The MESSENGER Newsletter of the Presbyterian Church in Needham

April 2018

Dear friends, If it is still while you are reading this, prayers for a blessed last few days of , and I look forward to worshiping with you on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. If it is already: Alleluia! Christ is risen! Happy Easter! Easter is a season, not just a Sunday, and is longer and bigger than Lent. Throughout the Great Fifty Days from Easter to , we are called to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and live into what that really means. To give some context, not just to Easter Sunday but for the next seven weeks, I share with you an excerpt from one of our PC(USA) worship resources: Easter is the oldest of the annual festivals, and it celebrates the central event of the story of our salvation. The Easter cycle consists of six Sundays in Lent, seven Sundays of Easter, and one Sunday of Pentecost (“the fiftieth day”). Throughout these fourteen Sundays, the emphasis on cross and resurrection expresses the unity of the cycle. Cross and resurrection are inseparable, both in the Christian faith and in our liturgical celebration. We observe Lent in anticipation of the resurrection, and we celebrate Easter remembering the cost of the cross’s life-giving victory. […] The early church’s annual paschal festival functioned as both culmination and initiation of the church year—in that way it is a “big Sunday.” Pascha is the English transliteration of both the Greek and Hebrew words for “Passover,” the central festival for Jews. The early Christians appropriated this term for the annual celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. Pascha signified the great deliverance accomplished in the Lord’s new Passover. For Christians, Pascha was initially a feast that included everything from the incarnation, through the death and resurrection of Christ, to the gift of the Spirit. The Lord’s life-giving victories were proclaimed and celebrated each year in a fast and vigil near the time of Passover. Throughout the Roman Empire, Gentile Christians gathered for this yearly celebration on a Sun- day–the day of the Lord’s resurrection. In Asia Minor, where Jews constituted the bulk of the church, Jewish Christians observed this annual festival of Pascha on the actual date of Passover (14 Nisan), which had now been transformed by Christ’s resurrection. The annual Paschal Vigil was celebrated on these two different dates until the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) declared the Sunday Pascha as the official day. […] Pascha is the central event, the time of transformation, of becoming a resurrected people, God’s new people. On this Sunday of all Sundays, Pascha, we celebrate our transformation as a new people. When Christ rose from the grave, death and all other “principalities and powers” that seek to entomb God’s will were forever defeated. Easter is not simply the miracle of a dead person raised from a grave, but a celebration of power that can shatter death in order that people can freely serve the God of life. In the resurrection of Christ, God’s awesome purposes were on display, revealing a radically new world of peace and harmony and equality and mutuality, about which we can only dream. The Lord of the future has been disclosed to us. —The Companion to the Book of Common Worship, ed. Peter C. Bower, 2003, p. 105-107 Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! See you in church! Peace, Pastor Kate

Upcoming Events Sun., April 1 10:30 am EASTER Worship, with communion. Bring One Great Hour of Sharing offerings and fish banks. All are invited to join the choir in singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” at the end of worship. Sun. April 8 10:30 am Worship, followed by Mission Committee meeting 3:30 pm Closing Service at First Presbyterian Church of Waltham (34 Alder St.) Sun., April 15 10:30 am Worship, followed by choir rehearsal Sun., April 22 10:30 am Worship, followed by pizza lunch and Clean-up Day Sat., April 28 9-11 am Craft Day Sun., April 29 10:30 am Worship, followed by Life of Church Meeting

Weekly: Sundays @10:30 am Worship (Choir rehearsal @ 9:30) Mondays @ 10:30 am Craft group (knitting, etc.) Wednesdays @ 7:00 pm Bible Study

One Great Hour of Sharing beside our brothers and sisters offering them a “You shall be called repairers of the breach” warm meal, helping them rebuild their homes, Isaiah 58. and providing them the means to rebuild their lives. We are called to be the light and to share the light with others. We are asked to repair the We are Easter people, we know that after the breach whether that breach is caused by darkness of comes the light of the hunger, or by a natural disaster. We are asked Easter sunrise. Let us share the light and God’s to find ways to give people a chance to give love through our gifts to the One Great Hour of themselves a chance. Through the One Great Sharing Offering. Hour of Sharing Offering we can be there 2

Please bring your offerings and fish banks to Church Clean-up Day church on Easter Sunday. Shine on! Following worship on April 22 and a hearty —Mission of the Church Committee pizza lunch, we will have our spring clean-up day. This is an opportunity for people of all skills and interests to help with a task around the church—light cleaning, organizing, gardening, sorting items for the yard sale, or whatever you might have in mind. Those who would like to garden may wish to bring tools from home and all may wish to bring a change of clothes. Questions? See Mott Linn. —Resources Committee Second Annual Yard Sale We will be holding another yard sale this year. We encourage you to either rent a table to sell your unneeded items or bring your items to church to be sold at the church table. The sale Free Craft Class for Kids – 4/28 is Saturday, May 12th. Please see the attached On Saturday, April 28, from 9 to 11 AM, the flyer for details and talk it up with your friends Outreach Team will again be hosting a free and neighbors. We want to rent as many tables craft day for children. This time, the projects will as possible and then be sure others in the be decorating a pot to plant pansies, building a community are aware of the sale. Questions? wooden bird feeder, or making a craft with Speak to Diana or Mott Linn or Donnie Dick. fabric. The projects will make great Mother’s —Resources Committee Day, Father’s Day, or birthday gifts. We ask that those who are interested email the Thanks for Help at the YAV Fundraiser church ([email protected]) and Thank you to all who provide a name & email address. For further helped with crafts, information, contact Diana Linn or Sandy food, set-up, and Robinson, or leave a message on the church clean-up for the YAV voice mail (781.444.6455). (Presbytery’s Young —The Outreach Task Team Adult Volunteers) FUNdraiser held on St. Patrick’s Day at PCN. The YAVs appreciated being able to use our centrally-located facility. The jazz band was terrific. And April Bible Study - One Easter, Four Arlene Katris’ crafts Gospels were amazing to keep the kids engaged. If The four Gospels tell very different stories you would like more about Jesus' resurrection and his appearances information on the to his disciples, but they all rejoice in the same YAVs’ activities this year, see good news: Christ is risen! Join us Wednesday https://bostonfoodjusticeyavprogram.wordpress. nights in April at 7pm in the parlor, as we com/. explore the Easter story from the point of view of each of the four evangelists. — Mission Committee — Pastor Kate 3

Open Mosque Day: “Open Minds— Counters Open Hearts” April 2018 On Sunday, April 8, from 3-6 PM, 21 mosques 4/1 Adriene Dick, across the state will be open to visit, meet your Diana Linn Muslim neighbors, learn about Islam, and enjoy 4/8 Carol Patey, Diana Linn cultural food and have fun. These include the 4/15 Mark McCoy, Betty MacIver Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in 4/22 Nancy McIlwrath, Barbara Collishaw Boston, the Islamic Center of New England in 4/29 Sandy Robinson Sharon, and the Islamic Society of May 2018 Framingham. For more information, call 5/6 Bob VanSickle, Sandie VanSickle (801) 336-6861. 5/13 Carol Patey, Erik Pedersen 5/20 Adriene Dick, Diana Linn Scripture Readings for April 5/27 Nancy McIlwrath, Barbara Collishaw Below are scripture readings for the upcoming Contact Info for Pastor month. These enable those attending worship to study readings before the service and those Rev. Kate Carlisle, 781.444-3728, Ext. 13 not able to attend to join with us in spirit. Links (office) below will take you to weekly readings. [email protected] 4/01: Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 Comments or suggestions on the 4/08: Acts 4:32-35, John 20:19-31 newsletter? Address changes? Please contact Carol Patey or the church office 4/15: Acts 3:12-19, Luke 24:36b-48 (781.444.3728) if you have any comments, 4/22: Acts 4:5-12, John 10:11-18 suggestions, ideas for articles, address changes, or names of others who should 4/29: Acts 8:26-40, John 15:1-8 receive the newsletter. The May newsletter Fellowship Hour and deadline will be May 1. Greeters April 2018 4/01 Bob & Sandie VanSickle, Sally Pomeroy, Mora Gray 4/08 Nancy McIlwrath, Agnes MacPhail, Joanne MacPhail Walsh, Sue McIlwrath 4/15 Donnie & Adriene Dick, Kay Dick 4/22 LUNCH & CLEAN-UP DAY 4/29 Peggy & Mark Hellberg, Arlene Katris, Mark McCoy May 2018 5/06 Sandy & Doug Robinson, Betty MacIver, John Charters 5/13 Carol & David Patey, Val & Sam Lin 5/20 ANNIVERSARY/DIVERSITY POT- LUCK LUNCH 5/27 Mott & Diana Linn, Jennifer Fuchs, Erik Pedersen

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Free Building Craft, Planting and Pot Decorating Project Class for Kids @ The Presbyterian Church in Needham 1458 Great Plain Ave, Needham 02492 (Parking available at Newman Elementary School, 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA 02492)

April 28th 9am-11am

PCN is having a free workshop for kids

When they come to a PCN’s kids workshop they will receive a free project kit they can complete during the workshop and then take home when they are finished (possible Mother’s Day/Spring/Father’s Day/Birthday or ?? gift). April 28th we will be having your choice of build a wooden bird feeder, decorate a pot to plant pansies, and a simple craft for all participants. Choose which project to complete. How to register Email [email protected] and provide your name & email address. Class sizes are limited so sign up today! Walk-ins are welcome As long as supplies are available. Please register your child if they would like to attend to ensure their project.

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