FISHERMEN'S NEWS The Greenwood Community Church, Presbyterian

805 Main Avenue; Warwick, Rhode Island www.gccp.org

APRIL 2017

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

As I’ve mentioned before in this space (but the repetition won’t hurt!), I suspect if Paul had his way, Good Friday would be the premier holiday of the Christian church, and our houses of worship would be as full (if not fuller!) than they are on Christmas or even Easter! Why? Because for Paul, the cross of Christ is the center, the foundation, of the Christian faith. It is wonderfully appropriate that from the Latin word for “cross” we derive the English words “crux” and “crucial” ... for the cross is crucial to the Christian faith; the atoning death of Jesus upon the cross is the crux of Christianity. Everything else regarding our faith grows from this center.

WE AGAIN HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE WORKS FOR THIS GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 12:00 NOON! Our newly supported missionaries Max & Sheer Raev of Jews for Jesus are visiting from Israel to make a presentation of “CHRIST IN THE PASSOVER” during our Good Friday commemoration (Max & Sheer have fascinating personal stories, having met while serving in the Israeli armed forces.) This presentation was very well received in 2012 & 2015 when presented by Oded & Bimini Cohen (pictured below; the Cohens are now with another organization AND will be visiting us April 6 … see Mission Committee article page 4). We would love to have a full sanctuary Good Friday (as would the apostle Paul!), so please join us!

“Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us; therefore, let us keep the feast! (I Corinthians 5:7-8) Stephen L. Clark, Pastor

HOLY WEEK SERVICES AT GREENWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH, PRESBYTERIAN PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 9: Sunday School for all ages 9:00 a.m., and ONE Service of Worship service at 10:30 when we will welcome our newest members! At 10:00 a.m., we will have our annual Palm Sunday Processional led by our old friend Hannah the Donkey. At 6:00 p.m., all are invited to 29Eleven’s Reenactment of the Last Supper; see page 3.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 7:30 P.M..: Service of Worship and Observance of the Lord’s Supper.

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 12:00 NOON: Service of Worship featuring “Christ in the Passover” by Jews for Jesus.

SATURDAY APRIL 15, 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.: Our annual Easter Egg Hunt (with our long-eared special guest!) and related activities for all children up to and including Grade 6. Bring your Easter Baskets!

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 16: 29Eleven-hosted continental breakfast buffet throughout the morning beginning 8:30 a.m. Any contributions received will benefit the youth fellowship’s annual mission trip in July. Identical Services of Worship 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. with full choir, child care and Children’s Church; no Sunday School or youth fellowships today.

PS … Quick update on the 2018 Greenwood Community Church Holy Land Lenten Tour … We are currently negotiating with two agents/agencies to ensure optimal experience AND financial feasibility, and should have results soon! The February dates mentioned last Fishermen’s News may vary by one or two days, but we are still aiming for school vacation week. I STRONGLY encourage you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity; I promise this will be one of the (if not THE) most memorable trips of your lifetime!

Bimini and Oded

Unfortunately, several pictures from the MOST excellent Talent Show didn’t develop well, but we

do have a few! I filled in gaps with some good “oldies” and other pictures from events past. -- slc

THIS MONTH IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

christianed@gccp.org

Virginia Jacobs, Joann Rudolph, Kristine Swanson, Sandra Olson

NEWS FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Spring is here and the young members of our congregation are filled with energy and eagerness to learn about Jesus! The recent Talent Show was a great opportunity for our students to sing and dance and bring joy to others. We appreciate the participation of families in donating food, baking goodies, and bringing children to rehearsals. It was a wonderful event supporting the 29Eleven summer Mission Trip.

The response to our Heifer Coin Drive has also been wonderful this year! Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing SO many pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars throughout the Sundays in Lent to support this worthwhile mission; we greatly appreciate your generous participation. The Sunday School children will soon decide which animal(s) to purchase from the money raised. It might be a cow, a goat, rabbits, chickens, a pig, or bees ... stay tuned!

PALM SUNDAY APRIL 9

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES 9:00 AM PALM PROCESSION WITH HANNAH THE DONKEY 10:00 AM

ONE SERVICE OF WORSHIP 10:30 AM

SATURDAY APRIL 15 EASTER EGG HUNT ACTIVITIES 11:00 AM -1:00 PM

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 16 29ELEVEN CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:30 AM – 12 NOON

9:00 AM SERVICE OF WORSHIP 11:00 AM SERVICE OF WORSHIP

(NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, KING’S KIDS, OR 29ELEVEN IN THE EVENING)

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Beginning April 9 (Palm Sunday), this class will have a six-week study of the Gospel of John and the epistle of I John using materials from the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) under the leadership of Harry Curran, Bill Cheney and Barry Baxter. While this class is open to all adults, it is an ideal opportunity for parents to learn and fellowship while their children are in Sunday School, and then worship together as a family at the 10:30 service. Thank you to all who contribute to this vital ministry of the Greenwood Community Church.

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

KINGS’ KIDS continues on Sundays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for children in grades 2 through 6. Come and bring a friend for music, snacks, games, crafts and more! For more information, please call Ginny Jacobs (392-0417).

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Come join us the first Friday of each month (6:00 – 9:00) for a night of fun! Parents, drop off your children of any age with us while you go relax, have dinner, shop, etc. We will entertain them for hours! On April 7 we will work on crafts, eat pizza and watch movies. The program is directed by DCM Virginia Jacobs assisted by other adults and teens who have completed our Child Protection training.

CHURCH FAMILY DINNER: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Come join us every week or just once in a while for this fellowship. Bring your own food to eat or plan to share with a friend. Our goal is to provide midweek fellowship for individuals or families who would like to have dinner with other members of our church family for support, encouragement, company, prayer, etc. We invite members of all ages to come, as we all benefit from each other’s companionship, wisdom and strength. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017: Save the date! July 31 - August 4. PASSPORT TO PERU: DISCOVERING GOD'S GOOD GIFTS. We can't wait to explore a new culture and have a blast at VBS this year! Mark your calendars, ages 4 - entering grade 6. See Lisa David for more information and to volunteer!

LOOK FOR OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL ON FACEBOOK! -2-

29ELEVEN YOUTH MINISTRIES Those who attended the fifth annual Greenwood Talent show will be able to testify that the 29Eleven youth ministry is alive, vibrant, and well (as are ALL our Christian Education and music ministries, for that matter!). The busy weekend and the busy times of preparation that preceded the show were well worth it, as we shared in laughter, talent, joy and fellowship with all generations of the Greenwood family. I cannot emphasize enough how ecstatic I am to see the cross-generational and mutually supportive connections forming in our congregation; I have become convinced

that what makes faith stick in the lives of young people is not a goofy, fun and engaging youth ministry (though ours is!), but a devoted congregation with families committed to raising children in our faith. It has been a beautiful, exciting, and rewarding (and at times tiring!) journey to watch this youth fellowship grow into the stable core that it has become, to see them blessing the congregation (and each other!) with their service and talents, and to see the congregation engage with them. Many of our young people have been through quite a lot in their personal lives for people their age, and I am continually grateful for the safe place you have provided for them to continue their growth in faith and building meaningful, Christ-focused relationships.

I leave for Dubai in six weeks (!) for my mission adventure, but until that time we have a full and active schedule. Friday, March 31 (yes, April Fool’s Eve) we will host a perennial favorite, the youth group LOCK-IN. We will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. in order to attend a 7:00 play at a local school starring one of our own (hooray, Amelia!), then return for an evening of fun, games, snacks, movies, reflection, worship, and not much (if any) sleep! The Lock-in ends Saturday morning @ 7:00 a.m. April 1 (no fooling!). After a week of recovery, on Sunday,

April 9 at 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting/performing a re-enactment of the Last Supper. Some of you will be familiar with this event, as we have done this twice in years past. This is open to the congregation to attend, and will be a night to reflect on Jesus’ last hours with His disciples as we prepare our hearts to remember His passion during Holy Week. We encourage you to come out for a night sharing the Lord’s Supper together as we re-enact the most important meal in history; my father will be on hand to officiate as we partake of the sacrament. We also plan to

help out with the Easter Egg Hunt April 15, and will offer our annual Easter Continental Brunch on Easter Sunday (donations of baked goods, fruits, juices, and other assorted goodies are most welcomed; free will offering baskets will be available, proceeds to support our summer mission trip). There will be no meeting Easter evening; we will resume our regular program the following week.

I am continually grateful to serve in this congregation and to get to know these fantastic youth, and we look forward to finishing out the year strong!

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen Clark, Ministry Intern

MUSIC PROGRAM Dear friends, As I write on the first “official” day of Spring it seems fitting to be looking ahead to the many activities and programs we enjoy here at Greenwood this time of year. We are just a few weeks away from our annual observance of Holy Week, a week full of prayerful meditation, exuberant celebration and many opportunities for worship and fellowship. We have been hard at work planning special music for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, and I

o hope you will join us for each of these wonderful services of worship. d I also have the tremendous privilege of inviting you to two very special events our music program is hosting this spring. The first is

our third annual Hymn Sing and Family Potluck which will take place on Saturday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. As those who have attended this program in past years are well aware, this is always a night filled with great food, wonderful fellowship and hearty singing. All are invited to bring a favorite dish and your favorite hymns, as we gather for a shared potluck meal and then gather around the piano to call out requests. No musical experience is necessary … if you love singing hymns, you are well prepared!

Then, on Sunday, May 28 (Memorial Day weekend) at 5:00 p.m., our music program will present “God Bless America,” a program of Patriotic music and American spirituals for adult and children's choirs, handbells and instrumentalists. This inspiring program includes Patriotic standards, many favorite songs and hymns and a few new surprises. This fun family event offers something for everyone! Following the concert, we will enjoy another phenomenal reception hosted by the Member Care Committee, led by Denise Mair, Elaine

agyar and Cathy Schobel. Mark your calendar … we can't wait to see you there! M

As we approach this excitingly busy period in the life of our congregation, may we all pray that everything we o is offered to the glory of God, used in His service and dedicated to His mission. d

Blessings,

John C. Black, Director of Music and Choirs, Organist Christian J. Black, Music Associate

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MISSION COMMITTEE

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: The Presbyterian Church (USA) uses funds received through OGHS to support disaster relief, refugee/immigration and development ministries throughout the world through the Presbyterian Hunger program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program and the Self Development of People program. Contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing make a huge impact on people’s lives. We will dedicate our One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday. However, we will continue to accept your contributions through the end of April. Please use the One Great Hour of Sharing Envelope provided in your box of offering envelopes, or the special One Great Hour of Sharing pew envelopes for your contributions. Thank you for your contributions!

JEWS for JESUS will present their always popular ‘Christ in the Passover’ presentation as part of our Good Friday service April 14th at noon in the sanctuary. Max and Sheer Raev will recreate the traditional Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus’ death and resurrection. They will set a table with items traditionally used at the Passover meal and detail their spiritual and prophetic significance. Max and Sheer will also explain the connection between the events of the first Passover in Egypt and the redemption that Jesus accomplished, as well as the deep bond between the ancient Passover feast and the Christian communion celebration today. Max Raev grew up in Belarus, the son of a Jewish father and a

Gentile mother. When he was six years old, his parents went abroad to work for a year, and Max lived with his grandparents; his grandfather was the first one to introduce him to Jesus. When his parents moved back there was no one to guide him in faith matters. After graduation from high school, Max moved by himself to Israel. While serving in the Israeli military, Max met his wife Sheer, who was attending a Messianic congregation. Max started attending the congregation and reading the New Testament. He could not put it down. He now serves at the Tel Aviv branch of Jews for Jesus as an Outreach Worker Trainee in children’s and young adult ministries. Please join us and experience for yourself this wonderful and most informative presentation! GLOBAL OUTREACH, INTERNATIONAL: Our friends from Israel, Oded and Bimini Cohen, formerly with Jews for Jesus, now work with Global Outreach, International and will visit the Mission Committee and others on Thursday evening, April 6 beginning at 7 pm. This is open to any and all who want to come! We have supported the Cohens for many years; they have visited with us on at least three occasions (but I think it may be four or five!) times throughout, and several of you may wish to reconnect with this delightfully engaging and inspirational couple to learn of their latest mission ventures. There will be no Planning Committee that is usually scheduled that evening; other committees scheduled to meet may do so after the brief presentation, which is planned to last approximately forty-five minutes. Oded and Biminiwill talk about their new mission direction and give us an up-date of their ministries in Israel, where they reside in the Negev region.

As mentioned, the Cohens are now part of Global Outreach, a nondenominational missions and development organization that works to train, send, and support missionaries in a wide variety of contexts around the world.

Global Outreach was organized in 1970 by a group of Christian lay people who had become involved in several community development projects. The primary purpose of Global Outreach was to facilitate United States volunteers as they contributed goods and services to strengthen established missionary efforts. Its scope would soon broaden, as a group of dedicated volunteers and faithful supporters arose to helped shape, motivate, and fund its future growth development. Under the leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Sammy Simpson and Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Hancock, Global Outreach took on an organizational

shape that propelled it towards the international organization it is today; a deep debt of gratitude is owed to these Global pioneers. In 1981, Global Outreach transitioned into a missionary sending agency, with its first full-time missionaries approved that year. Since that time Global Outreach has continued to see phenomenal growth, today ministering in nearly 40 countries with more than 200 missionaries serving worldwide. Please join us in welcoming our friend Oded, and hear about how the Lord is using him in this new capacity.

RHODE ISLAND YOUNG LIFE will host a fundraising Mini-Golf Tournament Saturday, April 29 (rain date May 6). The Tournament will take place at Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston, RI. Check in time is 9:30 am and Shot Gun Start is 10:00 am. Please check the Mission Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall for more information and pledge forms.

Perspective from the “PERSPECTIVES” course: “FINISHING – Some set their hearts on finishing what God has begun. They are the ones who come to know the expanse of God, who is the Beginning and the End of all that lasts. It should be no surprise that these finishers are actually the ones who begin the things that matter. They order their steps with strategic simplicity, not hesitating not hurrying, but tenaciously continuing to do whatever it takes to finish the task God has given them.”

The Mission Committee

Emmy Kmet, Michael Snyman, Deb Stacey, Jon Farnsworth, Hannah Clark, Patti Parkinson, Marilyn Jacobs, Amy Monahan, Shelley Monahan and Wilma Swanson

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MEMBER CARE COMMITTEE

Hopefully by the time this Fisherman’s News reaches your home there will no longer be snow on the ground and we can begin to think about the spring and summer activities at Greenwood Church! A potluck luncheon March 5th was enjoyed by about 100 people and, of course, the food provided by the congregation was abundant and delicious, as usual! We anticipate a good number of potential new members participating in the Inquirers’

Classes March 26th and April 2nd, and will welcome them into membership during the single service of worship Palm Sunday, April 9th at 10:30 a.m, which follows the

annual Donkey Procession at 10:00 a.m. As stated elsewhere in this newsletter, Easter week activities will include Maundy Thursday service April 13 at 7:00 p.m., a Good Friday Service April 14 at twelve noon, and an Easter Egg Hunt from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. April 15. Watch for more information in the bulletin.

We have been blessed to have so many new people becoming part of the Greenwood family in recent months. If you have an interest in “mentoring” a new member to help them acclimate to the church please contact me or Elaine Magyar. Our team of volunteers continues to send cards and notes and connect with members who may need a little extra care or help.

A Hymn Sing is being planned by Director of Music John Black for April 22. What a wonderful time we had at the last one! Please mark your calendars and come join in.

Joan Eichenfeldt, Member Care Committee

Committee members: Elaine Magyar, Joan-Sandra McKnight, Jeff Plouffe, Cathy Schobel, Doris Safford, Dave and Nancy Dickerman, Bonnie Readett, Betty Stacey, Carol Sullivan and Linda Martin

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

During this holy season of Lent, the subsequent commemorations of Holy Week and the glorious celebration of Easter and the Sundays after Easter, we are continually reminded that God gave Hs only son to die for our sins so we may be forgiven and have full and eternal life. What a wonderful time to serve the Lord and thank Him for our many blessings. Our Worship Committee continues to actively offer opportunities for you to serve

our Lord through assisting in worship. The volunteer positions available on a weekly basis are: Lectors, Greeters and Acolytes (ideal for younger members of our church). There is no experience needed to volunteer for any of these positions and training is available. If you are interested please call me (Wayne) at my home at 738-0480 or email me at fopawam@verizon.net and I can discuss your interest and get you started in serving God. We are blessed and thank each and every volunteer for their dedicated and continued support in serving our Lord. Worship Schedules are posted in Fellowship Hall and we encourage all to continue to sign up to serve. I thank our Deacons and Elders and ask that they continue to sign up to serve the sacrament of Holy Communion. Our Worship Committee meets weekly before and after the Sunday services, so if you have any suggestions and or comments, Don and I would love to hear from you. Make time for your reflections, count your blessings and praise the Lord during this holy season by serving him through worship. See you there!

Sincerely in Christ, for the Worship Committee,

Wayne A. Meunier (Don Sorgel, Chairman)

39er’s APRIL GATHERING Wednesday, April 19, at 11:30 a.m. Top of the Bay in Oakland Beach

Menu

Choice of Baked Stuffed Chicken or Baked Scrod with Salad, Coffee or Tea, & Dessert

Cost: $15.00

Program in Fellowship Hall at 1:30 P.M. (Program is yet to be determined at this time)

If you need a ride or a reservation, please call Linda Gungle (828-7687).

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NEWS FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women will hold their Spring Gathering Tuesday April 4, 2017 with a program at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. All of our church women are welcome to join us for a delicious lunch of various appetizers and desserts. The program will be presented by Evelyn Ferguson, a former member of Greenwood Church, about her work with immigrant families in Connecticut. The tickets are $6.00 and will be sold at Coffee Hour on March 26 and in the church office. Please remember that we will be collecting paper products and non-perishable food items to be given to our local agencies for distribution.

Thank you to everyone for your generous contributions to our “Gifts of the Heart” project. The items will be packed up in mid April and we will then let you know how many kits we were able send to Church World Service. Also, during April and May we will have Mother’s Day cards available in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour. The sale of these cards goes to help provide better health for women in need throughout the African continent. Donations of any amount for these cards will help with this cause. ”Healthy Women = Healthy Families.”

OUR NEXT BIG EVENT IS THE ANNUAL MAY BREAKFAST SATURDAY MAY 6, 2017 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM !

We look forward to your participation in this event. We need women, men, and teenagers to help us make this a successful event. We all enjoy good Christian fellowship as we work together. Many of us have enjoyed working together for years and we also enjoy seeing many of the same people who have attended our May Breakfasts throughout those years. There will be sign up charts in Fellowship Hall in April for volunteer workers and also to sign up to make apple pies, baked goods, and homemade candy. Please remember to invite your family and friends to come enjoy our delicious breakfast.

“Come as a guest, leave as a friend”

Betty Mason for Presbyterian Women

“AROUND IN CIRCLES FOR APRIL”

Circle I NO MEETING Circle V NO MEETING

Circle II NO MEETING Circle VII NO MEETING

Circle VIII (Picasso Quilters) NO MEETING Circle III NO MEETING

Circle IV NO MEETING Oval IX NO MEETING

If you have any questions about circles, please call me at 737-0717. Circle Notes are distributed monthly at

Circle meetings and are also available in the narthex.

Betty Stacey, Circle Coordinator

~~~ CAUGHT IN THE NET ~~~

HOSPITALIZED SINCE THE LAST ISSUE OF FISHERMEN’S NEWS: Lois-Belle Crankshaw, Miriam Hospital

- - - - - - -~~~ NOTE RECEIVED ~~~- - - - - - - Dear Greenwood Family,

Thanks so much to all of you for sending cards and calling me. It means so much to me. I would like to thank Wayne Meunier for bringing me the lovely flowers from the church on Ash Wednesday and for his visit. We had a nice time. Love to all,

Evelyn Rae

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Nancy Collins 4/1 Janice Sullivan 4/1 Keegan Carson 4/2 Betty McClung 4/2 Nancy Taylor 4/4 Harry Curran 4/8

Julia McKeever 4/10 Gino Corcoran 4/12 Sheila Curran 4/15

Esther Jackson 4/15

Karlyn McNeely 4/13 Stephen Clark 4/13 Betty Stacey 04/13

Dorothy Blackwell 4/16 Patricia Parkinson 4/16

Evelyn Rae 4/17 Julia Martins 4/18

Evelyn Murray 4/18 Melanie Mattis 4/20 Aidan McNeely 4/20

Mark Donilon 4/21 William Hebert 4/21

Monika Algozino 4/22 Debra Stacey 04/23 Michaela Lindia 4/24

Paul Magyar 4/24 Joshua Segala 4/26

Evelyn DesRoches 4/26 Susanne Stock 04/26

Alexandra Petrucci 4/30

As mentioned in February’s Fishermen’s News, both Hannah and Stephen Clark are embarking on mission adventures this summer … this is Hannah’s support letter sent

from Cedarville University explaining her mission endeavor to Romania, and Steve will be leaving May 8 to serve a booming international church of thousands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the final editing of this edition of Fishermen’s News, I found space for Steve’s letter on the back of the cover May Breakfast flier! – Pastor Clark

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As mentioned in February’s Fishermen’s News and on page seven of this April edition, both Hannah and Stephen Clark are embarking on mission adventures this summer … in the final editing of this newsletter I opted to use this usually empty space behind this annual

May Breakfast flyer to reprint this excerpt from February along with a picture of Steve’s traveling partners from Gordon Conwell Seminary as well as information how individuals may provide financial support should anyone so desire. On page seven you will find a copy of Hannah’s support letter sent from Cedarville University explaining her mission endeavor to Romania. Steve will leave May 8 to

serve this booming international church of thousands in Dubai, and Hannah will embark July 18 for Romania – Pastor Clark

And an excerpt from Steve’s subsequent support letter to friends and family:

I would be most grateful for your partnership in prayer and, if possible, financial support, as my team is dependent upon both. Your support is crucial for our team's success and the strengthening of the Gospel in Dubai. I would especially ask for your prayers for strength and faithfulness for the small staff of the massive church, as well as prayers for God’s continued work in the hearts of many young believers in Dubai. If you are able and willing to donate financially, contributions can be made via credit card online at my personal fundraising page, https://my.gordonconwell.edu/omp/SClark2017. Checks can also be made out to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; write my name and “OMP” in the memo line, and include your address to receive a tax-deductible receipt. Thank you for helping make this trip a possibility!

MAY BREAKFAST!

Saturday, MAY 6 2017

Greenwood Community Church

805 Main Avenue, Warwick

7:30 - 11:30 AM

Scrambled Eggs - Ham - Pancakes - Baked Beans

Assorted Fruit Juices - Assorted Cold Cereals

Home Baked Coffee Breads, Cakes and Muffins

Apple Pie

Coffee - Tea - Milk

Adults - $8.00

Children under 12 - $3.00

Children under 5 - Free

No reservations required!

Handicapped Accessible!