Parkway Courier Volume 52, No. 5 May 2017

He's Still Around By Pastor Kathy Itzin

Easter isn’t a one day event. The idea is that it goes on for fifty days. Lent is only forty days (not counting Sundays, the day of the Resurrection), so Easter trumps Lent. Our time of celebration is bigger and more important, than the time of preparation and repentance. Jesus keeps appearing during the whole Easter season! First, Mary Magdalene meets him in the garden. Then he shows up when the disciples and other friends and family are gathered in the upper room. Thomas isn’t there, so he comes back again a week later. Meanwhile, two disciples were walking to the next town, (seven miles away) and Jesus joined them. Later, his buddies saw him on the shore when they were out fishing, and he made them breakfast. What do these appearances have in common? What is the thread that shows when and where Jesus is likely to appear? Nothing. There isn’t one. I love that! Jesus shows up in entirely different circumstances to different people with no discernable pattern. A grieving woman has just lost her world. She doesn’t know what to do. The disciples are terrified and hiding out, hoping that they don’t get killed like Jesus. Two friends are visiting while traveling together. A group of men are ending the night at work, doing what they do six days a week, and they just want to go home after a bad night of catching nothing. And John’s Gospel says, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book…” (John 20: 31) Did others see him too? What about people he never met before, but were sad to hear about his death? How about the woman of Samaria, or one of the people that he’d healed? Jesus didn’t just show up one day to Mary Magdalene. He kept appearing many times to many people. The Gospel writers wanted to make sure that we ‘got’ this! The people who were around when Jesus died either experienced, or heard stories of other people experiencing Jesus’ presence with them again. So, what about today? How do we experience him? Where is Jesus when children in Syria are killed by bombs, or when families in Somalia, Ethiopia, or Sudan are starving? What about when we personally have a great loss, trouble, or grief? That’s where he still is. Right there. As one of my friends likes to say, “Where the rubber meets the road.” There’s Jesus. We may not see him in the same way as Mary did, but he’ still there. When Jesus was walking around Nazareth, he was one man in one place. Now, he’s not limited anymore. He is also not limited by our ability to ‘see’ or ‘feel’ or Not ‘see’ or ‘feel’ his presence. Thankfully, it doesn’t depend upon us. We don’t need to earn it. Jesus promises,(in many places), “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the ages.” (Matthew 28: 20)

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May Scriptures

May 7 4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 2: 42-47 (They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking iof bread and the prayers...All who believed were together and had all things in common)

John 10: 1- 10 (I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find peace)

May 14 5th Sunday of Easter (Mother's Day)

Esther 4: 6-17 & 8: 3-8 (By listening to God, Esther saves the Jewish people) Psalm 131: 1-3 (I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother)

May 21 6th Sunday of Easter

Acts 17: 22-31 (Paul preaches that the 'unknown god' which the Athenians worship, is the God that Jesus revealed to us)

John 14: 15-21 ("I will ask God and you will be given the Holy Spirit...you know him because he lives with you, and he will be in you)

May 28 7th Sunday of Easter

Acts 1: 6-14 (Jesus told them, "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Then he was lifted up, and ascended to heaven)

John 17: 1-11 (Eternal life is this; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent)

Out to Lunch Bunch

The Out to Lunch Bunch will gather at Nonna Rosa's in downtown Robbinsdale on May 11 at 11:30 a.m. This is an Italian restaurant with a wide variety of excellent food on their lunch and dinner menus. All are invited to join the group for lively

conversation and good food! Please call the church office if you plan on going so we can make reservations.

PALS by Andy Momont

Join us on Friday, May 19, for our traditional potluck at 6:30 p.m. After dinner, we'll have a brief business meeting, with the main agenda item being the future of PALS. Our program will be visiting with Friends -- which means we don't have a formal program, we'll just sit around and visit. Please RSVP to Andy at 612-245-0988 by Sunday, May 14; if we haven't had at least 8 people sign up by then, we'll cancel.

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Spring Fling

May 7, 2017 4:00 PM

Parkway Music Department presents

Broadway and Big Band! Featuring

Parkway Chancel Choir Parkway Bell Choir Pistachio Singers

This is your chance to join us for some Broadway and Big Band fun! Parkway choirs are serving up the Broadway, and the Pistachio Singers are serving up the Big Band music. When it’s over, we’ll ALL be serving up ice cream sundaes—oh boy! This will be sure to put a big smile on your face as you’re humming along, so bring some friends and enjoy the fun! A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the music fund.

"Imagining the Future of the Church/Church of the Future"

On April 6, Pastor Kathy presented a Lenten program about 'The Future of the Institutional Church' using research from the United Church of Christ's General Minister, Reverend John Dorhauer. This included a discussion about 'Christ and God’s people will continue; our ‘form’ of ‘Church' may change!' What does that look like for us? Those that participated loved it and have been asking if Kathy would do another presentation. She has agreed and will present this again on Sunday, May 21st after worship. The Board of Daiconate will serve a lunch too! We hope to see you there! Please sign up on the sheet outside the social hall.

FMF Supplies Needed

After five years of hosting FMF families, some of our supplies are wearing out. We are in need of 6 new air mattresses and some hand towels and wash cloths. If you are

able to help us with these things, please bring them to the office. Don't forget to turn your receipt(s) in as an 'In Kind' offering and it will go on your giving statment. As always, we accept toiletries and diapers for our storage cabinet, in case the families run out while they are here.

Thank you to all the volunteers and all who participate through donations towards this ministry. Great job everyone!

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Bauman Fine Art Series presents

NEW MUSIC

Sunday, June 4 4 pm

Parkway will host the Bauman Fine Art Series in its presentation of NEW MUSIC, including the World Premiere of award winning composer, Asako Hirabayashi's Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano. It was written for Kathryn Greenbank and Charles Ullery, both principal players of St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO).

Please join us for a stunning variety of music, both new and old. In addition to Asako's compositions, the ensemble will play the beautiful Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone, Rigadoons by David Evan Thomas, J.S.Bach trios and much more!

World class guest artists are Kathryn Greenbank (oboe), Daria Adams(violin), Charles Ullery(bassoon) from SPCO and Taichi Chen (violin) from Minnesota Orchestra and international recorder player Clea Galhano.

Please invite your friends and join us for this wonderful concert. A brief reception with refreshments will follow the concert.

May Coffee Hour: Volunteers May Driver’s Flowers 7 David Goettsch 7 Open 14 Brad Jones 14 In honor of Char Merz and Sharon Merz from the Merz kids 21 Dave Hendel 21 Open 28 David Goettsch 28 Open E-mail address: parkwayucc@gmail.com Rev. Kathy's e-mail: parkwayuccpastor@gmail.com Web Site: www.parkwayucc.com

Parkway Courier Charlene Merz, Editor The deadline for the June/July Courier is May 24. The Courier will be mailed out on May 31. Please bring your articles to the church office or email them to Parkwayucc@gmail.com All articles are appreciated!

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HAPPY/THANKFUL OFFERINGS

We are offering this gift because we are happy and/or thankful for:

April 2, 2017 April 16, 2017 Jim Jarvimaki for helping with The birth of our Great Bunnies--real, imaginary, brush removal and mowing the Granddaughter, Amelia Marilyn mythical, cartoon, and lawn. Nix on Friday, March 31st. She is chocolate! -Todd our 11th Great Grandchild. -Andy and Kim -Marilyn and Dick Silverness Jerry and Pat Durand for helping Happy to see Steph Lee in with Saturday breakfast and To be workin' again! church today after having donating grass seed. -Bob Thompson knee surgery. -Todd -Pat and Jerry Stone Dick and Nancy Larson are back! Todd for all his work this past -Andy and Kim April 23, 2017 week with FMF and other jobs The wonderful memorial around Parkway. April 9, 2017 service by Pastor Kathy The white haired guy playing for Michelle. All of Char's Good neighbor, Lonnie Rose. the piano. help and everyone who -Gerry -Kim and Phill helped in the kitchen and congregational hugs and Dianne Star and Todd for the Welcome home Dick and Nancy prayers. wonderful coordination of FMF. Larson! -Sharon, Stacy, Tyler & Lucille - Lester and Dianne God's loving kindness and Pastor For Char, Emily, Katrina and Kathy and Parkway UCC people. We're married and we have a Dianne for confirming their -Victoria Morrison baby boy coming. Thank you. commitment to the Parkway -Jeff and Fuhua yard sale 2017--more info coming! -Board of Finance

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Gerry Hartley Bob Freeman - (Cancer surgery) Rose Marie Lund – (Durand’s daughter) Donelle Arkley - (Michael Snitker's sister) Jim Leerssen Grace Ashley-(Ro Shanklin's sister-in-law) Marlene Mars Maxine Rogers - (Lonnie Rose's sister) Harriet Thompson Pam Eckert - (Friend of Dawn Stroschein) Parkway Church Kevin Perusse - (Sharon Chafin's son-in-law) Eunice Shore Jimmy Johnson - (Sharon Chafin's cousin) Brett Sprague Jeremy Burkett - (Dave Hendel's nephew) Laura Mylan - (Friend of Janet Zahn) Lu Butler Jan Schwarz A.J. Houle - (Dick and Nancy Larson's son-in-law) Karen Anderson Frank Kuhn - (Marilyn Silverness' brother) Andy Benjamin - (Friend of Silverness) Ron Moore - (Carolyn Hendel's brother-in-law) Phil Momont Alice Johnston Terri Lipelt - (Todd's brother - massive stroke) Steven, Shawn and Jessie - (Terri's family, for their well being) Paul & Donita Boerger - (Lester Boerger's parents)

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5 Karen Lerum 14 Donna Saldin 8 Stephanie Lee 15 Isabella Sprague 8 Lonnie Rose 17 Bonnie McClain 8 Dianne Star 23 Andy Goettsch 13 Travis Bloomquist 23 Jan Schwarz 28 Julie Hartfiel

Remember the Diaconate Fund

Many years ago Parkway started a special collection on communion Sundays to help members in need. We always advertised it in the bulletin and collected it on communion Sundays. During the past couple of years this has been sadly forgotten and we are going to make a better effort to advertise and support this special 'in church' fund. The money goes to members who may need a little extra help in times of need. There are special green offering envelopes in the pews marked for this collection. If you can't make it to church and would like some offering envelopes for this, please call the church and we will gladly send some to you.

Happy Spring Everyone!

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This page is sad and lonely.

Do you know why this page is sad and lonely?

This is the page where the "News From the Boards and Council" would be. In the last several months, the minutes have not gotten to the office to be included in the Courier.

Even with repeated reminders and even with the Courier deadline posted in every newsletter, the minutes are still absent. The Courier is sad. Members and friends of Parkway like to know

what's happening around the church and what our boards are doing. This is your time to shine and be proud of the ministries we do. Each board and Council should have a designated

minute taker and that person is responsible for making sure the minutes get to the office to be included in every Courier. The boards and Council have May to meet and then are on summer

break. Let's all make a better effort to get the minutes in! Your Courier thanks you (and the editor too).

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Parkway Courier

Parkway United Church of Christ 3120 Washburn Avenue North Twin Cities, Minnesota 55411-1906

An Open and Affirming Church Telephone: 612-522-2982 Fax Number: 612-522-1439 E-mail: parkwayucc@gmail.com

Worship Service: Sunday, 10 a.m. Office Hours: 9 a.m. − 4 p.m. Monday − Thursday

Rev. Kathy Itzin, Senior Minister Charlene Merz, Administrative Assistant Bonnie McClain, Director of Music Daniel Ritter, Organist Carolyn Hendel, Bell Choir Director Molly Merz, Custodian

Published by and for members and friends of

PARKWAY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Time Sensitive Material

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. Bell Choir 2-7 p..m. Truth in

4-9 p.m. Truth in 7 p.m. Choir Practice Spirit worships

Spirit worships

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10 a.m. Communion 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 11:30 a.m. Out to 2-7 p.m. Turth in

10:15 Sunday School 4-9 p.m. Truth in Lunch Bunch Spirit worships

11 a.m. Coffee Hour Spirit worships

4:00 p.m. Spring Fling

Mother's Day 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 2-7 p.m. Truth in

10:15 Sunday School 4-9 p.m. Truth in 7 p.m. Council 6:30 p.m. PALS Spirit worships

11 a.m. Coffee Hour Spirit worships

12:30 CWOW

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10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study 2-7 p.m. Truth in

10:15 Sunday School 4-9 p.m. Truth in Spirit worships

11 a.m. Coffee Hour Spirit worships

11:30 Kathy presents Courier Deadline

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10 a.m. Worship 7 p.m. Victory AA 10 a.m. Bible Study

10:15 Sunday School 4-9 p.m. Truth in

11 a.m. Coffee Hour Spirit worships

12:30 CWOW Courier Mailed

Parkway United Church of Christ

May 2017