April 13

We just completed an inspiring Lenten Worship Series about justice. Now it's time to put our words, songs, and prayers into action. This Monday, we have a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many people in our community — both young and old — by attending the Nehemiah Action sponsored by J.U.S.T. (Justice Unites Savannah Together). This is an important gathering with community leaders and officials about affordable housing and literacy. The more people who show up, the better chance we have of making an impact on our community leaders. It is one of the best opportunities you will ever have to influence systemic change regarding core human needs. The event will be held at St. Paul CME Church, 1601 Barnard Street, at 7:00 pm. Please allow time for parking. If you have any questions about the event, you can talk with me after church on Sunday or you can call or email me.

(And remember, we want to have more folks there than Congregation Mickve Israel, so I don't have to put up with Rabbi Haas ribbing me for an entire year.) 

The biblical text for Sunday's sermon is the story about the mysterious appearance Jesus made to two of his followers as they walked to a town called Emmaus. The text that is listed in the bulletin is incorrect — I forgot to change it from a past Sunday. The story is actually located at Luke 24:13-35. So if you want to familiarize yourself with the story before Sunday, it can be found at Luke 24:13-35.

The title of the sermon is "In the Breaking of the Bread." This title has reminded me to let you know that we will be celebrating Holy Communion this Sunday. I hope those of you who worship with us online will plan to have the Communion elements so you can participate with us. All you will need is juice or water and bread or a cracker.

Last week we started announcing the musicals we'll be using for God on Broadway in October. There will be a total of four musicals — two we have never used before and two "revivals" that we used many years ago. The show we announced last Sunday was OKLAHOMA. Oklahoma was the show we used for our very first God On Broadway Service in 2005 —19 years ago. The musical we will be announcing this Sunday is one that will be brand new for us but has some familiar characters in it that have graced our stage before. That's a tricky clue.

Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd, but there are events this week that are being offered to educate and to celebrate. On Tuesday the 16th there will be a film being shown at Asbury called "Common Ground." Here is a trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-M4Hq0MKFA.

The Earth Day Festival will be Friday, April 19th, at Daffin Park from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

We will be emphasizing the beauty of the Earth and all God's creatures with our worship services om April 21st and 28th.

As most of you know, the congregation is invited to make a financial pledge to the church in November for the upcoming year. These pledges are critical because they help us determine our annual church budget. I have some good news and some bad news regarding the pledges for 2024. 

The good news is that more money was pledged this year than last year. The bad news is that we didn't have as many people pledge this year as we had last year. One reason for this lower number is because 16 members of our church family died in 2023. Almost every one of them pledged and was very faithful with their tithes and offerings. 

If you have not pledged, it is not too late to do so. In fact, you can pledge at any time of the year. There are Pledge Cards at the church in different locations - where people check in when they arrive in Sundays...and in the church narthex.

If you have any questions about pledging, please call the church office. Randy or Candace would be glad to assist you.

I also encourage you to read the article in our monthly newsletter on Stewardship written by Rev. Richard Allen. The newsletter can be found by just clicking on the newsletter icon at the bottom of this email.

We thank Mike Skinner and Jeff Tucker for serving as our previous Treasurers. Both Mike and Jeff have served our congregation faithfully for many years. We appreciate all they have done.

We also appreciate Maria for being willing to carry the mantle at this important time in our church's history. 

Love and Blessings to all!
Billy