However, before we leave the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany sequence of our worship there are some words of thanks that need to be expressed. Three members of Consistory have concluded their current terms of service: Dave Fergesen, Pam Kelly and Joe String. Each of them have brought special gifts to our meetings and our Church life and, while they will be continuing to serve in music, education and administrative roles, respectively, they deserve our appreciation for these recent years of Consistory service. Also three new members have begun their terms of service: Anna Brune, Carol Levitt and Ken Quabeck. I look forward to the enthusiasm and vision that they have already begun to provide and I hope that you will take time to thank them and to offer your support.

Lent is a good time to make a special offering of your service to the Church. Our tradition, for many years, has been to emphasize “Taking on” rather than “Giving Up” something for Lent. Some have chosen to double their weekly giving during the six weeks of Lent, others have written notes daily to people who have touched their lives, still others have built in a special prayer time each day. There are sign-up sheets in the Narthex for individuals and families to offer to serve as Greeters, to spend a few hours cleaning the Church and to supervise the nursery on Sunday mornings, so that the parents of infants can worship without distraction. The cleaning and nursery are tasks that we once paid to have done, but we have realized that we have, within our Church Family, people who may not sing well enough to be in the choir, nor communicate well enough to teach Church School, nor have the energy or patience for working with teens, but in cleaning the Church and watching over the little ones, God is served! So please consider, prayerfully, how God is calling you and if you will respond to that call as a greeter, a cleaner or a caregiver for the infants.

Shalom,

Jack
PS – For those who are wondering, Giants 24 Patriots 20