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The Pastor's Corner 
Andrea and I are currently members of “the Sandwich Generation.” The term refers to the time in life where you have cares and concerns for the generation below you (your kids) and the one above you (your parents). Most of our non-working time is concerned with attending to the needs and demands of our parents and kids. Although both generations are doing relatively well, there is still a lot of time and money that needs to be invested in their respective welfare. One way this affects us, is that when we are away on vacation, we usually spend it with family. In fact, when we don’t include family we feel extravagant.
For the first time in several years Andrea and I went away for a week alone. We had a wonderful time. I have always wanted to see the natural wonders of central and northern Arizona. With Sedona as a base, we visited the Grand Canyon, took a boat tour of Lake Powell, and saw the historic towns of Prescott and Jerome. Beside the joy of just being together, the great weather (record highs in the 80’s and not a cloud in the sky) permitted us to spend hours outside in the natural beauty. I made it a point to watch every sunrise and sunset during the week.
One morning I played golf in Sedona with two retired guys who were originally from Michigan. They played golf together twice a week and one was an elder in his Baptist church and ran a religious foundation. They were great hosts and I was playing well. While waiting for them to putt out on the 4th green I looked around and marveled at the stupendous mountain views. In my opinion the views in Sedona surpass those of the Grand Canyon (this may seem blasphemous to some). When they finished I asked them if there were any more picturesque view in the whole state. They looked around for a couple minutes and then admitted, “Yeah this is a pretty good vantage point.” They then went on grumbling about missing their short putts. A few other times I wanted to slow down and just enjoy the beauty around us and they complained about the course conditions. Perhaps because they lived around it every day they were more concerned with how poorly they were playing?
My wonderful day on the course with these fine gentlemen has caused me to ponder a couple important lessons about life. What does it take to really appreciate the blessings of life that are always around you? Is God so routinely good to us that we fail to see the grandeur of His created world? Has the pursuit of material things distracted us from the real blessings in life: people to love, a faith that sustains, and acts of service that give us purpose?
Whenever I get out of town I hope to clear my mind (if only temporarily) of some of the worry and grief that is always a part of life. The prospect of death and loss is unavoidable and painfully obvious each time a friend or parents is hospitalized. Getting away from the day to day concerns of life should open our hearts to the enduring reality of God’s incredible love so we can discover the new things that God wants us to direct our attention. Peace and joy,
James Brassard
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Worship notes for March 25th:
We depart once again from the series on the 10 Commandments.
The gospel lesson for this Sunday is found in John 12:1-8.
Six days before he will ride into Jerusalem, Jesus is at the home of his good friends, Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. At a dinner in Jesus’ honor, Mary anoints his feet with an expensive perfume. Judas immediately challenges Mary’s loving action calling it a senseless extravagance. Jesus intervenes in this rivalry saying “the poor will always be with us, but I will not.” The interpretation of this passage has been used by earnest believers trying to come up with a short definition of what it is to be a follower of Jesus. Is it to always stand for the poor and disenfranchised? Or, is it to be someone who has fallen in love with God?
In my next sermon, we will examine what it means to fall in love with God.
Sunday Calendar, March 25, 2007
- 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Worship Services
- Psalms of Ascent with Gary Cox (Parlor)
- New Members Seminar (Pastor's Study)
- 6 PM - Jr. High
- 7 PM - Sr. High
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Lent Readings 
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.”
Come hear the daily lectionary read each morning during Lent at 7:15 in the sanctuary.
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Lenten Dinners 
2007 schedule, menus and prices:
This Friday, March 23rd, the Deacons will serve their famous baked potatoes.
March 23,
March 30, the Choirs will sponsor a chili cook off!
Dinners start at 6 PM, with food, fellowship and intergenerational programs. Kids under 3 are free, those from 3 to 10 are $1, and ages 11 and up (including adults) are $3. We will not charge more than $10 per family. Plan now to come early, have fun, and get to know each other!
Please make plans to join us this Friday, March 23rd for the Contemplative Series activity. We will be showing a movie: The Nativity Story at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary, following the Deacons Lenten Dinner. This is an optional spiritual activity.
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Contemplative Series 
The Spirit and Self Discovery Group invites you to join them this Friday, March 23rd for the next Contemplative Series activity. We will be showing a movie - “The Nativity Story” at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary, following the Deacons Lenten Dinner. This is an optional spiritual activity.
For the last 4 weeks of Lent, the Spirit and Self Discovery Group opened the Sanctuary on Friday nights at 7 to all for quiet contemplation. Each week brings a different activity that you may or may not choose to participate in. We will offer quiet music, soft lights and an open door. -- Beginners are encouraged to attend. Contact Linda Miller at 301- 262-6008 to register or find out more.
Visit Spirit and Self Discovery to register or find more information on the complete series offerings at
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3hvnp/spirit.html
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CCPC Youth Group Retreat 
The CCPC Youth group is having a retreat to Smith Island sponsored by the Save the Bay Foundation
Friday, March 23-25, 2007. This retreat is for all Jr. & Sr. High students. We have space for 20 people total, youth and adults and slots are starting to fill up. We will be leaving from CCPC at 3 PM on Friday, March 23rd. We are charging everyone $20.00 to provide our own food during the week. Several of our youth have experienced these retreats and truly have had an enriching, fun, and fulfilling experience. I look forward to spending this time to tap out and experience a community where environmental stewardship is part of everyday life. Join us for this extraordinary weekend!!
If you are interested contact Ajibade Jegede @ 301-262-6008 (office), or at cpcydir@verizon.net.
CCPC, 3120 Belair Dr in Bowie, MD.
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Easter Lilies! 
You can begin ordering Lilies this Sunday, March 25th for the next two weeks. Order forms will be located at CCPC. Prices are as follows:
$12 (5-7 bloom) $14 (8-9 bloom)
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One Great Hour of Sharing 
Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Through the One Great Hour of Sharing we respond with gifts that help our brothers and sisters around the world find hope for a better future. The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering is divided among the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self Development of People and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
The offering will be received on April 1, Palm Sunday, and April 8, Easter Sunday.
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CCPC's Coed Softball Team 
CCPC's Coed Softball team invites you to come out and play ball! This is our third year with the Metropolitan Christian League.
Double-header Saturday morning games begin May 5th and run for 9 weeks. Practices will begin in March. Interested teens and adults ages 16 and up, please call Sheree Ruhl for more details.
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| Women's History Month 
Join us this month, in celebration of Women's History Month join featured visual artist and storyteller, Ellouise Schoettler for Wise Women, Original stories and folktales. Wednesday, March 21st, at Belair Mansion (12207 Belair Drive in Bowie) 6:30 PM light dinner; Program at 7:30 PM.
For more information, reservations and pricing, contact Priscilla Bouic.
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| Forum on March 25th - Katrina Report 
In 2006 Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church sent mission teams to Louisiana and Mississippi in April and November to help with Katrina clean-up and rebuilding. John Travis, an elder in that church and a participant in the Katrina mission, will be with us at forum to show pictures, tell of his experiences and answer questions.
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| CCPC Disaster Committee 
The CCPC Disaster Planning Committee will meet this Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 7 PM in the Church Parlor. We will be discussing a response to prolonged power outages in addition to other items which were discussed at the last meeting.
Please join us.
CCPC, 3120 Belair Dr in Bowie, MD. 301-262-6008
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| Tiger Lilies
Join us tonight - Monday, March 19th at 7:30 PM in the Parlor for a discussion on American Gospel by Jon Meacham. Women are invited to join us. American Gospel is available on CD and paperback
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| Women of Faith 2007 
The Women of Faith Amazing Freedom 2007 tour is coming to Washington, DC, July 13 and 14. Featured speakers at the Verizon Center include: Patsy Clairmont, Nicole Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty, Anita Renfroe, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells and special guest Max Lucado. A pre-conference day with Beth Moore is scheduled for 9 AM - 3 PM the Friday before the conference.
For more information, contact CCPC's 2007 group leader Peggy Oates.
The deadline for registration is April 1st.
Learn more about the conference
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| Bus Trip! To see "In The Beginning" 
The $50 balance for our trip on May 10th to the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA is due to Marge Clark by Friday, April 6, 2007. Checks should be made out to Marge and either place it in the Treasurer's box in the church office or mail them to her home.
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| Bike to Work Day 
Friday, May 18, 2007, 6:30 - 8:30 AM
Two Bowie Pit Stops: Bowie Town Center Food Court and Old Town Bowie (specific location to be determined)
Gear up for Bike to Work Day 2007! Participate and receive a free t-shirt! It is a free event full of fun, food and prizes. Join thousands of are commuters and show your support for bicycling, by taking part in a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Registration began March 1st.
Visit Bike to Work Day to register, or call 202-518-0524. For more information contact Frank Stevens in the City's Planning Department at 301-809-3053 or fstevens@cityofbowie.org.
http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
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| Lost and Found 
Looking for a lost item? If you have recently misplaced an item, please call (301-262-6008), stop by the church office or email us at ccpcbowie@verizon.net.
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Mail or E-mail? 
In the ongoing effort to update our Caller distribution list, please let the office know by which method you would like to receive your copy of the Caller -postal mail, or electronic? Please indicate your preference via email to ccpcbowie@verizon.net, or send a note to the church office. Thank you!
CCPC Calendar 