Chimes – April 2023

PASTOR LARRY’S MESSAGE

Resurrection Day: Does It Make a Difference?

A. N. Wilson is a prolific, award-winning, British journalist and author of nonfiction. Wilson was raised in the Church of England but converted to atheism at age twenty. In 1991 he wrote a book entitled, Against Religion: Why We Should Live Without It. The following year he wrote, Jesus: A Life, in which he portrayed Jesus as a failed messianic prophet. Wilson was known for his scathing attacks on Christianity.

However, in 2009, while celebrating Easter at a church with a group of Christians, Wilson proclaimed that the story of the Jesus of the Gospels is the only story that makes sense out of life and its challenges. Within in a short span of several years he had gone from mocking Christians to believing that Jesus had risen from the dead.

My own return to faith has surprised none more than myself…. My belief has come about in large measure because of the lives and examples of people I have known—the famous, not saints, but friends and relations who have lived, and faced death, in light of the resurrection story, or in the quiet acceptance that they have a future after they die.

Materialist atheism says we are just a collection of chemicals. It has no answer whatsoever to the question of how we should be capable of love or heroism or poetry if we are simply animated pieces of meat…. The Resurrection … is the ultimate key to who we are [Wilson, A 2009].

Yes, the Resurrection of Jesus makes all the difference! It provides a worldview that best makes sense of good and evil and our own existence. In addition, the Resurrection of Christ provides us with meaning and purpose for our lives.

“I am on trial for my hope in the resurrection of the dead!” – The Apostle Paul (Acts 23:6)

He is risen!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Pastor Larry

2^nd Annual Presentation on the Holy Shroud

What evidence do we have that the story of Jesus we read about in the Bible is true? Some speak of both Jesus and the Bible as being “Fake News.” What proof do we have that Jesus not only lived but worked miracles, was crucified, buried, and (importantly) rose from the dead? Certainly, there is much that could be stated that this space now will not begin to allow. But one significant and wonderful piece of evidence that has, unfortunately, largely been overlooked is the miraculous image on the Holy (burial) Shroud that testifies to the horrific scourging and crucifixion Jesus underwent and also bears testimony to the Resurrection itself. Amazing, yes, it is! God left His own special “witness” to the Gospel (i.e., death, burial, and Resurrection of His Son) on the burial garment that had enveloped His Son’s corpse and was found by Peter and John when they went into the otherwise empty tomb on the morning of the Resurrection. Although the Holy Shroud is the most scientifically studied artifact in the world, its image can neither be explained (by natural means) nor replicated by man.

Please mark your calendar and invite a friend to attend this year’s Shroud presentation at NUCC on Saturday, April 1^st from 2:00-3:30 p.m. The Voices of Calvary from Calvary Baptist Church in Spokane will be our guests and begin the program with a few selections of hymns before my lecture and slide presentation. Then we will close with a time of fellowship, enjoying each other’s company and refreshments.

Pastor Larry

Moderator’s Report

Easter is fast approaching, and we will reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We as a church are Blessed to have a wonderful facility to meet at each week to hear God’s word and to fellowship with the good people around us. I am glad God put us all where he wanted us to be.

Ephesians 2:8-10:  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to the Shroud presentation and to our Easter services. We welcome all. 

Blessings for your journey,

Kevin Hunt

Moderator

MISSIONS

THANK YOU MOST GENEROUS HEARTS.

“Little Red Wagon” will roll to Cusick for their Food Bank

As well as $118.00 from our “Casserole Coffee Hour”.

Several Clothing items have been given to the PO River School

For their Clothing Closet.

Thank You all so much for your donations.

Heifer Banks can be returned on Easter, or at any time.

THE HEIFER PROJECT

It has long been a tradition of our Church to fill Heifer Boxes with coins during Lent, with the boxes being returned to Church on Easter.

Heifer International began with Dan West, in 1944, in Arkansas. It is Global, and its goal is to support people in hunger and poverty with livestock and training.

It began with one man and one cow-when the cow had a calf, it was given to a person in need with the idea that when that calf grew and produced a calf, it would be passed on to another person in need. In today’s World, it includes many animals, as well as bees and trees!!!!

Our Church boxes are available for filling all through the year.

CALLED TO CARE

Called to Care will have their meeting on Thursday, April 13 at 9:30 in the Fireside Room.

Women’s Fellowship March 2023

For the Easter coffee hour, we are asking the women to bring coffee cakes and fruit, for which we have a sign-up sheet.

We are planning for the Spring Luncheon on May 5^th, which will be on a Mexican theme, with final plans at our April meeting on the 14th.

Roberta and Dorothy have purchased materials for new tablecloths for our tables, which will appear shortly.

June 16^th and 17^th will be our rummage sale, so it’s time to start getting your stuff to sell clean and sparkly.

Don’t Forget to get your copy of our recently published cookbook. The title is “the Queen of Quick” (you too can cook!) It contains 137 simple and delicious recipes, and many helpful hints as well.The cookbook is a fundraiser for Women’s Fellowship and will sell for $15. So far, we have sold 95 and have 5 left. So, get your cookbook quickly.

Diaconate News March 2023

Thank you to all who helped with the soup supper on March 22. Dorothy, Roberta, Maxine, Karen, and Chris prepared the soup and were there most of the day. Charlotte D., Sheryl, and Terry helped with the setup. Numerous others (not listed because I don’t want to miss anyone) made cookies, rolls, served, and helped with the cleanup. We served 48, including the cast of James and the Giant Peach. All in all, a successful evening with lots of comments on how good the soup was and how nice the Fellowship Hall looked.

Upcoming: The Calvary Baptist Choir will be here at 2 pm Saturday, April 1, to sing for us, followed by a short presentation of the Shroud by Pastor Larry. We have a sign-up sheet for people to sign up to bring cookies or other food of your choice (try for finger foods, though we aren’t going to turn down whatever you bring) for the coffee hour afterwards.

Thursday, April 6 is the Maundy Thursday service at 5:30. We will serve a simple meal of cheese, crackers, sausage, and fruit, followed by a communion service. A signup sheet is out if you would like to bring some of the food.

We hope to see you at each of these events. Bring a friend.

Chris

5 Cats

We have 5 cats now and they are all unique, I like them all and of all of them I’ll speak.

At the bottom of the list is all white named Francis, he goes outside but never forgets where his house is.

The next one up is a very handsome boy; his name is Atticus and he brings my wifey joy.

Then comes Rowdy a very playful cat, you’ll find him walking down a fence rail or sitting on a horse’s back.

Now I’ll tell you of a cat named Goose, he was missing for days and it made me sad,

he was a pretty male with the color of orange, and I thought of good days we had.

Sometime later I was on the phone, wondering if that kitty would ever come home.

I gazed out the window of my office back door, my 2nd favorite cat was lost no more.

Finally my favorite, his name is Tommy Boy, he is a little heavy but can still move fast, he looks a little beat up, but he is built to last. He is the only one who doesn’t come inside, the Coyotes haven’t found him for he knows where to hide.

He purrs when you pet him, doesn’t want you to stop,

I’m glad he is my friend; I like ole Tommy a lot. Kevin Hunt

LITTLE RED WAGON”

Let’s Keep it Rolling!

It benefits the three area food banks: Newport, Oldtown and Cusick.

Reminder: you can bring food any Sunday and place it in the wagon.

Prayer Requests

The office and Called-to-Care are trying hard to keep the prayer list in the bulletin accurate and updated. It would help the office if you would, please, send prayer requests to the office by e-mail or fill out the tear-off tab from the bulletin and place it in the offering basket or blue-office folder. Please check the bulletin and see if anyone can come off. Thank you.

Warm Clothing Box

Please remember any gently use warm Clothes, Gloves, or Boots that can help our neighbors. Please put in the box that is in the entry hall of the Church.

If you are interested in Legacy Giving, please contact the church office.

If you are interested in being Baptized, please contact Pastor Larry Stalley or the church office.

If you are interested in being a member,

please contact Pastor Larry Stalley or the church office.