March! It cannot already be the month of March! The time has passed quickly since January and the Chapel has many exciting events and services planned for the next few months. In review, the January 18th Board of Governors meeting welcomed new board members, new committee members, and lots of old and new business. Some highlights include adding the Columbarium Committee to the By-Laws as an official standing committee, learning that all Sundays for 2025 have ministers assigned,
and thanking those that participated in the Choir Cantata, Operation Christmas Child, Share the Table Sunday night dinners, and the work done by all committees to get the 2025 budget in place as we start this new year. As for coming events, this newsletter is filled with dates and times for Lenten Luncheon, Lenten Bible study, and all the Holy week events including a dedication of the Columbarium on Easter Sunday! Check it all out!
Please pay close attention to the information about the Online Church Directory. We are making an intentional outreach to add new affiliates and to update the information of those already signed in. By the end of March, we hope to be able to offer a printed directory to those requesting one! This is yet another way for affiliates to connect!
So many of our visiting ministers describe our Chapel and how it functions as a “New Testament” church. With no paid ministers, they marvel at how it all gets done. It truly takes us all contributing to keep it going; but, what a joy to have a part in providing a house of worship for “any and all” and in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our little white Chapel sits on a small sliver of an island bordered by a huge Atlantic Ocean. Our worshipers come and go throughout the year, representing folks from all over the globe. Through each of these visitors, we have a chance to send out the truths of our living and loving God literally around the world! Wow! To God be the glory!
In Him,
Julia Sherron
Julia Sherron, Board of Governors Chair – 2025-2026
jbsherron@gmail.com
REFLECTIONS
The Day of Atonement
These next two months (March and April) in the life of the Christian Church are what we call, “The Season of Lent.” It begins with Ash Wednesday (this year on March 5) and ends with Easter Sunday (April 20). The Worship Committee in conjunction with the Social Committee will be hosting a Lenten Luncheon on March 5th at the Historical Society’s Assembly Building starting at noon. Look for the sign-up sheet in the south wing of the chapel. Following the luncheon, we will hear from one of our own, Greg Griffin, on “What the Cross of Christ means to me.” After he speaks, we will observe the “Imposition of the Ashes” for those who want to participate. So, mark this date on your calendar.
Lent is a forty-day period of spiritual contemplation of our sinfulness before God and His willingness to forgive us through the Cross of Christ and His offer to us of the newness of life through the Resurrection of Christ.
In the Jewish faith Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is a ten-day period of reflection and repentance which begins with Yom Kippur, a day of confession known as the Day of Atonement. This Jewish tradition dates back to the days of Moses and the Israelites when God gave them instructions on how to conduct their worship in the desert (see Leviticus 16). In this chapter, God tells Aaron, the chief priest, that he is to select a live goat known as the “scapegoat” (v. 10). He is then told to lay his hands on this goat’s head “and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites- all their sins. …He shall send the goat away into the desert. …The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place…” (vv. 21-22). This is all done on this day known as the “Day of Atonement.” What does this mean? If we break the word down, we see that it has to do with living in a state of at-one-ment with God.
This word atonement is mentioned twice in the New Testament. The first is in Romans 3:25, “God presented him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice…at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus.”
The other passage which mentions the word atonement, is Hebrews 2:17. Beginning in verse 14, it says: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers (you and me) in every way in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make an atonement for the sins of the people.”
Even John the Baptist recognized this when he told his disciples, “Look, the Lamb of God (the scapegoat) who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
So, I invite you to use this season of Lent to reflect on your own sinfulness and need for a Savior. Those before Christ were constantly reminded through their annual sacrifices on the Day of Atonement of their sinfulness and their need for a Savior. Those of us on this side of the Cross are keenly aware of being saved through Christ and yet we still struggle with our sinfulness. The difference is that for the Jews their sacrifices before God only brought them temporary reconciliation whereas Jesus’ sacrifice brings those who believe permanent reconciliation. “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10).
Here are some other passages of Scripture to give you a fuller understanding of the sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf: Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 10:1-14, 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18. Hopefully, during this season of Lent (this time of reflection), you will come to agree with me that Good Friday is indeed the ultimate Day of Atonement!
Apr – 18 – Good Friday – Noon – 3:00p – for prayer – Chapel
Apr – 19 – Easter Egg Hunt – 11:00 am -Ages 4 -9
Apr – 20 – Easter Sunrise Service – 6:30 am
Fellowship follows with Coffee and Donuts
Apr – 20 – Easter Service – 10:00 a
Apr – 20 – Columbarium Dedication – immediately following Easter Service
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
The Christian Education Committee would like to invite you to attend a four week Lenten Bible study beginning Wednesday March 19. The study will be based on a video series entitled “The Promise and Power of Easter” by Lisa Harper and Christine Caine. We will meet in person each Wednesday night at 7 PM in the Upper Room at the EAMC Fellowship House and
will offer a Zoom option for those who can’t attend in person on any particular session.
There is a Bible Study guide book associated with this series. Please notify Annette Newton via text at 910-990-5930 by Wednesday March 12 if you would like to attend so that we can order a study guide for you.
LENTEN LUNCHEON
Ash Wednesday – March 5, 2025
Lenten Luncheon and Imposition Service
Greg Griffin, speaker
Noon at the Assembly Building
Contact Rucker Eggleston for further details at 434-575-4741
QUARTERLY MEAL
Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
Scripture is filled with references of Christians living in fellowship and community through sharing a common meal, the breaking of bread.
In an effort to live out scripture, the affiliates at EAMC would like to open their homes to both newcomers and (old)comers 😊 for four quarterly meals.
If you would like to participate, just sign up on the sheet found on the South Wing bulletin board. You will be assigned to a “host” home, who will provide the main dish. You will then be asked by your host to bring either an appetizer, a side dish, or a dessert. Our first meal will be on Saturday, March 29.
Our desire is to love one another more deeply as we share a meal around the table.
For further information/questions, contact Laura Ormond at laura@ormondlandscape.com or 704-862-8223.
BENEVOLENCE
The 2025 EAMC Benevolence Committee met in January and accomplished a lot on behalf of the affiliates at EAMC. To date, we have updated our guidelines for individual requests for assistance. We also reviewed our updated committee charge from the executive team of the Board of Governors of EAMC. This charges us with responsibility for benevolence to more local/regional entities and individuals.
Thus far in 2025 we have approved financial support for two individuals in crisis with respect to housing. In addition, we have approved and are distributing donations to the following entities on behalf of EAMC: Faith Harbor Diaper Ministry, Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter, Pender Bridge of Hope, Pender Long Term Recovery Care, Pender Adult Services, Pender County Christian Services, Share the Table, and Tim’s Gift.
Thanks to all the affiliates at EAMC for your generosity which allows this committee to spread the gospel through ongoing support of these worthwhile entities and individuals.
During the month of March, the Benevolence Committee will be collecting condiments for Share the Table. Some suggestions are mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressings, oil, peanut butter, jelly, flour, sugar, BBQ sauce, and marinades.
We appreciate your help again!
SOUP/SANDWICH SOCIAL
A soup/sandwich social, hosted by the Social Committee and the Christian Education Committee was held on Sunday evening, February 16. Dinner was followed by a Christmas concert video featuring performances by five pianists playing grand pianos all together.
Photos courtesy of James Ormond
HOUSEKEEPING
Time for some housekeeping!
We are cleaning up old email addresses that are now undeliverable. Since they are still considered contacts and we are charged per contact, it’s time to clean up.
So, remember, if you change your email address for any reason, please let us know by sending a quick note with your change to: newletter@eachapel.org.
Thank you!
ONLINE DIRECTORY
We encourage you to download the Online Member Directory (CTRN online directory) App from your phone store – Apple or Android.
When asked for the mobile code, enter eachapel, then submit.
Then, contact Karen Roberts, administrator, @kroberts2665@gmail.com to be set up.
This involves answering the following questions:
· Permanent address
· Beach address, if different
· Home phone number
· Beach phone number, if different
· Cell phone number(s)
· Email address
We’d also like a photo of you so that people can recognize you! Please make it a horizontal (landscape) orientation with a high resolution. It will be cropped to make it consistent with the other listings.
Once you are set up, changes/updates can be made by you through the app using the following procedure:
Under “Actions”, go to “Edit Member Info” to update your
o Name
o Address
o Phone/Cell Phone
o Email
o Birthday
o Username/Password
o Additional Information
· Make your changes and click UPDATE
Other editing procedures can be found by clicking More Info
Our directory is maintained by Karen Roberts. All questions should be directed to her @ kroberts2665@gmail.com
Submitted by: Communications Committee
DRAPE ON THE CROSS
Why is the cloth on the cross?
At Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel, we drape the cross that stands in the side yard of the chapel grounds during the Easter season. The draping of the cross is a symbolic depiction of the Easter season that goes back hundreds of years in church history. It is a visual way to reflect on and remember the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.
The purple cloth represents Christ as King, reminding us that Christ is our Savior and King. The purple cloth remains on the cross from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday.
The black cloth represents the mockery, suffering crucifixion, and death of Christ. The black cloth remains on the cross from Good Friday through Holy Saturday.
The white cloth represents the resurrection of Christ. The white cloth remains on the cross from Easter Sunday through Ascension Day when the cross remains bare until next Lenten season.
KINGDOM CRAFTERS
Thanks to the people who went to Boone to work in the Operation Christmas Child warehouse. They delivered our remaining items to be placed in additional shoeboxes as needed (12 washcloths, 40 teddy bears, 20 wiggle worms and sock dolls).
We sent a box of baby items to Coastal Pregnancy Center by way of Janie Houser:
34 burp cloths
24 blankets
1 baby sweater
We learned that one of our long-time members, Karen King, will be moving into a facility. She has been an avid knitter and crocheter. She donated all her yarn and needles to Kingdom Crafters. We thank Karen for all she did with us. We will miss her.
Submitted by:Julia Pollockfor the Crafters
WESTERN NC UPDATE
Emma Anderson has applied to be a rebuild team with Samaritan’s Purse in Western North Carolina. Currently, we have applied for the June 30 – October 11 timeframe. (It is first come, first serve.)
They have an abundance of interest and are flooded with requests, which is wonderful, but a logistical nightmare for scheduling.
If you are interested in being a part of this group of ten, please sign up so you can be included in the email list and updated. When a confirmation is received, you’ll be notified regarding your availability. If you are available that week, great! If not, there may be another time.
All sign-ups should be directed to Julia Pollock, jawp2@icloud.com, who will facilitate this list and plans with Samaritan’s Purse.
COLUMBARIUM UPDATE
Dedication of the Columbarium will be held immediately following the 10 am Easter Service, Sunday, April 20, 2025
If you have questions or would like an application packet, contact Lisa Godwin. Lisa’s email is: lisa.godwinnctoy@gmail.com.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests, please submit those through our website on the “Prayer Request” tab or clickhere.
If you wish to join those affiliates that pray regularly for others, please click at the bottom of the Prayer Request form.
MARCH APRIL MINISTERS – 2025
March(Worship at 10am)
2
Rev. Don Miller, Retired Senior Pastor
Westover Church – Greensboro, NC
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bell
9
Rev. David Hosick, Retired Pastor
PCUSA
Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ferguson
16
Rev. Dr. Mitch Smith, Pastor
Sharon Baptist Church – Chinquapin, NC
Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Dee MacMillan
23
Rev. Duane Marburger, Interim Pastor
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church – Dade City, FL
Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel is a nondenominational church that gathers for worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and Christian fellowship.
Our mission is to glorify God and to proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all.
