From the Pastor
Dear College Avenue Friends,
Did you know that Easter isn’t over? We celebrate a whole Season of Easter until the end of May. In worship our scripture texts will help us explore what resurrection means in our lives. We’ll hear about hope, risk-taking, courage, and growth.
And we’ll explore some of the same themes in our congregational seminar “Healthy Congregations,” described below. Please plan to participate as we celebrate this joyful Season of new life!
Easter Blessings,
Pastor Michael
From the Pastor
Dear College Avenue Friends,
This Sunday is Easter! What more is there to say? Except to invite you to heighten your Easter joy by experiencing the poignant beauty of the days leading to resurrection.
In a Thursday evening service at 7:30 in our sanctuary, we’ll re-enact Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, when he washed their feet and gave them a new commandment to serve each other as he served them. That mandate is the reason we call Thursday Maundy Thursday. Come at 7 if you’d like to hear simple Taize chants on the guitar before the service begins.
On Friday, a Labyrinth on the front lawn will be available for a walking meditation between noon and 3 pm, the hours Jesus spent on the cross. Our church is also participating with other local churches in a Good Friday service at noon at First United Methodist Church at 16th and I Streets.
And at 7:30 pm on Good Friday, we’ll move into twilight with a Tenebrae Service in our sanctuary. This re-telling of the story of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and death includes haunting music and ends in darkness. Several local congregations will join us for this dramatic evening.
Blessings on your Holy Week journey!
Pastor Michael
W.O.W: Women of Wonder Outings!
W.O.W- Women of Wonder will be getting together two times this coming week. The first is a tour and the second, an important meeting.
A few of us had a sneak preview of two events taking place in Modesto that we hope more might get a chance to experience also. One is the Fabric Art show at the Mistlin Gallery. The use of quilting to make works of art from quilts to quilted photograph pieces and they will amaze you. The second show is at the Modesto Art Museum which is hosting the World Mini Art Expo. We will meet at the church on Wednesday, April the 11th at 1:00 pm to car-pool. We’ll take in the two shows and then maybe a cup of tea or coffee and a “little goodie” … All women are welcome! For more information call Liz Carota at 526-4633 or Patti at 521-1080.
The Art and Quilt Festival is getting closer… We’ll be having an important meeting on Friday the 13th at 11:00 am, in the Fellowship Hall and there will be nourishment to keep you going. Even if you have not been involved before we would surely welcome your support. For more information contact Kathy or Patti at 521-1080, or email modpatti@yahoo.com.
Lenten Events Calendar 2012
Holy Week – April 1 to April 8
During Holy Week, we recount the final events in the life of Jesus, ending with his execution for proclaiming a radical message inviting all to live God’s dream of a Kingdom where forgiveness, compassion, and self-giving replace the ways of judgment, power, and division.
Maundy Thursday Service – Thursday, April 5, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary
Come and celebrate Jesus’ institution of a special meal to help us connect to God and each other in one Spirit, and a ritual of foot washing to help us remember Jesus’ command to love one another. Pre-worship Taize music begins at 7pm.
Good Friday Meditation with Labyrinth – Friday, April 6, 12 pm – 3 pm
Come and use this outdoor walking meditation to enter Jesus’ spirit of self-giving during the hours in which we remember his crucifixion and death. Ecumenical Good Friday Service, noon, First United Methodist Church, 16th and I St.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service – Friday, April 6, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary
In this dramatic candle-light service that ends in darkness, we reflect on the story of Jesus’ arrest, suffering, and death on a cross. Several local churches will participate with us in this service.
Easter Sunrise Service – Sunday, April 8, 6:30 am, Lawn
This simple service led by Sandy Sample celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and resurrection in our own lives.
Easter Sunday Service – Sunday, April 8, Sanctuary
We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with joyful music and praise.
Book and Media Exchange, Sunday, April 1, 11:30am, Courtyard
Book and Media Exchange, Sunday, April 1, 11:30am, Courtyard
Our monthly book and media exchange will take place Sunday, so please bring your books, magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, or VHS tapes. You can trade, borrow or make a small donation to keep some material. We will have new adult, youth, and children material. If you have any questions or need material picked-up, call Kathy Short: 521-1080.
Young Adult Group, Friday!
Attention all Young Adults, ages 18-35
Come to a group night @ 7pm this Friday! Here’s the plan:
1. Casey will bring a bunch of French Bread/Turkey/Ham/Cheese!
2. There will be WII and Movies galore!
3. Bring some fixin’s: Lettuce, pickles, onion, mayo, mustard, chips, dip, drinks!
4. Finally, BRING FRIENDS! Lets see who will get a gift card this time! 
From the Pastor
Our young people will lead us this Sunday as we begin the Holy Week before Easter! Following a giant street puppet of Jesus, we’ll march around our campus and into the sanctuary for our worship service. This Palm Sunday march is a re-enactment of Jesus’ courageous entrance into Jerusalem the week before he died.
Sunday afternoon at 3, we’ll gather again at our church with five other congregations from our Mountain Valley Association. The young people from the churches will get to know each other in a special activity. We’ll all participate in a short inter-generational worship service and a short informational program on the “Occupy Movement.” Then we’ll share a delectable meal prepared by MOM (Men of Might).
Come and enter the festive and challenging spirit of Palm Sunday!
Blessings on your Lenten Journey,
Pastor Michael
From the Pastor
Dear College Avenue Friends,
A man named Rawge loves to photograph crosses that appear in unlikely places. In a field of grass where two blades intersect at right angles. In the shadow cast by a telephone pole. In the shape that wooden beams take in an old barn. Some of Rawge’s photographs have appeared on the covers of our worship bulletins during Lent.
On our Lenten journey together, maybe we could all keep our eyes open for crosses in unlikely places. As a way to remember the kind of self-giving symbolized by the cross. The kind of self-giving we learn on any spiritual journey.
Blessings on your Lenten journey!
Pastor Michael
Join us for a showing of THE HUNGER GAMES!
The Hunger Games Film Adapatation (PG-13)
Saturday, March 24, 3:20pm DFX showing, Galaxy Theaters, Riverbank
All are welcome! Please meet at 2:45pm in the lobby. Young people under 13 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Tickets are around $10.
Contact Rob at studentministries.collegeavenu@gmail.com for more information.
From the Pastor
Dear College Avenue Friends,
Facing your fears. That’s supposed to be good thing to do. But is it? And if it is, how do we do it? Find out in this Sunday’s message, “Fiery Snakes.”
Blessings on your Lenten spiritual journey!
Pastor Michael
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