UNITED CHURCH NEWS MARCH 2008

“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”

HEADLONG

adv. 1: headfirst 2: without deliberation; recklessly 3: without pause or delay

March 2 4^th Sunday in Lent Communion

March 9 5^th Sunday in Lent

March 16 Palm Sunday Processional

OGHS Offering Received

March 20 Maundy Thursday Communion

March 21 Good Friday

A Service of Solemn Reflection

March 23 EASTER!!! Resurrection of the Lord!

March 29 75^th Anniversary Historical

Exhibits, Presentation & Dinner

March 30 75^th Anniversary Worship

Celebration

We will be moving HEADLONG through March. Let’s consider the ways we might travel through the exciting demanding month ahead.

1: headfirst Congregation, committees, Board and staff, have already done the “head work.” Let us continue our Lenten disciplines of prayer, reflection and discernment – the nourishment we need for our journey, so that rather than headfirst, our minds, hearts and spirits might arrive together at the empty tomb.

2: without deliberation; recklessly We have already done our homework.

3: without pause or delay Our schedule would seem to suggest that we don’t have time to pause in the days ahead. Yet we need to. Jesus often stopped in the busiest, most dangerous moments of his ministry to seek a quiet place. Let us follow his lead, listening to our bodies and spirits as we move through these days. For the good news is this: Easter’s arrival and days of celebration are finally not dependent on us, but on God. In our planning, working and resting, God is moving through the world to do a new things.

in faith,

Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even

Worship for March 2008

Sunday Worship at 10:25 AM, Child Care provided

Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even, preaching

Before worship coffee fellowship with Adult Ed groups at 9 AM (except Easter Sunday)

Fellowship Time each week after worship in Fellowship Hall

March 2 Fourth Sunday in Lent - Face to Face: The Blind Man

10:25 AM Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (served)

Scriptures: Psalm 23; John 9:1-41

March 9 Fifth Sunday in Lent - Face to Face: Ezekiel

10:25 AM Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11

75^th Anniversary Moment: Historical Visitor

March 16 Palm Sunday - Face to Face: The Crowd

10:25 AM Scriptures: Psalm 118; Matthew 21:1-11

Dedication of One Great Hour of Sharing offering

March 20 Maundy Thursday (sanctuary) Face to Face: The Disciples

7:30 PM Service of Shadows and Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (come forward),

Scriptures: Luke 22:14,19-20

Youth Choir

March 20-21 Thursday, 9 PM – Friday, 7 PM: Prayer Vigil (sanctuary)

The sanctuary will be open for prayer and meditation. The self-guided “Journey of the Cross” is marked by Holy Week symbols, poems, reflections, music. Sign up for individual, family or group times on the hallway chart. You may also sign up to keep the vigil at your home.

March 21 Good Friday (sanctuary) A Service of Solemn Reflection

7:30 PM Scriptures: Luke 23:24-25, 32-36, 44-46, 49

Senior Choir

March 23 Easter Sunday – Festival of the Resurrection

Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:1-6, John 20:1-8

10:15 AM Musical Gathering: Handbells, Organ, Brass Quintet, Timpani

Dedication of Easter Offering

March 30 Second Sunday of Easter

75^th Anniversary Celebration,

Rededication by the congregation, five former Pastors participating

(see 75^th Anniversary article and brochure for information about the weekend events)

Sermons: Copies of each Sunday’s sermon are available in the sermon rack located by the pulpit entrance to the sanctuary.

Enrichment Volunteers: We need adults who care about children to share stories and activities with our K through 2^nd grade children during the last half of worship. Contact Lynn Scharbach for more information.

Fellowship Time Hosts: Your gift of hospitality helps make this a special time for community

sharing. Volunteer to host with a friend or contribute baked goods. An information sheet is available. Contact Tracey Kuhns for more information.

Worship, Music & Spiritual Life

Lenten Suppers ~ Soup and Sharing

A time to gather in this holy season

to deepen our community,

and to renew and strengthen our faith

as the body of Christ!

The Wednesday Lenten suppers and programs continue through March 12^th, at 5:45 PM. Church committees coordinate the suppers with the Worship & Spiritual Life Committee. Anyone can sign up to bring soup, bread, cheese or fruit. Please sign up each week with the number coming. There are three adult program offerings and two exciting programs for children and youth, a homework club, and nursery/toddler care with pre-registration by Monday noon each week. (more information in the Lenten pamphlet mailed with the February newsletter)

March 16 + Palm/Passion Sunday + 10:25 AM

As early as the fourth century, the church in Jerusalem began the custom of reenacting the entry of Jesus into the city. At the Mount of Olives, people gathered to hear the gospel passages about the triumphal entry. A procession then followed into the city, people held palm branches and sang, “Hosanna!”

March 20 + Maundy Thursday + 7:30 PM

The service includes the Lord’s Supper, a drama and music by the Youth Handbell Choir.

March 20-21 + Good Friday Prayer Vigil + 9 PM Thursday to 7 PM Friday

On the day of his betrayal, Jesus asked his disciples to keep watch with him while he prayed (Matt. 26:36-46) At the annual Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary, some use our booklet called the “Journey of the Cross” and follow the symbols, poems and songs around the sanctuary. Others enjoy the silence for their own personal retreat, listening to music, and using other resources provided. Please sign up (hallway chart) for yours or your group’s time in the sanctuary. There is also a sign up for the homebound to take part at your home.

March 21 + Good Friday + 7:30 PM

The service includes scriptures, prayers, hymns, and music by the Senior Choir and concludes with songs and prayers around the cross.

March 23 Easter Sunday Festival of the Resurrection!

Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even will be preaching. Our worship gathering music begins at 10:15 AM with the joyous sounds of handbells, brass quartet, timpani, organ. The Senior Choir will offer festive music, including the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Easter Music Gifts

A gift of $10 (or more) given in memory or in honor of a loved one will help to defray the cost of special music and guest instrumental soloists for our glorious celebration of Easter. From time to time some have dedicated memorial gifts for this purpose or for cantatas or musicals. An acknowledgment will be placed in the Easter bulletin when the information is given by the donor. Checks should be made out to United Church and marked for Easter music, noted whether given in memory of (or in honor or) by....... Thank you, Worship & Spiritual Life Committee

Announcing the winner of the 75^th Anniversary Hymn Contest!

CONGRATULATIONS to LORRAINE SCHMIDT for writing the winning entry in our Anniversary Hymn Contest! Her wonderful “Hymn of Celebration” is sung to a familiar early American tune, BEACH SPRING. The hymn's debut will take place during the 75^th Anniversary Worship Service, March 30, 2008. The prize is the honor of having the hymn played and sung at the anniversary worship, and a certificate for dinner for two at The Arad Evans Inn, a historic Fayetteville restaurant. We are also grateful to Alice Borning and Linda Raymond for their entries in the contest! All three hymns are posted on a bulletin board. Thanks to the judges, Norm Hatt, Norm Keim, Greg Ketcham, Betsy Nash, John Price, Jim Spencer, Alice Hatt.

“Hymn of Celebration”

By Lorraine Schmidt

Melody: BEACH SPRING 87.87 D (Hymnal tune #26 and #369)

We are gathered here to celebrate

Years of worship, love and care,

Asking God’s help as we gather

Calling all to come and share.

Can you hear the echoing voices

Of the faithful gone before?

We are mindful of their spirit

Guiding us from days of yore.

And we pray that God will keep us

Close in His Community.

We are one, but we rejoice each day

In our blest diversity.

We ask God’s help for the future

As we join in joyful praise,

Making life a celebration

Serving Him in all our ways.

We give thanks now as we celebrate

Years together, years of grace.

Old and young still join their voices

Praising God in this His space.

We are grateful for our blessings

Sharing God’s continuing care

In all things that we endeavor

Seeking justice everywhere.

75^th Anniversary Weekend ~ March 29-30

Saturday, 4:30 PM “Claiming Our Heritage” (Sanctuary) Join us for stories, scenes, and songs with choirs, soloists, historical visitors! The Story of the Fayetteville Baptist and Presbyterian Churches and the Birth of the United Church of Fayetteville, united in faith and action.

Saturday, 6:00 PM Celebration Dinner Covered dish dinner in Fellowship Hall, reservations suggested. Welcome former pastors!

Sunday, March 30 10:25 AM Worship Celebration and Rededication,

Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching, participation by former pastors!

Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship

Adult Education – March 2008

Forums, Bible Study, and Parents Place on Sunday mornings

I. Adult Forums [Meet in Beard Lounge]

Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, exploration of our Christian heritage, and study of world religions. Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.

March 2: Rev. William Carlsen, Executive Minister of the American Baptists of New York State, to discuss the inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life and leadership of the American Baptist Church. Rev. Carlsen will also address the relationship between local churches and the American Baptist denomination.

March 9: Rev. David Johnson, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse, to discuss the status of the ordination of gays and lesbians within the Presbyterian Church, USA. He will also address the significance of Presbyterian rules of governance as they affect united churches of two denominations, such as the United Church of Fayetteville.

March 16: David VanSlyke will discuss “Modern India: Challenges and Opportunities.” David is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, and is a Senior Research Associate in the Campbell Institute of Public Affairs. He has recently traveled to India, including Mumbai, on behalf of the Maxwell School’s consultation with the government of India. David led the UCF CROP Walk last fall.

March 23: (Easter; no Adult Forum)

March 30: UCF Anniversary event at which former pastors will speak about their tenures: Dave Muyskens, Marsha Ricketts, Phil Courtney, Walt Ketcham, and Kathleen Waters.

II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge [Meets in Women’s Lounge]

9:00 AM. Led by Fred Davey (church member and retired professor at Upstate Medical University) and Jason Larson (church member and PhD student in the SU Dept. of Religion), this relatively small group engages in in-depth study and discussion of a book of the Bible or biblical theme using a study guide. The group is currently studying the Gospel of Matthew, using the study guide “Matthew” by Tom Wright. Newcomers are always welcome.

III. A Parents’ Place [Meets on the basement level in Room 5]

9:15 AM. A Parents Place provides an opportunity for informal, unstructured conversation about the joys and challenges of raising children. Coffee and tea are available.

IV. “Saving Jesus” This DVD-based discussion group will resume on Wednesday evenings during Lent 2008 (not Sundays, as previously noted). “Saving Jesus” is a sequel to the “Living the Questions” series which was offered during fall 2006 and Lent 2007. In November 2007, we viewed the first 5 parts of this 12-part series. The series is described as follows: ”Saving Jesus is a DVD-based small group exploration of Jesus Christ for the third millennium. The basic format for each weekly 1 to 1½ hour session includes a 20-minute video segment and guided discussion. Join Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill Levine, James Forbes and many others for a conversation around the relevance of Jesus Christ for today.

Submitted by Norman Hatt, Chair

Jr. & Sr. High Youth

UPCOMING EVENTS:

3/3, 7 PM: Youth Committee Meeting

3/5, 6:50 PM: Youth Program on Whiteness & Racism

3/9, 5-7:30 PM: Jr./Sr. High Sunday Night Social