EASTER SCHEDULE

From the first page of the New Testament to the last, the belief in eternal life with God is affirmed. The early Christians are in a real sense "The Community of the Resurrection." They know that God's power is greater than death's power, because God has conquered death by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
Those who believe in Christ can be partakers of his resurrection. This belief is the foundation of every other Christian belief.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

"Maundy" is derived from the Latin word used in the Vulgate. The "new" commandment Jesus gave to his disciples that they should love one another as he has loved them. On this Maundy Thursday we will remember our Lord's passion and celebrate "The Last Supper."

GOOD FRIDAY - TENEBRAE SERVICE, 7:00 PM

Tenebrae (which means "darkness" or "shadows") is a Holy Week devotion which dates back to the seventh or eighth century A.D. and is characterized by the successive extinguishing of candles as the service progresses.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE, 6:30 AM

The celebration of Easter will begin with a sunrise service around the cross at 6:30. The service will be followed by a continental breakfast. Beverages will be supplied, bring sweet rolls etc. to share. Dress is informal.

EASTER MORNING WORSHIP
ALLELUIA!
CHRIST IS RISEN
11:00 AM

ONE GREAT HOUR OFFERING

The One Great Hour offering will be received Palm Sunday. As we give to
"OGH" we seize an opportunity to share the struggles of a world in need.
Each year Presbyterians unite in One Great Hour to celebrate our bond with
every child of God. We share because we can make a difference. A difference
as tangible as a cup of cool water, a loaf of bread, an inoculation against polio,
a new job or a field of potatoes.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

At the congregational meeting on Sunday, March 23rd the congregation voted to extend the call for an Associate Pastor.

LONG RANGE PLANNING NEWS

The LRP Group has nearly completed its study of the book "Raising the Roof" since starting in January. Many interesting discussions have taken place and issues have been raised during this period of study. Our recent activity has involved assessing how our church rates on the 'System Change Index' - watch the fellowship hall for more information on this topic. We agreed this past Sunday to begin meeting in the evening and have scheduled meetings every other Monday starting April 7th at 7 pm and continuing through May. Anyone interested in joining the discussions and planning activities is welcome to join. Put these dates on your calendars: 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, and 5/19.

MORNING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, April 10th 10:30 AM at the church hosted by Edna Sammis.

EVENING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, April 17th, 7:30 PM at the home of Tommie Smith.

BAKE SALE: there will be no more bake sales until September.

LOOKING AHEAD: 2003 Women's Conference at Mo-Ranch
Conference I - May 27- 29
Conference II - May 30 -June 1
Brochure on the bulletin board in fellowship hall.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S SPRING BUFFET

All women are invited to the Spring Buffet on Sunday, May 4, 2003
6:00 PM
Dinner Provided
Guest Speaker
Bring your baby picture
"Which Baby Are You?"

JOIN THE YOUTH GROUP FOR A WEEKEND OF JOYOUS CELEBRATION FOR THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE GIVEN THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

FRIDAY, APRIL 18TH
Featured Bands: FFH & Jars of Clay.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19TH
Featured Bands: The OC Supertones, Rellent K Pillar, John Reubel, Sanctus Real

COST: $22.57 PER PERSON (incl. tax)

(MONEY DUE BY March 30th )

YES, I/WE would like to come to the Christian Family Weekend at Six Flags over Texas on Good Friday ¨ Saturday ¨
Please reserve ______ tickets for us at $22.57 each .

I enclose a check/cash for $ ____________
(make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church Rockwall)

Name: _____________________ Signature: ______________________

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School Teachers for April are as follows:

Music: Cynthia and David Case
Audio Visual: Curtis Roughton
Arts & Crafts: Mary and David Crutchfield.

Please ask Angus for the materials
    THANK YOU!

EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, 20th NO SUNDAY SCHOOL it's the BIG EASTER EGG HUNT we need lots of volunteers! Please let Angus know if you can help.

We also need hollow plastic eggs, items to put in the hollow eggs, and blown egg shells. Please give these items to Cynthia Case or place in the CE Office. Thank you.

Sunday School Rotation for May is "Jonah"
***Volunteers are needed***
This is a commitment for only three Sundays in May, that's it, just 3 Sundays!

YOUTH GROUP

Lenten Dinners: Youth volunteers (and their parents) are needed for the last Lenten Dinner program on Wednesday, April 9th. There are opportunities for those who wish to act in the plays, cook, and service tables. Contact Angus.

Six Flags Trip - Christian Family Weekend at Six Flags. The open dates for this trip are GOOD FRIDAY (April 18th) and EASTER SATURDAY (April 19th). Sign-up sheets are in the fellowship hall. Cost is $22.57 per person if we can get 10 or more for each day.

Couples Dinner Group:
We are looking to start a family group that will meet at family's homes for spiritual and family growth. First meeting is at The Lawson household, please contact Michelle Hartzell-Lawson if you wish to receive more details.

***** VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: JUNE 23 to JUNE 26 *****

THE APRIL CE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH AT 7:00 PM.

NURSERY NEWS

Serving God In the Nursery

April 2003 Volunteers
April 6 Kristi Gordon & Aimee Herring
April 13 Elizabeth Gascoigne & ________
April 20 Elizabeth Gascoigne & _______
April 27 Katie Geiger & ___________

*2 adult volunteers are needed each Sunday. One Confirmed Youth may volunteer each Sunday. Confirmed Youth may only volunteer one Sunday per month. Please contact Shahla Layendecker or Jill Culmo if you would like to volunteer.

Dear Church Family,
Greetings from the nursery! If you haven't noticed, our nursery is growing by leaps and bounds! Our nursery is now run completely by volunteers (that means NO paid staff). Two adult volunteers are required each Sunday. One Confirmed Youth may volunteer one Sunday per month.
I encourage you to consider serving the Lord in this capacity and to sign up as a volunteer. We welcome you to stop by and visit the nursery at any time. Don't forget that each time a baby is baptized, you, as the congregation, make a convenant to support that child as he or she grows in Christ.

In His Name,
  Jill Culmo
  Christian Education Moderator
  jculmo@swbell.net
  972-772-8009

God Needs YOU in the Nursery!
Top 5 Reasons to Become a Nursery Volunteer
5. Smiles are given away for free.
4. You'll see kids growing right before your very eyes.
3. Babies and toddlers will think anything you do, say, or sing is perfect.
2. You'll make lots of friends.
And the number one reason to become a nursery volunteer:
You'll be following Jesus' example of welcoming children to the family of God.

SESSION MEETING: The regular stated meeting of the Session will be
Tuesday, April 15th at 7:30 PM in the conference room.

CE MEETING: WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH AT 7:00 PM.

SYMPATHY:
The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended to Ed & Sue Smith and their family on the death of their son, James

The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended Mary Crutchfield and her family on the death of Mary's father, Bill Watts.

The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are also extended Joy Ferguson and her family on the death of Joy's husband, Alan.

OUR PRAYERS FOR:
Roger Sammis, Rockwall Nursing Home
Dorothy Pullen, Rowlett Nursing Home
Dan Alexander, son of Dr. Roger
John Blackmon, son-in-law of Chuck & Jo Jenkins
Dorothy Smith, sister-in-law of Bobbye Ray
Dusty Larson, Scott Lawson and all the other men and women serving in the military.

Immediately following morning worship April 27th, we'll celebrate the birthdays of all our April"Babies" in the fellowship hall. They are:
   Erin Adams
   David Case
   David Catlin
   Aaron Curtis
   Mark Hoover
   Alyssa Gaertner
   John Landfried
   Daniel Lensch
   Amber Logue
   Erika Nannis
   Ginny Progelhof
   Eileen Roberson
   Mac Roughton
   Vance Rowan
   Roy Rowan
   Sue Smith
   Mariah Tennent

If you know of an April birthday that's not listed here, please contact the church office.

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, April 6th
DON'T FORGET to set your clocks forward one hour.

RACE FOR THE RESURRECTION
5K RACE AND 1 MILE FUN RUN
APRIL 12, 2003

SPONSORED BY THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HEATH
Details on the bulletin board in fellowship hall.