March 31, 2024
“After Betrayal” Rev. Thom Belote, preaching I’m struck by how the Easter story is set in motion by a series of betrayals. In the story Judas Iscariot famously betrays Jesus. Then Peter betrays Jesus three times. Betrayal is painful and harmful when it happens to us, and yet we can’t let it be the final word in our lives. - Rev. Thom Belote Join us for an Easter worship service as we consider the reawakenings and resurrections possible in our lives. As is our tradition, the 9:30 service will be held outdoors at the Memorial Rock Amphitheater, weather permitting, and the 11:15 service will be held in the Sanctuary. Only the 11:15 service will be livestreamed. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9 AM:
Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION
SUNDAY SOCIALS
Each Sunday, we have at least two opportunities to be social! In-person Sunday Socials follow each worship service, wherein there is coffee, tea, Tabling for groups within our church, and fellowship. Join us to connect! For more information about the Sunday Social, contact Rachel Rose. BEWARE -- SCAM ALERT
Scams targeting religious communities are increasing. Scammers create fake email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers) impersonating the minister, staff members or lay leaders and contact congregants -- asking for contact information, login credentials, the Directory, etc., or to buy gift cards. Rachel Rose (Directory, contact info) and Franklin Hirsch (Finances) are the best people to help with these requests - they will always have the latest versions of our secure documents and are happy to help. If you receive a scam email, phone call or text, please report and delete it. If you're unsure, please contact Rev. Thom, Rachel Rose or Franklin Hirsch and see if the communication is legitimate. QUICK LINKS |
2024-2025 ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE UPDATE
March is the time for many organizations' "Day of Giving". Thanks to the generous pledges of nearly 300 families in our church, we are on pace to reach our goal and fully fund our operating budget for the 2024-2025 church year. If you haven't pledged yet, please consider making time in March for your "Day of Giving" to the church. Questions? Please reach out to Bonnie Crotty Nelson (Stewardship Chair) or Franklin Hirsch (Congregational Administrator). UPCOMING EVENTSMISSION POSSIBLE 2024 BLOOD DRIVE We invite you to our third Day of Service life-saving Blood Drive scheduled for Saturday, March 30 from 10 AM until 2:30 PM. Our goal for the Blood Drive is 40 appointments, so please make your appointment today - regular and first time donors welcome! Special food treats will be available as usual, and the youth group will be supporting our canteen table as well. We can help you sign up through Tabling or you can sign up online. Find Our Drive - American Red Cross
RSVP BY APRIL 2! APRIL 6, 2024. 5 PM
MARION HIRSCH'S SILVER JUBILEE Help celebrate Marion Hirsch's Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary)! To recognize Marion's quarter-century of invaluable service to our congregation, we will have a family-friendly event in the Sanctuary with readings, hymns, fun things for kids to do and more, followed by a shared meal in the Community Room. Please RSVP and/or sign up to help with: - Decorating & other set-up - Music (Glenn Mehrbach will lead us in hymns!) - Livestreaming so those far away can join us in spirit - Kid's activities (Kat Good will lead the fun!) - The shared meal - Clean-up - Anything else! Please direct all questions about the event to Rachel Rose. WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In March, children are exploring TRANSFORMATION as their Soul Matters theme. This week we will learn about Easter with an egg drop challenge at 9:00AM on zoom and in person at 9:30AM and 11:15AM. For more information about our Religious Education Program, please contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.
ELAINE PAGELS ON RELIGION -- A DISCUSSION CLASS ON ZOOM. WEDS IN APRIL Facilitator: Mike Goodyear. We will watch and discuss 4 videos over Zoom, 7PM, about 2 hours each time. The videos feature Elaine Pagels talking about religious topics. Each week there will be a different focus, including The Origin of Satan, Adam, Eve and the Serpent, Revelation, and the Jesus Seminar. Dr. Pagels is historian of Religion who has conducted extensive research into early Christianity and Gnosticism. Register and learn more. Contact Mike Goodyear with questions. COMMUNITY CLICKERS We meet this week on Wednesday, April 3 at 2 PM in the Gathering Room for our regular monthly meeting. We are a group of needlecrafters working to make shawls for Hospice using 7x9 inch knitted and crocheted blocks. We design shawls at our meetings, share personal projects, and spend time with each other. After a successful Day of Service (15 shawls designed), our block count is low. For additional information see our webpage. ART TEAM -- ART IN THE SANCTUARY The continuing April show will be felt fiber art by Chapel Hill artist Sharron Parker. This exhibit titled “Expressing Reality as Felt”. ranges from realistic images of French doors and windows to more abstract images of light on water, butterfly wings, etc. Sharron will be available on Thursday, April 4 at 2 PM in the Sanctuary to talk to visitors about her work. For more information contact Sharron. READING THE BIBLE AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE --- SAT 4/6 10 AM OR 4/8 6:45 PM Led by Karen Jessee. Enter into a conversation with scripture as we encounter passages from the Hebrew Bible—history and wisdom of the Jewish people—or from the New Testament of the Christian faith. Through the practices of contemplative reading, silence, and meditative writing, we will break open the Word. Together we will ask to hear what these sacred texts have to say to us, here, in our lives today. Register and learn more. Contact Marion Hirsch for more information. QUUILTERS We meet on Saturday morning, April 6, 9 - 11:30 AM, in the Gathering Room. We will be switching gears to focus on making totebags, lap quilts, and more. We'll have instructions, fabric and some kits available. You may bring your machine if you wish to get started during our meeting or take your supplies home to work on. Please bring your own current or recent projects to share with us during our check-in time. Join our email list. |
WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
We are a congregation that has historically stood for the civil rights of all people, especially those affected by racism and homophobia. We are a Welcoming Congregation, celebrating and affirming the active presence in our congregation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members and friends and their families. We are actively engaged in dialogue about how to be a more racially diverse, multicultural, anti-oppressive congregation. |
SUNDAY PARKING: Please honor the parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities and limited mobility at the front of the church, as well as the spaces reserved for the Auction Winners. We encourage folks to carpool and/or park offsite, if at all possible. Parking is available at The Community Church, as well as alternate parking options. See a map here. Please note: Parking is not allowed at the Kehillah across the street. WEEKDAY PARKING (for church functions): The Main Lot is fully rented; please use the small Front Lot directly in front of the church, the wooded Pine Lot along Purefoy Road, or in the Rear Lot behind the church.