PASTOR’S CORNER
“April showers bring May Flowers…”, so the familiar ditty goes. And so, we officially end Winter and get ready for the Season that most of us enjoy the most!
This year, April begins with Easter week. Palm Sunday, Sandy Griffin and I have prepared a Service of Hymns and Readings. This is followed by Holy Week, where we will hold our traditional Maundy Thursday Communion Service and then Easter Sunday, April 12th.
All of this is in the very midst of closings and shut downs and guarding our health and wellness. We are believers that God is in charge. The Scriptural Verse for this time is:
“So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” –Isaiah 41:10
David
EASTER LILIES
If you are going to place a lily in the sanctuary for Easter, please let the church office know. The names of those being remembered and/or honored will be printed in the bulletin on Easter Sunday. Slips are available in the pew racks.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Information for the May Green Hill Good Newsletter needs to be submitted to the church office by Monday, April 20. You can contact the office by email or by phone, or you can drop your news off in the basket on the door. Many thanks to those who contribute!
GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY
The Girl Scouts would like to thank Green Hill for hosting Girl Scout Sunday last month. It means a lot to us that you took the time to recognize us. Girl Scout Sunday is a time for girls to reflect on the words “to serve God” in the Girl Scout Promise. Thank you for helping us to do that.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world. Your generous gifts to this Special Offering help provide relief those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed. If you feel called to give, please use one of the special blue envelopes can be found in the pew racks.
Through One Great Hour of Sharing, we become the household of God. We extend shelter to those who have no place to stay, offer compassion to those who have pain (be it physical, emotional, or spiritual) and we set a feast, with God, for those who lack access to enough food to eat. God’s household is filled with love and everyone is welcome.
GREEN HILL WORSHIPER SURVEY
PC(USA) Research Services is conducting a study of all congregations within the Presbytery of South Alabama. We have been asked to have every member of our church, and every person who attends worship at Green Hill, fill out a survey. This survey can be filled out on paper, or it can be filled out online.
The paper surveys are available on the desk in the office and can be picked up on Sunday. The paper surveys should be returned to the church office so they can all be mailed back to the Presbytery together.
A link to the online survey was emailed to all members who have their email addresses on file at the church office. If you did not receive a link to the online survey and would like one, please contact the church office.
“Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time member, we want to hear your voice. Your thoughtful and prayerful responses will help this congregation get a better understanding of its worshipers. Your participation is voluntary and all answers are confidential. If you do not know the answer to a question, or it does not apply to you, or it makes you uncomfortable, skip it. Answer questions for this congregation as it exists currently.”
FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS
Have you been following the Footsteps of Jesus? Since Epiphany each Sunday bulletin cover has had a picture of a location in the Holy Land that tied into that day’s Gospel reading. The pictures show the probable locations of the baptism of Jesus, His days of ministry to the people, and more. If you missed any of the pictures, or if you’d like to take a second look, stop by the bulletin board at the entrance to the church. These photos will continue through to Trinity Sunday as we explore the life of Jesus and its meaning for us today.
A NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY
When I first started this project of putting pictures of the journey of Jesus on the Sunday bulletin covers, I didn’t realize that I would be going on a journey myself. Each week I take the Gospel reading and begin my research, looking into what Jesus was doing, where people think He was, and what that location is now. Finding the perfect picture and writing up a succinct description force me to dig into the text in a way I haven’t done in a long time. I now realize that it was God who inspired me to begin this project so that I could grow closer to Him. I hope that you have enjoyed the bulletins and I hope that through God blessing me I have been able to bless you.
Sandi
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
April 5 – Palm Sunday
11:00am Worship Service
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
6:00pm Communion Service
April 10 – Good Friday
No Service
April 12 – Easter Sunday
11:00am Worship & Communion Service
JUST FOR FUN
Cartoon by Pastor Pete at http://www.christianslaughtoo.com/
THE LAST SUPPER
The Last Supper is a late 15th-century mural painting by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci housed by the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It is one of the Western world’s most recognizable paintings.
Leonardo reportedly used the likenesses of people in and around Milan as inspiration for the painting’s figures. The convent’s prior complained to Sforza of Leonardo’s “laziness” as he wandered the streets to find a criminal to base Judas on. Leonardo responded that if he could find no one else, the prior would make a suitable model.
While the painting was being executed, Leonardo’s friend, the mathematician Luca Pacioli, called it “a symbol of man’s burning desire for salvation”.
JOY AT THE LAST SUPPER
What is the least-quoted saying of Jesus in the New Testament? Perhaps John 15:11 – “I have told you this so that My own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Somehow this saying doesn’t fit into the sorrow and solemnity of Good Friday.
But Jesus says this to his disciples at the Last Supper, when he knows that he will soon be cursed and flogged, tortured, humiliated, pierced, and crucified. Ironically, in the face of death, Jesus – even knowing that some of his own close friends doubted, denied, and betrayed him – talked about joy.
Who but the Messiah would talk about joy under such terrible circumstances? Jesus clearly knew what nobody else knew.
Years later, the Apostle Paul echoed Jesus when he declared that Christians, under all circumstances, should “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4.
We all have our pain, rejections, and sorrow, but Jesus taught us, by his example, to look upwards – not backwards – and to rejoice, whatever our circumstances.
From the May/June edition of the The Joyful Noiseletter
Green Hill Presbyterian Church 