Good morning Church family,
GIVING THANKS:
* We are giving much thanks to God for Karen Stanzione's son-in-law Jose who is finally home after being in the hospital for 12 weeks after his 3rd liver transplant. PRAISE GOD for His answer to prayer for Jose and their family.
* Jenna Jones is home and still struggling with some medical issues (watching pre-eclampsia and shingles). But Emiliana is fine and they are over the moon with JOY!
* Desrine is doing much better, Praise God! If she continues to keep walking, she could even be discharged earlier than the two weeks they intended her to be there. Her strong faith in God is truly inspiring. Thanks to all who have visited her. She still has a ways to go, so keep praying everyone!
* Toni Bonadio's eye surgery went well and she gives thanks for the prayers.
* Ron, Lisa and Tori visited Mildred and had a great visit with her. She sends her love to everyone!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Karen Ohrenberger's Mother fell this past week and had surgery to put a rod in her hip. She will be in rehab for the next few weeks. Kevin recently had cataract surgery. Karen is also struggling with CIDP and had 6 medial nerve blocks done to try to subdue her intense back pain. She is working with her Neurologist on how to deal with her decline. They drove to Indiana on Thursday to be with her Mom and family. Prayers for them all.
* Flo Repecko was in the ER earlier in the week and will need to see a few specialists in follow up.
* Joe Nuzzo's cousin Angela who lives in Australia, suffered a heart attack causing damage to her heart.
* Linda Cerminara fell this past week. Continued prayers for both Greg and Linda as they deal with several health challenges.
* We had a rough week with my brother-in-law Kevin Early, but he is now in IOP treatment so hoping this will help him. Thank you all for your prayers.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY – EPHESIANS:
Ron will begin a new series of Lessons on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the book of Ephesians. This is a great study for someone who needs to learn basics about our faith. Do you know anyone who wants to know who we are and how we become a child of God? Use these studies to invite friends & neighbors.
POT LUCK TOMORROW!!!
POT LUCK FELLOWSHIP will follow right after morning worship tomorrow March 24th! Bring some food for yourself, your family & others. It's always fun to see the variety of foods and a fun time of Fellowship!
THE SHINE MINISTRY is underway. Thanks to all who have contributed items for the care bags. See Ron or Lisa if you have questions.
The Shine ministry is an outreach ministry that is committed to fulfilling our role, purpose, and responsibility to be a light within our community. This may be accomplished through larger community projects such as food drives or through smaller individual opportunities like preparing care packages for the homeless. Anyone interested in helping with the Shine Ministry please see Ron or Lisa Saracino.
The Shine Ministry is collecting items to put in care packages for the homeless in our community. A bin labeled “Shine Ministry” is in the foyer to drop off needed items. Here is a list of items and this list will be available on the back table as well. Thank you in advance for your help !
Gallon Zip Lock Bags
Hats – unisex
Gloves – unisex
Socks – unisex
Chap Sticks
Small Water Bottles
Bandaids
Comb/small brush (nothing huge)
wipes/hand wipes (nothing that contains alcohol like sanitizer)
Sunscreen (for summer)
Small deodorant
small tissue packs
Tooth brushes and small tubes of toothpaste
Sealed Snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers) – preferably not hard because many people have dental concerns
TUESDAY LADIES STUDIES:
The Tuesday morning ladies Bible class will be on March 26th at 9:30 a.m. via zoom. They will be wrapping up this current study and soon begin the book of Genesis beginning April 9th! Please see Mary Lou for the study book.
YOUNG ADULTS BIBLE STUDY – Lead by Zach & Tori Saracino
The next Young Adult event will be Friday, March 29th at 4:00 p.m. They will be meeting at Sleeping Giant park for a bible study picnic and will be heading back to Jin's place after for deserts and games. Please see Zach or Tori for more details.
COMING UP IN APRIL:
SECRET PRAYER SISTER REVEAL – UPDATED DATE & DETAILS
We will be having the Secret Prayer Sister reveal on Friday, April 19 at 7pm. at the church building. After a potluck dinner and the reveal ,there will be a prayer walk.
Prayerfully all sisters participating will be able to attend. Please see Nadine Keller if you can come so we can get a head count.
Please note that our April Saturday morning Bible class on April 13th will be cancelled so we can focus on the Fellowship and night of Prayer & Prayer Walk.
Stay tuned for more details.
Patrick has organized a SPRING GIVE-A-WAY DAY coming up on April 27th!
Please take a form on the back table to catalog your items and return your list to Patrick soon. This will allow us to know if we have enough items to make this program work. Also feel free to text or email him with the number and types of items
Trip to See Daniel at the Sight & Sound Theater in PA in September
An inquiry signup sheet and more information has been posted on the door to the auditorium to find out the best date and estimated participation. Please fill in your info ASAP so we can best know how to proceed.
UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORY Forms are on the table in the auditorium. Please complete the forms and return
APRIL TALENT SHOW – Saturday, April 6th at 6:30 p.m.
There is a sign-up sheet posted on auditorium doors promoting our upcoming Talent show headed up by Lisa, Zach and Tori Saracino. Not only will this be a FUN time of Fellowship, but it will help support our commitment to Spooner House. Please sign up to share your talents, all ages welcome and bring a friend! Also, bring some appetizers, munchies or refreshments for the fellowship afterwards.
ADMISSION – Please bring non-perishable items for The Spooner House.
REMINDER FOR THE KENT MEN'S RETREAT…
Men's Retreat – Kent Connecticut – June 14th & 15th
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
A sign up sheet is posted for volunteers who can help in any capacity with our upcoming VBS on July 20th!
VBS is a terrific outreach to the community. There is something for everyone to help with so please see Derin or Kristen Wilson for details.
Though Jesus had traveled to Jerusalem numerous times to observe the feasts, his final entry into Jerusalem had a unique significance. He was triumphantly arriving as a humble King of peace, rather than a conquering king arriving on a horse.
Donkeys were portrayed in Biblical works as symbols of service, suffering, peace and humility. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. Of the more than 40 million donkeys in the world, 96% are in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as pack animals or for draught work in transport or agriculture.
The word hosanna is from Hebrew and related to Aramaic (Oshana) meaning save, rescue, savior. In the Hebrew Bible it is used only in verses such as “help” or “save, I pray” Psalms 118:25
Large crowds came to see Jesus and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
On that day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt, one that had never been ridden before. The disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the multitudes came out to welcome Him, laying before Him their cloaks and the branches of palm trees. The spreading of cloaks was an act of homage for royalty 2 Kings 9:13
The people hailed “Hosanna!” and praised Him
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the King of Israel!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:8-11, Mark 11:8-10, Luke 19:36-38, John 12:12-13.
All of the gospels record this account of Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus’ purpose in riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be their Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Matthew recorded that the King coming on the foal of a donkey, was an exact fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9:
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Jesus rides into His capital city as a conquering King and is hailed by the people.
The shouts of praise infuriated the Pharisees who were trying to find a way to catch and kill Him.
No longer does He tell His disciples to be quiet about Him as we read in Matthew 12:16 & 16:20, but to shout His praises and worship Him openly.
Jesus was openly declaring to the people that He was their King and the Messiah they had been waiting for.
Unfortunately, the praise the people lavished on Jesus was not because they recognized Him as their Savior from sin. They welcomed Him out of their desire for a messianic deliverer, someone who would lead them in a revolt against Rome. There were many who, though they did not believe in Christ as Savior, nevertheless hoped that He would be to them a great temporal deliverer. These are the ones who hailed Him as King with their many hosannas, recognizing Him as the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord. But when He failed in their expectations, when He refused to lead them in a massive revolt against the Roman occupiers, the crowds quickly turned on Him. Within just a few days, their Hosannas would change to cries of “Crucify Him!” Luke 23:20-21.
Those who hailed Him as a hero, would soon reject and abandon Him.
The story of the triumphal entry is one of deep contrasts. It is the story of the King who came as a lowly servant on a donkey, not a prancing steed, not in royal robes, but on the clothes of the poor and humble.
Jesus Christ comes not to conquer by force as earthly kings but by love, grace, mercy, and His own sacrifice for His people.
His kingdom was of lowliness and servanthood, yet He was with God when the world was created. John 1:1
Jesus conquers hearts and minds. His message is one of love and peace with God, not of temporal peace, but eternal peace and salvation.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life,
and have it more abundantly“
If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, and have put Him on in baptism, He reigns there in peace and love, for eternity.
As His followers, we exhibit those same qualities, and the world sees the true King living and reigning triumphantly… IN US.
From the moment of Jesus' birth, the Savior lived and taught humility through His actions. The Creator as we read in John 1:3, condescended to be born into the humblest of circumstances. He entered this physical world in a stable with animals and was laid in a manger that was also used for the feeding of animals.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the last time on a donkey colt, which spoke of his humility and selflessness.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Zechariah, 500 years before Jesus was born, and rode a donkey into the capital city of Jerusalem, one week before He was crucified.
Let us exalt HIS name on the HIGHEST, for one day He will come back for His bride, the church. Those who are covered in the precious blood of Christ.
Jesus's second coming will not be on a donkey in a tranquil manner. But, His second coming will be one with power and might. He will be The Rider on the White Horse to come for His own.
Revelation 19:11-16
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True.
With justice he judges and makes war.
His eyes are like blazing fire,
and on his head are many crowns.
He has a name written on him
that no one knows but he himself.
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,
and his name is the Word of God.
The armies of heaven were following him,
riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,
white and clean.
Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword
with which to strike down the nations.
“He will rule them with an iron scepter.”
He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.“
Let us Glorify God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, for His Name is above every other name. And at the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is LORD.
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is
above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is LORD,
to the glory of God the Father.“
KEEP SINGING:
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST
Hosanna, hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!
Hosanna, hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!
Lord we lift up Your Name,
With hearts full of praise;
Be exalted, O Lord my God,
Hosanna in the highest.
Glory, glory, Glory to the King of Kings.
Glory, glory, Glory to the King of Kings.
Lord we lift up Your Name,
With hearts full of praise;
Be exalted, O Lord my God,
Hosanna in the highest.
RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
Revelation 19:11
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.“
Rider on the White Horse
Rider called Faithful and True,
With Justice He judges and makes war,
His eyes are like blazing fire,
and on His head are many crowns
Rider on the white horse.
He has a name written on Him,
that no one but He himself knows,
He's dressed in a robe dipped in blood,
and His Name is the Word of God,
The armies of heaven were following him,
Riding on White Horses.
Dressed in fine linen white and clean,
and His name is the Word,
is the Word of God.
Rider on the White Horse,
Rider called Faithful and True,
With Justice He judges and makes war,
His eyes are like blazing fire,
and on His head are many crowns,
Rider on the white horse.
Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword,
With which to strike down the nations,
He'll rule them with an iron scepter
His name is the Word of God.
He treads the Wonders of the Fury,
The wrath of God Almighty.
On His robe and on His thigh
is Written King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Rider on the White Horse
Rider called Faithful and True
With Justice He judges and makes war
His eyes are like blazing fire,
and on His head are many crowns
Rider on the white horse.
Jesus rode on a donkey on His last journey to Jerusalem…but HE will return one day on a white horse which symbolizes VICTORY!
Revelation 19:11
“I saw heaven open and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True.
With justice he judges and wages war. “
Hosannah in the HIGHEST!
Praise be to God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son!
Let's continue grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The harvest is plenty, so spread the Word!
To Him be the glory, both now and forever.
In Him,
Bruce & Paula
