New Covenant Community Church The Messenger

March 2019

Ecumenical in Outlook, Presbyterian in Heritage

1587 West Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44313330.253.6989 | www.covenantakron.org

office@covenantakron.org

DISCOVER AND REMEMBER WHO WE ARE AS

DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

After being baptized by John in the river Jordan,Jesus went off alone into the wilderness

where He spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus.During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another

what it means to be themselves.– from Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark,

(San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988), pages 74-75.

It is not coincidental that, immediately after Jesus was baptized, the tempter appeared on the scene to challenge Jesus’ understanding of who He was and His new way to live in the world. Jesus’ identity as the Son of God which was announced at His baptism was put to the test during the forty days He spent in the wilderness. In paralleling the experience of Israel’s forty years in the wilderness, Jesus confronted the similar forces that lured the people of Israel into idolatry – hunger, putting God to the test, and false worship.

In an analogous way, almost as soon as we are identified as God’s children and called to live according to the claims of God’s kingdom, we too are tempted to return to a less demanding way of life. Therefore, as we move through the forty days of Lent, we seek to discover and remember who in heaven’s name we are as disciples of Jesus Christ and as a community of faith. Although we will never be tempted in the same way that Jesus was, we are constantly bombarded with images and opportunities which tempt us to feed our worldly appetites. But our diet is determined, not by cultural accommodation, but by the word and witness of our Lord. Even when the world frequently entices us to worship something that is counterfeit, we are inspired through Christ’s example to remember who we are. It is in remembering who we are that we will begin to see in the groaning of creation, not the throes of death, but the birth pangs of new life; we will see not the darkness of oppression, but the dawn of justice and peace; and we will transform the inhumanity of the present into a new hope for the future. In spite of the deluge of commercial disguises that we experience, the flood of betrayals and compromises that we endure, or the ocean of our ambition that seeks to seduce us, remembering who we are gives us the courage to cleanse ourselves from what we have been and then gamble on what we can be through the grace of Jesus Christ. Remembering who we are and whom we are called to be enables us to dare to forgive and be forgiven, to be brave enough to embrace Christ’s teachings, to shine God’s light of love and peace against the midnight of violence and indifference.

These forty days of Lent open us to a period of self-examination as we ask, in one way or another, what it means to be identified as a follower of Jesus Christ. In engaging in this discipline, we are challenging ourselves to discover who we are, not for our sake or even for the church’s sake, but for the sake of the gospel. And as we risk being open to God’s future at the beginning of Lent, the new life of Easter awaits at the end of it.

Blessings, Tom

“Lent reminds us that the main problem with us is not them.”

Because the forty days of Lent summon us to a period of self-examination,we will be invited to reflect on the following questions throughout the respective weeks of Lent.

First Sunday in LentFrom what do I need to repent?

Is there one particular sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor as myself?

How do I address that sin over the next 40 days?

Second Sunday in LentIs there anyone in my life from whom I need to ask forgiveness or pursue reconciliation?

Write a list of 40 names for the 40 days of Lent.Every day of Lent, pray for and write a letter to one of those people.

Third Sunday in LentThe cycle of death and resurrection is central to the Christian faith.

In what ways is that cycle present in my life right now? What in my life needs to die, and what in my life needs to be reborn or resurrected?

Fourth Sunday in LentIn what circumstances do I stand up for my Christian beliefs,

and in what circumstances do I compromise my faith?

Fifth Sunday in LentWhen I consider the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – which of these fruits do I need to cultivate more earnestly in my life?

Sixth Sunday in LentWhen I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning, how will I be different?

How will God be working through me?

As we move through Lent, let us seek to discern how we can befaithful in serving as followers of Jesus Christ.

Dear New Covenant Community Church Members and Friends, New Covenant Community Church is working to strengthen its membership and communication with its members and the community. Our website,

covenantakron.org, is in the process of being upgraded by several members to provide more current information about our activities, but it looks very attractive right now. Check it out!

Some of you may have noticed some new faces in our weekly worship service. Please take some time to introduce yourself and welcome anyone you may not know. We claim to be a warm and friendly church. Let’s continue to live up to that model.

Also, if you have the opportunity to invite someone to join us in worship, please do so. All visitors are welcome. 2019 is a year of growth and commitment for our congregation, as we enjoy the benefits of our renovation, our inspired pastoral leadership, and the potential of new membership. Thank you all for your continuing faith in New Covenant Community Church and its mission. Yours in Christ,

John Sezna2019 Governing Board President

Dear Members of New Covenant Community,

We are so appreciative of Hal Horton thinking of us when your church was replacing tables. The donation of folding tables made to UDS for its work programs for persons with disabilities has been ideal. All tables are in place and are used daily at our Akron and Kent program locations. Hopefully you will consider this donation a continuation of your mission as it provided much needed support for our organization’s mission to provide vocational training to adults with developmental disabilities as they work toward future goals!

Thank you again,

Kay Shellenberger

“Blessings in a Backpack” Welcome Backpacks for Immigrants

As we seek to serve our fellow human beings, we will shine Christ’s light in the world by sharing “Welcome Backpacks” for the folks who live on the margins. On

Thursday, February 21, we filled 30 backpacks with basic items needed by families seeking asylum who have no money, food, water, or supplies to provide comfort on their journey. We are so grateful for the magnificent response that we received for this meaningful and worthwhile project.

Fellowship Committee

Committee MeetingFriday, March 8 |10:00am | Fellowship Hall

We will be planning for our Continental Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt. Assistance is needed from others not part of committee.

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday Continental Breakfast April 21 | 9:30am-10:00am

Fellowship Hall

Easter SundayContinental Breakfast

Our delicious breakfast will be followedby an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00am.

Recap of February 16 Forum “We Are Charleston: Triumph and Tragedy at Mother Emanuel”

Beginning with the founding of the AME church following the Civil War, author Dr. Bernard Powers, explained the existence of Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston and events that led to the tragedy when a young, white supremist killed nine, including three ministers. The community pulled together in the aftermath, and changes occurred in South Carolina including the removal of the Confederate flag at the state capitol. The book was named “We Are Charleston” because of the unity experienced after that horrible June evening in 2015. In a sense, we are all Charleston.

Porthouse Theater ExcursionComing in late June—to see Man of La Mancha.

Picnic before on the grounds.

Our delicious breakfast will be followedby an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00am.

AAIC NewsNancy Williams

Committee MeetingsTuesday, March 5, 12-1:30

Unitarian Universalist Church3300 Morewood

WE CAN, WE SHOULD, WE WILL#loveJesus

2019 Fairlawn Hunger WalkSure, NCCC CAN support the 10th anniversary of 2019 Fairlawn Hunger Walk, sponsored by the Akron Area Interfaith Council, on Sunday, May 5, starting from the Unitarian Universalist Church at 3:00pm. Since we will be honoring the life of the Walk’s founder, the late Susan Davis, who wanted proceeds to go directly to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to benefit Summit Co. recipients, we SHOULD do this.

Because our church so generously participated in last year’s Walk by raising $1,817 with 24 walkers, we WILL participate again with great enthusiasm! The hashtag, #loveJesus, says it all—“Feed the hungry!”

The Plan For NCCC Is ThisOn Sunday, March 31 during the worship service, we will show last year’s video, give a few stats about the hungry in Summit County, and do a presentation with walkers and non-walkers. A few of our younger walkers will carry signs up front to demonstrate their spirit.

On Sundays from March 31 through April 28, we’ll have a sign-up sheet for walkers, plus walking envelopes you will need the day of the Walk, and a collection envelope for those not walking. We hope to get a donation from everyone—even if the amount is $1 or less.

Details On Payment Will Be The Same As In Previous YearsNon-walkers, make a check out to NCCC, and mark Hunger Walk in the memo line, or put cash in the envelope provided. Walkers contribute at the Walk itself on May 5.

New This Year—You Can Donate OnlineType in akroninterfaith.org and push the “donate” button. This is a great way for your adult out-of-state kids to contribute.

April Newsletter Deadline | Friday, March 22 Thank you for submitting your newsletter articles to Lynne

at both the church email and lwisard@yahoo.com

A one and two-mile walk on W. Market St. starting from the Unitarian Universalist Church, begins at 3:00pm with registration beginning at 2:00pm. A special reception starts at 4:00pm when everyone returns. There will be fruit, veggies, bread (including pita), cookies, and three soups contributed by the Unitarian Universalist Church, The Islamic Center of Akron and Kent, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plus special celebratory cake. Our note to you: even if you cannot walk the one-mile course, walk around the parking lot, and join the various faith groups afterwards. The music ensemble from Unity Chapel of Light in Tallmadge will entertain before the Walk. A group photo and ribbon-cutting ceremony will then be taken outside, followed by the one and two-mile walks.

Last Item to Entice YouOn Sunday, April 28, the Fellowship Committee is providing a light lunch, called “Sandwiches & Signs” for those who are walking and/or those who have contributed. The Fellowship and Missions Committees will provide the food. After lunch, Ken Williams will coordinate sign-making for any who wish to participate.

Questions can be addressed to Nancy Williams and Cathy King, NCCC Co-chairs