christ’s reformed church tidings · christ are also “liberal.” decades ago, the united...

Tidings C H R I S T ’ S R E F O R M E D C H U R C H - U C C

Inside this issue:

Weekly Lectionary Readings;

Lenten/Holy Week Services;

From the Pulpit

2

Message from the Interim Pastor 3

Birthdays & Anniversaries;

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast;

Women’s Fellowship Circle

4

Parish Nurse News;

Lenten Bible Study

5

March 2019 Calendar 6

“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”;

Daylight Saving Time Begins;

Easter Flowers

7

World Day of Prayer; Altar Flowers;

Lenten Study; Lectionary Group

8

For the Young or Young@Heart 9

Tidings

March 2019

Volume 66, Issue 2

WELCOME TO OUR

NEW MEMBERS

Carolyn (Burgan) Fisher

Carolyn joins us by letter of transfer. She is returning to CRC

where she was raised. Now that she has retired from her

teaching occupation in the Frederick area, she has plenty of

time to enjoy her many hobbies: reading, music, art and

traveling.

Debra Sue Elder

Debra joins us by affirmation of faith. She enjoys playing the

piano, knitting and crocheting. Maybe we will see her in the

choir in the future. She is also retired from her position as a

nurse aide.

When you see our new

members next,

welcome them to CRC!

Weekly Lectionary

Readings for March

March 3 Exodus 34:29-35;

Psalm 99;

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2;

Luke 9:28-43a

March 6 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12;

Psalm 51:1-17;

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10;

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

March 10 Deuteronomy 26:1-11;

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16;

Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13

March 17 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27;

Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35;

Luke 9:28-43a

March 24 Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8;

1 Corinthians 10:1-13;

Luke 13:1-9

March 31 Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32;

2 Corinthians 5:16-21;

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Tidings

“Growing People

of Faith…”

Transfiguration with Communion

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Preacher: Dr. Derrick Hodge

Scripture Text: Luke 9,

Exodus 34 & Psalm 99

Sermon Title: Transfiguration

First Sunday in Lent



Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 26 & Psalm 91

Sermon Title: We Cry to the Lord

Second Sunday in Lent



Scripture Text: Genesis 15,

Philippians 3 & Psalm 27

Sermon Title: Enemies of the Cross

Third Sunday in Lent



Scripture Text: Isaiah 55, Psalm 63 &

1 Corinthians 10

Sermon Title: “For my thoughts are not your

thoughts”

Fourth Sunday in Lent



Scripture Text: Luke 15, Psalm 32 &

2 Corinthians 5

Sermon Title: “From now on, we regard no

one from a human point of view”

Lenten and Holy Week Services

Once again, Church of the Holy Trinity, Zion UCC

and Christ’s Reformed UCC will be sharing our

special services according to the following

schedule:

Ash Wednesday at Zion UCC, March 6th at

7:00 pm

Maundy Thursday at Church of the Holy

Trinity, April 18th at 7:00 pm

Good Friday at Christ’s Reformed, April

19th at 7:00 pm

Easter Sunrise at ATS 4th Floor, April 21st

at 6:30 am

Volume 66, Issue 2

Is the UCC too “liberal” for Christ’s Reformed Church?

Near the beginning of the past four services, we explored the heritage of CRC. We found out that the

UCC was created by a union of four denominational groups: Congregationalist, Christian, German

Reformed, and German Evangelical. From this combination, the UCC gets some characteristics that

most of us think are pretty good:

Congregational polity Connectional and ecumenical

Freedom of conscience Prophethood of all believers

Sacramental Open communion table

The body of Christ in this world (serving others and denouncing evil)

I doubt many members of this congregation would argue that you really do need a bishop to tell you

how to manage the church, or that members should not have freedom of conscience, or that you

want to be isolated from other churches! But I have heard a few people say that the UCC just might

be too “liberal” for CRC. Let’s examine that possibility.

The concept “liberal” does not mean what most people think it means, and most people would be

shocked if they knew what “left wing” and “right wing” actually mean. I don’t have room for an

explanation of those terms, so I suggest that we ignore the labels and just think about a few of the

issues that are important to most UCC congregations.

The United Church of Christ believes that racism and racial violence is evil, and that we are

called to denounce and work against them. We believe that women are of equal value to men, have

an equal ability to prophetically speak God’s truth, and should have an equal role in church and in

society. We work with women to stop all forms of violence, harassment, and discrimination. The

UCC believes that peace is preferable to war, that veterans should be honored and respected, and

that we are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation. We believe in the inherent dignity,

beauty, and sacredness of all life, so we work to nurture and protect children and the planet. We

believe that we are called to reject false prophets and to seek the truth. We believe that the Gospel

of Jesus Christ unequivocally calls us to work toward a just and sustainable economic system; the

Gospel rejects exploitation, theft, slavery, colonialism, imperialism, and all economic systems that

destroy human life or ecological integrity and sustainability.

Does that make us “liberal”? If so, then the Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Disciples of

Christ are also “liberal.” Decades ago, the United Methodist Church formally declared that the

Church of Jesus Christ must struggle against all forms of economic evil and social oppression. The

Book of Social Principles is the Methodist church’s statement of faith regarding how faithfulness to the

Gospel translates into public policy. To those on the extreme right end of the political spectrum,

even the United Methodist Church is “liberal”! True, there is some difference of opinion within the

UMC regarding non-discrimination of lesbian and gay folks, but even in that case, the majority of

UMC congregations and pastors agree with the UCC (the only exceptions are the UMC churches in

Africa and in the southern states, which are mostly opposed to non-discrimination of lesbian and gay

people).

I am proud to be a minister of the church that joins with the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists,

and Disciples of Christ in denouncing evil in both popular culture and public policy. If that makes us

Christians “liberal,” then I will wear that label proudly!

Birthdays

The following are the

known birthdays for the

month of March. We wish

all a very happy birthday.

Becky Lohr

Kayla Summers

Sandy Shank

Gladys Socks

Andrew Housel

Jackie Korrell

Thomas Shank

Michael Flurie

Nancy Staley

Abigail Nigh

Bill Andrews

Sandra Duffey

Tara Martin

Gina Zeger

Danielle Nigh

Grace Nigh

Becky Corderman

Francine Ross

Tom VanMetre

Linda Zonis

Judith Miller

Brad Sayler

Kathy Baker

Paula Kessler

Vivian Strunk

Benjamin Hinz

Terry Socks

Bonnie Mazzocchi

Katy Dillard

Larry Martin

Cheryl Scholl

Anniversaries

The following are the

known anniversaries for

the month of March.

Dick & Wendy Shank

Tom & Linda VanMetre

Brad & Debra Sayler

Larry & Donna Stockslager

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Tidings

If you don’t see

your birthday or

anniversary listed,

the church office

doesn’t know

about it. Please

call the office so

we can make a

record of it.

Thanks for helping

to keep our files

current.

Men’s

Fellowship

Breakfast

We invite all men of Christ’s Reformed

UCC and bring a friend.

Saturday, March 16

8:30 am

ATS Social Hall

Women’s Fellowship Circle

The Women's Fellowship Circle will meet

for a pot-luck breakfast March 2nd at 8:30

am. After a good meal, we will discuss the

January 30 devotion found on page 38 of

the January/February edition of The

Upper Room. All women of the church and

their friends are welcome. Remember to

sign up in the Parish House kitchen or talk to Charlotte so we

know what people are bringing and to watch for you.

Saturday, March 2nd

8:30 am

ATS Social Hall (Back Door)

Volume 66, Issue 2

From Life to Life Eternal (from the Parish Nurse Health Council)

How do we as people of God deal with the tough stuff?

JESUS WEPT — can you remember why?

We also weep and it is often hard to share.

What does GROWING OLD in CHRIST look like?

How long can LENT last?

Can you NAME A PERSON in the Bible other than Jonah

who was sent to Nineveh?

Come join in this Lenten study. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Tidings

March 2019 Activity locations are listed in the Sunday bulletin and on the

Parish House Kitchen bulletin board.

If there are other questions, please call the church office at 301-733-4144.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

11:30 am World

Day of Prayer

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

2

8:30 am Women’s

Fellowship

Circle

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

3 Transfiguration with

Communion/

Scout Sunday

8:30 am Men’s Choir

9:30 am Worship Service

10:35 am Blood

Pressures Taken

11:00 am Church School

4

7:00 pm Ministry

Teams Meeting

5

9:30 am Parish Nurses

6:00 pm Prayer Group

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

6

11:00 am Lectionary

12:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

7:00 pm Ash

Wednesday Service

@ Zion UCC

7:30 pm ITP

7

8

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

9

11:00 am Youth

Lunch

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

10 First Sunday in Lent



11:45 am Bell Choir

6:00 pm Youth

11

7:00 pm Consistory

Meeting

12

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

13

11:00 am Lectionary

12:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

12:00 pm Lenten

Lunch/Study

4:30 pm Chancel

Choir

7:30 pm ITP

14

7:00 pm Interfaith

Meeting

15

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

16

8:30 am Men’s

Fellowship

Breakfast

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

4:30 pm

Youth Mission

Spaghetti Dinner

Fundraiser

17 Second Sunday in Lent

8:30 am Men’s Choir



11:45 am Bell Choir

18

19

6:00 pm Prayer Group

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

20

10:45 am Lectionary

12:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

12:00 pm Lenten

Lunch/Study

4:30 pm Chancel

Choir

7:30 pm ITP

21

22

Tidings

Deadline

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

23

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

24 Third Sunday in Lent



6:00 pm Youth

31

Fourth Sunday in Lent



25

7:00 pm ATS Board

Meeting

26

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

27

10:45 am Lectionary

12:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

12:00 pm Lenten

Lunch/Study

4:30 pm Chancel

Choir

7:30 pm ITP

28

Mail Tidings

29

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

30

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

Volume 66, Issue 2

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

April Tidings

Deadline

March 22nd

Daylight Saving

Time Begins

When you go to bed on Saturday

night, March 9th, remember to set

your clocks ahead because

Daylight Saving Time begins on

Sunday, March 10th.

Easter Flowers Get ready to order your

Easter Lily/Tulips! This

year Easter is April 21st.

So the Worship Team will

be selling lilies and tulips

starting March 3rd. We have for sale 8 lilies and

tulips available in red, yellow, purple, or pink

only. The cost of a lily is $9.50 and the 6-bulb/pot

tulip is $8.25. Please send your order in to Karen

before March 17th. Or see the flower

representative after the worship services on

Sundays. Thank you!

Christ’s Reformed Church Phone No: 301-733-4144

Fax. No: 301-733-4145

Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.crcucc.org

TIMES

Morning Worship 9:30 am

Social Time 10:40 am

Church School 11:00 am

CHURCH STAFF

Rev. G. Derrick Hodge Interim Minister

Moira O’Brien Director of Music

Cheryl Wilson Organist

Branda Yeargan Program Director

Margaret Bussard Custodian

Karen Stamper Office Manager

Our love and

sympathy to:

Address Changes

Vivian Harbaugh

Tom & Branda Yeargan

Tidings

Lectionary

Reflection Group The Lectionary Reflection Group will be

meeting on Wednesdays during Lent at a new time so

they can participate in the Lenten Lunch/Study series.

Dates that are effected are Wednesdays starting March

13th through April 10th. After these dates, our meeting

time will go back to the normal time of 11:00 am.

Lenten Study Lenten Study/Lunches: We will

again have Wednesday Lenten

lunches/study through April 10th.

Light Lunch at 12:00 pm and

Lenten Study at 12:30 pm. If your group or ministry

team would like to prepare lunch on one of these

study days, please contact Karen in the church office.

Thanks!

World Day of

Prayer

March 1, 2019

Theme: “Come,

Everything is Ready!”

Where: Williamsport UMC

25 E. Church Street

Williamsport, MD 21795

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

For questions call:

Dana Thompson at 301-992-6660

“Come, Everything is Ready!” This

invitation from Jesus also serves as the

foundation for the 2019 World Day of

Prayer which is “a worldwide, ecumenical

movement of Christian women of many

traditions who come together to observe a

common day of prayer each year.”

If you are able, bring a health kit too.

Each health kit consists of:

1 large hand towel or small bath towel

1 washcloth

1 comb

1 bar of soap

1 toothbrush and toothpaste

1 deodorant

Put all items in a two gallon Ziploc bag.

Altar Flowers As of this printing, the following dates remain for

Altar Flowers. If you wish to place flowers on one

of these dates, please sign up on the Flower

Chart in the Parish House Kitchen, call the office

at 301-733-4144, or mail your request to the church at 130 West

Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Gibney’s Florist is who we

are using again this year, and the cost will be $40.00.

The following dates in 2019 are still available:

May 19 September 29

May 26 October 6

July 7 October 20

July 21 November 10

September 8 December 29

September 22

Love One Another – If you notice a

member/friend who has been missing from

service for several weeks, give them a

call to see how they are doing and that

you miss seeing them. Please notify the

church office or Dr. Hodge if they

would like a visit from the minister.

Volume 66, Issue 2

For the Young or Young@Heart

NON-PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID AT

HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740

PERMIT #369

Tidings

130 West Franklin Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Phone: 301-733-4144

Fax: 301-733-4145


Web: www.crcucc.org DATED MATERIAL:

DELIVER IMMEDIATELY

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

C H R I S T ’ S R E F O R M E D C H U R C H - U C C

130 West Franklin Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Phone: 301-733-4144

Fax: 301-733-4145

Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745


Web: www.crcucc.org

christ’s reformed church tidings · christ are also “liberal.” decades ago, the united...

Documents