From The Pastor

What are you afraid of?”  I posed this question to the Confirmation Class recently and received a whole host of replies, including “spiders’, “heights”,  “failure” and “death”. Usually, it’s not very hard to come up with a list of what we’re afraid of, for it seems that we live in a culture that feeds on fear. Everywhere you look and everywhere you turn, fears are being cultivated, and the media is more than willing to show us the many things of which we ‘ought’ to be afraid. Fear grabs people’s attention and it sells.

 And so, we are told to be afraid of terrorist attacks. We are told to be afraid of an impending pandemic. We are told to be afraid of global climate change. We are told to be afraid of incoming missiles. We are told to be afraid of Vioxx, and computer viruses, and gangs with guns. The list goes on and on. There is no shortage of things that can frighten us (some legitimate, some fabricated).

 That’s why we need to hear the Easter message once again, loud and clear, especially as it’s recorded in St. Matthew. Do you know the first words uttered on that first Easter morning?  “Do not be afraid”!! They were uttered to the women who came to the tomb and who came in great fear and trembling. The scriptures tell us that these women were frightened by the earthquake, by the guards, by the dazzling angel and by what they would find at the gravesite. But they were instructed to put away their fears.  What good news!  There is nothing to be afraid of any longer.

 You see, Easter launches us into a faith based upon the knowledge that the world did its worst against Jesus. The forces of evil mustered together as much power as they could summon and still they could not defeat the love and saving grace of God. The Risen Christ overcame all the powers that engender fear.

 And so, there is no ultimate reason to be afraid. God, in goodness, rules. Death has been destroyed. Sin’s power has been stripped. Evil has lost the fight. It is this fear-conquering faith of Easter that has been passed down to us from across the centuries, and which we will once again celebrate shortly.

 “Do not be afraid”. This ringing proclamation is always God’s first word to God’s people. (remember the Christmas narrative?) It is reassurance each of us needs to hear in these fright-filled days, and it is a word we need to speak clearly to those around us, just as the early disciples did. 

“Lo, Jesus meets thee, risen from the tomb!

Lovingly he greets thee, scatters fear and gloom;

Let his Church, with gladness, hymns of triumph sing,

For the Lord now liveth,

Death has lost its sting!”       (LBW 145)

May you have a glorious Easter, as you rejoice in the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Blessings,

Pastor Doug

Pastor Doug        

FROM THE INTERN  

Several years ago when I just entered the seminary, someone told me a story that I will never forget.  

It happened in a Polish village during the Second World War.  In this village there was a man who was well known for his care and compassion for others; everybody in this village loved him. He was not a wealthy man, or a native of the village; he did not even attend the village church. In fact, he was not baptized. But he was known for his good works within the village that he had adopted as his place to live and work. If a stranger came to the village and needed a place to stay, this man would offer a bed in his little home. If anyone ran out of food, he was among the first to offer a loaf of bread or some flour from his limited supplies. If someone was in danger during the War, he would help hide them in the woods outside town or in some other way. He was loved very much by the villagers on account of all these things and many more. 

When this man died, for some reason which was not mentioned in the story, the villagers invited the local Priest to perform the funeral service, and they wanted to bury him in the church cemetery. 

The priest knew this man and loved him as much as did the rest of the villagers. He agreed to conduct the funeral service - but insisted he could not bury this man inside the church cemetery because he was not baptized.   

The villagers begged the priest, saying that this good man is surely loved by God as much as any of the baptized, perhaps even more. The priest agreed with them, but insisted that the rules of the faith were clear and could be not be broken. After a huge debate, finally the priest agreed to allow the man to be buried near the cemetery, just beyond the fence. And so it was. On the appointed day the man was buried beside the church cemetery just outside the fence.  

The next morning, people surprisingly found that someone had moved the fence – so that it now took in the grave in which the man had been buried. 

This story impressed me a lot when I first heard it, and it still impresses me now. For me it captures something of what Jesus was all about – something of what the good news is all about – namely, unity in God. 

What shall we do to move our fence and fulfill this unity in God? Many people suggest that we should open our door and welcome people within our community to come into our church. 

Actually there are so many ways to welcome people into our church, like hanging welcome banners everywhere inside and outside the church building, parishioners taking turns sitting in the chapel waiting for people coming in and talking with them, or hosting as many community meals as we can, opening an ESL class for new immigrants, or sending evangelical flyers door to door in our local community…  

But before doing all these, let us ask ourselves a question: Do we really want to open our door and let people come into our home and share our life?

Chun Zhang

Intern  

NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE

At the Annual Meeting, the congregation of St. Philip’s, upon the recommendation of the Worship & Music Committee, the Christian Education Committee and Council, voted to implement the following change to the Sunday morning schedule:

BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2005

• Worship will begin at 10:00 a.m.

• Students & Teachers (and their families), will commune first (approximately 10:50 -11:00 a.m.). The students and teachers will then proceed to their Sunday School classrooms receiving some refreshments on the way. Sunday School classes will continue for at least 45 minutes and will be dismissed sometime between 11:35 and 11:50 a.m.

• Coffee fellowship (the Good News Café) will be held in the fellowship hall immediately following the worship (approximately 11:15 a.m.)

This new schedule will operate on a trial basis for the time being, and will be reviewed by Council by June 2005, for further recommendation.  

The intent of these adjustments are to encourage greater participation of our children in both Sunday School and worship, make it easier for families to arrive and leave together, condense the entire morning into a maximum of 2 hours concluding all activities by NOON, while maintaining the amount of time children receive instruction.  

We look forward to your co-operation and feedback as we explore these new possibilities. 

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS 

At the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, six new people were elected to council. They are: Deb Goshulak, Shelley Griffith, Charlie Hamilton, Aline Kouhi-Klemencic, John Stewart and Chris Suknundun. Welcome! 

SUNDAY SCHOOL MARCH BREAK SCHEDULE 

Because of the multiple March Breaks this year we will be cancelling Sunday School classes on March 20th & 27th.  We will be holding Sunday School on March 13.   

OUTREACH 

St. Philips’ participation in the “Out of the Cold” program this year was much appreciated by those to whom we provided meals and lunches. Thank you all, those who donated food and especially to our volunteers who cooked, baked, served, packed and cleaned up. 

During the Lenten season the Outreach Committee will be focusing on an Easter Food Drive with the drop off of non-perishable items in the church foyer between now and March 27th. These items will be distributed both to families who request our help and to the Central Etobicoke Food Bank. We thank you for your support. If you wish, monetary donations to the “Needy Fund” are also appreciated and are used to help provide food for persons in need. 

FIFTY PLUS GROUP 

On Thursday, March 17th at NOON the Fifty Plus Group will be meeting at the church for a St. Patrick’s Day Party!! Put on something green and come out and celebrate. Everyone’s Irish on this day! Please bring a bag lunch and you are also invited to bring some sort of small dessert to share with the group. Afterwards, we will have games and activities to salute St. Patrick’s Day. 

NEW PAINTING 

Have you noticed a new painting on the wall in the north foyer?  This lovely picture of a church was given to St. Philip's by Lillian and Art Weichel.  When at their cottage in Muskoka, they acquired this painting at an art gallery in Bracebridge.  The painter's name is Joy Millburn who had won first prize for it at the Muskoka Art Festival. The Weichels were pleased to have it in their home for many years and now have passed it on to our St. Philip's family to enjoy. 

HELP 

The Sewing Group has been very busy sewing blankets and are having another good year.  However, we are noticing a lack of fabric suitable for the backings of the blankets.  We prefer large pieces of darkish colors or figured patterns.  It can be the usual poly-cotton, flannelette, or anything that is similar.  We thank you for all your generosity in the past and whatever you can offer us in the future. 

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS 

Application forms for the Eastern Synod Scholarship Fund and Spencer Barche Education Trust Fund are available from Pastor Doug. These awards are available to students who are members of Eastern Synod Congregations and who are about to be engaged in full time post secondary studies. They are distributed on the basis of Christian character, participation in the church and community and academic achievement. Forms must be submitted by May 1, 2005. Please speak with Pastor Doug if you are interested in applying. 

LADIES NIGHT OUT 

The next meeting of the Ladies Night Out Group is scheduled for Monday, April 11th at 7:30 p.m. All women of the congregation are invited to join us! 

SPIRITUAL RETREAT 

A Spiritual Retreat for Laypersons of the Eastern Synod is being held from Friday April 8th – Sunday, April 10th at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre in Niagara Falls. The spiritual director/presenter for the weekend will be Rev. Tim Hegedus, Professor of New Testament at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. The cost is $165.00 per person (including meals & accommodation). Registration forms are available from Pastor Doug. 

EASTER LILIES 

Easter Lilies are being purchased by the Altar Guild to decorate our chancel for Easter. If you would like to supply one for our church, please speak with Eileen Tynes or one of the Altar Guild members in the narthex after worship. Orders will be taken until Sunday, March 13th.  If you would like to place it in memory of a loved one, please inform Debbie in the church office as soon as possible, so that it can be included in the bulletin.

TIMMY

Timmy was a little five-year-old boy who’s Mom loved him very much, and being a worrier, she was concerned about his walking to school when he started Kindergarten. She walked him the first couple of days, and at the end of the week, he came home from school and told his mother that he did not want her walking him to school everyday. He wanted to be like the “big boys” he protested loudly. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbour, Mrs. Goodnest, if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn’t notice her. Mrs. Goodnest said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. 

The next school day, Mrs. Goodnest and her little girl, Marcy, set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbour boy he knew. She did this for one whole week. As the boys walked, they chatted, kicking stones and twigs. Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following them, as she seemed to do every day that week. Finally he said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?” Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.” The friend said, “Well, who is she?” “That’s Shirley Goodnest” Timmy replied, “and her daughter Marcy.” “Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?” 

“Well,” Timmy explained, “every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, ‘cuz she worries about me so much. And in the psalm, it says Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life,’ so I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!” 

SUNDAY SCHOOL   SERVICE PROJECT 

The Sunday School children are participating in a Canadian Lutheran World Relief service project during the season of Lent. They are preparing Kiddies Kits to be sent overseas to people in need in many parts of the world. Items such as writing pads, pencils, rulers, hand towels, washcloths and combs are being collected for the kids. We ask you to assist your child in choosing and purchasing an item or two to put into the kits. We hope to complete the project by mid April. 

LENTEN MID WEEK WORSHIP 

We are in the midst of our Lenten Season and are offering mid-week worship as part of our Lenten observances. Service are being held each Wednesday at 7:30 pm until March 16, We are offering a quiet, meditative ½ hour of Taize-style worship. Please join us for this time of spiritual renewal. 

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS

Our Soup Suppers are being offered during the season of Lent each Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Come and enjoy a peaceful, light supper of homemade soup, bread and dessert. Recognizing that people’s weekday schedules vary, this is a drop-in sort of time, so you may come and have your meal anytime within the 1 hour and a quarter. There is no charge. Everyone is welcome.  

ALTAR GUILD

A new Flower Chart for 2005 has been placed on the narthex wall beside the brochure rack. The Altar Guild invites donations of flowers to grace our chancel throughout the year. Please indicate which date you would like. A member of the guild will contact you as the date approaches. This is a wonderful way to commemorate a special occasion or in remembrance of a loved one!  

SENIOR YOUTH

The Senior Youth would like to thank those who came out and supported the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. Through the generous donations of those attending, the youth raised $600.00 for Habitat for Humanity and the Tsunami Relief. 

The Senior Youth will be having their annual Easter sleepover on Saturday March 26th at the church and then will be preparing and serving breakfast to the congregation the next day. All youth are welcome to come out! 

The group is also starting to pull together their plans for the Walking Wet synod gathering this summer. The event takes place at the University of Guelph from August 5^th-7^th and is centered on living out your baptism. 

EASTER BREAKFAST 

Everyone is invited to St. Philip’s annual Easter Breakfast on Sunday, March 27^th. What a wonderful way to begin this festival day! Come and join us for a hot dish, Easter eggs, muffins, hot cross buns, juice and more! It is going to be prepared and served by the Senior Youth and they hope everyone will attend (free will offering to cover expenses). There is going to be continuous seating from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. During breakfast there is also the opportunity to decorate the flowered processional cross. 

HOLY WEEK & EASTER WORSHIP TIMES 

Sunday, March 20th- 10:30 a.m.

Palm/Passion Sunday

parade of palms

Thursday, March 24th

6:00p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Soup Supper

7:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday Worship

Holy Communion, Symbolic

Foot Washing, Stripping of

the Altar

Friday, March 25th   - 10:30 a.m.

Good Friday Solemn Service

of The Word

Procession of the cross and

drama

Saturday, March 26 - 7:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil

special readings & journeying

from the darkness into Easter

light

Sunday, March 27th

9:00 a.m. - 10:00a.m.

Easter Breakfast sponsored

by the Senior Youth,

(continuous seating)

Sunday, March 27th  - 10:30 .a.m.

Festive Easter Worship with

brass quartet

Holy Communion

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Each year, the Toronto area Jewish-Christian Dialogue  (of which the Eastern Synod is a member), sponsor a service in memory of the Holocaust victims. This year, St. Philip’s has been selected as the site for this service. We are honoured to host this event which will be on Sunday, April 17th, at 7:00 p.m. and which is open to the public. The guest speaker will be Father Tom Rosica of the Roman Catholic Church’s Salt & Light TV. Part of the service also involves lighting candles in memory of those who perished and sung canticles by a Jewish cantor. Refreshments and a time of fellowship will follow. Mark it on your calendar and plan on attending. 

MINIATURE GOLF 

The Social Events Committee is organizing a family night out at “The Putting Edge” (a glow in the dark miniature golf course) on Saturday, April 16th at 7:15 p.m. at the QEW & Winston Churchill location. Further details will follow and a sign up sheet is posted in the narthex.  The cost is $6.50 (ages 7-12) and $7.50 (over 12). We need you to sign up by Sunday, April 3rd. Everyone is welcome!!