From the Pastor’s Desk
I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
-Old Hymn
In the life of the church, we often see the pews fill more during the special holidays. Advent and Lent seem to be a time when people seem to feel a need to regain some spiritual uplift.
One of the things that I have loved about the Franklin Hill church is the music! Not just the choir that is so faithful, but the singing of the congregation. It seems like people really do lift their voices in song and praise the Lord during the hymns and anthem.
I love the hymn, “I Need Thee.“ It gives us such an important message. We don’t just need God on Sunday, or during the high holy days, or even when things are going badly. We need Him every hour!
I’ve always told the choirs that I have directed that you are ministering in song. Sometimes the anthem of the day or a special hymn will say just the right thing to stick with us for the week and remind us of our worship experience.
A lot of work from many people have gone into the putting together of our hymnal. I know people who have been on those committees and they work long and hard and spend prayerful time determining what hymns will aid us in our worship.
Perhaps some Sunday when you come into church you can take a quiet moment and read some of the words in a favorite hymn. You will be surprised as to what God will reveal to you in those moments.
We appreciate Linda’s talent, Esther’s faithfulness, Kathy’s direction and Joyce’s special music with the quartet and special music in the summer. God’s gift is so evident in this little church on the hill and it seems to resound in the music.
As a United Methodist pastor, we were taught that when John Wesley and his brother Charles began to have church services in the foundries and factories in London (because people worked 7 days a week) people would near the music coming from the buildings and come to see what was happening.
If people were walking by our Franklin Hill church on a Sunday morning they might say, Wow, let’s go in and see what is happening in a place that has such joyous music.
Pastor Marilyn
The Church Owl
The Book of Confession contains many comforting theological insights.
Q. What are God’s works of providence?
With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
-The Confession of 1967 (BC, 9.55)
-The Presbyterian Handbook
Announcements
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Wednesday at 4:00pm
Pastor Marilyn : You can reach her at 607-222-8261. If anyone needs to meet, or need a visit or counseling, be sure to call. Winter Address: Rev. Marilyn and Ray Barnard, 5201 W. Camelback Rd. Lot B 31, Phoenix, AZ 85031
Thursday, April 11th – Prayer Shawl Ministry Group meets at Carolyn W. – 7:00PM
Saturday, April 20th – Family Supper in the Community Building at 5:30PM
Sunday, April 21st – Session Meeting after Worship Service in the Community Building
Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th – Rummage Sale and Bake Sale. Please bring your
items for donation. Please no electronics.
Tuesday, April 30th – Newsletter Deadline
Monday, May 13th – Mother Daughter Dinner in the Community Building – 6:00PM. Watch for the
sign up sheet.
Baby Bottle Campaign – Hope…as we Celebrate the Sanctity of Human Life. Hope & Help & Healing. Offers hope to clients is Care Net’s greatest privilege. Every person has the need for love, comfort and hope. Care Net Pregnancy Centers of NEPA help these hurting men an women with their immediate needs through Earn While You Learn program and Baby Store. Hope and Help for those facing an unplanned pregnancy or parenting concern. Help and Healing for those suffering from a pregnancy termination in their past.
The Baby Bottle Campaign for Care Net is now in progress. Baby Bottle are available in the foyer and should be brought back to the church by Mother’s Day, May 12th.
For more information see Joyce Printz.
Here is Chris Ralston’s address while he is in Tech training. He will be there until mid September:
Ralston, Christopher J.
140 Phantom St. 15344
Keesler AF Base, Ms 39534
Coffee Hour – There is a sign of sheet on the board in the foyer, we still need a couple people to sign up and you would need to see that the coffee is made and the juice is out and that things are set up. We are then asking that each family bring something to share. Homemade is great, but it does not need to be, and let’s try to bring healthy foods, such as little finger sandwiches, fruit, veggies, healthy snacks and maybe a few sweets for a treat.
200th Anniversary Celebration – We are attempting to contact as many people who used to live on Franklin Hill as possible to invite them to the 200th Anniversary Celebration on September 8th of this year. If you have contact information; addresses, phone numbers, e-mails etc. please contact them or give the information to Jim Perkins. If anyone is not able to attend the celebration on the 8th we would enjoy hearing from them or have them visit church some time this year. Thank you in advance for you cooperation.
Don’t forget our card ministry – If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Joyce. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Joyce will address the envelopes and mail them.
Loose Change Offerings
1st Sunday – Local Emergency/Deacon’s Fund
2nd Sunday – Local Emergency/Deacon’s
3rd Sunday – Kenya/Rev. Malaho
4th Sunday – Building Maintenance
5th Sunday – Habitat for Humanity (whenever there is a 5th Sunday)
Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church History
Some earlier minutes:
Lords Day, April 3rd , 1814, The ordinance of the Lords’ Supper was administered in this church by the Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury at the house of Titus Smith in Lawsville. Mrs. Polly Bishop having been examined relative to her experimental acquaintance with the religion of Jesus Christ, was this day received into this church in full communion.
Lords Day April 16 th, 1815, Samuel Newel Hill child of the Reverend Oliver Hill and Creusa his wife was baptized by Mr. Hill at the schoolhouse in Lawsville.
April 5th, 1846 Ordinance of the Lords Supper administered by the Rev. Mr. Fraser.