Cottage Way Christian News (Disciples of Christ) 2117 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 927-9274

Christian News Editions

May 2013  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Reception for New Members This Sunday, May 5

After worship this coming Sunday, May 5, there will a special reception for our new members who have joined Cottage Way since July of 2012.� We are so glad you are here!� There will be a complimentary lunch and a short program in room 7 for these members.� The Evangelism Committee is hosting this event.

Mother�s Day Celebration on Sunday, May 12

Sunday, May 13, is Mother�s Day.� We want to celebrate and give thanks to God for our mothers.� Just prior to worship at 11 AM, we�ll have special awards for the newest mother, most children in worship, most grandchildren, etc.��

After worship, there will be a special Mother�s Day reception for everybody, hosted by the Mission & Nurture Committee.� They will be serving specially prepared homemade desserts made from recipes in the church�s cookbook.� YUM!� There will also be a gift for every mom.

Celebrating the Church�s Birthday on May 19

Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday � a BIG DAY in the life of every Christian church, because it celebrates the birth of the very first Christian church nearly 2000 years ago.� On that first Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit into the community of Jesus� followers, as a mighty wind and tongues of fire inspired them and �fired them up� for God�s ministry of understanding and inclusion to all..� (See Acts 2:1-21)

On Sunday, May 19, please wear red to worship if you can � a symbol of the way God also �fires us up� to listen to and love others.� After worship, we�ll have a special �Birthday Party for the Church� and EVERYONE is invited!

We Welcome Our Newest Members

We are so pleased to welcome Brad Hanson, the fellow who plays guitar for our worship on Sunday mornings, as one of our newest members.� Brad comes to us by a reaffirmation of his faith.� And we welcome Cheyenne Bryant and Kyrsten Nadeau, friends of Heaven Larsen, to Cottage Way.� They both made their confession of faith and will soon be baptized.� Welcome!

From the Pastor

I remember reading an essay, back in my Divinity School days, by a scholar about the Apostle Paul and what Paul meant when he said that the church was the body of Christ.� Paul calls the church the body of Christ in Romans and I Corinthians.� I remember reading that Paul meant exactly what he said:� When Christ brings us all together and joins us to each other around the Lord�s Table, we become Christ�s body in the world. And it is through us that Christ continues his ministry to the world.

I think this scholar was right.� Paul meant exactly what he said.� And I think Paul was right.� We become the body of Christ here at Cottage Way and Christ continues his ministry through us.� Paul was right.� I can see it happening here.

I could see it this past Sunday.� There were a lot of people here for worship and some of those people are kind of new to the church.� They keep coming back; I don�t have to twist their arms.� They come back because they sense something here, something good.� They sense among us the presence of Christ and the presence of God�s love for us in Christ.� There were lots of kids here this past Sunday.� Why are there so many kids here and why are they so happy to be here?� I think it is for the same reason.� Through us, through what we do with kids here at Cottage Way, they, too, sense the presence of Christ and the presence of God�s love for them in Christ when they are here.� And that is very, very important.

Irene�s funeral was this past Sunday.� It was her wish that her funeral be held on a Sunday following the morning worship so that her friends wouldn�t have to make a special trip for her.� But we would�ve made a special trip Irene, for we all loved her.� We still do.

Having her funeral on a Sunday after worship meant that we all had to make some adjustments and work together.� And we all did.� I watched everyone work together so smoothly, handling the dinner and the service with such dignity and such grace.� Thanks to you and your generosity, there was plenty of good food for the dinner, for Irene�s family and everyone else.� Lots of people pitched in to serve and clean up.� And the service, what you said about Irene and the way you said it, the service for Irene was filled with such warmth and love and beauty.

I saw what Paul was talking about this past Sunday.� I saw Christ continuing his ministry to the world through us.� I saw it this past Sunday, but I see it every Sunday.� And on Saturday nights.� Whenever we are gathered and for whatever reason, I can see what Paul was talking about.� I can see Christ joining us together and ministering to the world through us.� Through our worship, the music and the prayers.� Through our Sunday School classes.� Through Children�s Church and what we do with young people.� Even through the coffee fellowship and the way people talk with each other.

I see all of the good that happens for people here at Cottage Way and I thank Jesus Christ for bringing us all together, for joining us all one to the other, and for continuing to minister to the world through us.

Pastor Neal

New Quilting Group Hosts Free �Learning Parties�

Are you a quilter, or would you like to learn how to quilt?� Cottage Way Christian Church has formed a new group and invites you to join us.� On the first three Saturdays in May � May 4, May 11, and May 18 � we�ll meet at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for �Learning Parties,� led by our own, wonderful, Judy Gorchinski.�

We�ll be learning how to cut and sew a variety of quilts, beginning with very easy rag quilts, baby quilts, and lap quilts.� So easy and yet so pretty � and they�re very special gifts to give, too.� Most of the materials and equipment will be provided for you, as will lunch � all for free!� Come and learn with us � and have a great time, too!�

Honoring Our Veterans on Sunday, May 26

At the beginning of worship on Memorial Day Sunday, May 26, we�ll honor our veterans with a special flag presentation by our Boy Scouts, a prayer, and song.� We�ll also distribute a special memorial folder listing the congregation�s veterans, both living and deceased.� A draft of our list of the congregation�s veterans will be distributed on the previous Sundays, May 19 and May 12, so that you can make any needed corrections or additions.� Please join us as we honor those who have served.

Block Party Planned for June 22

The Mission and Nurture Committee is now making plans to have a Block Party for the neighborhood in the church�s parking lot on Saturday June 22.� We are planning to have crafts for kids, food for everyone, maybe some live music, and booths.� We are asking agencies and businesses in the area�agencies and businesses that offer services that can make life better for people�to set up booths and offer information about their services to people the church�s neighborhood.

The idea is for Cottage Way to help make the neighborhood a better place for us all.� The church will also have a booth; people can find out about the church and will see that our church is a good place to be and that we care about people here.

Our Christian Love and Prayers

Our Christian love and prayers are with the family and friends of Irene Phillips.� Irene, a long-time and much loved member of Cottage Way, died on April 23, one day short of her 98^th birthday.� Her funeral was held here at the church on Sunday, April 28.� Pastor Neal led the service.� Many people came to express their love for Irene.� We will all miss her.

Second Year of �Building Our Future� Campaign

It was a year ago that we launched our �Building Our Future� campaign.� The goal of this campaign was to receive $80,000 in over-and-above pledges to the church.� This over-and-above giving to the church would insure that the church�s ministry would continue for at least two more years.� While we fell short of that goal, many people made generous pledges toward the campaign�s goal.

Those pledges were to be made good over a two year period, through June of 2014.� So we are halfway there and our giving continues to be faithful.� Let�s keep up the good work!

There has been some really good news since this time last year.� First, we have been able to boost our income significantly by renting space to Sacramento Lighthouse Outreach Ministries.� Second, pledges received on Consecration Sunday this past fall�pledges of regular giving to the church�showed a significant increase.� And that increase is showing up in this year�s giving.� And it may also be possible for us to make some significant cuts to our expenses; we are working on this.

Things continue to look up.� We have come such a long, long way the last few years.� We have made so much progress and the future of Cottage Way looks brighter and brighter.� Let�s keep going. Remember to make your contributions toward your �Building Our Future� pledge.� And, if you can, make a special gift to the campaign.�

Sandy Berry Will Continue as Student Minister

We were so pleased that Sandy Berry wanted to fulfill her field education requirements for her seminary education here at Cottage Way.� She has been our Student Minister since last September and will complete her required field education work at the end of this month.� But, because she has worked so well here and because she has gained the trust and respect of the people of Cottage Way, the Board decided that Sandy should keep her title of Student Minister through the next May.

Sandy will continue to lead parts of our worship on Sunday mornings and Saturday evenings as her schedule allows.� She will also continue to care for the people of the church as she has done the past nine months.� And, as her schedule allow, she will contribute to the life of the church in other ways.

She understands that we cannot pay her.� And we will understand that she has a pretty busy schedule.� Just the same, we are happy to have her as our Student Minister and that she wants to continue with Cottage Way.

Kitchen Clean-up Day Goes Great

�Did you know that we�re now averaging about 100 people in worship each week � and a lot more than that on special holidays?��� There are a lot more people using the kitchen every week, too, not only to prepare our weekly Sunday �goodies� but also for our weekly Tuesday Bible studies, our weekly Saturday evening worship dinners, our monthly Echoes lunches, and lots of other events like lunches for our Saturday work groups, as well as our quilting group, crafts groups, youth events, special dinners, and more.

That�s why we�re so grateful to all of the people who worked so hard all day on Saturday, April 6, to clean and reorganize our kitchen, pantry, and refrigerator room.� If you get a chance, please express your thanks to Shirley, Jill, JoAnn, Judy, Alice Jean, Cindy, Nadine, Joyce, Mary, Sandy, Kara, and Dennis (our Kitchen Committee chairperson), as well as to the women of Echoes (our women�s group) for initiating and planning the project.� Thanks also go to Eric and Bill for removing the door in the refrigerator room for us and to Orlando for hauling garbage and mopping.� Big thanks to Ralph and Jerry for taking our perpetually leaking and frost-encrusted refrigerator to get it fixed and then bringing it back, sparkling clean and working perfectly.� And the biggest thanks of all to James for donating and installing all the new shelves in the refrigerator room, where all of our paper plates, cups, and other disposable serving items can now actually be found!� Thank you so much, all of you.

Echoes Blossoms � and Gives Generously

Our women�s group, �Echoes,� has really been blossoming lately � both in our growing number of women and in the lovely flowers given to each woman by our President, Gigi Moul.� In March, we all received bouquets of daffodils and in April decorated pots filled with brightly blooming plants.� Thank you, Gigi!

Our contributions to others have been blossoming, too.� In the past two months, we�ve sent donations to the Region�s Women�s Ministry program, and to the American Leprosy foundation, and to Union Gospel Mission.� We also voted to support the church�s Block Party with funds.� We spent a lovely Saturday stuffing plastic eggs with candy for the children�s Easter egg hunt.� We also discussed, approved, and planned the church�s kitchen clean-up on April 6, including making plans for what should go where.� We�ve also enjoyed very interesting studies by Marge on current events in the wider, worldwide church.

Echoes meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. for discussion followed by a potluck lunch.� Have fun and do good for others, too � join us!

Christian Education & Youth News

On behalf of Children�s Church, I would like to thank all our teachers who have helped teaching lessons each month, including Randi, Dennis, and Abby.� We�re averaging well over 20 children every Sunday morning!� A huge thank you goes to Nadine for her generous support of all our children�s classes � Sunday School and Children�s Church.� Thanks to her, we�ve been able to make many wonderful projects while learning about Jesus.� For example, the students in Children�s Church made shaving cream art of Christian symbols, which you may have seen around the social hall during Easter.� We also made wreaths which depict all the events of Easter week, from Palm Sunday to the resurrection of Jesus.� Many, many children were at church for the egg hunt on Easter morning.� We thank everyone who donated candy, and we thank Echoes for stuffing the eggs for us.� It was joyful morning at Cottage Way, overflowing with beautiful children.

Randi is working on a project for our students to start learning more Bible verses in our Children�s Church.

Carlene�s Sunday school class (2^nd through 5^th grade) wants to thank everyone who has donated to the food closets.� Your donations are appreciated for this important ministry.� Keep up the good work.� Carlene�s class also made a big birthday banner for Irene and everyone wrote lovely messages on it.� Irene got the banner shortly before her death this last week, just two days before her 98^th birthday.� Irene�s family thanks everyone for the banner.� Irene loved all of our children and supported our children�s programs.� We thank God for her.� She always had a big smile and a hug for us.

Our hot dog fundraiser was a big success.� Thanks to everyone who made donations for Church Camp!� Big thanks to Ralph for organizing this event, to the deacons for donations which bought all the food, and to all the cooks and servers who helped out.� Thank you so much!

Roxann Higgins

Chairperson, Christian Education Committee

Camp Deadline Is May 17

We already have the camp registrations for 10 of our young people.� The absolute deadline for camp registration is May 17.� All registrations must be in the Regional Office by that date.� So Sharon LoForte, our Camp Registrar, must have your camp registration by May 12 in order for your registration to be complete and into the Regional Office in time.� If you haven�t complete your registration, do it now and get to Sharon as soon as possible.

Music & Choir Notes

We Welcome New Singers:� In the past several weeks, we�ve been thrilled to have Helene Chamberlain join us occasionally on a Praise Team song or choir anthem.� Although she isn�t currently able to join the choir, we are so grateful for her stunningly beautiful soprano voice on an occasional basis.� Thank you so much, Helene!� We�re also delighted to welcome Heaven Larsen as a full-fledged member of both the Praise Team and the adult Choir.� Heaven brings energy, youth, and a lovely spirit and voice to everything we sing.� Welcome, Heaven!� We�re so pleased to have you!

Nancy Bramlett Sings this Sunday, May 5:� You may recall what a treat it was to have professional coloratura soprano Nancy Bramlett sing for us in worship a few months ago.� Nancy and her family plan to be with us in worship on Sunday, May 5, when she will sing �Be Still My Soul� for us.� We�re now making plans for her to sing for us in worship at least every three months or so.� Be sure to welcome Nancy and her family this coming Sunday!

Childcare Provided During Music Practices:� Free childcare is now available every Wednesday evening during our Praise Team (6:-7 p.m.) and adult Choir (7-8 p.m.) practices.� Let Pastor Neal know if you need child care.

Jam Group ROCKS !� For several months now, our worship band (piano, bass guitar, lead guitar, drums) has been meeting on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. to jam on a variety of �classic� rock, country, and pop tunes, from Johnny Cash to Adele.� We�ve gathered a terrific group of fans, too!� And we�re getting a pretty good repertoire going.� At our next jam session, Thursday, May 30 at 6 PM, we�ll have printed songbooks for everyone to sing along with us.� Come and have a great time with us!

Area Gathering is a Big Success:� Everyone enjoyed the gathering of seven of our Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) and their music groups at Arden Christian Church on Sunday afternoon, April 14.� Our choir did a great job both singing and bringing a lot of delicious casseroles for all to share.� We�re grateful to everyone who came from Cottage Way to cheer us on, to Pastor Carlson of Fruitridge Christian for organizing the event, to Arden Christian for hosting it, and to all the churches for bringing their singers, musicians, and supporters.� We look forward to next year�s gathering!

Come, Sing and Play with Us: �Everyone is invited to joint the Praise Team, Choir, and/or Worship Band here at Cottage Way.� Just come any Wednesday to practice with the Praise Team (6 PM) and/or Choir (7 PM) and you�re in!� You don�t have to have a great voice � just a desire to worship the Lord in music and song.

Saturday Evening Worship and Meal: All are Welcome

All are welcome to our Saturday evening worship service and supper at 5:00 p.m. every Saturday.� Please invite your friends and family, too, especially if they�re not able to come to worship on Sunday mornings and would like another time for worship and warm friendships.� The worship lasts about 25 minutes and is upbeat and inspiring.� The food is really good, too.

From the Church Mouse

We�ve got a lot to cover.� Because a certain someone we all know hasn�t cranked out one of these newsletters for quite awhile�I guess he�s been pretty busy�we�ve got a lot of ground to cover.

It�s been awhile, but I do remember the St. Patrick�s Day dinner.� Yes, it�s all coming back to me now.� I remember that there was a lot of good Irish food and a lot of people to enjoy it.� Plus which, more than $300 was raised for the church�s camp scholarship fund.� Many thanks go to Sharon LoForte for organizing the dinner and to all of those who donated and prepared food and to those who helped serve and clean up.� And thanks to everyone for supporting our young people.

Though it has been awhile, I do remember Easter Sunday.� Who could forget?� It was a big, beautiful day.� It was big; I counted at least 250 feet under the pews during worship that morning.� There was a big crowd and there was another big Easter breakfast for people to enjoy and there was another big Easter egg hunt for all of the kids.� And, yes, there were lots of kids.� And it was all beautiful.� Everyone looked good.� And our worship of God, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead for us all, was beautiful.� It seemed to me that everyone had a good day.

And I remember that there was a big clean up on a Saturday morning some time ago.� I remember a big bunch of people coming in and cleaning up the kitchen.� It looks really, really nice in the kitchen.� And the pantry and that refrigerator room look better than I�ve ever seen them look.� I�ve had to find new hiding places because things have been rearranged.� But don�t worry; I�ve found plenty of places to hide.� You�ll never find me.

And thanks go to Ralph who hauled away the leaking refrigerator, had it fixed, and hauled it back.� Plenty cold in there now, that�s for sure.� We also thank Ralph and all of the deacons for putting on the first ever Hot Dog Sunday here at the church.� Those were some good hot dogs.� Eating hot dogs after worship was lots of fun and over $200 was raised for the camp scholarship fund.� Pretty good deal, wouldn�t you say?� Well, if you were from Minnesota that�s what you�d say.

And thanks go to Christina for donating a wheelchair to keep at the church.� And have you noticed the mulch and ground cover outside the office windows?� Looks good, doesn�t it.� Well, thanks to Jean for donating the mulch and the plants.� And thanks to Jean and Mike and Bill for putting it all into the flower bed.

I hear that Moloud finally had her asylum interview and I hear that her lawyer thought it went really well.� I think I heard that she will know if she has been approved toward the middle of this month.� We all hope and pray that she and her family can stay here.

What else?� Well, Karen had a stroke and was in the hospital for a few days.� She is recovering at home now and would appreciate your prayers.� Jonathan had outpatient surgery a few days ago, but everything went well for him and he�s getting stronger.� And Jeremy and Randi have three more in their household now: Randi�s nieces, Destiny, Randi, and Tisha have come to live with them.� We are glad to have them at the church, too.

We will all miss Irene.� But her love is still here, her love for Cottage Way and for all of us.

C. Mouse