From the Associate
Pastor
Pentecost Power
“…in our own
languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds and power.”
Acts:
2:11
One of the
great joys of my call here at First Church
is that I get to plan and lead the Confirmation Program. While the idea of spending an hour and a half
with 8th graders every other Sunday talking about the Christian
faith and our own faith journeys may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, it
is one of my favorite parts of the job.
The youth of this church have great questions to ask and great answers
to give when questioned.
On Sunday
May 15th, Pentecost Sunday, we’ll welcome 11 new members into our
congregation. I am confident that they
have a good sense about what it means to be called by God to live and serve as
Christians in the world and in this community.
I am proud of the hard work they have put in to get to this point in
their faith journeys. While general trends and statistics cause some to dismay
when looking at the future of the Church, I have great hope having worked
closely with these and other youth.
During our last class each youth member was asked to
finish these six statements:
- To me,
God is . . .
- To me,
Jesus is . . .
- To me,
the Holy Spirit is . . .
- To me,
the Bible is . . .
- Being
a member of a church is . . .
- Being
a Christian means . . .
Their answers are astounding in
their depth of conviction and in their breadth of curiosity and understanding
about what it means to “witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ.”
Here are a few of the Confirmation
Class’s answers:
- “To me
God is the Creator of life, a protector, full of love, everywhere,
relationship . . .”
- “To me
Jesus is God in a relatable form, head of the Christian Church, God’s Son,
a Savior, an example of how to live . . .”
- “To me
the Holy Spirit is a sudden opening of the heart, joyful, love, God’s
action on Earth, part of change, the Sustainer . . .”
- “To me
the Bible is a sacred book, a way to educate people about God, a book of
acts, lessons, and believers, a source for our faith, the past and future
for Christians . . .”
(continued
on the back page)
- “Being
a member of a church is going to church, being involved, believing, a way
to connect with God, learning more, a family . . .
- “Being
a Christian means worshipping God, believing in only one God, believing
Jesus was the Messiah, being kind and respectful, telling other people,
following and learning, praying . . .”
What would your answers be?
On Pentecost, I’m looking forward to celebrating the birth
of the Church, celebrating all that the Spirit has done and is doing to bring
the Church together, celebrating the Spirit’s power to help us understand one
another beyond the limits language, and celebrating our newest members.
Blessings, Curt
News
from the Pews
Jim
Godfrey, Peggy Godfrey’s son, treated the residents of Glenmeadow to a very interesting, colorful and factual talk
on “Chinese Art.” We saw art of 4,000
years ago and art “down through the ages” so to speak. He showed wonderful slides to accompany his
informative presentation. It was
delightful!
Ellen
Heye was given a
surprise birthday party recently – with at least 30 family members and
long-time friends participating. It was
a wonderful family reunion in many ways!
Happy Birthday Ellen!
A reception
for newly elected town manager, Robin Crosbie, was
held on April 7, at the Greenwood Park Council on Aging building. Many First
Church
members helped in making it a great success.
Robin has started out very effectively – and Longmeadow
is lucky to have her!
-
Bounce Dale
Undie
Sundays in May
Every
Sunday in May First Church will be collecting NEW, PACKAGED
underwear, t-shirts, and socks. These
items will be donated to a local mission.
Collection baskets will be n the Narthex and Bailey Hall. Contributions can also be left in the church
office.
Sponsored
by
The
Board of Children’s Ministries
Faith
First Church School is in need of leaders during our study of Psalms (May 8, 15, 22, and
June 5, with no class Memorial Day weekend).
We have openings in the Cooking Center and Storytelling/Drama
Center. We
are also in need of a leader for the 6th/7th grades room
during this time. If you have not yet
come forward to assist in the Christian education of our children, please
consider these opportunities to lend a hand. You DO NOT have to have a child in
church school to help. Where can we use
your talents? Please call Nancy Yesu at church (567-6287) or home (567-6730).
Milestones
Baptisms
Catherine Francesca Pelleccia,
daughter of Marco and Jennifer Pelliccia, was
baptized on April
10, 2005.
Council of Churches
Pentecost Week Ecumenical Revival Services
Services Nightly
at
7:00
PM
Sunday, May 15 through Friday, May 20
Sunday, May 15
Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut Street, Springfield
Rev. Dr. Johnny Wilson, Jr., Preaching
Monday, May 16
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
17 John Street, Springfield
Rev. Pedro Osomo, Preaching
Tuesday, May 17
Church to be announced
Rev. Dr. David Hughes, Preaching
Wednesday, May 18
Faith United Church
52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield
Rev. David Hunter, Preaching
Thursday, May 19
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
45 Buckingham Street, Springfield
Rev. Dee Bright, Preaching
Friday, May 20
Cathedral of Praise/First Park Memorial Baptist Church
4 Garfield Street, Springfield
Rev. Michael DeVine, Preaching
Dear Nancy Yesu & the
children at First Church
of Christ,
Please accept our sincere thanks for your generous gift
of $135.51. We are very grateful for your support that provides lifesaving
health care, education and emergency relief to millions of children in
developing nations.
On behalf of the millions of children
assisted by your support for UNICEF, our most sincere gratitude for your
generous support.
Sincerely,
Hugh Downs
Chair Emeritus
The Best
Bloomin’ Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 7, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, in the Longmeadow High School Parking Lot – Rain or
Shine! The sale will feature many
wonderful annual and perennial flowers; exquisite flowing tubs ready to adorn your
yard, and a spectacular selection of hanging baskets. This sale is sponsored by A Better Chance Longmeadow, Inc. (ABC) and the Longmeadow Gardeners.
You
Are Invited!
Women’s Benevolent
Annual Meeting
May 6, 11:00
AM
The Women’s Benevolent Society would like to
welcome all the women of the church to their annual meeting Friday, May 6, 2005. The
meeting will start at ll:00 AM followed by a catered
luncheon at 11:45, and the return
performance by Kandie Carle at 1:00 PM. Kandie
delighted us last year with her historical retrospective of the Edwardian age,
1900-1910. This year, using
authentically reproduced clothing, she will describe each piece touching on the
fashion, home life, etiquette, and manners of women, men and families of the
1860’s Civil War era. There is a charge
of $10.00 for members and $12.00 for non-members for a menu of Fruited Walnut
Chicken Salad, Gelatin Square, Roasted Asparagus Spear
with Vinaigrette, Assorted Rolls, and desserts of Lemon Squares with Raspberry
Garnish and Boston Crème Cupcakes. Call the church office, 567-6287, and make
your reservation by Friday, April 29, or email mstevens@firstchurchlongmeadow.org.
Friday
Evening Fellowship
Just
for Fun Potluck
Join Friday Evening Fellowship for an evening of
food, fun and fellowship on Friday, May 6, 6:30 PM.
Carol and Stew Creelman
will be our hosts at their new residence at 105
Green Meadow Drive. Bring a dish of your choice for this potluck
and an informal evening of fellowship and conversation. Please give the Creelmans
a call at 567-5528 if you plan to attend.
New to the church? Never been to Friday Evening Fellowship
before? Here’s a good opportunity to see
old friends and make new ones. Come and
enjoy our welcome!
