CROSS CURRENTS April, 2020

Alpine Community Church (UCC), Alpine CA

Vol. 31 No. 4

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (April 5,

2020), which may also be known as Passion Sunday

in some denominations. Traditionally, Palm Sunday

commemorates the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

described in all four canonical gospels. As described

in the accounts, Jesus's entry into Jerusalem was

noted by the crowds present who shouted praises

and waved palm branches. In the Roman Rite,

before 1955 it was known simply as Palm Sunday,

and the preceding Sunday as Passion Sunday. From

1955 to 1971 it was called Second Sunday in Passiontide or Palm Sunday. Among Lutherans

and Anglicans, the day is known as the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday.

In many liturgical denominations, to commemorate the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem to

accomplish his paschal mystery, it is customary to have a blessing of palm leaves (or other

branches, for example olive branches). The blessing ceremony includes the reading of a

Gospel account of how Jesus rode into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, reminiscent of a

Davidic victory procession, and how people placed palms and other branches on the ground

in front of him. Immediately following this great time of celebration over the entrance of

Jesus into Jerusalem, he begins his journey to the cross. The blessing is thus followed by a

procession or solemn entrance into the church, with the participants holding the blessed

branches in their hands. The Mass or service of worship itself includes a reading of the

Passion, the narrative of Jesus' capture, sufferings and death, as recounted in one of the

Synoptic Gospels.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Due to the current pandemic in our country and world, all

worship services during the month of April will be online only. Pastor Ken will be

sending out a YouTube link for each service, so watch your email.

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History of Easter

According to Christians around the world,

Easter is a day set aside to commemorate

Jesus' resurrection from the dead. But the

history of Easter is more complicated than

that. The name of the holiday is derived

from the name of an ancient, pagan

goddess, Eastre. Eastre was the goddess

of spring and worshiped by the Teutonic

tribes that the early Christians ministered to.

At this point, the history of Easter becomes a little complicated. The early missionaries,

seeking to convert the people of the Teutonic tribes, adopted the celebration of Eastre's

festival as their own. Since the festival fell around the same time as the Christian's

memorial of Jesus' resurrection, the missionaries simply substituted one holiday for

another. This allowed the new converts to continue their tradition, but its meaning and

purpose had changed.

The history of Easter continued to be complex as the actual date of the celebration was

never fully established. Some linked the memorial to the ancient Hebrew calendar's

celebration of Passover. Others linked the date to the spring equinox. Finally, in 325 A.D.

Emperor Constantine met with other church leaders and together they decreed that

Easter would fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

However, the controversy over the holiday's date continues with some the Eastern

Orthodox Churches still celebrating it at the end of Passover week.

The history of Easter wouldn't be complete without mention of the Easter Bunny and

Easter Eggs. Both of these common symbols of Easter are derived from ancient, pagan

traditions. Eastre's pagan symbol was the rabbit or hare. The giving and receiving of

eggs was also a common tradition in the Teutonic tribes, eggs symbolizing rebirth and

renewal.

With or without the Easter Bunny, Easter today, means victory over death for millions of

Christians around the world. For it was on this day in the history of Easter, that Jesus

conquered death and rose again, bringing light, love, and life to the world forever!

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Notes from the Church Cabinet Meeting

ONLINE CHURCH CABINET MEETING—SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

EASTER FLOWER CROSS IN THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH: It was suggested that the

Easter Flower Cross be placed in front of the church on Easter Saturday for church

members and Alpine residents to come by and place a flower on the Cross. Pastor Ken

asked for people to get the flowers to the church by 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 11. A note

will be placed in Alpine Community Network and others will get it out on social media, so

the entire community can join in putting flowers in the Cross. Pastor Ken will also ring

the Church bell on Easter morning.

Ministering to Our Members: Pastor Ken and Moderator, Tom noted that “Social

Distancing” can easily lead to Isolation. There was discussion about making connections

and the importance to call a Friend. Ken would like us to keep in touch with church

members, therefore A Phone Tree will be setup to accomplish this. So, volunteers are

needed to make calls. If you can help, please call Pastor Ken’s cell phone at (619) 249-

8890.

At Home Communion? It was agreed that it was not a good idea now. It was suggested

that people could use their own bread and wine when they watch Ken’s e-service and he

will have “communion” during his e-service the first of each month.

Pastor Visits? Not at this time: If People just need to talk to someone? Pastor Ken will

start calling members. Also, Pastor Ken will be working on putting together a Zoom

EChat on Wednesday’s from 11:30 – 12:00. Anyone in the community can participate.

Pastor Ken will send out information on how to join via email.

Postponed Events: It was decided that the BIG Rummage Sale and Spring Concert

will be postponed for now.

Church of Spiritual Living, that meets in Fuller Hall, made a donation to our church for

$333.00 about 3 weeks ago in appreciation of the use of our church.

REMINDER: Please bring food for our Blessing Box in front of the church. Instead of

bringing food into the church office, just place it in the Blessing Box.

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Out of concern about the spreading of the Covid-19 virus, worship services during the month of April will be online. Many in our congregation have risk factors if they get this virus. We are living in a time where it is prudent for us to keep each other safe. I was at an Association Meeting and the recommendation was for churches to postpone worship and all gathered meetings at least to end of April. Hearing from San Diego County Public Health there are no meetings with 10 people or more to gather in the county, and any other gathering has to have six feet between all people. I do not know how we could abide by that rule and keep all of you safe. In consultation with Tom Myers we have decided to postpone worship, Bible Study, Women’s Guild Breakfast, Youth Group and Soup Suppers and all public gatherings that are sponsored by our church. We want to keep all of us safe and the less we are in groups of people, the safer and the quicker this virus can be gone. I will be putting a service together on our YouTube channel.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD2tcRjBofaQlKi3E94yuzQ? view_as=subscriber. If you click on this link, I will have a sermon and a brief worship service. I will post it late Saturday night and you will be able to watch on Sunday Morning. Please keep all of us in your prayers as we are being isolated for our safety and the safety of others. Our greatest ministry to each other will be to call our church family. A phone call to check in and a conversation will help all of us in this time of worry. Thank you for your understanding and we appreciate your prayers. Yours in Christ, Pastor Ken Colman

Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Our church bills continue to come in despite the

pandemic! So please don’t forget to pay your pledge to God and our church.

You can either mail your pledge contribution to the church, drop it off in the

church office mail slot, or pay on our website at www.alpineucc.org.

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As we move into April we move into Holy Week and Easter. Our Lenten journey ends, and we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. What do those words mean to each of us? If we miss out on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Do we truly understand what Easter is for this world?

With springtime upon us and new life already beginning to spring up here in Southern California, I remember many an Easter in the Northwest, Midwest and New England where we were just getting the last snows melting and the first green shoots transforming our brown lawns into green. New life came with the messy transition of Spring. Mud and mess from the melting snow. You see even in new life of animals it

is messy and painful.

Easter is the season that reminds us of new life that comes to us through Jesus, and his last week was messy and full of chaos, yet on that Easter morning the sun rose and so did the Sun of God. May we enter this Easter season with the blessings and the wonder that comes with transformation and new life.

Shalom, Ken

“Hope is in the sky!”

Picture taken by

Lorena Stong in

Harbison Canyon

March 18, 2020

“Colman Contemplations”

Pastor Ken and Robin Bellas need some help with the youth group. We meet twice a

month and there are time that one of us can not be present. If there is anyone who

believes in youth and would like to help lead our youth through their high school

years please give Pastor Ken a call.

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Message from the Moderator....

In February, we were starting Lent and organizing soup suppers,

thinking ahead to spring concerts and the rummage sale. Now

we are staying home, Ken’s sermons are on YouTube and trying

to keep a “social distance” between others and ourselves. Right

now, I am focusing on two things.

First, a riddle: When is a Blessing Box not a “blessing”? Answer:

when it is empty. That is an unfortunate reality of the current

COVID-19 virus situation. We were surprised to find so many

empty shelves at the Alpine supermarkets. Everyone with the

means to go to the market is following the advice to “stock up on essentials.” But many

of our neighbors are now out of work and out of money to buy even the bare necessities.

So, when we shop for groceries, we look for nutritious, healthy, non-perishable food

items to help re-stock the Blessing Box. Several times over the past week, we have found

the box completely empty, so it is obvious that the need is great. The Blessing Box is a

great way to provide food or essential toiletries to people who have great need right here

in Alpine. If you have the means and opportunity to help in this way, please do what you

feel you can.

The second item on my mind is the concept of keeping a “social distance” between

persons you encounter every day. This is an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19

virus. On the other hand, it can lead to social isolation, boredom and depression. So, we

are encouraging what some are calling “Distant Socializing”. This is where you keep your

distance from others but still maintain contact with others through phone calls, email,

texting, or social media. This not only makes you feel better – it makes them feel better

too. Calling can also alert you to a problem that your friends may have or a health

symptom that they don’t recognize or are trying to ignore. So, please try to stay in touch

with your family, friends and neighbors by distant socializing.

Blessings to you all,

Tom Myers

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He Is Risen!

It is time for Easter, and we all know what that means! It is

time to celebrate Christ rising from the dead. This is indeed

one of the most glorious miracles in the Bible. They tried to

kill Jesus, yet they could not keep him in the tomb. He rolled

the stone away and walked out!

As wonderful as the story is, I wonder if anyone ever thinks

about how truly glorious this must have been for the people

who lived it. Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus. She

was obviously overcome with grief after his crucifixion, because she loved him very much.

Then suddenly, as she was weeping over his death, he stood in front of her. Imagine what

life would be like if we were to be grieving over someone and then we found they were

alive. Our joy would be indescribable.

The best memory I have relating to this story, happened many years ago when Joanne

Ginkel, reenacted Mary seeing Jesus for the first time at Vacation Bible School. Allow me

to say, she was a very good actress! She kept repeating, “Jesus is alive!” To me, she

embodied exactly what Mary must have felt. JoAnn, for those who may not remember, was

a member of our church. She and her husband, Ludwig, have since passed away, but they

were very active in the church. They were the first to run the Children’s Choir.

There have been stories of soldiers and others coming home after their families had given

up hope. Unfortunately, we rarely ever get to experience this miracle outside the bible and

fiction. However, it is called a miracle for a reason. The crucifixion represented bitter

darkness, and then… Behold, the resurrection! He was alive! Those who loved him were

filled with Joy! Light was cast on the world!

If we love the Easter story, then let us feel it! Feel the

story with every fiber of your being.

Jesus is risen! He was dead, and he is alive! Jesus is

Alive!!!

Jordan O’Neal

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Many of our upcoming events have been put on hold

until further notice. We must follow the guidelines given

us and will let everyone know when we will be able to

resume our normal schedule. We are lucky we can keep

in touch by e-mail, texting or a phone call. Supporting

each other by these methods is very important. This

gives one the experience that shut-ins must deal with all

the time and maybe it will show us how important it is

to give them support with a phone call if we cannot visit.

We can use this time to gather things around our home

that we want to donate to our rummage sale. The dates are set but if necessary, may

have to be changed--however it will happen!!

Remember we can be together Sunday morning as we watch Pastor Ken and William do

our service online--join our church family in prayer from our homes.

Donna Boyer, President

Women’s Guild News

Notice about Prayer Group

To our Congregation, Family and Friends, Your Prayer Group continues to hold all of you in our prayers!

Please know that we want you to share your concerns for others you feel need immediate prayers. Your telephone call or an email to the Church office will be immediately sent to your Prayer Group. Your caring hearts and your concerns are ours also, and we truly want you to share these with us even during these unusual times. A personal call, email or text message to me is welcomed.

Blessings to each one, Bonnie Moffett (619 368-3244 mobile) Email: trotnout@gmail.com

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

APRIL BIRTHDAY WISHES:

SILVIA, Randy 04/02

NELSON, Barbara 04/03

MOFFETT, Bonnie 04/05

COLMAN, Jesse 04/07

O’NEAL, Al 04/10

MULLAHEY, Lynn 04/12

PRICE, Pat 04/15

MAUZY, Caitlyn 04/18

YOUNT, Phyllis 04/18

HAMES, Dan 04/26

BARNUM, Richard 04/27

VERTEL, Dolly (99) 04/27

LUSINK, Sandy 04/30

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES:

MULLAHEY, Lynn & Kevin 04/12

O’NEAL, Galen & Misty 04/29

Please send articles and pictures for the Cross Currents to:

Cross Currents Editor: Rev. Dr. Richard D. Freeman Email: rdfreeman@outlook.com Cell Phone: (619) 701-0517

Well, here we are at the end of the first week of the new normal. I just wanted to reach out and let you

know the office will be mostly closed as Pastor Ken works from home & I come in just to check the

phone for voice mail messages and the computer for e-mail messages. I will also make daily trips to the

post office and mail box as well as keeping the office responsibilities current. If you have any questions

or concerns, call or e-mail and we will get back to you ASAP. Watch for an e-mail message from Pastor

Ken with a link to the Sunday Service via you tube, he will be sending it out tomorrow. In the meantime,

I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Take care & wash your hands a lot. Denise Horan

IMPORTANT: Church Office Hours

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NO CALENDAR FOR APRIL

The normal calendar for the month of April will not appear in this edition of

Cross Currents. There are so many events that have been canceled or moved

to online. So, please check your email DAILY to see if your event is canceled or

moved to online. Pastor Ken and Denise will be keeping you posted.

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CROSS CURRENTS Published Monthly Editor Rev. Dr. Richard Freeman

Production Manager Denise Horan

The editor welcomes contributions

But they must be received by the third Sunday of each month.

ALPINE COMMUNITY

CHURCH United Church of Christ

2225 W. Victoria Drive

P.O. Box 212

Alpine, CA 91903-0212

Mission Statement Our Mission as the Alpine Community Church is to serve God by

creating an environment of fellowship following the teachings of Jesus

Christ. We minister to the needs of our congregation and community,

motivating ourselves with love, faith and hope.

Join us each Sunday

9:00 AM Worship and Sunday School

Holy Communion offered every Sunday

10:00 AM Fellowship in Fuller Hall follows worship