1st Congregational Church of Tempe

1st Congregational Church of Tempe
God is still
speaking
Are you
listening?
WORSHIP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:30 A.M.
NURSERY CARE PROVIDED
No matter who, No matter what,
No matter where
You are on life’s journey,
You’re Welcome Here!
CHIMES
What’s Inside
April 2014
Pastoral Ponderings
3
Upcoming Events
4
A Holy Pilgrimage
5
Thank You’s
Deacon’s Corner
8
From the Clerk
Youth News
9
Women’s Fellowship
Treasurer’s Report
10
Southwest Conference
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101 East Sixth Street, Tempe Arizona 85281
Parking on 7th and Myrtle
480.967.2275
[email protected]
www.firstchurchtempeucc.com
First Congregational Church of Tempe, UCC
We've been in ministry since 1892.
Grounded in our New England roots and in our affiliation
with the United Church of Christ (UCC),
our intergenerational membership composed of families,
single adults and students is diverse. Coming from many
different places, geographical locations, and affiliations,
we hold a common commitment to Christ.
OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY CLOSED
Sunday Service 10:30am
Phone: 480-967-2275
Email: [email protected]
Website: firstchurchtempeucc.com
Follow us on Facebook:
First Congregational Church of Tempe UCC
Reverend Ed Mendenhall
Billy Badgett
Christina Halstead
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~Rev. Ed, your Interim Minister
Lent comes to its conclusion with the Easter Vigil early on Easter morn. The Lenten journey is
a time for all Christians to reflect carefully on what needs to change in their lives, in order to
receive more fully the Resurrection hope celebrated on Easter. This journey requires much,
not only of individuals, but also of a church. What styles are holding us back from forward progress in
Christ? And how with the Holy Spirit’s guidance do we address these situations. In essence, this requires a
willingness to be transformed (“born again,” “born anew,” “born from above,” from a recent Lenten sermon).
For one who already knows Christ, this would mean a deepening of faith, or as the Methodists used to say, “to
be sanctified,” that is, the growth, following our first acknowledgement of receiving Christ. To be more dedicatedly “in Christ,” a phrase the Apostle Paul uses often, is the goal. This goal is the purpose of the church
and our work, service and worship. All else, though good and necessary, is secondary to knowing the Lord
and following the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the operation of the church as an institution.
Holy Week is the final week of Lent, beginning with Palm-Passion Sunday. The focus is on Jesus’ last week in the flesh
before Easter. Mark is the Gospel which delineates the day by day events. Take a look at those last chapters in Mark.
The deeper spiritual meaning of Holy Week turns to the conflicts and sufferings which Christ meets and the meaning
for our lives and institutions of those seven days that changed the world.
Passion-Palm Sunday (Ap. 13) recalls both the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, with joyous shouts from
the disciples and the crowds. But a second emphasis of P-P Sunday is to juxtapose the Triumph against the
coming Passion (from the Greek and Latin, meaning suffering). There are special scripture readings from his
trials and the cross. This is a really difficult Sunday to express liturgically in worship, especially since most of
us were raise with just the “Palm” side and not the “Passion” side.
Most church denominations recall the Last Supper of Jesus with the 12 Apostles and the sorrow amid his praying
in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Aramaic for “an oil press,” probably a reference to the pressing of olives to obtain olive oil.) The worship service is solemn. We call this Maundy Thursday. Maundy – derived from the Latin,
“mandare,” to command, a reference to the “new command,” as recorded in John’s Gospel, “to love one another as I have loved you.” (To be contrasted with the Jewish derived ethical summons, to love God and the neighbor.) There is something new here.
Finally, Good Friday is a time to reflect on the agony of the cross, the cost of his atoning love and a recognition that
Jesus suffers for our sins in a redemptive way. (Not enough room here to explain the many views of the doctrine of the atonement!) Holy Saturday is a time when Jesus was in the tomb. And according to the Apostle
Peter’s words, Jesus “made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey.” (I Pt. 3:19
-20) Many scholars see this as extending the opportunity to find salvation to all in “Hades” or “Purgatory” or
that intermediary existence before the last Judgment. (The classical creeds read, “He descended into Hell.”)
For most Christians Holy Saturday is a time of rest and solemn reflection, in preparation to receive the Hope
and Joy of the new life in Christ.
That Hope and Joy of the new life in Christ is celebrated at Easter (Sun., Ap. 20) or more liturgically correct, “The
Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord.” Often in worship there is a re-dedication liturgy known as “the
renewal of our baptismal vows,” where congregants are invited forward to be sprinkled with water, a symbol of
their promise to follow our Lord more fully.
Then comes the “Great Fifty Days” of celebration, concluding with Pentecost (this year, June 8). This time of celebration is a kind of counterbalance to the solemn focus of the 40 day in Lent.
[As Larry Power said at a recent Council Meeting at the conclusion, “Das Ende,” the end” in German. I was able to reply, “Jawohl,” “Yes, certainly!” LET ME KNOW IF YOU READ THIS ARTICLE AND IF IT WAS HELPFUL SPIRITUALLY
AND IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER. Just checking
to see if you are reading the emailed CHIMES! Thanks so much. – Rev. Ed, interim minister]
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APRIL UPCOMING 2014
PLEASE JOIN WITH US IN THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Sunday, April 6: A Special Opportunity – Visit by the Covenant Players, a Christian Drama
Group. Main Play -- “Christian Courage,” based on the 5th Sunday in Lent New Testament Les
son, where is recorded one of those rare statements by the Apostle Thomas about love and the
courage to “die with Jesus.” Youth led in some parts, as is our custom. (Thank you Pat Quinnett
and our youth!) Also – This is a Communion Service. This worship will run a little longer.
Please keep this in mind. Important “food and service” event to follow! Please plan to join with
us at Fellowship Time, to share in a great meal prepared by the Marshallese Church, which meets
in Prior Hall each Sunday. Meals will be $10 each – well worth it. A delicious Marshallese lunch!
First Church UCC has promised to ask our people to purchase at least 40 meals. “Yes we can!”
do it! Monies collected from the meals to go for a special Marshallese Youth Gathering in Hono
lulu, Hawaii, in June, to pay airfares. Individual youth/familes will pay for meals, hotel and
Sunday, April 13, at First Church UCC – Palm-- Passion Worship, to include processional of Sunday School. (And thanks to our SS for their help and support in this!)
The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, SW Conference Conf. Minister, will be with us! Let us
welcome him and join him at Fellowship Time. John will bring greetings from the
Conference, act as our Liturgist and Scripture Reader (and perhaps other parts of the
worship, assigned at the last minute by Rev. Ed!) Rev. Ed will be bringing the mes-
sage-sermon. (Our thanks to the Deacons who do the altar decorating with Palms and for their unfailing dedication on all of these special occasion! “Well done, Good and Faithful Servants!”
Maundy Thursday Worship and Communion with the Tenebrae (service of shadows)
and the Cross at the conclusion. We gather in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM on
Thursday, April 17. Our special thanks to Billy Badget and the Praise Team for
their extra work in remembering this solemn occasion of “The Last Supper” and
Jesus in Gethsemane Gardens in prayer. Special Note: The Confirmation Class
will also be participating. (Many thanks, Confirmands, and to Dorothy Elkins for this timely suggestion.)
On Good Friday, April 18, Rev. Ed will be available to talk with those who so desire.
The Sanctuary will be open for prayerful reflection from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. (This
schedule is tentative, as Rev. Ed will be joining the youth to see the new movie, “The
Son of God.”
Sunday, April 20, “The Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord!,” popularly called
Easter, since the sun-Son rises in the east! Please join us for this joyful and hope
filled occasion. PLEASE NOTE DIRECTIONS IN THIS NEWSLETTER AS REGARDS
THE EASTER LILIES. Our heart felt Gracias to Dorothy Elkins and the Deacons for their work in
organizing this and arranging in the Sanctuary.
The Celebration of Easter continues in the “Great Fifty Days.” Liturgical color for the Easter Season is
white, symbol of Hope and Joy. Happy “Great Fifty Days! (-Rev. Ed, interim minister)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to keep in prayer the Search Committee, the Council, and Interim Pastor in this time of transition. Reflect on what our Jewish friends call “God’s Commanding Presence.” -- Rev. Ed
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Fatima & Lourdes Pilgrimage
( Nov 5- 15 2013 )
~ by Dat & Hien Le
During this pilgrimage, we have explored mainly historical and holy sites of Portugal (capital Lisbon, Fatima), Spain (Capital Madrid, cathedral of Santiago de Compostella), France Pyrenees (Lourdes). We
traveled thru many captivating streets and country sides, totaling 1300 miles. The pilgrimage helped us
expand and deepen our faith as we learn more about our Christian heritage and enjoy the beauty, landscape and traditions of the regions. We have experienced the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Mother
Mary in a dynamic and intimate way that enriched, impacted and inspired our spiritual journey. This is a
wonderful pilgrimage, during which we feel transformed, renewed and restored by the abundant blessings
and graces. See map for the travel path during the pilgrimage
Fatima
We arrived first in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, then traveled north 80 miles to reach the village of Fatima.
Fatima is one of the world’s most famous holy shrine where Mother Mary appeared 6 times to the children Francisco, age 9; Jacinto Marto, age 7; and their cousin Lucia dos Santos, age 10 during 1917. Mother Mary was a messenger of God to the children, asking them to forward requests of pray and do penance
for the remission of sins, and to obtain the conversion of sinners. The most important message was asking
the world to pray for world peace before the prophesied outbreak of World War II. In the village of Fatima, we visited the Basilica of our Lady of Fatima, sites of lodgings of the three shepherd children. We
also participated in the torchlight procession at night to pray for world peace.
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Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
From Fatima, we travel 300 miles north, to reach the City Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This site is the famed pilgrimage
center since the Middle Ages and Spain's holiest city. Santiago
de Compostela includes the magnificent 12th century Romanesque and Baroque style Cathedral housing the remains of St
James, patron Saint of Spain. Next, we travel south 380 miles
towards Madrid, capital City of Spain. Here we had a chance to
explore many aspects of the Spanish civilization, the Royal Palace and the exquisite gardens that surround it, the Cervantes
Memorial, the acacia-lines Castellana, the Prado Museum with a
tremendous collection of masterpieces by Spain's artist Velazquez, Goya and El Greco.
Lourdes (France Pyrenees)
We traveled 400 miles across Spain to south western region of France.
We reached the shrine City of Lourdes where in February 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared 18 times at the Grotto of Massabielle to the poor
shepherd girl Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette was 14 at the first apparition. Lourdes is the holy shrine the most visited in the world. Each
year, it is believed that 6 millions of pilgrims have come. Since 1858, pilgrims come bearing candles, the symbol of their faith in Christ whose
own words recorded in the gospels declare "I am the light of the
world." Prayer, Penitence and Poverty are the key elements of the message of Lourdes. Mother Mary clearly stipulated the first two, the third
was implied by Bernadette's choice to be "poor amongst the poor," although ill, and thru example of her own life. Our Lady did not promise her happiness on earth and her choice
to be with the poor gave it an everlasting evangelical message. Bernadette later on preached the value of love,
penance, prayer and helping the poor as instructed by the Virgin Mary .
Here we visited the Grotto of Apparition, the Rosary Basilica, attended the Blessing of the Sick and the famous Torchlight procession. At the Grotto of Apparition, the Holy Mass is held every single hour throughout
the day, in Italian, Portugese, Spanish, German and French. It is said there were about ten thousands of pilgrims had their illness cured after visiting, and bathing by immersion in the 50- degree water during recitation of prayer to the Virgin Mary. Under the grey sky of winter, within chilly, rainy and windy afternoon of
November...we witness thousands of pilgrims flocked to the shrine, to the grotto to pray...I would think there
is nothing to prevent human beings to believe in God and to seek help from the Devine Mercy. And Many
sick people await miracles…
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Re-Visiting VietNam
After the pilgrimage, we went back to Vietnam to revisit our father. There, we had a chance to celebrate his
100th birthday during the Christmas Season. We had managed to request a religious Catholic Mass at home
for him with complete religious rites. It had been a solemn and moving full ceremony with communion for
our father to enjoy his 100th Christmas. Our father is well and healthy, thanks to God. Our visit to Vietnam
fell on the last day of the typhoon that devastated the Philippines. Haiyan Typhoon struck the Philippines on
Nov 8th, 2013 with wind speeds up to 150 miles an hour. It left behind almost a million people displaced, and
more than 2000 died. On 11 Nov, the typhoon came ashore with weakened wind strength, striking the central
and northern coastal areas of Vietnam. Fortunately, the damage here was minor, only houses and lands were
affected....
Coming back safe and sound to the US, after more than 2 months of traveling, we feel very fortunate and extremely blessed for having exposed ourselves to more religious experiences. We thank God for all we have
had in our life. We keep praying every night for all the unfortunate, poor and sick. Every time we come back
to attend the Sunday Service at FCC UCC, we feel loved and honored.
Thank you Rev Ed and all members of the Congregation.
AMEN
Dat & Hien
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SOME KUDOS AND THANK YOU’S TO...

Jean Behrens for her work with the Sunday School as a teacher and superb organizer of the SS
Room. Jean resigned her council position as Christian Ed Director at the March Council Meeting.
Many thanks also for her dedicated work with IHelp and the serving of meals to the homeless! There
are many other things Jean does in support of the mission of service of First Church UCC. (Jean, I
just do not have my complete notes in front of me; so excuse the incompleteness of this Kudos and
Thank You’s. Now when I talked with your mother the other day at Mimosa Care Center, she told me
all about your work. Irene has pretty good recall! -- Rev. Ed)

Shane Shields, along with his side kick Dave Bird, for their work repairing many things and fixing
lights. Tom Cazan has also assisted from time to time. Blessings be upon you all!

Gail Bird and Pat Quinnett for keeping up our bulletin boards around the church. Note especially the
one showing pictures of the youth.

Pat Quinnett, for your patient and dedicated work with our youth, especially the many events when
school was out for Spring Vacation. Now one more note – Pat is the greatest of hostesses in the
overflowing of food and desserts she furnishes at her home for the youth. At her own expense!
And, as you know, growing kids gobble down a lot (as has the pastor one or two times, when visiting)! And thanks to Dorothy Elkins for her support as chaperon for Pat and the youth! To all those
givers of extra funds to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.

Richard Hoglund for all of the work he does around the church, picking up, cleaning, arranging neatly the library and other works of which I am not aware. Richard quietly and unobtrusively goes
about these important works of dedication and love. Everyone, be sure to say “thanks” to Richard!

Dave Galvan for his gracious attitude and hard work as our parking lot attendant. Dave also assists
in many ways in and outside of the church building. Please give Dave a thanks and a pat on the
back.

Quick Aside: I know there are others who should be mentioned. Apologies if I have left some out.
Sorry, my memory “ain’t” what it used to be. And I did not intentionally leave out “nary” a person! -Rev. Ed, Interim Pastor
Deacon’s Corner
It is time to think about “ADOPTING AN EASTER LILY”. The forms will be available from
March 23 – April 13. Please help bring the sanctuary to life on Easter Sunday with your dedication of a lily(s) to Honor, Celebrate, or Remember someone special. The lilies will be $10
and you may put your adoption form in one of the PEW envelopes and mark it “EASTER
LILY”. And to really brighten the Church on Easter morning plan to attend the Easter
Breakfast; 9:15 – 10:15; and attend the service of worship at 10:30. The BREAKFAST will be pot luck and a
signup sheet will be in Prior Hall the two Sundays prior to Easter. There are several opportunities coming in
April, with the Covenant Players being here on April 6; Palm Sunday, April 13; Maundy Thursday, April 17;
and Easter Sunday, April 20. You are invited to help with decorating the sanctuary with palms on Saturday
April 12, and the sanctuary with lilies on April 19. The decorating times will be at 9 am both days. The Deacons/Music Committee would like to thank the Council for increasing the Music budget to enable us to have
special music (Christina Halstead) three times a month. She brings much to the worship service with Billy and
the Praise Team. ‘May the joybells of heaven ding-dong in your heart today.’
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From the Clerk
Members and Friends Directory: We are in the process of updating
our current Directory. If you have any changes in address, phone
numbers or email address, please contact the office by phone or
email. It is always a shame to publish and discover it is already
out-of-date!
Membership: The Clerk, with the support of the Deacons and the office, is responsible for keeping
complete records of active and inactive members at First Church. Several years have passed since
the last time we notified members to determine their current status to make an accurate update to our
rolls. This is important when following our Constitution and By-laws, especially in declaring a
quorum for voting at congregational meetings. Please respond in a timely manner when you receive
a letter regarding membership. Thank you.
Bulletin Boards: We recently reorganized two bulletin boards in Prior Hall. I hope it sends the
message that we are alive and active at First Church! One display highlights current activities and
service of our Youth. The other focuses on our Missions. When we receive charitable donations
from groups and business, we will post this. Currently, we announced a generous contribution by
Metro Realty Professionals (Kay Keith and Krisitin Schwartz) to our Tuesday Lunches for the
Homeless. In addition, we have received a gift card from Costco which we will use for supplies for
the lunch program. Please show your support of both these businesses and thank them next time you
shop there or list your home! (Actually, you can thank Kay and Kristin at church. You don’t have to
move.) If any members wish to solicit a business for donations, we have a letter composed on letterhead. See me for a copy.
A Reminder that we still are relevant in downtown Tempe:
On a recent Sunday, we had a visitor from Baltimore, Maryland named Patrick, who told me he came
to our worship service because he heard our bell and it was calling him. I invited him to stay for coffee fellowship, but he begged off because he had to go check out of his hotel. How wonderful that
our bell spoke to him when he was in town for a meeting. It speaks to me every Sunday morning, but
more as a reminder to get into worship! Gail
YOUTH NEWS
– Pat Quinnett
We had a fantastic time over spring break. Be sure to check out our
bulletin board of pictures in Prior Hall. Of course very little went as
planned but we are a flexible bunch and were able to cram in lots of
fun and volunteer work too. For April, on Good Friday, we plan on seeing the movie ‘Son of
God’ and consuming lots of popcorn. We will follow with a discussion of the movie and it’s
Easter message while participating in the more secular activity of decorating eggs and perhaps
consuming a few. We have a great group and there is always room for more. With the growing
number of youth we have also seen a growing number of adults pitching in to transport and
chaperone. A big thanks to Dorothy Elkins, Rev Ed, Gail Bird, Jane Gray, Joanne Nolte and
Ellen Power for helping last month. You are all on my speed dial now J.
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Women's Fellowship will meet Thursday, April 10th at 10 am to visit the
Tempe History Museum at Southern and Rural Roads to see the
Tempe House of Worship Photo Exhibit. Our Church is part of the Exhibit!
Come Join Us.
There are no membership requirements.
All members and friends of
First Congregational Church are considered members.
Co-Chair Women
Joanne Nolte and Gail Bird
TREASURER’S REPORT:
~Patricia Quinnett
Just so you don’t think that I am a broken record or the weatherman, telling you everything is warm
and sunny, I do have a few things to bring to your attention this month. First let me thank you for all
that you do to keep our church’s doors open and our many missions funded. Now for the updates; this
is the second month that pledges have been under budget. It is not by a great amount but if it stays at
this level we will not have enough to end up the year in the black. So please check your records and if
that check is still sitting on your desk, please drop it in the mail. This is especially important in the next
few months when some of you move onto cooler climates. The church still needs to pay its electric bill
and mortgage while you are gone.
Speaking of electric bill, a second item to bring to your attention
is the increase in our budget billing for our electric. PLEASE
turn off the lights, fans, whatever when you leave a meeting. If
you have changed the thermostat to be more comfortable, before
you leave set it back to 82. It should never be set below 76 or it
will freeze up the unit and then nobody will be happy.
May the love of God and church family be with you.
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Please Keep These Among Us in Your Prayers
Assisted Living - Irene Bradley; Roxie Decker; Helen Dixon;
Barbara Bedient (WV)
Caregivers - Dr. Nancy Norton, daughter and caregiver of Barbara Bedient;
Greg Pohl, husband and caretaker of wife Nancy Pohl.
Losses - Bill Garan, IHelp Volunteer recently killed in a motorcycle accident.
James 5:13-16
The Prayer of Faith
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is
anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the
church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in
the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith
will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise
them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer
of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
“More things are wrought by prayer
than this world dreams of.
Wherefore, let thy voice
rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
that nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
both for themselves and those who call them friends?
For so the whole round earth is every way bound by
gold chains about the feet of God.”
By Alfred Lord Tennyson,
from Idylls of the King
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From the Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
To learn more about the Southwest Conference UCC, and their
In the Loop online newsletter
visit their website at www.uccswc.org
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