Notice!
Due to the Coronavirus church services, meetings, programs and activities are cancelled until further notice. Basically with the exception of the office, pastoral care and The Infant and Toddler Pantry (for diapers and wipes only) we are closed.
A new worship service with music and message will be recorded each week and available on our web site (
TheCongregationalChurch.org
) for you to view on Sunday morning. You will receive a copy of the worship bulletin by USPS (regular mail) each week so you can follow along with the service.
Please remember to mail in your regular contribution each week. The costs of operating your church will not stop during this crisis. There will not be government funds available to bail us out. Your stepped up support during this time will be a blessing. Mail your gifts to:
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34491.
Thank you!!!
|
|
This Week at the Congregational Church
Palm Sunday, April 5th, 2020
|
|
This Week:
F
or Palm Sunday there will be two messages by Jim Keough. One will be available online the other at our new drive-in church.
Online: "Only God Can Make a Palm Tree".
There are enough trees mentioned in the scriptures to create a veritable forest. God speaks from the burning bush/tree. The cedar, oak, fig, and olive tree all play significant roles in the biblical accounts. On "Palm" Sunday the people strip branches from the regal palm to announce their King.The branches of the palm tree symbolized victory and goodness. The new king had demonstrated his goodness in his miracles and teaching. They now used the palm to proclaim him victorious.
Drive-in Church: "A Cloud of Dust".
The heroes of my youth were all larger than life. Teachers, our doctor, baseball stars (Mickey Mantle), and of course my Dad. The sound of the William Tell Overture on the radio could always get my attention. It was time for the Lone Ranger. When he appeared on television and in the movies every young man of the 1950s and 1960s wanted to go catch the bad guys. Imagine how the people of Galilee felt when Jesus would enter their town. When he finished his miracles and moved on do you think someone might have said "who was that guy?" In my office hangs a picture of Jesus returning in his second coming in victory. He isn't on a donkey. He is riding a beautiful white horse. He is coming to beat the bad guys and be the champion of goodness. We live in a moment in history that really needs to see a cloud of dust and hear a hearty "Hi-Yo Silver!" "Away!"
Scripture Lesson:
1 Kings 19:3-9 and John 12:12-16
The scriptures will be read this week by Billie Thatcher and Celeste Denne.
|
|
DEACON OF THE MONTH for April is Dave Zecher.
|
|
PALM SUNDAY,
APRIL 5TH at the normal time of 10 a.m.. We will be offering a "Drive-In Church" service in our parking lots. You can park on the church property and remain in your car while listening to the service
on their radio
on
FM 93.3
. The service will take place under the portico in front of the church. In order for this to be allowed under present circumstances you must
REMAIN IN YOUR CAR.
If people cooperate and follow this procedure we will continue "Drive-In Services" for the duration of the crisis.
HOLY COMMUNION
will be served Palm Sunday, April 5th, in your car. As you enter the church property you will be given an individual communion serving. These are completely safe and will allow you to celebrate the sacrament for the Holy Season. You will also receive a palm and bulletin.
MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION.
Those who wish to receive Communion and experience the traditional Maundy Thursday Service may do so on our web site. We will make a copy of the Maundy Thursday bulletin available to you at the close of the Palm Sunday Service.(It will also be available on the website). As you exit the parking area someone will give you a bulletin and a communion serving to take home for use while watching the service on the web. These materials will also be available if you drive through the church portico on
Monday (4/6) or Wednesday (4/8) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP.
There will be
TWO
services on Easter Sunday morning. One service will take place at 10:00 a.m. It will be a "Drive-In Church" service. Everyone will need to
remain in their cars
and listen on their radio
on
FM 93.3
while watching the service unfold under the portico in front of the church. The second service is available on the church web site.
EASTER REMEMBRANCES:
Each year we make available the opportunity to honor or memorialize friends and loved ones at Easter time. An insert appears in the Maundy Thursday and Easter church bulletins with you designations. A gift of $15 for each remembrance line also helps the church (this year more than ever) financially. A form for Easter Remembrances has been mailed (along with a church bulletin) to everyone in our church family. Fill out the form and return it with your check designating "Easter Remembrance" in the memo section by Sunday, April 5th. Since we are mailing the church bulletin to everyone's home more people than ever before will see your listing this season. Thank you.
|
|
BOTH "DRIVE-IN" CHURCH & RECORDED SERVICES ON THE WEB
will be available for the duration of the coronavirus crisis unless circumstances change. These are difficult times for planning.
|
|
Music This Week: O
nline service
will feature our own Jim and Melanie Rafferty. The vocals will be "The Palms", "The Holy City", "Via Dolorosa" and "Humble and Kind". Tune in to our service on the web site to hear these talented musicians.
The Drive-in church service
will feature vocals by Billie Thatcher. Hear "The Old Rugged Cross", "All Glory Laud and Honor" and "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna".
|
|
|
|
The Coronaviris Disease (COVID-19)
Please remember to pray for those suffering with
COVID-19
. Also, use good judgment and protect yourself wherever possible from being in contact with the virus. This is not a time to fear or panic, however, everyone should do their part to minimize the impact of this highly contagious illness.
|
|
|
THE MISSIONS FOR April:
The Christian Care Center in nearby Leesburg is our April Mission. The program serves those who are struggling and shares the love of Christ with them.. There are a variety of ministries under the Care Center umbrella: A Children's Shelter, The Samaritan Inn (for homeless families), Men's Residence (for drug and alcohol abuse victims), Women's Care Center (for women in crisis and abusive situations), A Benevolence Center (food, clothing and household items), Fresh Start Job Program, and a Community Medical Care Center. Our gifts, guided by the Mission Board of your church, will help where most needed. Half of the Mission offering will support The Care Center and the other half our Infant and Toddler Pantry.
|
|
APRIL Birthdays:
(6) Joe Stinton (9) Libby Regan, Babs Howard (14) Rick Nelli, Billie Thatcher (16) Penny Lisle (17) Dawn Keough (27) Gunars Kulikovskis
(If you have an April birthday and we missed it, please, let us know. We will add you to the list.)
|
|
EASTER EGG HUNT.
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the Infant and Toddler Pantry is
cancelled
. Instead when parents come to the Pantry starting Saturday, March 21st they will receive a Easter themed bag with a Easter story book and candy for their child.
|
|
BLOOD MOBILE VISIT CANCELLED.
Because of the coronavirus threat the blood mobile has decided not to set up on church property at this time. We are working with the agency to plan a future date.
|
|
PASTORAL CARE:
Contact Pastor Jim Keough on his cell 352-250-6160 or email: RevJim46@aol.com. If you are ill or going to the hospital please let us know. We want to pray for you and be of service. Please be sure to check the "Prayer Request" section of our church website and pray for your church friends and their concerns. If you have someone you would like added to the list contact the pastor or the church office.
|
|
Personalized Brick Pavers
-
We continue to
place Brick Pavers
in both the Veterans Area at the flag poles and around the beautiful fountain area. Make a gift to the Building Fund of $100 and have a brick placed in honor/memory of a loved one or a veteran. You can place a brick in the fountain area walk-way to celebrate an event, memorialize a family member, or simply place your name on a brick to show your support for our church. Mail your check with "Brick Paver" in the memo section to the church along with the information you would like on your brick. There are three lines with 15 characters per line available on each brick. If you have questions contact Mary Starkweather at the church office.
|
|
Thought for the Week:
:
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" - Psalm 90:12
|
|
NOTICE:
The Deadline for submitting information to
Pastor Jim
for the Sunday Bulletin and the Email Blast is Monday Evening each week.
|
|
Watch the 10am service LIVE every Sunday morning
|
|
Did you know that you can make a Donation on the Website?
Go the the
Home Page and click the
DONATE button.
|
|
You can watch all prior 10am service
s
on our YouTube channel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
