First sentences in novels and other books can be memorable for us. We recall the words of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . ." And the opening line of Herman Melville's Moby Dick is classic: "Call me Ishmael." Recently, I picked up my copy of The Nature and Destiny of Man, the classic work of Christian ethicist, Reinhold Niebuhr, who was one of the outstanding thinkers of the 20th century. As I opened the book, my eyes landed on the first sentence, and I read it again as if for the first time: "Man has always been his own most vexing problem." This brief statement is one that we immediately recognize as true about ourselves and our world. And yet, the more we think about it, the more we can begin to understand the profound depths of insight it evokes. Niebuhr himself spent hundreds of pages unpacking the implications of this simple statement. And we ourselves don't have to look very far to see the problematical nature of life-managing our schedules, relating to family and friends and co-workers, worrying about the future, lamenting violence and war. To be human, it seems, is to have problems both around us and within us.
I think that having problems is part of the human condition, even though we wish it were not so. As children, we looked forward to the time when we would be grown up and beyond all the problems of childhood. As adults, we look forward to a time of retirement and relaxation, when work is over and the living is easy. As retired people, we look back to our childhood days when it seemed we were carefree and things were simpler. A problem-free life is like the proverbial carrot on a stick, which we want so badly, but which always eludes us.
There is a subtle temptation to package religious faith in such a way that it promises to make life problem-free. When the polished preachers on TV and faddish writers of popular books offer a gospel of easy answers and give the impression that they live on a mountaintop without problems, they are offering us this temptation. And what is tempting about it is that we wish so badly that it was true, that a few answers would make our lives smooth and easy. Beware of this kind of easy-believism, however, because when we buy into this way of thinking, we are not overcoming our problems, we are either denying them or running from them. And to see God only as a great problem-solver is to turn God into a great magician who will instantaneously make things in our lives disappear if only we know the right formula or believe hard enough.
Beyond surface reactions and shallow smiles, we need a place where we can acknowledge and share the problematical nature of our lives and our world. I believe God has made us in such a way that we can find freedom in sharing our struggles honestly with one another. The church ought to be a place where this kind of sharing can happen, where people can honestly talk about the things that are going on in their lives and how they feel about them. After all, if the gospel does not touch us where we really live and struggle, then what good is it?
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Our Church Family
 Emmy Carter, is receiving four weekly iron transfusions.
Susan Cox, Sheryl Shores' friend, is dealing with her spreading cancer.
Kay Fenton' friends, Jeannie, is dealing with a relapse of leukemia.
Lois Harris' sister in-law, Marie Henry, is recovering from a stroke but seems to be stable.
Tom Lawrey, has completed his radiation treatment .
Carol Linder, has begun a daily radiation treatment program.
Carol Linder's sister, is in the hospital with an infection.
Eileen Mader,is dealing with a pinched nerve and other health concerns.
Miriam Maldonado, may be facing further surgery related to her breast cancer.
Carroll Matthews, has stopped his chemotherapy and continues dialysis.
Linda McNish's mother, is home and continues her recovery.
Ken and Julie Phifer's daughter-in-law, Carol, has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and is recovering from recent surgery.
Julie Phifer's sister, remains in critical but stable condition after a long time of illness.
Peter Puglia's friend, Bonnie, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have surgery.
Debbie Rickman's co-worker Crystal, as she undergoes chemotherapy.
Savannah Russ, underwent recent ear surgery.
Nina Schivlosky's grandfather, is hospitalized as he deals with a broken hip.
Laura Williams, is home now continuing her recovery.
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We want to thank you for all the love and support you have given us through Laura's recent illness - your prayers, cards, calls, encouraging words, food, and transportation. We don't know how we could ever repay all that you've done for us. We give thanks to God for you all and look forward to the Sunday when Laura can return to church.
Carroll and Laura Williams
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Amy Phifer, granddaughter of Julie and Ken Phifer, is being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa on April 18th. Amy is a senior at Randolph Macon.
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Phyllis Bensing, an original former member from the early days of the church, died on March 24. Phyllis and Charles will be remembered fondly by a number of our current and former members from the early days of the church. The family contact information: Charles Bensing, 1024 7th Avenue East, #308, Bradenton, FL 34208.
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CMR RAFFLE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
CMR is hosting a raffle to raise money for its programs. Raffle tickets are being sold by Chuck Lee and Gladys Donoghue. The tickets are $15 each or two for $25, and winners will receive an item like a new TV, entertainment system, or several kinds of Ipods. There is more information on the main hallway bulletin board. Winners will be chosen at the Gala on May 9.
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PASTOR OUT OF TOWN ON APRIL 20
The pastor and his wife will be gone the weekend of April 20, as they travel to Florida where he will perform a wedding for an extended family member. In the pastor's place, Bob Cochran will be preaching. Bob is a long time staff member of the DC Baptist Convention. You may recall that Bob most recently spoke to the church at our 50th anniversary program by bringing congratulations on behalf of the DCBC. While our music director, Carla Ingram, is also gone, she is making arrangements for special music leadership for that Sunday.
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IRS REBATE AND GIVING
As you think about what you are going to do with your IRS "rebates" when they come in May or June, I invite you to consider giving a portion or even all of them to the church. You can be sure that the money will go toward good things through our church ministries.
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HABITAT TRIP PLANS
Our dates have been set for the upcoming Habitat trip. We will be traveling to Carlisle, PA and working from July 13-19. We have already given an informational meeting for those who are interested in attending. However, if you are still interested, or know of someone, please let us know. There will be more details about the trip upcoming as we continue to make plans, including fundraising opportunities you may want to contribute toward.
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GRADUATES
With graduation coming up soon in our schools, please let us know if you have a family member who will be graduating, whether high school or college or any other meaningful level. We would like to publish a list of graduates in an upcoming newsletter.
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Upcoming Events/Dates
April 4 - M&Ms
The M&Ms will have lunch at O' Donnells Restaurant on Friday, April 5. Please let Evelyn Smith know if you can attend. We will meet in the church parking lot at 11:30 a.m. Hope to see you!
April 4 - Romeos
Those men in our church who are interested in eating out together for lunch are encouraged to meet in the parking lot at 11:30am on this Friday.
April 8 -Book Club
Our Book Club will meet on April 8. We will be discussing The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller. It evolves around the lives of two women, one a newly married and the other a "senior citizen". We will meet in the church library at 10:00 a.m.
April 19 - Chase House Dinner
We continue to provide food for men of Chase House Shelter. The date for this month is April 19. Team B is responsible, and Shirley Campbell is team leader. Thanks to all who participate in this ministry which touches the lives of others.
May 11 - Pentecost Sunday
On Sunday, May 11, our church will celebrate Pentecost Sunday with a special emphasis. Part of the service will include special photography and reflections stationed along the sanctuary walls. The photographic images will carry meaningful signs of life connected with TBC. During the service, you will be invited to move around the sanctuary and consider God's life-giving work in the church as it is reflected in these images. Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the church, so join us for this unique event highlighting the church's vitality. Special thanks goes to Chuck Lee as he works with the pastor in planning this special event.
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Birthdays
APRIL
03 Matt Shaver
05 Savannah Russ
06 Dawn Russ
10 Daniel Freese
11 John Harris
14 Zachariah Leeds
18 Eileen Mader
20 Carroll Williams
21 Callie Ingram
26 Cheryl Shores
29 Tamala Gondwe
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MAY
10 Carla Ingram
11 Gregg Freese,Cyrille Makembe
14 Marie Guy
15 John Guy
17 Don Reed
24 Pauline Bryan
26 Sandi Reed
28 Elaine Tiller
29 Daniel Shaver
31 Carol Lee
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Anniversaries
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APRIL
22 Sherry and Barry Rosenberg
22 Virginia (Lee) and Tim Oskin
24 Laly and Reinaldo Cabaņas
25 Kate and Nathan Welty/Tiller
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MAY
26 Gail and Eric Leeds
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