CHRIST’S REFORMED CHURCH Tidings · Christ are also “liberal.” Decades ago, the United...
Transcript of CHRIST’S REFORMED CHURCH Tidings · Christ are also “liberal.” Decades ago, the United...
Tidings C H R I S T ’ S R E F O R M E D C H U R C H - U C C
Inside this issue:
Weekly Lectionary Readings;
Lenten/Holy Week Services;
From the Pulpit
2
Message from the Interim Pastor 3
Birthdays & Anniversaries;
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast;
Women’s Fellowship Circle
4
Parish Nurse News;
Lenten Bible Study
5
March 2019 Calendar 6
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”;
Daylight Saving Time Begins;
Easter Flowers
7
World Day of Prayer; Altar Flowers;
Lenten Study; Lectionary Group
8
For the Young or Young@Heart 9
Tidings
March 2019
Volume 66, Issue 2
WELCOME TO OUR
NEW MEMBERS
Carolyn (Burgan) Fisher
Carolyn joins us by letter of transfer. She is returning to CRC
where she was raised. Now that she has retired from her
teaching occupation in the Frederick area, she has plenty of
time to enjoy her many hobbies: reading, music, art and
traveling.
Debra Sue Elder
Debra joins us by affirmation of faith. She enjoys playing the
piano, knitting and crocheting. Maybe we will see her in the
choir in the future. She is also retired from her position as a
nurse aide.
When you see our new
members next,
welcome them to CRC!
Weekly Lectionary
Readings for March
March 3 Exodus 34:29-35;
Psalm 99;
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2;
Luke 9:28-43a
March 6 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12;
Psalm 51:1-17;
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10;
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
March 10 Deuteronomy 26:1-11;
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16;
Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
March 17 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27;
Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35;
Luke 9:28-43a
March 24 Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8;
1 Corinthians 10:1-13;
Luke 13:1-9
March 31 Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32;
2 Corinthians 5:16-21;
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Page 2 Tidings
“Growing People
of Faith…”
Transfiguration with Communion
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge
Scripture Text: Luke 9,
Exodus 34 & Psalm 99
Sermon Title: Transfiguration
First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge
Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 26 & Psalm 91
Sermon Title: We Cry to the Lord
Second Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge
Scripture Text: Genesis 15,
Philippians 3 & Psalm 27
Sermon Title: Enemies of the Cross
Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge
Scripture Text: Isaiah 55, Psalm 63 &
1 Corinthians 10
Sermon Title: “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts”
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge
Scripture Text: Luke 15, Psalm 32 &
2 Corinthians 5
Sermon Title: “From now on, we regard no
one from a human point of view”
Lenten and Holy Week Services
Once again, Church of the Holy Trinity, Zion UCC
and Christ’s Reformed UCC will be sharing our
special services according to the following
schedule:
Ash Wednesday at Zion UCC, March 6th at
7:00 pm
Maundy Thursday at Church of the Holy
Trinity, April 18th at 7:00 pm
Good Friday at Christ’s Reformed, April
19th at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunrise at ATS 4th Floor, April 21st
at 6:30 am
Volume 66, Issue 2 Page 3
Is the UCC too “liberal” for Christ’s Reformed Church?
Near the beginning of the past four services, we explored the heritage of CRC. We found out that the
UCC was created by a union of four denominational groups: Congregationalist, Christian, German
Reformed, and German Evangelical. From this combination, the UCC gets some characteristics that
most of us think are pretty good:
Congregational polity Connectional and ecumenical
Freedom of conscience Prophethood of all believers
Sacramental Open communion table
The body of Christ in this world (serving others and denouncing evil)
I doubt many members of this congregation would argue that you really do need a bishop to tell you
how to manage the church, or that members should not have freedom of conscience, or that you
want to be isolated from other churches! But I have heard a few people say that the UCC just might
be too “liberal” for CRC. Let’s examine that possibility.
The concept “liberal” does not mean what most people think it means, and most people would be
shocked if they knew what “left wing” and “right wing” actually mean. I don’t have room for an
explanation of those terms, so I suggest that we ignore the labels and just think about a few of the
issues that are important to most UCC congregations.
The United Church of Christ believes that racism and racial violence is evil, and that we are
called to denounce and work against them. We believe that women are of equal value to men, have
an equal ability to prophetically speak God’s truth, and should have an equal role in church and in
society. We work with women to stop all forms of violence, harassment, and discrimination. The
UCC believes that peace is preferable to war, that veterans should be honored and respected, and
that we are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation. We believe in the inherent dignity,
beauty, and sacredness of all life, so we work to nurture and protect children and the planet. We
believe that we are called to reject false prophets and to seek the truth. We believe that the Gospel
of Jesus Christ unequivocally calls us to work toward a just and sustainable economic system; the
Gospel rejects exploitation, theft, slavery, colonialism, imperialism, and all economic systems that
destroy human life or ecological integrity and sustainability.
Does that make us “liberal”? If so, then the Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Disciples of
Christ are also “liberal.” Decades ago, the United Methodist Church formally declared that the
Church of Jesus Christ must struggle against all forms of economic evil and social oppression. The
Book of Social Principles is the Methodist church’s statement of faith regarding how faithfulness to the
Gospel translates into public policy. To those on the extreme right end of the political spectrum,
even the United Methodist Church is “liberal”! True, there is some difference of opinion within the
UMC regarding non-discrimination of lesbian and gay folks, but even in that case, the majority of
UMC congregations and pastors agree with the UCC (the only exceptions are the UMC churches in
Africa and in the southern states, which are mostly opposed to non-discrimination of lesbian and gay
people).
I am proud to be a minister of the church that joins with the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists,
and Disciples of Christ in denouncing evil in both popular culture and public policy. If that makes us
Christians “liberal,” then I will wear that label proudly!
Birthdays
The following are the
known birthdays for the
month of March. We wish
all a very happy birthday.
Becky Lohr
Kayla Summers
Sandy Shank
Gladys Socks
Andrew Housel
Jackie Korrell
Thomas Shank
Michael Flurie
Nancy Staley
Abigail Nigh
Bill Andrews
Sandra Duffey
Tara Martin
Gina Zeger
Danielle Nigh
Grace Nigh
Becky Corderman
Francine Ross
Tom VanMetre
Linda Zonis
Judith Miller
Brad Sayler
Kathy Baker
Paula Kessler
Vivian Strunk
Benjamin Hinz
Terry Socks
Bonnie Mazzocchi
Katy Dillard
Larry Martin
Cheryl Scholl
Anniversaries
The following are the
known anniversaries for
the month of March.
Dick & Wendy Shank
Tom & Linda VanMetre
Brad & Debra Sayler
Larry & Donna Stockslager
Page 4
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Tidings
If you don’t see
your birthday or
anniversary listed,
the church office
doesn’t know
about it. Please
call the office so
we can make a
record of it.
Thanks for helping
to keep our files
current.
Men’s
Fellowship
Breakfast
We invite all men of Christ’s Reformed
UCC and bring a friend.
Saturday, March 16
8:30 am
ATS Social Hall
Women’s Fellowship Circle
The Women's Fellowship Circle will meet
for a pot-luck breakfast March 2nd at 8:30
am. After a good meal, we will discuss the
January 30 devotion found on page 38 of
the January/February edition of The
Upper Room. All women of the church and
their friends are welcome. Remember to
sign up in the Parish House kitchen or talk to Charlotte so we
know what people are bringing and to watch for you.
Saturday, March 2nd
8:30 am
ATS Social Hall (Back Door)
Volume 66, Issue 2 Page 5
From Life to Life Eternal (from the Parish Nurse Health Council)
How do we as people of God deal with the tough stuff?
JESUS WEPT — can you remember why?
We also weep and it is often hard to share.
What does GROWING OLD in CHRIST look like?
How long can LENT last?
Can you NAME A PERSON in the Bible other than Jonah
who was sent to Nineveh?
Come join in this Lenten study. You may be surprised at what you discover.
Page 6 Tidings
March 2019 Activity locations are listed in the Sunday bulletin and on the
Parish House Kitchen bulletin board.
If there are other questions, please call the church office at 301-733-4144.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
11:30 am World
Day of Prayer
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
2
8:30 am Women’s
Fellowship
Circle
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
3 Transfiguration with
Communion/
Scout Sunday
8:30 am Men’s Choir
9:30 am Worship Service
10:35 am Blood
Pressures Taken
11:00 am Church School
4
7:00 pm Ministry
Teams Meeting
5
9:30 am Parish Nurses
6:00 pm Prayer Group
6:30 pm Boy Scouts
6
11:00 am Lectionary
12:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
7:00 pm Ash
Wednesday Service
@ Zion UCC
7:30 pm ITP
7
8
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
9
11:00 am Youth
Lunch
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
10 First Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Worship Service
11:00 am Church School
11:45 am Bell Choir
6:00 pm Youth
11
7:00 pm Consistory
Meeting
12
6:30 pm Boy Scouts
13
11:00 am Lectionary
12:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
12:00 pm Lenten
Lunch/Study
4:30 pm Chancel
Choir
7:30 pm ITP
14
7:00 pm Interfaith
Meeting
15
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
16
8:30 am Men’s
Fellowship
Breakfast
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
4:30 pm
Youth Mission
Spaghetti Dinner
Fundraiser
17 Second Sunday in Lent
8:30 am Men’s Choir
9:30 am Worship Service
11:00 am Church School
11:45 am Bell Choir
18
19
6:00 pm Prayer Group
6:30 pm Boy Scouts
20
10:45 am Lectionary
12:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
12:00 pm Lenten
Lunch/Study
4:30 pm Chancel
Choir
7:30 pm ITP
21
22
Tidings
Deadline
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
23
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
24 Third Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Worship Service
11:00 am Church School
6:00 pm Youth
31
Fourth Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Worship Service
11:00 am Church School
25
7:00 pm ATS Board
Meeting
26
6:30 pm Boy Scouts
27
10:45 am Lectionary
12:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
12:00 pm Lenten
Lunch/Study
4:30 pm Chancel
Choir
7:30 pm ITP
28
Mail Tidings
29
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
30
2:00 pm AA
Serenity Meeting
Volume 66, Issue 2 Page 7
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
April Tidings
Deadline
March 22nd
Daylight Saving
Time Begins
When you go to bed on Saturday
night, March 9th, remember to set
your clocks ahead because
Daylight Saving Time begins on
Sunday, March 10th.
Easter Flowers Get ready to order your
Easter Lily/Tulips! This
year Easter is April 21st.
So the Worship Team will
be selling lilies and tulips
starting March 3rd. We have for sale 8 lilies and
tulips available in red, yellow, purple, or pink
only. The cost of a lily is $9.50 and the 6-bulb/pot
tulip is $8.25. Please send your order in to Karen
before March 17th. Or see the flower
representative after the worship services on
Sundays. Thank you!
Christ’s Reformed Church Phone No: 301-733-4144
Fax. No: 301-733-4145
Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.crcucc.org
TIMES
Morning Worship 9:30 am
Social Time 10:40 am
Church School 11:00 am
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. G. Derrick Hodge Interim Minister
Moira O’Brien Director of Music
Cheryl Wilson Organist
Branda Yeargan Program Director
Margaret Bussard Custodian
Karen Stamper Office Manager
Our love and
sympathy to:
Address Changes
Vivian Harbaugh
Tom & Branda Yeargan
Page 8 Tidings
Lectionary
Reflection Group The Lectionary Reflection Group will be
meeting on Wednesdays during Lent at a new time so
they can participate in the Lenten Lunch/Study series.
Dates that are effected are Wednesdays starting March
13th through April 10th. After these dates, our meeting
time will go back to the normal time of 11:00 am.
Lenten Study Lenten Study/Lunches: We will
again have Wednesday Lenten
lunches/study through April 10th.
Light Lunch at 12:00 pm and
Lenten Study at 12:30 pm. If your group or ministry
team would like to prepare lunch on one of these
study days, please contact Karen in the church office.
Thanks!
World Day of
Prayer
March 1, 2019
Theme: “Come,
Everything is Ready!”
Where: Williamsport UMC
25 E. Church Street
Williamsport, MD 21795
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
For questions call:
Dana Thompson at 301-992-6660
“Come, Everything is Ready!” This
invitation from Jesus also serves as the
foundation for the 2019 World Day of
Prayer which is “a worldwide, ecumenical
movement of Christian women of many
traditions who come together to observe a
common day of prayer each year.”
If you are able, bring a health kit too.
Each health kit consists of:
1 large hand towel or small bath towel
1 washcloth
1 comb
1 bar of soap
1 toothbrush and toothpaste
1 deodorant
Put all items in a two gallon Ziploc bag.
Altar Flowers As of this printing, the following dates remain for
Altar Flowers. If you wish to place flowers on one
of these dates, please sign up on the Flower
Chart in the Parish House Kitchen, call the office
at 301-733-4144, or mail your request to the church at 130 West
Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Gibney’s Florist is who we
are using again this year, and the cost will be $40.00.
The following dates in 2019 are still available:
May 19 September 29
May 26 October 6
July 7 October 20
July 21 November 10
September 8 December 29
September 22
Love One Another – If you notice a
member/friend who has been missing from
service for several weeks, give them a
call to see how they are doing and that
you miss seeing them. Please notify the
church office or Dr. Hodge if they
would like a visit from the minister.
Volume 66, Issue 2 Page 9
For the Young or Young@Heart
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID AT
HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740
PERMIT #369
Tidings
130 West Franklin Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: 301-733-4144
Fax: 301-733-4145
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.crcucc.org DATED MATERIAL:
DELIVER IMMEDIATELY
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
C H R I S T ’ S R E F O R M E D C H U R C H - U C C
130 West Franklin Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: 301-733-4144
Fax: 301-733-4145
Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.crcucc.org