It is odd that along with everyone else Christians make more of celebrating Christmas than they do of celebrating Easter. It may have something to do with Christmas coming after Thanksgiving when people are in a holiday mood, while Easter comes suddenly at the end of Lent (which is hardly a holiday time). Whatever the reason, we really should be making a lot more of Easter than we do.

Easter is the foundation of all our hope for a life beyond this one. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we believe that we too will rise from the dead. However wonderful our life here may be (and for many people it is far from wonderful), we know it will end. Human beings are curious creatures and unique in some very important respects. As far as we know we are the only creatures in this world with a knowledge of history, of a past different from our own memories. We are also the only creatures who can imagine an unknown future (which is how we come to invent things that have never existed before).

Most importantly perhaps, we are the only creatures who know individually that one day we will die. Death is a human concept. Other animals may recognize it when it comes or they encounter it, but they cannot envision it in advance or as an idea.

Death therefore has always played an important role in human thought, in literature, in art, and in human fears. That is why Easter is so important. It recognizes that death takes place but it denies absolutely that death is the end. For us the end of our earthly life is a gateway to something infinitely more wonderful than anything we can imagine. We know that we will be with God, in the presence of the God who created us and has watched over us all the days of our life. We shall enter in a joy beyond our ability to describe or measure.

Easter is not just the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It is the declaration or our own resurrection one day. As it says in the Baptismal service, we share in Christ’s death and we share in his resurrection. Easter is the pledge of that, and so we celebrate it in gratitude and awe at the boundless love and mercy of God. May this Easter be a reminder of our ultimate home in heaven.

Income $9,897.25 Expense $18,265.94 Difference ($8,368.69

1 pkg. Crescent rolls
Melted butter
1 pkg. Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Give each child a crescent roll, this is to represent the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Give each child a marshmallow, this represents Jesus. Have them dip the marshmallow in melted butter, this represents the oils of embalming. Then dip the marshmallow in cinnamon and sugar, this represents the spices used to anoint the body. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll, not like a typical crescent roll…but bring sides up and seal the marshmallow inside. This represents the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death. Place in 350-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The oven represents the tomb, pretend like it was three days. When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (the cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there. HE IS RISEN! The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up but empty.

Submitted by
Krislyn Holaday-Wondrachek

Save the date of Saturday, April 25^th from 8 AM to 1 PM. The Cudahy Senior Center is having a metal recycling fundraiser to collect unwanted items to be brought to the Southside Deposit Center. If you have questions contact Marge Lower at 762-7360 or e-mail mrgrtloweer@yahoo.com

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very much aggrieved because he had worked very hard for his money, and he wanted to be able to take it with him to Heaven. Se he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth

An Angel heard his plea and appeared to him. "Sorry, but you can’t take your wealth with you." The man implored the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.

The angel reappeared and announced that God had decided to make an exception and was allowing him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathered his largest suitcase, filled it with pure gold bars, and placed it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man died and showed up at the pearly gates. St. Peter, seeing the suitcase, said, "Hold on, you can’t bring that in here!"

But the man explained to St. Peter that he had permission and asked him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter returned, saying, "You’re right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I’m supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

St. Peter opened the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaimed, "YOU brought pavement????"

Submitted by
Amy Cook

This is one of the best clean jokes I've seen in awhile!

Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering.

Submitted by

I locked my car---as I walked away I heard my car door unlock I went back and locked my car again three times. I looked around and there were two guys sitting in a car in the fire lane next to the store. When I looked straight at them they did not unlock my car again.

How to lock your car safely

While traveling, my son stopped at a roadside park. He came out to his car less that 4-5 minutes later and found someone had gotten into his car, and stolen his cell, phone, laptop computer, GPS navigator briefcase...you name it, it was gone. He called the police and since there were no signs of his car being broken into-the police told him that there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device.

They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and have a few minutes to steal and run. The police officer said to manually lock your care door-by hitting the lock button inside the car, that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim it will not be you.

When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting…it does not send the security code. But if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain, it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be stolen. Something totally new to us…and real.

Be aware of this and please pass this note on. Look how many times we all lock our doors with our remote, just to be sure we remembered to lock them and bingo someone has our code, and whatever was in the care can be stolen.

The Bay View Community Center has a Food Pantry to help those whoa are experiencing economic stress. The pantry serves individuals and families that live in zip codes 53207, 53221, 53235 and the portion of the zip code 53215 that is south of Becher Street and west of 27^th Street.

The pantry is open Tuesday 4-7 pm; Wednesday and Friday 2:15-5:15 pm. If you are coming to use the pantry you need to bring the following:

A picture ID for yourself

Proof of residence-a piece of official mail (utility bill, medical bill, bank statement addressed to you at the address.)

One ID for each member of the household (any of the following is acceptable; work or school ID, birth certificate, state ID or Driver’s license, social security card, Forward Card or child’s current report card)

Proof of Income-Copy of last paycheck for household members’ age 18 and over. If you are currently not working please bring in last paycheck you received or unemployment check. If you are on a government program bring copy of award letter.

You will be interviewed in a private office and the pantry coordinator will fill out an intake form. All information is confidential. A 5-6 day supply of non-perishable food will be packed based on family size and any religious, health or cultural preferences. You need to be sure to tell the pantry coordinator about such issues. You may come back after 30 days and use the pantry again.

If you have any questions, please call Linda at the Center 414.482-1000.

Camp Webb is an outdoor ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. This year camp will be held at the beautiful and centrally located Indian Mound Boy Scout Camp in Oconomowoc. For schedules and registration information see the bulletin board in the Guild Hall or go to their website at www.campwebb.org.

We are looking for great people to come work at Camp Webb this summer! It is a great opportunity to gain leadership skills, work on a beautiful lake in Wisconsin and change the lives of young people.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Peace,

Rev. Shannon Kelly
The Bishop’s Assistant for Christian Formation and
Camp Webb Camp Director