+ The Messenger +

MARCH 2014
A Communication Ministry of Christ Church Episcopal, Duanesburg, New York
Christ Church is a worshiping community of friends, joyfully serving, encouraging and healing others in Jesuss name. The Revd William Hinrichs, Rector (H) 518 541-3206 (C) 518 221-3425 Email: WilliamRHinrichs@aol.com Doug Fortman, Warden, 518 887-5673 Church website: www.christchurchduanesburg.org Facebook: Christ Church, Duanesburg Email: ccduanesburg@gmail.com The Revd Debbie Beach, Deacon (H) 518 372-1352 (C) 518 669-1898 Email: dbeach21@verizon.net Phil Sayles, Warden, 518 868-2069 Amy Walsh, Editor, schradea@hotmail.com Parish Office Mail: PO Box 92, Duanesburg, NY 12056 Parish Hall Phone: 518 895-2383

The parish is located at: 132 Duanesburg-Churches Rd, Duanesburg, NY, on the corner of Route 20 and Duanesburg Churches Road in Duanesburg, near exit 24 off I-88

Rectors Reflections
Dear Friends In Christ, Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday Liturgy) This year Lent, which beings with the Holy Eucharist on Ash Wednesday (March 5) at 7:00 PM, will afford us an opportunity to support a young woman on her journey toward Baptism on Easter. Each Sunday, at the altar rail, we will anoint her and pray for her during this time of preparation. Each Monday we will offer opportunities for fellowship, prayer and learning. We will begin with a simple supper of soup and salad at 6:30, followed by a few minutes to make origami doves to decorate the church during Easter, and an educational program designed to help all of us hear the ancient Gospel presented in fresh and creative ways. Below is a brief description of each session. Monday, March 10 EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL In the Hebrew Scriptures there is no word for spiritual. Jesus never used the phrase spiritual life. For Jesus and his tradition, all of life is spiritual. Join Rob Bell for an hour presentation that begins with the account of creation in Genesis, then takes us into outer space and the inner workings of atoms. Monday, March 17 Fully Alive A Journey that will change your life Join Ken Davis for a comedy concert that will leave you with a taste of the beautiful urgency of today and begin moving toward a chance in your life that draws from the joy and power that can be found only in Christ. Monday, March 24 Cotton Patch Gospel Come and hear the Greatest Story ever retold set in the present-day South and set to the music of Harry Chapin. Youll hum, tap your toes and experience the Gospel proclaimed with zest and uninhibited joy.

Monday, March 31 Become a Good Samaritan Come and learn how to live out Christs love in world-changing ways, right now, right where we live. We will experience two emotionally-packed sessions featuring such Christian leaders as Eugene Peterson, Philip Yancey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Joni Eareckson. Monday, April 7 The True Easter Story Travel with Ray Vander Laan to the land of Israel and discover fascinating truths about the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. Experience a dramatic plunge into the vibrant history and culture of Israel. Monday, April 14 This is the Night In this video we will follow the journey of candidates for baptism in an ordinary, working class parish through Lent to their baptisms at the Easter Vigil, to Easter Sunday morning. I promise, you will never see baptism the same way after you see this film. So, join us for one session or all the sessions. Your presence will support Emma Connors on her journey to baptism. Each Sunday we will also offer a series of videos by Ray Vander Laan Death and Resurrection of the Messiah at 9:00 AM. You will gain new insights and understand the events we remember during Holy Week in deeper and more meaningful ways. Yours in Christ,

Bill+

Thank you to all who volunteered to make soup and salad for the Monday evening suppers and alter bread during the Lenten season.

Lenten Soup & Salad Schedule 3/10 Kate & Emma Connors 3/17 Barbara Hinrichs 3/24 Andrea Salisbury 3/31 Len'a Santiago 4/7 Sherry Schrade 4/14 Len'a Santiago

Altar Bread Schedule 3/9 Tonya Rudolphsen 3/16 Sandra Depoalo 3/23 Barbara Munson 3/30 Sherry Schrade 4/6 Len'a Santiago 4/13 Barbara Hinrichs

View From The Pew

LENT AND REPENTANCE
Ash Wednesday this year is on March 5. Essentially, Lent and repentance go together. The Book of Common Prayer invites us to observe Lent by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial and by reading and meditating on Gods holy Word. Part of the dictionary definition of Ash is dust. The Burial of the Dead in our Book of Common Prayer, contains this part of the prayer in The Committal: we commit (his/her) body to the grave, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust (pg. 485 & 501). On Ash Wednesday, the ashes used in The Imposition of Ashes, are actually the residue of burned palms from the previous Palm Sunday. According to The American Heritage Dictionary REPENT: 1. to feel regret for what one has done or failed to do. 2. to feel contrition for ones sins and to abjure sinful ways. In Websters Dictionary and Thesaurus REPENT: To feel regret for something which has occurred; to change ones sinful way. According to Youngs Analytical Concordance to The Bible REPENTANCE is mentioned in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark and Luke and in The Acts of The Apostles as well as Pauls letters to the Romans and Hebrews. Both dictionary definitions do agree that we must CHANGE our sinful ways. It is, after all, the only way to be truly sorry repentant for what we have done or, maybe even worse, what we have failed to do. Every day we are faced with opportunities to serve others in their needs. To ignore the needs of others is just as sinful as doing things we ought not to do. Perhaps if we spent less time doing things we ought NOT to do, we may have more time to do what we ought to do as true Christians. Yet God, in His infinite love, forgives us and offers us reconciliation in Him. We have another chance to mend our ways, strengthened with the outward sign of His Grace by receiving the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have this communion with Jesus, only because He suffered and died for our sins. Blake wrote The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. C. S. Lewis wrote of their divorce in his fantasy (with a moral) book, The Great Divorce. In it the writer boards a bus which soon leaves the depot/town (which later is referred to as Hell) far below. Soon they land on the outskirts of Heaven and he finds he is listening to ghostly figures with fixed ideas. One ghost points out that Jesus was a young man when he died and would have outgrown his earlier views if hed lived. He sees the crucifixion as a tragedy, a waste, and so much promise cut short. How wrong! Certainly a crucifixion is an ugly thing, but however, Jesus seemingly cry of despair when He said it is finished, simply meant that his mission was completedI have done it!I have triumphed! If, this Lenten season, we are penitent and die to self (lamenting old ways and sin), then as we trudge through the forty days, we have an undeniable light at the end of the tunnel of Lent the light of Christ! We can rise up in the sight of God, just as Jesus Christ rose from death in three days. So also can we rise from our sins and celebrate Easter in His Name. You are all always in my prayers, In His love and peace,

Doris J. Weiler

Health Corner
MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Okay, I will say it for you! YUK! GROSS! I cannot believe she is writing about THAT bodily function! I am writing about it because it is a cancer that rocked my world in 2000 when my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. I still vividly remember the day of stunned silence in the car as I drove my parents home from our first visit with his oncologist. Sadly, it was at that time I discovered my grandfather also colon cancer. Because it was a topic no one wanted to talk about, I was always told my grandfather had died from congestive heart failure. I was never told the rest of the story until that day. This family history places my brother and I at higher risk for developing colon cancer. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the nation. Its as common in women as it is in men. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older. If all men and women age 50 and older were screened regularly, 6 out of 10 deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. The early stages of the disease usually do not have any symptoms, which makes regular screenings even more important. Risk factors associated with colorectal cancer: People age 50 and older People who smoke People who are overweight or obese, especially those who carry fat around their waists People who arent physically active People who drink alcohol in excess, especially men People who eat a lot of red meat (such as beef, pork or lamb) or processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts) People with personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps People with personal histories of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease) People with family histories of inherited colorectal cancer or inherited colorectal problems Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Be physically active for at least 30 minutes, at least five days a week. Maintain a healthy weight. Dont smoke. If you do smoke, quit. If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink a day if youre a woman or two drinks a day if youre a man. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help you get and stay healthy. Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat. Colorectal Cancer Early Detection: If youre at average risk for colorectal cancer, start getting screened at age 50. If youre at higher risk, you may need to start regular screening at an earlier age and be screened more often. If youre older than 75, ask your doctor if you should continue to be screened. The best time to get screened is before you have any symptoms. If you are 50 and over and have never been screened PLEASE talk to your doctor especially if you have a history of colorectal cancer in your family! If you have friends or family 50 and over who have never been screened PLEASE talk to them! Talking, not silence, could save your life or someone very dear to you! Blessings, Deacon Debbie

Announcements
VESTRY The next Vestry meeting is Thursday, March 20th at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Vestry meetings are usually held the third Thursday of the month. ASH WEDNESDAY Please join us on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 pm for the Ash Wednesday service. GAME NIGHT Februarys game night was a huge success so we have decided to hold another game night on Saturday, March 22nd in the Parish Hall. Bring your favorite game, food and especially yourself.

Childrens Lenten Reading Program

1.) 3 Easy Steps Read assigned bible story with an adult and complete a craft 2.) Have the adult sign a form you completed the assigned reading and craft for each week of Lent 3.) Bring the completed form to church Easter Sunday and receive a prize! If interested send an e-mail to Deacon Debbie at dbeach21@verizon.net OR sign up on the form in the back of the church The materials will be handed out after church on March 9th

MARCH + BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & EVENTS

SUN 23 EPIPHANY 7 Bible Study 9am Holy Eucharist 10am No Sunday School Jayden Sayles 2 EPIPHANY 8 Bible Study 9am Holy Eucharist 10am Sunday School 10am 3 4 5 Ash Wednesday Service 7:30pm Jennifer Wolfe 10 Simple Supper 6:30pm 11 Bart MacDougall, Denny Wolfe 12 13 14 Barbara Hinrichs 15 6 7 8 MON 24 25 Curt & Tracy Rabideau TUES 26 WED 27 THURS 28 FRI 1 SAT

9 LENT 1 Lenten Video 9am Holy Eucharist 10am Sunday School 10am Franklyn Acevedo 16 LENT 2 Lenten Video 9am Holy Eucharist 10am Sunday School 10am

17 Simple Supper 6:30pm

18

19

20 Vestry Mtg. 7 pm

21

22

23 LENT 3 Lenten Video 9am Holy Eucharist 10am Sunday School 10am

24 Simple Supper 6:30pm

25

26 Joyce Mason

27 Joshua Langston

28 Ben Lennox Phil & Cheryl Lennox

29 Carm Fusco

30 LENT 4 Lenten Video 9am Holy Eucharist 10am Sunday School 10am

31 Simple Supper 6:30pm Sherry Schrade, Nolan McHugh

1 Johnny Bard

3 Bob & Heather MacDougall

5 Bart & Linda MacDougall

MARCH SCHEDULE
Acolyte, Greeters, Lectors, Bell Ringers & Sunday School Teachers
Date 03/02/2014 03/09/2014 03/16/2014 03/23/2014 03/30/2014 04/06/2014 Acolyte Tippe Miller Sandra DePoalo John Weiler Sharon Mericle Jane Weyers Tippe Miller Greeters Phil & Jenna Sayles Andrea & Bryan Salisbury Barbara Hinrichs Kyle & Tonya Rudolphsen Brenda Warner & Barbara Heimlich Phil & Jenna Sayles Lectors Sharon Mericle & Barbara Hinrichs Bryan Salisbury & Bart MacDougall Elizabeth Iseman & Tippe Miller Linda MacDougall & Barbara Munson Sandra DePoalo & John Weiler Steve & Sherry Schrade Bell Ringer Tony Miller Bryan Salisbury Tony Miller Bryan Salisbury Tony Miller Bryan Salisbury Sunday School Katherine Fortman & Cindy Skala Barbara Hinrichs & Jenna Sayles Tippe & Tony Miller Katherine Fortman & Cindy Skala Barbara Hinrichs & Jenna Sayles Tippe & Tony Miller

Chalice, Altar Guild, DOK & Counters

Date 03/02/2014 03/09/2014 03/16/2014 03/23/2014 03/30/2014 04/06/2014 Chalice Debbie Debbie Debbie Debbie Debbie Sharon Altar Guild Sharon Mericle Sharon Mericle Linda MacDougall & Cheryl Lennox Linda MacDougall & Cheryl Lennox Marge Cummings & Cindy Creasy Marge Cummings & Cindy Creasy DoK Prayers of the People Debbie Debbie Elizabeth Sharon Debbie Debbie Counters Jane Weyers & Steve Schrade Andrea Salisbury & Doug Fortman Judy Breitenstein & Tippe Miller Sharon Mericle & Phil Sayles Jane Weyers & Steve Schrade Andrea Salisbury & Doug Fortman

If you cannot serve for your assigned Sunday, please arrange for someone to take your place. Thank you.

+The Messenger
A Communication Ministry of Christ Church Episcopal Duanesburg P.O. Box 92 Duanesburg, New York 12056-0092

CHRIST CHURCH VESTRY: Fr. Bill Hinrichs, Rector Doug Fortman Warden Phil Sayles Warden Judy Breitenstein Vestry member Tippe Miller Vestry member Andrea Salisbury Vestry member Debbie Beach Deacon Sherry Schrade Treasurer Steve Schrade Vestry member Sharon Mericle Vestry member Jane Weyers Vestry member