The Chimes. Reflections. Reflections

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April 1, 2014

Volume 14 Number 6

Modesto Church of the Brethren

2301 Woodland Avenue, Modesto, CA 95358-9501 (209)523-1438

fax: 209-! e-mail: [email protected] ! web site: www.modcob.org Pastors: Russ & Erin Matteson

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No skipping or peeking at the ending!

Do you ever pick up a book and just read the last chapter? Do you ever pick up a CD and just listen to the end of songs? Of course not. There is something meaningful and even important about following a story, written or sung, through from start to finish. When we do this, the end is much sweeter with meaning because we have travelled through a lot emotionally to finally get there.

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The same is so true each year with Holy Week. It can be tempting to come to church for Palm Sunday, wave a branch, and then skip the whole last week and events of the end of Jesus’ life to come back Easter Sunday morning. I want to encourage you, though, to think about how much sweeter Easter might be, if you intentionally move through that week before Easter, experiencing Maundy Thursday Love Feast and Good Friday first. Jesus’ time in the Upper Room with His disciples, sharing last words, serving them, eating with them, and saying good-byes is an important tradition in the Church of the Brethren that helps us reflect on humility, community and service, key core values of our denomination and congregation. Intentionally walking through Good Friday with others gives us opportunity to reflect on just how deep and wide was Jesus’ love and commitment to

his convictions.

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There is no better story, no better love song than Jesus’ life. Just skimming through or skipping to the end causes us to miss so much. Clear your calendar and plan to be a part of things with others. Learn more of God and Jesus, and see how

your faith is transformed. Bring children, giving them opportunities to observe, ask questions, and participate as you feel appropriate and led to allow them. This is how spiritual formation

happens in our young people. - With you on this

most special, holy journey, Pastor Erin

April 13: Palm Sunday - Journey to the Cross concert 5:00 p.m.

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April 17: Maundy ThursdayLove Feast 6:30

p.m. An experience of Upper Room time, where

Jesus and His disciples reflected on their living, shared in feet washing, a meal, and holy

communion together. Come observe parts and/or participate in parts with the community as you feel led. Children welcome and childcare is provided as well.

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April 18: Good Friday Ecumenical Service 12:15 p.m. First United Methodist Church

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Tenebrae Service 7:30 p.m. College Avenue

Congregational Church. A service of music,

scripture and the extinguishing of lights to represent Jesus’ life going out; of His last hours with us, suffering, and death as scriptures are

shared.

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April 20: Easter Celebration!

Breakfast-free or donation 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (no later)

Egg Hunt -K-8th grade - please sign up, 10:00 a.m. (Meet in the narthex to start)

Worship 11:00 a.m. Invite co-workers, family neighbors,friends, strangers!

The Chimes

Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.

Reflections

Worship

Opportunities

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April 6 - Prayer that Sustains Us Mark 14:32-42 records a prayer of Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane. Psalm 130 is a lament. As we move closer to Holy Week we take time to consider what kind of prayer might carry us through challenging times. A reminder - we will be collecting a special offering for the Deacon’s Benevolent Fund, the 2 Cents a Meal offering, and our hours given in service for the month of March.

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April 12 - Entries ... and exits (Palm Sunday - Holy Week begins!) Scripture: John 12: 27-36; Psalm 31 Jesus enters Jerusalem to songs and cheers, but then, strangely, people seem to be “heading for the exits.” Don’t you often wonder how it felt for Jesus, to begin to be abandoned by those He

loved and who loved Him? What would we do if we

were there? Part of the invitation as we begin Holy Week, is to reflect on the places we sing with Jesus, and abandon Him as well. Come join others for palm waving, singing and silence, and an overview in preparation of exploring the last week of Jesus’ life once more. Invite a friend especially this week to this special holy celebration.

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April 17, 6:30 p.m. - Love Feast

Join the church family as we come together to remember and reenact the events of Jesus final teaching time with the disciples. We will wash feet, share in a simple meal, and celebrate communion as we learn from Jesus’ words and actions. Childcare provided.

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A special invitation to give this Lent

Consider an offering of any size this Sunday, April 6th to the Deacon Benevolent Fund. This fund exists to help members and friends involved in the life of our congregation who may have a special need we can help with due to financial hardship. If you will not be at church and would like to

contribute, you may bring an offering in an

envelope labeled “For Deacon Benevolent Fund” on

a Sunday after and put it in the offering plate, or mail your contribution to the church. Any amount makes a difference. -Your Deacons

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Calling Children age 4 through 6th grade!

If you are interested in being part of a simple processional, waving palm branches and doing a little singing with Pastor Erin, contact me today by phone or e-mail for more details

(209-484-5937/[email protected]) We would

simply meet Palm Sunday morning, April 13th at

9:00 a.m. sharp to practice just before Sunday

school. All are welcome. Invite a friend!

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We rejoice with the Strohms that permits

allowing the repairs on their smoke damaged home have finally been approved! Keep Dave and Mary in your prayers that they may soon return to living in their own house.

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Reneé Gokey thanks us for prayers concerning

her mother, Gaile James, who has regained her

health and was able to attend her church again after several months. We’re thankful for answers to prayer.

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Cindy Cearley feels great improvement in her health situation. We do need to continue to hold

John in prayer as he will soon be having scan. And

prayers of thanksgiving are in order for Ashley at

her acceptance to Sacramento State!

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Barbara Switzer requests our prayers for her

daughter-in-law. Lilian’s back pain has resumed.

We should pray for relief and that the upcoming doctor’s appointment gives some clarification about a heart issue.

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Jim Feeney is home from the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia. We pray for his

complete and speedy recovery and for his family as they care for Jim.

Invitations to Worship

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We rejoice in answered prayers for the Heisel’s and Kim Watson both whose children have

secured employment; Ian Hay for reaching the

milestone of a driver’s license.

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Our prayers for comfort and peace for Libby

Higgs as she seeks to see her way through challenges related to her aunt and aunt’s caregiver. Her aunt lives in L.A. which makes it difficult for Libby to manage the situation as she would like.

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Terisa Sa’aga is grateful for the wonderful things God has done in her family this past year concerning their marriage and her husband’s job. They are in the of process of finding a home. She is also looking for work and seeks our prayers on their behalf.

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Don’t Forget the Signup Boards!

Please take time to peruse the various information boards scattered around the narthex. Besides looking colorful and containing pertinent visuals and facts, there are signup sheets. These greatly assist in planning the events highlighted by the boards. At this time there are opportunities for two Senior Ministries events, Spring Work Day, Easter breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt and others. These boards serve to provide more in depth information than do the slides on the

announcement loop played each Sunday during the gathering time. Please take advantage of this way of finding out the many opportunities our church offers for fellowship, spiritual growth and outreach. Below are a few examples:

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Join us for the Work Day

Come out on April 12 and be a part of some extra outside work around the church grounds. Plans include washing the solar panels, working on sprinklers, cleaning up around the garden,

trimming bushes and weeding beds, and more if we have the people. We will start at 8 a.m. and work until about noon. Get in on the fun.

Sign-ups for Easter

If you plan on coming to Easter breakfast at church, or know children who would like to participate in the Egg Hunt, please sign up now and encourage others, too. We need a count so we can plan food and how many of eggs to hide.

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April Senior Ministries Event

Thursday the 24th, join us at noon for lunch and a harp concert. South American Folk Harpist,

Tayler Eppler will be playing a variety of pieces in the Gathering Place. Sign up in the narthex for this a $5 lunch, fellowship and delightful musical

afternoon. -Gail Kristaponis

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CPP Spring Fling Fundraiser

The annual Camp Peaceful Pines fundraiser is just around the corner! The Spring Fling lunch and silent auction will begin at noon on Saturday, April 26, with a delicious meal catered by Dave and Sue Messamer, followed by a brief program and slide show.

If you can provide something for the silent auction (home baked goodies, handcrafted items, pool party, group dinner, ballgame tickets, etc), please contact Diana Messamer (209) 601-1070 or [email protected]. You can bring items beginning April 13th.

We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance at church from Diana Messamer or Elaine Harty Forcier (Adults $15.00, children 6-12 $5.00 & children 5 & younger free).

WE NEED YOUR HELP to maintain and upgrade our beautiful campsite. With your dollars and /or volunteer labor we can complete the new cabin (with bathroom facilities) and replace a badly needed roof on another cabin. Please prayerfully consider how you may be able to help.

Many thanks in advance! -CPP Fundraiser Committee

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Notice the Notices!

Chimes articles due Thursday, April 10 to:

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Welcome to Spring - Another Senior Event

This is two months ahead of time, but I would like to share plans for the Senior Ministry trip on May

21. The signup deadline is April 21.

We'll be driving to Columbia to do the following:

*Tour Rosemary's Roses. Much of the garden is

accessible for wheelchairs or walkers.

*Eat lunch at Columbia Kate's Teahouse. Read of

the delicious foods offered on the sign up sheet.

*See "Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second

Helping," at the Fallon House.

The cost for all of this is $50. For more

particulars, see the signup sheet in the narthex. Hope you will be able to join us.-Margaret Johnson

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Don’t Miss Out

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Dreaming in Color,

Our Congregational Retreat will be coming quickly, May 2-4! All are welcome to join together at the Christian Beret Retreat Center which is about two hours away, for this very special time of singing, fellowship, learning and enjoying time for

renewing together. Wendy McFadden, publisher, writer, speaker and an executive in our

denomination will provide leadership. As we strive to continue to grow in living into our Welcome Statement, Wendy will help us explore the world of race and ethnicity in our own lives and in the church. Cost: $118 for two nights lodging, 4 meals and all the leadership! Or, if you plan to stay off-site, you can pay $60 for the retreat including

meals. Our deadline is April 13th, so don’t

delay! Registration forms are on the table in the main entrance. Completed forms can be taken to the office, or to the table in the narthex on April

6 and 12th.

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Come take a bite with us ... A Faith Bite

Wednesday evenings are a time to come together mid-week to share in a meal, fellowship, sharing and prayer. All are welcome. Meals are just $3 for adults, $2 for kids, and no more than $8 per family. Come be with others to be or receive the gift of company and compassion. Through Lent,

join us after dinner and clean up before you leave at 7:00p.m. for 10-15 minutes of prayer with others in The Quiet Place! - Rm 5!

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Small Group Possibility?

A while back there was a group that met during Lent to focus on Compassion. We did the

“practice” of a Loving Kindness meditation to start. Later we broke into small groups to share where we experienced compassion, or a lack of it, in our lives. We touched on how we had observed the same around us, then closed that time with sharing and prayer. Would you be interested in exploring the possibility of once or twice a month group similarly practicing the Lovingkindness meditation and reflecting on compassion in our lives and the world? Or maybe a group focused more generally on contemplative/reflective

prayer? (You would NOT need to have been a part of the previous compassion group to consider this.) Please let Pastor Erin know of your interest before Easter.

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April Ladies' Night Out

For a bit of an Italian flavor, the Ladies’ Night Out group is meeting at 6:00 on Tuesday, April 15th at Strings Restaurant at Coffee and Floyd. If you’d enjoy an evening of fellowship and tasty food, plan to join us. Linda Owen is making reservations, so kindly RSVP to her.

See you there!

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Helping DECREASE Pollution

In the past one and a half years the solar power array at the church has not created 100 tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide). While CO2 is a naturally occurring substance, levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and the greenhouse impact of these high levels have increased dramatically since the industrial revolution. Much of this comes from the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy. Well, by transforming the power of the sun into energy rather than using fossil fuel created energy, the

church HAS NOT created 100 tons of pollution!

Just a small part of caring for the earth.

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MCOB Golf Fellowship Spring Update

The MCOB golf fellowship is alive and well and growing. With the coming of April we will be changing our Thursday morning tee times back to 8:30am at Jack Tone Golf in Ripon. Some of the ladies like to play Escalon Golf Course on Monday mornings, weather permitting. Others that find it convenient to play Jack Tone Golf course on Wednesdays mornings around 9am. The first Saturday of the month is a get together time for all at McHenry Driving Range at 10am for practice and catching up.

The golf fellowship is open to men and women of all skill levels. We are open to all ages, from super seniors, seniors, to wanna be seniors and youth. We have included pictures of some new faces for 2014.

If you have an interest to come out and be with these folks, please contact Robert Peck or Bill Johnson.

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Wednesday-

8:30a-4p The Quiet Place open in Rm. 5 5p Bells

6p Faith Bites

7p Wednesday Night Prayer in the Quiet Place

7p Choir practice

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Thursday-

6:30a Men’s Group at Denny’s

8:30a-4p The Quiet Place open in Rm.5 11a Sr. Fitness

7p Stewardship Meeting

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Friday-

Pastor Erin at District Board Meetings 8:30a-4p The Quiet Place open in Rm.5

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Saturday-

Pastor Erin at District Board Meetings

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NEXT SUNDAY- Apr 6

Pastor Erin Preaching at Circle of Peace in Arizona

9:30a Christian Ed Classes 11a Worship

IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Apr 11 7p Movie Night –Jesus Christ Super Star

Apr 12 8a Church Work Day

Apr 12 5p Dave & Sue Messamer’s 50th

Wedding Anniversary at the Sylvan Club. Please RSVP 523-9754 (Messamer’s Home #) Apr 13 Church Retreat Registrations due Apr 13 Palm Sunday

Apr 13 5p Journey to the Cross Concert Apr 15 6p Ladies Night Out- Strings

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Apr 17 Maundy Thursday 6:30p Love Feast Apr 18 Good Friday

12:15p Ecumenical Service- FUMC 7:30p Ecumenical Tenebrae Worship College Avenue UCC

Apr 20 Easter

9a Easter Breakfast  

(Free/Optional Donation) 10a Easter Egg Hunt (Pre-K-8th₎

11a Easter Worship

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Apr 24 12p Sr Ministries Lunch and Harpist, Tayler Eppler Apr 26 CPP Fundraiser BBQ Apr 27 Noon Prospector Potluck

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May 2-4 Congregational Retreat

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Birthday Blessings to Gweneth McInnes Messamer Eddie Hernandez, Robert Peck Ron Gowens