Announcements

Springing Back to Life

“Arise my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come…” 

(The Song of Solomon 2:10-12)

Some exciting things have been happening recently, things that have made my spirit dance.  A few of the daffodils around our house have opened along with some crocuses, Joy and I heard the peepers for the first time this season, and just yesterday, we saw our first Osprey return to its nest.  These are all signs another spring is here.  By the calendar, spring or the vernal equinox, arrived over a week ago, but at times it certainly hasn’t “felt” like it!   We still have stretches of days where the weather is cold, wet, raw, and gray.  Often when I go outside, I still wear my winter coat, scarf, hat and gloves. That’s one reason why my heart feels lighter experiencing these visible signs that spring has returned. 

At times, perhaps especially here on the Cape, Spring can be slow in coming.  Winter just hangs on a bit longer than it does inland.  I’m told this is because we’re surrounded by water, which takes longer than land to warm up (But also longer to cool down, which gives us the beautiful autumns we enjoy).  During this time of year, I find myself almost aching to experience the signs of spring.  When I do, I become excited the earth is “springing back to life” once again, and to a degree, I feel myself springing back to life with it.

What a great message for us as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection once again.  Although the winters of our lives can be long, difficult, and drag on, new life returns.  Mysteriously life crushed to the ground, like truth, rises again.  Life finds a way to return.  Perhaps the resurrection is a deeper reflection of what we’re starting to experience, how all that God has created and loves, eventually springs back to life. 

The trees are budding, the leaves are returning, additional flowers will soon make an appearance, and the landscape will become full of beauty once again.  Although we go through periods when we don’t always see these things, we know they’re coming.  Our spirits lighten, and we rejoice when we see signs pointing to this truth. The resurrection is also a sign, pointing to the truth that death is not stronger than life.  Our  lives can be lifted along with Christ’s, for the resurrection shows us that life, not death has the final word.  Regardless of how fragile life may be at times there is an incredible and mysterious resiliency to it.  Beauty, wonder, and joy can return after struggle, disappointment and hardship.  Winter is past.  The flowers are about to appear on the earth.  Christ is risen! Truly the time for singing has come.

Pastor John

 Sunday April 13^th –This day is Palm Sunday and the service will reflect Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.  Palms will be given out to all in attendance.  We will also celebrate and witness the baptism of Kegan Miller Kersker, the grandson of Elena and Fred Ghioto, son of Grace and Peter Kersker.

Thursday, April 17^th – We will have a special worship service in our sanctuary at 7 p.m. to celebrate Holy Thursday, the final night Jesus was with his followers before his arrest and crucifixion.  Communion will be served, a time for the children will be offered, and the story of Jesus’ passion will then be read.  Our choir will be singing, and a special meditation will be offered for the service as well.

Friday, April 18^th – This is Good Friday, an ecumenical worship service is being offered by St. David’s Episcopal Church from 12 Noon to 3 p.m.  All are invited to attend, as different area clergy offer reflections on the last words of Jesus.

Saturday, April 19^th – All children, youth, and adults are invited to the home of Pastor John and Joy for our annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Many eggs will need to be found!  In addition, Valerie Jansson, Pastor John, and Joy will have additional activities related to Easter, and refreshments for all.  People are invited to gather together at 10 AM.  Pastor John and Joy live at 3 Center Street, in Dennis, at the corner of Trotting Park Road and Center Street.

Sunday, April 20^th – Easter Sunday!

We will get things started with a sunrise Easter service at Smuggler’s Beach in South Yarmouth.  The service will be held on the Fishermen’s Pier, where we hold our summer beach services and it will begin at 6 a.m.  Come and welcome the sunrise, the gift of a new day, and rejoice in the wonder of the resurrection.

A wonderful Easter breakfast will be offered in our Parish Hall from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  All members and  friends of our congregation are invited to come to this breakfast to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Cindy and David Dickey and their friends.  The breakfast is free and will be served buffet style. This is a wonderful way to enjoy Easter morning together.  We are grateful to Cindy and David Dickey for offering this to us all once again!

Our second Easter Service will begin at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.  Special music will be provided by our choir, a guest musician, Paul Honigsblum, and Ben Colgan.  Be sure to come and celebrate the good news that through the resurrection, we now  know “how the story ends,” and can live in the peace and freedom this good news brings us. 

Easter Lilies will be available for purchase again this year in memory and/or in honor of  a loved one for Easter Sunday.  Order forms will be in upcoming worship bulletins.  The cost is $12 for each lily.  The deadline for ordering is Sunday, April 13th.   You can also call the church office to place  your order .

Mini-Retreat on Saturday, April 5^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our Christian Education Committee is excited to offer our first intergenerational mini-retreat on Saturday April 5, 2025, from 10 am to 1pm in the Parish Hall.  The theme of the retreat is Teach us to Pray and it is being led by Gayle Kerr, a member of our congregation and a certified Spiritual Director and Valerie Jansson who will be leading the children’s time. Coffee, tea, and refreshments are being supplied.

The theme of this retreat was inspired by the passage in Luke 11:1 in which one of Jesus’ disciples says to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…”and Jesus proceeds to teach them the Lord’s prayer.  If the disciples can ask for help in learning how to pray, we can too.  Prayer is such an important part of our Christian faith, yet many of us don’t always feel confident in our ability to pray.  We look forward to this time to learn and grow together.  Thank you to all who have signed up ahead of time to take advantage of this opportunity.  We’ve had a great response.  Please arrive a little early so we can start right on time.

 Plan now to come to the Parish Hall and get creative!  Marci Carchia will be leading this fun evening using sea glass, beach pebbles, shells, and driftwood to create art on canvas.  Please bring whatever beach items you have as well as a glue gun and glue sticks.  If you don’t have any of these, no worries as we will have plenty to choose from.  This night of creativity is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee; contact Joy Mueller, joyemueller@comcast.net if you are interested.

Our Christian Education Committee will once again host a “Trivia Night” for adults and “Game Night” for children  on Sunday, April 13^th at 4 p.m..  Trivia night will test our knowledge of Cape Cod, the Bible, different words, Massachusetts and a variety of other topics as we work with those on our team to answer a series of questions.  Adults can form teams of 4-6 people or register as an individual and join a team.  Feel free to invite a friend.  Sign up in the Parish Hall. Children will have a separate game night.  After we’ll all join for pizza, salad and dessert. 

Music plays a central role in Easter liturgical traditions, heightening the emotional and spiritual depth of the celebration. From the solemnity of Holy Week to the triumphant joy of Easter Sunday, hymns, chants, and choral works help convey the theological significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. Traditional hymns like Jesus Christ Is Risen Today and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus proclaim the resurrection with grandeur. Through music, Easter liturgy transforms worship into an immersive, transcendent experience, uniting believers in a profound expression of faith and hope.

-Ben Colgan

The Sunday Evening Eating Outers (Suneos) will be gathering this month at 5 p.m. for dinner on Sunday, April 27th.  The location will be announced shortly. Julie Kenney  is coordinating this outing for us all.  Sign up in the Parish Hall, contact the Church Office, or speak with  Julie  directly if you are interested in attending.  These dinners are always a nice way to enjoy a good meal, support a local restaurant, and enjoy each other’s company.

Our next church hike will be held on Saturday, April 26th.   Joy, Bailey, and Pastor John will meet all who are interested at our church’s parking lot at 10 a.m. We plan to go to the Lowell Holly Reservation in Mashpee for the Lowell Holly Reservation trail.  This 2.5 mile loop offers some very scenic views of local ponds.  All ages are welcome.  Dogs are permitted.  Feel free to invite a friend.

Members who are Town of Yarmouth residents are encouraged to attend Town Meeting on Tuesday, April 29th at 6 p.m. at the D-Y Intermediate School auditorium on Station Avenue.  Our congregation’s grant request for Community Preservation Act funding, to assist with the restoration and preservation of the exterior of our sanctuary and parish hall will be presented for vote.  It is in Article #26, under Historical Preservation Projects in the town.  Please consider attending and voting in favor of this significant financial support which will provide much needed repairs and upgrades to the exterior of our historic buildings.

We thank everyone who has stopped by the Easter Egg tree and picked up an egg with the requested item inside and brought these items in for the “Easter Baskets” we are assembling.  These baskets will go to women and children being supported by Independence House.   There are still a couple eggs left on the tree, so if you would like to support this initiative and haven’t done so yet just visit the display area in the Parish Hall.  Please have all items returned by Sunday, April 13^th, so the baskets can be assembled and delivered before Easter!  We thank Sandy Duncan and Eve Hoffman for their leadership around this initiative.