All Souls Parish
The Presbyterian Church
The Messenger
May 7, 2008 - Number 1978
Pastor’s Message…
On Sunday mornings for the past several weeks, when
the children come forward for the Children’s Lesson, the first thing I do
is light the Christ candle and ask, “So, what is today?”, and they
answer, “Easter.” I do that
not to mess with their minds (although that would be only fair given how they
mess with mine), but I ask that to help them learn and remember who we
are. We are the Easter people.
We do pretty well at remembering that each year on the
first Sunday, after the first full moon, after the vernal equinox (that’s
how we figure out when Easter is.), but then our memory begins to fade. We sing our Alleluias with gusto. We become duly moved as we hear the good news
of the gospel story. We attain that
certain glow of loving fellowship that happens at Christmas as well, then along
comes the second Sunday, after the first full moon, after the vernal equinox
and we begin to forget. However, the
church doesn’t forget. That next
Sunday isn’t called the first after
Easter. It is called the second
Sunday of Easter, and so it goes.
That’s why we have church on Sundays. The Sabbath is Saturday if we read the
creation story where it was the seventh day when the Lord rested. We gather on Sunday because that is the day
when creation began again, when new life became the promise to all, when Jesus
rose from the grave.
With the promise of Jesus that we need not fear death,
with the promise of Jesus that the grave cannot contain the power of
God’s love, with the promise of Jesus that forgiveness and hope are ours,
with all of that how can we not be the Easter people who come together each
Sunday to remember that first day of the new creation, that first Easter. Forgiveness is ours. Grace is ours. Peace is ours. Love is ours all because we know that each
day is Easter day because the grave is still empty and Jesus is still
alive. He is alive in you and in me as
we remember that we are the Easter people for whom fear and hopelessness have
been vanquished.
Now the trick comes in living like that. It is a risky business to live like you
aren’t afraid of death, like you believe you are loved and forgiven,
because you must then be willing to stand against the powers of death in the
world, and you must love and forgive as you have been loved and forgiven. Well, anyway, happy Easter today and tomorrow
and the next day and the next day
and……………………. -Bruce
News
From The Pews…
Continued prayers are asked for…
V
All ministries of this parish; Small Group
ministries, Godly Play, Sunday School/Bible Study, Healing Ministries, Saturday
Evening Worship, Chancel Choir, Session & Deacons, General Assembly, Parish
Nurse, Spirituality Group, Soup Kitchen and Carver Center; for our youth and
children.
V The family of Rose Vincento for love and support as they mourn her loss.
V For Laura continued prayers for healing.
V
Our president, his staff, our military
and those around the world living in fear and praying for freedom.
V
For all soldiers and troops.
V
Our personnel abroad in places of danger and
those at home experiencing new worries.
V
People who are seeking employment.
V
The people of
V
The refugees in
V
Our troubled world, prayers for our enemies.
V
For all veterans.
V
For those who are suffering from addiction.
V
For all of those traveling.
V
Dorothy Pierson, Rose Cumming, Roberta Gillan.
It was a joy…
V
For the Calabrese
anniversary.
V
V
For Marg Scibona visiting us today.
V
Traveling
blessings
V
Danielle’s
friends who came to see her performance.
V
Marlis’
granddaughter who is now talking.
Please remember to pray for…
V
The family of Paul Sternberg who passed away.
V
For the Vincento Family.
V
Debby’s friend
V
Deb’s brother and niece-in-law who
both had surgery.
V
V
Marion
Kach who is ill.
V
Marg’s mother who is ill.
V
Terri
who has cancer.
V
Carey’s friend Joan Cunningham who broke her hip.
V
Helen
Pepe’s niece who is having a
hard time.
V
Tornado
Vicitims.
V
Jennifer
& Phillip for a stable living situation.
V
Those
struggling with economic and family issues.
V
Doris
Baker for her eye surgery.
V
Maureen
Morina’s family
V
Max
Concra for a speedy recovery at
home.
V
Renate
suffering with pneumonia.
V
Jim
Taylor Sr. hospitalized with a stroke.
V
Sean
Bell’s family.
V
World
Peace.
V
Caroline
Acuna who is awaiting word on
surgery.
V
Libby’s daughter-in-law Anne with Alzheimers.
V
Kristen,
the Bagley’s neighbor who was laid-off.
V
Jessica,
Eli’s classmate had to move into a shelter.
V
For Carol
who is battling breast and brain cancer.
V
Patience
for parents of children of
all ages.
V Uncle Vic, Shenoa, James & Andy for continued strength and
healing
V Jamie, Sutterlin’s daughter for an easy
recovery.
V Richard McBride & Don Culyer for continued strength and
healing.
Worship This Sunday…
This Sunday we’re having
quite a celebration at church!
It’s Pentecost, it’s Mothers’ Day, and there will be a
baptism (James Brooks). What a
spirit-filled day! We’ll have a
string quartet play (Haydn’s Opus 76 #4), and the Chancel Choir will sing
“In This Place”, by Susan Borwick. Come and celebrate!
Eight O’Clock Hour…
We will not meet on Mother's Day.
Please review chapter 6 for Sunday May 18th. Ken Nilsen
Bible
Morning Evening
May 12 John 3. 1-18 2 Ki.
15-16
May 13 John 3. 19-36 2
Ki. 17, 18
May 14 John 4. 1-30 2
Ki .
19, 20, 21
May 15 John 4. 31-54 2
Ki. 22, 23
May 16 John 5. 1-24 2
Ki. 24, 25
May 17 John 5. 25-47 1
May 18 John 6. 1-21 1
Mother’s Day Breakfast…
Please join us on for a Mother’s
Day Breakfast at
A Note From Max…
Dear All Souls Parish, Thank you for all your
thoughts and prayers. The kids’ drawings were very sweet. Love,
Max
In doing your spring cleaning, if you find items
you no longer want, remember that the Capital Campaign is still taking
donations to sell on eBay. Items can be
dropped off at the church.
Yes, we have rhythm. Yes, we have music, and to prove it, the
Golden Anniversary Capital Campaign committee is sponsoring an All Souls Talent
Show on Saturday evening, May 17, beginning at
Praying for All the Souls…
During the season when we remember all of the
saints and all of the souls who have gone before us and helped guide our way in
the faith let us also remember and lift up those who continue with us in the
fellowship of the church. During the coming month please remember in your
prayer life the following: Bea Eldridge,
Brittany Fuller, Yongjin Han, Sandy Haney, Del Monte Family.
Preacher: Rev.
J. Bruce Baker
Organist: Joanna
Nilsen
Liturgist: Jim
Sutterlin
Counters: Sim Kovacic & John Carey
Sunday School: Jeanine & Jack Zaccara
Greeter: Dave Del Monte
We Care Team II: Deacons:
Mary Betz & Jeanette Lotko
Captains: Margaret Calabrese, Steven Calabrese, Jane
Gibbs, Connie Howard, Dorothy Pierson, Audrey Thime,
Jeanine & Jack Zaccara.
e-mail address: AllSoulsParish@Yahoo.com Web site: http://www.allsoulsparish-portchester.org/
Editorial Staff
Editor: Enza
Giglio
Circulation: Ethel
Mellon
Reporting Staff: All
Members
STAFF
Pastor: Rev. J.
Bruce Baker
Minister of Music:
Joanna Nilsen
Bookkeeper: Debbie Bunnell
Secretary: Enza Giglio
Sexton: Isaisa Retamozo
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:45-11:45am Church Phone (914) 939-4300 Fax # (914) 935-0865
Return to Main Page