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Aurelius Baptist Church News

4419 West Barnes Road Mason, MI 48854

(517) 628-2085

March 2008 Number 3 Volume 11

Easter events begin Palm Sunday - March 16

Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday. The Passion of Christ refers to His severe suffering and the intensity of His emotions as He was tried, and then crucified on the cross. The cross was used as an implement of death, but has become the most important symbol of Christianity. Christians wear crosses, keep one or more in our homes and display them on and in our churches.

God used the horrible event of the Crucifixion for the saving benefit of anyone who would acknowledge Christ as living Lord and Savior. Christ died that we might all know true life as children of the loving God.

The children will begin the Palm Sunday service by waving palm leaves through the church aisles. The service will be held in the sanctuary and start at 10:45 AM, on March 16.

The Maundy Thursday Service (March 20) will be held in the Family Center and will start at 7:00 PM. The name of the presentation is; “Love Light.” Music Minister Kelly Catlin said “the program will include a power point presentation, flute music, keyboard, vocal soloists and dramatic readings.”

This year the Good Friday Service (March 21) will be at the Mason First United Methodist Church in Mason, beginning at 12:15 PM.

On Saturday (March 22) all kids in the area are invited to come and join in the Easter Egg Hunt at the church. This will start at 3:00 PM.

Pastor Steve will bring the Easter Message (March 23) for the early risers at the Sunrise Service which will be held in the sanctuary at 8:00 AM.

You will want to join us for the Easter Breakfast that will start at 9:00 AM and Pastor Steve will present the Easter message following breakfast at 10:45 AM. The breakfast and second service will both be held in the Family Center.

Reverend Becky Hiebert will preside over the colorful balloon release around 12:15 PM.

Young wrestlers win in local tournament

Sixteen members of Mason’s Youth Wrestling Club placed in the top four of their weight classes when the team traveled to Okemos High in February. Two members of the youth wrestling club are Rylan Droscha and Kyle Fanson.

Placing first in the 13-15 age group and weighing 122 pounds was Rylan Droscha. Rylan is the son of Rick and Laura Droscha and great grandson of Glenna Droscha.

In the 5-6 age group, at a weight of 43 pounds and taking third place was Kyle Fanson. Kyle is the son of Dennis and Shelly Fanson and grandson of Harvey and Carol Fanson and Bob and Kathy Jensen.

Congratulations!

Teens help on egg hunt

All kids, ages 5 years through 5th grade are welcome and encouraged to join in the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday March 22, at 3:00 PM. Younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Helping plan the fun for the younger set are the teens of Aurelius Baptist. They will meet at 1:00 PM to prepare for the egg hunt and also to get the balloons filled for the congregational balloon release, planned for 12:15 PM on Easter Sunday.

Youth Minister Becky Hiebert says pizza and pop will follow the afternoon’s service projects carried out by our great teens!

The color purple

We are still in the church season of Lent. Many churches have purple par aments on the altar, lectern and pulpit. Many pastors and choir members wear purple stoles. Why purple?

In ancient times, purple garments were expensive and hard to find. The dye came from rare sea mollusks that had to be crushed to garner their purple fluid. (One ounce of purple dye required 250,000 mollusks!) Then the right kind of fabric had to be placed in the dye, dried and made into clothing, which was time-consuming.

Generally, only wealthy people and members of royalty could afford purple garments. For example, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man “was dressed in purple and fine linens” (Luke 16:19, NRSV).

Purple is used in church sanctuaries during Advent and Lent because Christ is revered as the King of Kings.