Cicero United Methodist Church

ChurchChat

April 2009

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday, April 5th

8:45 AM worship with Holy Communion

10:30 AM worship with Holy Communion, Bell Choir playing

Maundy Thursday, April 9th

7:00 PM  Godspell performance

9:00 PM  22-hour Prayer Vigil starts

Good Friday, April 10th

12:00 - 3:00 PM  Sanctuary open for Prayer and Meditation

7:00 PM  Godspell performance

7:00 PM 22-hour Prayer Vigil ends

Holy Saturday, April 11th

1:00 PM  Godspell performance

EASTER SUNDAY, April 12th

7:00 AM  "Son"rise Worship Service with Holy Communion

8:45 AM  Contemporary Worship

10:30 AM  Traditional Worship

Continental Breakfast between services

E-Pastor

Some thoughts as we approach Holy Week and Easter

Recently while reading the lyrics to some favorite songs of mine, I came across these words, written by David Binion in 1981 for his song, Lord, Feed Your Children:

My vessel is empty, though once I had plenty,

My soul is barren and dry;

Somewhere flows a fountain, beyond the distant mountain,

Let me drink from the River of Life.

Lord, feed your children as we stand here willing

To eat from the table of life;

Drink from the fountain that flows from the mountain.

Let me feast from the Father's supply.

So long I have hungered; no man could number

The days that I've longed to be

In a land filled with honey where the rivers are running;

Very soon now will I taste and see.

Lord feed your children as we stand here willing

To eat from the table of life;

Drink from the fountain that flows from the mountain.

Let me feast from the Father's supply.

There are some times when I can just feel the barren dryness of my own soul.  And usually Lent is one of those times.  Maybe you are feeling the same way?

And then, I am reminded about the never ending River of Life that Easter represents.  The God who promises never to leave us or forsake us does, indeed, offer a feast from the Father's supply. 

As we complete our Lenten pilgrimage to the Cross, and the empty tomb I invite you to be here to witness the "fountain that flows from the mountain" as together we "feast from the Father's supply".   God does have another miracle planned and I hope you're here to see and experience it with all of us!  

I can't wait to see you in church,

Pastor Jack 

WOMEN'S NEWS     April  2009

SUSANNA CIRCLE  (THE EVENING CIRCLE) chose their new name at the March meeting and, following a business meeting continued their study, ACCOUNTABLE DISCIPLESHIP, Living in God's Household.  The April meeting will be at church on, Thursday, April 9^th at 7PM to be held in Fellowship Hall lounge area.  Pat Guiles will be hostess.  Please plan to join us for a time of fellowship, planning for service activities and study.  Call Dee McCreadie, chairperson, @699-4558 if you have any questions.  We would be pleased to add new members.

THE DAY CIRCLE will also meet on, Thursday, April 9^th at noon.  Take a sandwich and dessert will be provided.  Business of the day will include the choosing of a new name for the Circle and choosing a study, possibly the same study being done in the Evening Circle.  New members and visitors are welcome.  For information or to answer any questions call Marion Congdon, chairperson

@699-5945.

MAY 14th WILL BE THE FIRST GENERAL MEETING for the year.    This will be a bring-a-dish-to-pass meal to start at 6:15.  This will be  Native American Mission Study: The Potluck: Listen and Learn Around the Table.  More information about this meeting will be on the UMW Bulletin Board in the hall opposite Fellowship Hall doors and in the bulletin.  We hope to have a Native American guest speaker and some interesting activities.

A thank you to all who contributed to the Bakeless Bake Sale held by the UMW in January.  It was very successful and contributed $503 to our UMW treasury .

Executive meeting April 28^th at 7PM.

Only Three Months Away!!!

Vacation Bible School

Wish List

• Paper cups
• Napkins
• Small paper plates
• Powdered drink mix (lemonade or other flavors)
• Baby wipes
• Gift cards from Joann's Fabrics
• Gift cards from A.C. Moore or Michael's
• Gift cards from Wal-Mart
• Gift cards from any grocery store
• Blank CD's to record the music (We have the right to record the

music from this program.  We want to give each child a copy of

The music to take home!)

Recycle! 

We are using recycled items for some of our craft projects this year.  Please help us by saving these items:

• Empty toilet paper rolls
• Empty plastic frosting containers
• Empty 2 quart milk, orange juice or lemonade cartons

Help Needed:

We are in search of happy individuals ready to share God's word with the young people visiting our church this summer.  Our most pressing need is a snack person to oversee the daily treats and drinks.  Please prayerfully consider this wonderful summer mission.  We have many positions and not all positions require direct contact with the children. 

Please help us get a jumpstart on our wonderful summer mission of spreading God's word to the youngest ones in our community.  Donations may be placed in the specially marked box near the office of Sue Bonspille our Christian Education Director.

Gifts of Benevolence at Work at CUMC

The word "benevolence" comes from the Latin word "benevolens" and means kind, well-meaning, benevolent. It is composed of two words "bene" which means "good" or "well", and "volo" which means "to will" or "to intend." Thus the compound idea is to intend to do well.

Gifts of benevolence to continue God's work at CUMC can take many forms including cash gifts, appreciated property (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate), Charitable Annuities, Charitable Trusts, Wills, Endowments and others. Two recent gifts of benevolence to CUMC include the Murray and Reed family gifts.

The Ray Murray family gift was used in the Vision Center Fund, in support of last year's Sabine Pass Mission trip, and the paving/repair of our church parking lot.

The Howard Reed family gift was used in the initiation of the Stephen Ministries program, the purchase of a new furnace for the Parsonage, the paving/repair of our parking lot, and the demolition of the Library building.

We are thankful to both the Murray and Reed families for their generous gifts of benevolence, and their support of God's mission at CUMC.

Missions

On Mission Sunday, April 19, the Mission Committee will be making an appeal for funds to help two youth work teams from Cicero be deployed by Appalachian Service Project (ASP) in the central Appalachian Mountains to share God's love and follow Christ's call to reach out to neighbors in Christian love.

Each year ASP provides about 15,000 volunteers, mostly youth of high school age, to repair homes for 400-500 low-income families in rural areas of Central Appalachia.  Our project leader, Amanda Coyle, has been involved with this Christian ministry for many years.

Eight youth and four adults will help make homes warmer, safer and drier this summer, July 4 - 12, exact location to be announced soon.  The youth will be involved in fund-raisers and skills training between now and July. 

This Sunday, April 5th is the last day to join in the fun of our annual SILENT AUCTION & BASKET SALE.  Visit us in the back right corner of the Welcome Center to bid on one or more exciting baskets of "treasure" donated by a group, committee or generous soul from our congregation.  Also, if you made a bid last week PLEASE DON"T FORGET to come see if you are the lucky winner and collect your basket.   Proceeds will help fund the three Mission Work Trips in which our church is involved---to Appalachia, Sabine Pass, TX, and Zimbabwe.

~the Missions Team

Continuing Support of Our Local Food Pantries

Your generous donations of non-perishable food have been greatly appreciated by Anna's Pantry located in Cicero & St. Paul's/Westside Food Pantry located at Syracuse Westside Urban Mission in Brown Memorial UMC.  Those donations have helped ease the increasing strain for many families in these two communities.  Because of your help the Food Pantry located at Syracuse Westside Missions in Brown Memorial UMC has been able to resume the standard size nutritious food package given to each family in need.  This is despite an increase in the number of families seeking assistance.

Please continue your generous donations in the coming weeks and months.  The current economic recession is difficult for everyone but can you imagine the fear and sadness felt by someone who just cannot afford to buy enough food for their family.   

Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the Narthex.

Again, thank you!

~Missions Team

Long Players Spring Cleaning 

On Thursday, April 23 the LPs will meet at 10 a.m. at the church.  We will put on our safety vests and hard hats and patrol Route 11 for a mile, collecting all the refuse from the winter.  Following the job we will have a soup and sandwich lunch and fellowship.  Anyone who would rather prepare the lunch instead of cleaning the roadway please volunteer your service to Bill Robbins ( 699-5228) or Elaine Mount (668-7175).   Feel free to join us for any part of the activities.   Bring your table service if you come for lunch.   Friday is the alternate day In case Thursday is rainy.

CanTeen Benefit

"Raise the Rent" benefit auction Sunday, April 26 from 1 - 5 PM at the American Legion (behind the Post Office on Rt. 31) Advance sale tickets $10, at the door $15 Kids 5 and under are free. 

Food, entertainment, and great auction items will be available.  Call 699-5233 for ticket locations and more information.

THANK YOU!  

I want to thank my CUMC family, Care Committee, Choir, UMW, LPs, and "Spunkys" for all your prayers, phone calls, cards, flowers, delicious food, rides to Doctor appointments and other errands.  What would I do without you?  You have no idea how much I appreciate your kindness.      - Nancy Morgan

Cancer Services

Program

Offers free mammogram, Pap test, and colorectal screening for men and women without health insurance at private health care provider offices and clinics throughout Onondaga County.  Please call 435-3653 for more information and to make an appointment.

Congregation News

Dorothy Blanchard went to Jesus' waiting arms March 4th.

Scott Allan Michael Ritcey was baptized March 22.  Scott is the son of Brian and Mary Ann Ritcey.

Micah Donald Schuessler was born March 13.  Proud parents are Don and Devin. 

Happy Birthday in April!

4/1     Roger Chandler

4/1     Diane Longwell

4/1     Morgan Kenyon

4/1     Ruth Maddox

4/1     Sophie Montecalvo

4/2     Jack Tompkins

4/3     Shelly Borton

4/3     Lillian Wooding

4/4     Tony Lupia

4/4     John Perperian, Jr.

4/4     Brendon Perperian

4/4     April Smith

4/5     Kimberly Jameson-Stupp

4/5     Benjamin Lupia

4/5     Gary Winchell

4/6     Peg Bachman

4/6     David Kesel

4/6     Leeda Mannise

4/6     Stacy Webb

4/7     Anne Burrows

4/7     Ashley Cook

4/7     Drew Williams

4/8     Rea Bishop

4/9     Kim Jorgensen

4/10    Matthew Barbagallo

4/10    Ellie Caza

4/10    Brian DeMonte

4/10    Alexander Quinones

4/10    Mason Skinner

4/11    Brad Albert

4/11    Casey Deliberto

4/11    Kate Kenyon

4/11    Eric Krupke

4/11    Lily Lemery

4/11    Richard Torrey

4/12    Amanda Coyle

4/13    Gerald Cumber

4/14    Robert Henderson

4/14    Jared Morales

4/15    AJ Post

4/15    Gary Abbey

4/15    Nancy Chandler

4/15    Richard Cripps

4/15    Geri Cunningham

4/15    Joe Finch

4/15    Mark Cook

4/15    Suzanne Coe

4/15    Sarah Scaffido

4/15    Cameron Walker

4/16    Felicia Hoffman

4/16    Elizabeth Wood

4/16    Sally Walker

4/17    Beatrize Gurgol

4/18    Jan Cerimeli

4/18    Jillian Hagadorn

4/18    John Williams

4/19    Danni Gauthier

4/20    Brian Lowe

4/20    George Wasickanin

4/21    Pat Michael

4/21    Ryan Irwin

4/21    Tyra Cumber

4/22    Muriel Bickom

4/22    Patrick Flaherty

4/24    Emily Panek

4/25    Elise Rioux

4/26    Chris Voorhies

4/27    Debbie Finch

4/27    Nancy Congdon

4/28    Hattie Keating

4/28    Roxanne Troiano

4/29    Kathy Tryon

4/30    Timothy Lambert

4/30    Mitchell Tuohey