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Church News
Palm Sunday The Sunday of the Passion March 28, Maundy Thursday April 1, Easter Sunday April 4
Update On By-laws Revision
Lectionary
Adult Forum - Ministers' Colloquy
FCC Book Club
The Ladies Lunch Bunch
Breakfast With The Guys
Fellowship Supper
Library Notes
Hendersonville Chamber Music
Palm Sunday The Sunday of the Passion March 28, Maundy Thursday April 1, Easter Sunday April 4
 Holy Week this year will begin as usual with palms and special music. Rather than having a sermon about Christ’s jubilant entrance into Jerusalem, we shall instead recall the Passion of our Lord—the events that took place between his entrance into Jerusalem and his resurrection. Those congregations that emphasize the joy of his entrance into Jerusalem one Sunday and the joy of his resurrection the next Sunday miss the Passion completely but for Maundy Thursday services. On Maundy Thursday, April 1, we will celebrate Holy Communion and the office of Tenebrae, re-enacting the flight of the disciples.
Two special offerings are received at this time of the year: One Great Hour of Sharing on Palm Sunday and the Nazareth Children’s Home on Maundy Thursday.
The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering, administered by Wider Church Ministries, is the refugee, relief and development fund of the United Church of Christ. It provides support to people in more than 80 countries.
Nazareth Children’s Home was founded by the Reformed Church in North Carolina (incorporated on October 30, 1903) for the purpose of providing orphaned children with a Christian home. It continued under the aegis of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ once the UCC came into being. In the mid-1990s the Board of Directors of Nazareth Home began to elect their own board members and the key staff person became known as President and CEO rather than superintendent. This brought about a shift in how the program at Nazareth would be financed, although they would continue to look to the church for contributions to provide quality services to children in need. Today the home has 42 children living on campus and 28 children in foster homes. It has a growing campus on more than 300 acres of land, located in Rockwell, NC, in Rowan County. Look them up on the web for more history, news, photos, etc.
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Update On By-laws Revision
As reported to you at the annual meeting, a by-laws revision committee has been meeting for a year for the purpose of updating existing by-laws to meet the present needs of the church. As you are probably aware, some 70-75 people are required to staff our various committees and boards. This really stretches our efforts in certain areas.
The purpose of the revision is to:
1. Improve the efficiency of the organization
2. Improve communication between activities
3. Allow our members to choose the areas where they can contribute the most
The committee has made several suggested revisions to the existing by-laws. The major changes that will be seen by the congregation are the name changes of the administrative boards to ministries and how members get on specific ministries or committees. Specifically, members would sign up for those ministries or committees of their choice rather than being asked by a nominating committee to serve on a particular one. Other changes are more subtle.
These changes would essentially:
1. Combine the boards into five ministries: Ministry of Worship, Ministry to Strangers, Ministry to Members, Ministry of Physical Resources, and Ministry of Financial Resources
2. Reduce the positions that would be nominated to the Moderator, Assistant Moderator, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Clerk
3. Eliminate the constraint on the length of time that a member can serve on a particular ministry
4. Allow members to “follow their passion” and sign up for the ministry or ministries to which they feel called.
At the conclusion of the By-law Task Force Committee’s work, a consultant group of members was asked to review the effort and to make comments or suggested changes. Dr. Sterner, our retreat facilitator, was also asked to review the document, and he commented that we are on the right track.
This model set of by-laws format is not new, other churches have used it. Hopefully it will fulfill the mission at First Congregational Church for which it is intended. Congregational input and questions will be welcomed as the revised document is presented.
Ray Shaw (convener), Howard Carl, Nell Kilpatrick, Carl Schoendorfer, and Richard Weidler
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Lectionary
3rd Sunday in Lent, March 7
Suggested Theme: “Open Invitation”
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
4th Sunday in Lent, March 14
Suggested Theme: “Embracing Love”
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
5th Sunday in Lent, March 21
Suggested Theme: “Something New”
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 34b-14
John 12:1-8
6th Sunday in Lent, March 28
Palm/Passion Sunday
Liturgy of the Passion:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14-23:56
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Adult Forum - Ministers' Colloquy
On most Sundays we meet at 9:30, an hour before the service, to discuss a variety of topics ranging from theology to social issues. This is not your typical “Sunday School” as many of the subjects are controversial – there can be no discussion where there is no controversy. Everyone’s opinion is welcome. Please come and join us.
March 7 Islam Lecture #2 (DVD) "The Five Pillars of Islam,” by John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, will be followed by a lively discussion moderated by Janet Weidler. This lecture is presented in preparation for Janet’s three-part series “Christians and Muslims: Beyond Extremism” scheduled now for May 16, 23, and 30.
March 14 and 21 "Taking the book of Revelation back from the fundamentalists" with David Kelly
March 28 (Palm Sunday) "The Meaning of Resurrection" with Janet Weidler and the “Saving Jesus” video series
April 4 EASTER No Forum
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FCC Book Club
 The FCC Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 18 at 2 PM in the Library. Howard Carl will lead a discussion of "The Shipping News: A Novel" by Annie Proulx. Newcomers are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Marj Sturges 891-6438.
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The Ladies Lunch Bunch
The ladies of the church meet monthly for lunch and socializing. This month they will meet at Honey Baked Ham Restaurant on Monday, March 8th, at 11:30 am. All church women are invited. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the reception area.
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Breakfast With The Guys
Men of the church meet at Dixie Diner each month for breakfast and conversation. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 10th, at 8:30 am. Sign up on the bulletin board in the reception area.
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Fellowship Supper
 The monthly meeting of the Fellowship Supper Group will be on March 15th at 6:00 pm in the Felix Building. At this meeting Lia Collman of Health Moves will discuss the NIA Technique. The NIA Technique is a movement technique blending tai-chi, tae-kwon-do, jazz, modern dance, yoga and aikido. It is designed for ALL ages and ALL abilities it is non-impact yet cardiovascular. The result is graceful, fluid movement that is easy on the joints and skeletal system, wonderful for balance and fall prevention, and great for stress management combined with powerful, energetic motion that strengthens and tones the entire body. NIA is recommended for those with neck or back pain, arthritis or joint discomfort.
Lia Collman, Blue Belt NIA Instructor, began taking NIA classes in 1996 as a safe way to exercise with lower back pain. Over the last fourteen years she has experienced tremendous healing in her spine and other areas as well. Lia will be sharing information on NIA including a short demonstration at the March 15th Fellowship Supper Group. Please join us for food, fellowship and a delightful evening.
Please bring a covered dish for eight and cups, plates and silverware for yourselves. To be sure that sufficient tables are set up please sign up on the first or second Sunday before the meeting or call the church office.
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Library Notes
 New additions to the church library since January 1 are displayed on the shelf under the window. Recent purchases include two books and one DVD. The library now has two copies of Spong’s newest book, Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell. It has been a much-requested book from the congregation and will be the topic of his June lectures. A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne was recommended by Sally Cook of IAM for our church in its work with Faith Link. A DVD, “Different Books, Common Word: Baptists and Muslims,” was added to the library. This will be used in upcoming Adult Forum sessions led by Janet Weidler.
The Bible Jesus Read by Phillip Yancey was donated by Mark and Erica Fagerlin. This book discusses the relevance of the Old Testament for modern readers.
Remember that the organization of the library has changed somewhat since an additional shelf was added. The writings and other media of the presenters of the Ashley Lecture Series are now displayed on the shelves. CD recordings of all the lectures are available for checkout, as well. In addition Open and Affirming-related publications are located there.
Marjorie Pence
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Hendersonville Chamber Music
2010 Season of widely varied programs will be at First Congregational this year, beginning March 7 at 3:00 pm with Lomazov/Rackers Duo Pianos. Considered one of a handful of world class piano duos, this couple first came to international attention as Prize Winners of the Sixth Biennial Ellis Duo Piano Competition. They have performed as recitalists and in concert with orchestras throughout the UC and Europe with performances critics have describes as “amazing!”
The second concert in the series of five will be on March 28. Discover how totally delightful this unusual combination of instrumentalists and voice can be as Eric Koontz, viola; Douglas Miller, clarinet; Bair Shagdaron, piano and contralto Mary Gayle Greene (consummate musicians and faculty members of Appalachian State University) present an afternoon of both classical and modern works.
April 18, May 2, and May 23 will offer Giannini Brass, Pastyme, and Opal String Quartet finishing the series.
Tickets are available at the Hendersonville Visitor’s Center and at Opportunity House. For more information call 890-4411 or 696-2118 or visit the website.
We are pleased that this fine organization has chosen our church as the venue for their series.
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