Part of our vision is showing Christ around us. For most of us, the thought that one of our neighbors might not know anything about Jesus seems ridiculous. Recent-ly, a colleague’s daughter was part of a high school production of Godspell, a musical that tells the story of Jesus relying mainly on the Gospel of Mat-thew. My col-league’s daugh-ter was amazed by how little her classmates knew of the Christian story, “Oh, he dies! That’s so sad.” At one point, the director was giving directions with which she disagreed, she asked the director, “Have you read the story?” The answer to that is increas-ingly, “no.” The results of a survey were released recently. In the 1970’s the largest religious group in the United States was main-line Protestant (including Presbyterians), at 30% of

the population. Now, mainline Protestants com-prise just over 10% of the population. Those claim-ing no religion, Catholics, and evangelicals all hov-ered around 23%. It is increasingly im-portant for us to show Christ around us. The Session and Deacons

have been working through the 7 marks of a vital congregation. The second mark of a vital congregation is “Intentional Authentic Evangelism vs. “Jesus freaks”; “Christian” hypoc-risy; a committee respon-sibility.” We have had conversations about how difficult it is for us to talk about our faith. To begin to overcome our discomfort, in Febru-ary we began taking time

to talk to one another about specific questions that we might hear from someone who is curious. We started with, “Why do you get out of bed and go to church on Sunday morning?” and then moved on to, “What does Easter mean to you?” If someone asked you one

of these ques-tions, how would you re-spond? If you met someone who was curi-ous about the events of Holy Week, what

would you tell them? I encourage you to take time to talk about these questions with friends and families. Begin sharing your faith in a safe set-ting, so that when some-one sees Christ in you and asks you about your difference, you will be prepared to answer and share something of what Christ means to you.

Living Into Our Vision

Mission Project: April & May

During the months of April & May, we will be collecting Personal Needs Kits for Women. These kits will include a small

tote bag and personal needs items. Check out the list of items at the Commitment Center. (The small tote bags will be

provided by Mission Com-mittee.) The finished kits will be donated to Advent House Ministries.

Upcoming (month) Events:

• Sun., Apr. 7 Change for Change

• Fri., Apr. 12 Friday Night Fun

• Sun., Apr. 14 Palm/Passion Sunday Advent House Community Forum-Gun Safety

• Thurs., Apr. 18 Maundy Thursday Service/ Communion

• Fri., Apr. 19 Good Friday

• Sat., Apr. 20 Decorate Sanctuary

• Sun, Apr. 21 Easter Easter Breakfast Personal Needs

Words From Wendy

“Let Us Pray

Opportunities at Delta

2

Cause to Rejoice

Deacon Salute-Jan Small

Friday Night Fun

3

Community Forum-Gun Safety 4

Come and See

Rhonda Fort’s Story

4

Calendars 5-6

Birthdays/Servants 7

Lent Schedule

Wendy on Vacation

7

Inside this issue:

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Volume 20, Issue 4

APRIL 2019

As I write this, the news is talking about the suicides of individual im-pacted by the Sandy Hook shooting and the Parkland shooting. The trau-ma violence inflicts on victims, fami-lies, and survivors continues. Please pray for those whose lives have been impacted by violence, and for our forum on gun safety on April 14. Also, include the following families in your

prayers this month: week of April 7: Terri Westmoreland, Chuck Wilbur, Norm Wilson; week of April 14: Dan, Anna Marie, Isaiah, Ethan & Aiden Woloszyn; Ken, Jessica, Savannah, Callum, & Luke Wright; week of April 21: Jeff & Sandy Akright, Pat Baker, Bob & Wendy Benezette; week of April 28: Nancy Bessette, Steve, Jackie, Jillien, Briahna, Grace, Jack-son, & Eli Bishop.

Easter was always one of my favor-ite days as a child. I’d get a new dress, new shoes (often patent leath-er), a hat and gloves to wear on East-er Sunday. We’d have breakfast at the church, worship was more excit-ing than usual, the Easter bunny would come and leave us candy, what more could a kid ask for? Palm Sunday was like a preview of East-er—we’d wave palms and shout, “hosanna!” Two Sundays of celebra-tion in a row! It wasn’t until I was older and my mother decided that I could handle going to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services that I really under-stood Easter. Easter became even more important to me. After the be-trayal, the suffering, the dying, Jesus overcame it all and shared that victo-ry with us. That made Easter mean even more. I encourage you to take the time to

experience the entire story this year. We will hear a portion of the Passion story on Palm Sunday, and more on Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. I encourage you to take time to re-member the events of Holy Week, that you might gain a fuller under-standing of the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. Maundy Thursday, at 7:00 pm on April 18, we will remem-ber Jesus’ final supper with his disci-ples, at which he instituted the Lord’s Supper, which we celebrate that evening. We will then move into a Tenebrae, where we hear the story of the Passion and slowly descend into darkness. On Good Friday, we will join with other congregations in the area for a Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at Delta River Dr. and Waverly Rd. If you would like to sing in the choir, they will rehearse at 6:00 pm.

On Easter Sunday join us for break-fast at 8:15 am followed by Easter worship at 10:00. Together we will wonder at the love and power that turns death into life, not only for Je-sus, but for us, too.

Taizé Prayer Worship Sunday, April 28

Join us at 6:30 pm on Sunday, April 28, for our monthly Taizé Prayer Wor-ship service. This is a reflective ser-vice focused on music, Scripture, and silence. It is an opportunity to step apart from the stresses around us to Strengthen Christ in us.

An Exercise in Yoga

Delta offers a yoga class on Mon-day mornings at 9:30 am. Come join the class for a time of stretching and relaxing exercise. Please enter using the back door on the lower level.

Page 2

“Let Us Pray”

Words From Wendy

Opportunities at Delta

T HE A MB ASS A DOR

Strengthening Christ in Us

V OLU ME 1 9, ISSU E 2

the Lansing School District for 30 years. Jan then worked 15 years for Pearson, where she trained test scor-ers for state assessments. Roger and Jan joined Delta in De-cember of 1993. Jan has been a member of the Bellievers Handbell Choir since the very beginning! Other areas of involvement at Delta include children’s Sunday School, Mission Committee, Session, Deacons, Mad Hatters, and MSU Concessions. We sure do appreciate Jan! Some of the things that Jan appreciates about Delta are the caring members, the numerous ways to get involved here, and our commitment to local mis-sions.

Among her many hobbies, Jan lists

reading, knitting, crocheting, camp-

ing, volunteering and serving as a

board member of the Bookstore at

Delta Library, activities with educa-

tional sorority, watching MSU sports,

and doing things with her daughter

and granddaughters. With all of these

hobbies, it’s a good thing she’s re-

tired!

This month the Deacons salute a returning Deacon, Jan Small. Jan and her husband, Roger, met while they were both teaching at Gardner Middle School, and were married in 1975. Their children live all over the coun-try! Son Steve in Texas with his wife, children and grandchildren (yes, we have great-grandchildren), daughter Jennifer in Lansing with her husband and 2 daughters and son Erik in San Francisco with his longtime girlfriend. Fun fact--Jan and Roger really do enjoy traveling, and have only one more state to visit, Alaska! Jan holds a BA in secondary math education and a Master’s in middle school education, and taught math in

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

God continues to work in and through us here at Delta, and there is much in which we can rejoice.

We rejoice in our children, the en-thusiasm they bring, and their willing-ness to engage and participate in the children’s sermon. We rejoice in the ministry of Camp Greenwood, and the opportunity to help them continue this ministry. In-formation and pledge cards are avail-able on the Commitment Center. We rejoice in the opportunity to share snacks and fellowship following the worship service.

We rejoice in the good reception and attendance our community fo-rums have received in the congrega-tion and the community. We rejoice in the upcoming oppor-tunity to celebrate Christ’s resurrec-tion. We rejoice in the care and support our members offer one another dur-ing challenging times.

What gives you cause to rejoice around Delta? Tell us in the office and we will include it here next month.

Join us for our final Friday Night Fun of this program year on Friday, April 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. This minis-try is for children 3 years old (and potty trained) through elementary school. We will be considering the

story of Zacchaeus, who was so des-perate to see Jesus, he climbed up a tree.

Page 3

Deacon Salute-Jan Small

Cause To Rejoice

Friday Night Fun

Sharing Christ Among Us

Showing Christ Around Us

advantage of these opportunities. Come and see Palm Sunday wor-ship on April 14. Come and see our Community Forum on Gun Violence on Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 pm. Come and see Maundy Thursday worship on April 18 at 7:00. Come and see Easter breakfast at 8:15 and worship at 10:00 on Sun-day, April 21. Come and see Holy Humor Sun-day on April 28.

45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael responded, “Can any-thing from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” John 1:45-46 This month gives us a number of opportunities to invite people into God’s presence with the simple invi-tation of, “Come and see.” Consider who you know that might like to take

On Sunday, April 14,4:00 pm, we will take up one of the more challeng-ing discussions we face as a country. We will be looking at gun safety, not banning guns, but keeping them out of the hands of those most likely to use them to kill people. We will begin with a documentary: Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA tells the stories of how guns, and the billions made off of them, affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal sto-ries from people across the country who have been affected by gun vio-lence, including survivors and victims' families. The film exposes how the powerful gun companies and the NRA are resisting responsible legisla-tion for the sake of profit - and there-by putting people in danger. The film looks into gun tragedies that include unintentional shootings, domestic violence, suicides, mass

shootings and trafficking--and what we can do to put an end to this profit-driven crisis. Through this film and campaign, Brave New Films will work with partners to fight for a coun-try where public safety is more valued than profit.” We will then have a discussion led by Linda Brundage, the executive director of the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. On their web-site they explain their mission: “Americans have the right to be safe in our homes, schools, and com-munities and to live in a country free from the fear, loss, and grief caused by gun violence. MCPGV, its umbrel-la organization, States United, and its grassroots affiliates are unified in a state-by-state and national effort to:

• Make all Americans safer by keep-ing guns out of the hands of fel-ons, terrorists and the violent men-

tally ill through background checks for all gun purchases

• Keep women and children safer by keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers

• Protect families by demanding that gun-owners take responsibility and keep guns in the home locked, unloaded & safely stored

• Educate parents and children to talk about the risk and dangers of gun violence in the home and on our streets

• Prevent mass shootings by ban-ning military-style weapons from our communities”

Ms. Brundage will update us on what is going on in the state and how we can get involved in promoting gun safety. Come and join us as we par-ticipate in this important and timely discussion.

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Come and See!

Community Forum-Gun Safety

T HE A MB ASS A DOR

Rhonda Fort’s Story: “Come and Visit (See)!”

While checking out at Target:

The young man checking me out said: “Wow, this a cheap jacket.” Rhonda: “Yes, I’m getting it for the fall coat drive at our church.” Young man: “Oh, the socks are cheap, too.” Rhonda: “They’re for the sock drive at church.” Young man: “Oh, where is your church?” Rhonda: “Just up on Michigan.” Young man: “The one with the com-

munity gardens? I live right next door. I sometimes play Pokémon in your parking lot. Is that OK?” Rhonda: “Sure.” Young man: “You just had a commu-nity forum on bullying.” Rhonda: “Yes. We have another coming up on the opioid problem. You should come and visit.” Young man: Oh, I’m pretty busy working full-time and carrying 14 credits. But I might. Your church does a lot: a community garden, toy drive.

Rhonda: “Yes.” Young man: “Well, isn’t that what Jesus would want you to do?” Rhonda: “Yes. Come and visit us.”

This made my day and week! I’ll look for him when checking out and invite him again.

Thank you to Joe Frick for keeping the community informed about our church activities with his clever word-ing on our outside sign.

V OLU ME 1 9, ISSU E 2

Page 5

Calendar

April 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6:30 pm Spiritual Life 7 pm OCD Sup-port

2 3

9:30 am Quilting 10 am Property Team

4

6:30 pm Bellievers 6:30 pm LAP 7:30 pm Celebration Choir

5 6

7

5th Sunday in Lent Change for Change 10 am Worship

8

9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6 pm Resources 7 pm Mission

9 10 9:30 am Quilting 10 am La Leche

11

6:30 pm Bellievers 7:30 pm Celebration Choir

12

6 pm FNF

13

14

Palm/Passion Sun-day Advent House 10 am Worship 4 pm Community Forum

15 9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6 pm Deacons 6:30 pm Deacon/Session Joint Meeting 7:30 pm Session

16 6:30 pm La Leche Ambassador Deadline

17

9:00 am Arts & Spirit 9:30 am Quilting

18

7 pm Maundy Thurs-day Service/ Communion

19

Good Friday 7 pm at First United Meth-odist Church

20

10 am Decorate Sanctuary

21

Easter 8:15 am Breakfast Personal Needs 10 am Worship

22 9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters

23

Wendy Vacation

24 9:30 am Quilting 10 am La Leche

25

6:30 pm Bellievers 7:30 pm Celebration Choir

26 27

Michigan Cookiers

28

2nd Sunday of Easter 10 am Worship 6:30 pm Taizé

29

9:30 am Yoga 6:30 pm Personnel

30

Page 6

Calendar

T HE A MB ASS A DOR

May 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 am Quilting 10 am Property Team

2

6:30pm Bellievers 6:30 pm LAP 7:30 pm Celebration Choir

3

4 Capital City Ringers Concert 7 pm

5

3rd Sunday of Easter Change for Change 10 am Worship

6

9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6:30 pm Spiritual Life 7 pm OCD Support

7 8 7:15-11:30 am AP Testing 10 am La Leche

9

11:30 am-4:30 pm AP Testing 6:30 pm Bellievers 7:30 pm Celebration Choir

10

7:15 am-12:30 pm AP Testing

11

12

4th Sunday of Easter Mother’s Day Advent House 10 am Worship

13

7:15 am-12:30 pm AP Testing 9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6 pm Resources

14

7:15 am-12:30 pm AP Testing

15

7:15 am-12:30 pm AP Testing 9:00 am Arts & Spirit

16

7:30 pm Celebration Choir

17 18

19

5th Sunday of Easter Personal Needs 10 am Worship/Communion Fellowship Meal 6:30 pm Taizé

20 9:30 am Yoga 3 pm Mad Hatters 6 pm Deacons 6:30 pm Joint Meet-ing 7:30 pm Session

21 6:30 pm La Leche

22 9:30 am Quilting 10 am La Leche

23

7:30 pm Celebration Choir

24 25

26

6th Sunday of Easter 10 am Worship

27

Memorial Day OFFICE CLOSED

28 29

9:30 am Quilting

30

7:30 pm Celebration Choir

31

V OLU ME 1 9, ISSU E 2

Communion Servers

Apr 18: Meads, Smalls May 19: Settles, Elsingas

Door Greeters

Apr 7 Van Courts Apr 14 Dykstras Apr 21 Reemsnyders Apr 28 Seppalas

May 5: May 12: Dykstras May 19: Reemsnyders May 26

Lay Leaders

Apr 7 Art Kelley Apr 14 Sharon VanCourt Apr 21 Frank Jackson Apr 28 Cory McElwee

May 5: Doug Dykstra May 12: Joe Frick May 19: Meredith Jackson May 26: Art Kelley

Apr 5 Mary Jo Kelley

Apr 8 Savannah Wright

Apr 9 Mary Mead

Apr 14 Cindy Schilling

Apr 17 Luci Kull

Apr 19 Ciarah Fech

Apr 21 Fran Johnston

Apr 22 Frederick Isaac

Apr 28 Ann Ryan

Apr 29 Richard Mead

May 1 Meg Vogler

May 7 Janet Small

May 9 Paul Seppala

May 13 Gail Cone Trudie Frick

May 19 Bob Buchanan

May 21 Rhonda Fort

May 22 Briahna Bishop

May 26 Ben Dymond

May 27 Jerry Rueckert Larry Johnston

laugh and celebrate Christ’s victory over evil.

Wendy will be taking the week after Easter off. Meredith Jackson is leading our youth in planning Holy Humor Sunday worship for April 28. Plan to come support them as we

Page 7

Servants

Birthdays

Wendy on Vacation

Lent Schedule

Palm/Passion Sunday join us on Sunday, April 14 at 10:00 am as we celebrate Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and remember some as-pects of his suffering.

Maundy Thursday will be April 18 at 7:00 pm. We will share in com-munion and then remember Jesus’ suffering with a Tenebrae service, a dramatic descent into darkness.

Good Friday we will join with other area churches at 7:00 pm at First United Methodist Church at the cor-

ner of Waverly and Delta River Drive to remember Christ’s suffering and death. If you would like to sing in the choir, please be there for rehearsal at 6:00 pm.

Easter Breakfast begins our cele-bration of the resurrection at 8:15-9:30 am on April 21. Join us for food and fellowship.

Easter Worship is April 21st at 10:00. Bells and choir will help us celebrate Christ’s resurrection. We

will also receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

________________________________

Sunday, April 28, 2019 2nd Sunday of Easter Holy Humor Sunday 6:30 pm Taizé Prayer Worship One Great Hour of Sharing.

Around the world, millions of peo-ple lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing—Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People—all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. You may use the special en-velopes in your pledge packet or the OGHS envelopes found at the Commitment Center.

Sunday, April 7, 2019 5th Sunday in Lent Change for Change Matthew 6:19-24 Matthew 6:25-34 Disciples: Treasure Sunday, April 14, 2019 Palm/Passion Sunday Advent House Luke 19:28-40 Isaiah 50:4-9a Luke 22:29-62 Disciples: Submission Community Forum 4-6 pm Gun Safety Maundy Thursday, April 18, 2019 Communion Tenebrae 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 18:1-19:42 Disciples: Drinking the Cup Sunday, April 21, 2019 Easter Fellowship Meal-Breakfast Personal Needs Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Luke 24:1-12 Disciples: Wonder

Looking Ahead in Worship

The Ambassador

Delta Presbyterian Church 6100 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing MI 48917 Phone: 517-321-3569 E-mail: office@deltapresby.org APRIL 2019

CHURCH STAFF Pastor: Wendy S. Pratt Admin. Asst.: Ellen Jackson Clerk of Session: Jane Elsinga Treasurer: Joe Frick Accompanist: Frederick Isaac Adult Choir Dir.: Mark McElwee Handbell Choir Dir.: Sarah Dymond Website Coordinator: Art Kelley Kids Hope USA Program Dir.: Roger & Jan Small Asst. Kids Hope USA Dir.: Jane Thomas Child Care Provider: Jillien Bishop

“We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.” II Cor 5:20 .

We’re on the Web! www.deltapresby.org