Faith and Families Newsletter
April 19, 2019

In this Issue:
Letter from Robert
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The Saddest Night   

Dear Friends,
              I am writing this on Maundy Thursday. DCPC is preparing to host a new Holy Week experience for children called “The Saddest Night Ever.” As you might imagine, it focuses on Jesus’ arrest, trial, suffering, sentencing, and crucifixion. The children will gather with parents in Lingle Chapel where they will hear the story again of Holy Week. The story will be shared in child-friendly and appropriate ways. It sounds like a very special service.
              Our culture often hurries through emotions of sadness and grief. And when we don’t hurry through them individually, we might pretend that we aren’t having them because we don’t want to talk about it. We just “put on a happy face.” We bulk up our happy Instagram or Facebook posts. We rush on past the sadness to try and get to the positive. But honestly – that kind of sweeping things under the rug isn’t healthy for us and isn’t a healthy model for our children. What is healthy is our honest display of emotion, sitting with the sadness of loss, and sharing our story, our experience, and our feeling about it within our family and our community.
              Our children don’t like to talk with me when they are upset. I get that…but I don’t like it. Honestly, it is hard for me to share my feelings when I am sad or frustrated or scared. But that is the healthier thing to do. During Holy Week we ride an emotional roller-coaster from the lowest low to the highest high. The story only really makes sense if we remain present for every part of it. So – I encourage you to sit for a while with the story of Jesus passion and crucifixion this week. Be angry, frustrated, sad, confused, scared, guilty, numb, or whatever else comes to you. And know that God is with you in all of that…all the way to the empty tomb and the glorious resurrection.
              One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Psalm 30:5b – “weeping may endure through the night…but shouts of joy come in the morning.” Our shouts will be all the more joyful when we allow ourselves to properly grieve.

To God be the Glory!
Robert
Special Holy Week Opportunities
Holy Week Prayer Stations – All week in Lingle Chapel (something for all ages)

Good Friday Worship – 4/19 @ 5 pm in Lingle Chapel

Family Easter Egg Hunt – 4/20 @ 10 am in Lingle Chapel

Easter Vigil Worship – 4/20 @7 pm in the DCPC Sanctuary

Easter Worship – 8:30 and 11:00 am in the Sanctuary, 9:45 am in Congregation House

Mission Opportunities
Habitat Spring Build – NEW SCHEDULE
Our Construction Schedule has changed. We now begin May 4 th !  This is a great parent/child project. Consider signing up for one of the Saturday work days and come help out. Children need to be 16 to operate any machinery. 14 year olds can help with landscaping. All children need to have adult supervision. We will be building at 453 McLelland Avenue in Mooresville. Go to https://www.ourtownshabitat.org/volunteer/ click on the Sign Up Today Button and find the address and date that you want. Then come out and join us in the spring. It promises to be lots of fun!

Loaves and Fishes – Every Sunday!
One great and easy way to make a difference is to share food. Every Sunday the Loaves and Fishes shopping carts are in front of the church. Why not designate a family member each Sunday to bring a canned good or box of pasta to place in the cart on the way into church? Imagine the joy of that family that opens that can of vegetables, fruit, or soup and enjoys the food you have shared.

Family Mission Pilot Project
Would you and your family be interested in working with Pastor Robert on a pilot program related to families in mission together? He is looking for several families to volunteer. If you are intrigued, send him an email at ralexander@dcpc.org and let him know. Then he will be in touch with you to share more!

If there are concerns or joys that you would like to have listed here please email me at ralexander@dcpc.org so that we might keep one another in prayer.

Clair Fitzgerald and family following the death of her father, Parry Spencer.

Hattie and Brian Kissel and their children as they prepare for a move to Nashville, TN later this spring.

Missy Martin who has recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and is also undergoing tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Greg Moton and family following the death of Greg’s father, Glyn Bendel Moton.

Terri Rekhop and family following the death of her mother, Margaret Horton.

Ben K. Slay, father of Tim Slay, is under hospice care in Savannah, GA.

Sheila Spack, mother of Steve Chaffin, is in declining health.
Davidson College Presbyterian Church
PO Box 337
Davidson, NC 28036
704-892-5641 www.dcpc.org