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Covenant NewsThe Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves
Inside this issue:Music Note 2
Worship Music Notes 3
Good Friday Blues 3
Christian 4Education News
Moderator’s Corner 5
Jubilee Garden 6
Benevolence Auction 7
History: Brides - 8Weddings
Holaday Library 8
The Season of Lent 9
Holy Week Schedule 9
Sabbatical Update 10
Unity: A Movement... 10
Month-at-a-Glance 11 with Birthdays
Missing Someone? 12
Meal-a-Month 12
From the Pastor’s DeskDigging In
The land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of beingthe desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by.(Ezekiel 36:34)
The last phase of our plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary ofthe church is about to take shape. On Sunday, April 2, at the end of the worship service we will recess as a Congregation to thesouthwest corner of the Elm/Lockwood parking lot and break ground for our Jubilee Green Space (better known among many as the “Jubilee Garden”).
This most ambitious, crowning effort of the Jubilee was actually the starting point. As such, I think it is especially fitting to place it on the calendar during our Year of Renewal.
Two years ago, the trustee of the estate of Rick and Betty Ryckman approached the leadership of the Jubilee Planning Team about directing some of a bequest from the Ryckmans to the church, to this effort.
Eventually, members’ pledges to the Jubilee Fund would be combined with the Ryckmans’ gift and Memorial Gifts in the names of Bill and Sybil Gardiner, Bob Woodsmall, Joshua Romeis, and others. These will turn what has been until now a legacy of blacktop into one of Green Space.
So, our Jubilee Garden will be a lasting tribute to the memory of some of our most visionary members. It will be a continuing celebration of our 150th Jubilee, into the next era of our faith community’s life together.
Peace.
Pastor Dave DenoonP.S. – The photo below offers an illustration of how the traffic pattern on the parking lot will
change during construction. Flow of traffic will return in full when the project is complete.
P.P.S. – See Page 6 for an invitation to purchase landscape elements to enhance the Jubilee Garden!
Page 2 April 2017
The Cry of Jeremiah: Still I Rise is an inter-arts concert, combining choral music, story telling and live pottery making.The program will feature the First Church Chancel Choir with young artists from the St. Louis Bach Society Chorus; chamber orchestra; and storytelling by Rev. Cliff Aerie and Rev. Janice Edwards Barnes with Rev. Geoffrey Black, narrator. The concert is open to the public. A free-will offering will be received to benefit Magdalene St. Louis, a residential community for women who have survived lives of prostitution, violence
and addiction.
The Cry of Jeremiah is a four-movement work based textually on the 20th chapter of Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah, having experienced ridicule and imprisonment because of his prophecies, laments his present state. The work is composed by Dr. Rosephanye Powell – an African-American woman who is hailed as one of America’s premier compos-ers of choral music.
Musically, The Cry of Jeremiah is influenced by a wide array of musical genres – classical counterpoint and jazz harmonies and rhythmic vitality in the opening movement; African-influenced, percussive vocalization with an underlay of African drums and exotic orchestral colors in the second movement; harmonic dissonance and tension in the third movement; and the Gospel refrain building to a glorious finale in the final movement.
Scripture, poems and stories portraying perseverance through adversity will complement the Jeremiah text. The program will conclude with Rosephanye Powell’s majestic musical expression of Maya Angelou’s inspiring poem – Still I Rise.
Music Notes for April Next up in the God Is Still Speaking – Come Listen! Concert Series
April 2017 Page 3
Good Friday Blues: A Jazz LamentationBased on the Gospel of MarkFriday, April 14th at 7:00 PM
The Oîkos Ensemble, under the direction of saxophonist Rev. Cliff Aerie, will lead worshipers in a unique setting of the Good Friday story. The Gospel of Mark will be brought alive through jazz, scriptural storytelling, and contemporary poetic reflection.
The Oîkos Ensemble, will play works by John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and the Billie Holliday classic, “Strange Fruit.” Interpretive readers will highlight the Passion narrative, and the Rev. Geoffrey Black (Visiting Professor of Leadership and Ecumenical Studies at Eden Seminary) will offer poetic reflections from an apochryphal diary—a creative view of crucifixions in our contemporary world.
We’re pleased to share this creative worship presentation with the St. Louis community and invite everyone to join us for an evening of jazz meditation and spiritual blessing. Good Friday Blues is free to all.”
Worship Music Notes
Palm Sunday – April 9Morning worship will feature music by the Canterbury Bell Choir, Children’s Choir and newly formed Youth Choir.
Easter Sunday – April 16Worship will feature music from all of our choirs with a stringensemble and percussion. The service will end with a glorious singing of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah!
Mother’s Day – May 14 The Children’s and Youth Choirs will present selections from the musical Godspell. Premiered on Broadway on May 17, 1971 Godspell brings to life several of Jesus’ parables as re-corded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Page 4 April 2017
The Winter is Past!
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowersappear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:11-12
I love when spring bursts forth! This weather this year has been a little odd, with winter and spring going back and forth. However, it did not stop the new life and the shades of gray from becoming vibrant colors.
The days of Lent followed by Holy Week and Easter are also not dependent on the weather. The people of God will gather to wave palms, follow the steps of Jesus to betrayal and death, and then find our corporate voices to celebrate Resurrection! New Life and an Empty Tomb are the best parts of the, “season of singing.”
Church camp registration is open! April 25 is the last day for early registration at a savings. Scholarship information is also available. The church will pay half of this important experience. Contact Tracey at [email protected] for more information.
Important dates for April
April 9 – Palm Sunday, complete with a live donkey! April 15 – Our annual Easter Egg Hunt and craft day, beginning at 10:00 AM. Toddlers through 5th grade are welcome.April 28 – Dinner and a Movie – Dinner starts at 6:00 PM, followed by the movie, Lady and the Tramp. All ages are welcome, but registration is required. Email [email protected] to register or for more information.
Happy Easter, and welcome to the “season of singing!”
Peace, Tracey Harris, DCE
April 2017 Page 5
Moderator’s Corner
On Saturday, March 25, a hearty group dug up 14 boxwoods along the south side of the parking lot in advance of the Green Space construction outside Memorial Hall. These were planted some years ago by Bob McCoy and will be returned to the ground in the new Green Space.
Ground breaking for the Green Space will be April 2. It will be exciting to see these plans that have been carefully massaged for over a year finally take shape. Be watching for opportunities to participate.
As we move into April, in addition to the new Green Space, much is happening at First Congregational Church.
The Auction Committee is hard at work, and the event looks to be another blockbuster thanks to co-chairs Laura Cooper and Jeanene Harris. They continue to keep it fresh.
The Renewal Year 2017 is really taking shape. It’s going to be an exciting summer! A varied and non-traditional slate of activities has been planned. I encourage you not only to take advantage of these soon-to-be-announced offerings, but also to make a conscious effort to expose yourself to as many books, movies, plays and lectures dealing with race issues that you can. I like to think we’ll be making an individual and collective transformation.
We are getting closer to finding the Minister that will take over during Dave’s sabbatical and a terrific send off is being planned for Dave’s last Sunday with us on May 21st.
There are a lot of moving parts in this Renewal 2017 group. Kudos to leaders Nancy Ru-dolph and Moderator Elect Linda Kopetti for keeping the various committees on task.
Phil Shoulberg
Page 6 April 2017
Jubilee Garden CelebrationJoin us after church on Sunday, April 2 as we break ground for our new Jubilee Garden.
We need your help to make our garden grow through your contributions to purchase trees, perennials and bushes for the garden. Celebrate a friendship, a loved one or a child with
your contribution as we plant seeds for the next 150 years of First Church.
The garden will be a place for meetings, contemplation, play, concerts and small weddings.
A children’s garden will be included for education and fun.
Construction will begin immediately with completion scheduled for late May or early June. Planting will take place immediately thereafter.
We will let you know when to bring your gloves, rakes and shovels to join in the planting fun.
See the plan in Memorial Hall to learn about the garden design.
Seeds & Needs $15 - $25 | Perennials $30 - $50 | Shrubbery $51 - $199
Trees $200 - $499
Green Thumbs $500 - $999 | Master Gardener $1000 & up
Many thanks for the generosity of the families of
Rick & Betty Ryckman • Bill & Sybil Gardiner • Robert Woodsmall • Josh Romeis
for celebrating their lives through these lasting gifts to this garden.
April 2017 Page 7
Open Hearts —Helping Hands is our way of supporting our Faith Partners in 2017. There are 19 Faith Partners, including Sandwich Makers, Room at the Inn, Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Gateway 180, Great Circle, and more.
The committee requests your help in soliciting items for the Auction. Think about restaurants or places that you frequent and ask them if they would be willing to provide a gift certificate or product for the auction. A copy of the letter that you will need to solicit items from businesses is available in the office along with donation forms to include with your donation. Items can include church heirlooms, antiques, and brand new items.
There are three parts to the Auction.
• The Silent Auction consisting of donations from event tickets, Auction Baskets donated by First Friends, the Three Ministries Committees, and others.
• The Oral Auction consists of bigger ticket items such as vacation packages, sports event tickets, dinners parties for you and your friends.
• The Giving Tree consists of services that you want to provide to others, such as rides to the airport or doctor visits, landscaping, or house cleaning.
Auction items can be turned in to the church office. For questions about Auction items, contact Joan Musbach or Kay Roush.
We know that you are looking forward to this event. The invitations to the Auction will be distributed or mailed out in April.
Help us now by making an auction item donation. Visit the Benevolence Auction page on the website (http://firstchurchwg.org/benevolence-auction/) to download the donation form. If you have questions or suggestions, contact us.
Laura Cooper and Jeanene HarrisCo-Chairs Auction Committee
2017 Benevolence Auction And Tastings From Around The World! Saturday April 29th – 5:30
Open Hearts — Helping Hands
Page 8 April 2017
Brides – Weddings – First Church Did You Know…
A wedding pageant was one of many events planned for the church’s 100th Anniversary celebration. It was called A Century of Brides. The script interwove church and community history with stories of weddings from 1800 to the then present, 1966. In many instances daughters and granddaughters modeled the gowns. On the church’s original organ the Wedding March was played. This organ is a Mason and Hamlin reed (pump) organ with eight stops and is now kept in the Kishlar room.
Here are a couple of models you might recognize. Joy Bennett (Jim) wore a wedding dress representing the 1850s. Betty Schmid modeled a 1921 gown that belonged to Catherine Carter Decker. A tea in Memorial Hall followed the pageant where there was an opportunity to closely examine the bridal gowns.
Compiled by Kay Roush 2017
Holaday Library — Check It Out
When was the last time you read a book from our church library? Here are a couple you might like:
Written by best-selling author Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Who’s Who in the Bible is the ultimate reference guide to the men and women in the Bible. The text is wonderfully illustrated with art, photos, and maps that help situate the period and personalities from Genesis to Revelation. Each chapter opens with a brief introduction describing the origin of the books and their stories with explanations of the politics, history, and institutions within those biblical texts. The second half contains an alphabetical dictionary of the men and women mentioned in the various segments.
41 A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush
Never before has a President told the story of his father, another President, through his own eyes and in his own words. A unique and intimate biography, the book covers the entire scope of the elder President Bush’s life and career, including his service in the Pacific during World War II, his pioneering work in the Texas oil business, and his political rise as a Congressman, U.S. Representative to China and the United Nations, CIA Director, Vice President, and President.
April 2017 Page 9
The Season of LentThe season of Lent focuses our attention on brokenness and healing. This prayer speaks eloquently to both:
Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden,Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehoodTeach us to care and not to careTeach us to sit stillEven among these rocks.Our peace in his willAnd even among these rocksSister, mother,And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea.Suffer me not to be separated
And let my cry come unto Thee.
~ T. S. Eliot
Holy Week at First Congregational Church
Palm (Passion) Sunday – April 9, 2017 – 9:55 AM We are joined again, this year, by KC – our favorite donkey! Come, be part of the procession as “Jesus” makes a triumphal entry into “Jerusalem” – complete with excited children and loud shouts of “Hosanna!”
Two new households will be received into membership during morning worship, and the Children’s Choir will sing.
The afternoon of April 9 will follow the mode of Passion Sunday, as our Chancel Choir performs Rosephanye Powell’s The Cry of Jeremiah and Still I Rise. The presentation will be at 4:00.
Maundy Thursday – April 13, 2017 – 7:00 PM (at Peace UCC) Worship for Maundy Thursday will take place at 7:00 PM, at Peace United Church of Christ (204 E. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves). Please, join us there!
Good Friday Blues – April 14, 2017 – 7:00 PM The Oikos Ensemble plays blues renderings of gospel and lament hymns, and jazz standards (including “Strange Fruit” made famous by Billie Holiday). With narration, scripture as storytelling, and prayers, all to mark the remembrance of the Messiah’s execution. “The hour has come.” (Mark 14:41)
Easter Egg Hunt – April 15, 2017 – 10:00 AM Rain or Shine! Held indoors.
Easter Worship – April 16, 2017 – 9:55 AM
Page 10 April 2017
Year of Renewal – Sabbatical Update
As you think about our Year of Renewal many of you may be thinking, “Who will be filling in for Pastor Dave this summer?”. I thought I might bring you up to date. The team to work on a “Sabbatical Minister” consists of six people.
Included in that six are; Dave, Tracey, Jane Porchey, Loryl Breitenbach, Phil Shoulberg, and myself, Linda Kopetti. We have met a number of times and sought suggestions from various sources. As a result of these discussions we came up with a list of five people that appeared to be good candidates for the position. We used The Confer-ence’s “Interim Pastor Call Agreement” as a basis for a job description, and have now sent it out to the five. We hope to get feedback very soon and aim to announce our choice by the end of April.
Linda Kopetti
Unity: A Movement and Positive Path For Spiritual Living
Please stay after worship on Sunday, April 23, to hear our own Christopher Czarnecki tell about his years with Unity, a very interesting Christian movement, started in the early 20th Century. We have heard Christopher read scripture so beautifully and preach with conviction. Now we will have the opportunity to learn a different side of our seminarian.
2017 SAGE ScheduleApril 23 - Sunday at 11:30 AM – Christopher Czarnecki - Unity: A Movement and Positive Path
For Spiritual Living
May 21- Sunday at 3:00 PM – Kedra Tolson – African American National Museum of History and Culture
June 25 - Sunday at 3:00 PM – Joan Musbach – Mormons in Missouri
July 22 - Saturday Morning – Trip to the Eugene Field House
August 20 - Sunday at 3:00 – Jane Brader Young at Harp
September 13 - Wednesday Morning – Tour of Dogtown
October 27 - Friday 7:00 PM – Mike Lenard and Darryl White Adoption
November 7 - Tuesday at 6:00 PM – Supper and A Treasure Hunt in our sanctuary
December 3 - Sunday at 5:00 PM – Yankee Swap at the Perrys’
April 201711:00 PM Memorial Service: Rich Usher 6:00 PM Webster - Rock Hill Ministries Trivia NightMarty Craig
2Sacrament of Christ’s Table 8:45 AM Auction Committee 9:00 AM Brown Baggers 9:00 AM Nursery Care Available 9:55 AM Worship 9:55 AM Youth in Worship 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:30 AM Youth Choir Rehearsal
38:00 AM Monday Morning Men 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 7:00 PM Boy Scouts
Marshall BrooksJames Davis
49:30 AM Willing Workers 2:00 PM Communications Team 7:00 PM Renewal Steering Committee
510:00 AM FAITH: Continuing the Search (at the Algonquin) 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 3:30 PM Jubilee Garden Team 6:00 PM Lenten Soup & Bread Dinner 7:00 PM Lenten Study Series: “Plenty Good Room” 8:00 PM Chancel Choir Enrichment
68:00 AM Journeymen 12:30 PM Recorder Rehearsal 6:15 PM Canterbury Bells 7:30 PM Chancel Choir
Jane Brader
7 82:00 PM Memorial Service: John Wolf
9Palm Sunday 9:00 AM Nursery Care Available 9:55 AM Worship 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:30 AM Youth Choir Rehearsal 4:00 PM Concert - The Cry of Jeremiah: Still I Rise
108:00 AM Monday Morning Men 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 7:00 PM Three Ministries
Valerie PaciMagnolia StewartDiane Weber
1111:00 AM Mary Martha Guild 11:30 AM Devine Diners 6:30 PM Curriculum Committee - Renewal 6:30 PM Practicing Our Faith
1210:00 AM FAITH: Continuing the Search (at the Algonquin) 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 6:15 PM Canterbury Bells 7:30 PM Chancel Choir
13Maundy Thursday 12:30 PM Recorder Rehearsal 7:00 PM Worship (at Peace UCC)
14Good Friday 7:00 PM Worship: Good Friday Blues
1510:00 AM Easter Egg Hunt
Marshall Dyer
16 Easter Sunday 9:00 AM Nursery Care Available 9:55 AM Worship 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:30 AM Music Committee 11:30 AM Youth Choir Rehearsal
178:00 AM Monday Morning Men 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 7:00 PM Executive MinistryStephen Rudolph
189:30 AM Willing Workers 3:30 PM Jubilee Garden Team 7:00 PM Boy Scout Leaders
Phil Shoulberg
1910:00 AM FAITH: Continuing the Search (at the Algonquin) 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 7:00 PM Healing Touch Practice
208:00 AM Journeymen 12:30 PM Recorder Rehearsal 6:15 PM Canterbury Bells 7:30 PM Chancel Choir
21 22Earth Day
238:45 AM Auction Committee 9:00 AM Nursery Care Available 9:55 AM Worship 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:30 AM Unity – The Best Kept Secret in Christianity 11:30 AM Youth Choir Rehearsal
Stephen Rudolph
248:00 AM Monday Morning Men 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing 7:00 PM Boy Scouts
Ruth Wood-Steed
259:30 AM Willing Workers 7:00 PM Lady Elect 7:00 PM Renewal Year Curriculum Committee
Francis Byrne
26Administrative Professionals Day 10:00 AM FAITH: Continuing the Search (at the Algonquin) 1:00 PM Center for Counseling and Healing
John Robinson
27 12:30 PM Recorder Rehearsal 6:15 PM Canterbury Bells 7:30 PM Chancel Choir
Jonathan Kaalberg
285:00 PM Room at the Inn 6:00 PM Dinner & A Movie
298:00 AM Healing Touch Classes 5:30 PM Benevolence Auction
308:00 AM Healing Touch Classes 9:00 AM Nursery Care Available 9:55 AM Worship 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:30 AM Youth Choir RehearsalElizabeth Walker
Seek Christ in each. Serve God in all.
ModeratorPhil [email protected]
PastorRev. David A. [email protected]
Office AdministratorDebbie [email protected]
Student MinisterChristopher Czarnecki
Director of MusicDr. Raymond [email protected]
Assistant Director of Music for ChildrenTim [email protected]
Director of Christian EducationTracey [email protected]
Facilities ManagerChip [email protected]
CustodianDarrell Lakies
Assistant CustodianGus McLean
Director, Center for Counseling & HealingRev. Linda E. Smith, BCRN, LCSW, HTCP/[email protected]
April Meal-A-Month Canned Turkey
Brown Rice
Canned Corn (low or no salt)
Applesauce (in plastic, no sugar added)
Powdered Milk, shelf stable milk, soy milk
Peanut Butter
Real Fruit Jelly
Dried Fruits
Missing Someone?Have you been missing someone for a while from worship
and other church events? Please, let Pastor Dave Denoon or Parish Life Chair Jeanene Harris know. Either will be happy
to follow up for you.
10 West Lockwood AvenueWebster Groves, MO 63119
