On Maundy Thursday, we commemorated Jesus' last supper with his disciples with a Eucharist and foot washing.

On Good Friday, we spent three hours with Jesus on the cross in a Community Good Friday service, during which seven preachers from different College Hill churches shared their meditations on Jesus' seven last words from the cross.




 

 

On Easter, with the flowers and the "alleluias" back in our worship, we celebrated Jesus being raised from the bond of death, followed by an inside Easter Egg hunt for the young people. 

See more pictures here.

• ... Hawley Todd for creating and leading our Celebration of Wholeness and Healing this Sunday.
• ... Bob Jones and others who mopped up and dried out our building after each and every rainstorm during April.   
• ... Mary McLain for donating the new flower pots and flowers at our front entrance. 
• ... to Carol Lyon and the parolees who planted flowers near the Garth last Thursday.
• ... David Mukasa and others who installed carpeting in the upstairs hallway and tile on the Great Hall stage. 

We're sure that we've left out many of the people who deserve our thanks. Let us know who we've missed by clicking eGraceNotes@GraceCollegeHill.org.

Thursday morning, April 28, two parolees, Joel and Mike planted and mulched one of the gardens near the Garth on the Hamilton Avenue side of the church. They planted the cone flowers, Japanese iris, Crocosmia, Anemone and Lamb's ears brought from Carol Lyon's garden. All the plants are deer resistant.

Joel and Mike were happy with the outcome. Mike said, "I like doing this work." And Joel took a picture to show his friends.

Take a look outside and see the good work the Parolees did.

Thanks to Carol Lyon for this article.

News items not big enough to get their own separate article, but too good to leave out:     

• We have posted our Worship and Volunteer Schedule for May and June. Check it out and see if you're on it. If you're scheduled to serve and can't make it, please find a substitute and let the webmaster know. 
• Our highest priority need for volunteer help in the Mission & Formation area is for people to work with J White on Newcomer Ministry & Congregational Life.  
• Sunday Service Volunteers are needed in all positions including choir members, Sunday School teachers and sitters. Training is offered for acolytes, Eucharistic Visitors and Chalice Bearers.  We are a Common Ministry Parish - everyone is encouraged to serve.  Let the office know of your interest for training dates.         

We make our facilities available to outside groups for their use when time and space permit. Not only does this provide a service to those who need it, it also raises money to defray the expense of maintaining our building.

To avoid confusion about who's doing what, Mission Council has established the following procedures:

• All weddings, rehearsals and related receptions should be referred to Tony Denbo (aed45247@yahoo.com, 513-661-3477). 
• All other rental or reservation requests from members or outside groups or individuals for the Great Hall or any space should be referred to J. White (513-532-9362, mizwone@gmail.com).
• The online calendar is the source of information about our building schedule.

The Great Hall has been upgraded and makes a nice place for receptions or other meetings. See some recent pictures here.






We want to augment the our photo album with some wedding pictures that show off the building. If you have some, please send them to Ken Lyon at webmaster@gracecollegehill.org. If you give him physical pix, he'll return them, of course. 

Our father who art in heaven.
Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But, you called me!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our father who art in heaven.
There, you did it again!

Did what?
Called me. You said, " Our father who art in heaven." Well, here I am. What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name.
Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name?"

It means, it means ... Good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before.
Thanks.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money--all on yourself.

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse me!. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it--like you, for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good. Now we're getting somewhere.

We'll work together, you and me.
I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying. (pause) Well, go on.

I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.
Try me.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
But, your prayer, what about your prayer?

I didn't ... mean it.
Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are; well, I can change that.

You can? How?
Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you; and the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem, not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. and more than I want revenge, I want to be right with you . (sigh). All right, all right. I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.
Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me, how do I make you happy?
You just did.

Contributed by Wanda Miller.