Reaching Heights April 2025
Reaching Heights April 2025
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship Themes for April
- Lenten Dinners and Program with Plymouth
- Kate’s Cogitations
- Congregational Information Session
- Education Ministry
- Mission Ministry
- HCC to Host IGAH
- An Art & Spirituality Retreat & Learning Event
- Bravo to Irwin Shung
- Did you know…?
- Wednesdays Together with Plymouth
- Gift Cards
- Social Media
- Birthdays
See the Serving Schedule
Worship Themes for April 2025
April 6 Everything [in] Between: righteousness & mercy Luke 19:1-10 (Note: Milestones Moments will be shared after worship.) The crowds grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus, and their righteous indignation isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression, and yet, Jesus offers mercy. That mercy then begets more mercy as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some.
April 13 Palm Sunday and Palm Procession Hospitality follows the service
Everything [in] Between: shouting & silence Luke 19:29-40
Jesus doesn’t instigate his own parade. Instead, just his quiet presence alone inspires the multitude to shout out and praise God. When the religious leaders try to silence the crowd, Jesus tells them that the noise level isn’t the point—even the stones would cry out if they were silent. It takes wisdom to know when our voice is needed and when it’s just noise.
April 17 Maundy Thursday
Everything [in] Between: power & humility Luke 22:1-27
Join members of HCC and Plymouth for supper at 6:00
(suggested donation $10 per person, sign up by April 6).
Worship in the Chapel and on Zoom at 7:30 pm
A service of contemplation, community and communion.
In his final hours, Jesus redefines power through acts of humility, including sharing a final meal with his closest friends and those who will soon betray him. After breaking bread, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tells them that the greatest must be the least and the leader must be the servant, turning their hierarchy on its head. According to Jesus, humility is powerful, and real power is shown through humility.
April 20 Easter Day
Everything [in] Between: grief & hope Luke 24:1-12
Join us for a joyous celebration of resurrection through scripture, prayer and music! Flowers will adorn the chancel and we’ll raise our voices together in praise of God’s redeeming love!
Grief is a healthy response to Jesus’ death and a valid way to enter worship on Easter morning. And yet, the women at the empty tomb are given hope amidst their mourning. The other disciples don’t believe the women’s message, but Peter, living in the in-between of grief and hope, runs to the tomb to see for himself. Grieving doesn’t have to make us hopeless. Hope can compel us to take action when we are deep in grief.
April 27 “We Are Witnesses” Acts 5:27-32
Peter and the other apostles stood before the HIgh Council defending their words and action in spreading the Good News out Jesus. They explained they were witnesses to God’s action and needed to obey God rather than people. Their courage was costly and it was effective. How might we witness to the truth of God’s love?
Plymouth Church has invited HCC to join them for a meal and reflection every Wednesday during Lent.
Suggested donation: $10 person/$25 family
Sign up in the Welcome Center by the Sunday before
April 2 Chicken Tetrazzini, salad, rolls, dessert
April 9 Cheesy potato ham bake, salad, rolls, dessert
April 17 (Maundy Thursday) oven fried chicken, couscous salad, fruit, dessert
Kate’s Cogitations
I Know How the Flowers Felt
In her book, Praying Our Goodbyes, Joyce Rupp reminded me of a poem called “Lodged” by Robert Frost, in which the rain and wind conspire to smite the garden bed and the flowers “actually knelt, and lay lodged – though not dead.” It ends with the line, “I know how the flowers felt.” Rupp uses this to describe the deep pain we feel at significant goodbyes, which often seem overwhelming and unstoppable.
Then she goes on to describe the journey Jesus takes as a “hello-goodbye-hello” cycle, and reminds us that as difficult as the events of Holy Week are, Easter brings a new “hello.” She writes, “Jesus risen is a proclamation of ‘hello.’ He is a witness to us that when goodbyes do come, that we can grow through them. We can be changed, transformed. We can be raised from our empty places of loss and can experiences something new within us.” *
Life brings both loss and renewal. As we pray our goodbyes, let us keep the big picture in mind and remember that “hello” will come again. God is with us in the goodbyes and the hellos. New life can and will come after loss. The “hello-goodbye-hello” cycle of Jesus’ ministry and particularly the events during Holy Week serve to remind us of this good news.
May this spring bring plenty of new blooms in the gardens of our lives.
*Joyce Rupp, Praying Our Goodbyes, p. 55
Board Announces Congregational Information Session
Sunday, April 27th following worship
The Board of Trustees invites all congregants to remain after worship on Sunday, April 27th for an opportunity to hear about the results of the focus groups that met during our stewardship campaign, Imagine Together. We will hear brief reports on the state of the congregation from our Treasurer, Mike Singerman, the Chair of our Invested Funds Ministry Team, Neil Chase and our Moderator, Jane Troha, as well as a summary of the information gathered from the focus groups.
The meeting is planned for about 30 minutes, but will go on longer if there are questions to be answered. The Board wants the congregation to feel fully informed as to the current position of the church. We will take a short break for snacks and beverages after worship and then promptly reconvene in the Chapel.
Please join us for this informational session. It is an exciting time to Imagine Together where we presently stand and what amazing possibilities God may have in mind for our church! I look forward to seeing you there!
~ Jane
Education
Sunday Adult Study
On Sunday mornings during Lent our Adult Study will explore the art and artist’s statement from A Sanctified Art associated with the scripture for the day. Using a process of visio divina, or “divine seeing,” we will see what the artwork illuminates for us about the nuances and dynamics of the story. We will include other forms are art (poetry, music, etc.) to expand our understanding and appreciation. All are welcome – no prep needed. We meet in the Chapel at 9:30 am each Sunday morning.
Mid-Week Bible Study Lenten Offering 2025
Turning Over Tables: A Lenten Call for Disrupting Power
The Mid-Week Bible Study began its Lenten study on Tuesday, March 4th at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom.. It is open to everyone, and you are invited to join us for this year’s offering. We are using the Lenten devotional book, Turning Over Tables, by Kathy Escobar. She invites us to devote the season of Lent to a time of reflection on power. Come and join us as we accept her invitation!
April 1 Week Three – Repent pp. 59 – 75
April 8 Week Four – Disrupt pp. 77 – 92
April 15 Week Five – Cultivate pp. 93 – 109
April 22 Holy Week – Illuminate; Easter Sunday – Embody; Conclusion – Sustain pp. 111 – 134
Post-Lent Mid-Week Bible Study May, 2025
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will meet again in General Assembly in Memphis this summer (July 12 – 15). The theme this year is Beyond. At GA, each evening there is a worship service centered around relevant scripture passages.
The denomination has provided study resources examining each of six scriptures that will be highlighted at GA. The Mid-Week Bible Study group will address several of these passages during its Tuesday afternoon meetings during the month of May. This will provide participants with solid Bible study and a way to connect to the people and issues that will be featured at GA. It will also give us an opportunity to pray with and for those planning, executing and attending General Assembly.
Come and join us on Tuesdays in May to connect in a meaningful way with our broader denomination. No materials are needed other than a Bible. Each session is free-standing, so come whenever you can! We meet at 2 p.m. on Zoom. All are welcome!
Missions Ministry
It will be April soon and Spring is hopefully here. We have been busy. Here is what is happening and suggestions for things you can do:
- Little Free Pantry: Bring something nonperishable (and not in a glass jar) for the Little Free Pantry. It’s easy to do. The Little Free Pantry is just steps away from the HCC entry into the Herr Chapel where we worship. Help our hungry neighbors.
- Items for Lomond School Children: We delivered two more big black bags of tissues and clothing. That makes five bags delivered so far. Collections ran from October through the end of March. Billie at Lomond School was delighted to get our contributions.
- Egg Cartons: The egg cartons are adding up. On March 16th we collected what appears to be a record number of donated cartons at 68 for one week! Keep them coming! You don’t need the empty cartons and the farmers can use them for sure! It also keeps the landfill less full!
- Donation of Dave’s Supermarket Gift Cards to US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): For several years, our Treasurer, Mike Singerman, has let us know that he had some Dave’s gift cards that were not selling. We also received notification that the USCRI, a non-profit organization, has a problem. The USCRI had been supplying food cards and other aid to newly arrived legal refugees. The money for this support was supplied by a Federal Government grant which was recently cancelled. Additionally, some of the immigrants had their food cards stolen. USCRI needed help to continue to support immigrants already here until their work permits arrive. We decided to donate the unsold Dave’s cards, which totaled $600 to the USCRI. Office personnel were so excited to get the gift cards, that Connee got a big hug when she delivered the cards!
- Grant to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church: Most of you already know that HCC awards grants through the Outreach Committee. We received a request from the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. This church along with two United Church of Christ churches, one Congregational church, and two more Catholic churches are traveling to Washington D.C. for an interfaith protest and vigil on April 25th and 26th. About 80 people are schedule to attend currently. About 20 of these people need help with expenses, such as meals on their journey. After talking to the grant requestor and discovering that we were in agreement with their basic protests the Outreach Committee unanimously awarded them a $500 grant. They had asked for $1,000, but since we are towards the beginning of the grant year, we wanted to make sure we had more money for future grants. If any of you would like to join the pilgrimage, let Connee know and she will contact Blessed Trinity on your behalf. After their trip, there maybe a possibility to partner with them in other activities like letter writing campaigns.
- Tutoring: The tutoring of basic English and/or Math skills at Boulevard Grade School students is ongoing. If you did not sign up and would like to do so, contact Jane Troha, who can see if more tutors are still needed. This will probably continue into the future, so if you can’t do this now, maybe you might want to think about joining the group next year. This is a great chance to make some young friends!
- IGAH (Inter-Faith Group Against Hate) and WAMWAO (We are Many. We are One). There are lots of events. Check your monthly Reaching Heights Newsletters, weekly church bulletins and weekly news e-mails to see if there are events which interest you. Several of us have attended coffee or dinner groups. It is a rare chance to make friends from other religions and speak frankly to increase our understanding of how others worship God. One can be amazed at how much these different religions have in common with us and how eager people are to learn from each other. Another chance to make new friends!
So do what you can to repair the world, and keep up the good work!
~ Connee Choi
HCC to Host Interfaith Group Against Hate
We are pleased to be a member congregation of the Interfaith Group Against Hate (affectionately known as IGAH). IGAH holds monthly meetings to plan our work together. We will host the meeting on Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend to show our great HCC hospitality. We will need greeters at the door, people ready to show where elevator, restrooms and meeting room are located, and people to provide simple snacks. You’re invited to be part of the conversations as we hear what each committee has been up to, assess the current circumstances in our communities, and plot our way forward! If you’d like more information, you can speak with any of our regular attenders: Cindy Maxey, Andrena Jones-Sharp, Connee Choi, Lynda Ackerman, or Dr. Kate. We are not alone! Together we can do much good!
Bravo to Irwin Shung for a deeply touching and artistic concert of poetry and music!
Thanks to so many of you for attending Rachmaninoff and Franck: Lenten Reflections March 15. Your response was overwhelming, and we were truly moved by the depth of your appreciation for the music and poetry we had the privilege of sharing with you. Many of you reached out regarding the origins of the poetry; they were written by Irwin while he was working on the Rachmaninoff pieces.
With gratitude,
Irwin and Ying
Note: The next concert in the series is Friday May 2 at 7:30 pm at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights. More info at RMseries.com.
Did you know . . . Rascal House in University Heights offers members and friends a 10% discount in all orders. All you have to do is mention this offer or use our code (which is 2860) when you order! And 5% gets donated back to HCC! Win-win-tasty win!
Wednesdays Together
Plymouth Church, UCC and Heights Christian Church are both blessed to call our building at 2860 Coventry Road home. This coming year, both congregations are looking forward to growing friendships between our members, as well as discerning what ministry opportunities and events we can embark on together! One way we are seeking to expand our relationship is through sharing “Wednesdays Together.” Each Wednesday of the month (except at holiday time), we will share in fellowship and formation with one another. We look forward to seeing many folks from HCC and Plymouth at each gathering!
Book Group – First Wednesday
The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, April 2nd in Room 102 at Plymouth Church. If you would like to have lunch before this meeting, bring your own and come at 12:30 pm. We will be discussing the book
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano in April and After Annie by Anna Quindian on May 7th.
All are welcome to join at any time.
Meditative Arts Group – Second Wednesday
Our Meditative Arts group will begin our monthly gatherings on Wednesday the 9th. we will meet at 1:00 pm in the Atrium at Plymouth Church as we enjoy some quiet music and meditative artwork.
Please join us to draw, knit, stitch or work on your choice of relaxing projects.
Lunch Club – Wednesday, April 16th at 12:30pm – Third Wednesday
Join us for a homemade lunch and fellowship, as well as a time of prayer during Holy Week in Fellowship Hall. After lunch, we will engage with scripture, song, and meditations as we contemplate the journey that Jesus took – and that we all take – during these most sacred of days in our Christian faith. The suggested donation for lunch is $10. RSVP to Pastor Dillon at dship- man@plymouthchurchucc.org, which is necessary for food preparation. Reservations are due Sunday, April 13
There will be no Mid-week Meditations this month during Easter Week.
Join us again for prayer and song in May!
Gift Cards
Remember gift cards are available on Sunday mornings and in the office every weekday during normal office hours.
We now have a limited supply of Arby, Burger King, Walmart and Wendy’s cards, as well as Amazon, Home Depot, Panera, Starbucks, Target, Subway and grocery store cards.
Support Heights Christian Church while you shop. Make your life less stressful. Gift cards are easy. (Cash or check only, please)
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In, and You-Tube ! Our Sunday morning worship services are live-streamed on Zoom and FacebookLive. Several recordings of special worship services have been uploaded to our channel on You-Tube. If you see something you like, share it on your page! This will increase our reach and may draw in our next visitor!
April
9 – Shirley Blackwell 13 – Max & Owen Osgood
23 – Bobbi Phelps 28 – Bill Dunn
May
5 – Val McMillan 8 – Felix McDonald 15 – Cindy Maxey
15 – Brian McDonald 20 – Nancy Carpenter 22 – Autumn Mehring
25 – Claire Dunn 26 – Sylvia Farley 30 – Connee Choi
We are glad to share the birthdays we have on record each month and encourage members to reach out with greetings. We apologize if someone’s name has been omitted – please call Kese in the church office to share your birthday if we don’t have it in our list. We want to celebrate you!