We are beginning Holy Week and I pray that your Lenten journey has been one of meaning for you. I asked each of you to consider praying once more per day than you normally do (after being told people were already praying at least once a day!) and suggested you read the Gospel of Mark. Many of you have told me that this has been quite illuminating for you. Our Middle and High School Class has been reading Mark out loud in their Sunday Studies class and has enjoyed finding out how the story comes together in a much simpler way than in some of the other gospel accounts.

Sometimes doing things a little differently than you have done them before can make all the difference. This past Sunday, we celebrated Palm/Passion Sunday with the TAC Palm Sunday parade and then during worship we had a Lessons and Hymn Service. During this service, scripture, poetry, hymns and prayers – as well as the celebration of Communion – all came together to remind us of what Holy week is all about.

This Thursday evening we will meet in the Chapel for a Dish-to Pass dinner and communion service at 6 p.m. as we commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. On Friday, the Sanctuary will be open for anyone who would like to have a place for prayer and meditation from noon to 3 p.m. Join us on Easter Sunday at Cayuga Lake at 7 a.m. in the pavilion at the North Point of Taughannock Park for the annual TAC Easter Sunrise service to be led this year by Jeff Losey and Cheryl Hine. Bring your own coffee and dress warmly. Following that service, at 10 a.m., we will meet in the sanctuary of FPCU for our own Easter celebration. Come and join us and bring your friends!

Blessings – Pastor Cheryl

Well into its sixth decade, our spring rummage sale is receiving a much deserved makeover this year. Sales will be limited to ONE GREAT DAY OF SAVINGS, and no clothing items will be offered for sale. (Continue to save those bags of unwanted clothes for our upcoming clothing sale in the late summer/early fall). As always this fundraiser is only successful because of you, so please read on to see how you can be involved.

If you are contributing:
Your generous donations of good quality items make this a “destination” rummage sale, that many people look forward to each year. We will be accepting your contributions of toys, tools, household items, linens, jewelry, furniture, antiques, collectables, artwork, rugs, you name it on Thursday, March 29 from 8 am to 4 pm and Friday 9 am to 6 pm. Due to building code space restraints, donations cannot be left in the chapel before these dates, so please call to make alternate storage arrangements if necessary. We cannot accept stained mattresses, TV’s or computers, or any nonfunctioning appliances or electronics. Please carefully check those boxes of accumulated “stuff” for broken or nonfunctioning items before donation, to help us minimize our cost both in dump fees and volunteer time.

If you have a large item (ex.: couch), a questionable item, or if these drop off times are not convenient, please make special arrangements by calling Amy Erickson @532-4865 or Maureen Shallish @387-5890.

If you are volunteering:
A sign-up sheet is in the chapel. We need help on March 29 and 30 with receiving, displaying and pricing items. Early morning risers are needed for Saturday morning sales, and strong backs for cleanup on Saturday afternoon. We would also like to have available if needed a volunteer crew with pickup truck for pickup and delivery of large items.
If you are buying:

Join us in our sale day March 31, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those volunteering their time may also purchase in advance of sales, but only after items have been priced.

Thanks in advance for your support. Any suggestion, questions, or concerns – please direct to Amy E. or Maureen.

Have you been thinking about church and what it might become in the future… not just in our own congregation but even bigger than that? Check out this video of ways that it might come about. The let us know what you think! Church Shifts