An Easter Prayer

by Helen Steiner Rice

God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing –
And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power –
And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man’s often empty words
Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair –
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care.

Session Notes:

Your Session last met on Thursday, March. Here is a summary of that meeting:

• Our assigned Moderator, Reverend Shelley Wiley, met face-to-face with our church staff.

• The Administration and Personnel Committee submitted a report outlining a new Pastor/Head of Staff Position Description.  Accepted.

• The Nominating Committee, led by Elder Larry Anderson, moved that the following names be placed in nomination as Deacons:  Sally Bach (Class of 2025) and Debbie Harrison, Debbie Jacobs, Sandi Templeton, Barb Thomson and Lynne Wiley (Class of 2026).  He also moved that the following names be placed in nomination for Elders (members of Session):  Linda Bursk, Pat Edwards, Beckie Rudd and Rod Thomson (Class of 2026).

• Larry Anderson further placed the names of the following in motion to comprise the Designated Pastor Nominating Committee (DPNC):  Sonny Bach, Paula Cohen, Jim Harris, Barb Nein, Marcia Miller, Jim Pearce, Beckie Rudd, Darrell Templeton and Ann Veith.  He further thanked Suzanne Edwards, Denise Dennison, Dianne Gerber and Mike Jenkins for their work on the Nominating Committee.

• These newly appointed Deacons, Elders and DPNC (Designated Pastor Nominating Committee) members will be approved at the Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, March 19.

• The Worship and Music Committee highlighted plans for Maundy Thursday during which time members of the St. Luke Presbyterian Church Choir will join with our Sanctuary Choir to present a special service.  Joint efforts, like this one, continue to be encouraged.

• Approved financials and other committee reports.

Upcoming Worship

• April 2 – Palm Sunday - Rev. Edward McNulty

• April 6 – Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

• April 9 – Easter Sunday - Rev. Edward McNulty

• April 16 – Rev. Edward McNulty

• April 22 – Rev. Edward McNulty

• April 30 - Rev. Jim Graham

Maundy Thursday: A Service of Tenebrae, meaning “Darkness” or Shadow

The Sanctuary Choir, combined with the St. Luke Presbyterian Choir, is excited to present “Hope in the Shadows”, a Tenebrae Service, by composers Lloyd Larson and Joel Raney with narration by the Rev. Edward McNulty and the Rev. Dick Sedgewick. “Hope in the Shadows” recalls Christ’s journey to the cross by examining the shadows of betrayal, injustice and agony that marked that journey.  It contrasts the selfish exploits of humanity with the divine nature of a loving God. As you take this sacred journey with us, may the words of James be a reminder of the hope which is ours: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Worship & Music Notes

Note from the Director Music Ministries

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
(1 Peter 1:3)

Let us walk through Holy Week together.  In this very difficult and sometimes very dark world, let us find the incredible light of Christ that gives us joy and hope so we can say “He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6-7)

Holy Week begins with the excitement of Palm/Passion Sunday featuring the wonderful music of the Sanctuary Choir, the Renaissance Ringers and the waving of palm branches. The Rev. Edward McNulty will be preaching. It is a day to rejoice in the jubilant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem but ending on a more somber note as we move toward the betrayal on Maundy Thursday.

The glorious light of the resurrection blots out the darkness on Easter morning! Our Easter Sunday Service will feature the cantata, “A Festival of Easter”, which has been created collaboratively by the Rev. Ed McNulty, Joyce Zigler and Brian Shepard.  Glorious music from the Organ and Brass Quartet will begin this exciting celebration.  The Sanctuary Choir and Brass Quartet will lead us to the amazing resurrection and the promise of eternal life through beautiful music and inspiring narration.

You will not want to miss any part of this inspiring and moving journey. Come, let us worship together.

• Palm/Passion Service is Sunday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m.

• Maundy Thursday Service is Thursday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m. 

• Easter Celebration is Sunday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m.

All Holy Week Services are open to the public. Please invite friends and family to join us on our journey through Holy Week so we may be inspired, lifted up and find joy in Christ’s resurrection.

-Joyce Zigler

Music/Worship Ministry Team: Jim Harris, Becky Hillshafer, David Jenkins, Diana McVay, Julie Ramsey, Beth Susco, Sarah Thornbery, Joyce Zigler

Easter Memorials

Easter Memorials We have the opportunity to honor our loved ones and do some charitable work at the same time by filling out an Easter Memorial form. The gift of $10.00 will mean that the name(s) of your loved ones will appear on a special page in the bulletin and the proceeds will be given to The Women and Children’s Center in Middletown. The Easter Memorials are sponsored by The Music and Worship Ministry Team who appreciate your generosity for this very worthy and needy cause.

Easter Memorial forms are available in the Narthex and the Gathering Area. You may place them in the offering plate, leave them in the church office or give them to Mick Susco in the gathering area after worship.  All memorials need to be turned in by Wednesday, April 5.

Christian Education Notes

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Weekly Bible Study meets in the Youth Room at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. We will continue with study resource, "Meeting Jesus at the Table" by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with disciples, friends, even tax collectors and Pharisees. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom as he shares the wine and grants forgiveness as he distributes the fish. Come, let us gather at the welcome table!

• April 4 – Excuses and Invitations: Empty Chairs at the Table (Luke 14:15-24).

• April 11 – Hospitality and Discipleship: A Meal with Chosen Family (John 12:1-8)

• April 18 – A meal of Memories: Not the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30)

• April 25 – Easter: Revived by the Breaking of Bread (Luke 14:13-35)

In-person Nursery Care and Sunday School

The Christian Education Committee continues to prayerfully consider and implement safe practices to support the full participation of all ages. We continue to require universal indoor masking in these classrooms by all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status.

• Nursery Care is available for infants and children up to 5 years old every Sunday, located next to Room 110. Two childcare workers, Monique Watkins and Ingrid Cuadra, provide exceptional care for which we are grateful.

• Sunday School (children ages 6-12) is offered most Sundays* in the Godly Play Room. Leaders will escort children from the Sanctuary to Sunday School. When worship concludes, parents/guardians will need to come to the Godly Play Room to pick up their child(ren). (*Note: This month, Sunday School will meet on 4/9 and 4/30. We especially want to include children and youth in special worship celebrations such as Communion, etc.)

Lenten Lunch Series: Poems, Prayers, and Pastries

We are grateful to everyone who participated in this series during the month of March! Thank you also to the event hosts who facilitated each gathering: Rod Thomson, Mary Brehm, Paula Cohen, Tim Rudd, Joyce Zigler, Diana McVay, Janet Scott, Ann Veith, Marty Hensler, Darrell Templeton, and Anne Frantz.

Making Prayer Beads

Thank you to everyone who participated in making prayer beads! This activity was especially popular and may become an ongoing offering, especially with the invitation to make prayer beads to share as gifts. If you would like more information, contact Lisa Kaufer.

Easter Egg Hunt

Come to the Easter Egg Hunt in the courtyard following worship on Palm Sunday, April 2! This year, we are not requesting donations of candy.

Wednesday Fellowship

An informal group of people from the church knit and crochet at Triple Moon Coffee, 1100 Central Avenue, around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Lisa Kaufer.

Prayer Group

Prayer Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays in the Memorial Room at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome!

PYC Retreat at Kirkmont: April 14-16, 2023

Students in grades 7-12 are invited to this retreat hosted by our Presbytery’s Presbyterian Youth Connection. We’ll explore familiar Bible stories in a new way through the theme “Be Curious.” We look forward to keynote leadership from Marcus Hong, who serves at Louisville Theological Seminary as the Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Marcus is also the Project Director for a new grant to facilitate innovation in youth ministry that emerges out of a collaborative, co-creative, and embodied way of being together inspired by the ideals and practice of community-engaged art. Students and adults from our congregation at First Presbyterian Church, Middletown are part of the Planning Team, and we are so excited to share this adventure with you!

Women’s Spiritual Nurture Retreat at Kirkmont: April 21-23

With the theme, “Creation: Help! Thanks! Wow!”, and leader Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Nowak, we will share time in study, fellowship, and a variety of activities! Registration is currently full, including a few members of our congregation. We look forward to telling you all about our experience next month!

For more information about Faith Formation opportunities, contact Lisa Kaufer (lisa@fpcmiddletown.com).

 Christian Education Team: Sharon Dowden, Lisa Kaufer, Barb Nein, Martha Robertson, Ann Veith.

Odds & Ends

Men’s (plus others) Monthly Meeting

It has been decided to extend an open invitation to any guest (male or female) to join us for all future meetings. If you would like to join us for dinner and fellowship please feel free to attend. Fellowship begins approximately at 5:00 and we usually order dinner around 5:30.

Due to the fact that our current venue has decided to start charging a surcharge for non-members, we will be moving the April 11th meeting to Central Connections (Middletown Senior Center). We hope to see you there.

Online Calendar

The church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar.

We give thanks to God for the life of. . .

• Alice Stransky, who died on March 6.

• Pat Simmons, who died on March 8.

• Corbit Harrison, who died on March 9.

• Jennifer Shepard Miller, who died on March 14.

• Carl Fiora, who died on March 25.