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MAPC UPDATE

Vol. XXX, No. 2

February 2004

Ash Wednesday Services
in Protestant Churches?

Our Lenten devotions begin on Ash Wednesday, February 25, with two services of Word and Sacrament at 12 and 7 pm in the sanctuary. For several hundred years, most Protestants shunned this service, especially the wearing of ashes throughout the day. This was less for theological reasons than because doing so was seen as something that was unique to Roman Catholics. Following Vatican II in 1963, and the resurgence of the ecumenical movement, Protestant churches of the more studied and theologically reflective liturgical traditions, began to ask what it was theologically that kept Ash Wednesday out of the worship cycle of its churches. The answer was, only our desire not to appear Roman Catholic! The practice of penance and the taking on of special spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, reading scripture and special acts of ministry during Lent, as a preparation for the celebration of Easter is clearly an ancient Christian practice, predating the division between Protestants and Catholics, and something both sides of the Christian house continue to share in common. Consequently, observance of Ash Wednesday, including the imposition of ashes, was thought to be worthy of re-institution within Protestantism. By the beginning of the seventies, a series of new worship books, hymnals, directories and other liturgical resources emerged, including an Ash Wednesday service.

The service, though much like the service for the Lord’s Day, has a decided penitential mood established through the biblical texts for the day. Following the sermon, worshipers are invited to observe a holy Lent through a litany of penitence, and the imposition of ashes. Those who come forward to the baptismal font–reminder of our union in Christ and promise of salvation–are met by a minister who greets them with these words: “Remember, you are dust. From dust you have come; to dust you shall return. Repent, and believe the gospel!” As the words are spoken, the sign of the cross is marked on their foreheads with ashes. This is followed by an additional responsive prayer in preparation for the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Though Presbyterians were initially reluctant to receive the ashes, much less wear them throughout the rest of the day, those who have done so, testify to the power of being so marked. The solemnity of being reminded of our mortality, the opportunity for an intentional act of penance–something too rarely done in this all too permissive society of ours–and more, the experience of being so visible a Christian on the streets of New York City has brought a powerful new self-understanding, and enabled people for whom faith has been predominantly intellectual, to incorporate their faith more effectually.

We encourage you to participate in this year’s Ash Wednesday service, and to experience the power of receiving and then wearing the ashes throughout the rest of the day. The Reverend Beverly A. Bartlett is preacher for this year’s service.

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Officers’ Retreat:
Dr. Craig Barnes Speaker and Preacher

Officers and officers-elect will gather for their annual retreat, Friday March 5 at 6 pm for refreshments, followed by dinner. The speaker for this year’s retreat is the Reverend Dr. M. Craig Barnes, Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Pastor of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Dr. Barnes was formerly Pastor of National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. An outstanding preacher, Dr. Barnes is also a well-known devotional author and conference speaker. Beverly Bartlett is currently leading a Sunday morning Christian education discussion group using one of Dr. Barnes’ recent and popular books, “When God Interrupts.” The theme for this year’s retreat is “Bearer’s of Good News–Each of Us an Evangelist.” The retreat will continue through Saturday afternoon, ending at 4 pm.

Dr. Barnes will remain in New York City to serve as our guest preacher for Sunday morning, March 7, at both 9 and 11:15 am. Mark your calendars now and make a special effort to be present on Sunday morning to hear one of America’s most gifted young preachers.

 

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Wednesday Evening Lenten Series March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 Taizé Worship Service, 7 - 7:30 pm - Sanctuary Bonhoeffer Program, 7:30 - 9 pm - Parish Hall The Life and Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer led by The Pastoral Staff The documentary Bonhoeffer tells the dramatic story of the German theologian who was one of the clearest voices of resistance to Adolf Hitler. As Nazism took hold, Bonhoeffer argued for solidarity with the Jews and against the co-option of church governance by the Nazis. Bonhoeffer ran an underground seminary and eventually joined a plot to kill Hitler. His books, notably Creation and Fall, Christ the Center, The Cost of Discipleship, and Letters and Papers from Prison, are considered classics in the world of Christian theology and ethics. The film will be shown on the first two evenings of this series and the next three evenings will be devoted to a study of his selected writings.

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Worship Services & Lectionary Sundays: 9 & 11:15 am Service of Word and Sacrament February 22 - Transfiguration of the Lord Ex. 34:29-35; Ps. 99; 2 Cor. 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36. “The Divine Infection” The Rev. Dr. Fred R. Anderson preaching February 25 - Ash Wednesday 12 noon & 7 pm Word and Sacrament Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Ps. 51; 2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10; Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21. The Rev. Beverly A. Bartlett preaching February 29 - First Sunday in Lent Deut. 26:1-11; Ps. 91; Rom. 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13. “Three Tests of Faithfulness” Dr. Anderson March 7 - Second Sunday in Lent Gen. 15:1-12, 17-18; Ps. 27; Phil. 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35. The Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes, guest preacher March 14 - Third Sunday in Lent Is. 55:1-9; Ps. 63; 1 Cor. 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9. “The Limits of God’s Patience?” Dr. Anderson

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Annual Deacon’s Report - January 2004

In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke recounts that the first board of deacons was formed to ensure that everyone in need got a fair share of the church’s resources. The initial circumstance was distribution problems with “potluck leftovers.” The first sticking point was inequality between local ethnic groups. Resources soon grew to include the profits from some very sizeable real estate sales. Within months concerned attention had to be directed to persecuted satellite churches outside Jerusalem. Christians, the “little Christs” of the world, anointed to be God’s agents, are supposed to care about the fair and just distribution of the community’s supportive resources. And deacons are ordained to do just that.

The MAPC Deacon Board readjusts itself each summer. In 2003, Sharon Swenson took over the moderator reins from the experienced hands of Nancy Ost. Beverly Bartlett as staff liaison and Cheryl Trinka as vice-moderator provided continuity. New deacons were ordained, and others rotated for a needed respite. If you tuned in at coffee hour during these summer months, you would have seen intense groups of deacons, old and new, forming and reforming. The experienced passed helpful hints to deacons in new roles. Others checked that needy members were not being forgotten. Deacons gave each other tips about needs and pitfalls. Changes in health and housing and phone numbers were shared so that vulnerable members were continually supported. This ongoing casual yet pointed concern for each and every member of our congregation is the best sign of God’s Spirit at work in your board of deacons.

As our deacon board has done for the past decade and more, we keep a watchful eye on senior members, those hospitalized and sick, families of newborns, and students away at school. Each deacon has assignments to specifically care for some of these persons. We periodically review the congregation for new opportunities to befriend or support individuals. While we don’t distribute “potluck leftovers,” we do distribute Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies! We send greeting cards, and make phone calls to keep in touch with members who cannot attend church regularly. Shut-ins receive visits, and deacons run the occasional errand for those in need. We assist as hospitality for funerals and memorial services. In the words of Paul, we aim to “support the weak and encourage the faint-hearted.”

This year we are alternating our meetings with outside resource people, and sessions where we work internally on the development of our deacon mandate. We had a special facilitator, Joy Carol, to discuss with us the nature of grief and grieving. We spent a session working with Dawn Ravella on honing our listening skills. Internally, we will soon discuss the nature of connections between the deacon board and other committees and service activities here at MAPC whose mandates naturally overlap with our own. We also hope to discuss ways we can bear Christian witness in the face of the overwhelming tragedies of our times.

As deacons, our prayer is that we develop the mind of Christ in ourselves. We wish to become, as he is, more of a server, more service-oriented, a humble servant of God toward all of God’s people, distributing our community’s resources with love and justice. And we hope to pass on this vision and calling to every member of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. May we all join together in doing the work of the Lord everywhere.

Sharon Swenson, Moderator
Cheryl Trinka, Vice Moderator

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Spiritual Gifts

This text is from a Word in Action given by
Carolyn L. Patterson, Sunday, February 1, 2004

Do you have spiritual gifts? I certainly never thought I did. Not until last year’s Officers’ Retreat. To quote Paul in I Corinthians 12: “…there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services …[and] activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” At that retreat I came to understand that my organizational skills, persistence and thoroughness are some of the manifestations of the gifts the Spirit has given me for the common good. And over the last 10 years of exercising these gifts in the service of the church acting as a Trustee, working on the reconstruction of our sanctuary, and now serving on Session, I have used these gifts. I’ve also had the pleasure of sharing my love of books with the children at LEAP. Our community has benefitted, but God has paid compound interest on my gifts of time and enthusiasm: I have learned so much, gotten to know so many wonderful people, have come to feel part of a much larger community.

Like as not, your spiritual gifts are different from mine. You may have a special understanding of children or older people. You may have a wonderful way of capturing a moment in photographs. You may be a great host or an inspired sandwich chef, make music, or be a patient listener. There are so many gifts showered on each of us. What are yours?

I hope you will think about this question over the next few weeks. During Lent, the Stewardship Committee will conduct MAPC’s second annual Lay Service Ministry Survey. How will you show your gratitude for the gifts you have been given? No time? Put your name down on the list to be called when an extra hand is needed for one of our programs; you might be available at the last minute. Have a family? Pick a service opportunity in which your whole family can be involved. Not sure this is your thing? I wasn’t sure, either, but I have found you never know how fulfilling it can be until you try.

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MAPC Volunteers Build on the Dream

What is the best way to spend a cold January morning? Shoveling snow, running errands? How about skiing or ice-skating? As fun as these activities may sound, there is an even better alternative.

On Martin Luther King Jr. day weekend, members of MAPC participated in Habitat for Humanity’s “Building on the Dream” project in Harlem. We arrived at 8 am for breakfast and fellowship with volunteers from churches and organizations around the city. After the traditional habitat cheer of “Habitat Oye!” (which I am told is Swahili for “let’s go!” or “let’s do it!”), we were put to work rehabilitating an old brownstone, putting up foam board insulation and so-called rat patching made of steel mesh. The work was interrupted periodically by rest breaks in which we huddled around space heaters to keep warm. After lunch, which included good food, inspiring speakers, and warm fellowship, it was back to work to conclude a rewarding day.

If you are interested in a ministry that is both fun and rewarding, Habitat for Humanity is something to think about. Having been to two projects in the last two years, I can say that they are one of the best volunteer organizations that I have worked with. From the moment you walk in for registration you are greeted with a warm smile and a handshake. They have the whole process down to a science, and the leaders are very helpful and supportive, allowing you to concentrate on your work and to have an enjoyable experience of fellowship.

If you are interested in volunteering for a Habitat for Humanity build, please contact me, Jamie Csonka (csonkajames@msn.com), or speak to Ronald Fields. We are in communication with Habitat for Humanity and hope to organize another project in the near future. Until then “Habitat Oye!” and “MAPC Oye!”

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Additional Information

Also, see:

• MAPC Home Page
• Worship Services
• Christian Education Programs
• MAPC Calendar
• St. Andrew Music Society Concerts

 

 

 

 

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