JESUS, OUR PASSOVER LAMB, AND AN UNLEAVENED LENT

Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church
March 2015
Early American “Circuit Riders” were Methodist preachers who traveled on horseback from house to house in
the frontier to help people to seek, know, and share God’s love and grace offered through Jesus Christ. We
publish this paper for you in accordance with that same mission today!
JESUS, OUR PASSOVER LAMB, AND AN UNLEAVENED LENT
REV. GREG STOVER
During the forty days of Lent*, Christians
prepare ourselves through prayer and
fasting, repentance and self-denial, and
the reading of Scripture to celebrate the
three most holy days of the year for our
faith. Those three days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, bring us to
the climactic moments of Jesus’ earthly
life and Christ’s sacrifice to bring us to a
new life with God.
The forty-day journey of Lent can be just
another season of the year, or it can be
an opportunity to go deeper in our faith.
Here are three steps to help us in this
Lenten journey:
the Passover feast with his disciples. As
they ate together, Jesus made a clear
connection between the Passover Lamb
and himself. He said of the bread, “This
is my body broken for you.” He spoke of
the cup of wine saying, “This is my blood,
shed for you.” Just as the blood of a
lamb on a doorpost brought deliverance
to Hebrew children long before, the blood
of Jesus shed on the cross and claimed
by faith brings us freedom from the guilt
and consequence of sin and wrong.
Without Jesus’ death and resurrection,
we would have no salvation! So celebrating the death and resurrection is enormously significant.
Remember the Significance
Get the Leaven Out
Writing to the Church at Corinth, Paul
identified Jesus as “our Passover
lamb” (I Corinthians 5:7). Paul says that
“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed.” What a rich description of
Jesus this is — especially as we journey
through Lent.
Jesus died on the cross at Passover
time. Each year, through the Passover
feast, Jews remembered the events of
the first Passover and how centuries
before God had delivered the Israelites
from Egyptian slavery and set them free
to travel to the Promised Land. The climactic event of that story was the Passover. On that night, every Hebrew family
slaughtered and ate a lamb. Before they
did, they placed some of the lamb’s
blood on their doorposts. Later that night
the angel of God passed through the
land of Egypt. The first born
son in every Egyptian
home died, but seeing the
lamb’s blood on the doorpost, the angel passed over
the home of every Hebrew
and their children were safe.
The night before his crucifixion, Jesus celebrated
In the same passage where Paul identifies Jesus as our Passover Lamb, he
writes, “Clean out the old yeast so that
you can be new batch of dough, given
that you are supposed to be unleavened
bread.” (I Corinthians 5:7)
Yeast is an example of what the Bible
describes as “leaven.” Yeast or leaven
causes fermentation to take place in
dough making it rise as bread is being
prepared. As Paul pointed out, “a tiny
grain of yeast makes a whole batch of
dough rise…” (I Corinthians 5:6)
It was this penetrating quality of yeast,
allowing a tiny amount to affect the whole
loaf, that led the Jews to associate leaven with the corrupting, infecting power of
sin and evil in the world and in our lives.
So Paul writes, “Christ our Passover
Lamb has been sacrificed, so let’s
celebrate the feast not with the old
yeast of evil and wickedness.”
The old yeast in our lives
might be anger or lust,
impatience or jealousy, a lack of forgiveness or cringing
fear that holds us back
because we are not
fully trusting God. On
our Lenten journey, we
can ask God to reveal
the leaven in our life
and show us how to
remove it.
Be Unleavened Bread
The Lenten journey isn’t just about finding what’s wrong in our life. It isn’t about
dwelling on negatives. It is about reaching for a positive character in Christ. As
we do, our reflections during Lent can
help us recognize what it means to be
unleavened bread (bread that is
cleansed of all that makes it impure).
Elsewhere, the Bible says, “From now
on, brothers and sisters, if anything is
excellent and if anything is admirable,
focus your thoughts on these things: all
that is true, all that is holy, all that is just,
all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all
that is worthy of praise. Practice these
things …” (Philippians 4:8-9)
A Spiritual Exercise for Lent
This might be a helpful spiritual exercise
for your times of prayer during your Lenten journey. Take a few minutes of silent
prayer to ask God two questions and
listen for his voice in your heart.
1. Where does the leaven of evil or wickedness still penetrate into my life?
2. What good, honorable, excellent, true,
pure, just, holy characteristic do you
want to instill in my life now?
Then spend a few moments giving
thanks that Jesus, Your Passover Lamb,
already has given new life to you.
_____________________________
*Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for forty days not counting Sundays.
PARSON TO PERSON
Dear Friends at Armstrong Chapel,
In 1896, Leo Tolstoy composed one of
his finest short stories which he called
“Greed.” James Joyce declared that it is
“the greatest story that the literature of
the world knows.”
In the tale, a Russian farmer bargained
for a farm with a group of peasants who
appeared to lack any sense of the real
value of the land. For a thousand rubles,
they told him, he could have as much
land as he could encircle on foot in one
day, from sunrise to sunset. They set
two limits on the farmer. The first was,
he was to carry a spade and dig holes
ever so often, into which fence posts
would be set. This would clearly mark
his boundaries. The other condition was
that on pain of losing the deal, along with
his land and his money, he must end at
the point at the close of the day from
which he had begun that same morning.
Fresh and vigorous, he began as the sun
crept over the eastern horizon. His eagerness gave wings to his feet! Every
time he stopped to dig another hole for
those who followed close behind with
posts, he smiled with great satisfaction. All of this land was to be his. Noon
arrived so soon. He thought of stopping
for a mid-day meal and a bit of food. But
no, every moment lost now, would be
land lost forever - he would rest and dine
another day.
The sun passed the zenith, and it was
time to turn back toward where he had
started. If he had only been not quite so
ambitious in the morning. Now he ached
in every muscle and bone in his
body. He could barely get his breath and
his heart beat uproariously. The time
came when he could not bare to take
another step. His body went limp, he
staggered and fell to the earth from
sheer fatigue. He had no way to
measure how long he lay there. But
when he finally awaken, he could see
the golden sun barely visible over the
nearby hilltop which had been his starting point. He stumbled to his feet, ran
desperately up the hill, and fell a second time. This time he did not
stir. For now he was dead. With his
own spade, the peasants dug his
grave. Another name
in Russian for this
story asks the hard
question, “How Much
IPM’S ANNUAL
CELEBRATION
IHN — THANKS!
A heartfelt "thanks" to all the volunteers
who made our January IHN host week a
success! A special thanks goes to Beth
Eberle; Sue Maggard; Marion Cob Molski; Ruth & Kevin Powell; Linda & Bryan
Brown; Jennifer & John Apanites; Leslie,
Mark, Anne & McKinnon Pennell; Polly,
Thom, Ella & Luke Brennaman; Greg
Ahrens; Molly, Stewart & Mia Jackson;
Becky Patterson; Jamie & Rich Unkle;
Steve Knapp; our friends at Epiphany
UMC; Shannon & Galen Mills; Jill Sauter;
Tracy Paluta; Amy Spicher; Molly, Catsy
& MJ Steele; Andy Mauk; Nancy & Bob
Webster; Melanie Stutenroth; Ann Caesar; Linda Stover; Kim Rowe; Jim Beck;
Sandy Ader; and Barbara Bell & Victor
Rodriguez.
Inter Parish Ministry (IPM; one of our
mission partners) will present fun, food
and honors at this year’s Circle of Hope
Sunday Supper Celebration on April 26
at the Oasis Conference Center in Loveland. The event will include by-the bite
appetizers and soup sips, a carving station and much more. Other festivities at
the event will be a live and silent auction,
music, cocktails, and awards recognizing
service contributions to the non-profit
agency.
The event will also honor four individuals
who have given hope to those in need
through their volunteer efforts. This includes the Circle of Hope Award to Sue
Porter, Jennifer Schackelford and Marci
Franco. Chuck Lynch will receive the
organization’s Fred and Lois Owlett “One
of A Kind” Award.
For more information about the Circle of
Hope Sunday Supper Celebration,
please call IPM at 561-3932 or visit
www.interparish.org.
Land Does a Man Need?” The answer is
obvious, even to the casual observer: a
man ultimately needs but six feet by
three feet.
An English Churchman said with discerning insight, “Enough has been defined as
a little more than you have.”
Just before Jesus related the story of the
man who tore down his barns in order to
build larger ones in which to preserve his
produce, he said, “Take care! Be on
your guard against all kinds of greed; for
one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (St. Luke 12:15)
As part of our Lenten worship, there is
included this short and simple prayer,
"O Savior of the world, who by your
cross and precious blood has redeemed
us, save us and help us." All God’s
people responded, “Amen.”
Love and prayers and hope,
Stanley Lawrence
ADULTS NEEDED FOR
YOUTH SPRING MISSION
TRIP: APRIL 9-12
We are looking forward to exploring a
new Appalachia Service Project location
in Jonesville, Virginia. From ThursdaySunday, April 9-12, we will serve those
who are living at or under the poverty
level. The company that we work with
requires 2 adults per 5 students. So we
potentially need anywhere from 8 to 10
adults! We would LOVE for you to join
us. There is no better way to foster relationships between generations than on
one of the VI retreats! Don’t miss it! It’s
going to be a great time of becoming the
hands and feet of Christ. Contact Kyle at
khazen@armstrongchapel.org if you
have any questions or are interested.
HOW SWEET THE SOUND:
History of Beloved Hymns
Encore Lunch & Learn Program
Featuring former Armstrong Pastor, Rev. Philip Brooks
Friday, March 6 @ 11:30am
We have sung hymns all of our lives, but we seldom know the remarkable stories telling
the circumstances why the authors composed such magnificent thoughts into glorious
hymns of faith. In this program, Rev. Philip Brooks will explore the extraordinary background to some of Christendom’s best known hymns and lead us in singing these “old
favorites” with new understanding and deepened appreciation. Invite a friend to join
you for this presentation that will inform your mind, warm your heart, and encourage
your faith. We will begin with a catered lunch at 11:30. Cost $10. You may put your
$10 in the offering – please be sure it’s marked “Encore.”
MOZART REQUIEM IN DM
Members of our Chancel Choir are joining the Hyde Park Community UMC choir to
perform Mozart’s Requiem in Dm on March 31 at 7:30pm in Hyde Park. Please join us
to experience this great work!
The Music Ministry at Armstrong Chapel is dedicated to lead and inspire the congregation to worship through the life-enriching qualities of great music. All are welcome to join
in this ministry. Please call Ben Basone (494-2782) or Stacy Haney (232-2141) with
questions or for more information.
Although the story surrounding the composition of Mozart’s
Requiem as told in the award-winning play, Amadeus by
Peter Shaffer, is highly fictionalized, some parts are true. A
mysterious messenger really did come to Mozart, offered a
generous fee for the work, discouraged him from trying to
identify the patron, and visited to check on the progress of
the work. When Mozart died on December 5, 1791, the
Requiem was unfinished. Only the opening movement
(Requiem aeternam) was complete in all of the vocal and
orchestral parts. The vocal parts and the figured bass were
written for the Kyrie and for most of the sequence (from Dies
Irae to Confutatis) and for the offertory (Domine Jesu
Christe and Hostias). Some of the most important instrumental lines were indicated in
Mozart’s hand, such as the violin in the Confutatis and the bridges in the Recordare.
Only the first eight bars of the last movement of the sequence, Lacrimosa, were done.
Sussmayr, a student of Mozart, completed the instrumentation. Opinion is divided as to
whether the Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei are solely the work of Sussmayr, or
whether he used material sketched or hummed to him by Mozart. The final section, Lux
aeterna, is based on Mozart’s opening two movements, which according to both Süssmayr and Mozart's wife Constanze, was done following Mozart's directions. Mozart had
written the different words with which to finish his Requiem Mass.
LET THE WORD OF THE
LORD FILL YOUR SOUL
AGAIN THIS LENTEN
SEASON!
As a community, we will be reading the
Bible from beginning to end over four
weeks ending on Good Friday. From
March 9-April 3, the Holy Spirit will fill the
Old Chapel as we read the word of the
Lord aloud. It takes approximately 110
hours to read the entire Bible…this
means we need many people to sign up.
Please prayerfully consider this wonderful opportunity to be a part of our Armstrong Chapel community. Sign up for a
thirty-minute reading segment online at
armstrongchapel.org directly from the
home page or on the sign-up sheets in
the Atrium.
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
11am-6pm
3:30-8:30pm
8-11am, 5-8pm
3:30-8:30pm
7:30am-12:30pm
Questions?
Contact Susan Wisner (561-3156)
Be a part of this wonderful
Lenten journey!
Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt
March 15 at 12:15
Join us for lunch in the Fellowship Hall and
learn about the legend of the Easter lily.
Easter Egg Hunt for children age 1 to 4th grade.
Remember to invite family, friends and neighbors!
YOUTH GRADES 7-12
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VERTICAL IMPACT – Wednesday evenings 7-9pm
SUNDAY SCHOOL – 10am in the Lower Level
SMALL GROUPS – Sunday evenings at 6pm (check with Pastor Kyle for location)
March 2 – Student Leader Meeting
March 7 – VI Service Day
March 30-April 4 – Holy Week
April 5 – Easter
April 9-12 – Application Service Project mission trip
VERTICAL IMPACT SERVICE DAY: SATURDAY MARCH 7
8:30am till Noon (meet at the church)
As we endeavor to extend the reach of VI outside the walls of Armstrong Chapel and even outside our city/state/country, we will be
helping at A Child’s Hope International (in Sharonville area) by packing meals for their Hands Against Hunger Campaign. A sign-up
sheet and needed forms are available in the L. By the end of the three-hour shift, each person there will have packed food that will
feed someone for a whole year! It’s going to be great. We hope you’ll join us!
APPALACHIAN SERVICE PROJECT: APRIL 9-12
Affectionately known as ASP, VI’s annual spring mission weekend is back! On Thursday, we will pile into a bunch of cars and head
down to the hills of Virginia to serve those who are living at or under the poverty level, and we will return Sunday afternoon. It is such
an important and formational time for VI’s students. Individually, it gives each student the opportunity to become the hands and feet
of Jesus, and reflect on that experience. Corporately, it is a wonderful time of sharing life together for a weekend as we get to know
one another on a deeper level. We covet your prayers for that weekend.
Students, clear your schedule for that weekend and join us! We are looking forward to exploring a new Appalachia Service Project
location in Jonesville, Virginia. Don’t miss it! Enjoy becoming the hands and feet of Christ.
We could also use adults for our ASP weekend. The company that we serve with requires 2 adults per 5 students. So we potentially
need anywhere from 8 to 10 adults! We would LOVE for you to joins us. There is no better way to foster relationships between generations than on one of the VI retreats! Contact Kyle if you have any questions or are interested at khazen@armstrongchapel.org.
RONALD MCDONALD
HOUSE AND
FAITHCLIMBERS
After a long, stressful day, have you ever
wished that you could arrive home to
dinner already on the table? What if your
long, stressful day was spent caring for
your sick child at Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital? YOU — FaithClimbers — can
grant that wish for the guest families at
the Ronald McDonald House! Join us on
March 8. We will meet at the church at
3:30pm to head down together. Then we
will prepare dinner and serve the meal –
with a planned return to the church at
8:00pm.
You don’t need to be
a world-class chef to
provide a tasty,
home-cooked meal.
We will be preparing
a meal for approximately 125 people
so we need your
help! This is a family event and we can
take up to 20 people. So RSVP as
soon as possible!
Over the next month, the
FaithClimbers will begin to
talk about and plan out the
meal. This is an awesome
way to connect all of our
tweens with this fantastic
outreach to families in our
community. You will make a
tremendous difference in the
lives of Ronald McDonald
House’s guest families. And
the feeling you’ll get from
helping will feed your soul.
FaithClimbers is the 5th & 6th
grade “Tweens” ministry of
Armstrong Chapel. Please
contact Dianna Sheely for
more information or to sign
up!
PRESCHOOL
REGISTRATION
2015-16 registration for Armstrong Preschool has begun! We offer classes from
9:00-noon, Monday-Thursday, for children ages 2-5. Lunch bunch is offered
daily from 12-1. You can find more information about the preschool and our expanded class offerings on our website
(www.armstrongpreschool.org) or in our
brochure. Brochures and registration
forms can be found at the Children’s
Welcome Desk. You can also contact
the director, Jennifer Hock, for a tour or
for more information (561-4220 X317 or
jhock@armstrongchapel.org).
Preschoolers
recently did a unit
on music. They
enjoyed learning
about the guitar
from Jane Florer
and about the
handbells from
Amy Rippe!
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
BREATHE....This Priscilla Shirer study will guide
us to discover a Sabbath margin – the boundary
God enables us to put around things we enjoy so
that we are not enslaved by them.
 Monday mornings at 9:30am in the Armstrong
Room. Baby-sitting is offered on Monday mornings! Led by Rene Beck.
 Thursday mornings at 6:00am in the Armstrong
Room. Led by Linda Stover and Carol Ney.
MALACHI…Tuesday mornings at 9:45am at Julie
Holland’s. This study on the book of Malachi focuses on God's mercy. On our worst day, God doesn't
walk away from us. And His love for us is not determined by our performance. No matter how many
times we mess up, God loves (and never leaves)
broken people. Led by Julie Holland (377-6600).
BEAUTIFUL MESS… As much as women desire to
become mothers, sometimes the challenges and
circumstances are not what they ever expected.
Being a mom is wonderful, but it's also hard. Moms
wonder: Am I enough? Motherhood is a beautiful
mess. This study helps each mom discover (or remember) that she is the mom God chose for her
children, and she is a beautiful mom.
 Wednesdays at 7pm in the Armstrong
Room. Led by Dianna Sheely.
 Wednesdays at 11:30 AM. Bring a sack lunch
and enjoy a lunch break with other moms.
Study books will be available at the first gathering and cost $15. Led by Dianna Sheely.
BROKEN AND BLESSED…Thursday mornings at
9:30am in the Armstrong Room. Every family since
the beginning of time has been both broken and
blessed. This study will take us on a journey
through Genesis. We will see that despite both good
and bad traits that were passed down, God worked
for good in every generation—determined to transform those within and outside the family bloodlines.
Led by Ruth Powell.
WHAT LOVE IS…Fridays at noon at the home of
Kris Pearson. This study of 1, 2, & 3 John, encourages you to remain faithful to the truth. You will be
challenged to look at contrasting themes such as
walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus
lies and deception, loving God more than loving the
world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness. Led by Kris Pearson.
Women’s Spring Retreat
A time to walk with God and feel refreshed!
Garden Getaway
May 22-23 @ Hueston Woods
Do you long for a time of relaxation spent with friends? A time to get away
from the busyness of life and just walk with God? It’s time for a lovely,
green and vibrant garden getaway!
Cost: $179 pp single room/$129 pp double room/$109 pp triple
Includes: One night of lodging, Friday evening cookie break, Saturday
breakfast buffet and Lunch
Schedule: Program begins on Friday at 7pm. Come early for dinner
on your own. The retreat ends on Saturday at 3pm.
Register by April 1. Pick up a registration form at the desk in the Atrium. All payments due at the time of registration.
Ladies Summer “Road Trip”
WHEN:
Friday evening/Saturday, June 26-27
WHERE: US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
COST*:
$69
Beth Moore is a speaker and author of best-selling Bible studies and other
books for women. Beth is a woman of purpose, preparation, prayer, and
passion. It's apparent in everything she does, from teaching Bible studies
at her home church and on her blog to speaking to the thousands of women who attend her Living Proof Live conferences each year.
Travis Cottrell serves as Worship Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in
Jackson, TN. For more than 16 years he has served as worship leader at
Living Proof Live events.
Pick up a full brochure and registration for at the desk in Atrium.
*Note: Charter Bus available both days for an additional $40 per person. Departs
from ACUMC and goes to US Bank each day. Must have minimum of 30 people.
SAVE THE DATE for our annual Women’s Conference
here at Armstrong on November 7th with Jessica LaGrone!
Jessica LaGrone is an acclaimed pastor, teacher, speaker, and writer
whose engaging communication style endears her to her audiences. She
serves as Pastor of Worship at The Woodlands UMC in Texas, a church
with over 10,000 members. Ordained in the United Methodist Church,
Jessica is a graduate of Southwestern University and Asbury Theological
Seminary. Her popular blog Reverend Mother encompasses her dual
roles of pastor and mom. She writes, “This is a blog about having a foot in
two worlds, and being imperfect, inadequate, and available to God in both
at the same time.”
NEWS YOU CAN USE!
OUR SYMPATHIES TO…
PRISCILLA SARAH CIRCLE
Ray Faulkner and children – on the
death of his wife, Jenifer, on February 9.
Condolences may be sent to 6595
Adams Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45243.
...will meet Monday, March 16 at 10:00 in
the Wesley Room. Everyone is welcome
to attend!
YOUTH SNACK SUPPER
DO YOU LOVE FLOWERS?
Each year for Easter Sunday morning,
we transform the sanctuary into a beautiful garden. If you would like to take part
in this process, please call Jane Florer
(257 5844).
THE WALK TO EMMAUS
…is a 3-day exciting experience that
renews Christian discipleship and takes
a look at Christianity as a lifestyle. The
next women’s walks are March 19-22,
August 13-16, October 15-18; and the
next men’s walks is September 1720. Contact Susan Wisner (561-3156) or
visit Cincinnatiemmaus.org.
On Wednesday nights, one of the things
our students love is that we offer a small
meal for them! Parents have been great
at covering those meals, but we are looking for some help providing food a few
Wednesday nights over this next year.
You don’t have to be the parent of a
youth! If you’d be willing to bring food on
a Wednesday night for our students,
contact Ruth Powell by e-mail at
r_kpowell@msn.com.
Thank you to parents and church members, Jennifer Keith, Meg McCann
(again!), Melanie Stutenroth and Beth
Biggs for providing food through
February.
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
ASSESSMENT
There is nothing in all the world that will
bring you greater joy, greater challenge
and greater meaning than the journey
into life as God intended us to live
it. Where are you in your journey? Take
the new Spiritual Journey Assessment
available on our website to help find
out. The Spiritual Journey Assessment
can help you in your own spiritual journey. It can be a resource to small groups
and classes as you collectively discuss
directions for study and your life together.
Go to Armstrongchapel.org, select the
GROW menu item and then the Spiritual
Journey Assessment from the drop
down menu. Instructions are available. A limited number of print copies are
available at the Connect Desk for those
who do not have access to a computer. Submit the survey and results will be
returned to you via e-mail. All results are
confidential.
...continued from back page...
Share in community with people who do not look like you or even speak the same language as you do. But in the process, through the grace of God, in spite of all the human failings and brokenness; you build community, friendships, and family bonds. After these several visits, the people of Chacocente are my family. And now they are
Matt Boyd’s and Tracy Paluta’s as well. We all thank you for your prayers and support
this past week. We pray maybe you will choose to take a trip and see for yourself in the
future.
See ya in Church!
Pastor Jim
Current readings of the Pastor:
 Jefferson; Art of Power by Jon Meacham
 Uprooting Racism by Paul Kivel
 The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Rev. Greg Stover
Lead Pastor
Rev. Jim Nathan
Pastor of Adult Discipleship
Rev. Stan Lawrence
Pastor of
Congregational Care
Dianna Sheely
Director of Children, Family
and Women’s Ministries
Rev. Kyle Hazen
Pastor to Students
March 2015
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cincinnati, OH
Permit # 8661
5125 Drake Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243
Phone: 513-561-4220 Fax: 513-561-3062
Email: acumc@armstrongchapel.org
Web-site: www.armstrongchapel.org
Sunday Morning Worship Schedule
8:20 AM
9:40 AM
10:40 AM
11:11 AM
Old Chapel Worship
Classic Worship-Sanctuary
Coffee Fellowship-Atrium
Contemporary Worship-Worship Center
IN OTHER WORDS...
REV. JIM NATHAN
I am fresh off the plane from Nicaragua.
While the air outside is cold, I feel the
warmth of the 90 degree Nicaraguan air.
This was my eighth visit to Nicaragua,
each one is different; each one has its
own flavor and emphasis.
When I began, Project Chacocente was
still all about improving the living conditions of people living in the Managua city
dump. Over the course of time, eight
families were moved from the dump and
relocated to the countryside outside of
Masaya. Today, each of those families
hold title and deed to their homes and
roughly two acres of property that they
farm. A school was built for the children
of the project, and we invited children
from the surrounding neighborhood as
well. Over time, the school has been
improved to include a high school (last
year’s graduating class was 7) and has
sent students on to study at the university.
Five years ago, we began to worship at a
Methodist church. At that time, Eduardo
was one of the musicians in the praise
band. He later chose to go to Bible College and has become a pastor. Today
he is the President of the Pastoral Council for the Methodist church and this summer he will be ordained. The church
worships twice a week, Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, with about
50 people from the surrounding neighborhood.
Five years ago, the dump was purchased
by the Royal Family of Spain and has
been rehabilitated into operating like a
western dump. Scavenging through the
garbage by crowds of people no longer
happens. The garbage is buried regularly and recyclables are collected and processed in a manner that employs people
rather than exploits.
The Board of Directors is no longer looking to remove people from the conditions
of the dump, but rather to seek ways to
improve the conditions of those who live
around and send their children to our
school. There is talk about extending
water pipes and building a
new set storage tanks
across the road from the
project that our well might
deliver water out into the
community. And that a
program might be put into
place where we begin to build houses for
some of those families who live in makeshift shelters and improve their living
situation. I am hopeful about these new
directions for the project.
This past week, we worked on the finishing touches of a home for one of the
teachers from the school. Jose Louis
teaches computers to the children, he
himself grew up in the dump building
computers out of the parts he salvaged
at the dump. Now he will live a short
walk from the school in a three-room
home for his young family.
It is a sacrifice to go to a place that you
do not know. Offer yourself to do work
that you did not know you could do.
...continued on previous page...
Lilies and spring
flowers will
decorate the
church on
Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday
MARCH 29
8:20 a.m. — Traditional Worship in the Old Chapel
9:40 a.m. — Classic Worship in the Sanctuary
11:11 a.m. — Contemporary Worship in the Worship Center
Maundy Thursday
APRIL 2
7:00 p.m. — Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first
of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading
up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The
English word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum,
which means “commandment.”
Good Friday
APRIL 3
7:00 p.m. — Worship Center
Join us for a poetic and powerful story of a father
forced to choose between love and duty.
Easter Sunday
APRIL 5
8:20 a.m. — Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
9:40 a.m. — Classic Worship in the Sanctuary
11:11 a.m. — Contemporary Worship in the Worship Center If you would like to have one placed in honor or memory of someone, drop
this form in the collection plate or mail it to the church office. Please include
your check for $25, made out to Armstrong Chapel, and clearly marked
"Easter Flowers." Orders need to be received by Monday, March 30.
You may take a flower home following the services on Easter (please return
baskets to church).
Name:_______________________________________________________
Honor: ____ Memory: ____
Of: _________________________________________________________
On Easter morning, you can add fresh cut
flowers to the Living Cross on the church
lawn. Bring them from your own garden or
get one there. This cross reminds us of the
loving grace of God who used Christ’s
death on the cross to beautify our lives with
forgiveness. We also remember that the
cross has become a central symbol of
Christian faith and hope, although it was
once a tortuous instrument of execution.
You might want to bring a camera for a
family picture in front of this lovely and
meaningful backdrop.