamilton, with a stranger, played by Wil Swalberg. The musical alternated between spoken scenes by the lead actors, and songs, presented by the SHPC singers in the model of a Greek chorus. Thanks again to everyone who made this musical possible.
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Equal Exchange Chocolates
Thank you to all who purchased Equal Exchange fair trade chocolate last Sunday April 13th. The new Dark Chocolate with Raspberries bar continues to be the new favorite. We sold out of the Dark Chocolate Easter Egg gift boxes! This chocolate is crafted using only the purest ingredients, grown with care by small farmers such as Julia Aspajo Ramirez of Acopagro Co-op Peru. Thank you for supporting these small farmers!
Patty Sanders
Hunger Action Enabler
Presbytery of the Redwoods
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Pedal for Protein
September 20 to 25, 2014
Come ride with the Hunger Task Force on September 20 to 25, 2014. Tour the beautiful Northern California Coastline, from
Orick to Sausalito, 360 miles over 6 days, or chose a 1 or 2 day ride.
Your participation will help food pantries along the northern coast of California stock up on protein rich foods like peanut butter, canned tuna, chicken and milk and provide them to families, seniors and children. The tour cost
for the full week tour is $200 for registration plus a $500 minimum in fundraising. A one day tour is $50 for registration plus a $100 minimum in fund raising. All funds raised will be donated through local food banks. For more information or to register, click here. If you have additional questions, please contact me at 515-6127.
Patty Sanders
Pedal for Protein Ride Director
Hunger Task Force
Presbytery of the Redwoods
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Please Remember In Your Prayers
Jan Ardell's daughter, Jeannie, for healing of her broken wrist and complete restoration of the use of her arm;
The Schmetz family, mourning the loss of Karl's father, Frank, who died on March 24th;
The family of Paul Kreider, who died on March 22nd;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for healing, and Nancy, for strength in companioning her;
Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing;
Gregg Elberg, recovering from surgery, and mourning the loss of his mother;
Clyde Ongaro, for healing;
All those traveling for Spring Break;
The joy of resurrection living for all people.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960
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E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
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