From Pastor Richard’s Desk March 2011
Ash Wednesday
What do ashes have to do with Ash Wednesday? With Ash Wednesday fast coming upon us on March 9th, that’s not a bad question to ask. Quite simply, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent that leads up to Easter. It inaugurates a spiritual journey that prepares our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.
At one in the same time, the ashes are a reference to the ashes from which we came and to which we will return. They also serve as a reminder of our sins. Sin properly understood is not an old fashion way of humbly us by beating ourselves up with ever personal shortcoming. Sin is reflection of our relationship with the Lord of our lives.
Let me explain. One of the more helpful ways of understanding sin is anything that separates us from God. It’s as powerful a definition as it is simple. Brothers and sisters, what better place to begin a journey to the cross than with an understanding of the sin to which Christ’s sacrifice responds?
As we gather around the tables in the Charter Room the evening of Ash Wednesday we’ll do so mindful of the life into which we have been ushered owing to the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a privilege it is to be the objects of God’s loving grace and affection.
Join us on the evening of Ash Wednesday and let us start our journey to the cross of Christ together.
Grace and peace to you all,
Lenten Benevolence Program
Our Lenten benevolence will support Heifer International's "Fill the Ark" program. Ark banks and giving calendars are available on the Narthex table. Heifer International helps struggling families become self-reliant by providing food and income producing animals. Every family who receives livestock agrees to pass on one or more of its animal's offspring to a neighbor in need. Heifer puts faith into action with the time-tested principle of "passing on the gift." Please return the Ark on Easter and hopefully we will be able to gift several animals this spring.
ASH WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPER
Our traditional Communion Soup Supper will be held on Wednesday, March 9. Starting at 7pm, we will have a short communion service in the Charter Room at the tables, followed by a simple meal of homemade Vegetable Beef Soup, Assorted Rolls & Breads, Dessert and Coffee, Tea & Milk.
The evening should end around 8:30pm. There is no charge for the supper, but it would be helpful to us to know if you are planning to come so we can plan effectively.
We invite you to join with those who have found the soup supper to be a simple yet meaningful and enjoyable evening.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Pastor Richard would like to conduct a Lenten Bible Study one night a week through Lent beginning March 16th. Speak to him if you are interested.
SAVE THE DATE For Vacation Bible School:
Pandamania kicks off this August 22- August 28th. This summer, connect kids to God and watch them grow stronger in their faith as the discover God Is WILD about them!
We are still in the process of finalizing times for our summer school. This year we are looking at a late afternoon, early evening course. Anyone interested in volunteering for decorating, crew leaders, teacher etc should contact me at
hohokushowells@optonline.net.
Donna Howell
Music Ministry
Dear Ho-Ho-Kus Church Family:
I can't believe it's that time again. Ash Wednesday is coming up very soon on March 9th and the Lenten season will begin. I am also very happy to see the grass in my back yard and no snow storms on the horizon. The Senior Choir will sing selections from a new cantata – “The Risen Christ” throughout Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday of this year. The selections include well known Lenten and Easter hymns that the congregation can sing along with organ accompaniment. “The Risen Christ” is composed and arranged by Jonathan Willcocks, a well known English composer. It is patterned after the powerful, moving and traditional Christmas Lessons and Carols made famous at King's College in England. We hope to present "The Risen Christ" next year as part of our concert series.
The Senior Choir is actively recruiting people to join the choir from our congregation and from the outside. If you want to join in our worship services and express your love for God through song, please speak with me and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. I am still offering ear training and sight singing for those who would like to build their vocal and musical skills up. If you are interested in this program, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule 30 minute sessions from 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Wednesdays. People from the community at large, outside our church are also welcome. Singing in the Senior Choir is not only spiritually fulfilling but lots of fun as well. The focus is on contributing your voice to the music worship experience for the congregation and enjoying the fellowship that we share during rehearsals. Singing with our choir is easy - if you make a mistake, it's O.K. I love helping all of our choir members and am more than happy to go over the music as many times as needed.
Please take some of our flyers that you will find on the Narthex table and distribute them to friends, family, neighbors and anyone else that you think might enjoy singing in our church. If you have a bulletin board at work or you know of a local library, supermarket, or convenience store that would welcome our notices, please post them.
Thanks for your support, and see you in Church!
March Calendar
2
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
Senior Choir Rehearsal
6
10:00 AM
Worship; Communion
9
8:00 PM
Senior Choir Rehearsal
10
7:30 PM
Consistory Meeting
12
7:15 PM
Congregational Meal
13
10:00 AM
Worship
16
7:00 pm
8:00 PM
Lenten Bible Study
Senior Choir Rehearsal
20
10:00 AM
Worship
23
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Lenten Bible Study
Senior Choir Rehearsal
27
10:00 AM
Worship
30
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Lenten Bible Study
Senior Choir Rehearsal
April Calendar
17
10:00 AM
Palm Sunday Worship
21
8:00 PM
Maundy Thursday Service
22
8:00 PM
Tenebrae Service
24
10:00 AM
Easter Sunday Worship
EASTER FLOWERS 2011
Please complete the form below and return it to
me, the church office, or place it in the offering
plate by Sunday, April 17th. Checks should be made
payable to the Community Church Flower Fund in
the amount of $10. for each plant.
Barbara Wahlberg
130 Ross Pl.
HHK
652-7786
I/We would like to order an Easter plant(s) to be designated as follows:
In Memory/Honor of:___________________________________.
From:______________________________________________.
*********************************************************************
SANCTUARY FLOWERS 2011
Please return the completed forms to: Barbara Wahlberg,130 Ross Place, HHK, NJ 07432 (201) 652-7786 or the church office, or place it in the offering plate. - Checks should be made payable to the Ho-Ho-Kus Community Church Flower Fund for $30. per Sunday
Please circle the date you desire:
MAR.13 JULY 3, 10, 17, 26, 31 OCT. 9, 16, 23
APR 10, 17 AUG. 7, 14 NOV. 6, 13, 20, 27
JUNE 12 SEPT. 4, 11, 18 DEC. 4
In Honor of/In Memory of/In Recognition of: .
From: Phone:________________
NEWS AROUND THE CONGREGATION
It has been an exciting month for Richard Saunders…he was accepted at George Washington Medical School and became engaged to Katie Hylas. Congratulations to them and the Saunders family!
We extend our sympathy to Linda Eiman and family in the passing of her mother Jewell Straffi.
Janice Ott is home after a brief stay at Valley Hospital.
Russ Jordan is in Valley Hospital.
Many thanks to George (and Carol) Dakes for their donation of chili for Super Bowl and to all who purchased it! Together we raised $430.00!
Elizabeth Shell’s mother is coping with a broken femur (leg).
March Birthdays
Bob Earl 1 Jamie Baker 17
Ken Saunders 2 Michael Dunnegan 19
Shane Daly 3 Liz Albes 19
Michael DiPiazza 6 David Thomas 20
Carlton Frost 9 Debbie Busch 21
Pat Hamernick 9 Lynda Byer 26
Rebecca Cairns 9 Talia Carter 26
Christopher Hewitt 9 Louise Stewart 26
Penn Frost 10 Anthony Leonardis 28
Brenna Janjigian 28
PJ Dakes 31
and Anniversarys
Richard & Carol Bierwas 12
Clifford & Silvia Bone 25
Jeff & Lynda Christensen 26
PLAY BALL!
Last year we had such a great time, that this year we are planning two trips to see the NJ Jackals – So……grab your family for a fun afternoon of NJ Jackals baseball.
Join us for a 2:05 game on Sunday, June 12th, as we help celebrate Children’s Day and Sunday July 24th, at the Little Falls stadium....all tickets are $5.00. They'll be some great fun going on those afternoons, so don't miss out!
More info will be coming in the next few weeks.
Rick Kennedy, Elder/VP
Spiritual and Family Life