April 2025 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • March 29, 2025

Dear friends,

 

These are tumultuous times for our nation. At the time of this writing, we have scheduled a Prayer Service for our Nation for Sunday, March 30 from 4-4:30 p.m. This brief service will include special music and time for shared prayers.

As I was thinking about the state of our nation and the continuation of our Lenten season, these beautiful words from a Lenten hymn, “Before the Cross of Jesus,” came into my mind

and heart:

The hopes that lead us onward,
The fears that hold us back,
Our will to dare great things for God,
The courage that we lack,
The faith we keep in goodness,
Our love, as low or pure -
On all, the judgment of the cross
Falls steady, clear, and sure.

 

Yet humbly, in our striving,
O God, we face its test.
We crave the power to do Thy will
With Him who did it best.
On us let now the healing
Of His great Spirit fall,
And make us brave and full of joy
To answer to His call.

 

Blessings and Peace,

Barbara


April Calendar


  • Friday, April 4: Quarter Auction 7PM
  • Saturday, April 5: Men’s Breakfast 8:20 AM
  • Sunday, April 6: Texas Roadhouse
  • Saturday, April 12: Drive Through 1-3 PM
  • Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday
  • Sunday, April 13: Just Peace meeting
  • Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday
  • Friday, April 18: Good Friday (film service)
  • Sunday, April 20: Easter Sunday 8 & 10 AM

April Monthly Quarter Auction


We are holding our next Monthly Quarter Auction on Friday, April 4. Doors open at 6 PM, and the auction begins at 7 PM. Everyone is invited to bring quarters and friends for a fun evening and a chance to win some great items from our vendors! There will also be a raffle! Admission: $5 for two paddles. Our main vendor is One Call Away Vereans Support Center (OCA). Bring a personal hygiene item, to be donated to OCA, for a free third paddle. Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.



Souper Bowl of Caring Total


We collected a total of 238 cans of soup through our special Souper Bowl of Caring outreach offering. All soup was donated to the Emergency Cupboard of the Open Pantry. Thanks to everyone! We are also grateful for community folks who brought soup to our monthly Drive Through Collection of Food Donations.


Palm Sunday Service at 10am ( April 13)


On this day, we remember Jesus fulfilling ancient prophecy by riding into Jerusalem in a most unusual kind of parade.


Maundy Thursday Service (April 17) In-Person Service at 7pm


This service focuses on the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. There is also a Service of Tenebrae (“Shadows”) including special scripture readings of the Passion of Jesus. 


Good Friday Service (April 18) Please Note: Filmed Service Only


The focus for this service is the crucifixion of Jesus, through the lens of “The Symbols of Good Friday.” The film will be posted on our website at fostermemorial.org, You Tube, and on our Facebook page.



Easter Sunday Services (April 20) In-Person at 8am and 10am


Our early service features the construction of our “Flowing Cross.” Our 10 AM service includes special music by our Chancel Choir and the “Unpacking of our Alleluias!” Please join us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!



Upcoming Events


  • Saturday, April 5: Men’s Breakfast – all men welcome. Meet in front parking lot at 8:20 AM
  • Saturday, April 12: Drive Through Collection of Non-Perishable Food for Open Pantry 1-3 PM in the back parking lot of the church
  • Sunday, April 6 from 11:30 AM – 3 PM. Texas roadhouse Fundraising



Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch held on March 2


Thank you to everyone who made this brunch very special. Thank you to Jim and the cooks, our youth and CE team and friends who served, and everyone who came to eat and join in the fun! We raised $430.00 which was gifted as a helping hand to the Afghan family with whom we walk alongside.



Recorded Worship Services


Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/

Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet




A note from Jim Wood's Sister, Sue:


Thank you all so very much for your support and friendship during Jim's illness and passing. It's a comfort to us in knowing how beloved he was, and your love for him will sustain us during this difficult time. In gratitude, Sue and Steve Saunders.

 

By Barbara Schenk March 4, 2025
Dear friends, Please be sure to read Peter Well’s article about an important discussion on the Intersection of Faith and Politics and opportunities for next steps. ** The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5; we will hold an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. The season continues until Easter Sunday, which is celebrated this year on April 20. One of the ways we can put our faith into action during this season is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Special Offering. The money raised from this offering is utilized through the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries to respond to a wide variety of global and local concerns. This year’s OGHS theme is “Be The Light.” Our grateful thanks to Sharon Gormbley for a special OGHS Sharing/Engagement Calendar that runs from March 9 – March 29. The calendar is attached to this newsletter. We also have fun “Fish” Coin/Money boxes at church, available on Sunday mornings. We will collect our OGHS special offering on Sunday, March 30 during our worship service. In this holy season, and in these tumultuous days, may we be bearers of God’s light – and take actions to “Be The Light.” In Christ, Barbara
FosterMemorial Church
By Barbara Schenk January 31, 2025
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his teachings, healings and ministries, continues for a longer period of time this year. Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, will be on March 5; Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 20.
Foster Memorial Church
By Barbara Schenk January 31, 2025
Thanks to everyone who wrote Annual Reports for 2024. These reports help us to reflect on and take note of the many ways our church was active in the past year. Through all of our ministries, we continued to strive to live into being an Open and Affirming Church and a Just Peace Church through the words of our Church Purpose Statement
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