The Spire
Noroton Presbyterian Church
n
2011 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
n
203-655-1451
T
he Chris-
tian family
suffered a se-
vere tragedy
last month when
21 martyrs lost their
lives to ISIS terrorists. I’m speaking of
the cruel beheading of the Egyptian
Christians in Libya, which we became
aware of on Sunday, February 15th. I
usually find something more positive
to write about in this column but I
can’t let this violent and unjust act
disappear with the next news cycle.
This horrible crime in the name of
religion is nothing less than evil incar-
nate. As we huddled in prayer this
Ash Wednesday I felt a deeper unity
with members of the Christian faith
world wide, as many across the globe
were also receiving ashes as a symbol
of our mortality and the need for
humility in a world torn apart by hate.
With my global church family, I wore
the symbol of the cross; remembering
that Christ was the first martyr willing
to suffer death at the hands of vio-
lent men who sought to snuff out his
message of love. Since then martyrs
in every century have been willing,
with God’s help, to follow bravely
in his footsteps. Let us pray for our
brothers and sisters now under such
intense persecution. Pray for God to
preserve and protect these believers
in Africa and the Middle East who
have suffered greatly for their faith.
And let us pray for our leaders and
leaders of other nations, to find a way
to contain and combat this violent evil
that masquerades as religious faith.
Even as our hearts and prayers unite
with our Christian family around the
world, we have causes for thanks-
giving within our own local family of
faith. This month, we rejoice in the
Youth Winter Summit – a cooper-
ative Christian weekend sponsored
by several Connecticut churches that
will be attended by 39 teens and 8
leaders from Noroton. I’m grateful
during this season of Lent for the
meditations we can read together
from Dr. Craig Barnes - one of my
favorite Presbyterian writers (and one
of our past Noroton Lecturers). I’m
glad he’s a part of our “family of faith.”
Also, this summer, as we finish con-
struction on our property, our Chil-
dren’s ministry will once again partner
with St. Luke’s Parish to host a coop-
erative Vacation Bible School. Noro-
ton is always enriched when we can
share in ministry with our “extended
family” in Christ. And don’t forget to
come and join the church family and
members of our regional Presbytery
Family Matters
continued on page 2...
March 2015
Worship Schedule
Chapel - 8:00 a.m.
Sanctuary - 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Open Doors - 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Preaching Schedule:
3/1/15 -
Pastor Greg Doll
11:30 Reception in Horton Hall
3/8/15 -
Guest Preacher,
Rev. Dr. Heather Wright
(8, 9, 10:30 a.m. services)
Evalyn Wakusama visits (5 p.m.)
3/15/15 -
Pastor Sam Schreiner
Hebrews 11:23-29
“Courageous Faith Makes
Sacrifices-Moses”
3/22/15 -
Pastor Sam Schreiner
II Sam 12:1-7a, 13
“Courageous Faith that Admits
Mistakes”
3/29/15 - Palm Sunday, Communion
Pastor Sam Schreiner
Luke 19:35-40, 45-48
“Courageous Faith in the Midst of
Opposition”
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