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In Jesus, God saves us by becoming so vulnerable that we are able to kill him in a vile and humiliating way. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus assure us that God's offer of friendship will never be withdrawn, no matter what we do. If the cross did not result in a withdrawal of the offer, then nothing we do will lead to a change of God's heart. We can, however, refuse the offer. Friendship is a mutual relationship, and a person has to accept the offer; he or she cannot be coerced or tricked into it. And any human being's final refusal of God's friendship breaks God's heart. Still, God does not turn away from such a person in anger and rage. God lives eternally with a broken heart. That's how vulnerable God wants to be.
Those of us who are parents can relate to God's vulnerability. There is a saying that having a child is like putting limbs on your heart and setting it free in the world. We have this intense love for our children - no matter what - that indeed makes us vulnerable.
In my family's experience, we have had many a talk with our grown children about the extent of our love for them. Afraid that in these beginning years on their own they might lose their way at some point, make some mistake they think is unforgivable, or something awful might happen that tears them away from us, we have tried to make it perfectly clear that we will ALWAYS love them, and that they are welcome home under absolutely any circumstances. We probably give them that speech more often than necessary, but we're doing all we can to drill it deep into their psyche. You are always loved, you are always welcome, and nothing will ever change that. There is a lot that can happen in this world-sometimes by one's own choices and sometimes by force-and nothing terrifies us more than losing our children. Indeed, if they ever turn their back on us we would be completely heartbroken, but we wouldn't give up on them. Ever.
Imagine that love we have as parents is merely a small reflection of the vulnerable, all-invested love that God has for us all. God's heart carries a perfect love, even greater than that of a parent for a child, for each and every one of us. For me, that's unfathomable. Jesus tries to give us a sense of it in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but as we know, Jesus used parables to give us a glimpse of understanding into something far greater than we could possibly comprehend. Thus, that parable shows us that
the love of the forgiving father is just the beginning.
Now here's the challenge. The all-invested, life-changing love that a parent has for a child is also just the beginning. We are called to be disciples on this earth, to serve others and to treat others as Jesus would. Does that not mean that the intense love between a parent and child should be the same love we offer every child of God? The Lenten season is an opportunity for us to grow in discipleship in anticipation of the resurrection, when all will love and be loved perfectly. What better way to prepare than to practice the loving-kindness of God?
May you be blessed throughout Lent, particularly during Holy Week, and may Easter bring you joy!
Pastor Jean
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Watch in the coming weeks as the pews are transformed from the before picture (left) to the after (right). Karl Peterson has recruited a team of handy people to redo the oak veneer ends of the pews to make them look new. While the work is being done, we ask that you keep from touching the wood until it is finished. Thanks!
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Around the world, people lack access to food, clean water, sanitation, education, and
opportunity. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves to help change the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God's love with our neighbors in need.
One Great Hour of Sharing, received during the season of Lent, makes a difference in the world through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger
Program, and Self-Development of People.
We have all been aware of PDA's work responding to disasters, but in the last three years we have seen it close up with the response to Super Storm Sandy. Ongoing projects include nine PDA-related sites serving communities in New York and New Jersey. More than 7,900 Presbyterians have volunteered their time and efforts.
The Presbyterian Hunger Program has enabled over 308,000 people who were living in extreme poverty in more than 30 countries to have increased food security and livelihoods and stronger leadership and organization through international development work. For the past 45 years, Self-Development of People has entered into partnerships with communities of economically poor and oppressed people with 4,964 projects in the United States and 692 globally.
You can and do make an impact. The Outreach Ministry Team asks you to consider making an extra contribution to One Great Hour of Sharing, over and above your monthly contributions to mission. We will be receiving the OGHS offering on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016.
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There will be a coffee hour on Sunday, March 6th at 10:15 am in Fellowship Hall. Come and enjoy coffee, refreshments and each other!
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The United Presbyterian Women will hold their monthly circle meeting on Tuesday, March 1st at 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall. We will have our coffee and fellowship time, our Bible Study and business meeting. Our Bible study will be from the book, Come to the Waters, chapter 5 - "Stormy Water - Faith". After our meeting, all those who would like to go will have lunch at a local restaurant. All women are cordially invited to join us!
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The Survivors Senior Group will meet in the church parking lot on Wed., March 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. to carpool to Akshardham Arts and Cultural Center, Robbinsville, NJ. We will be given a tour of the Temple and guests are asked to remove their shoes so wear socks that will keep your feet warm. Following our tour we will enjoy lunch at Massino's in Robbinsville. If you plan to attend please make your reservation: Rita Peterson 259-7256 or email [email protected]. All seniors of the church and their friends are welcome to join the Survivors for a great tour, lunch and wonderful fellowship.
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The Women's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge. We will be discussing LEOPARD TREE by Merriman & Brochu. The story is about 3 orphans from Kenya who stow away on an airplane on a desperate quest to meet the Secretary General of the UN in New York City. We invite all women of the church and their friends who enjoy books and fellowship to join us. April selection: EXILE by Pearl Buck.
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TASK provides meals and services free of charge to its patrons with the help of countless volunteers and the generosity of people like us. In any given year, less than 5% of TASK's annual income comes from government sources. This is because federal funding would require the soup kitchen to serve only those who meet certain criteria, and TASK prefers to provide unconditional service.
In addition to feeding the hungry in Trenton, TASK offers programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life of its patrons. On a recent festive night, graduates of TASK's Adult Education and ServSafe programs were honored by staff, family and friends, as they received their high school diplomas or professional certificates.
Please give generously to mission this month to support TASK's efforts to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
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For Healing: for Don's friend, Ray Bryant; Tom Gadecki (tumor); Bill Carpenter, Alan Skilton, Kyle Johnson, and Steven Malkiewicz (all battling cancer); Nancy Plummer; Dot Bracoloni; Evan Burlaga; Joey K; Rose Remoli; Maria, Melissa, Louise, and Dottie (cancer); Mr. Grace; Bill Sullivan's step Great Grandson (surgery for brain tumor); Karen Machin's Aunt Pat (in rehab recovering from a stroke); Vincent Gulfo; John Sweeney; Mary Simone; Lyn (recovery from surgery); Soam Chhedi (knee replacement surgery); Soam Chhedi's niece Vindera Pelton (Princeton Hospital); Amber Best (cancer); George Tompkins; Pat DeLorenzo (angioplasty); Laura (cellulitis); and Dale Schacht (bypass surgery); Baby Bella (additional surgeries); Mrs. Sadowski (pancreatic cancer); Beth Cass (double pneumonia, now home); Pierre Williams (inoperable aneurism), and for Mike Tucker.
With Concern: for Yvonne in fear of losing her job after 32 years; for safe travel for Leo, Rita, and Pat, as well as Danny and Emily Machin driving Bob's truck to Utah; for Marietta and Pierre Williams now living at Brookdale; and for Carol Schacht and sons during Dale's bypass surgery.
For Comfort: for the bereaved family and friends of Betty Lou Dolci; Kathleen Fennimore; Sue Milstead; for the Reimer and Mrozicki families; for the O'Neill family upon the sudden death ofhusband and father, Michael; for Terri on the passing of her cousin; for the family of Tom Reed; for Pauline Adams upon the death of her husband Ed; for the family of Elden Hosapple; for the family of Jack Mathieson, especially brother Bob; and for family and friends of Margaret Scott, especially nephew Mike Tucker.
With Thanksgiving: for the birth of Karen Machin's great nephew Charles Robert; and for the marriage of Jean and Rick Pinto's nephew Joseph Pinto and his bride Andrea Lee.
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The United Presbyterian Men's Group will meet for breakfast on Saturday, March 19th at 9:00 am at the Golden Dawn Diner, White Horse-Mercerville Road, Mercerville. Contact Jim Dixon for more information or to let him know you'll be there, 609-298-3398 or email:
[email protected]
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All are welcome to join the choir as we present our Easter cantata "The Shadow of the Cross" on Palm Sunday, March 20th, during the 11 a.m. worship service. Weekly rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:30 in the sanctuary; there will be a dress rehearsal on Sat. March 12th at 10 a.m. Listening CDs are available to assist in learning the cantata. "The Shadow of the Cross" features both traditional and contemporary musical selections along with readings; the perfect blend between old and new, a moving cantata for Holy Week.
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Birthday greetings to the members and friends whose birthdays are in March:
2 Elle Gurlavich
3 Stanley Rudziewicz
5 Matthew Oravsky
6 Robert Kilby
7 Katieann Carbone
8 Janine Bates, Judy Sheehan
9 Jordan Bates, Kelly Joy McAnlis
10 Guy Hendrickson, Jr.
11 Aaron Stanley
13 Anthony Minore
14 Sierra Grace Latham
15 Amir Chhedi, Frank Thewes
17 Jeslyn Bernhard, Carol Conner
24 Thomas Everett
25 Dennis Morolda
27 Margaret Archibald
31 Owen Wagner
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The United Presbyterian Church staff, Marilyn Machmer, Mike Mraz, Jean Pinto and Betty Reinert are grateful for your generous Christmas gifts. It is a blessing for us to work with such a wonderful and caring congregation, and we are warmed by your appreciation of our efforts. Thank you so very much!
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Order your Easter flowers from Camille Nami by March 13th. As in the past, the flowers are tulips, daffodils or lilies. Order forms are on the table in the Narthex.
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To see what's going on at United Presbyterian Church in March, click on the link below:
http://upcnj.view.events.com
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- Elected Curly Rentner to be Commissioner to Presbytery at Rumson on Tuesday, February 24, 2016.
- Approved the Deacon's proposal to have AMRAMP of Manalapan, NJ install an Acorn 130 Indoor Heavy Duty Stair Lift and Track, manufactured by Acorn Stair Lifts, Inc., for the main level to the lower level of the church. The unit will be installed on the left side of the steps (facing up the steps) and travel 16 steps. The purchase price for the stair lift is $3,375.00 inclusive of materials, delivery and installation. Additional costs born by the church will be the installation of an electrical outlet for the device, architectural drawings (approximately $650.00) and building permit fees. All of the expenses will be paid from the Deacon Fund. The Session thanked the Deacons, and in particular Gloria Hanewald, for doing the research about stair lifts and their willingness to support this project so that our building can be handicap accessible.
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- On Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016 we will have ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 11:00 a.m. at which the choir will perform, "The Shadow of the Cross." To read more about the cantata, see the earlier article. Remember, there will be NO E3 SERVICE this day at 9:30!
- Our Maundy Thursday Service, commemorating the Last Supper of our Lord, will be on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
- We will observe Good Friday with the Hamilton Ecumenical Fellowship at Pearson Memorial Church (off the Whitehorse Circle) at noon. Special music will be provided by the Memorial Baptist Church Choir and our own Michael Mraz.
- Rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 at either the E3 Service at 9:30 a.m. or the Traditional Service at 11:00 a.m. We look forward to celebrating this most joyous of days together!
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We Pray
