Midweek Message

Please pray for Carl Denney on the passing of Winnie Downes.  Please pray for McClaren Davies on the passing of Rich ~ services for Rich will be held at a date tba. 

Please pray for Dan Brown, Al Cady, and Dottie Pickett on hospice care ~ as well as pray for their families/friends.  Please pray for Dale Moore’s sister-in-law, Sue, on hospice care.

We lift up prayers of celebration with Nancy and Felix McElroy on the birth of their grandson, Nicolas “Nico” Theodore Roosevelt McElroy born Tuesday, April 15.  We honor our 90 plus wise April birthdays: Ruth Olson and Dr. Florence Jackson! 

Thank you to Glenn Priest, our amazing choir, Deb Smith, and Melvin Jackson for the beautiful worship on Palm Sunday. 

Thank you to Bev Carrington and Ruth Olson for making palm crosses. 

Thank you to everyone who helped clean the
sanctuary on Saturday!!

HOLY WEEK 2025

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary and online~ members of the Worship Team will share the story of the Last Supper according to St. Matthew.  Glenn Priest, organist and Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith will offer special music and holy communion will be celebrated.

Good Friday, April 18, 2025 at noon (12 p.m.) in the sanctuary and online ~ Pastor Wes will preach on St. Matthew’s narrative of God’s vulnerable love suffering on the cross and the tears in things.  We will conclude the service outside beneath the cross of Jesus.  We welcome Nadine Trudel, cellist, as a guest musician with our choir and Glenn Priest on organ.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 20, 2025 ~ Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!!  Alleluia!!  BOTH Services in the sanctuary We welcome special guest musicians ~ brass and percussion from the Sarasota Orchestra ~ along with our amazing choir and Glenn Priest, organist, to help us lift our voices high.  Pastor Wes will preach on Matthew’s resurrection narrative.  

Men’s Breakfast will be this Saturday, April 19 at 8 a.m. for coffee and a delicious meal prepared by Dick Miller! 

Please RSVP to Zooey in the church office!
 

April 23: “Police Brutality and the Less Conspicuous Ways Racism Kills” – TED Talk by Oscar Holmes IV.  May 14: “Thriving in Turbulent Times” – an interview with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III.  May 28: “Courage, Clarity & Community: Navigating Change and Uncertainty with Purpose and Heart” – excerpts from a program by Parker J. Palmer and Valerie Brown.

Drumming as a Spiritual Practice ~ May 6 and 20 at 3 p.m. ~ Chapel. Drums provided. New drummers welcome. Contact Lindsey Huddleston.

Fellowship ~ celebrating our values of Caring and Belonging

April 20 ~ Easter Sunday featuring donuts and pastries!

Easter Love Offering 

The Mission Team has turned its attention to Easter and the upcoming Easter Love Offering.  Mindful of our Covenants and Core Values, we carefully research each organization to select the best for our world.  This year 12 groups were selected, 6 from within the UCC and 6 others that align with our Core Values.

Supporting Our UCC Missions: 
One Great Hour of Sharing, whose Lenten offering supports disasters and refugees, is one of our UCC missions.  Neighbors In Need gives grants to churches for environmental justice, online ministry, and advocacy initiatives. Strengthen the Church supports leadership development and establishment of new churches. Our Racial Justice Team chose “Join the Movement” UCC Racial Justice, which is working to raise $8 million over the next three years.  Half the money will support racial justice efforts today, and half will create an endowment fund for future work. Racial Justice also wants to continue with our support for the Joseph Henry Evans Scholarship Fund to honor Joseph Evans, the first black president of the UCC.  Collage chose the Open and Affirming Coalition for the UCC, which supports churches to become open and affirming and churches like ours with existing commitments.
 
Missions Supporting Our Nation/World:

• Back Bay Mission works tirelessly to strengthen neighborhoods and seek justice on Mississippi’s coast.

• The Coalition of Immokalee Workers advocates for farm workers and has expanded its role in Fair Trade and human rights. They are struggling with immigration issues.

• Partners in Health works tirelessly to provide high-quality health care globally to those in need. It received a 99% rating from Charity Navigator this year.

• Bread for the World Institute’s mission is to educate and equip people to advocate for policies and programs to end hunger in the United States and the world.

• Church World Service is a faith-based organization that works on sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. They have lost most of their government funding and need our help this year.  It received a 100% rating from Charity Navigator this year.

• Water Engineers for the Americas and Africa honors our Creation Justice Covenant.  Engineers are sent around the world to bring clean water to those in need.

We have researched these organizations to ensure your dollars are spent wisely.  Please give generously. 
Envelopes for your donations are available in the Narthex and the pews, or you may send a check to our church with Easter Love in the memo line. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Your Mission Team,
Jan Andersen, Terri Crawford, Carol Fredrich, Heather Spear, Toska Strong, Nancy Taylor, Laura Taylor

Our very own Glenn Priest will be the featured pianist on the Choral Fantasy of the Beethoven concert at the Opera house on May 10th at 4 p.m.. This is a Key Chorale event and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.  

Upcoming Event featuring Lenny Hoffman!!

June 1st Book Signing in Syster Hall

Following worship on June 1st, there will be a book signing and brief discussion about Dawn and Liz’s  recently released book
Searching for Dawn: A Journey from Chaos to Recovery
Mental Illness
Substance Abuse
Trauma and the
Criminal Justice System

The ultimate purpose for writing their book was to find healing while illustrating, in a deeply personal way, why there is a need for criminal justice reform. In alternating chapters, Dawn and Liz boldly share their struggles through the web of mental illness, addiction, and the criminal justice system. While Dawn finds herself doing time in a solitary confinement cell in San Jose, California, her mother is serving as pastor of a church in Brooklyn, New York that was founded by formerly incarcerated persons and their families and supporters. Through faith, love, and the power of supportive communities, Dawn and Liz find new life in the midst of crisis and despair.  It is a story of universal significance in these critical times.  The cost of the book is $14.99 and is available on Amazon.

Wednesday, April 16
Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Chapel

Thursday, April 17
Maundy Thursday Service, 6 p.m., Sanctuary and Online

Friday, April 18
Good Friday Service, Noon, Sanctuary and Online

Saturday, April 19
Men’s Breakfast, 8 a.m., Syster Hall

Sunday, April 20 ~ Easter Sunday ~ Glenn Priest organist, Brass, Percussion and Choir help us sing our “Alleluias!”
9 a.m. ~ Early Service, Sanctuary
11 a.m. ~ Worship, Sanctuary and Online 
Noon ~ Fellowship Time

Monday, April 21
Pastor Wes away on continuing education until April 25
Growing and Caring Meeting, 11 a.m., Oasis Center and Zoom

Tuesday, April 22
Church Council, 6:30 p.m., Zoom

Please plan to attend:
Prayer Vigil at NOON on April 30th in Payne Park ~ see above

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