This Week @ LPC April 2, 2023

Be the change y0u wish to see in the world. -Mahatma Gandhi

A note from Pastor Joy...

Dear LPC Family,

As April begins and we prepare for our Easter celebration, I’d like to take the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful people that serve on our LPC staff. Every single member of LPC is important and your gifts and participation are vital to the success of our church’s ministry. Church staff

are not here to replace you, but they do so much to assist with the day to day operations that help keep things going. In no particular order, I’d like to express my appreciation for each member of our staff.

I celebrate Libby Tullis, our Office Administrator, who is on top of managing communications and has helped introduce more efficient ways to do things. She has updated the look of print and electronic materials and has helped us become more of a 21^st century office in many ways.

I celebrate Norm St. Germaine, our Facilities Coordinator, who works to keep our campus safe and clean and is skilled in performing maintenance tasks that keep things in working order. He is ready to help when asked and will get the job done.

I celebrate Lisa Lee, our new Bookkeeper. Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and is already leading us in improving our efforts to track and manage our finances with greater accuracy, transparency, and accountability.

I celebrate Robyn Ossi, our LPP Director. Robyn has helped build our preschool in numbers and in reputation in our community. Under her leadership, the school has never had any DCF violations, and she is vigilant in her efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the students and staff.

I celebrate Carl Marucci, our Music Director and Organist. Carl loves to make beautiful music for the glory of God, and he has the talent and the heart to do it. He is a leader with vision, and he regularly challenges and invites us to try new things that will enhance our musical offerings to the Lord.

I celebrate Brian Mitchell, our Director of Youth and Christian Education, who is skilled in developing relationships with our youth and always reminds us that they are not only the future of the church but valuable and contributing members already. Brian brings joy and life to our worship when he preaches and speaks with the children.

More could be said and celebrated about each of these people, but I am grateful for them and to them, and I know that Lakewood is better because they choose to use their gifts in service to Christ here.

I hope that you will join me in celebrating these staff members with your own words of encouragement and affirmation and regularly keep them in your prayers.

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.

Palm Sunday Morning Worship

April 2, 2023

Please join us on Sunday morning for worship. Pastor Joy Laughridge will bring the Word from the books of Psalm & Matthew in her Palm Sunday sermon Behold, Your King.

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: 4/30 & 7/2

Flowers Signup

Saturday, 4/1

10:00 am - Community Easter Egg Hunt at LPC

Monday, 4/3

6:30 pm - Chair Yoga in Benz Hall

Tuesday, 4/4

1:30 pm - Handbell Practice in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, 4/5

5:30 pm - NO Band Practice
6:00 pm - Seder Meal in Benz Hall (Menu: Roasted Chicken w/Carrots, Potatoes, & Onions, Broccoli, Spring Salad, & Chocolate Mousse)
6:30 pm - NO Choir Practice

Thursday, 4/6

6:30 pm - Maundy Thursday Service in the Sanctuary
8:00 pm - Virtual Prayer Vigil Begins

Friday, 4/7

11:00 am - Virtual Prayer Vigial Ends
12:00 pm - Good Friday Service in the Sanctuary
12:00 pm - Church Office Closed in Observance of Good Friday

Saturday, 4/8

9:00 am - Bag Ladies in Benz Hall

Music Corner

from Carl Marucci,

Music Director & Organist

Hello, LPC music lovers!

Many thanks to so many of you who have been so positive about our music ministry here at Lakewood Presbyterian Church. You know we try to include so many different types of music styles (as long as they're good) in our worship services.

Apparently, introducing a piece of Italian Opera ("Va, pensiero" based on Psalm 137) was a hit with quite a number of you. Thank you for your kind affirmations. I'm always surprised--and yet I shouldn't be--to hear how many of you appreciate and understand more classical repertoire, not only in our anthems but also in our preludes and postludes.

So, what's new and exciting music-wise at LPC? Allow me to highlight three things:

EASTER SUNDAY:

Easter Sunday is nearly upon us and we have an exciting music program planned. Our 10AM Easter Sunday Service will feature a brass quintet (2 trumpets, french horn, trombone, and tuba), along with timpani (kettle drums), percussion, and LPC's handbell choir. Easter Sunday is a perfect day to be like the disciple Andrew, who invited others to "Come and See" Jesus. We look forward to celebrating that special day with you, your families, your neighbors, and your friends!

SECTION LEADER "TEST PILOT":

As you know from a previous newsletter, we will "test drive" a four-Sunday music program that will be augmented by guest Section Leaders from some of our area college campuses. It's one way I hope to grow our music program even further. "Why do we need section leaders? We've never had them before?" - That's a legitimate question. So here are few thoughts about that:

Section leaders inspire confidence in volunteer choir members.
Section leaders help volunteer members stretch to perform even more challenging and exciting music.
Section leaders - for those who may not be aware - are actually "staff singers", one in each of the four vocal sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). They are expert music readers with great vocal range who provide the "anchor voice" in each of our vocal sections.
Section leaders do not replace a volunteer choir, but rather provide the vocal stability and leadership in the section to encourage volunteer members be more successful. How do they do that?
Section leaders keep the ship afloat in the midst of life's happenings.
Section leaders enable those with a basic sight reading ability to learn a part much more quickly.
When a choir is more successful, they're actually having more fun. And ultimately it is success (and fun) that attracts additional volunteer singers to join - let's face it, success breeds success.
Choral section leaders inspire young, talented area vocalists to consider a career in church music.

I hope this sheds some light on the importance and value of choral section leaders. And I hope to have your support on this in the near future. Our "section leader test pilot" will take place on the four Sundays of April 23rd, 30th, May 7th, and 14th. Section leaders are an INVESTMENT in our congregation. Sometimes it's easy to look at things simply and understandably as a "cost." In my experience an investment in developing your choir program always GROWS a congregation because people are attracted to quality. It also grows the choir. And, as a result, additional congregants increase our finances. Let's explore taking a risk to move forward in this next music history chapter at Lakewood Presbyterian Church.

POSTLUDE CLARIFICATION

Sometimes I never know what's going to hit me in the back of the head at LPC. Very recently, some of you expressed dissatisfaction to me when Pastor Joy recently announced that congregants are free to depart during the postlude (the organ piece at the end of the service). Some shared they felt Pastor Joy's announcement demonstrated a lack of appreciation for music and a total disrespect for me. Allow me to clarify:

Pastor Joy's announcement was actually MY idea. It is my firm belief that when it comes to church music, "music should serve the worship experience" - not the other way around. As such, it was my suggestion - not Pastor Joy's - to offer the congregation the option of departing during the postlude, because to me, the postlude is "festive exit music".

We look forward to growing our music ministry here at LPC. We're looking forward to seeing you especially on Easter Sunday! Invite your friends and neighbors. Let's become vehicles of evangelization to share the Good News that is Jesus!

In Jesus,

Carl

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!

There will a congregational meeting following the morning worship service on Sunday, April 16, to elect new elders to fill current vacancies.

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

Where: Coleman Room

Time: 6:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Please join us for the last Wednesday Night Dinner of Lent as Pastor Joy Laughridge & Sara Mitchell lead us on a journey from the Old Testament Passover Celebration to the last night Jesus was with his disciples at the Last Supper. Nursery care will be available. Please click the button below or call the church office to sign up.

Menu: Roasted Chicken w/Carrots, Potatoes, & Onions, Broccoli, Spring Salad, & Chocolate Mousse)

When: Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Where: Benz Hall

Time: 6:00 pm Dinner

Cost: FREE (donations accepted)

Deadline to register for dinner is Monday, April 3 at noon.

WND Signup

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