Palm / Passion Sunday, April 1st
11:00 am /Palm (Passion) Sunday Service
- includes Palm Procession led by all children;
Excerpts from our original Good Friday play “To the Ends of the Earth” will be performed at this service.
12:15 pm / Youth Group Meeting in balcony Easter Egg plans – pizza lunch.

Holy Wednesday, April 4th
6:30 pm / Passover Remembrance Dinner for adults, teens & children.
Please sign up at worship, or register with office, by 4/1 so we can plan the food.

THE THREE DAYS

Maundy Thursday, April 5th 10:30 am / Worship Service with Holy Communion.
7:30 pm / Service remembering the Institution of the Lord’s Supper with Holy Communion. (Includes stripping of the altar)

Good Friday, April 6th
4:00 – 6:00 pm / Passion Play Rehearsal - Full Cast
6:00 – 7:00 pm / Cast Dinner
7:30 pm To the Ends of the Earth
a moving dramatization featuring original music, liturgical dance
and mixed choir – for adults, teens & children. (Child care provided.)

Saturday, April 7th
Passion Play CLEAN UP : Many hands make light work…
Put away props, costumes, reset pulpit, reset lights & sound

Easter Sunday, April 8th - The Resurrection of Our Lord
9:00 - 10:30 am / Easter Breakfast for all - cooked by the men of the Congregation.
10:15 am / Grades 4, 5 & 6 meet to hide Easter Eggs.
10:30 am / Easter Egg Hunt for children in Nursery through 3rd Grade.
11:00 am / Worship Service – includes flower procession by all children.
Holy Baptism and reception of New Members

The days of Lent still are with us as I write, yet I am called in this moment to look ahead to the joy of Easter morning. On that day, we will shout Alleluia, and proclaim “Christ is risen!”

Even as a dreary rain falls outside, and my to-do list for today stretches into next week, I am warmed by the Easter Sunday lectionary open before me… God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth…be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating (Isaiah 65).” The psalmist sings good news for any place or time: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118).” And the women who come to the tomb with spices for a corpse are instead asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. (Luke 24).”

No matter who we are, no matter where or what our circumstance, we need to remember that we are, at our core, Easter people. We live in the light of news so wonderful, of grace so amazing, yet we can forget to rejoice forever, we can fail to sing out in praise of this day that God has made for us, we can look for God in a dusty tomb and fail to appreciate the presence of a living savior, walking with us through all our trials and triumphs.

What is God working to create anew in you this day? In this congregation? In the community around us? Rejoice, this day and every day, that you have been granted grace and time and opportunity to consider that question. Pray, for guidance, as if it all depends on God. Then work as if it all depends on you.

- Pastor Parsons

Jant Blair receives call

Rev. Janet Blair, long time member of this congregation, has received a call to Zion Lutheran Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. We are sad to “lose” Janet to our neighbor Synod, and delighted that she has realized her dream of becoming a parish pastor. Congratulations, Janet!

Synod Assembly

The annual Synod Assembly of the Metropolitan New York Synod will be held May 18-19 at St. Peter’s, Huntington Station. There may be consideration of a very important resolution asking the national church to reconsider its policies on ordination of gay and lesbian persons. If you would like to serve as a lay delegate from this congregation, please contact JimVizzini or Pr. Parsons

Help support Madagascar Missionaries

The Sunday School is selling hand-crafted Easter cards to raise money for our Missionary Covenant to support the Hinderlie family, ELCA missionaries in Madagascar. A Spring fair / “stoop sale” is planned for May. Look here for details next month.

Stewardship Report for March

Through March 18 (3 Sundays)
Average attendance: 90 Offering: $2580

Memorial Gifts have been received in loving memory of:

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Baer, Mr. & Mrs. Frederic Baer,
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Baer, Henry Krooss, Grace Schwoyer,
Mr. & Mrs. George Spach, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Spach, and
Pastor C. Anthony Harvey
by Margery Baer

Carolyn Marsin and Wilfred Marsin
by Carol Obser

Florence, William & Billy Green
deceased members of Gegenheimer Family
Florence Green, d 4/28
Emma Louise Gegenheimer, d 4/29
by Barbara & Jim Ruggiero

Easter
by Eleanor Reichert

Inge Byrnes 4/2
Ned Vizzini 4/4
Neil Bahadur 4/7
Linda Lener 4/8
Kristen Mensing 4/10
Jasmine Melzer 4/12
Kaija Groom 4/13
Valmekie Basil 4/15
Niaina Razafindramaro 4/15
Eleanor Smith 4/15
Roger Melzer 4/17
Andrew Bahnsen 4/19
Natasha Radtke 4/20
Carolyn Young 4/20
Kristina Byrnes 4/22
Laura Renfro 4/22
Siiri Rikala 4/22

If your name, or that of someone you know, is not included in the Birthdays or
Memorials, please contact the church office so that we may correct the omission.

Sunday, April 1st
Assisting Minister - Gene Hiigel; Communion Assistant - Marie Towle; Lector - Jennifer Medina; Acolytes: Amy Somers Enrione, Steven Bholanauth, TBA Coffee Hour: Lennihan Family and Brit Geiger & Mary Sue Lindley

Easter Sunday, April 8th
Assisting Minister - Jim Vizzini; Communion Assistant - Valmekie Basil; Lector - Naomi Lancia; Acolytes: Stacy Locke, Nicholas Fasano, Rhondy Bholanauth Coffee Hour: Men’s Breakfast

Sunday, April 15th
Assisting Minister - Brit Geiger; Communion Assistant - Suzanne Bagley; Lector - Karin Genis; Acolytes: Nils Axen, Peter Giddings, Siiri Rikala Coffee Hour: Donald & Eleanor Smith

Sunday, April 22nd
Assisting Minister - Berthe Razafindramaro; Communion Assistant - Pat Luback; Lector - Emma Vizzini; Acolytes: Stacy Locke, Rhondy Bholanauth, TBA Coffee Hour: Carol Hawk & Jessica Liese

Sunday, April 29th
Assisting Minister - David Dumais Communion Assistant - Edmond Rakotonjanahary; Lector - Evelyn Larson Acolytes: Katherine Dumais, Matthew Croak, Juliet Medina Coffee Hour: Kathleen Ruen & E.J. McAdams

APRIL 1st: Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:1-23:56

APRIL 8th: Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Acts 10:34-43, Luke 24:1-12

APRIL 15th: Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

APRIL 22nd: Acts 9:1-6, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-9

APRIL 29th: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

Last year, during Lent, our Sundays focused on the theme of financial stewardship. We have seen a very strong growth in our offerings over the past 12 months.

For the four Sundays in March this year, we will continue the emphasis on Mission that we began in the Sundays after Epiphany. Many of you have remarked how energizing that series was for you (Thanks to Emma Vizzini for the concept). While I hope we can build on that feeling, at the same time I do not want to give short shrift to our financial stewardship.

The clear message, affirmed in faith communities over and over again, is that both returning to God from the abundance we have received, and serving God’s church with the time and gifts that we have from our Creator, are essential components in building mature faith. Building faith is the reason we teach and preach about stewardship. Christians need to give generously, to give back generously to God, in thanksgiving for that which we have received.

Please be assured that you are being asked to make a commitment of both finances and time to St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel because such faithful promises are fundamental to a life of faith. Your life of faith. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

Below this letter there is a reproduction of the Faith Promise Card that will afford you an opportunity to define for yourself and for this congregation what commitment of time and of money you will pledge to support the mission and ministries of St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel. We will also distribute these forms during worship, and we will receive them on Sunday, March 25th, “Mission Sunday.”

When you contemplate how you will commit your resources, your talents, and your time to ministry in this place, remember that however much you give, God has promised that it will be returned to you in full measure. When you fill out your “Faith Promise” form, resist the temptation to “trade” with yourself, to see a commitment of money negating the need to be physically engaged by active service, or vice versa. It is strongly recommended that you pledge as a percentage of your regular income. In the same manner, analyze your available time and pledge a percentage of it in service to the church.

There are so many signs of the Spirit at work among us - new members, baptisms, weddings, a Green Team forming, our Missionary Covenant. This Lent, prayerfully consider how God is calling you to serve in this community. Come, let us journey together.

Pastor Parsons

* * * * *

Faith Promise

Mission Sunday, March 25th, 2007

By faith, with God’s help, I will …

+ Pray regularly for St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel Lutheran Church.
+ Attend worship services regularly.
+ Serve as God calls me to minister in and through this church in the coming year (June 2007 - May 2008)

______ hours weekly x 52 = _____ hours

______ hours monthly x 12 = _____ hours

______ hours annually

+ Give from my resources to support God’s work at St. John-St. Matthew- Emanuel in the coming year (June 2007- May 2008)

$ _____ weekly x 52 = $ _____

$ _____ monthly x 12 = $ _____

$ _____ annually

I understand that this is a “Faith Promise;” I am not bound to these numbers. With God’s help I will strive to meet these goals and support the ministries of my congregation.

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City/State/Zip: _____________________________________

Phone / email (optional)______________________________

Please bring this form with you on Sunday, March 25th or mail it to the church office @ 283 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn 11215

Much of the news of the parish is a continuation of events listed in last month’s LINK. Sunday, February 25th, Bishop Stephen Bouman of our Metropolitan New York Synod preached a wonderful sermon to nearly 140 members and visitors. Chris Bubolz on trumpet and music director Mary Fasano played splendidly, and the choir offered a special anthem. We were joined by representatives of Lutheran HealthCare, including Wendy Z. Goldstein, President and CEO, who presented a plaque in memory of Caroline Erskine, a late member of this congregation. A special coffee hour, compliments of Lutheran HealthCare, followed worship, with virtually the entire worshipping community moving downstairs to the Social Hall. A special treat was a visit from Ted and Elaine Germansen, former members of this congregation, who knew Caroline Erskine well. They especially enjoyed a reunion with Bunky Giddings - the Germansens were Bunky’s Youth Group leaders - and brought along some documents for the archives.

Pastor emeritus Richard Miller’s first Sunday morning Adult/Older Youth class session on “Disciples and Discipleship” was very well attended. The classes continue through March 25th, meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Hall. Plan to attend as many sessions as possible.

Berthe Razafindramaro made a presentation during the Sunday School opening on February 25th. As a native of Madagascar, Berthe helped to introduce the students to the ministry of our Missionary Covenant family, the Hinderlies. The numerous hand-crafted objects brought to life the beauty and culture of Madagascar. As reported last month, the Sunday School has taken the lead in our commitment to raise at least $1,000 to help support Rev. Andrew Hinderlie, Barbara Hinderlie, and their children in Madagascar.

PASSION SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK AT
ST. JOHN-ST. MATTHEW-EMANUEL

Palm / Passion Sunday, April 1st
11:00 am /Palm (Passion) Sunday Service
- includes Palm Procession led by all children;
excerpts from our original Good Friday play.

Living in the Shadow (of the Cross) will be performed at this service.
12:15 pm / Youth Group Meeting in kitchen
– Dye Easter eggs and have pizza lunch.
All parents please donate hard-boiled eggs.

Holy Wednesday, April 4th
6:30 pm / Passover Remembrance Dinner for adults, teens & children.
Please sign up at worship, or register with office, by 4/1 so we can plan the food.

THE THREE DAYS

Maundy Thursday, April 5th
10:30 am / Worship Service with Holy Communion.
7:30 pm / Service remembering the Institution of the Lord’s Supper
with Holy Communion. (Includes stripping of the altar)

Good Friday, April 6th
4:00 – 6:00 pm / Passion Play Rehearsal - Full Cast
6:00 – 7:00 pm / Cast Dinner
7:30 pm Living in the Shadow (of the Cross)
a moving dramatization featuring original music, liturgical dance
and mixed choir – for adults, teens & children. (Child care provided.)

Saturday, April 7th
Passion Play CLEAN UP : Many hands make light work…
Put away props, costumes, reset pulpit, reset lights & sound

Easter Sunday, April 8th - The Resurrection of Our Lord
9:00 - 10:30 am / Easter Breakfast for all
- cooked by the men of the Congregation.
10:15 am / Grades 4, 5 & 6 meet to hide Easter Eggs.
10:30 am / Easter Egg Hunt for children in Nursery through 3rd Grade.
11:00 am / Worship Service – includes flower procession by all children.
Holy Baptism and reception of New Members

Sunday attendance in February averaged 94
Sunday offerings averaged $2594

On Easter Sunday during worship we will receive new members by baptism and by transfer. For more information, please contact Pr. Parsons.

Memorial Gifts have been received in loving memory of:

Paul B. Smith, d 3/21 from Ruth Gerlitz

Robert Baer, b 3/27 from Margery Baer

William Green, b 3/25 from Barbara & Jim Ruggiero

Christine Axen 3/4
Erin Flynn 3/6
Parker Koltchak 3/6
Stephen Ramkelawan 3/6
Jacob Colgan 3/8
John Dixon 3/9
Barbara Gruenburg 3/9
Jennifer Medina 3/10
Nanciann Piekarski 3/10
Angie Ferraro 3/12
Stacy Locke 3/13
Eleanora Vizzini 3/20
Kenneth Axen 3/22
Patrick Byrnes 3/25
David Parsons 3/25
Julia Melzer 3/28
Dana Gruenburg 3/29

If your name, or that of someone you know, is not included in the Birthdays or Memorials, please contact the church office so that we may correct the omission.