THE UNITED CHURCH OF NORTHFIELD LENT AND EASTER, 2019
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THE UNITED CHURCH OF NORTHFIELD
LENT AND EASTER, 2019
From the Pastor’s Desk:
I saw a Robin today! He was standing on a small did we make so much progress that those who
patch of muddy ground that was surrounded by have been used to being in control now feeling
snow. His head was cocked, listening. It was hard threatened and are making last ditch efforts to turn
to imagine that any worm in its right mind would the clock back to an earlier time when they had
want to come up out of the earth in that spot, but the final say? I don’t know.
Mr. Redbreast seemed to think it was worth This Lenten season, as we hear from
checking out. That little Robin lifted my spirits Luke’s Gospel, we get a very human picture of
so high I just grinned—and thanked God and all Jesus: his time in the wilderness and Satan
the angels. We have had a long Winter and there offering him escape from the hardship of being
is still more cold to come. But now I know Spring hungry, thirsty, lonely, and vulnerable. We hear
is coming! So I wish all of you reading this a him call Pilate a “fox,” and in that same reading
Happy Spring! May you soon find areas of mud we get a clear picture that Jesus knew the timeline
(not ice) in your yards, and may your walkways in front of him: “the third day” I will reach my
no longer be slippery; may you soon see goal. We hear the parable of the fig tree which
Snowdrops and hear the Cardinals singing. It is gives such a beautiful picture of not giving up
Spring and the world is “mud luscious and hope. That story is a wonderful one for teachers
puddle-wonderful!” to hold in their hearts.
As I write this, tomorrow is the first day of I am digressing here, but thinking of
Spring on the calendar. In the church year we are teachers... this parable speaks to me of Bettie
in the season we know as “Lent.” I was curious Gray’s teaching style. She and I often shared
and in searching for information on it, I learned stories of our experiences teaching kindergarten.
the term we use here today (“Lent”) is the We both felt strongly that there was (is) always
shortened term from the Old English, lencten, hope for each child, no matter their struggle.
meaning “Spring Season,” which it still means in Bettie held that outlook towards everyone. Her
the Dutch Lente. There’s a lot of interesting service in Craftsbury last Saturday (March 16th)
comments on the entomology of the word, but was a beautiful honoring of her life. We will all
what’s really interesting is how the various really miss her.
churches observe Lent. All say it is a time of This year’s readings include the well-
preparation for Easter through prayer, doing known story of the prodigal son. And on the fifth
penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, Sunday of Lent we will listen to what Jesus did
almsgiving, and/or denial of the ego. As I read, I about his friend Lazurus. From there we celebrate
did wonder if Jesus would approve of all of these Palm Sunday on the 14th of April, walk through
practices. Holy Week and finally singing out the joy of
Personally, I prefer to prepare for Easter Easter morning. I hope you each take time during
with prayer (definitely!) and by deepening certain this holy period in our church year to go deeper
practices that align me more with his teachings: to into your personal experience of the Christian
grow in compassion for others, to try to make the faith. And I really hope we have a thoughtful
world a better place for those living in poverty or discussion during a worship service in the next
with disease. I find my prayers this season center couple of weeks to share our own ideas for
on seeking peace, for the hate-mongering that is practicing our Christian faith—personally, and as
constantly in the news to stop (and be still). So a member of the United Church of Northfield. I
often it feels like we are going backwards: news think the wider community may want to know us
clips today very much resemble clips from earlier better; so, too, we must better know ourselves.
decades, with civil rights demonstrations,
women’s rights’ crowds, and anti-war/peace In Christ’s peace,
activists’ crowds. Have we made no progress? Or Sherry
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(Focus passages in old print)
DATE SUNDAY Lectionary Readings Theme
(Scriptures)
Dec 2 Deuteronomy 26:1-11
st
1 Sunday of Lent, Year C Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
“The Muddiness of Lent”
(violet) Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Mar17 Gen 15:1-12, 17-18
2nd Sunday of Lent Ps 27
Philippians 3:17- 4:1 “Strong and Tender”
(violet)
Luke 13:31-35
Mar 24 Isaiah 55:1-9
3rd Sunday of Lent Ps 63:1-8
“Open Invitation”
(violet) 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Mar 31 Joshua 5:9-12
4th Sunday of Lent Psalm 32
“Embracing Love”
(violet) 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Apr 7 Isaiah 43:16-21
5th Sunday of Lent Psalm 126
“Something New”
(purple) Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Apr 14 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Palm Sunday Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke “Into Jerusalem”
(violet or red)
23:1-49
Apr 18 Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
Maundy Thursday Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
(white) 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Apr 19 Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Good Friday Psalm 22
(black) Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
April 21 Acts 5:27-32
Easter! Psalm 118:1-2, 14-29 “JOY!”
(white) 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 21:1-18
Bible Study takes place from 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m. at the home of Bev
and John Knox at 41 Washington Street. All are welcome to join for
thoughtful (sometimes lively!) discussions on the upcoming Sunday’s
lectionary readings, as seen in the calendar above.
LENTEN HAPPENINGS
Since we are now into the Lenten season,
here is a look at what is happening and
when:
❖ Sunday morning services are at 10 a.m. except for the special days of Holy
Week.
❖ Palm Sunday’s service (April 14) is at 10 a.m. It will be followed by our 3rd
Sunday potluck.
❖ Special days follow: Maundy Thursday (April 18), Good Friday (April 19) and
Easter (April 21).
❖ Maundy Thursday service will be an ecumenical one with the United
Methodist parish and in their church hall. It will begin with a simple soup
supper at 6:00 p.m. and be followed by a service at 7:00 p.m. focused on Jesus’
final sharing of bread and wine with his disciples.
❖ The church will be open on Good Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for people to
spend time in prayer and meditation.
❖ Easter morning sunrise service is at 7 a.m. in front of our church and is led by
Pastor Sherry and Pastor Rev. Donavee Copenhaver of the U.M.C. All are
invited for an Easter breakfast downstairs in Howe’s Hall following the early
morning service.
❖ Our traditional Easter service follows at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.
TIME TO ORDER YOUR EASTER LILIES -
NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 8TH
As we anticipate the rebirth of springtime and the celebration of
Easter Sunday, APRIL 21, we are planning to order lilies from the
florist to again grace our church sanctuary. Each plant will cost
$13.50. Please fill out the order form and enclose a check to the
United Church of Northfield with a notation on the payment that
it is for lilies and give it to BEVERLY KNOX or send it to her at 41
Washington Street, Northfield, Vermont, 05663.
3DONATIONS REQUESTED
EASTER EGGS for the Children's Ester Egg Hunt are needed. Please
consider donating a package of plastic Easter Eggs or recycling eggs you
may have at home and no longer have a use for. Please place donated
plastic eggs in the basket in the Sanctuary on or before April 14. Contact:
Laura Ranker, Christian Ed.
CHILDREN AND EASTER
Easter can be very hard to explain to little children—let alone that even we adults
sometimes struggle. Pretend you are trying to explain it to someone who knows nothing
about our faith, and it can sound pretty fantastical. And it is! It’s amazing, awesome, and
absolutely wonderful, and... it is the basis of our faith. Without talking about resurrection
directly, we can show children that death doesn’t triumph over life by talking about and
showing them things in nature. That is where God’s plan is so easily seen and
experienced. Beginning with the first Sunday in Lent, we create a Lenten garden with the
children. We plant bulbs (this year we planted tubers—and the children learned a new
word!). We bring in branches of forsythia and crabapple to force them into early
blossoming. The children add things they find on their walks or in their explorations
outdoors. Their time downstairs in Discovery Hour is spent with activities and discussion
based on the gospel reading for that day. They talked about Jesus’ wilderness experience
on the first Sunday of Lent in early March. On the second Sunday of Lent they talked
about Jesus being like a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her wings for protection.
The stories are taken from Luke as this is year C in the three-years cycle of readings that
we follow. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday—which the children love. They put
down palms ahead of the choir who will process in on that Sunday. This year, the service
will be followed by a potluck lunch.
With all that is going on in the world today, with the rhetoric our children probably
overhear too much of, we need to show them that the world is still a wonderful place; that
creation is God’s gift to us. When they see little buds swelling on apple branches and all
the other little signs of Spring, they know the world God created is good. Hopefully
learning about creation in this way will instill and inspire a desire to take care of God’s
creation. And in learning about Jesus’ teachings, his message and new commandment to
love one another and God, their feet will be set on a lifelong journey of living God’s
message out into the world to all people. Coming to church on Sunday mornings feeds
them in ways that will help them to grow up into being caring and loving adults.
We welcome your input and participation. We will especially value your ideas in
our planning of a Vacation Bible School this summer. Howe’s Hall will be under
renovation so we are looking at alternatives for having some form of a summer program.
Please share your thoughts with us!
For the children,
the Christian Ed. team: Laura, Carol, Judy, Pastor Sherry
4REPORTS OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEES and DEACONS
Deacon’s Meeting – March 3, 2019
At the Deacon’s meeting we prayed for Bettie Gray, who was hospitalized at that
time. An announcement for our Open and Affirming Status as a church had been written
by Eric Howard and sent to the Northfield News. Since Sherry was still having problems
with her thyroid medicine, Lauren had done the church service on February 24. A report
was given about the Mayo worship service on February 21, which was well attended. We
were pleased to have Joyce Williams join as a new Deacon. Beverly Knox agreed to fill
out Bettie’s term, and Laura Ranker volunteered to serve as the 6th deacon. Laura and
Sherry had done the annual church report for the United Church of Christ and updated
the membership list. An Ash Wednesday service was planned for March 6 at 6:30 at the
church, and a Lenten Garden is to be set up in the sanctuary. Deacon’s assignments were
set for the next month.
Respectfully,
Lauren and Judy Howard
Financial Status
During the months of January and February, the church was struggling to pay all of its
bills, waiting for the annual payment from the Halsted Fund. We had to cash in a
contingency CD for nearly $4,000 in January. During February we were able to pay all the
bills without taking a loan thanks to a terrific fund-raising Jazz concert provided by our
director of music, Daniel Bruce. Thankfully, the Halsted Fund endowment came through
in early March. Since then we have had a second fund-raiser run by Karen and Tom
Taylor, providing a wonderful Mardi Gras meal for the community. That event brought in
a profit of nearly $500. At the moment we have spent about a quarter of the budget, and
have received 36% of the anticipated income. Planning is currently being done to remove
and replace the floor in Howe’s Hall. Thanks to a very generous bequest by Arthur Sears,
we have money in hand to start that capital project in June. However, we need your help
providing your pledges and your energy to keep the fund-raisers going, in order to make
this a successful year at the United Church of Northfield. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely, Lauren D. Howard, Treasurer
It is not too late
Make your 2019 Pledge now
Supporting the United Church of Northfield
5Missions Committee
Members continue to assist with the 4th Thursday Community Dinners at the Methodist
Church. If you can help with meal preparation and/or set-up, please see Harriet Hirst,
who coordinates this effort for the United Church. Come and join us for a delicious meal
and fun conversation. Meet your neighbors!
Coffee House Time Again!!
We are putting together a lineup for our 4th Coffee House in Howe’s Hall that is
scheduled for the end of April - Saturday, April 27th. We have a number of folks already
confirmed and hoping more younger area talents can perform. We plan to dedicate this
coffee house to our former co-chair, Bettie Gray, whose celebration of life was recently
observed. She is sorely missed and our prayers go out to Bettie’s family.
Blessings,
Harriet
Mark your calendars
Saturday evening April 27, 2019
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
entertainment to benefit:
United Church of Northfield
58 South Main Street, Northfield, Vermont.
Live music, readings, and improve by professional and local talent.
Paula Gills
Donna Thunder and the Storm
Emma Cerutti
Jude Pittinger
Malayna Johnson
….and more
Coffee house atmosphere, snacks and beverage.
Coffee donated by our local Carrier Roasting Co.
Named Vermont’s #1 coffee for 2019
by Food & Wine Magazine!
All this for a $10 per person donation!
Interested in performing- poetry reading, comedy, magic, instrumental, juggling?
Contact Harriet at 802 485-3770 or Sherry at 802 279-7251
6Howe’s Hall Restoration Committee Update
The newly formed Howe’s Hall Restoration Committee met for the first time on March 11th and
is moving forward on Phase 1 work to be completed during the summer of 2019. This work
includes removing all of the wooden flooring that now covers the main meeting areas in the hall
as well as the kitchen and bathrooms. Once this is complete, preparation will be made for
backfilling the area with gravel, adding foam insulation and a vapor barrier. The final step will be
to apply plastic tubing for radiant heating on top of the foam and pouring concrete. This work
will solve the problem of not having a vapor barrier under the floor and more comfortable
during the colder months as well as more efficient. There are several tasks that the church
family will have to engage in in preparation for this work including packing up the kitchen and
storing it (this will be a good time to do some weeding out) as well store other equipment and
materials currently used in Howe’s Hall.
The committee will be working closely with those groups that currently use the hall during the
week and update them often the work timeline and progress. It is hoped that work can be
limited to the summer months when some of the groups are not meeting.
Currently, the committee is working on putting together the specific scope of work to be done
and preparing information to be made available to contractors interested in bidding on the
various jobs. A possible partnership is in the works with YouthBuild of Vermont. YouthBuild
students and staff may be able to tackle some, if not all, of the demolition needed as well as
some of the lighter construction. YouthBuild is a not for profit organization that works with
youth to provide both a high school diploma and work skills.
The committee has determined that deciding on a floorplan for Howe’s Hall that reflects the
need for greater flexibility in terms of space as well as updating and improving various aspects of
the current plan is their first task to complete. All church members should look for a
questionnaire that will be coming out in the next week that will provide an opportunity to
provide feedback, suggestions and ideas.
The Howe’s Hall Committee includes Teigh Southworth, Walter Plumley, Laura Ranker, Chris
Southworth, Debra Maloney Evans and Peter Evans. They are meeting regularly every other
week, on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. in the church office. The next meeting is Monday, April 8.
7Hospitality Calendar
If you can assist with this important church ministry and are willing to usher or greet on a given Sunday
morning please contact Mary McDaniel and she will gladly schedule you for a Sunday worship service.
Your help is greatly appreciated and needed. Thank you.
Greeters Ushers Deacon in charge
APRIL 2019
7 Lauren & Judy Howard John & Bev Knox
14 Joe & Mary McDaniel Harriet Hirst & Bonnie Gayle
21 Jerry Mulcahy & Joe McDaniel Lauren & Judy Howard
28 Joyce Williams & Mary McDaniel Marilyn Bruce & Mary McDaniel
MAY 2019
5 Walter & Luke Plumley Bonnie Gayle & Harriet Hirst
12 Joe & Mary McDaniel Mary McDaniel & Shea Martin
19 Joyce Williams & Harriet Hirst Bev & John Knox
26 Jerry Mulcahy & Shea Martin Lauren Howard & Jerry Mulcahy
Your help is needed - Please take a turn hosting a coffee hour. Signup sheet is in Howe’s Hall.
Deacon in charge will start coffee & tea water. Anyone, on any given Sunday, wishing to bring a
food item to share during the coffee hour is welcome to do so.
United Church of Northfield
Open and Affirming
The United Church of Northfield is an open and affirming congregation. We are
committed to making justice and inclusion a reality in our world. We embrace
and celebrate diversity and the dignity and worth of every individual. Whatever
your age, race, beliefs, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation,
gender identity and expression, marital status, or physical, cognitive or
emotional abilities; we value you and invite you to participate fully and without
reservation in the life, leadership and mission of our church as we seek to be an
expression of God's love in our community and the world.
8ORDER YOUR LILIES FOR EASTER NOW
Dear Members and Friends of the United Church of
Northfield,
As we anticipate the rebirth of springtime and the
celebration of Easter Sunday, APRIL 21, 2019, we are
planning to order lilies from the florist to again grace our
church sanctuary. Each plant will cost $13.50.
If you wish to participate in the purchase of one or
more lilies, please fill out the form below and enclose a
check written to the United Church of Northfield with a
notation on the payment that it is for lilies and give it to:
BEVERLY KNOX or send it to her at
41 Washington Street,
Northfield, Vermont, 05663
NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 8TH, 2019.
LILIES FOR EASTER
I/WE _________________________________________WISH TO HAVE (__________) LILY/LILIES
(print your name here)
IN MEMORY OF: __________________________________________________________________
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: ___________________________________________________________
IN CELEBRATION OF:_______________________________________________________________
Please check if you want to keep your lily/lilies or give it to someone in the nursing home
or is ill in our congregation.
I WISH TO KEEP THE LILY/LILIES_______________YES ________________NO
I WISH TO GIVE THE LILY/LILIES TO THE NURSING HOME _________YES __________NO
YOUR SIGNATURE:___________________________________________________________________
Thank you,
Beverly Knox
9United Church of Northfield
58 South Main Street
P.O. Box 188
Northfield, VT 05663
Pastor Sherry Baer
Church Phone: 485-4431
802-279-7251 (cell)
sherrybaer@mac.com
FORWARDING
ADDRESS REQUESTED
Northfield Food Shelf: Please place non-perishable food items in the grocery cart located in the
sanctuary of the church. Your support of this vital community program is greatly needed and appreciated.
Suggested welcomed non-perishable items are:
Peanut Butter Canned Fruit Soups
Jelly Canned Vegetables Dried fruits and nuts
Jams Boxed meals: Macaroni & Cereals-all varieties
Canned Meats -chicken, beef, Cheese, Hamburger Helper Canned Chili
ham, pork, turkey Pasta Dessert mixes and frostings
Canned Fish- tuna, sardines, Rice Diapers- all sizes
salmon Sauces Pet food-all varieties
If, at any time, you or someone you know needs food, please contact Wendy Rea at the Northfield
Savings Bank, (802) 485-5202, and she will arrange for someone to meet you at the Food Shelf.
Volunteers are really needed at the Food Shelf. If you can help, please speak with Wendy Rea.
CERV Food Shelf Hours: Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Monday 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Thursday
9:00 -10:00 a.m. The Food Shelf is located at 31 Dog River Drive, next to the Rescue Squad/Ambulance
building and Town Recycle Center.
CERV Clothing Shelf: Open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Contact: Mary at 485-8912. The clothing
shelf is now located at the basement of the Town Office Building, 51 South Main Street.
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