Dear Friends, 

As I write this, I'm readying for our Maundy Thursday service tonight at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. For me and those who have experienced it with Communion, beautiful music, the reading of Jesus' Passion and death, and the slow extinguishing of lights, this is one of our most moving services every year. Especially for me this year. Preparing for these Holy Week and Easter services (details below), I'm aware they will most likely be my last as a pastor who "officiates." However, Anita and I both agree we will be showing up around here for worship and fellowship from time to time. 

When I mentioned our constantly moving pieces of the church staff in the last newsletter, I had in mind my leaving and the as-yet public news that our wonderful "interim" youth director, Eliza Ours, will be leaving too. Her letter below will give you the details. Rest assured, we have committees and processes in place to search for both positions and will keep you informed along the way. Remember also that the "calling" of a new pastor always takes longer than expected, with staff changes along the way. Actually, this is a blessing, enabling the new pastor to be a part of the staff hires after he or she arrives.

Finally, IF you can attend the identical Easter 8:30 a.m. service instead of 10:30 a.m., it will leave space for the many visitors and extra family members who often overflow into the fellowship hall.

Grateful as always, 

Steve

Dear friends,

This past Sunday night our beach evening was a blast! The beach ended up being too windy, so we played volleyball, football and 4-square in the park. While we were there, I shared I will be resigning from the Interim Youth Director job in May. This has been the most pivotal year of my personal life with the death of my Dad and many additional trials…and Luke and I agreed it is the right time.

The good news is that we have started the search for a full-time Youth Director! This is very exciting, but also bittersweet as I will deeply miss spending time with your kids every week. The happy moments Luke and I got to share with the Youth Group were uplifting in so many ways and kept me grounded. The youth of our church are remarkable, and God has great plans! Thank you all for sharing your time/resources and helping me grow the youth program. It has been a privilege to serve this extra special church family.

Many blessings and love,

Eliza

Taking the journey through Holy Week is quite meaningful. I hope that you have been able to travel with Jesus through throngs of people waving palms and through times of worship and fellowship in other churches this week. On Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, our congregation will have a time of remembrance of the Last Supper and then the Ancient Office of Tenebrae, recalling the events leading up to the closing of the tomb of Jesus. The Chancel Choir will sing, I will sing, Ann Nermoe will sing, and our Men’s Quartet will sing. You will get to sing favorite Lenten hymns as the story is told.

On Friday, we will do a different thing. Please come by 11:30 am to have a beautifully prepared lunch by the Presbyterian Women. The vigil begins at 12:30 in the sanctuary. Here is an explanation that will be included in the bulletin for this service.

We welcome you to this traditional service of Good Friday, the Three Hours’ Devotion. We hope this forms a meaningful part of your observance of Holy Week and Easter.

You may come and go as you please during the Three Hours. We ask that you leave during a hymn to avoid disturbing the devotions of other people or breaking the periods of silence.

This service is intended to mirror the three hours Jesus hung on the cross, according to tradition. There is an opening liturgy, followed by seven segments for each of the seven “words” Jesus speaks from the cross during his crucifixion. Each segment includes a musical introduction, the scripture, a reflection, a period of silence, an anthem, prayers, and a hymn.

Thank you to Father Tom Purdy of Christ Church Frederica, who has headed up the planning of this service for several years.

On Sunday morning at 6:30 am, the pier area will be the location for the sunrise service. The service will be cancelled in the case of rain. Otherwise, there will be about 100 chairs on the left side of the t-shaped pier facing outward toward the sea. Pastor Lucas Ramirez of Wesley Church at Frederica will be preaching and others from our church and the community will participate in the service. It should last about 45 minutes at the most. Services at our church will be identical for the most part at 8:30 and 10:30am. Don’t forget to bring flowers for the flowering cross. Many children like to do this. There will be some cut flowers in a basket for you to use in case you aren’t able to bring some from your yard (recommended). The Chancel Choir and Ensemble will be presenting “Christ is Risen” – a choral and instrumental fanfare for the introit. Other selections will be an arrangement of Crown Him with Many Crowns by Dan Forrest named “Crown Him!” Listen for quotes from “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” within the music.

Vaclav Nelhybel’s arrangement of “All Creatures of Our God and King” will be the Offertory played by Chancel Ensemble and Organist Amy Bishop. We will end with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. There will be music available for anyone wishing to participate with us. Just wait for the invitation to come up to the loft and music will be given to you.

The next week will bring a little R&R to all our musicians. It’s this area’s spring break, so all rehearsals are cancelled. It’s well deserved because of all the hard work and preparation for this High Holy Week. The choir will return on April 7th and sing Tom Fettke’s arrangement of People Need the Lord – a request from Rev. Jim Jackson, who will be preaching.

Blessings, Love, & Gratitude,

Rhonda

Sunday, March 31

8:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

11:30 am Potluck Luncheon - Social Hall

12:15 pm Egg Hunt - Front Lawn

Monday, April 1

OFFICE CLOSED

9:00 am Manna House - 1408 G Street

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, April 2

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

10:00 am PW Leadership Council - John Law

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, April 3

10:00 am Grief Support Group - John Law

1:00 pm Hands and Hearts Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

Thursday, April 4

5:30 pm ODD Book Study - John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, April 5

No Activities Planned for This Day

Sunday, April 7

8:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

Youth Schedule

• 5-6 pm 6-7th Grade Youth - Youth Suite
• 5:15 pm 8-12th Graders Ensemble - Music Attic
• 6-6:30 pm Dinner for all Ages - Britt Room
• 6:30-7:45 pm 8-12th Grade Youth - Youth Suite
• 6:30 pm 6-7th Grade Ensemble - Music Attic

Monday, April 8

12:00 pm Worship and Music - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, April 9

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - SSI Chick-Fil-A

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, April 10

10:00 am Mens Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

4:00 pm KIDZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, April 11

9:00 am Congregational Care Committee - John Law

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

4:00 pm Buildings and Grounds Committee - John Law

5:30 pm ODD Book Study - John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, April 12

No Activities Planned for This Day