Sweet Surrender
Where does the month of March rank on your list of favorite months of the year? I guess if you were born or married in March, this month is right up there among your top three!
Yes, this month we are slowly but surely making our way through another Lenten season, on our way to the cross and the glorious Resurrection. If you have been making a conscious effort to give up a self-centered habit during this season, stay focused. Keep the drive alive. You can do it!
This month we are also approaching the end of an abnormally difficult winter season, a season that will go down in the record books as the all-time snowiest. Keep in mind that other than the Farmers' Almanac predictions and Benjamin Franklin doing his own thing back in the 1700s, weather tracking didn’t become popular until around 1870.
So here we are finishing up the first quarter of the year in this often, unpredictable month of March, knowing full well that spring will soon be upon us again, hopefully sooner than later.
Whether you are focusing inward, either by fasting or by trying other ways to make yourself a better person this Lenten season; or if your stress level due to the weather, or a health issue, or your job, or your financial situation, or a sputtering relationship, or any combination thereof, has your spirit down to the point that you just want to scream, take a step back, and pray… Whatever you need help with, whether it’s something you are trying to give up for Lent, or whether life situations are “BYBB” bugging you beyond belief; trust God, give them to God.
Consider it a “Sweet Surrender,” meaning consider accessing and taking advantage of that encouraging peace that only God can provide. Sweet Surrender, that’s an interesting phrase.
Along that thought process, in Psalm 51:10 it is written, “Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within.” - NIV
On a personal note, my all-time favorite singer/songwriter was a man named Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. who in his early 20s changed his name to John Denver. Looking back now, I was so much of a fan, I guess I could have almost been considered a groupie in my younger years, as I attended a couple of his concerts and owned about a dozen of his 30 record albums.
Throughout the 1970s-until his death in a glider airplane crash in 1997, Denver, who wrote some 200 and recorded more than 300 songs, was one of the most popular acoustic artists of all-time. Many of his songs were songs of passion for the things that were important to him, in particular, nature, humanitarian causes, and personal relationships.
One of his songs, which was on the Billboard Charts for eight weeks back in 1975 is titled “Sweet Surrender,” and one of the verses of that song includes these lyrics:
“I don’t know what the future is holding in store. I don’t know where I’m going. I’m not sure where I’ve been. There’s a Spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me. My life is worth the living and I don’t need to see the end.”
Yes, we can set a strategy and make plans for our lives all we want. And if the plan matches God’s plan, all will be well within us. But realistically, we don’t know what the future is holding in store. We don’t necessarily know where we’re going, or for that matter, we don’t know exactly where we’ve been. One thing we do know is that there is a Spirit that guides us, a light that shines for us, in the person of Jesus Christ, the one who conquered death with his victory over the cross.
“Sweet Surrender” – to give up or relinquish in favor of another, in favor of Christ.
Many Blessings, Pastor Ken
PRESIDENT OF CONSISTORY MESSAGE
I find myself a bit preoccupied watching everything I own sink deeper into ever mounting record breaking snowfall. Then all those thoughts “I have to get to work tomorrow; I still have to shovel; I’ve got so much to do; I don’t have time to deal with this;”. We tend not to enjoy the moment. It is very freeing when one can live in the moment without the mind wondering to problems, workloads, and other life issues. It is tough to retain it. It takes a LOT of practice. The average person loses their attention span every 6-10 seconds every minute!
I read a lot of information from great leaders, philosophers, and success coaches. A lot of fascinating lessons I learned I will relate in messages throughout the year. One is ‘living in the moment’. We slow down our world. We enhance our ability to concentrate. We fine tune our thinking. Our prayers become deeper and more focused without the background ‘noise’ enabling a better connection with God. We reduce stress. We improve our health physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the snow. By the time you read this, it may already be gone so enjoy the moment you are in right now. Clear your mind. Look around you, and focus on living in the present. That is all we are guaranteed to have any way!
“When one wants to focus intent, you want to be a singleness of mind so you learn to bring your attention into a very sharp channel so that your energy density becomes greater” - William Tiller, PH.D; Professor Emeritus, Stanford University
CHURCH NEWS
APRIL/MAY/JUNE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
March 21, 2009
Please make sure your announcements are in by this date, you may email them to calvaryucc@dejazzd.com or put them in the secretaries mail slot.
THE CALVARY SPIRIT
In an effort to cut costs wherever we can without causing too much of a burden, the Calvary Consistory has decided that beginning with the second quarter of 2010 the Calvary SPIRIT newsletter will be distributed on a quarterly basis rather than on a monthly basis. Until April you will continue to receive the SPIRIT monthly.
2010 HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE
April 1st
April 4th
May 23rd
July 25th
October 3rd
November 28th
December 24th
CONSISTORY MEMBERS PER COMMISSION
Worship Commission – Denise Mathias, Linda Himeback
Christian Education – Pauline Weller, Denise Mathias
Stewardship & Evangelism – Pauline Weller, Matt Saylor, Randy Eck
Christian Social Ministries – Linda Himeback, Kim Marburger
Christian Fellowship – Anna Rhoads, Denise Mathias, Greg Kintner, Darlene Latshaw
Church Property – Matt Saylor, Greg Kintner, Randy Eck
Spiritual Council – Carl Kulp, Pauline Weller, Anna Rhoads, Randy Eck
PASTORAL CARE VISITS
Calling all shut-ins! Calling all shut-ins! You know who you are! A shut-in is not someone who goes here, there, and everywhere but not to church. A shut-in is a person who is homebound. Attention shut-ins, Pastor Ken has said on numerous occasions that one of his favorite accountabilities, as your pastor is to visit and provide Holy Communion to our shut-ins. It is not his responsibility to pry into your business to see if you are a shut-in or if you would like a pastoral visit, but know for sure, he is always available. If you are so inclined, please call the church and he will be happy to spend some time with you.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Many Thanks to all of those who have volunteered to share God’s word with our children during the Sunday morning Children’s Message. We are in need of volunteers to continue sharing his Word. If you are interested in volunteering please sign up in the narthex.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES
In an effort to save where we can the membership directories will be mailed after May 1, 2010 when we know our correct current memberships. This is being done so we only have to produce one directory in 2010.
CHOIR ANNOUNCEMENT
Choir Practice will be held after Lenten services. On March 31st we will have practice at the regular time. There is no Choir practice after Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.
2010 ENVELOPES
If you are a member of Calvary and have not picked up your 2010 envelopes and are unable to please contact the church secretary at 610-845-2570 or calvaryucc@dejazzd.com and we will mail them to you.
EASTER FLOWER ORDERS
Please watch the upcoming bulletins for more details about ordering Easter Flowers to decorate our sanctuary. If you should have any questions in the meantime please see Joan Albitz or Denise Mathias.
CAMP MENSCH MILL
2010 Camp brochures are now available in the narthex.
FELLOWSHIP
CALVARY COOKBOOK SALES
The Cookbooks are here and for sale at $10.00 each. Please see Marlene Latshaw to purchase. Thank you to everyone who contributed to make the book a success!
FEBRUARY FLING FOLLOW-UP
The February Fling held on Saturday, February 13 was a HUGE SUCCESS!! 80 people from Calvary and Falkner Swamp UCC enjoyed an evening of great music and fellowship. Thanks to the "Dogs from Falkner Swamp plus Pastor Jim" for allowing us old folks to sing along with the oldies and thanks to Dan Frantz for jammin with the youngins! 20+ bags of groceries were collected that evening for the food pantry at Boyertown Multiservice!!
GAME NIGHT
Join us on Saturday March 13 from 6 – 9P.M. for a game night. Bring your favorite board games to challenge your Calvary family members. Fun for all ages! A new twist this year, a Nintendo Game Cube system - bring your games to play on that. Bring a snack and enjoy a free evening of fun!!
CHICKEN POT PIE SUPPER
Our 18th Annual potpie supper will be on March 27 from 3 - 7 P.M. Please start thinking about what part you can play in this very important fundraiser. Help is needed from 5 A.M. to 10 P.M. Check the signup sheets that will be posted in the narthex. Donation of baked goods can be dropped off that morning. The community LOVES coming to this event and the church secretary has already received many calls inquiring as to when it is taking place!
Tickets for the chicken BBQ that will be held on June 5th will also be on sale that evening. Can you pledge as a family to sell 10 BBQ tickets to friends and family?
PLANT SALE
Did you notice that the days are getting longer? That the seed catalogs are in the mailbox? Yes, Spring is on the way and time to start thinking about the Upper Perk Relay for Life plant sale. It will be held on Saturday, April 17th in conjunction with the annual Spring Flea Market. Donations of perennials will be greatly appreciated and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Also consider donating houseplants - do you have violets or any herbs? Can you start seedlings on a window sill? Last year $1100.00 was raised and this amount was matched by Merck Inc. See Anna Rhoads for info.
SPRING FLEA MARKET
Spring Flea Market will be held on Saturday April 17th from 8 - 2 P.M. Spaces will be $10.00 each, table is not provided. Call Eileen Haring at 610-754 6046 to reserve your space. Donations will be accepted for white elephant sale; times for drop off will be announced later.
2010 FELLOWSHIP EVENTS
March 13 - Game Night 6 -9 P.M.
March 27 - Chicken Pot Pie Supper 3 - 7 P.M.
April 16 - Baking for Flea Market
April 17 - Spring Flea Market & Plant Sale 8 - 2 P.M.
May 15 - Congregational Pot Luck Dinner 6 P.M.
June 5 - Chicken BBQ 11 -1 P.M.
September 9 - Baking for Soup Supper
September 10 - Baking for Soup Supper
September 11 - Vegetable Soup Supper 3 - 7 P.M.
September 25 - Movie Night 7 - 9 P.M.
October 1 - Baking for Flea Market
October 2 - Fall Flea Market 8 - 2 P.M.
October 16 - 4 - 8 P.M. Spaghetti Supper
November 2 - Cookie Mixing
November 4 - Cookie Baking
November 5 - Cookie Baking
November 9- Cookie Mixing
November 11- cookie Baking
November 12 - Cookie Baking
November 18 - Pie Baking
November 19 - Pie Baking
November 20 Bazaar 9 - 2 P.M.
CHURCH OUTREACH
RECYCLING
Calvary is now collecting aluminum cans for recycling purposes. There are “Can” cans located throughout the building for your smashed or un-smashed aluminum cans. All proceeds will come directly back to the church.
SALVATION ARMY – DAILY BREAD
We are all blessed with so many opportunities to serve our God by serving others. Since March 2009, Calvary has accepted the call to help out with the Daily Bread program, by serving lunches to our neighbors in need in the Boyertown area on the third Friday of every month at the local Salvation Army facility. Regardless of your high school and above age, or your level of self-esteem, this is a great opportunity to do what we as children of God are commanded by Christ to do, love our neighbors. We need a total of four or five people each month to assist in this effort. If the Spirit moves you, look for the 2010 sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex. You’ll be glad you did!
SAMARITAN FUND
The Calvary Samaritan Fund is a fund set aside specifically for the purpose of helping people who are really struggling with making ends meet. The Calvary Spiritual Council, comprised of our four current church elders and our pastor are the overseers of all personal matters of this nature. We would like to replenish the Samaritan Fund and invite your contributions. If you would like to make a contribution to that particular need, please include cash or a check in a plain envelope with the words “Samaritan Fund” and your envelope number, in the collection plate.
OUT AND ABOUT
Theology with a Twist
Tuesday, March 9
Dr Lee Barrett, Professor of Theology Lancaster Theological Seminary
THE SHACK: Dangerous Heresy or Enlivening Truth
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
The Weeping Willow
The tree stood tall and proud, as it offered the woman its shade.
It tried so hard to protect her. For, it felt she was afraid.
She leaned against its trunk. Her sobs rustled through the leaves,
sighing lightly like the breeze; Echo's of a heart that grieves.
The tears ran like a river and watered deep the roots,
bringing forth the blossoms that would later bear the fruits.
The tree stood tall and proud as the soldiers checked it out.
"I think this one will do. Cut it down," he heard them shout.
They cut and carved upon that tree; stripped it of blossom and bark. Then, they made a rugged cross. That's the day the world turned dark.
As Jesus hung upon that tree, he was the last fruit it would bear.
For, Jesus was the fruit of God. He was longsuffering and full of care.
The tree no longer stood proud, as the blood of the Lamb did stain. It bent with the weight of its shame and it wanted to weep from the pain.
Jesus whispered to the tree, "From this day forth shall you cry."
Thus grew the weeping willow that had watched the Savior die.
