Life has been feeling a bit like a yo-yo to me lately. As I write, it’s a beautiful spring day, the sun is shining and forecasters are predicting high temperatures near fifty degrees for this afternoon. They are also predicting snow for tomorrow, with some placing us in the five-inch category! And then there’s all that’s going on in our country: tariffs are on/tariffs are postponed; government employees are fired/government employees are reinstated; markets are up/markets are down. One of the ways I relax and unwind is following New England sports teams. The Boston Red Sox (baseball) rallied to win on Opening Day. The Boston Bruins (hockey) have lost their last seven games and all hope of making the playoffs.
Life really is a series of ups and downs. March/April snows melt quickly and there will be a new season for the Bruins in October. As for our country, I am praying for stability, and trying in small ways to be a voice for dignity and fairness and justice. Ups and downs on the string of life: some consequential, some unimportant.
As I ponder the ups and downs as we near Holy Week this Lent, I can’t help but think that life for Jesus must have felt like a yo-yo as he journeyed to the cross. (Had yo-yos been invented then? That wasn’t covered in Church History class.) Jesus was welcomed enthusiastically in some villages and run out of town by others. He celebrated an intimate Passover meal with his best friends in the upper room only to be deserted by them all in the garden as he was arrested. Crowds welcomed him with a “parade” of palms and garments only to call for his crucifixion a few days later. Some called him Messiah and Lord; others called him traitor.
Sometimes in life it seems like the yo-yo goes to the bottom of the string and stays there at the lowest point. I can remember as a kid being so frustrated when I was unable to bring the yo-yo back up into my hand with what seemed like an unattainable motion. Then I learned that the yo-yo had to hit the very bottom, the very end of the string, before it would come up. Without the cross there would be no resurrection. Without Good Friday there would be no Easter. Even at the lowest points of life God is with us. Easter will come.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
You can help us decorate our worship space for Easter.
Flowers will be purchased from Longfellow's Greenhouse, and you may take them home after worship on Easter morning, April 20 or leave them to adorn the space for the remaining Sundays of Easter.
Tulips: $13 in 6.5" pot
Martha Washington Geraniums:$19 in 6.5" pot
Azaleas: $39 in 8" pot
Hydrangea: $45 in 8" pot
Sign up on the table in the narthex or email or call the church office. The deadline is Sunday, April 6. Please include your name, your variety choice(s), whether you would like your gift designated "in memory of" or "in honor of" and those names. You can put your payment in the offering plate or mail it, just be sure to designate it for Easter flowers.
Earth Day April 22, 2025!
Theme: It’s Our Power, it’s Our Planet.
In 2025, as EARTHDAY.ORG turns 55, join us as we embrace a powerful, renewable future. Facts below are found at www.earthday.org.
Examples of US achievements:
In the US in 2023, the US produced more solar power than ever before with California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona the states leading the solar revolution. It is helping to produce the cheapest electricity in history.
In the United States, Texas—long associated with oil production—now leads the nation in wind energy generation.
The U.S. also has used its existing drilling capacity to become the world’s leading producer of advanced geothermal energy.
Examples of Global achievements:
China is currently leading the world in both wind and solar, with twice as much capacity under construction as the rest of the world combined in 2024.
A third of all homes in Australia use solar power.
In Denmark, over 50% of the country’s electricity is generated from wind turbines (and has already provided 100% of its power over a 24 hour period) and by 2026, wind energy will power 30% of Spain, 17% of the Netherlands and 23% of the electricity needs of Germany.
In Brazil hydro-electric accounted for nearly 68% of its total electricity generation in 2023. Italy is at 23% and growing, Netherlands at 16%.
Kenya is a leader in Africa, with geothermal power accounting for nearly half of its electricity generation. Geothermal can be beneficial for the electrical grid, as it puts less strain on it and can help mitigate blackouts. Geothermal also emits 97% less acid rain-causing compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide.
Form a Nativity Team! Rockland's Harbor Clean-up event and registration link: http://www.rocklandmaine.gov/earthday
You are welcome to join Pastor Anderson on Tuesdays,
9:30 - 11:00 AM, for casual and spontaneous conversation.
Come and go at whatever time works for you.
Apr 1 - Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Apr 8 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
Apr 15 - Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
Apr 22 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Apr 29 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
3 - Bruce McCullough
6 - Bruce Meyer
10 - Judy Pelletier
14 - Martha Meyer
16 - Kyle Waters, Shelly Cramp
27 - Tina Huntley
Editor's note: Did we miss your birthday? Please email your birthday date to kmusicorama@gmail.com so that we can add you to our monthly salutation.
Tuesday, April 1
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Wednesday, April 2
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Maine Health Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
6:30 PM - Lenten Evening Prayer Service, via Zoom
Thursday, April 3
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, April 6
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Sign up for Easter flowers by today!
Monday, April 7
3:00 - 4:30 PM - NLC Council Meeting
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, April 8
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
3:00 - 4:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Bereavement Group, Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 9
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Maine Health Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
6:30 PM - Lenten Evening Prayer Service, via Zoom
Thursday, April 10
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, April 13 - Palm/Passion Sunday
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, April 14
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, April 15
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
3:00 - 4:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Bereavement Group, Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 16
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Maine Health Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, April 17 - Maundy Thursday
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
6:30 PM - Worship in-person and online
Friday, April 18 - Good Friday
6:30 PM - Worship in-person and online
Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday
6:00 AM - Sunrise service at Glen Cove Park, Rte. 1 in Rockport, in person only
8:30 - 10:00 AM - Easter Breakfast by Hans
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, April 21
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, April 22
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
3:00 - 4:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Bereavement Group, Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 23
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Maine Health Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, April 24
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, April 27
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
12:00 noon - Soup Kitchen at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland - if you would like to help, speak to Ollie
Monday, April 28
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, April 29
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
3:00 - 4:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Bereavement Group, Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 30
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Maine Health Tai Chi, Fellowship Hall
Note For midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link.
Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the Sunday link.
Month of April
Flowers - Donna Perry
Altar - Donna Perry
Acolyte - Jennie Dynesius
April 6
Assistant Minister: Hans(Kristian)Akselsen,II
Reader: Barbara Alberda
Usher: Mimi Moore
April 13 - Palm/Passion Sunday
Assistant Minister: Marty Taylor
Readers: TBD
Usher: Carol Brazier
April 17 - Maundy Thursday
Assistant Minister: Carolyn Ramm
Reader: Mimi Moore
Usher: Denise Stadler
April 18 - Good Friday
Assistant Minister: Fred Walker
Reader: TBD
April 20 - Easter
Assistant Minister: Kim Murphy
Reader: Sue Ann Moore
Usher: Bruce Cobb
April 27
Assistant Minister: Carolyn Ramm
Reader: Fran Kresge
Usher: Tina Huntley
Would you like to usher or read scripture during a service? We are looking for more assistants! Email Kim Murphy at kmusicorama@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the schedule.
- The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: Please remember that an extra $5 or $10 each month may make a huge difference to a family in need! Please indicate any additional donations as "Pastor's Discretionary" when you mail in your monthly offering.
- Don't forget: One simple way to help care for creation is to download the weekly bulletin onto your smart phone or tablet and then bring that device to worship or use it when you zoom at home saving paper and resources. Need help figuring that out? Call Pastor for Android help or Denise Stadler for Apple help.
- Your aluminum pop tabs can help keep families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need. Look for the paper bag on the Social Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex. Place your tabs in the bag and take your container home and fill it again! The tabs are donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
A Note from your editor, Kim Murphy
Reminder - send articles and photos by the 20th of each month.
Email kmusicorama@gmail.com
Photos this month: Michele Paul, Kim Murphy, Carolyn Ramm, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Coffee Shop Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash, Group gathering Photo by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash, candle Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash, Earth Photo by Fateme Alaei on Unsplash, Internet resources
Nativity Lutheran Church
Sunday Worship (Sept -May) 10:30 AM
Summer Sunday Worship (June - August) 9:30 AM
Email: office@nativityrockport.org
Website: www.nativityrockport.org
Location: 179 Old County Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-594-4665