Newsweekly for Sunday, April 21, 2019 – Easter Sunday

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Worship this Sunday, April 21, 2019

Easter Sunday

Worship Leader: Sue Swartz                                                                    

Song Leader: Jeremy Nafziger

Scripture Readers: Jill Yoder, Nathan Zook Barge

Children’s Time: Dayna Olson-Getty

Preacher: Jennifer Davis Sensenig

Pastoral Prayer: Dayna Olson-Getty

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12; Acts 10:34-43

Bulletin:  042119-Bulletin.docx

 

 

Upcoming CMC Events

Fri, Apr 19                            Good Friday Service, 7 pm, Sanctuary

Sun, Apr 21                          Easter Breads, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Worship at 10 am, no Sunday School or Adult Ed

Contemplative Worship Service, 8 pm, Sanctuary

Wed, Apr 24                       Kids’ Club, 6 pm, Basement

Fri, Apr 26                            CMC Seniors, 7 pm, Fellowship Hall

 

 

CMC Events and Announcements

Easter Breads. Come celebrate Easter with fellowship and food Sunday morning, the coffee will be ready by 8:30 am. Bring breakfast items, sweet rolls, breads, egg casseroles, fruit, etc. to share. We'll provide juice and milk as well.  We'll begin clean up around 9:30 so everyone can participate in worship. Please help out with cleaning up tables and chairs and washing dishes. –Jenifer Ulrich and Hospitality Committee

Nursery on Easter Sunday. The CMC Nursery will not be staffed on Easter Sunday but will be open and available for parents with children.

Easter Vigil. Each year Community Mennonite Church collaborates with Park View Mennonite Church to sponsor an Easter Vigil–a rich service that begins at an outdoor fire, includes scriptures of our sacred history, offers an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and leads to a joyful transformation of the visual environment in celebration of resurrection.  The vigil begins at 10 pm on Sat, April 20 at Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Avenue, Harrisonburg. All are welcome to attend!

New CMC Church Administrator.  CMC is grateful for Joyce Peachey Lind and her excellent service as our church administrator.  The Personnel Committee has selected Ben Bailey as the new church administrator; he starts work on April 25. We reviewed many resumes and interviewed several highly qualified candidates.  With multiple internal candidates well-suited for the position, we also solicited the perspective of an experienced person outside of CMC, who reviewed resumes with the names removed.  Thanks to the congregation for supporting this shared ministry of CMC through generous giving, tapping shoulders, and applying for this position.  We're blessed to have Ben joining our staff team in this 3/4 time role.  –Personnel Committee:  Jeremy Nafziger (chair), Aili Huber, Larry Miller, Jennifer Davis Sensenig

You are welcome to join the Contemplative Worship Service weekly on Sundays at 8 pm at CMC. This service is an invitation to deepening our everyday connection to God, ourselves and the community through healing, action and contemplation for the sake of the world. The service will be a time for contemplative silence, embodied practice, and a space that welcomes and affirms everyone. Please note children are welcome, however there will be no childcare provided during the service. Contact Adam Yoder (yodera@yahoo.com) on behalf of the Contemplative Service Discernment Group for additional information.

Mennonite Higher Education Fund. Thank you for your contributions to the Mennonite Higher Education Fund during our 5th Sunday offering on March 31. To date we have received $3,853. Please consider donating to this fund to help us reach our goal of $10,000.

CMC Seniors. The CMC seniors group is meeting on Friday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.  Wayne and Kathy Hochstedler and Duane and Joan Kauffman will share their SOOP experiences they had in 2018. Wayne and Kathy were working in N.M. with the Navajo Nation.  Duane and Joan were engaged in Festival Sales out of Petitcodiac, New Brunswick.  Bring finger foods to share.  Coffee and hot tea will be available. –Joan Kauffman

Pastor Jennifer is leading Bible Study at Park View Mennonite Church. Everyone welcome!  Tuesdays (beginning April 23) from 7-8:15am the men's Bible study at Park View is inviting women.  Enjoy an early morning, breakfast, scripture and table conversation.  This 5-week series is called Women Who Made (Biblical) History II and we'll study anointing women of the Gospels, the Woman clothed with the sun (Revelation), Huldah, Tamar, and a few others.

Pastoral Gifts?  Do you know someone who is spiritually sensitive and demonstrates good discernment in their lives?  Do you know CMCers who care about the life of our congregation and have leadership gifts?  Gifts discernment is receiving names of members who might serve on Pastoral Team beginning in 2020.  Our continuing pastoral elders are Veva Mumaw and Matthew Hunsberger, so please consider CMCer's who might serve well in a 3-year term on our team of pastors and pastoral elders. A job description for the pastoral elder can be found on the CMC website. Please share names with Brendon Derstine, chair of gifts discernment committee.  brendon.derstine@gmail.com

An update and prayer letter from David and Sophie Lapp Jost has been posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.  David and Sophie appreciate prayers and support from CMCers as they serve with Mennonite Mission Network at Nazareth Village and Nazareth Hospital.   Their email address is lappjost@gmail.com.  If you'd like to receive the Lapp Jost prayer letters and updates, they will be happy to send them to you.  For more information about the ministries of Nazareth Village & Hospital visit:  www.nazarethtrust.org  –Keaton and Betty Shenk

New or Gently Used Children’s Books Wanted for Kids’ Club. Most Wednesday evenings children who attend Kids’ Club are given the chance to choose a book to take home to keep. If you have new or gently used quality children’s books that need a new home, please consider donating them to the CMC Kids’ Club. Books may be dropped off at the church office or contact Hannah Hall at hannahdmhall@gmail.com.

Meals for Kids’ Club. Thank you so much to all of the small groups who have brought food to Kids’ Club so far! We are in need of more simple Wednesday meals for the spring if it works for your small group or family. Generally we have 10-15 kids a week (sometimes more). Please email Hannah Hall, hannahdmhall@gmail.com if there’s a Wednesday that works for you!

The Valley Playhouse will be presenting The Diary of Anne Frank — a retelling of the story of a Jewish girl who goes into hiding with her family in WWII to escape the Nazis — at Court Square Theater. JP Gulla is directing, and the cast includes several members of our congregation: Robin Vogel, and Jonathan and Jennifer Murch. Showtimes are Thursdays – Saturdays, May 2-4, and May 9-11 at 7:30 pm, and Sundays, May 5 and 12, at 3:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

PREPARING FOR THE EASTER FEAST – A new photo collage on the "CMC Today" bulletin board at the south end of the fellowship hall is featuring worship services and other activities from March to early April on the Lenten series theme, "Blessed Hunger, Holy Feast." To the right, you'll find a Lenten reflection from the 3/26/2019 Daily News-Record, a "Bishop's Mantle" column, "Resurrecting Easter Memories With a Passion" from the 3/3/2010 Daily News- Record and a 'congregational report' for Jan.-Feb. 2019 from the 3/18/19 MWR. Stop and savor!    Jim Bishop

A PASSION FOR EASTER –  Then, do an about face and cast ye corporate gaze eastward to the "CMC Yesterday" bulletin board on the east wall of the fellowship hall. There you'll find a double photo collage fraught with Lent-to Easter images from the Easter season 2016 worship series, "Turning Toward Grace."  Check 'em out!     Jim Bishop

Greening CMC : Educating ourselves.  The proposed Green New Deal has generated plenty of discussion, much of it centering around whether its broad approach is too ambitious, or is a needed combination of ideas.  For good analyses on both sides, read the case for the Green New Deal as the only way to move forward in the current situation, and the alternative case for scaling it back to focus only on climate.

 

 

Announcements from Virginia Mennonite Conference, Harrisonburg area and beyond

The Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership will host the 12th annual 5K Walk/Run for Autism on Saturday morning, Apr. 20, at Eastern Mennonite University. This event is being sponsored by community organizations around the Shenandoah Valley to help support the ever-growing number of families affected by autism. The event has chip timing and has drawn more than 1,000 participants in the past. All funds raised are used locally. CMC's Jim Bishop will again emcee and deejay. Would love to have more CMC people participate! Register on line to walk or run at:

https://valleyautism.wordpress.com/

Stand in solidarity with persons experiencing homelessness at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 23, starting at 7:00 PM.  Help stop the further criminalization of homelessness and poverty in Harrisonburg. There will be a public hearing on proposed ordinance  Section 16-6-61  "Restriction of pedestrians within public rights of way at designated locations" which is essentially an anti-panhandling ordinance disguised as a “public safety” measure and it is highly likely that the measure will be voted on following the hearing.  It prohibits "pedestrians" from "lingering" in the medians at seven intersections in Harrisonburg without providing any evidence that pedestrians have in any way contributed to accidents at these intersections.  Representatives of five front line organizations involved in serving the homeless in Harrisonburg, Our Community Place, Open Doors, Health Care for the Homeless Suitcase Clinic, Bridge of Hope and First Step have signed a statement expressing their opposition to this proposed ordinance that asks "city officials to resist the pressure to scapegoat those experiencing homelessness or to sweep people under the rug."  We need to support these front line organizations and the persons experiencing homelessness that they serve by adding our voice at the Council meeting on April 23.  FMI <michaelfeikema@gmail.com>

Next ACRS Meeting. Brian Polkinghorne will present on “Ecology and Theology in Africa” on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 pm at Village Hall in the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. For more information about ACRS visit https://emu.edu/acrs/events.

Eastern Mennonite University's Black Student Union and Art Club present Black Box: Beats for Mozambique on April 25th from 7-10pm in the Studio Theater. This intimate evening will be a benefit art show for Mennonite Central Committee’s relief efforts in Mozambique for Cyclone Idai featuring an opening address on climate change and humanitarian aid in Mozambique by Dr. Wayne Teel, JMU professor of environmental science, who has worked for MCC in Mozambique. Millions have been affected by this tropical cyclone that made landfall on March 14th which has caused flooding, cholera, food shortages, and thousands of deaths. We invite students, faculty, staff, and community members to support the relief efforts in Mozambique by making a donation at the event or directly at https://donate.mcc.org/cause/cyclone-idai-response

Open House: Eastern Mennonite Elementary School, Thursday, April 26, 2019, 8:30 to 10 a.m.   Parents of students who are in preschool through 4th grade are invited to drop in to observe classrooms, and talk with parents and teachers. Questions or to RSVP, contact Marsha Thomas at 540-236-6021 or email thomasm@easternmennoniteschool.org

Eastern Mennonite Middle School presents the drama Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, April 26 and 27, 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Based on the book by Roald Dahl and dramatized by Richard R. George, the comedic play follows young Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa Joe as they join a small group of contest winners who get to tour the magical factory of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka. All involved discover the meaning of teamwork, self-confidence and self-esteem. General admission tickets: $7 adults, $5 students/senior citizens. Prospective students and families may receive a complimentary ticket. Purchase at the door, call 540-236-6025 or purchase online easternmennonite.org

Fore the Flames Golf Tournament, May 3 at Heritage Oaks Golf Course, will benefit Eastern Mennonite School student financial aid and athletics program. $100 registration fee per person includes: greens fees, cart, range balls, door prizes and lunch by Hank’s Smokehouse. The morning flight begins at 8 a.m. and the afternoon at 1 p.m. Register as individuals or a team of four. Contact Trisha Blosser with questions, 540-236-6024, or register at easternmennonite.org/alumni/fore-the-flames.cfm

Pleasant View’s 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament: Come out to support individuals with intellectual disabilities on Friday, May 10, at Spotswood Country Club 1980 Country Club Road in Harrisonburg, Va. Format: Captain's Choice; registration will begin at 8:00 AM, with a shotgun start at 9:10 AM. *Fees if you pay with cash or check: $100/golfer, or $380/team of 4. If paying with PayPal: $103/golfer, or $389/team of 4. Team prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. Mulligans, power balls, and 50/50 will be offered at registration. We will have closest to the pin and longest drive contests. A delicious BBQ buffet lunch catered by Hank's Smokehouse Southern Grillery will be provided in the Spotswood Country Club starting at 1:00 PM. Team prizes, contest prizes, and door prize drawings will be awarded after lunch. To register call Pam Miller at 540-896-8255 or email her at pmiller@pleasantivewinc.org.

Shekinah women’s vocal group presents a CD release concert, “By and By,” on Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm at Community Mennonite Church. Admission by donation, light refreshments following. More info at shekinahmusic.net.

The Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser to benefit Lezha Academic Center (grades 1-12) in Lezhe, Albania, will be held at the Shady Oak facility of Weaver’s Mennonite Church. Help VMMissions and the LAC board of directors support this school with your attendance on Friday, May 17 from 4–7 p.m. Suggested donations: ADULT: $20, CHILD UNDER 12 years: $10.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, provides free summer experiences for children from low-income New York City neighborhoods. Sign up today to host a child! Trip dates for this summer are July 8-15, July 8-22, and July 24-31. For more information call Jennifer Murch at 833-4161, or Shannon Sneary at 209-1234.

The Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) is a Harrisonburg-based nonprofit organization that creates college opportunities for first-generation Latino high school students through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, supportive mentorships and scholarship awards. SLI has served more than 80 scholars since 2012 at Harrisonburg High School and John Handley High School in Winchester, awarding $116,000 in SLI college scholarship awards and $24,000 in SLI computer awards. It has also paid more than $9,000 in tuition support for students to enroll in college dual enrollment courses while in high school. For more information, please visit www.svsli.org or contact Christopher Clymer Kurtz (director of development) at christopher@svsli.org or 434-299-2549.

Bridge of Hope Harrisonburg-Rockingham is currently looking for a Neighboring Volunteer group of 6-10 committed people that would like to walk alongside and encourage a family in our program.  Bridge of Hope works with single-parent families (children under 18) facing homelessness in our community.  The program lasts 12-24 months.  Initial training, ongoing relational support, and planned monthly gatherings will be provided.   If you have questions, you can ask any of CMC’s former neighboring group which included Sue Swartz, Andrea Wenger, and Shirley Showalter. Please contact Chris Hoover Seidel, Director, at director@hr.bridgeofhopeinc.org or cell: 717-602-0871 if you are interested.

Costa Rica Trip for High School Students. Eliana Tejedor and David Shenk will be facilitating a cross-cultural experience for high school students this summer in Costa Rica and are still looking for 2 or 3 more students to join the trip. The dates of the trip are from June 10th to 29th and the total cost is $1,600. Please contact David or Eliana asap if you know of any interested families with rising 9th graders or high schoolers! 540-383-9011 or 540-208-4541. davehshenk@gmail.com

Join Eastern Mennonite School Discovery this summer! Students currently in 10th, 11th or 12th grade who are interested in a month-long, cross-country group learning experience about land and water resources are invited to apply to join the 2019 Eastern Mennonite High School Discovery trip June 4 to 29. Led by Lee Good, science teacher, and other faculty and staff, participants will travel by bus coach, sleep in tents, eat, laugh, learn, play and pray together. Contact goodl@easternmennonite.org for more info or to apply. Details at emhs.net/about/applicants-for-discovery/

Eastern Mennonite School welcomes applications for a new Leadership Scholarship for students grades 9-12. Recipients will receive up to 50% off of the regular high school tuition rate. Applicants must be new students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and who wish to develop their leadership skills through contributions to the school. An interview and essay are required. Contact Marsha Thomas at 540-236-6021 or go to emhs.net/admissions/leadership-scholarship.cfm

Love Crosses Borders: A Mennonite Men immersion experience with immigrants. Love is the greatest of all virtues. But what does love look like in times of cynicism and polarization? Borders are not only social constructs, they’re also spiritual ones. Who’s included? Who’s excluded? How do we reconcile God’s call to welcome the stranger with so much fear-filled rhetoric and policies? What can unwelcomed immigrants teach the Church about love? How can the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement inform and inspire us to a love that crosses borders? July 28 to August 3, 2019 Mennonite Men will provide a week-long immersion experience with immigrants to engage these issues. To register or for more information, visit MennoniteMen.org or contact Steve Thomas at SteveT@Mennonites.org.

Travel to Ethiopia and learn about the impact of MCC’s partnerships in the region that bring food security, watershed rehabilitation, conservation agriculture and peace to many communities. Included are stops at Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana, and Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This two week learning tour is scheduled for Jan or Feb 2020. See the flier on the bulletin board near the coat racks for more information.

You are invited to join Myron and Esther Augsburger on an “Anabaptist Heritage Tour” to Germany, Austira, and Switzerland, May 13-23, 2020. It is also the decadal year when the Oberammergau Passion Play is being given. A few of the places visited are Zurich, Lucerne, Trachselwald Castle, Anabaptist Cave, Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck and more. For a detailed brochure contact Ed Bontrager, tour coordinator, at eebontrager@comcast.net, or call 540-574-3833.

Community Mennonite Church
70 South High Street Harrisonburg, VA
office@cmcva.org
540-433-2148