TheVisitor
Asbury First United Methodist Church Newsletter April 2014 • Vol. XLVIII No. 4 • www.asburyfirst.org
In This Issue On Holy Ground, 5 Counting Your Blessings, 7 Human Sexuality, 8 Youth News, 10 Pretzel Sunday, 11 Talent Show, 13 The Storehouse, 15
Mission Statement
The Visitor
Through worship, education, outreach, and care, we develop disciples of Jesus Christ who live and proclaim the Gospel and thereby work to transform our culture.
Vol. XLVIII No. 4 (USPS 558-470) is published 10 times a year, monthly with combined issues for January/February and July/August, by Asbury First United Methodist Church.
The Unfolding of Spring
Periodical postage paid at Rochester, N.Y.
A Pastoral Reflection
POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to
verything seems finally to be “coming up” (even in the midst of mud) … there is green … there are robins … there are buds … there are crocuses … there is the mystery of this season, and it brings smiles to our faces and relief to our winter weather worn souls. Spring is indeed unfolding, and with it some spiritual experiences to be celebrated. We have just “come off ” a weekend of “praying in color” with twenty or more women at our Women’s Retreat at Camp Asbury, where our souls were nourished in prayer and in fellowship … new friendships made, others deepened, and inspired hearts expressed. In this Lenten period, the sanctuary during the Taizé services has found souls being nourished in repetitive song and silence. A small group of care-givers are being supported by one another as the quiet energy of another leads this newly-founded support group. The parenting class continues to grow and parents strive to give their children all that they might need to grow in body and in soul. The Tuesday morning women’s group draws more to it each week as women find their individual voices and common needs through support. Our youth are being led with vision, enthusiasm, and Spirit and their endeavors are enacted in faith and grow in faith and wisdom. Our children run down the aisle with enthusiasm to hear God’s special Word given to them... .
Asbury First UMC Visitor 1050 East Ave. Rochester, N.Y. 14607-2239 (585) 271-1050
Staff
Rev. Susan S. Shafer Rev. Stephen Cady
Rev. Lawrence Hargrave
Kathy Thiel David T. Strong Dr. William J. Weinert Paula Dugan Melissa Bohrer Mike Mullin Richard Moncrief Melody Guadagnino Scott Ross Michele Cooley Mary Van Keuren Duane A. Prill Bozena Granat Elizabeth Church Brian Bohrer Larry Dugan Rev. Linda Clemow
Senior Minister Minister for Faith Formation – Hospitality & Membership Care Minister for Outreach and Community Connection Ministries Visitation Minister Music Administrator; Assistant Organist Director of Music Co-director of Children’s Ministry Co-director of Children’s Ministry Director of Youth Ministries Financial Administrator Administrative Assistant Property Care Manager Dining & Caring Center Director Communications Director & Editor Organist Director, Children’s Music Director, Bell Choir; CoDirector, Youth Music Director, Asbury Singers Director, Youth Theater; CoDirector, Youth Music Artist in Residence
Unless otherwise noted, photos are by Greg Francis. Cover: Processing into the Sanctuary, Easter 2013. Please send all submissions, questions, comments, or concerns to Mary Van Keuren at mvankeuren@asburyfirst.org or (585) 271-1050 x109. Deadline for next issue: Friday, April 25
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It is spring, and there is mystery in it and smiles for it. God is with us in this unfolding! Soon, very soon, our altar will be resplendent in the full colors of spring … the colorful azalea and hydrangea plants … the spring daffodils and tulips … the trumpet lilies each proclaiming the Good News of Easter. (This year we will enjoy that particular altar beauty for two Sundays as the remarkably beautiful altar remains through the first Eastertide Sunday). With special music and a full nave, we will remember the continuous unfolding of God’s mystery in Christ; our hearts will sing with joy as the Hallelujah Chorus is sung and we proclaim the gift of God’s continuing power to bring new life … new possibility … out of seemingly nowhere and no possible way. Continued on page 4
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AFUMC news May Friendship Day for CWU
County. We’ll meet Saturday, May 3 from 5:00 p.m. through Sunday, May 4 at 7:30 a.m. in the Asbury First parking lot. Youth groups, service organizations, families and individuals are invited to participate in this empathybuilding event. Participants raise funds by sleeping overnight in their cars in the parking lot, or purchase a “Parking Pass” to leave following the evening activities. Click the “Car City” link at www. raihn.org for event information and registration. Car City includes supper, entertainment featuring Vocal Point, a light breakfast and prizes for the best decorated car contest, top individual and team fundraisers. Questions? Contact raihncarcity@gmail.com.
Church Women United will be holding their May Friendship Day this year on Friday, May 2 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 800 East Ridge Road, 14621. Registration and dinner are at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Led by Ellen Robinson, the theme of the program is “Through God Our Hands Can Serve.” Cost is $10, which includes dinner catered by Tasteful Connections. There will be a monetary collection for Fellowship of the Least Coin, and they are also collecting new or used elementary level books for the benefit of students at School #35. Registrations must be in by April 24. Send your name and address, with a check for $10 made out to CWU, to Church Women United, 644 Titus Ave., Rochester, NY 14617. Reconciling Ministries Update The Reconciling Ministries Committee continues to meet with each other and with small groups in the church to discuss the important issue of inclusion. We are developing a statement that will articulate our intent and a series of frequently asked questions which can encourage our discussion of this topic in faithful and meaningful ways. If you are a member or leader of a small group that would welcome an opportunity for discussion, please contact Nancy Specht at ncspeck@gmail.com. We look forward to a continuing dialogue with the congregation on this important issue.
Women on Wednesdays (WOW) looks at Parables The Power of the Parable – How Fiction by Jesus became Fiction about Jesus by John Dominic Crossan is our current selection. Author Crossan slices and dices Parables into many categories: riddle, example, challenge; plus who was the Gospel writer: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John? It’s challenging and intriguing. Please join WOW for some lively discussion! Future books are selected by the group from recommendations by pastors and members, visits to bookstores and current topics in the news. Join us with your suggestions. Chapters or sections of the
RAIHN Car City Fundraiser at AFUMC Would you give up your bed for one night if it could change a homeless child’s life? The Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN) will hold a CAR CITY fundraising event at Asbury First to raise awareness of family homelessness in Monroe
Continued on page 4
• Five Ways to Worship at Asbury First •
Traditional Worship in our Sanctuary 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings
Informal Worship with Holy Communion in our Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings
Listen live onWYSL 1040 AM or 92.1 FM
11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Sunday mornings
Please Join Us! 3
Watch live at www.asburyfirst.org 11:00 a.m. Sunday mornings
Watch past services in our video archive at www.asburyfirst.org any time!
worship schedule WORSHIP Sunday Service Times 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship with Asbury Singers
Sunday May 4 Third Sunday of Easter Luke 24:13-35 Rev. Lawrence Hargrave, preacher
10:00 a.m. Informal Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter/Mother’s Day Acts 2:42-47 Rev. Stephen M. Cady, preacher
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship with Sanctuary Choir Sunday April 20 Easter Sunday John 20:1-18 Rev. Susan S. Shafer, preacher Sunday april 27 Second Sunday of Easter John 20: 19-31 Katherine Thiel, preacher
Our Living
in Community
Deaths Merciful God, we entrust to your never-failing care and love. We offer our prayers and sympathy the family and friends of Dorothy Porter who died on March 7, 2014.
We offer our prayers and sympathy to Beth and Dave Rice and family on the death of Beth’s mother Maureen Krasavage on March 10, 2014. We offer our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of Charles (Bud) Peath who died on March 22, 2014.
Sunday may 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter John 14:1-14 Katherine Thiel, preacher
We offer our prayers and sympathy Joe and Lynn Alpaugh and family on the death of Joe’s mother Mary Alice Alpaugh on March 28, 2014 in Cherry Valley, New York.
Sunday may 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter/Memorial Day Luke 24:44-53 Rev. Susan S. Shafer, preacher
AFUMC News, continued from page 3
Pastoral Reflection, continued from page 2
selected book are read and discussed each week, with leadership of the discussion rotating among members. The value of hearing each others’ perspectives and interpretations is an important part of what keeps the group growing, laughing and learning each week. WOW meets every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at 1010 East Avenue (The red brick building west of the church). Bring a lunch and join us. Visitors and new members who enjoy reading and learning are always welcome.
And because of God’s mysterious, adventurous, and grace-filled ways the spring will unfold with more offerings for us all to grow in wisdom and in true godliness. Stay alert! If you have not had the opportunity to join us in one of these endeavors in ministry together, the spring will offer more opportunities. These are exciting, unfolding, times of adventures in faith and faithfulness. May we join together in wonder and exploration into God’s mysterious ways that lay before us in the unfolding of our lives.
Come Garden With Us! Attention gardeners: the spring cleanup will be on Saturday, May 3. This past difficult winter was particularly hard on our campus, so we need all the help we can get to restore it to its usual beauty. Please join us at 8:30 a.m. for a morning of work, fellowship, and fun. Plan to meet the Garden Committee members at the east end of the Education Wing. We’ll get acquainted, tour the gardens, and then dig in! For more information, contact Jeanne Ristau at 223-4356.
God is sketching the lines of spring about us, and no one can say it as well as Ted Loder: and something stirs in us, reaching, stretching, beckoning, pulsing, and there is the mystery and the smile of it … God is with us unfolding our lives with a new beginning, a fresh budding, a spring within as well as around us. Thanks be to God! Rev. Susan S. Shafer
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on holy ground Endings, Beginnings, and Continuings, Part II
Winter Spring
Ending: a Blessed Holy Week
Beginning: EASTER and the Easter season: Christ is Risen!
Continuing: Seeking God’s Peace and Presence in our lives and connecting to each other.
By Marty Garland
“I am a God who gives and gives and gives. When I died for you on the cross, I held back nothing; I poured out My Life like a drink offering. Because giving is inherent in My nature, I search for people who are able to receive in full measure. To increase your intimacy with Me, the two traits you need are receptivity and attentiveness. Receptivity is opening up your innermost being to be filled with My abundant riches. Attentiveness is directing your gaze to Me: searching for Me in all your moments. It is possible to stay your mind on Me, as the prophet Isaiah wrote. Through such attentiveness you receive a glorious gift: My perfect Peace.” – Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, March 28, page 91.
Kathy Thiel, Asbury First Visitation Ministry
K
athy has been the staff liaison to the Spiritual Life Committee for almost two years. To name a few of her involvements during this time: she wrote “On Holy Ground” articles, coordinated and led Taizé services, facilitated the 2013 Benedictine retreat by Rev. Margaret Scott, started our meetings with wonderful centering experiences, participated in the committee fall 2013 retreat, and connected with all of us in a loving and attentive manner. Ending: Next month Kathy will be leaving Asbury First. Beginning: She will be entering into an internship in San Francisco at St. Mary’s Hospital, which is part of the Dignity Health System. She will be working as a
chaplain while also pursuing educational opportunities. Continuing: She will continue to be loving, attentive and a blessing to all she encounters. Asbury First has been blessed by Kathy’s deep understanding of the spiritual in our lives. She says, “spirituality is an important part of our lives. As we discover different ways to connect with God, we learn more about ourselves, as that relationship strengthens and deepens. One of the most awesome results of this is that we are able to be more present to those around us and bring God and Christ to them.” Kathy says it has been a joy and a pleasure to be part of the Spiritual Life Committee, walking together with members as they explore their individual calls to ministry. “Asbury First is an awesome congregation and it’s been my privilege to get to know so many of the members of this faith
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community and be with them in so many varied situations in their lives.” Kathy is especially appreciative of all those who participated in Taizé and communion services. We thank you, Kathy, for sharing yourself with us, for giving of your faith and peace, for your prayers and spiritual wisdom, and your dancing, laughing spirit! We will miss you! We wish you God’s abundant blessings and pray that God holds you in the hollow of God’s hand.
Labyrinth Wednesday, May 14 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Celebrating Music & Art at AFUMC
by Rev. Linda Clemow Pentecost Sunday is June 8 this year. This is the date that Christians celebrate as the birth of church. The word pentecost means fiftieth day, and is celebrated fifty days after Easter. Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, His mother and family, and many others of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel ( Joel 2:28-29). The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They
they bring to our lives. It will be an interesting and lively service. Because Pentecost is traditionally the date for confirmation in the Christian church we will also be confirming our youth, at the 8:30 service, followed by the service celebrating our artists and musicians at 11:00 a.m. You may want to attend both services that day!
A detail of the stone craftsmanship on our beautiful campus.
went into the streets to preach.
the Holy Spirit in the artists and musicians of our faith community. These artists and musicians contribute much to the spiritual and worship life of our church. Although they do not do this for recognition and acclaim it seems appropriate to celebrate what
Each of us is empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel in one way or another according to our gifts and graces. On this particular Sunday at Asbury First’s 11:00 a.m. service we will be celebrating the indwelling of
In addition to the Sunday service there will be an art show on Friday afternoon and craft workshops on Saturday morning. The details are still being planned but watch this space, the bulletin and the Asbury First website for further details as they firm up. We want to encourage all of Asbury First’s artists to participate in the art show. If you have questions or are interested in participating please call Linda Clemow at 236-1184.
The Children of Asbury First present
We Are United by Pam Andrews May 3, 7:00 p.m. May 4, 12:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Tickets available Sundays after services in the Welcoming Hall. A musical island adventure featuring fun original songs, and based on the 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 theme “one body, many parts.” Six castaways compete on an island to win the grand prize, only to discover that the real way to win is to work together as one in Christ.
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Stewardship news
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as Asbury First brought blessings into your life? Whether it’s through the beauty of the worship ser-
vices, the healing of an outreach ministry program, the sharing of good fellowship, the spark of knowledge gained during a Sunday school class – or in some other way – there are countless ways in which the Asbury First faith family brings blessings to one another. Recently, AFUMC member Len Davidow was pondering his blessings, and wrote an essay on the blessed role that Asbury First plays in his life. We share it with you here:
Lesson From a Song Writer For the 1954 movie White Christmas, Irving Berlin wrote the song “Count Your Blessings.” It starts: When I’m worried and cannot sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep. And I fall asleep counting my blessings. Sometimes, recognizing our blessings takes some thought and effort. We see, in the world around us, war, poverty, natural disasters, religious, political and cultural discord. In our own lives, we may experience health, financial, and family problems. We all find ourselves in different circumstances. Our lives are different. Fortunately, I have no problem knowing what my blessings are. There is one, however, that I have overlooked in the past. It is a blessing shared by all of us. That blessing is Asbury First. I have come to believe that being a part of Asbury First is a true blessing. Here one experiences the presence of God, the warmth of fellowship, and the knowledge that our ministries are a blessing to many beyond the boundaries of our church. I feel that we are all fortunate to be part of this loving, compassionate and caring congregation. We are a congregation that willingly shares what we have received (our blessings) with others. I guess I’m lucky in that I don’t often find myself worried to the extent that I cannot fall asleep. When I pray, however, I start by giving thanks. I guess you can say that I’m counting my blessings. I feel good knowing that every member of Asbury First has at least one blessing to count. To all of you I suggest: give thanks and count your blessings. God is with you and Asbury First is here for you. Sleep well. – Len Davidow How has Asbury First blessed you? We invite you to share your reflections with us as Len has. Just send your thoughts to Mary Van Keuren at mvankeuren@asburyfirst.org, and you might see your own essay in print. Thank you!
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United Methodism 303
Human Sexuality
Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gathering Center It’s difficult to find a more confusing or contentious issue in The United Methodist Church than human sexuality. The denomination’s conflicting stance on the ordination and marriage of gay and lesbian people is a source of frustration for many. If you have been reading newspaper editorials or hearing references in sermons and wondered what lies beneath some of these challenges, then this class is for you! Join us for a four week class and discussion on human sexuality in The United Methodist Church and how Asbury First might creatively respond to the denomination’s struggles. There are no pre-requisites; we just ask that you come with an open heart and mind. Questions? Contact Rev. Stephen Cady at scady@asburyfirst.org. 8
Golfers: Save the Date! Are you tired of cold weather? Do you have a hankering to pull out those great plaid shorts that remind you of the good old days? Are you ready to pack up the ski poles and pull out the 9 iron? Then grab your calendar and pencil in this info: 2014 Annual Asbury First Golf Tournament Monday, August 4 ~ 12 noon (registration & lunch) Mill Creek Golf Club | 128 Cedars Avenue | Churchville, NY 14428 $100/person includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, steak dinner, and a free drink on the course. There will also be numerous prizes given out. All proceeds support Asbury First ministries including the Storehouse, Dining and Caring Center, and youth mission trip. We’ll have more information in the next issue of The Visitor!
GIVE BLOOD SAVE A LIFE
Donate Blood at the Asbury First Blood Drive Please help us meet our goal of 35 donations! When: Sunday, June 2, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Where: Fellowship Hall (downstairs in church building) Who: You are eligible to give blood if you are: in good health; between 17 and 75 years of age (or, 16 and accompanied by a parent. If you are over 75 and have not donated recently, check with your doctor); weigh at least 110 pounds; and meet qualifications (your health history will be confidentially evaluated to determine eligibility). Questions? Check the American Red Cross web site at http:// www.redcrossblood.org/ for a list of criteria and more information. You may also call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767. Call Ed Ristau to set up your appointment at 223-4356.
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youth ministry news So ... What have the Youth Been Up To Lately?
With many youth thinking ahead to spring break, and ultimately summer, our youth programming at Asbury First is not taking any time off. Here’s a recap of some of our latest activities and events: At the end of March, we attended a showing of the movie Noah so that we’d be prepared for Stephen’s sermon that weekend on the Genesis narrative; we kicked off April with the United Methodist Upper New York Conference youth retreat, called Up!Word,
and had a bowling night for our middle school youth; over spring break we have plans to help out with some painting in the Storehouse and will be going to see a showing of the movie Heaven is for Real; we will then come back from break with a high school fellowship night at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park; and we are looking ahead to May for the church-wide talent show and our senior high retreat! With all this going on, we still find time to tackle discussions on
topics like stress, the resurrection, our understanding of beauty, depression, and how all of that fits into the rubric of United Methodism. If you are a youth or know a youth that hasn’t yet plugged in to our program, we encourage you to come join us for any of our events – we are an open community where all are welcome! Got questions? Call me at 271-1050 x105 or email at mmullin@ asburyfirst.org. – Mike Mullin, director of youth ministries.
Lenten Board Game Study This year during Lent, we tried something completely different with our senior high youth. We invited them to come in on Wednesday nights not for the Taizé service or the labyrinth- though we do encourage those activities as well -- but to play board games. These board games had a purpose, however. Each week we looked at the Bible passage for the following Sunday and after a brief discussion about the meaning and themes of the passage, we played a game that mirrored some of the themes. One of the nights that stood out was when we
challenged Rev. Stephen Cady to one of his favorite games: Monopoly. Rev. Cady joined us the Wednesday preceding his sermon on the Noah narrative. In order to justify this Monopoly challenge, we had to come up with ways in which Monopoly could be related to the story of the flood. Some puns were made about drowning in debt, but ultimately we did find a correlation between God choosing only one family to survive the flood, and there being only one victor left on the Monopoly board. Some of our other weeks were a bit less tenuous, and as a whole we had a great time thinking outside of the Bible/game box! 10
The youth of Asbury First have been busy. Top, from left to right: Hayden Headley, Anna Latshaw, Payton Shafer, Payton’s friend Luke, and Ben Conrow (who had the high score of 122) relax after a round of bowling with other middle school youth; Johnny Church performs at the youth Up!Word retreat in Syracuse; Arrianna Ernsthausen, Emily Hanrahan, and Hannah Smith pose with the members of Christian rock band Stellar Kart, who performed at the retreat; and, above, Asbury First’s senior girls at Up!Word: Amelia Carter, Lydia Marchese, Erica McDowell, and Sarah Kennedy.
childen’s ministry news
Pretzel Sunday An annual Pretzel Sunday celebration was a wonderful morning as the children “Walked with Jesus” and met several of his friends. They visited Martha and Mary’s kitchen, a widow’s home, Lazarus’ tomb, Zaccheaus in the sycamore tree, John the Baptist in the wilderness and Mary in the marketplace. They learned each person’s story and participated in a variety of activities including singing songs, playing games, making pretzels, creating crafts and learning about outreach. The morning ended with prayer and the children enjoying the delicious pretzels they made.
Come one, come all to our Family Carnival on June 1 at a new time: following the 11:00 a.m. service. Come celebrate the year with lunch, bounce houses, ponies and lots of fun! We look forward to celebrating with you and your family.
SAVE THE DATE
Some scenes from Preztel Sunday (clockwise from top left): some of the children visit with the still-wrappedup Lazarus at the tomb; John the Baptist (Chris Benjamin) shares stories of his life in the wilderness with the children; a widow (from the story of the widow’s mite, played by Sue Nichols) talks about what her gift meant to her; and Lazarus (here played by Zane Anderson), just risen from the dead, shares his thoughts on what has happened to him.
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It’s closer than you think! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2014 will be held: August 4-7 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. mark your calendars now!
Running & Walking Club • We meet at 8:00 a.m. at the church every Saturday morning • Routes tour the East and Park Ave.
✹ Our spring season has started!
neighborhoods. • Daycare is available. • Questions? contact Maggie Tobin at maggietobin3@gmail.com.
Men’s Retreat Friday evening, May 2 through Sunday morning, May 4 Camp Casowasco on beautiful Owasco Lake. A time to relax, enjoy the fellowship of men and discuss the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom. The cost is $147 for three meals on Saturday and Sunday breakfast and lodging, with an additional $7 if you want Casowasco to provide linens for you. Scholarships are available. If you are interested in joining us please contact Bruce Thompson at brucerthompsonmd@mac.com or (585) 624-7937 or Glenn Peck at gdpeck@rochester.rr.com or (585) 347-4543. 12
Ready for your Curtain Call? Save the date for Asbury First’s Fourth Annual
Talent Show Saturday, May 10 6:00 p.m. dinner/6:30 show Fellowship Hall
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his intergenerational talent show is produced by our youth and directed by Brian Bohrer. If you would like to perform, fill out the registration form and return it to the church office or to the
Welcoming Hall registration table by Sunday, April 27. At that time, you can select a rehearsal time on Saturday, May 3 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. or Sunday, May 4 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Once the registration process closes, you will be contacted to confirm your rehearsal time. You must attend the rehearsal with your act fully prepared in order to be included on the program. Questions? Please contact Brian Bohrer at tenorbri@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!
Registration Form – Churchwide Talent Show Name___________________________________________ Phone________________________________________ Email _____________________________________ Briefly describe your act: _________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (If performing a piece of music, please list title and composer) Materials/props you will bring: ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Tech resources required: CD Player ____ Piano ____ Electric Cord ___ Amp ____ Microphone(s) ______ (# of mics) _______ Other __________________________________________ Do you need piano accompaniment? Yes ___ No ___ If yes, please attach a photocopy of the music to this form, and you will be contacted about your performance. 13
Library news
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aster books are on display in the Church Resource Library. Check them out! Here are some book selections for April that may make spring not seem so far away.
Children:
Motorcycles, Sushi and One Strange Book, by Nancy Rue.
The Easter Angels, by Bob Hartman.
Teen girls ages 13-15 can relate to this book. While family dinners and
The Easter Angels “presents a magical yet accessible approach to the
vacations to touristy destinations are ordinary events for her ‘normal’
concept of resurrection.” This 32-page book is especially appropriate for
friends, fifteen-year-old Jessie Hatcher’s normal life means dealing with
ages 7-9.
her ADHD and her mother’s bipolar disorder.
The Easter Story, by Brian Wildsmith.
Adults:
Esteemed author/illustrator Brian Wildsmith tells the Easter story from
Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus’s Final Days in Jeru-
the perspective of a humble donkey that carried Jesus Christ through the
salem, by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.
stirring week from Palm Sunday to the Crucifixion to the Resurrection,
Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a
especially for ages 3 to 8.
day-by-day account of the final week of life for Jesus. The authors join
God Gave Us You, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator).
together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. They begin their story
Perfect for bedtime, naptime, storytime or anytime, God Gave Us You
on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem.
provides a valuable opportunity to build children’s self-esteem every day
The First Easter, by Peter Marshall.
and assure each one that he or she truly is a welcomed, precious, and
Considered “a great history of the first Easter,” this is another well-written
treasured gift from the Lord.
book by Peter Marshall. The author takes the reader through the days
Teens:
just before the crucifixion, the trial, and the days after the crucifixion.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christian Teen Talk: Christian Teens Share Their
Loosening the Roots of Compassion, by Ellen Bradshaw Aitken.
Stories of Support, Inspiration and Growing Up, by Jack Canfield, Mark
This is Holy Week and Easter reading for the contemplation of Jesus.
Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark.
These meditations emphasize that “the resurrection is somehow at work
This book, filled with 101 stories written by Christian teens for Christian
everywhere.” They are beautifully written and deeply considered.
teens, helps teens who care about their faith navigate their teenage years. April
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Matthew 12:1-21
20
Matthew 28:1-20
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Matthew 12:22-37
21
John 20:1-31
20
Matthew 12:38-50
22
John 21:1-25
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Matthew 14:1-21
23
Hebrews 4:1-13
22
Matthew 14:22-36
24
Hebrews 4:14-5:14
23
Matthew 15:21-39
24
Matthew 17:1-23
25
Ephesians 1:1-23
26
Ephesians 2:1-22
27
Ephesians 3:1-21
28
Ephesians 4:1-16
29
Acts 1:1-11
30
Acts 1:12-26
31
Psalm 47
25 26 27 28 29 30
Hebrews 6:1-20 Hebrews 7:1-28 Hebrews 8:1-13 Hebrews 9:1-22 Hebrews 9:23-10:18 Hebrews 10:19-39
May 1
Psalm 80
2
Hebrews 11:1-22
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Romans 5:1-21
3
Hebrews 11:23-40
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Romans 6:1-23
4
Hebrews 12:1-29
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Galatians 1:1-24
5
Romans 1:1-17
13
Galatians 2:1-21
6
Romans 2:1-16
14
Galatians 3:1-14
7
Romans 3:21-31
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Galatians 3:15-29
8
Romans 4:1-12
16
Galatians 4:1-20
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Romans 4:13-25
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Galatians 4:21-31
Scripture reading suggestions courtesy of the American Bible Society, www.americanbible.org.
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the last word 1 by Nancy Davidow 2
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ver wonder what happens to all the donations the Storehouse receives? Ever wonder what exactly folks donate, or what Storehouse volunteers do during open store hours? Or you might just be interested in knowing whether some of your treasures are needed at the Storehouse. Here are some of the answers and a bit more about the “bee hive” of activity that comprises the Storehouse. You have heard that every season has a purpose under heaven. Well, the Storehouse has a purpose for everything that is donated. Clothing donated is sorted by faithful volunteers. They look for stains, tears, missing buttons and whether zippers work. If the piece of clothing under inspection is in good repair, it either goes directly on the floor, if seasonal, or is placed in a basket for our outof-season storage area. If a donation needs repair, it is placed in the mending basket (a faithful volunteer mends and returns items as good as new); if dirty, it is placed in the wash basket (we do our own laundry with our highefficiency washer and dryer). If clothing is not up to our standards, (it’s only placed on the floor if it’s something we would wear ourselves) then we pass it along to the Salvation Army. If an item is soiled (such as blankets and sheets) we send it to Lollipop Farm. Stuffed animals that are passed their prime are also shared with Lollipop Farm. We also have a rag barrel and use rags in keeping the Storehouse neat and clean. Warm coats and heavy clothing that still have wear left but are not up to our standards are donated to Salem United Church, which has a ministry that serves those who live on the streets. When we have an abundance of women’s blazers and women’s clothing appropriate for professional wear, we help the House of Mercy, where volunteers assist women going for job interviews or returning to work. Excess children’s books and adult books are given to Bright Red Shelf, an organization that provides books to wait-
Rochester area. Those in need are referred to us by more 120 agencies. Our mission of caring is played out day after day, week after week. There is no charge for the donated items we share. We are more than a stop gap. We restore dignity to those we serve.
A next-to-new coat from the Storehouse can make all the difference for one of our neighbors in need during the winter.
ing rooms in doctor’s offices where women and children in need are served. Our annual fund raiser, the Basement Sale in August, is filled with donated items of greater value such as jewelry, fine china, linens, kitchenware, toys and miscellaneous items. Money raised at the Basement Sale is used to purchase blankets, socks and children’s underwear. We are good stewards of all that is given to us. Most important, however, is the fact that we serve 6,000+ persons in need in the greater
Jesus’ disciples asked, “Lord when did we see you without clothes?” Well, that would be the day we served someone without clothes! We have served a person who came without a coat on the coldest day of the year. We have served an individual who walked from Main Street, arriving at our door without shoes. And we have provided a bassinet for a newborn whose parents only had a dresser drawer in which to place her. Just recently, a young man and his social worker arrived to find the young man an outfit so he could interview for a job. He entered appearing downtrodden, with unkempt clothing. He left with a smile on his face, dressed in a next-to-new pair of trousers, a bright blue shirt and matching tie and a blazer, ready and eager to interview. He was truly transformed. Come and see us. Better yet, come and volunteer. We sort, stock our “store”, answer the phone, make appointments, and shop garage sales and bargain stores for items we are short on; all to serve our brothers and sisters in need. Helping our neighbor transforms us as well.
How You Can Help Would you like to help the Storehouse to minister to those in the Rochester area who are in need of clothing and household goods? Here’s what you can do: • Donations of gently used clothing and household/kitchen goods of all types can be brought to the Storehouse (which is in 1050 East Ave., the grey stone building east of the church) during Storehouse hours: • Mondays (phone calls and donations only): 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. • Tuesdays: 12:30-3:00 p.m. • Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-noon, 12:30-3:00 p.m. • Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.-12:00, 12:30-3:00 p.m. • Saturdays: 9:30-noon Or you may leave donated items in the large metal bin near the Storehouse parking area. • More than 100 volunteers staff the Storehouse. If you’d like to be one of them, call (585) 473-0950. 15
PERIODICAL 1050 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-2293 Address Service Requested
Creating Holy Moments (Benedictine Retreat II) led by Rev. Margaret Scott Pastor, Fairport United Methodist Church Saturday, May 3 8:30-5:00 (approximate) 1010 East Avenue (The brick building to the west of the church) Building on the work done in last spring’s Benedictine retreat, we’ll do some further exploration into the Benedictine Experience. You don’t need to have attended last year’s retreat to fully experience this one, though. All are welcome! To reserve your space, contact Melody Guadagnino in the church office at (585) 2711050 x103 or mguadagnino@asburyfirst.org.
Coming in May!