APRIL, 2017 -  MESSENGER   

GREENFIELD   AVENUE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH

1455 S. 97^th St., West Allis, WI 53214

Church Office (414) 453-3710     Pastor Kevin G. Tarvid    

Pastor’s Cell Phone for Emergencies   (414) 588-0159

Sunday Morning Worship                 Sunday Church School

9:30 AM       www.gapc-usa.com       10:45 AM

                                                                               Faith    Hope   Love  =          

                                                                  GREENFIELD  AVENUE  PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

                                                                                               

                                                                                           GAPC              

 

Worship Schedule  April 2 – April 30, 2017

 

Sun.  April  2 – 9:30 AM    Lent 5;  Communion

First Reading:  Psalm 130               

Second Reading:  Romans 8:1-5

Sermon: “For God Has Done …”

 

Sun. April 9 - 9:30 AM    Passion/Palm Sunday &  “Penny Sunday”

First Reading:  Matthew 21:1-11  

Second Reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

Sermon:  “Kenosis Anyone?”

 

Sun. April 16 – 9:30 AM     EASTER 

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-6 

Second Reading: John 20:1-18

Sermon: “Ever Had that Happen to You?”

 

Sun April 23 -  9:30 AM     Holy Humor Sunday & “Penny Sunday”

First Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9      

Second Reading: John 20:19-31

Sermon: “That Jesus Is Hilarious!”

 

Sun April 30 - 9:30 AM          

First Reading: Psalms 116:1-4, 12-19

Second Reading: Luke 24:13-35

Sermon: “Time for a Walk”

 

     

SUNDAY, APRIL 2 ORGAN CONCERT, by Music Minister Sheri, with  guest appearances by harpist Mary Radspinner & cellist Aaron Michael Zauner – right here at GAPC!  It’s at 2:00 that afternoon, so take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to hear absolutely BEAUTIFUL, MOVING MUSIC!   Sheri tells us the final number is for all 3 instruments, & is “just stunning”!  We can’t wait to hear it!  INVITE  EVERYONE!!!

 

NEXT, PANCAKE BREAKFAST is scheduled for  Saturday, April 8, from 7:30

11:00 AM.  We’re proud to boast that it’s our 28^th year (where did the time go, anyway ?????)  & as always, it’s just plain DELICIOUS!   LB Smith is coordinator, with good help from our volunteers.   Have your friends save the date for this one, also!!!  Ticket price just $6.00 for adults, & $3.00 for kids under age 12.

 

NOTE: We need folks to help set up for Pancake Breakfast, at 6:00 PM on Friday, April 7.  And, of course, we need  KITCHEN  HELPERS on April 8.  There’s a sign-up sheet on the table at the rear of the sanctuary – it’s a GREAT help to us, to have an idea how many folks will be here to help out!

 

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP will take place at 6:30 PM on April 13.  Choir will practice that evening at 5:45.

 

FROM  OUR  PASTOR:    Happy Spring, Beloved!

          Last Sunday, we celebrated that classic story of Jesus’ healing of the man blind from birth.  I’m still thinking about  how we the Church are called to bring healing as often as possible!

 

          We talked about how, in addition to spiritual healing, there are a number of areas where the Church has been, and can be even more, a catalyst for healing.

 

          We talked about our historical role in health and wellness.  While we can’t practice medicine, we certainly can promote knowledge that brings about well and healthy living.  No matter where we are in our health journeys, there are positive steps we can take to make life better.

 

          We also talked about healing relationships – how as we increase our connection to our electronic devices, our human relationships seem to be suffering…  The church is a perfect place to learn about achieving ideal balance in family and friendships.

 

          We also talked about we as the church can teach and learn how best to navigate through everyday life – questions about finances, strategies for the future, vocation, even getting along with those autos and computers that mystify us…

 

          So, here’s my challenge:  let’s strategize about how we can best improve our ability to serve the needs of our loved ones: spiritual, physical, emotional, and practical.

          Let’s adapt our mission to be even better suited for the 21^st century, and let’s lay the groundwork for a wildly successful near future.

 

          Please give thought and prayer to how you can contribute to this effort… teach a Sunday School class, write an article for the newsletter, help organize a helpful event… 

 

          Let’s make a list of the areas where we have needs, and also have talents and abilities, and then let’s really make a difference!

God loves you.  Me too!                                            ~   Pastor Kevin

 

 

SESSION is providing the usual delicious EASTER  BREAKFAST on April 16.   It runs from 8:30 9:15 AM.  See you then!

 

Cookies for Habitat June 4  -  We’ve been  asked to provide Cookies for  Habitat for Humanity the week of June 4.  Our aim is to be able to give them a MINIMUM of 700 cookies, so we hope our bakers will  MARK  YOUR   CALENDARS  with this date,  & bring your homemade cookies to the church on June 4, when the Peace & Justice Committee will package them to be delivered to Habitat.  We have it on good authority that the cookies GAPC donates to this wonderful organization are among their VERY FAVORITES – let’s keep up the good work! 

 

OUR  DEACONS -  The first Deacon's meeting of the year was held on Sunday, January 22 after service.   Everyone was updated on Member care, and new names were added to the list of assignments. New assignments were made and everyone was eager to be of help.

 

     Sandy Reichert will serve as chairperson of the Deacons, and Diane Edward will serve as Secretary. They can be contacted, as well as any of the other Deacons, if you know of anyone in our congregation who might need Deacon help.

     

GAPC  DOES  MAKE A  DIFFERENCE ! The February 5 SOUPER BOWL OF CARING collection of $181.00 was donated to Good Samaritan Outreach Center in West Allis.   Good Sam was so grateful to receive it!  Thanks, church family!

              AND

The Peace & Justice “Soup & Sandwich After Church Café” on February 26 brought in a total of $258.00.  The money will be used to fund P & J’s donations to the many causes the group supports.  Special thanks to Bobbie Griffith, who donated $25 from the sale of her handmade greeting cards, to the project.  Thanks, everyone!

 

HOLY HUMOR Sunday is Ap. 23, & we invite you to bring your favorite “church appropriate” stories or jokes to share during worship.  It’s always great FUN!

 

SCRIP  SALES have been somewhat lackluster in recent months.  It’s SUCH an easy way to bring in added funds to the church … just check out the list of businesses which participate (PICK ’N SAVE,  SAM’S CLUB, WAL-MART, MENARD’S, SPEEDWAY,  & KOHL’S,  to name just a few …), & fill out your order form for SCRIP gift cards to the establishment(s) of your choice -- & the church gets a percentage of that amount!  Turn in your order to church treasurer JT Gall, on the second Sunday of each month, & your gift cards will be here the next week!  There will be MORE information on our scrip program, soon!

 

PER CAPITA assessment for  20017 is $30.00 per confirmed member.  It’s important to pay this amount, which is similar to a “head tax”, for we MUST pay it to the presbytery each year.  When folks don’t pay their Per Capita, GAPC must pay their share out of the general budget.  If you haven’t yet paid your Per Capita for the year, please do so as soon as possible.  Thank you.

 

We support GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH CENTER’S FOOD  PANTRY, & each month, we suggest a CHALLENGE  ITEM  for you to donate,  as generously as possible.  Remember, you may donate ANY non-perishable food items at ANY time!  Good Samaritan reminds us that:  “Your contribution of food is more significant because it enables Good Sam’s to provide greater variation in the food that we distribute.  We tend to provide our community members with a somewhat routine menu of food, & we are delighted to be able to surprise them with different foods.”  For April,  we suggest VEGETABLES.

 

ONE GREAT HOUR of  SHARING, a special offering of the PCUSA in which GAPC participates, will be accepted from now through Easter Sunday.  “Loose the bonds of injustice, let the oppressed go free”, says Isaiah 58, & this year’s OGHS is the direct response of Presbyterians to God’s call.  When you give to OGHS, you contribute to Self-Development of People, by partnering in projects like Jobs Not Jails, which has already assisted over 7,000 people with access to jobs & education as they establish new lives after prison, thus reducing the probability of repeat offenses.   The Presbyterian Hunger Program also benefits from OGHS, as congregations work creatively to address long-term care of the earth to end hunger & poverty for the most vulnerable around the world.  And Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helps to provide food, shelter & education both in the United States, when disaster strikes, but across the world.  Examples: providing food, shelter & education to refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria -- & more.  There are special offering envelopes behind the regular pew envelopes, marked specifically for One Great Hour of Sharing.  Please give.

 

Don’t forget to help us as we continue our support of  WILSON SCHOOL! This fall, we began our 4^th year helping provide donations of back packs & school supplies; we’ve already delivered a generous amount to the school.  Here’s the thing:  THE NEED FOR THESE SUPPLIES IS ONGOING – it doesn’t stop once the school year is underway --- so we need KEEP DOING WHAT WE DO, TO HELP SUPPORT THESE CHILDREN!  This WAWM elementary school, (like so many others in the area) has a significant number of students whose parents, through no fault of their own, cannot afford the necessary school supplies.  Teachers & administrators often dig deep into their own pockets to provide for these children, whom they care about so deeply.   We applaud them, and we want to offer as much assistance as we’re able, also.  There’s a LIST of needed items taped to the collection box in the narthex; please jot down a few of the items, watch for sales, & pick up some to bring to church.

 

The Guest  House asks: Did YOU ever wonder when you’d eat next, or   find a place to shower, or where you’d sleep tonight?”  Most of the people the Guest House serves asked these questions on a daily basis, before coming there.  Their web page states: “Since 1982, the Guest house has provided #OneWarmBed  to people in our community in need of shelter – but providing one warm bed is not all we do.  The Guest House is more than shelter – we provide permanent housing, job training, access to addiction & mental health counseling, & much more.  We know that in order to overcome homelessness, providing one warm bed is only one piece of the puzzle.  Visit us at guesthouseofmilwaukee.org”

 

 

 

April  2017  CALENDAR

 

 

 

 

Sat April 1  **  9:00 AM – Spring  Clean-Up **

Sun April 2     10:45 AM – Deacons Meet *

                       *  2:30 PM – ORGAN CONCERT *

Fri April 7        6:00 PM – Set up for Pancakes *

Sat April 8        7:30 – 11:00 AM –28^th Annual  GREAT PANCAKE BREAKFAST ***

Tues April 11      7:00 PM – Resources Committee meets

Thurs April 13    5:45 PM – Choir meets *

                             6:30 PM Maundy  Thursday worship *

Sun April 16       8:30 AM – Easter BREAKFAST *

                             9:30 AM – Easter Worship

Tues April 18     7:00 PM – Session meets

Wed April 19     7:00 PM – Choir party at  Brunett’s   *

Sat April 22     It’s EARTH  DAY  -  Honor & Celebrate Mother Earth in some way

Sun April 23     9:30 AM – Holy Humor Sunday *

 

 

                          

Failure consists of falling down one more time than getting up.