News - April 2017 RSS Feed

Dear friends in Christ,
Welcome to our 32nd annual CtR Spring Festival weekend! Come one, come all! If you are reading this on Saturday night or any time on Sunday, I hope you will make plans to stop by the festival and enjoy everything that it has to offer. And I do mean everything. We’ve got plenty of space to spread out and a few new rides and games this year. The food booths and auction tent are back in the usual spots, but take time to wander around the grounds to see all there is to offer. From the delicious homemade bar-b-q dinner from our new smokin’ team in the Community Center (followed by bingo in the mid-afternoon), to the live and silent auctions under the big tent, to the games for the kids, there is truly something for everyone. The wine garden is back again for the adults. The Sweet Shop will satisfy any child’s (or adult’s) sugar craving and the plant booth will give your green thumb a new friend to care for. Don’t forget the ever-popular Flea Market where you can find anything and everything under the sun. Make us an offer as everything must go!

Dear friends in Christ,
Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter continues for 50 glorious days so let us celebrate with hearts and minds renewed in the Risen Christ. Today, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, a day dedicated to the Divine Mercy devotion that focuses on the mercy of God the Father through His Son, Jesus. To commemorate the day we will have a service at 3 p.m. today in the church. There will be a reading of Scripture and a reflection on the Divine Mercy as it relates to the Eucharist. All are invited to join us for this time of prayer in thanksgiving for the gift of the Divine Mercy to the Church.

Dear friends in Christ,
“Alleluia! Alleluia!” That double “Alleluia” is a hallmark of today’s great celebration of Easter. Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, is risen from the dead! The stone has been rolled away and the empty tomb lets all know without a shadow of doubt that death has been overcome. The appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples brings to fulfillment what had been foretold of Him in all of the Scriptures. The Messiah had to first suffer and die but He will rise again on the third day. Today is that day and so we raise our voices in glory to God!

Dear friends in Christ,
Our celebration today on Passion (Palm) Sunday leads us into the most sacred and special season of the Church’s liturgical calendar, Holy Week. The palm branches we bless and carry today remind us of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. He comes not as a victorious king as some had hoped for, but rather as a willing servant that lays down His life for all. May these palms remind us of that entrance and, most importantly, what follows. Are we willing to go to the cross with Christ and die to the sin in our lives? If so, then this will indeed be a triumphant journey that ends not in death but victory and life.