Soup, Sandwich and the Holy Spirit
By the time you read this, the songs of Easter morning will have faded, Easter eggs are now egg salad and Easter ham is transformed into soup and sandwiches. I find, as I get older, that I enjoy the days after big celebrations as much or more than the events themselves. Big celebrations often demand a lot of time and energy and in our busyness we can miss the blessings they offer us. When the clean-up is done and there’s a bit less Tupperware in the fridge, there’s time to reflect more deeply on the joys of the day. The time between the big event and the day the decorations come down, is an opportunity to think about the conversations we had, the walks we took, the people who were with us and those who were not with us.
Eastertide is the period of fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. During these Sundays we continue to reflect on the joy and mystery of Easter. We recall Jesus’ visits with his disciples after his death and dig back in the gospels to think about them from an after Easter point of view. The lilies, tulips and daffodils of Easter morning have been taken away but the joy they brought is still present. We should all take some time during this season of Easter to savor the echoes of the music, the strength we find in our congregation and the amazing grace that we receive from God. Christ is risen, he is risen indeed. Think about that as you enjoy that last bowl of split pea and ham.
Jim
Worship in May
May 1 (Second Sunday of Easter)
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Sermon: “ Living Proof”
Thomas needs to see Jesus wounds before he can believe, for those of us who live long after these events we can understand his doubt.
May 8 (Third Sunday of Easter)
Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
Sermon: “Table Grace”
A familiar stranger dines with two of Jesus disciples after his death. When the stranger breaks the bread and says a prayer they realize who is dining with them. How can we come to see Jesus in the bread of communion?
May 15 (Fourth Sunday of Easter)
Scripture: John 10:1-10
Sermon: The Gatekeeper
Jesus refers to himself as the gatekeeper of the sheepfold and assures the audience that no one will enter the fold until they pass by Him
May 22 (Fifth Sunday of Easter)
Guest Preacher: Paul Terpstra
Pastor Coyl will be in Chicago for his ordination
May 29 (Sixth Sunday of Easter)
Scripture: John 14:15-21
Sermon: “A Little Help From Above”
Jesus promises his disciples a helper that will sustain
them in the days ahead. What is he talking about?.
May Calendar of Giving
In May, we are collecting funds for Strengthen the Church, one of our U.C.C. Five for Five offerings. Strengthen the Church helps grow the U.C.C.’s future by funding new church starts and invigorating existing congregations; nurturing lay and pastoral leadership; building youth and young adult ministries; and supporting the God Is Still Speaking ministry to welcome all into the church. All donations are directed to activities and programs in our Michigan conference, as well as the U.C.C.’s national ministries. Envelopes will be placed in the May 1 and 8 bulletins.
Serve at Jackson Shelter
St. Paul is scheduled to serve lunch at Jackson Shelter on Sunday, May 8. Volunteers will meet at St. Paul at 10 am for commissioning at the opening of worship, arrive at Jackson Shelter around 10:30 and will be back in Chelsea by 1:00 pm. Please consider signing up for this extremely rewarding mission. We need 3-5 participants. Call the church office or sign-up on the sheet in the narthex.
Coffee Hour Request: We need a volunteer(s) to host coffee hour on June 5. If you are available, please contact the church office.
New Ministry Opportunity: We would like to have a different person(s) change the sign by the road each month. This quick ministry would involve putting up a new message weekly for one month. There is a booklet available with clever ideas, and you can check with the church office about any special events that might be posted. If you would be willing to do this and need assistance learning how it is done, Sheri Hillman is willing to answer questions. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex. This is a one month ministry.
Treasurer’s Report
A complete monthly treasurer’s report will be available on the bulletin board in the narthex following monthly Council Meetings. We borrowed from other funds to cover negative balances. This will be repaid as soon as possible.
Negative balance in checkbook as of March 31st. -3,993.86
March Income 13,876.33
March Expenses 14,142.87
Kathy Young, Treasurer
Newsletter deadline: The deadline for June, 2011 newsletter is Monday, May 16, 2011 and will be
mailed on May 26, 2011. Thanks.
If you or a family member has moved recently, please be sure the church office has an updated address.
Attention All Ministry Teams
All Church Meeting Night is Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Please encourage all the members of your team to attend.
Mother-Daughter Salad Luncheon
A Mothers’ Day Celebration will be Saturday, May 7, 12:00 noon at St. Paul UCC. Please feel welcome to come alone, bring your mother, daughter, sister, cousin, neighbor, friend, but do come.
See Cathy Marks to purchase your ticket. Price $10.00.
From the Teaching Ministry
Spring cleaning was once again here in the Teaching Ministry. Thanks to all the Brocketts, Whitesalls, Argentos, and van Reesemas (and anyone else who I’ve forgotten) for putting all of that elbow grease into remodeling the Youth room. If you haven’t seen the changes yet, I encourage you to head downstairs to take a look.
I hope everyone enjoyed the Lenten study of Carl Medearis’ book Muslims, Christians and Jesus. I learned both a few things about the topic as well as couple of ideas that I hope can make next year’s Lenten series even better. Thanks to Sue Keezer for getting the books, the Cooperrider family for moving their coffee hour to the lounge, as well as Norma Kumbier, Angela Argento, Kristin van Reesema, and Amy Whitesall for starting things off. If anyone would still like to read the book, there will be copies around to pick up and read at your leisure.
Don’t forget May 22 will be a pancake breakfast an hour before church and teacher recognitions during worship service.
Next month, I hope to be writing you about some exciting plans for the summer.
Wishing you peace,
Scott
Safe Church Training
On Sunday, May 15 (after the worship service) Michelle Paris will be leading a SAFE CHURCH TRAINING for anyone interested in learning about what keeps our church safe. This is a brief training so that all members learn to know what keeps St. Paul SAFE
Such as: locked doors during worship, being sure all doors are locked after any event at the church, adults accompanying children at all times when in the church. This is a worthwhile brief training so that all of us are SAFE.
Any questions please see Michelle Paris or Scott Mullison.
Thank you! Thank you!!!
- Helen Parker and Jeannette Schleede and Pat Whitesall for preparing soup, Mel Seitz for baking bread for Maundy Thursday Soup Supper service.
- Lynette Hand for baking Communion bread and setting up the Communion tray.
- Dave & Jean Bust for setting up the Fellowship Hall for Maundy Thursday Service.
- Jean Bust, Lynette Hand and Sheri Hillman for setting up the Easter Garden.
- Thank you to Pat Whitesall and all those who helped in preparing, serving, setting up and cleanup for the Easter Breakfast.
WEAR YOUR NAME PROUDLY!
Please remember to wear you name tag on Sundays. This small act makes a big difference to our visitors and fellow members. If you have no name tags, or have lost it, please let the office know, and we will get you a new one in 24 hours.
CAL BAUER’s SENIOR VIOLIN RECITAL
Dr. Ilya Blinov will accompany Cal on piano
Cal has been taking lessons for 13 years from Nathan Peters at Chelsea Center for the Arts. He has been playing in the CHS Symphony Orchestra and most recently elected to the Michigan High School Band and Orchestra Assoc. All-State Orchestra.
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 6 - 7 p.m.
Light snacks in Lounge following concert
Please Pray For:
Strength, Healing and Comfort for:
Norm O’Connor, Jennifer (Children Center teacher) her new born baby, Sandy Turner, Gail Bauer, Danielle (Janet Kemp’s Niece and Baby Sierra’s mother) , Chris Agruilera (injured comrade of Joel Gentz)., Tony Simone (injured comrade of Joel Gentz), Virginia Webster, (Judy Gentz’s friend), Jim Barth (Jeannette Schleede’s nephew)
Well-being for:
Baby Sierra, Norm Bauer, June Burghardt Henry Buss, John Cooperrider, David Dietle, Marilyn Haug, Yvonne Jones, Don Keezer, Margaret Kuhl, Pam Kuhl, Marian Pierson, Veryl Steinaway and Marcella Wojtas (Marilyn Haug’s friend).
Those in the Armed Services:
Cliff Salvetore, Clint Wall, Larry Wall (Billie Zenz’s grandsons), Nick Locker (Donald and Diane Locker’s nephew), Jack “Bub” Rowe III (Nancy Burgett’s grandson). and Evan Wahl.
Active duty overseas:
Michael Schroen (Arlene Schroen’s Grandson), Jacob Wright (Jeannette Schleede’s grandson).