THE EPISTLE

Volume 14 Issue 3 MARCH 26, 2009

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

Palm Sunday ushers us into the mystery of Holy Week. As we journey from the Hosannas of Sunday
to the desolation of Good Friday, we see the highs and lows of life in full relief. It is important to re-
member, though, that Jesus’ experiences while instructive, are not to be seen as some kind of larger
image of our own experiences. Holy Week and the festival of Easter are not about us, but about Jesus
Christ and his cross. What we learn here is not how to make it through our suffering, but rather that
God in Christ has done it for us.
In order to truly celebrate the festivities of Easter Day, we need to have experienced the hosannas of
Palm Sunday, the meal together in the upper room and the cry of absence from the cross. We can do
this as we gather together for our Holy Week services.

Palm/Passion Sunday April 5

Blessing of the Palms
Service of choral music and readings to prepare us for Holy Week
(no communion)
Wednesday of Holy Week April 8
Noon service of Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday April 9
7:30 PM: Service of Holy Communion and Tenebrae
Good Friday April 10
Noon: “Way of the Cross” beginning here
This service sponsored by the Perinton Pastoral Association follows contemporary “Stations of the
Cross” through the village of Fairport, with stops for readings and prayer
7:30 PM: Good Friday Liturgy
This simple service takes us to the depts. Of Good Friday as we prepare for the joy of Easter Day
Easter Day April 12
9:30 AM: Festival Eucharist
There will be no Church School
Nursery Care will be provided
The children will participate in the “Living Cross”

See p. 10 for May 17 – Year-End Dinner & Celebration

 The Season of Easter
Worship Schedule
Sunday Worship at 9:30 AM
Fellowship Time and Christian Education follow

April 19: Second Sunday of Easter

The Rev.Dr.Timothy Dwyer, guest preacher*
*The Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwyer, our teacher and friend, will preach on Sunday April 19.
The Cedarleaf’s will be taking a week’s vacation.

April 26: Third Sunday of Easter May 17: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 3:12-19 (“Ascension Sunday”)
I John 3:1-7 Acts 1:1-11
Luke 24:36b-48 Ephesians 1:15-23
“A New World Order” Luke 24:44-53
“We are not alone”
May 3: Fourth Sunday of Easter May 24: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:5-12 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
I John 3:16-24 I John 5:9-13
John 10:11-18 John 17:6-19
“Gentle Jesus?” “Under the Influence”

May 10: Fifth Sunday of Easter May 31: Day of Pentecost

Acts 8:26-40 Ezekiel 37:1-14
I John 4:7-21 Acts 2:1-21
John 15:1-8 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
“It’s all About a Relationship” “The Gift of the Spirit”

First Congregational United Church of Christ

26 East Church Street Fairport NY 14450
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
When you read this you will be getting ready to celebrate the great festival of Easter.
This great day is the cornerstone of the whole Christian faith. Paul tells us that if Jesus did not
rise from the dead, then our faith is in vain, and indeed it is. Easter is not about us, it is about
Jesus Christ and his victory over death which makes everything that follows it different. We did
not live before the Resurrection and we view all that comes after through the lens of the resur-
rection.
Before the resurrection there had been a little band of Jesus’ followers, but after Easter,
and certainly after Pentecost they became the Church. We, of course, are also the post Easter
church, those who dwell together on this side of our Lord’s resurrection and who try to act in
ways which witness to the power of that resurrection in the world. What kind of a church is a
“Post Easter Church”?
The Post Easter Church is joyful.
How can we be anything, but joyful? After we go through the ultimate defeat of Good
Friday, we know that nothing can be that bad again. We know that because Jesus lives, so too
will his people live; that because Jesus lives, his spirit has been loosed amid human institutions;
that tears have been turned into laughter and sorrow into joy.
This is good news. This is the gospel; the greatest of all news that can lift us to new
heights of love and service, even today. Today, as in all times, we need this message of joy. We
need to be a joyful church; joyful because the gospel we proclaim in word and deed is one
which makes all things new.
The Post Easter Church is united.
Jesus called his disciples together; a diverse lot in so many ways: tax collectors and
fishermen, and a traitor in their midst. They appeared to be united, but in the face of death and
defeat ran away or denied or turned traitor. Yet, after the resurrection this group of frightened
and shivering people banded together and became, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the
church.
They didn’t all think alike on every issue; yet there was among them a deep unity
thought and purpose. This unity of thought and purpose gave power to Peter to speak his mind
and Paul to travel the face of the earth for Christ.
Today, more than ever, the church needs to be united, not only physically but spiritu-
ally. We need to understand our mission and purpose better than we do. We need to see that
indeed if we are going to be like “a mighty army”, we can’t act like a bunch of guerillas taking
pot shots at one another form behind every rock and tree.
Continued
 WORSHIP DURING
THE SEASON OF LENT
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE (cont)
Recently we have read of the decline of Lent is that period of forty
those who identify themselves with the church.
days, not including Sundays,
Let us remember that we are one church in Christ
which precedes Easter and which
around the world. We may look different and wor-
ship in different ways, but we are one in Christ. prepares us for the celebration of
The Post Easter Church is loving.
the great Easter feast. Traditionally
The apostle John tells us that it is hard, to our worship service has changed
love God who we have not seen, if we do not love somewhat during this time, certain
our sisters and brothers who we do see. Here is the things eliminated, such as the alle-
line between theology and ethics, between belief luias. We remove the brass candle-
and action. You cannot love God in the abstract.
sticks and substitute wooden ones.
Love must be concretized in the family, in the
We also use wooden or pottery
church, in the world, by word and deed, by speak-
ing and acting. Love of God is not a mere theo- communion wear. The choir does
logical exercise, but a practical action. God loved not process. This year we will also
the world and sent his Son. Jesus founded the make another change. During Lent
Church to be a community of love, to show God’s we will begin the service with a
love to the whole world.
Thanksgiving for Baptism which
The Church is called to be that community will replace the confession and
which is directed and energized by love of God
pardon. As God provided water for
and love of neighbor; that community which is an
example of the love of Christ in the world.
the people of Israel in the desert
and for our Lord in the wilderness
God calls us into his Church as the state-
ment of faith says: “to accept the cost and the joy of temptation, so he provides liv-
of discipleship.” That is what we are about as a ing water to us in Jesus Christ.
people, as the Post Easter Church. We are called to This is symbolized in the Sacra-
be joyful, called to be united and called to be lov- ment of Baptism. This year, par-
ing.
ticularly, as we work to provide
Your Pastor, Water for Sudan, this reminder
John that our Christian life begins in the
waters of baptism is appropriate.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM APRIL 16, 2009

 KEEPING UP TO NURSERY SCHOOL
DATE OPEN HOUSE
Our revitalized web page is up and BERTHA AGOR
running. Check things out to see what MEMORIAL NURSERY SCHOOL
is going on. If you have friends who is having an open house on March 29,
want to know about us, send them to 2009 from 2 to 3 PM. Please stop by
fairportucc.org. As time goes on more and check it out. There are openings in
and more information will be added both the 3 and 4 year old classes. Call
both for internal and external use. The Ginger Field, 377-9806 for forms.
web page is a center of communication
for our parish. Another way that we try
and keep people up to date is by using
Morning Circle
e-mail to inform you of activities or
Morning Circle will meet on
events of importance. We can only do
this if we have your up-to-date e-mail April 14th at 10 AM. We will
address. If you have not already done have a discussion of the book ,
so, please give The Guernsey Literary and Po-
Cathy Kinton tato Peel Pie Society by Mary
([email protected])
Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows,
your e-mail address so that you can be
a novel about life under German
informed about the good works of our
church and church family. Thanks. occupation during World War II.

Easter Flower Donations

A sign-up sheet for Easter flower donations will be put on the moveable Bulletin
Board in Fellowship Hall later in February. Donations can be made in memory of
a person or persons of your choosing. The Board of Elders will purchase flowers
to be placed in the Altar area and on the window sills. Checks can be made pay-
able to the church with the notation "for Easter flowers". If you have any ques-
tions, contact John Hecker (223-7584)."

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 The following request was received by the Missions committee from Church World Service:

Blankets+ Funds and Hygiene Kit Supplies are Critically Low

Needs and requests have depleted our Blankets+ funds. Shipments to the border regions of the U.S. in
New Mexico and response to overseas partners leave us with little to nothing left to share as we contem-
plate the needs of an ice bound Kentucky and other disasters that will cry for an immediate response from
CWS.

Recent shipments of blankets and relief supplies have gone to those impacted by the ongoing violence in
Gaza. The needs and suffering are great. Church World Service is supporting relief efforts being imple-
mented by local partners. Eight trucks of aid have gone into Gaza over the past few weeks and this is just
the crisis assistance phase, long-term assistance will be needed. Please help us help those struggling for
survival.

Church World Service provided an initial shipment of 300 blankets and 300 Hygiene Kits to those im-
pacted by the recent ice storm in Kentucky that the Governor's office has called the biggest natural disas-
ter in the state's history. In addition Church World Service is providing 240 Hygiene Kits each to the Izard
County Shelter and the Searcy County Shelter. Recovery and repairs will take time. Please help us bring
warmth and assistance to those in need. CWS is providing 1,000 CWS Hygiene Kits to emergency work-
ers in Fayetteville, AR, and 92 CWS Hygiene Kits to the Maynard (AR) Fire Department, for distribution
to families affected by end-of-January ice storms.

In Oklahoma, at least nine people were killed, dozens injured, and homes damaged or destroyed by an
unusual February outbreak of tornadoes. CWS Emergency Response Specialist Lura Cayton is assessing
the situation and helping local faith communities organize for recovery.

Donna Derr, Director of the Church World Service Emergency Response Program, reports that “CWS
continues to receive frequent large requests for CWS kits from partners overseas and in the U.S. -- par-
ticularly hygiene kits for overseas use and clean-up buckets for U.S. use. Because it is a constant chal-
lenge to have our supply of kits keep up with demand, we are currently in the position of having several
pending shipments that need to wait until we can secure an adequate number of kits to meet the requests.
Our pending shipments include ones to Ghana, Syria and Zimbabwe. As well, we continue to supply often
clean-up buckets and hygiene kits to flood affected areas in the US -- most recently to areas of the Mid-
west which experienced ice storms and flooding following ice melt.”

Materials Resource Update

Church World Service recently filled the following requests for material resources:
480 CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets to the Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization, at a value of
$24,000
100 CWS Emergency Blankets to Hope of Lutheran Church in Bonita Springs, Florida at a value of
$476
17,400 CWS Hygiene Kits to International Orthodox Christian Charities in Damascus, Syria at a
value of $226,800
250 Heavyweight CWS Blankets to Chenango Fenton Project Concern for homeless and disadvan-
taged in the Binghamton area at a value of $1,190

As you can see these are desperate times for a number of areas of our world, our nation and even our state. In re-
sponse, our church will hold a special collection on two consecutive Sundays: Palm Sunday (April 5th) and Easter
Sunday (April 12th). The Missions committee will also supplement the congregations’ donation to assure a
minimum donation from the church of $500.
 185th Anniversary
This year First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fairport is planning a
year-long observance of our 185th anniversary. This observance includes a series of cele-
brations and events as well as a contemplative study of our roots and traditions and an hon-
est and thoughtful appraisal of what our community of faith truly means as we move into
our future.

As we study the earliest organization of our church in 1824, it is interesting to note

that the founders did not establish it with "articles of incorporation" or "corporate by-laws"
or even a "mission statement" - but rather with a "covenant" - a solemn, formal binding
agreement, or contract. The preamble of the agreement that was signed reads as follows;

"Whereas, we the subscribers, ordained ministers of the Gospel, having been called
by a number of professing Christians in the Town of Perinton, to meet on this
18th day of December 1824, at the house of Jesse Perrin, in Perinton, for the purpose
of taking into consideration the propriety of forming and organizing a Congregational
church, and, if on full examination of the subject, it shall appear to us that such a
church ought to be formed for the benefit of Christ's Kingdom and the promotion of
His cause, then to proceed to the organization of such a church."

Therefore, "membership" in this church was meant that we are bound together for
the purpose of furthering of God's Will and Christ's purpose in this world, and that active
participation in that work and endeavor is necessary in order to carry out that purpose.

Nothing less is needed today than it was 185 years ago to witness to the Work and
Word of Jesus Christ. In fact in a culture that is increasingly trending toward secular princi-
ples, effort and energy expended in support of the covenant is even more critical. Over the
next several months of this year, the Board of Elders will be endeavoring to connect - and
re-connect - with all those listed in our rosters to ask them how we can make the bonds of
our first covenant even stronger as we face the years before us.

Toni Thompson, Board of Elders Chairperson

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 Many thanks to everyone who sent
cards and prepared meals and treats for Art
and I while I was recovering from back sur-
gery. We are so grateful for your kind
words and deeds.

Sincerely,
Diana DeBruycker

A Big Thanks from Marius Burke Eaton and Family!

Don and Deirdre Eaton would like to thank all the adults and teenagers that have
volunteered their time each Sunday morning for "Marius Duty". Not only are we both
able to attend worship, but the socialization is beneficial for Marius as well. What a great
congregation. A big thanks to Kelly Weidman for organizing it.

Perinton Food Shelf says “Many Thanks”

The Perinton Food Shelf has continued to be well stocked as a result of your generous
contributions! Your thoughtful donations of the items requested provides the basic needs to the
hungry in the community. Thanks also to the efforts of the office assistants in publishing
the requests and the volunteers who bring the donations to the Food Shelf. Working together--
especially in these difficult economic times--we are able to help others who are less fortunate.

Sympathy is extended to Paula and

Our sympathy is extended to the David Dickson on the recent death of Paula’s
family of Geraldine Stearns who passed sister, Sally Wing.
away on March 4, 2009 at the age of 100
years. Geraldine had been a member of
our church family since 1990 and a resi- Our condolences to Lorrie and Glenn
dent at Crest Manor. A service for her Harris on the death of Lorrie’s brother,
was held at Keenan’s. Ron Seitz, in Sardis , TN on March 9, 2009.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home
Adult Education
What’s Coming Up in Adult Education
March 29 – A Look At Holy Week presented by Dr.
Tim Dwyer

April 5– TBD

These classes/events will be held during Christian Educa-

tion time in the Snow Room following the worship ser-
vice.

***NOTE: There will be NO adult ed. class on 4/12, 4/19 or

4/26 due to Easter and Spring Break.***

Mid-Week Daytime Class!

The Jesus I Never Knew
Come join our study and discussion group as we travel through Lent
studying, “The Jesus I Never Knew” by Christianity Today Editor
Philip Yancey. In this DVD study, you will expand – and very likely re-
define – your understanding of the person, teachings, and life of Jesus
Christ. Classes are held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – noon in the
Snow Room, beginning on Feb. 25. There will be an $8 fee per par-
ticipant’s manual. Join us!
 May 17 – Year-End Dinner & Celebration
Come relax, enjoy some delicious food and a lot of laughs with friends as we cele-
brate a great year in youth group! The evening’s activities will run from 6 – 8 p.m. in
Fellowship Hall.

“Dining & Drumming Under the South African Stars”

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to savor a unique experience, while supporting
an excellent cause – Water for Sudan!
During Lent, our church is trying to raise the $8,000 necessary to drill
a well in south Sudan. This well will provide clean drinking water for
up to 2,000 villagers. In addition to individual donations, we are
hosting a one-of-a-kind gourmet dining experience – /Dining & Drumming
Under the South African Stars/ – on Saturday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m.
This delightful evening will begin in Upper Fellowship Hall. Here, you
may wander through our lapa and shop for fair trade goods at Afrikamba
in our marketplace. You will have the opportunity to capture the evening
with a professional portrait by Natalie Sinisgalli, and you may bid on
one of the special items offered at our Silent Auction.
At 7:30 p.m., you’ll be invited to Fellowship Hall to enjoy a
traditional South African gourmet dinner – complete with linen
tablecloths and candlelight! You’ll start your meal with savory
Voorgereg, a pate with toast triangles. Next, you’ll enjoy Bobotie en
Greelrys met Perske Blatjang (Bobotie with yellow rice and peach
chutney), Pampoenkoekies (pumpkin fritters), and Aspersies, Ricotta en
Avokadoopeer (asparagus, ricotta and avocado).
At 8:15, it’s time to drum with Matthew Mantione, a young man with
autism, who is making a name for himself in the drumming world.
Finally, at 9 p.m., you can complete your evening with coffee and
Pavlova met vrugte (pavlova with fruit).
Tickets for this special evening are only $30. Seating is limited. To
purchase a ticket, please contact the church office at 223-0224 or visit
the dinner sales table in Fellowship Hall.

Thank you for supporting this wonderful cause!

 ….. Coming May 15 …..
Family Ice Cream Social & Movie Night!
Mark your calendars for this fun, fam-
ily year-end celebration! We’ll start at 7
p.m. in Fellowship Hall savoring delicious
ice cream sundaes.
Then, we’ll move upstairs to enjoy an en-
tertaining family movie. Join us!

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM APRIL 16, 2009

 JYF/SYF NEWS
April 10 – Way of the Cross Walk
Meet at our church at noon on this
day, Good Friday, to walk
“The Way of the Cross.”
We’ll join with other Fairport resi-
dents in a meditative
walk through the village with Scrip-
ture reading and focused prayer for
our community at several locations.

May 3 – CROP Walk!

We’ll meet at noon, have some lunch
and join others in a walk to raise
money to fight hunger. The walk is
approx. 3 miles on the canal. When
we’re done, we’ll treat ourselves to
ice cream at Lickety Splits!

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine
out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as
noon.” Isaiah 59:10
 Family News
Preschoolers & Elementary Students: Learning About
Christ’s Life and Journey To the Cross
From now until Easter Sunday, our students in the rotation program
will journey with Jesus to the cross. Through movies, drama, storytelling and
art, they will learn what events took place between Christ’s triumphant entry
into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the good news of His resurrection on
Easter morning.

Children Invited to Decorate Our Living Cross

on Easter Sunday
During the worship service on Easter Sunday, children of all ages are invited to
come to the chancel steps and decorate our wooden cross with live flowers.
There will not be Children’s Chapel on this special day, but children will be
given an activity bag full of Easter surprises to enjoy during the worship ser-
vice.

*****ATTENTION: THERE IS NO CHURCH SCHOOL OR CHILDREN’S

CHAPEL ON EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 12*. *THERE WILL BE NURS-
ERY CARE PROVIDED.**** *

******THERE WILL NO CLASSES ON APRIL 19 OR 26 DUE TO SPRING

BREAK.

CLASSES RESUME MAY 3.* *(THERE WILL BE CHILDREN’S CHAPEL

ON THOSE DAYS.)*****

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