THE
EPISTLE & |
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
http://www.stpaulsk.org
|
APRIL 2006 Vol. 49,
No. 4
April worship brings
New Life!
April
2
April 9
Redemption
in Grace
Palm Sunday: Dying Moments
Communion
at all 3 services Lamb
Selection Sunday
(See details about “Movie and a
Meal”
on page 7.)
April
13
April 14
Maundy
Thursday Good Friday Community Service
7-7:30pm
Chapel: Foot Washing 12-3 at Christ Episcopal Church
7:30pm Redemption even in Betrayal
Easter Sunday April 16
7:30
Garden Communion Service
9:00
Family Friendly Worship Service (brass, choirs)
10:30
Communion Celebration with brass, choirs
April
23
April 30
Senior
Recognition Sunday
Scout Sunday
Special
“old-time gospel” music
Join us for lunch after worship
Come
at 10am for a hymn sing!
Scouts and leaders in uniforms
eat for free
**2pm
- Healing Service
revkarin@comcast.net ricklby@yahoo.com del@moyer.us
Minister
of Visitation Office
Manager Copy
editor
Rev.
John C. Walker Carol
Lewis Jan
Aamodt
friartuck4@verizon.net stpaulsunited@verizon.net jan.aamodt@verizon.net
PAGE 1
Karin’s Comments
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed an apple
tree…
I wait for God, my soul waits. Psalm 130:5
On our recent vacation, the
journey to our destination got long, so long that more than twice, I heard the
question, “Are we there yet?” There was
a sense of urgency, of anticipation, of excitement for what was to come.
But that comes of earnest
anticipation and eventually gave way to weariness as flight delays and a long
bus ride ensued. Yet, upon setting foot
in the Jamaican sand, all tiredness was gone and hope for joy and fun returned.
Resurrection is like
that. Resurrection is living into the
present with joy, awake, both eyes open, ready to see and experience renewal
and rebirth.
Wait
It often takes a vacation to
somewhere new to remind me of the importance of living in the consciousness of
the Resurrection—the here and now whenever we let it fill our souls.
As Easter comes upon us with its redemption gift, may
the sense of urgency to get there not overwhelm you that you must ask, ‘Are we
there yet?'
For our souls wait on you,
Lord. Our lives are in need of your
redemptive healing power that the joy and fun of Easter, and all of its sights
and sounds, may be manifest in our hearts.
In joyous anticipation,
Karin
John’s Jottings
There is a line in John Stainer's
beautiful oratorio "The Crucifixion" that never fails to touch me:
"Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?" It's the picture of Jesus hanging on the
cross-- and the poignant reminder that it ought to really mean something to
those of us who call ourselves Christian.
It's not that it isn't important
to us to see him there. It is. It's
just
that our busy lives are so cumbered with other things, other diversions, it
sometimes
seems
that what should be most important to us merits little more than a passing glance.
Jesus on the cross was the
powerful moment of redemption-- I believe the most important moment in the
history of humanity. But I'm afraid many
of us have come to the point that this great importance is lost in the
"rush of
other
matters.” Or maybe its greatest
significance is felt during Holy Week or
Good
Friday alone. "Is it nothing to
you, all you who pass by?"
Sometimes,
during Sunday morning worship, I gaze up at the hanging cross over the
altar. I think the original must have
been about that size, maybe a little larger.
And sometimes in my vision it seems as though I can almost
visualize
Jesus hanging on it. I marvel at how he
went to it willingly, for you and me-- to change forever our relationship to
our Maker. It gives me chills just to
think about it. A suggestion for these
waning days of Lent
Join me in renewing or rethinking
our priorities, and let us be ready to
take
our stand beneath the cross of Jesus.
Let's make our gaze mean something, all we who pass by...
Blessings,
John
PAGE 2
UNITED METHODIST MEN ARE
THINKING SPRING!
The robins are
back, the crocuses are popping up, and the daffodils are ready to burst into
bloom. As you wake up early some Saturday morning filled with energy,
ready to spring-clean that garage or attic, keep in mind the UMM Spring Yard
Sale. Although it’s scheduled for May 12-13, now is the time to start separating
the treasures from the trash.
Another spring
date to highlight on your calendar is April 29th for helping a
fellow member with home repairs. (More
to follow.)
I want to say “thanks” to a very special
group of workers – those young people who keep showing up for pancake
breakfasts. They help with the set-up, help with the dishes, support the
serving line, and maintain the tables. They are a tremendous help to
us. We really appreciate your work!
Don’t forget
this month’s General Meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, at 6:30 p.m. in Heavener
Hall. Dinner will be the usual subs and pizza.
Harold
Moyer, UMM President
Circles of
Friendship
Chances are if you ask a member of United Methodist
Women about her circle, she will invite you to join. We are eager to share our
“creative, supportive fellowship” with other women. A circle is a special
place. We meet once each month for a little business, a spiritual or
educational program, maybe some refreshments, and a whole lot of friendship.
Circle meetings are times of sharing deep bonds of sisterhood. Laughter and tears, questions and advice,
stories of children and grandchildren, and ideas, goals, and dreams: we share
them all and more. We have found life-long friends in UMW and we cherish our
time together.
If you are new to
opportunities to grow in your
spiritual life and to be in mission to women, children, and youth worldwide.
You might be invited to help
make gingerbread houses for a Christmas Luncheon or cook for a homeless
shelter. You might assemble layette kits for UMCOR and school kits for Title 1
children in our county. You can give your least coin to Church Women United and
give a few dollars to support mission institutions and personnel around the
world. There are many opportunities for service and for personal growth
and we would love to have you
as part of our organization.
The Purpose: The organized
unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of
women whose purpose is to
know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to
develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission
through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Becky Scheirer
UMW
President
PAGE 3
EDUCATIONAL AWARD DEADLINE
NEARS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
The
deadline for application for
DONATIONS will be accepted through May
1st!
The Council
on Youth Ministries offers special thanks to the United Methodist Men who
donated the proceeds from their February pancake breakfast!
Since
1989 a total of $22,600 has been
distributed to 48 college students who have attended 32 different college
campuses in thirteen states and the
Thirty-five
families have been assisted, and twelve groups of siblings received the award
in different years.
MIDDLE HIGH UMYF HELPS KENSINGTON WITH
ARBOR/EARTH DAY
Sunday,
April 9, will be our PALM SUNDAY
FAMILY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE. Children
and youth are asked to attend worship with their families. Following the “Moments with Young People,”
children in fifth grade and younger will be dismissed to an abbreviated Sunday
School. Please note that the youth
department, will not be meeting, and these pupils will remain in worship
with their families.
On Easter
Sunday morning, April 16th,
regular
YOUTH-LED
Easter
morning, April 16, will begin at
PAGE 4
What’s a
Charge Conference?
On Sunday, April 30, following the youth luncheon in Heavener Hall,
Other business
conducted includes receiving and approving the nominating report from the Lay
Leadership Committee. This report lists most positions in the church and the
individuals who have agreed to serve.
The Charge Conference also
approves the salary for the Senior Pastor.
This may all seem like a
dreary business meeting, but it allows our congregation to report on all those
ways that we support our commitment to glorify Jesus Christ. It also gives us
the opportunity to ask questions of our District Superintendent.
So, plan to support the youth
by attending the luncheon, and stick around for this very important event in
the life or our church.
Tom Bartley,
Chair, Church Council
The Board of Trustees has set Saturday, April 22 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. for the spring
workday. If you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in a workday, you¹ve
missed a great time. Enjoy fellowship
and friendship with other members while making needed repairs and improvements
in and outside our building. A sign-up sheet will be in the church office
beginning April 2.
Thanks to our building
superintendent, Marco Palma both the
conference room and Chapel vestibule have had a long needed face lift.
Next time you see Marco, please thank him for his continued efforts to beautify
our building.
Please continue to support our building through
your gifts to the Improvement Fund. Your gifts have gone a long way in
supporting many of the long overdue improvement projects around the church.
These funds will also be needed to help supplement the cost of repairing our parking lot over the summer.
THANK-YOU!!!
Congratulations to Trustee Harold Moyer and his wife
Tracey Furman
Trustee President
PAGE 5
The
Friendship Club will meet April 11 (second Tuesday) in Heavener Hall at 11:30 a.m. The club will provide ham, so please bring your favorite side-dish, salad or dessert.
Our entertainment will be
provided by the National Theater—Michael Consoli, a bass soloist, who has
performed at Wolftrap. He received a
standing ovation at his last performance for us. His voice was spectacular in each of his selections
of music using a wide variety of composers.
All seniors and retirees are welcome to join our ecumenical gathering
for fun, food and fellowship.
We appreciate our volunteer
kitchen helpers (food preparation and serving, as well as our dependable dish
washers). We also thank the
gracious young women who came
to serve in March. What a group!!
Ann Brall, 301-588-4608
President
FRIENDSHIP
Oh,
the comfort
The inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person
Having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words
But pouring them all right out
just as they are
Chaff and grain together
Certain that a faithful hand
will take and sift them
Keep what is worth keeping
And with a breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.
by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
History of
In 1947 Rev. Ed Porter encouraged community Lenten services started
earlier by the Kensington Presbyterians and Methodists.
In 1959, Rev. Ed Lewis started Lenten Sunday evening services with
outside speakers, primarily for
During Lent in 1962, Rev. Charlie Kirkley continued
Sunday evening potluck suppers, followed by teaching or occasionally having
outside speakers.
In 1986, Pastor Ed DeLong promoted 30 minute Wednesday noon community
Lenten services, led by community pastors, in turn. This was followed by a lunch in Heavener
Hall.
During the 1990’s, Pastor Chet Kirk re-established
the Kensington Ministerium and continued Lenten Wednesday services with
ministerium pastors leading the services followed by lunch.
This yearly highlight was
discontinued in 2003, because
Emily Robinson
Historian
PAGE 6
MARCH 26 and APRIL 2
Orders
for Easter lilies
Orders are being taken for Easter lilies to adorn our
Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 16.
Each plant costs $8.75 and may be given in memory or honor of someone
special. Please make checks payable to St. Paul’s UMC. The
DEADLINE for placing orders is Sunday, April 2
APRIL 1. MULCH MADNESS ENDS
Mulch will be delivered to
residents in the Kensington zip code and may be picked up at the church on
Saturday, April 1 for those living
outside that zip code.
APRIL 2
COAT DRIVE FOR THOSE IN NEED
The “Joseph and His Coat” youth elective class is
collecting used coats (in good condition) for those in need. Bring your
donations, thru April 2, and place
them in one of the marked boxes that are in several locations throughout
the building.
TAPE MINISTRY NEEDS HELP
We are looking for someone to
take over the Tape Ministry. Please pray and ask God if you are
the person for this most needed ministry. If so, please call Diane Moore,
Worship Ministries Chairperson (301-816-0328).
Friendship
"A Friend may well be
reckoned the masterpiece of Nature."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
"The only reward of
virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"True friendship is a
plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity
before it is entitled to the appellation."
- George Washington
"When we seek to
discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."
-William Arthur Ward
MOVIE
AND A MEAL
On
Sunday, April 9th, we are
asking people to host a small dinner party of 6-8 folks in their homes and
watch the movie “The
Please
call the office if you would be willing to host. Invite your friends! If you would like to go to a home to see the
movie, please call the office or use the sign-up sheet in the office.
All
guests are asked to bring a dish to share.
Hosts provide drinks, paper supplies, and the movie. Please pick up a movie package that includes
popcorn and discussion questions, on April 2nd or after.
PAGE 7
UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN SIDE OF JESUS
THROUGH NOVELS
We approach Palm Sunday and the darkness of the
following week with trepidation as we anxiously await the celebration of
Easter. Three new fiction books may
interest you as we try to understand the human side of the Son of Man and the
miracle of Easter.
Jesus: A Novel
by Walter Wangerin Jr. (call# F Wan) follows
Jesus as a child through adulthood.
Wangerin weaves together the scripture stories with dialogue as the
drama of His miracles, words and crucifixion unfold.
City on a Hill
by Kenny Kemp (call #F Kem) is the
second book in the Parables of the
Carpenter series. (The first book, The Welcoming Door, is also in the St. Paul’s library). This book examines Jesus’ early working life
as a carpenter through the use of two familiar parables.
Dinner with
a Perfect Stranger by David
Gregory (call #F Gre) starts with an
intriguing invitation
received by a successful businessman to
dine with Jesus. Convinced it is a
practical joke, he goes to the restaurant only to
discuss religion, family and
heaven with a man who is, remarkably, like the Jesus we all know from the
Bible. “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen…” Mark 16:6.
Debra McCurry
Librarian
Action in Montgomery
Alisa Glassman, lead organizer of Action In Montgomery
(AIM), made a presentation to our team at our February meeting. Among the
important points she made were: AIM brings together residents from across
In 7 years of
organizing, AIM has succeeded in pushing the county to provide more affordable
housing, adopt full-day kindergarten and institute taxicab reform. Among its
goals this year is to help those with limited access to health care and make
life easier for
AIM is a network
of 31 congregations that has become the most powerful grassroots organization
in the country. Its budget comes from congregations, which give 1 percent of
their operating budgets.
We welcome your
comments about AIM. Call Jon Melegrito at 301.933.5239 or e-mail jonmele@aol.com.
PAGE 8
By Jan Aamodt
What’s the connection between our Epistle and the
CIA? Now that I have your attention, let
me tell you about Epistle Editor Del
Moyer, a former CIA employee. With the spiritual gifts of helping, wisdom,
nurturing, mercy and servant hood,
Born in
The Moyer family joined
We Pinkards were invited to
the
After Pastor John made his announcements, a young man
about 15 stood up and announced – that the pastor was being held for ransom and
wouldn’t be back until $500 was paid.
They tied his hands behind his back and marched him out.
During the lunch that
followed they marched him back in, hands still tied, and turned him loose. They collected $746! Also, they bought $360 of our crafts - a very
good Mission Sunday for all. We also met
Libby and Clint Scaggs’ sons.
Quote: What you
give out, you will get back – good or bad.
Shopkeeper Helpers
Marguerite Anastasia Ken and Evelyn Pinkard
PAGE 9
Volunteers
for mailing the March Epistle:
Aileen and Nelson Hunt,
Evelyn Schaeffer, Ida DeVierno, Vernon Pierce, Frances Reed, Adda Clark, Bea
Bess, John Boggess, Mae Miles, Marilyn Jenkins, Gerry Hobbs, Tracey Furman,
Marco Palma
I was honored to be able to
share my book Children Kept from the Sun with the engaged and hospitable
people of
Thanks to this opportunity, I
was able to send $750 to Help the Afghan
Children to assist in building schools and establishing education programs;
as well as $225 to Women in
Development.
May we all continue to do our
part for peace and justice, with faith and love, Frances Connell
Chapel Prayer and Healing Services
Every
Second Wednesday at 7 p.m. and
Every fourth Sunday at 2 p.m.
Invite
your neighbors
WANT TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE?
Email
to BOTH the office and Del Moyer stpaulsunited@verizon.net & del@moyer.us or drop it off at the office. Please keep it under 250
words. MAY issue's
deadline – April 19; mailed. April 26.
PAGE 10
CONTINUING CARE / CONVALESCENT
(Colonial