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March Newsletter |
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Souper Bowl Update Thanks to the generosity of this congregation, $348 filled the soup pots on Souper Super Bowl Sunday. The money from KUPC was given to Manna Meals to aid their ministry of feeding people here on Charleston’s East End. Way to Go Team!!
One Great Hour of Sharing Easter Sunday marks sixty-one years of the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, an ecumenical offering, which began in response to the devastation of World War II. For the past ten years the offering has generated about $20 million each year ecumenically. The PC(USA) has received $8 to $11 million each year for the past twenty years. The PC(USA) divides the offering it receives between three church-wide entities - 36% to the Presbyterian Hunger program, 32% to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which recently rushed relief dollars to Haiti from the 2009 offering, and 32% to Self Development of People. With gifts from churches across the PC(USA), One Great Hour of Sharing will continue to be a reminder that through the simple act of sharing, we experience God’s abundance in amazing ways. Please prayerfully consider your support of the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010.
Holy Week Worship Opportunities During the last weeks of his life, Jesus and his disciples journeyed steadily toward Jerusalem. Jesus attracted large crowds, anxious to hear him teach, everywhere he went. Even his entry into Jerusalem was celebrated with a joyous welcome. But, once in Jerusalem, a darkness grew as the crowds began to withdraw from the teacher who taught of commitment and servant hood. The Sadducees and Pharisees were threatened by the new future Jesus proclaimed and plotted against him. As Jesus and the disciples gathered for the Passover Meal, they already stood in the shadow of the cross. Palm Sunday Sunday, March 28th Sunday School 9:30 am Procession of the Palms and Worship 11 am
Maundy Thursday Communion Thursday, April 1st 7 pm The Upper Room
Good Friday Tenebrae Friday, April 2nd 7 pm The word tenebrae is Latin for shadows. The tenebrae service recreates the emotional aspects of the passion of Christ in his betrayal, abandonment and agony. With the final darkness of the sanctuary and the slamming of the door, the service is left unfinished because the story is not over until Easter Day.
Easter Resurrection Celebration Sunday, April 4th Sunday School and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt 9:30 am Worship Celebration 11 am Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Alleluia! Oakwood Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 27th In the effort to keep a year- round presence of the church at Oakwood Terrace, the annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children has become a much anticipated event. How can YOU help? Donate individually wrapped Easter candies (there is a box outside the Education Office) Donate Easter stickers and other small egg stuffers (May also be placed in the collection box) Help to hide the eggs on Saturday morning at 10 am (Contact Ron Rogillio to volunteer)
Lenten Spirituality Center Open March 21 - April 3 In the Older Youth Classroom during regular Church Hours (Upstairs at the end of the hallway) Assembled around the spiritual disciplines of Lent and the accounts of the Passion, the KUPC Spirituality Center is an interactive, experiential place that has been “set apart” for participants to be renewed in spirit, nourished in faith and challenged to a deeper relationship with God. Plan to come and spend some personal time with God as you prepare for the Easter Celebration.
Sunday School News The Elementary Class The Elementary Class has just finished a month long rotation on the Beatitudes. They have taken to heart the words of Jesus as he taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Lessons took on many forms including games, art, movie resources, a Beatitude Breakfast, a Peace Walk and a mission project in which they learned that 300 million children in the world do not have shoes. You may have noticed an influx of shoes into the church as the children have collected gently used shoes for Soles4Souls.
Soles4Souls began in 2004 as a response to the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. From that experience came a long-term commitment to making a difference in people’s lives with the gift of shoes. Souls4Souls has distributed shoes to people in need in 40 countries on 5 continents. If you have gently worn shoes that are outgrown or no longer worn you may donate them by putting them in the basket outside the Education Office prior to March 21st.
The children will be studying the events of Holy Week and the symbols of Easter for the month of March. They will enjoy a special class opportunity on Palm Sunday that they will share with their parents. A Spiritual Walk for Children, Youth and Families Palm Sunday, March 28th Sunday School Hour, 9:30 am An Opportunity for Families to Experience a Spiritual Experience in Community
The Youth Class The Youth class continues their studies in Faithfully Asking Questions. During the month of March they will detour for a few weeks to study the Passion lessons of Christ in DVD, music and art resources. They will have opportunity to experience the Spirituality Center and reflect on their own personal spirituality and growth.
The Adult Class The Adult Class continues their study of The Jesus Creed by Scott McKnight, seven lessons on loving God and loving others. The early Christians didn’t sing in the choir or go to weekly Bible study, and yet they still matured spiritually in relationship with God and in their relationships with one another. In The Jesus Creed class participants learn how the Great Shema of the Old testament was transformed by Jesus into the focal point for spiritual maturity. Scott McKnight uses Biblical characters such as John the Baptist and Peter to explore themes important to Christians today. The Class Meets Every Sunday at 9:30 am In the Rugeley Library ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
Middle School Youth News - March 2010
Wednesday, March 3rd A Night for Creative Mind Benders Meet at the church at 5:45 pm. Wear your thinking cap and come prepared to use your Creative Problem Solving Skills to solve all sorts of challenges. Friday, March 5th - Sunday, March 7th Middle School Youth Retreat Pre-registered participants meet at the church at 6:30 pm Friday to travel to Cedar Lakes for the Retreat. Wednesday, March 10th Eggs and the E.B. Meet at the church at 5:45 pm. Bring a bag or two of individually wrapped Easter candy. We will aid the Easter Bunny in preparing for the Oakwood Easter Egg Hunt. Wednesday, March 17th St. Patrick’s Day ’Tators . . .or Are You Irish?? 5:45 to 7:30 pm. Be at the church to help with the activities at Fun-at-Church Group. How many ‘tators will you discover?? Bring a potato food for Manna Meals. Wednesday, March 24th No Youth - Kanawha County Spring Break Saturday, March 27th Festival of Faith Youth Track Registration forms are on the table outside the education office. Claire Butler will be the Youth Leader again this year. Wednesday, March 31st Signs of the Season Meet at the church at 5:45 pm. Bring $$ to eat at the Mall Food Court. Following dinner we will search the mall to discover how the symbols of Easter are displayed. April 1st and 2nd 7pm Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Worship Services Worship with the church family as we journey Holy Week toward Easter.
Older Youth News For March 2010
Sunday, March 14th Lenten Lunch Fundraiser for Triennium Be at the church by 8:30 am to put the final touches on lunch. A successful fundraiser will keep the cost of Trienniem low.
Sunday, March 21st Lunch and Eggs After Worship Stay after worship for lunch and service project. Bring a bag or two of individually wrapped Easter candy. We will prepare Easter eggs for underprivileged children in our community.
Saturday, March 27th Festival of Faith Youth Track There are registration forms on the table outside the Education office. Claire Butler will lead the Youth activities again this year.
Sunday, March 28th Lunch Out! Stay after Worship and we will treat ourselves to lunch. April 1st and 2nd Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Worship Services Worship with the church family as we journey Holy Week toward Easter.
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Saturday, April 17th 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Church Rummage Sale Sponsored by the Youth Have you finished your Spring cleaning? Are you wondering what to do with items you no longer need? Are your attic, basement and garage on overflow? If you can answer yes to any of these questions the Youth have a solution for you. Set aside the items that ‘have to go’ to make room for the new. What you have finished with may be exactly what someone else needs. The Youth will be sponsoring the Rummage Sale to benefit Triennium and other Youth activities throughout the year. Recycling Person to Person for Christian Education! Items may be left on the stage anytime prior to the sale. If you need pick-up service call Chris at the church office to make arrangements. Your Contributions Will Help the Youth Expand Their Opportunities
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Fun-At-Church Group (A Mission-Oriented Activity Group for Children in Kindergarten through Fifth Grades and Their Youth Mentors) Wednesday, March 17th 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. ‘Tators. . . . Or Are You Irish?? Come wearing your best Irish smiles and green attire. We will celebrate the Irish tradition of the ‘Tator Trot. Bring Potato food(s) for Manna Meals. Come and Join the Fun!
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