The Trumpet - March 2012

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March 2012Page

March 2012 Volume 29 Issue

Firelands Presbyterian

Church

2626 East Harbor RoadPort Clinton, Ohio 43452

419-734-6211

Fax 419-734-5411

www.firelandschurch.org

Reverend Jeanne Gay, Pastor

Dr. Jay Mann, Music Director

Margaret Mann, Organist

William Umlauf, Treasurer

Dave Moore, Clerk of Session

Karen Crownover,

Preschool Director

Janine Dress,

Administrative Assistant

Mark Owen, Custodian

Table Of Contents

What is Session? ................. 2

MAS Concert Announcement......................................... 2

Preschool Fundraiser ........... 2

Lent, Holy Week, And Easter atFirelands .......................... 3

Great Hour of Sharing .......... 4

Firelands Family News ......... 5

30th Anniversary CelebrationNews ................................ 5

Taize Prayer Service ............ 5

Session Highlights ............... 6

Preschool Tidbits ................. 7

Lectionary Texts .................. 7

Pastors Page ...................... 8

Birthdays, Anniversaries ..... 9

Calendar .............................. 9

Ministry Schedule .............. 10

Easter Flower Order Form . 11

The TrumpetNews about Cleaning the Church

Good News! We have received a generous gift targeted toward paying the sala

of our custodian, Mark Owens, this year. This means that members will no longe

need to help clean the church each week (though there are plans in place for

thorough cleaning of the kitchen and other areas) ... and Mark can return to clos

to his former salary.

Session CallingDid We Miss You?On Sunday afternoon, February 26, Session members gathered to call as man

members of the congregation as we could reach, with some actual conversation

being delayed until we could find people at home. This was an attempt to commu

nicate better with the congregation by answering questions and finding out wha

you are thinking about the church.

If you did not receive a call, it may well be that we dont have a current phon

number for you. Wed like to be able to be in touchplease call the church offic

(419-734-6211) with a number where you can be reached!

Offering Envelopes:A Confession from Your Pastor

When Janine mentioned last week in the office that it was time to order offerin

envelopes for next year, I have to admit that my first thought was Why? Why d

we still use offering envelopes in the 21st century?And I will admit that I myse

have not used offering envelopes since I was in Junior High. I figured if I wrote

check, the church would know who the money came from, right?

Well, what Ive learned over the last week or so is that offering envelopes ar

really helpful to the counters and the Financial Secretary (Janet Gray-Moore

The envelopes identify you by number (which means you shouldnt use leftove

envelopes from the year before, in case your number changed), and they make

clear where you want your offering allocated. When we dont use envelopes,

makes the counters and Janets jobs more difficult.

So ... For next year were going to order a box of offering envelopes for each o

our giving units (individuals or families). If you have your offerings to th

church sent directly from your bank or for some other reason still dont thin

youll use any offering envelopes, let us know not to order them for you.

In the meantime, if theres still a box of envelopes with your name on them sittin

on the counter outside the sanctuary, please pick them up and start using them

And if theres no box for you and you want some, let the office know.

Thank you!

Jeanne Ga


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March 2012Page

Session Communications:

What Is a Session?Over the next several months, well

be including letters from different

Session members on topics about thePresbyterian Church. This first one is

from John Madison.

Recently, I came to learn that many

of us had different understandings of

the session at Firelands, what it is,

and to whom it is responsible. The

thought was somewhere along the

line that The thought was somewhere

along the line that if we vote for the

members to be on session, does our

delegate to Presbytery therefore rep-

resent us when they vote at Presby-

tery meetings?? The answer is possi-

bly; and possibly not. Our Book of

Order details what a session is and is

to do. Following is a summary of

what it says.

The session is one of several kinds of

councils (like the presbytery, the

synod and the General Assembly) in

the church that share responsibilities,

rights and powers as provided in the

Presbyterian Constitution. It is thecouncil of the congregation, made up

of ruling elders elected by the con-

gregation. The pastor is not a part of

session but is a required moderator

of session. Session has the responsi-

bility for governing the congregation

and guiding its witness to the sover-

eign activity of God in the world, so

that the congregation is and becomes

a community of faith, hope, love and

witness. Notice that this does not

necessarily mean Session follows thevote of the congregation. Here are

some things session is responsible

for:

Provide that the word of God may

be truly preached and heard: in-

cluding providing a space where

we can gather for worship, educa-

tion, and spiritual nurturing; pro-

viding for the preaching of the

Word; planning and leading com-

munity and world outreach, social

healing and reconciliation; and

initiating ecumenical efforts.

Provide that the Sacraments may

be rightly administered and re-

ceived: the Lords Supper on some

regular basis, administration of

Baptism,

Nurture the covenant community

of disciples of Christ: receiving

and dismissing members, review-

ing the rolls of membership, coun-

seling those who have neglected

the responsibilities of member-

ship, providing programs of nur-

ture, education and fellowship,

training, examining, ordaining and

installing elders and deacons, en-couraging generosity and faithful

stewardship, managing the physi-

cal property of the congregation,

directing the ministry of deacons,

trustees and organizations of the

congregation, leading the congre-

gation in mission, warning and

bearing witness against error in

doctrine and immorality both in

the congregation and the commu-

nity, and serving in judicial mat-

ters in accordance with the Rules

of Discipline (part of the Book of

Order).

The Elders that serve on session are

elected annually for terms of three

years and cannot serve for more

than two terms in a row. These terms

ensure a healthy change in leader-

ship on a regular basis. They are pre-

sented for election at our fall meeting

by the Nominating Committee, and

when you look at all they are respon-

sible for, it is a very important vote.

One of the current goals of Firelands

session is to improve our communi-

cation to you of how our church

works and to address some other

questions we have gathered. We

hope this helps and look forward to

sharing with you regularly in the fu-

ture.

MAS MusicalArts Series

Concerts

Saturday March 31, 2012, 7:30 p.m

The Musical Arts Series of Fireland

will host the Bowling Green Stat

University Collegiate Chorale

highly select mixed ensemble offe

ing the finest sacred choral and secu

lar vocal music. The event is spon

sored by Roth & Bacon Attorney

and MAS. Tickets can be purchase

at the door for $15.00 ($12.00 fo

Firelands members, free for Stu

dents).

The Musical Arts Series is requestin

donations of cakes for the recep

tion following this concert.

CommunionStewards Needed

For the months of April, May, June

September and November, volun

teers are needed to be communio

stewards. If you want to know wha

this job entails, and are interested

helping out, please contact Sal

W a h l e r s ( 4 1 9 - 7 3 4 - 9 6 8 0 o

[email protected]). Thank yo

for your willingness to help!

Dinner out withFirelands Friends

Looking for an opportunity to fight

the winter blahs and get out of the

house? Come and have conversation

with other Firelands Friends at our

Dinner Night Out will be., hosted by

Rosemarie Shinde at the Noreaster

Club. Date to be announced Sign up

on the Opportunity Table or contact

Janine in the church office to make a

reservation.


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March 2012Page

Study+Lunch+Prayer

This Wednesday morning series, which has been held at

Firelands in the past, will take place at the Vineyard onCatawba this year. The schedule is the same: 10:30 Bible

Study with Pastor Kurt Borows, 12:00 lunch ($6.00), and

12:30 worship, led by a variety of pastors from Port Clin-

ton and Danbury/Marblehead. (Pastor Jeanne will lead

worship on March 14.) Come for as many parts of the pro-

gram as you desire, as many Wednesdays as you can!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Join us at the church on Wednesday

evenings (7:00 on Feb. 29, Mar. 7,

Mar. 14, Mar. 21, Mar. 28, Apr. 4) for a

study called Lord, Teach Us to Pray:

Six Studies on Spirituality and the Lords

Prayer. Please sign up on the Opportu-

nity Table or by calling the church office

419-734-6211and come prepared to pur-

chase the student book ($13.00).

Seasonal Singers

For his final season with our choir, Jay Mann has promised

favorites of the choir and congregation. Come join us! Re-

hearsals are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

The Silent [Prayer] Treatment

Each week during Lent we invite the congregation to prac-

tice the discipline of intercessory prayer by praying for

other individuals in the congregation. Well distribute the

discipline directions each week in worship. If you cant be

there, youll be able to find them on the churchs web-

sitefirelandschurch.orgor on our Facebook page.

Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Pastor Jeannes sermons during Lent will focus on the ele-

ments of the Lords Prayer:

March 4: Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done

March 11: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

March 18: Forgive Our Sins, As We ...

March 25: Do Not Bring Us to the Time of Trial

Spring Potluck: March 25

This is a church that is known and loved for fellowship.

Plan on attending our Welcome Spring potluck after wor-

ship on Sunday, March 25.

Passion Sunday: April 1

Holy Week begins on Sunday, April 1no fooling! In wor-

ship that morning we will experience the drama of Jesu

final week in Jerusalem, beginning with the triumphal en

try into the city ... ending with the crucifixion on Go

gotha.

Maundy Thursday Christian Seder Dinner

In the synoptic gospels, the Last Supper that Jesus at

with his disciples was a Passover dinner, a time to cele

brate Gods freeing of the Hebrews from slavery in Egyp

Jews throughout the world still celebrate Passover, usual

in a family meal called a Seder (SAY-der). Come partic

pate in this Christian version of the Sedera meal tha

combines tradition and innovation, appealing to all of ou

senses and involving all of us in telling the story of God i

history. This years Seder will be built around a meal, s

come hungry and ready to participate!Thursday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. Sign up by calling the o

fice or on the Opportunity Table.

Port Clinton Ecumenical

Good Friday Service

The churches of Port Clinton will gather at noon on Friday

April 6 at Trinity United Methodist Church for an ecumen

cal service marking Good Friday.

Firelands Good FridayService: Protestant Sta-

tions of the CrossOn Friday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m.,

we will gather for a service that

uses events in the last hours of

Jesus life as a structure for prayer and meditation. This

a moving liturgy of candles, scripture, prayers and th

cross.

Easter!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Come join us at 10:30 Easter

morning (April 8) for a glorious celebration of the joy of

the resurrection.

Lent, Holy Week and Easter at Firelands


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March 2012Page

Great Hour of SharingOfferings

Will Be Receivedat Firelands

April 1 and April 8

Please read this letter from Sara Pottschmidt Lisherness,

Director, Compassion, Peace and Justice, PC(USA).

Dear colleagues in ministry,

Last year was a historic year for weather-related disas-

ters. In March we witnessed the destruction left in the

wake of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

This island nation continues to face multiple challenges as

it recovers from the disaster. The National Weather Ser-

vice reported that there were close to 1,500 tornadoes

across the United States, including a rare tornado in Mas-

sachusetts. Heavy rain and melting snow caused historic

flooding in the Ohio Valley and wiped out thousands of

acres of farmland in the Upper Midwest. In the Southern

Plains, drought, heat wave and wildfires caused unimagin-

able devastation. Yet, in the midst of all the upheaval, the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was there for those in need

because of your gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing

(OGHS) offering.

Sharing Brings Joy.

To Others, to God, and to Us.

Following the earthquake that struck Haiti, through a

shared grant project, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and

the Presbyterian Hunger Program provided seeds and

tools for thousands of Haitian farmers, enough to grow

food for hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians. This

grant allows Haitians to participate in their own recovery

and makes use of indigenous seeds and grain.

In the United States, Self-Development of People part-

nered with the South Plaquemines Parish United Fisheries

Cooperative in Louisiana to create the Step One Recovery

project. This business provides economic development

opportunities to address poverty in the Louisiana fishing

industry. Through your

gifts and the gifts of other

congregations across the

church, OGHS will con-

tinue to be a reminder that

through the simple act of

sharing, we are blessed

and experience Gods

abundance in surprising

ways.

Thank you for supporting

this offering

What Is theOne Great Hour of Sharing Offering?

Immediately following World War II, Protestant churche

in the U.S. made appeals for the relief and reconstructio

of areas devastated by the war, primarily Europe an

Asia. In 1949, the leaders of several denominationformed a committee to organize an appeal to suppo

their churches separate campaigns.

A program called One Great Hour was broadcast on Marc

26, 1949, over major networks and many independen

stations. The broadcast closed with a request that listen

ers attend their local church the following morning an

make a sacrificial contribution. No exact measure of re

ceipts was possible, but it was estimated that more tha

75,000 churches participated. The next year, the offerin

was repeated, using the name One Great Hour of Sha

ing for the first time. At times, One Great Hour of Sha

ing was coordinated with both the Roman Catholic Bish

ops Fund Appeal for Overseas Aid and the Jewish Pass

over Appeal. Free time and space were donated to th

joint appeal through the Advertising Council.

From the beginning, this has been an ecumenical effor

As denominations changed and merged, One Great Hou

of Sharing has varied from eight to 29 participating com

munions. While each denomination allocates its gifts di

ferently, all use their funds for ministries of disaster relie

refugee assistance and development aid. Today, projec

supported by One Great Hour of Sharing are under way i

more than 100 countries, including the United States anCanada. In recent years Presbyterians have given abou

$10 million annually.

OGHS FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2010 One Great Hour of Sharing

Offering Receipts ................................. $7,655,272

Expenses

Fundraising (5.7 percent) ....................... $435,528

Shared Services charges ........................ $382,668

Total Expenditures(10.7 percent of receipts) ....................... $818,196

Disbursements (after expenses)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance .......... $2,196,133

Presbyterian Hunger Program .............. $2,455,426

Self-Development of People ................. $2,185,517

Total One Great Hour of Sharing

Offering Disbursements........................ $6,837,076

A detailed list of grants and disbursements by each pro

gram area will be online by March 2012.

36%

Presbyterian

Hunger

Program

32% Presbyterian

Disaster Assistance

32% Self-

development

of people


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March 2012Page

Our Firelands Family NewsBob & Kaye Elliott have a beautiful new great grand-

daughter, Vanessa Jo, born on Feb. 6, and their grandson

Reece is safely home from Afghanistan.

Pat & Bill Sharp celebrated their 50th wedding anniver-sary with a wonderful surprise party from their children.

Belated Congratulations from us all.

The PCHS Boys Bowling Team has earned a trip to State

competition! Great jobs from Coach Bob Black and

bowler Sean Black. Sean already has been offered a col-

lege bowling scholarship, and he's still a junior. Go Skins!

Merissa Jagucki earned a judges' score of a 9 in a re-

cent gymnastics competition. That's practically perfect ...

and is the result of hours of hard work and dedication.

Wow.

Lily Stouffer is gearing up for the dance competitionseason with the first one coming up March 9-11 in

Youngstown. She'll be competing with five dance routines

this year, among which are tap, jazz, lyrical & a big pro-

duction number based on the game "Clue." There will be

four regional competitions, the recital in May, and then

off to Nationals in Myrtle Beach this July.

Nic Stouffer has been busy with wrestling this season

and has one last tournament to complete. This is his last

year of wrestling as he would like to give basketball a go

next year ... he's showing that height may be on his side

for this. His favorite is always football, but who knows

what might happen with the hoops.

The Jagucki and Stouffer families are to be congratulated

for raising such hard working and neat kids. We in the

congregation are truly enjoying watching them grow up

as they faithfully serve as our acolytes.

Church Directory

A current printed church directory is available in the

gathering area. It is on purple paper. If there are any

corrections or additions, please let Janine know in the

church office. Thank You.

Otterbein North Shore PresentsMusicali

Thursday, March 15 at Noon

Musicali performs classical and folk music from Ireland,

Italy and all across the U.S., plus Broadway, Renais-

sance, hymns and contemporary Christian. You will enjoy

a fun and lively performance and lunch. Cost is $10 to

make reservations call 419-798-8203.

30th Anniversary Celebration

On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012, Firelands Presbyte

rian Church will be 30 years old. As with any anniversary

we will be celebrating. We want to honor our past an

look forward to our future. Where is God calling ou

church to do His work? We will be celebrating The DreamThat Was/Is Firelands.

We are still in the planning stages but wanted to let yo

know of plans to date:

Pre-school students, their families, and the prescho

staff will be with us on worship on May 20 th.

We will offer a week of Directed Prayer led by Dian

Mitchell and Rev. Bob Butcher

All our former pastors will be with us on May 27th an

participate in our worship service

We will honor our charter members

We will contact past members to be with us in wo

ship on May 27th.

We will have a potluck after worship on the 27th.

These are our tentative plans. Please share with us if yo

have any ideas to make our celebration meaningful.

any of you would like to work with us, we would be de

lighted to have you. Our next scheduled meeting is Marc

15th at 6:15 pm.

Committee members: Marilyn Umlauf, Bob Reynold

Connie Brand, Karen Coffin, Ernie McCullough, Lori Mad

son, Joyce Jagucki

Taize Prayer Service

Bob Butcher and Greg Fox will be leading a communit

Taize Prayer Service March 11 at Peace Lutheran Churc

at 7 PM.

The Taize (teh-ZAY) tradition began in 1940 in an ecumen

cal monastic community in the French village of Taize. Th

prayer services offer a time of quiet meditation, reflectio

scripture, and prayers, spoken and sung. The music is wri

ten to allow for participation by a multi-lingual congrega

tion without hymnals; the hymns are brief, simple and re

peated many times in order that the words may descen

from our lips to our hearts


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March 2012Page

Devotions: Joyce Jagucki. Listen to Your Neighbors

Heart, by Steve Powers

Report of the Clerk: Dave Moore Prior to the meeting

the session, via email, had approved the baptism ofDashiell Arthur Bordner, son of Jennifer and Seth Bordner,

grandson of Marsha Bordner and Harold Brown. Bob Black

reported that his sons Kevin and Chris Black wished to be

removed from the active members roster and moved to

Friends of Firelands Church church. Dave Moore re-

ported the same for his children, Elliott and Alex Ann

Moore.

Treasurers Report: Bill Umlauf. After going over the

Treasurers report, the Session discussed gifts given to

Firelands Church. There is procedure on how the gift is

credited to the gift giver, how it is communicated and to

who so that a thank-you note goes out to the giver, etc.This discussion will be taken back up at a future meeting

after Alison has a chance to speak to Janet Moore (the

financial secretary) and to Bill Umlauf.

Committee Reports:

Christian Nurture: Bob Black, Chair At its Feb. 19

meeting, the Christian Nurture Committee will discuss

challenging members to do daily Bible Readings from an

organized program, probably after Easter.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Initial meetings have

been held with PCHS Administrators who are in favor of

starting a chapter in PC. Meetings will be held at PCHS.This is mainly student driven, with coaches overseeing

and pastors volunteering as chapter Chaplains. Pastor

Jeanne has been drafted along with Pastor Dan Keck.

Mission: Joyce Jagucki, Chair The Mission Committee

along with the Deacons are planning a clean the kitchen

day in March. With that cleaning we hope to also clean the

cabinets in our common area, as well as the area where

the tables and table linens are stored. This will require

many hands to do this work.

During Lent we will be promoting the PC(USA) One Great

Hour of Sharing, to be collected on Palm and Easter Sun-days.

The Committee has begun exploring a mission project for

the church called Living Waters of the World

(livingwatersfortheworld.org) which involves a team of

members to be trained to install water filtration systems

and educate people on sanitary conditions in many of the

areas in the world where clean water is unavailable.

Personnel: John Madison, Chair It will be the responsi-

bility of the Worship and Music Committee find a replace-

ment for the Manns.

Property Management: John McIntosh, Chair Prop

erty Management has been focusing on cost savings. Th

Energy Audit team has identified several ways to reduc

heating costs and has completed a light bulb audit tha

indicates several ways to save money on lighting.

Janine Dress has been "trash talking" with several dump

ster vendors and found we can cut our costs by more tha

half by changing to a two-yard dumpster.

Connie Brand asked the session if we would consider sel

ing our 50-cup coffee maker to her; it hasnt been use

in years. Session approved Connies taking the coffe

maker for a donation of $50 was approved.

The digital projector was removed from the ceiling durin

the Sharp's 50th anniversary celebration because of

problem with the fan. We will use this as an opportunit

to try reconfiguring the projector so it can be moved froplace to place.

Worship and Music: Connie Brand, Chair Connie we

over the Lenten schedule (see p. 3)

The committee will be involved in the 30th anniversar

worship service (May 27) and is planning a project to pu

chase the new Presbyterian hymnals through memori

gifts.

With great sadness, we accepted Margaret and Jay Mann

announcement of their retirement effective August 31st

this year.

Building-Up/Healing the Church

Session members will pick a topic of educational interes

to our congregation and write about it for the Trumpe

Each session member will be responsible for this durin

the month that they are responsible for devotions durin

our meeting. On Sunday afternoon, Feb 26, session w

meet to call members of our congregation. We will b

making calls to see if the church member has any ques

tions or comments of/for the session. We are hoping t

use this opportunity to improve communication betwee

the session and the individual members of our congrega

tion.

30th Anniversary Celebration Committee:

A committee (Joyce Jagucki, Marilyn Umlauf, Lori Mad

son, Ernie McCullough, Karen Coffin, Bob Reynolds, Pasto

Jeanne) has been formed to plan for our anniversary cele

bration on Pentecost, May 27. (If youre interested

helping, contact Joyce.) We are working without a budge

but are planning a week of celebration of our past an

looking to our future. Bob Butcher and Diana Mitchell w

conduct a week of directed prayer May 21-25, and forme

pastors will be with us in worship on May 27.

Dave Moore, Clerk of Sessio

STATED SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS for February 14


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March 2012Page

If youre interested in daily lection-

ary readings, go to http://

www.pcusa.org/devotions/part

of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

website. You can read the texts

online, subscribe to an email list to

receive them daily, print out a

reading list, or listen to them read

out loud.

Preschool Tidbits

A SCHOOL FILLED WITH LOVE

A Valentine Party with goodies, VALEN-

TINE CARDS, and healthy food was en-

joyed by 22 students , four teachers and a

parent helper.

Presidents Washington and Lincoln had a

whole week of their own. Lots of history

information and art projects filled out the

week.

An Ottawa County school representativewas here to informally watch and listen to

the students who will be going to kinder-

garten next year. She commented about

how well prepared our students are: socially, academically, and

behaviorally.

We can now count by ones, fives and tens. The kiddos also know that

ten groups of ten make

100. It is just amazing!!!!

The igloo is finished and

is being used for a read-

ing center. At the end of

the week the milk jugs

will be taken to the recy-

cling center.

You can help! We will be selling Elder Beerman coupon books for $5

very soon. We get to keep the whole $5!. The first coupon in the book-

let is for $10 off any $10 or more item, plus lots of other percentages

off coupons. They will be sitting outside the sanctuary doors. Please

help us out.

Lectionary Texts forMarch

Sunday, March 4

Lent 2

Gen 9:8-17

Psalm 25:1-10

Romans 4:13-25

Mark:8:31-38

March 11

Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians. 1:18-25

John 2:13-22

March 18

Lent 4

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

March 25

Lent 5

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-12 or 119:9-16

Hebrews 5:5-10

John 12:20-33


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March 2012Page

PASTORS PAGE: WHO DO YOU SAY I AMAs part of my Lenten reading, I turn sometimes to poets, both old and new. Today it was Ann

Weems, in her From Advents Alleluia to Easters Morning Light (WJK, 2010), and a poem calledJe

sus, Gods Beloved Son, based on Mark 1:9-15. I am struck by some of Weems lines, especially

My prayer is that this Lent we will know who he is, / and we will give up our hearts to a world /who screams for a word of hope from the Church of / Jesus Christ. I dont know which church

quarrel shes referring to (and Im not sure it matters), but I do think its importantvital, eventhat we remem

ber that we live in a world that screams for a word of hope from the Church of Jesus Christ. Let us live into that

hope and sing it to the world.

When I was a child, we didnt have Lent,not down in Nashville, Tennessee,where my father was a Presbyterian minister.Thats not to say there wasnt any of that giving up

business going on;its just that Presbyterians didnt do it.Oh, we waved our fronds as we went into the sanctuary

on Palm Sunday,and we observed Holy week,the most memorable day being Fridaywhen we had hot cross buns and didnt go to school,

but went instead to the worship service downtown,and listened one of those Last Words Sermonsand afterwards ate at the B & W cafeteria.I was afraid a truant officer would see us,but my mother assured me shed never seen a

truant officerlurking around in the churches in Nashville, Tennessee.What we did see was a lot of people going to church on

Good Fridayand a lot of people praying.

I knew something very important was going on,and that it was about Jesus.Not Easter baskets, not new clothes, not Easter dinner.

Jesus.It was about Jesus.

It was also about Jesus when my father was tried by thechurch for heresy.

He had preached sermons about racial equalityand higher wages for the poorand loving people of other faiths,

as well as preaching a sermon on peacejust before World War II.

Some people told him to stick to the Bible.

My father said he was preaching the gospeland his conscience would only allow himto preach the truth as he saw it.

As he heard it.As he felt the Spirit.It was about Jesus.

Many Lents later, I have taped to my desk these words:Who do you say that I am?They are Jesus words to the disciples.They are Jesus words to me every time I sit down

to write.Who do you say that I am?

And I anguish.

We all think we know, and yet, were a church quarrelingbecause we dont agree who Jesus is.

When Jesus appeared by the Jordan,John knew who Jesus was,

and baptized him.

God, of course, identified him in front of the crowd:

You are my beloved Son. ...

In the wilderness, Satan knew who Jesus wasand tempted him when he was famished,as we are tempted when we are famished,whether it be for foodor shelteror recognitionor wealthor poweror love.

Jesus went to Galilee preaching the gospel,saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has

come near;

repent and believe in the good news.But the good news was not always received as such ...not then, not now.

The trouble was the good news provedtoo scandalous, too radical, too good to be true,

and they turned their backs on Jesus ...the people, the religious authorities, the government,and even the disciples,and Jesus suffered unto death ... alone.As the spiritual says, We didnt know who you [were].My prayer is that this Lent we will know who he is,and we will give up our hearts to a world

who screams for a word of hope from the Church of

Jesus Christ.

I pray we will have the ears to hear the good newsand the courage to preach it,the eyes to see who Jesus is and the love to follow:Feeding his sheep,

living in peach with one another, all the one anothers,standing up and taking risks for his word,and believing that Gods arms are open to us

in mercyand forgivenessand unfailing Love

in this powerful giftof covenant faithfulness.


9/11

March 2012Page

March Birthdays March Anniversaries

March 2012Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

17:30

Seasonal Singers

2 3Power Squadron

All day

49:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5 67 Financial

Stewardshipcomm.

710:30 study+ lunch +

prayer at the Vineyard

7:00 Lenten Bible Study

6 Dinner at Church of theNazarene

87:30

Seasonal Singers

9 10Power Squadron

All day

119:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

7 Taize Prayer Service

12 139 Quilting

7 Session




157:30

Seasonal Singers

16 17


10:30 Worship

199 MAS

20 2110:30 study+ lunch +



227:30

Seasonal Singers

23 24


10:30 Worship

Noon Spring Potluck

26 279 Quilting




297:30

Seasonal Singers

30 317:30 MAS Conce

If there are additions or corrections to the Birthday

and Anniversary pages, please contact the church

office. Thanks.

Gilbert & Linda Dopp 28

Phil & Jane Langhals 11

Gerald Rasmussen 3

Linda Dopp 3Andrew Kesge 7

Ernie McCullough 9

Karen Viery 9

Grace Uhle 12

Jim Fisher 13

Brannon Langhals 15

Shawn Rogers 20Kelly Coffin Markley 23

Janet Moore 24

Pr. Jeanne Gay 25

Karen Vardyan 25

Laverne Bartens 27


10/11

March 2012Page

Dont Forget Your Time to Serve!DATE MINISTRY NAMES

All Month Deacon of the Month Sarah Hartley

Communion Steward Marilyn Umlauf

March. 4 Greeter(s) Jane Kaiser

Refreshments Black Family

Reader Bob Black

Acolyte Lily Stouffer

Communion Assistant Nila McCullough

Servers Dave Moore, Heather Stouffer, Bob Reynolds, Susan Rogers

Nursery Volunteer Jane Benson

March. 11 Greeter(s) McCulloughs

Refreshments Douglass and Clara Maag

Reader Jay Mann

Acolyte Nic Stouffer

Communion Assistant Joyce Jagucki

Servers Shirley Stary, Nila McCullough, Dan Barlow, Deb Barlow

Nursery Volunteer Margaret Black

March. 18 Greeter(s) McCulloughs

Refreshments Manns

Reader Karen Coffin


Communion Assistant Ernie McCullough

Servers John Madison, Dave Moore, Susan Rogers, Lori Madison

Nursery Volunteer Janet Gray-Moore

March. 25 Greeter(s)

Refreshments Spring Potluck

Reader Joyce Jagucki


Communion Assistant Dan Barlow

Servers Debi Barlow, Dave Wahlers, Sally Wahlers, Sally Walter

Nursery Volunteer Susan Rogers


11/11

March 2012Page

Name____________________________________________

In Honor of________________________________________

In Memory of______________________________________

All orders must be placed by

Sunday, March 25

Payment is due at time of order

Please make checks payable to

Firelands Presbyterian Church

6 Tulips @ $8.50

6 Pot Daffodils @ $10.50

3-4 bloom Hyndreas @$12.50

Flower Number Ordered Total Price

6 Hyacinths @ $8.50

5-8 bloom Lilies @ $9.50

Total Enclosed

Documents

The Trumpet - March 2012