This Week @ LPC March 12, 2023

You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.

-Marianne Williamson

A note from Pastor Joy...

This morning I have been looking ahead at the calendar to all of the events that we have planned for Holy Week and Easter this year. There are a lot! I’m grateful that we have an active church and for the many hands that help make these various activities and worship opportunities possible. I hope that many of you will participate both as helpers and as worshippers and that your spiritual lives will be enriched as a result.

As we approach Holy Week, I encourage you to include friends, neighbors, and family members in your prayers and I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for opportunities to extend an invitation to those people to come and join in on one or some of the activities and services that will be taking place at LPC. Your invitation could be life-changing for someone. Consider this. I recently heard someone say that people who don’t consider themselves “religious” and aren’t connected to the church, drive by church buildings and view them in the same way I view buildings like VFW. “I’m not a Veteran, so that place isn’t for me.” Your invitation can let someone know that whether they are “religious” or not, the church is for them, too. The church is a place of belonging for anyone and Jesus has sent us to share that good news with others. What better time to do that than now, as we prepare to celebrate the greatest news of all?

May God bless you and lead you through Lent to the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Joy

Click here to see what's coming up at LPC & where there are opportunities to use your time & talents!

Whether you're looking for an in person study or a virtual one, we've got you covered. Click here to see what classes are currently meeting.

Sunday Morning Worship

March 12, 2023

Please join us on Sunday morning for worship. For the third week of Lent, Pastor Joy Laughridge will bring the Word from the book of John in her sermon Leave Your Jar Behind.

Join in person at 10 am or online by clicking the link below.

Watch Online

Whether you love to serve, bake, or shop we've got a place for you to share your talents. Click here for more information.

"Where there is HOPE, there is FAITH, where there is faith MIRACLES happen." We are praying for you. Download the prayer list here.

Sanctuary Flowers

The 2023 flower sign up is here! Click the button below to pick your week. Be sure and add your dedication. If you don't have one yet, put "TBD" in the Dedication box. Thank you!

Available Upcoming dates: 3/12, 3/19, 4/2, 4/30

Flowers Signup

Saturday, 3/11

9:00 am - Bag Ladies in Benz Hall

Sunday, 3/12

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME (Spring Forward!)
9:00 am - Coffee & Donuts in the Courtyard (weather permitting)
Adult Sunday School in the Coleman Room immediately following the service

Monday, 3/13

6:00 pm - Parent Support Group in the Coleman Room
6:30 pm - Chair Yoga in Benz Hall

Tuesday, 3/14

1:30 pm - Presbyterian Women in the Coleman Room
1:30 pm - Handbell Practice in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, 3/15

5:30 pm - Band Practice in the Sanctuary
6:00 pm - Wednesday Night Dinner in Benz Hall (Menu: Irish Stew, Soda Bread, & Dessert)
6:30 pm - Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
6:45 pm - Lenten Bible Study in Benz Hall

Music Corner

from Carl Marucci,

Music Director & Organist

With the spring-like weather returning and the trees leafing out in their beautiful shades of green, so too a few exciting musical blooms are popping up just around the corner.

Easter Sunday with Brass Quintet, Timpani, and Bells: Easter falls on April 9th this year, and our 10AM Sunday Service will once again feature a full brass quintet (2 trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba); along with a timpanist (kettle drums) and LPC's marvelous bell choir which will not only offer a festive prelude, but will join the musicians and choir in a beautifully orchestrated version of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah." Easter Sunday will be one amazingly festive service--wear your Easter bonnets if you're brave :)

· AN INVITATION: as we did for Christmas Eve, we welcome any adult (18 years and older) who would like to join our choir on Easter Sunday.. We ask that you have a basic ability to read music and learn your part. There will be only two rehearsals (Sunday, March 26 and April 2 before service at 9:15AM). You can even sing with us on those two Sundays at Service. If interested (or you know someone outside of LPC who you'd like to invite), just contact me --at CJMarucci@gmail.com, or send a text to 917-647-7545. Short term, easy and fun!

· A Test Drive: Then, on the four Sundays of April 23, 30, May 7, and May 14, we will "test drive" four vocal section leaders to augment our choir. For those unfamiliar with "section leaders," they are basically anchor voices in each of the four vocal sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) whose purpose is to strengthen our dedicated chancel choir, enabling them to feel even more confident in their vocal parts and helping them learn their music quicker, while also stretching them to take on the next level of music pieces.

· ANOTHER INVITATION: Ruthann Strebler is doing a marvelous job of enhancing and training new members of our handbell choir. Contact Ruthann or the church office if you'd like to dip your toe to explore this wonderful ministry.

If you have an announcement you would like shared on Sunday morning, please email the church office no later than Thursday at 3 pm. Announcements requested after this deadline (including Sunday morning) will be given top priority for the following Sunday. Thank you for your cooperation!

March 12, 2023

Don't forget to change your clocks!

We are looking for people who would be willing to periodically drive one of our members to worship service on Sunday mornings. Kris White very much enjoys worshiping with us, but is no longer able to drive. If you are able to give her a ride from her home in San Marco to church once a month or so, please contact Ann Sory Meadows or the church office.

We will be returning to the traditional offering process of passing the collection plates during service & we need YOU! If you would be willing to serve as an usher during this time of the service, please contact Sara Maguire.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Pattie Pallay will be leading a support group for parents with children of all ages (birth-adult) who are seeking support with children who are neurodivergent, have physical disabilities, are struggling with mental illness or just daily life. No registration is required.

When: 2nd Monday of the Month beginning March 13

Where: Coleman Room

Time: 6:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Please join us this Wednesday night for dinner & fellowship. Pastor Joy will continue her Lenten Bible Study series (see below for details) at 6:45 pm following the dinner. Please click the button below to register for dinner. Registration is not required to attend the bible study.

Menu: Irish Stew, Soda Bread, & Dessert

When: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Where: Benz Hall

Time: 6:00 pm Dinner / 6:45 pm Bible Study

Cost: $6/Adult (children 10 & under eat free)

Deadline to register for dinner is Monday, March 13 at noon.

WND Signup

Lenten Bible Study

During Lent, Pastor Joy is leading a Lectionary-based Bible study on Wednesday evenings following dinner. On the Sundays in Lent, we will be looking at the assigned Gospel readings, and in this study, we will be exploring some of the other Lectionary text selections that accompany the Gospel readings. Lectionary readings are intentionally selected to help tell the story of God’s saving work as we move through the liturgical year. Join us in this study to see what God has to say to us through these readings in this season of preparation before Easter. Registration is not required to attend the study.

March 15 Exodus 17:1-7

Water from the Rock (Romans 5:1-11)

March 22 I Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel Anoints David

March 29 Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Valley of Dry Bones

When: Wednesday Evenings through March 29

Where: Benz Hall

Time: 6:45 pm

Cost: FREE

Have you ever wanted to know how

Ukrainian Eggs (or Pysanky) are made?

If so, come out & join Lisa Wetzel for a DYI class

to make your own Ukrainian eggs!

To sign up, contact Lisa Wetzel or the church office.

When: Saturday, March 25

Where: Benz Hall

Time: 9:00 am

Cost: $5/person

Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, March 22.

Take me out to the ballgame...

The Jumbo Shrimp will be taking on the Nashville Sounds on April 22 & we're going to cheer them on! Tickets include reserved seating, dinner (burger & hot dog buffet), & fireworks after the game. Tickets are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Click the button below or call the church office to reserve your spot.

When: April 22

Where: 121 Financial Ballpark

Time: Dinner Buffet - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

First Pitch - 6:35 pm

Cost: $30 (under 3 in lap are free)

Payment due by April 3. Please make checks payable to LPC and put "Jumbo Shrimp" on the memo line.

Jumbo Shrimp Signup