Be Encouraged!

While churches, mosques, synagogues and temples have shut their

doors in every corner of the planet because of the spread of COVID-19, I am

fully persuaded that God will use this virus to draw people closer to Him.

As in all struggles, COVID-19 brings out the good and the bad in hu-

manity. Some people hoard products such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and

medical masks. Others give beyond their means. This is a time that we really

can prove to others that we are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Will we as Christians be like the healthcare workers who are engaging

in great sacrifices rushing to help others, or be like the people showing preju-

dices to Asian Americans like they are to blame for this pandemic? I already

know the response of Church In The Acres. We show the love of Jesus and

that makes me proud!

I want to remind everyone that praying is something that we CAN

practice faithfully together even as we practice social distancing. Last week

someone asked if we still are having prayer meeting? I responded that we

could all pull up in front of the church on Thursday at 6pm and roll our car

windows down and pray together. Anyone up for that challenge? Come join

me!

I invite all of you to pray this prayer daily. Our God is listening and

our God cares!

When we aren't sure, God, help us be calm;

When information comes from all sides, correct and not, give us discernment;

When fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the

day, slow us down, God;

Help us to reach out with our hearts, when we can't touch with our hands;

Help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant;

Help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that "perfect love casts out all

fear."

Be Encouraged! We WILL get through this, and be an even stronger church!

It’s good to be your pastor!

In The Lord’s service till the last fish is caught, <><

Pastor Chris

THE L IFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH IN THE ACRES

APRIL 2020 ISSUE 4

THE CHALLENGER

SPECIAL POINTS OF

INTEREST:

• Words from our Pastor and Honorary Life Deacon

• Rescue Mission Outreach

• Holy Week Schedule

• COVID 19 Update

INSIDE THIS ISSUE :

“FOLLOWERS OF THE

WAY” 2

PRAYER TIME/

M ISSION NEWS/

BAPTISM AND

MEMBERSHIP

INFORMATION

3

HOLY WEEK

SCHEDULE/MEN ’S

M INISTRY/WOMEN ’S

M INISTRY

4

FAMILY NEWS 5

FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY

There is an old saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, any way will get you there.”

There is also an Old Testament proverb that states, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end,

it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). And then many years later Jesus came, and He came to show us THE

WAY. He said to his disciples, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except

through me” (John 14 :6). For a period of time Christ’s disciples were confused and confounded about

who Jesus was, and so one day He gave them this clear verse to help them find peace and assurance and

conviction for who He was and what His mission was. For three short years the disciples followed Jesus,

they learned more and more from his teachings, they witnessed his many miracles, were overwhelmed by

his crucifixion, but then became exuberant and convinced that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God and the

Savior of the world when HE arose from the dead the third day. From that time on the early believers

claimed to be FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY. And what a wonderful WAY it was. They found joy, peace,

purpose, truth, salvation, eternal life. Truly, old things passed away, and all things became new.

There is something very powerful and life-changing about the impact of being a follower of Jesus.

We begin to live by faith. We become obedient. We now have a purpose to live. We now know the

meaning of that word, joy. Abounding joy! We now know what God’s grace is all about. We discover the

great need to wait on God, to meditate on God’s Word, to seek His face, to trust Him more and more, to

repent of all of our sins, to be thankful for all things. There is a passage in Isaiah 35:8 which states, “And a

highway will be there; it will be called ‘The Way of Holiness’”. That, to me, is the path, the road, that we

as believers in Jesus are being led to follow. Lest we should forget, when we follow Jesus we are being

motivated and inspired and challenged by the Holy Spirit to live holy lives. We are being called to reflect

Jesus in our thoughts, words, and deeds. The story is told that one day when a visitor knocked at the home

of Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist, he asked, “Is this the home of Dwight L. Moody?” To which Moody

replied, “No! Jesus Christ lives here”. And of course, there is more than fiction in that response, for when

we do accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are inviting Jesus into our hearts. You see, faith in

Jesus Christ and his redeeming grace are pivotal and indispensable in God’s divine plans for Jesus’

followers.

Sometimes people overlook this important truth, and substitute religion and religious activities,

thinking that all of their good works will get them into heaven. There is a proverb coming from one

country that states, “Even if a log soaks a long time in water, it will never become a crocodile.” And the

truth is, neither will being religious make a person righteous. You see, the great message of the Bible is

that Jesus Christ came to lay down his life on the Cross so that he could pay the ransom price for our

salvation. When John the Baptist saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God” (John 1:36). In

the Old Testament the Jewish people were instructed to only select a perfect one-year old lamb as their

atoning sacrifice for their sins. Jesus came as the perfect lamb of God to atone for our sins. He laid down

his life on the Cross. In Isaiah 52:7 we read, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his

mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not

open his mouth.” Again, and again in the Scriptures it affirms that Jesus is THE WAY, THE TRUTH,

AND THE LIFE, AND NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM. I trust and

pray that you are one of Jesus loyal and faithful followers.

Your Friend in Christ, Rev. Andy Kilpatrick

PAGE 2 ISSUE 4

We would like to recognize our Church’s Graduates from High School, College, or any other continuing education program in our June Challenger Please fill out a Graduation Information form (found in the blue folder rack by the office door) and return it to the office by May 15th. (Call or email the church office if you wish to have a form emailed to you.) 782-2577 info@churchintheacres.org

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ALL CHURCH PRAYER MEETING

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER

NOTICE

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.”

Everyone is invited to the Friendship Room,

Thursdays at 6 pm.

Please come to pray.

If you are interested in learning about being baptized, please sign up on the sheet at the lobby bulletin board or speak to the Pastor. A member of our Diaconate will contact you to arrange for a class.

MEMBERSHIP:

If you are interested in learning about becoming a member of Church in the Acres, please sign up on the sheet at the lobby bulletin board or speak to the Pastor. A member of our Diaconate will call you to arrange a class.

RESCUE MISSION MONTHLY SUPPERS

Our church prepares and serves a meal at the Springfield Rescue Mission one Saturday each month. We are at the mission from 4:30-6 pm, and cooking or baking can be done at home, at church, or at the mission kitchen, prior to 4:30.

POSTPONED UNTIL

FURTHER NOTICE If you would like to join our team of cooks, servers, etc. please speak to Pastor Chris.

Another way you can help is to help with donations to cover the cost of the food. You may place your contributions in an envelope clearly marked for “Springfield Rescue Mis-sion” at any time

PAGE 3 ISSUE 4

PAGE 4 ISSUE 4

FASTING EXPERIENCE

APRIL 5-8

We will begin our Lenten Fasting Experience at 1:30 pm on Palm Sunday, April 5, with a light repast (soup/salad) in the Friendship Room. We will conclude the fast at 6:00 pm on Wednesday April 8 with a light repast (soup/salad).

You may choose to fast from something other than food, like TV or electronics, etc. All are invited to participate.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE .

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 5

9:30 and 11:30 am Worship Services Live Stream 1:30 pm Fasting Experience begins (details above)

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Maundy Thursday Communion Service (Will be taped and available)

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 10

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 19

9:30 and 11:30 am Worship Services Live Stream With Easter Message, Special Music, and Easter Plants (NO Sunday School)

COVID 19 UPDATE As of this printing ALL or mostly all

activities at the church are cancelled or postponed.

Please watch bulletins for further information.

The church is being sanitized after each service.

You may send your tithes and offerings to the church.

MEN’S BREAKFAST POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

THANK YOU NOTE

Has been received from: Friends of Regional Ministries

Janet Potter received a note from Barb Piner “Greetings to everyone from North Carolina” She misses us and wish she could be here.

LAY CARE LIST Send a card, make a call, say a prayer…

(Addresses are in the Church Directory. Week of: April 5 Nancy MacCallum

12 Claire Mendoza

19 Frances Cray

26 Doris Murray

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

Dottie and Fred Rempp

April 3rd

Catherine and Robert Cabey

April 12th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

April 3 Chris Montemayor 7 Jim Fields 28 Nancy MacCallum

FAMILY NEWS PAGE

PAGE 5 ISSUE 4

Sue Renaud, Olive Edwards and Karen

Randall

ADDRESS CHANGE

Susan Jones 269 Stony Hill Road Building G1 Apt. 204

1383 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119

The Challenger is a monthly publication of the Church in the Acres, except for a combined July/August edition. Articles should be e-mailed, faxed, mailed or dropped off by the 15th of each month.

(Articles may be edited for length.)

Sunday Schedule

9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 10:45—11:30 *Sunday School Classes for all ages (*Fellowship Time on the first Sunday of the month)

11:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

The Church Office is open Monday 9am—12 noon and Tuesday through Thursday 9am—12 noon and 1—3pm

Phone: (413) 782-2577

E-mail: info@churchintheacres.org

Fax: (413) 782-6856

www.churchintheacres.org

Pastor Rev. Christopher Lister Administrative Assistant Joanne Case Director of Music Catherine Berry Handbell Choir Director Jeff Tisdel Director of Contemporary Worship Mike Giovaninni Custodian Dennis Chausse Tech Team Jeff Whittemore, Dennis Badger, John Ferris and Megan Smith