For Christians, the most sacred of all seasons is Easter. The one aspect of the Christian faith-the one tenet that stands above all others-is the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Alleluia!

Wendy Wright expresses it well in The Rising Up: "Our peering into empty tomb forever changes us. How inexhaustibly rich the Easter event is! What astonishing proclamations we make. Death is vanquished! Sin is overcome! Creation itself becomes a font of blessings! A new covenant is trothed! For a day, then a season, we live liturgically into the truths that we glimpsed off and on during the Lenten season. God's reign of justice and peace becomes ours. Mercy overflows. Wounds are healed. Love, tender and limitless and astonishing, embraces us. What better way to celebrate the feast of Easter than to dance for the sheer joy of it all!"

On behalf of Good Shepherd Church, I invite you to a Holy Lent as we join Christ in walking the Way of the Cross through the next several weeks, culminating in that glorious dance of joy on Easter Day and beyond! Worship dates and times are listed below and on the calendar page on this web site.

In these and in all things, may the Spirit and presence of the risen Lord fill your life with God's amazing grace and incomparable love.

Faithfully yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Harper+

P.S. Thank you to AC Russell, the Mikalaitises, and many others who have worked so hard to "clear the way" for us to get into Church during this finally-past, rough, and snow-bound February 2010! Thank you to all who have persevered in coming, in supporting, and in lifting up thanks and praise to our Lord. And another special thanks to Jane Ryan and all who contributed time and talent to "Shrove Sunday," as well as those who continue to bless us with donations of wonderful munchies for coffee hour - thank you all!

Finally, a special thank you to A.C., Barb Cassel, and Donna Wodock for leading worship the 1st Sunday in Lent when Wayne and I were at the Ohio Funeral. Thank you also to all for the prayers, care, and cards remembering Wayne's Mother. We felt it all-lifting us up every mile of the journey to and from Ohio and while we were there. Deep thanks.

MAUNDY THURSDAY:
April 1, 7:00 p.m.
   The Holy Eucharist with Quiet Music
   The Homily: "For April Fools: Night Lights and Love Songs"
   The Watch in the Garden
   The Stripping of the Altar

GOOD FRIDAY QUIET WORSHIP:
April 2, 7:00 p.m.
   "You Are There" - The Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
   according to Eyewitnesses at the Cross
   Good Shepherd Actors and Singer
   The Rev. Harper Turney, Officiant

THE SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION:
April 4, 10:00 a.m.
   The Festival Eucharist of Easter from The Banquet of Easter Season
   Glorious Music, Joy, and the Easter Gospel!
   The Easter Homily: "Laughing 'Alleluias' from Head to Toe!"
   The Rev. Harper Turney, Celebrant and Preacher

As we journey together through the harsh reality that is this Lenten season, we await the coming glory of Our Savior's Resurrection. However, we must first experience the penitence of Lent and the Passion of Our Lord to reach the promise of everlasting life. Jesus endured all the pain and persecution the world had to offer because He loved each and every one of us. May the beauty and warmth of spring that we eagerly await continue to remind us of the love of Christ for each of us throughout our days.

Members have faced illnesses, injuries, family losses on a personal level, but have continued with the well wishes of this wonderful congregation, to function! They have had difficult decisions to make, but I hear they still manage to laugh together-they support each other.

I told AC just the other day that I was glad I wasn't Sr. Warden this year with all the snow and ice. Stop, thank him particularly, for keeping our sidewalks and entrances open.

And where then is this leading? Shortly after Easter will come our Annual Meeting and elections for new Vestry members. Fine people will end their tenure and the body will change, but not the Spirit!

I would like you to specifically pray for those who will be called. Is God working in your heart to serve in this wonderful, vital capacity here at Good Shepherd? It is a real privilege, besides a great chance to bond with a fine group of people and have fun!

Talk with God, then with Harper or AC.

Thank you to Kathy Strong, Donna Wodock, Scott Strong, Marianne Honeywell, Barbara Cassel, Jennifer McGinnis and Shana and Kara, and all the others who helped to set up and get things started.

The kitchen had a new crew of cooks. Rob Gogol was given the day off as Allison Wodock, Collette Strong, and Emma Gogol poured and flipped those pancakes pink and plain. Wendy Gogol and Kathy Strong went home with dishpan hands! Thank you for tackling all of the Pans and dishes. Judging by the level of chatter I do believe a good time was had by all.

The votes favored the Saints, (by a margin of $5.29) but just like the football game, it was not a runaway!

$100.00 has been sent to the Episcopal Community Service for help in Haiti. The remaining $20.00 will be used for the New Britain Food Larder. They will also be getting the 57 cans of soup that were donated.

Another HUGE THANK YOU to all of you! You are SOUPER!!

On February's menu was Beef Vegetable Soup. As of this writing, we are prepared to make another round of soup. At least 30 quarts will be delivered to the Larder. And again, a huge thank you to everyone who gave the ingredients to make the soup and to everyone who helped in the kitchen to cook up a lunch of winter warming soup!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS OUTREACH PROJECT!