Your Pastor’s Epistle

Dear Church Family,

It is hard for me to remember a more exciting and satisfying Easter Season. Holy Week was most rewarding from Peyton’s Palm Sunday celebration, through the Living Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, to the wonderful Easter Sunday celebration. Special thanks go out our custodian, Scott Chatterton, who plays a superb Jesus, and to all the disciples. Cindy Anderson and Lucinda Brandt put the Maundy Thursday event together. It was a great Easter!

Another reason for Thanksgiving is that your generosity is bearing fruit. While last year was a difficult time, this year we end the first quarter with a modest surplus [under $15K]. Although our Building Fund Campaign [the Legacy of Love Campaign] officially ends in April, it would be greatly appreciated if those of you who are giving to the building fund would continue to do so. If you have not made a contribution to the Building Fund, prayerfully consider doing your part in meeting our church obligations. We still owe around $2.3 million on our mortgage. Any contribution you make will be greatly appreciated. Most of all we thank God that sufficient resources have been provided to carry on the mission and work of CPC. Upcoming opportunities include the annual Church Retreat at Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center. The time is Memorial Day weekend, May 22, 23, and 24. Get a month of Sundays worth of fellowship in one weekend. We have a great children’s program and wonderful worship and family time.

Before you know it, summer will be here and that means Summer Camp at Montgomery Camp and Conference Center. Some of my best memories as a youth have to do with summer camp. The week of June 14-19 there are three camps going on simultaneously! Explorers (entering grades 2&3), Discovery Camp (entering grades 3-6) and Challenge Camp (entering grades 7-9). Robert is going to be the Campus Pastor for the Challenge Camp. There are dates throughout the summer when camping experiences are available. Pick up a camp brochure. Remember, I would love to send more kids to camp than any other church. We have a great camp which offers a great experience for our youth, and we need to support it. What a blessing to be a part of this family of faith.

In the Lord’s Service,
Gabe

DAISY’S DIARY

When I was in Bonaire, a little island in the Caribbean Sea snorkeling with my daughter and family, we went visiting the national park in a little truck that had no air-conditioning. With all the windows down we caught the continual breeze which is a part of the island . Wild donkeys roam freely in the park. Although wild they seem to like tourists. We stopped to watch a tourist feed an ice cream cone to several donkeys just at the entrance of the park. Still in the car I was able to scratch the ears of one and talk to it. Taking a liking to me the donkey turned to stick its head in the window and give me a good lick with his slobbering-ice-cream-filled tongue. Fearing such, I ducked and tried to roll up the window. I got some, the window got some, but my son-in law in the driver’s seat got the most of the liquid. Being “kissed’ by a donkey is a fearful thing! I could see the big teeth. You should have seen the window glass! Of course we have laughed greatly as we remember. I am thinking that so many of our daily fears can be laughed at like a donkey’s kiss. Anxiety at some level goes with us as human beings. We spend time thinking we are David facing Goliath. What fears are so big in your life? Read Philippians 4:4-9 and rejoice God is with us.

Blessings,
Daisy

PEYTON'S PONDERINGS

May 3rd. I haven't issued a call for volunteers for the several tasks involved for awhile. We can always use individuals, couples or families to spend one night at the church during the week. We arrive at 6 pm, eat a meal, spend the evening there, (beds provided), and rouse everybody up early the next day.

We also like to rotate the folk who prepare the suppers each night during the week. Are you a good cook? Can you do it for a dozen people? Ah, just the one I was looking for. Please call and let me know when you'd like to cook. Do you do a mean lobster thermador? A really great prime rib? Please let me know as far ahead of time as possible so I can reserve that night to be one in which I am the volunteer host! Special this week will be great, extra large, "MY MINISTER LOVES ME TO SLEEP IN CHURCH" family promise T-shirts. Only $10!

BIRDIES FOR CHARITY: Would you like to win a roundtrip ticket, all expenses paid trip to the President's Cup tournament in San Francisco, two day golf school at the tour Academy at TPC Sawgrass, and other great prizes! All you have to do is pledge a minimum amount per birdie, $25 minimum at the Players Championship here this Spring. The TPC is passing all the money pledged to Family Promise right on to keep our organization running. Here is a great 'insider' tip. (Now if you win using my clue, you've got to take me with you, (just kidding): In 2008 there were 1241 birdies. In 2007 there were 1370 birdies. In 2006 there were 1385 birdies. Clue: Birdies have decreased an average of 57 each of the last 3 years so you could go with 1184. Or you could take the average of 1332. Now, multiply one of these numbers by the number of persons in the trinity, subtract the number of the disciples who did not betray Jesus, add the number of Miss Daisy's birthdays, (if you can get her to tell), divide by your average church attendance each month and you'll have a 50% chance of winning at lease 2nd place, (It is this kind of higher math skill that makes me such a devastating blackjack player).

I'd like to see you this Sunday,
Peyton

School News

This school year closes the door on sixty years of continuous ministry to the Beaches community through your school, and begins the next decade. As we reflect on the meaningful legacy the church and school founders, early families and each year’s community have passed to the next group, we see the development of a place of excellence where children, families and staff grow and learn together. Our community, environment, culture, and the faces of the family change, but our mission is constant:

“To lead children through their beginning education experiences in an environment of Christian love and devotion to Christ and His commandments…”

Each time the children participate in Sanctuary Time with Pastor Gabe he ends with the song, “Sanctuary.” The chorus says,

“Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy, tried and true.
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary for You."

As God guides and equips us, the significant adults in the lives of children, through our shared ministry and in cooperation with families we lay significant foundations on which children can build their spiritual, physical, cognitive, social and emotional present and future. The privilege to be their help and guide is an awesome responsibility. Kindergarten came back to Community Presbyterian Preschool ten years ago with this year’s class, another significant milestone! We will celebrate their accomplishments on May 28. The three- and four-year-old classes will have special year end activities that same week to mark a significant passage in the lives of these youngsters. Over 130 families have been touched this year through the school. We give God glory for all that has been achieved individually and corporately this year and also express heartfelt appreciation to the many people who have contributed their efforts to make Community Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten outstanding in many ways. No one of us could accomplish such things, but together we can do a great work! Have a wonderful summer.

We’ll see you in the fall.
Barbara