MONTHLY NEWS
Welcome to our monthly church news page.
Check here for ministry updates, featured events, birthdays, volunteer schedules, and ways to get involved this month.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DEB...
I hope you have been experiencing a meaningful Lenten season, a season that has reminded you of how extravagantly God loves you ... He loves you so much He sent Jesus into this broken world. Jesus chose to experience all of the challenges of humanity (hunger, exhaustion, rejection, pain, betrayal. .. ) so that we could know that He understands the challenges we face every day. He took on a cross, beaten, humiliated, crucified, a suffering beyond imagination as He took on Himself all of our sin, all of our guilt, all of our shame and paid the price for it.
But that's not all is it?! We turn to Easter and we see Jesus defeating sin, defeating death and coming back to life, a resurrected life! A life He offers to us! Hallelujah!
Easter brings to us Resurrection Life, Resurrection Power, Resurrection Hope!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know Who holds my future, life is worth the living, just because He lives!
That is GOOD NEWS! GREAT NEWS!
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:lOb)
Let's grab hold of that amazing gift of life and live that life in such a way that all who see us will come to seek and find our Resurrected/Resurrecting Lord!
Wishing you a BLESSED Easter!
But that's not all is it?! We turn to Easter and we see Jesus defeating sin, defeating death and coming back to life, a resurrected life! A life He offers to us! Hallelujah!
Easter brings to us Resurrection Life, Resurrection Power, Resurrection Hope!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know Who holds my future, life is worth the living, just because He lives!
That is GOOD NEWS! GREAT NEWS!
- Are we living like Resurrected People?
- Are we growing in this new life?
- Are we displaying this Resurrected Life to the world around us?
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:lOb)
Let's grab hold of that amazing gift of life and live that life in such a way that all who see us will come to seek and find our Resurrected/Resurrecting Lord!
Wishing you a BLESSED Easter!
- Pastor Deb
THIS MONTH AT A GLANCE
Here are a few featured events happening this month.
Visit our full Events page for the complete church calendar.
Calendars
Upcoming Events
News
YOUTH MINISTRY
Here is this month’s update from Bill Dilks and the Youth Ministry.
Youth Ministry Update from Bill Dilks
Dear Church Family,
What an exciting March we had! I am so thankful for the love, support, and involvement of our congregation. The joint service with the Spanish church was an amazing time of fellowship together.
I want to also thank you for the continuing support of our youth group. We have had wonderful conversations expressing excitement for the upcoming experiences for our young people. As we continue to prepare for IYC in June/July, as a youth group fundraiser, we will be offering our services to serve our community of faith. Spring cleanup work, no problem. Just sign up for a time slot for work, and we will be there! Whether it’s cleaning, dusting, or organizing inside, it sounds good to us. If it’s cleaning up your lawn and garden to prepare for summer, we can do that, too! Flower beds and planting flowers for spring? Of course! We are requesting a $50 donation per time slot. We also ask that you would provide the materials for mulching and planting. The sign up sheet will be on the bulletin board in the narthex, and we look forward to helping you. Additional contact information will be on the sign-up sheet to coordinate with our youth leaders.
As we approach the Easter season, may we let the steadfast love of Christ shine through us this Holy Week! It is a time to love, a time to serve, and a time to bring people together to share with others the miracle of what Christ has accomplished.
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
(Colossians 1:13-14)
For the Glory of Jesus Christ Our Lord,
Bill Dilks
What an exciting March we had! I am so thankful for the love, support, and involvement of our congregation. The joint service with the Spanish church was an amazing time of fellowship together.
I want to also thank you for the continuing support of our youth group. We have had wonderful conversations expressing excitement for the upcoming experiences for our young people. As we continue to prepare for IYC in June/July, as a youth group fundraiser, we will be offering our services to serve our community of faith. Spring cleanup work, no problem. Just sign up for a time slot for work, and we will be there! Whether it’s cleaning, dusting, or organizing inside, it sounds good to us. If it’s cleaning up your lawn and garden to prepare for summer, we can do that, too! Flower beds and planting flowers for spring? Of course! We are requesting a $50 donation per time slot. We also ask that you would provide the materials for mulching and planting. The sign up sheet will be on the bulletin board in the narthex, and we look forward to helping you. Additional contact information will be on the sign-up sheet to coordinate with our youth leaders.
As we approach the Easter season, may we let the steadfast love of Christ shine through us this Holy Week! It is a time to love, a time to serve, and a time to bring people together to share with others the miracle of what Christ has accomplished.
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
(Colossians 1:13-14)
For the Glory of Jesus Christ Our Lord,
Bill Dilks
Youth Fellowship Schedule
Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
6:00-7:30 pm at the Youth House
6:00-7:30 pm at the Youth House
Special Event: "Spring Cleaning Crews"
Monday Evenings throughout April
Special Event: RESONATE!
April 26, 2026, 5:30pm
SOMETHING NEW
We are about to launch something new! We have a new church website! You can check it out at www.highlandparkcog.org. We are still filling in content and taking photos to create a site that looks like us and welcomes people to check out the church. Chris Cicchetti has worked hard to get this up and running.
We also designed an “APP” for our church! (Thank you Chris!!!) We will be able to download this app onto our phones or tablets or notebooks…and access information on the church, events coming up, videos of services, notifications of emails sent out, an online giving resource, and so much more! This will increase communication within the church as well as increase our outreach to those outside of the church.
Your church council is excited about this new opportunity. You will be hearing more very soon. Our hope is to have everything up and running by Easter. Our prayer is that this will invite more people to seek a relationship with Jesus and come grow with us!
We also designed an “APP” for our church! (Thank you Chris!!!) We will be able to download this app onto our phones or tablets or notebooks…and access information on the church, events coming up, videos of services, notifications of emails sent out, an online giving resource, and so much more! This will increase communication within the church as well as increase our outreach to those outside of the church.
Your church council is excited about this new opportunity. You will be hearing more very soon. Our hope is to have everything up and running by Easter. Our prayer is that this will invite more people to seek a relationship with Jesus and come grow with us!
BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES
BIRTHDAYS:
- April 3 — Jacob Cicchetti
- April 4 — Roland Kelm
- April 11 — Diane Goley
- April 12 — Melissa Wiltsey
- April 16 — Richie Barton
- April 17 — Rick Gregg
- April 18 — Amber Lannon
- April 22 — Stefi Schepacarter
- April 23 — Allison Dilks
- April 25 — Ron Chicken
- April 25 — Laurie Coates
- April 25 — Bill Wiltsey
- April 28 — Delaney McEneaney
- April 30 — Jordyn Bylone
ANNIVERSARIES:
- April 8 — Ashley & Rich Barton
- April 24 — Lew & Stefi Schepacarter
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
If you are not able to serve on your specific date,
please contact Sandy or Pastor Deb ASAP.
please contact Sandy or Pastor Deb ASAP.
Service Teams
Counters: Don & Cori
Greeters/Ushers: (Center Aisle): Gloria & Charles
Assistants: (Side Aisles): Laura & Joe
Greeters/Ushers: (Center Aisle): Gloria & Charles
Assistants: (Side Aisles): Laura & Joe
Sunday School (K-3)
4/5: Chelsea
4/12: Autumn & Aiden
4/19: Lauren P.
4/26: Heather & Sean
4/12: Autumn & Aiden
4/19: Lauren P.
4/26: Heather & Sean
Sunday School (4-6):
4/5: Cori
4/12: Bruce & Joe
4/19: Cori
4/26: Billy & Nathaniel
4/12: Bruce & Joe
4/19: Cori
4/26: Billy & Nathaniel
Nursery Workers
4/5: Linda & Holly
4/12: Heddy & Rose
4/19: Sandy & Connie
4/26: Lisa G. & Debbie P.
4/12: Heddy & Rose
4/19: Sandy & Connie
4/26: Lisa G. & Debbie P.
Song Leaders
4/5: Don Conner
4/12: Arvin Skramstad
4/19: Denise Wooden
4/26: Paul Buford
4/12: Arvin Skramstad
4/19: Denise Wooden
4/26: Paul Buford
OUTREACH
SHAN Lunches and Pick Up
April 1
Making lunches for SHAN — Sandra/Barbara
April 2
SHAN Pick Up
Making lunches for SHAN — Sandra/Barbara
April 2
SHAN Pick Up
Camp at Cannon Hill Workday Saturday, April 11, 2026, 8:00 AM–1:30 PM
Please join us as we open the camp and make some much-needed repairs and do winter clean-up. All are welcome.
Continental breakfast and prayer begins at 8:30 AM, followed by a morning of work and fellowship. Lunch begins at 1:00 PM.
Location:
482 Englesville Road
Boyertown, PA 19512
For details, contact Don Conner at 856-456-1460.
Continental breakfast and prayer begins at 8:30 AM, followed by a morning of work and fellowship. Lunch begins at 1:00 PM.
Location:
482 Englesville Road
Boyertown, PA 19512
For details, contact Don Conner at 856-456-1460.
Fairy Godmother’s Boutique Volunteer Night, April 21, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
Fairy Godmother’s Boutique
716 Jersey Avenue
Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Michelle will be there anytime between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Stop by anytime that evening to volunteer.
716 Jersey Avenue
Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Michelle will be there anytime between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Stop by anytime that evening to volunteer.