April 2026 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • March 27, 2026
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April 2026

Dear friends,


We begin this month with Holy Week , and celebrate Easter Sunday on April 5. Following is the season of Easter, which lasts 50 days until Pentecost Sunday, celebrated this year on May 24.

 

This season focuses on the Easter message that love is stronger than hate and death will never have the last word.

 

May this focus encourage us and strengthen us to be Easter people, striving to follow Jesus our Savior, who showed and shows us how to shine God’s light of love and justice into the world.

 

One of my favorite hymns for Easter season was written by Brian Wren:

Christ Is Alive!

 

Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.

The cross stands empty to the sky.

Let streets and homes with praises ring.

Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

 

Christ is alive! No longer bound

To distant years in Palestine,

But saving, healing, here and now

And touching every place and time.

 

Christ is alive! and comes to bring

Good news to this and every age,

Till earth and sky and ocean ring

With joy, with justice, love, and praise

 

Blessing in this holy season and in every season,

Barbara


April Dates:


  • Thursday, April 2: Maundy Thursday 7pm
  • Friday, April 3: Good Friday FILMED service
  • Sunday, April 5: Texas Roadhouse
  • Friday, April 10: Quarter Auction 7pm
  • Saturday, April 11: Drive Through 1-3pm
  • Sunday, April 12: Just Peace Meeting
  • Sunday, April 19: Prayers for the Nation
  • Monday, April 20: Trustees meeting: 6:30pm
  • Saturday, April 25: Fosterians: 1-3pm



Maundy Thursday Service: April 2


In-Person Service at 7 PM

This service focuses on the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. There is also a Service of Tenebrae (“Shadows”) including special scripture readings of the Passion of Jesus. 


Good Friday Service: April 3


Please note: Filmed Service Only

The focus for this service is the crucifixion of Jesus, through the lens of “The Symbols of Good Friday.” The film will be posted on our website at fostermemorial.org, You Tube, and on our Facebook page.



Easter Sunday Services: April 5


In-Person at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM

Our early service features the construction of our “Flowing Cross.” Our 10 AM service includes special music by our Chancel Choir and the “Unpacking of our Alleluias!” Please join us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!


Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser


Show this graphic to your server for 10% proceedsfor the church. Thanks for your support!


APRIL MONTHLY QUARTER AUCTION

We are holding our next Monthly Quarter Auction on Friday, April 10. Doors open at 6 PM, and the auction begins at 7 PM. Everyone is invited to bring quarters and friends for a fun evening and a chance to win some great items from our vendors! There will also be a raffle! Admission: $5 for two paddles. Part of our proceeds will go to One Call Away Veterans Support Center (OCA). Bring a non-perishable food item, to be donated to OCA, for a free third paddle! Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.



MEN'S BREAKFAST: NOTE DATE CHANGE

Just for this month, the men will meet on the second Sat,

April 11 at 8:20 AM in the front parking lot. All men welcome. (Usually this is held on the first Sunday of the month)


JUST PEACE TEAM MEETING: Sun. April 12

Our Just Peace Team meetings are held after worship in the Foster Room next to the kitchen. These meetings are always open to everyone.

 

PRAYERS FOR THE NATION: Sunday, April 19

Please note date change
Because of a wider UCC event happening on our usual date, this will be held on Sunday, April 19. Time TBD.


FOSTERIANS GATHERING: April 25: 1-3PM
All women are welcome and welcome to bring friends.

We’re having a Spring theme with a Tea Cup Auction. You’re

invited to bring a new or VERY gently used item for the Auction. Help with hosting and donations of desserts are needed. Please contact Lori or Judy if you can help or need more information.

ONGOING
Sunday mornings:           

  • Church School and Nursery Care
  • Coffee Hour after worship
  • Waving for Peace


Mondays:                   

  • Waving for Peace: 3:30-4 PM


Wednesdays:               

  • Filming Sunday Service 2 PM
  • Cutting Edge Group: 5-6 PM


Second Wed.:               

  • Finance Board/Executive Board


Thurs. before 3rd Fri:   

  • Prep for Loaves and Fishes Meal


Third Friday:               

  • Serve Dinner: Loaves & Fishes


Last week:                   

  • Deliver baked goods to L & F                             


TWELVE MONTH TOTAL FOR FOOD DONATIONS TO OPEN PANTRY
In the last twelve months, between our weekly collections, monthly food drives, and Quarter Auctions, we have donated approximately 4,000 pounds of food to Open Pantry’s Emergency Food Cupboard! Thanks to everyone!


SHROVE SUNDAY PANCAKE BRUNCH RESULTS
Thanks to our shopping, cooking, set up and cleanup crew for our February Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch, and to all who came to this fundraiser. We raised over $490.00 as a gift of support for the Afghan family with whom we have had the blessing to walk alongside for the last four years.


REPORT FROM OUR DELEGATES
Installation of The Rev. Dr. Holly Norwick

The First Church of Monson :Sunday March 1, 2026

 

On Sunday March 1st Pastor Barbara, Rev. Dr. Bob Loesch and I had the pleasure of representing Foster Memorial at the installation of their pastor, The Rev Holly Norwick. Making it extra meaningful, Rev Holly was called exactly one year ago on March 1st. Hampden Association clergy, delegates, church members and friends filled the sanctuary to celebrate her ministry. 

 

The occasion began with a question-and-answer period, and Rev. Holly’s sharing of the journey that led her to Monson. The service then moved to her formal Installation, filled with music, prayer, and scripture. The entire time was punctuated with vocal music highlighting their lively youth group “The Treble Makers” as well as Monson’s Johnson & Son organ. The service moved to Rev Holly’s formal welcome to the Association with the laying-on-of-hands and prayer. 

It was a joyful occasion, and we were pleased to represent Foster Memorial. 

 

--Rev. Susan Tarrantino, Foster delegate


RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES
Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/

Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet. If you would like to receive printed bulletins and sermons, please contact Pastor Barbara through the church office.


SAVE THE DATES
Friday, May 1                                   

Quarter Auction                                           


Saturday, May 2                               

Men’s Breakfast


Sunday, May 3                                 

Texas Roadhouse fundraiser


Saturday, May 9                               

Drive Through for Open Pantry


Sunday, May 10                                 

Just Peace meeting 


Sunday, May 31:                               

Prayers for the Nation


Saturday, June 6                         

Yard Sale/Drive Through                 


A NOTE FROM ERIN LUKENBILL


Friends of Foster Memorial,

Thank you for the many ways you support CWS (Church World Service) including your recent donation to CWS Blankets! Because of you, individuals in need receive a tangible sign of love and hope at the time they need it most. Thank you for continuing to care for neighbors in need – both near and far.

**

NOTE: We also recently received word that our local CROP Hunger Walk ranked 46th in raising the most money out of all the walks around the country!!! Thanks to everyone for your support! 

May 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • April 29, 2026
Dear friends, The joyful season of Easter continues this month. This season lasts 50 days and ends on Pentecost Sunday, celebrated this year on May 24. During this season, we focus on Jesus’ appearances to his followers after his death and resurrection. One of my favorite hymns for this season is In The Bulb There is a Flower by Natalie Sleeth. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody. There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. Blessings, Barbara

March 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 2, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Lent began on February 18 and continues until Easter Sunday, celebrated this year on April 5. (See the schedule for Holy Week included in this newsletter) During this season, we’re asked to devote time for inner reflection, taking stock of our lives. And we are called to reach out, in Christian service, to neighbors, near and far. One of the ways we do that each year in March is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special offering. This year, the offering will be collected on March 15. The money from this offering is utilized through Wider Church Ministries of the UCC, to respond to a variety of global and local concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long-term disaster recovery support, and assistance for refugees and asylum seekers, working in collaboration with our partners locally and globally Our generosity ensures that the transforming power of love will continue to support our neighbors in need, here in our country and around the world. Attached to this newsletter is an activity calendar for Feb. 22- March 15 to help us gain deeper understanding about the work of this offering. Thank you to Sharon Gormbley for designing this calendar. Blessings, Barbara FUNDRAISING BY GROCERY SHOPPING: BIG Y GIFT CARDS Thank you to everyone who has purchased Big Y gift cards for our fundraising program. For each card purchased, the church will get a benefit of 5%. It doesn’t sound like much, but together, we are raising almost $200 per month for the church—just by our regular shopping. It’s handy to keep a card in your wallet to be used at Big Y or Fresh Acres or the Big Y gas pumps. See Jeanie Marsh if you would like to order any cards for yourself or for others. PRE-RECORDED FILMED SERVICES We continue to offer recorded worship services for each Sunday, and special holy days, posted on You Tube, on our website at http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ and on our Facebook page. through to the end. Thank you to all who gave their time, talent and treasure throughout the year. The amount entered for Receipts does not include unplanned transfers from our savings or other accounts needed to pay  bills from month-to-month.

February 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 22, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, continues through mid-February this year.On Sunday, February 15, we will hold our annual Pancake Brunch, marking the end of the Epiphany Season. We combine this with a fun Mardi Gras theme! Our free-will offering for the brunch will go to help support the Afghan family with whom it is our blessing to walk alongside. They are doing very well; this month marks the fourth year since their arrival to Chicopee and the beginning of our very blessed relationship! The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 18. We will have an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. This service sets the tone for the season of Lent, inviting us to follow Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, while being invited to embark on an inward journey of our own self-reflection. We celebrate Holy Communion during this service, as well as “Experiencing the Ashes.” Please join us if you are able; we will also have a recorded Ash Wednesday service on our website at fostermemorial.org and on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page. Blessings, Barbara Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way, where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter day. -James Gertmenian