Montgomery United Methodist Church The Weekly Reminder 27 March 2011

Transcription

1 Montgomery United Methodist Church The Weekly Reminder 27 March 2011 The scripture readings today are Exodus 17:1 7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1 11; John 4:5 42. The flowers on the altar this morning are in celebration of our honored guest, The Reverend Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar. Welcome Bishop Devadhar We extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guest, The Rev. Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, to our church this morning. Bishop Devadhar is the Episcopal leader of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, presiding over all the Churches, Pastors, and other clergy of our state. We are blessed to have him with us this morning. Welcome, Bishop Devadhar! Welcome New Members! This morning is a double celebration. We rejoice to welcome New Members to our Church family. At the conclusion of today s service, we will have the chance to reaffirm our own devotion to the Lord along with those who are becoming official members of this Church family. God bless you, and welcome! Please take a moment to greet our New Members after the service this morning. They will be standing at the altar area. New Members March 2011 Myra Bauza Cruz, Miguel Cruz, Sebastian Cruz (Son) Lynne Faille, Mark Faille, Stacey Faille (Daughter) Karen Davis Fleischer, Keith Fleischer, Kurt Fleischer (Son), Kyra Fleischer (Daughter) Glenn Long Linda Hunter, George Hunter Denise Marsch Ruppert Kathy Reilly, Vincent Reilly

2 Celebration Luncheon After the 10:30 Service Today Everyone is invited to join us for a special covered dish style buffet luncheon after the 10:30 service this morning in Friendship Hall. Whether you are a first time guest or a long time member or anywhere in between, you are welcome and invited! Parents, Please Claim Your Children! Because of the very busy schedule at church this morning, and the hot foods and chafing dishes in the food serving area, we ask all parents with children in the Nursery area or Sunday School to personally pick up your children, and please keep them with you at all times during the luncheon. The Sunday School teachers will keep the children in their classrooms until their parents come to pick them up. Thank you! Spoken Announcements This Morning Because of the unique nature of the service this morning, Pastor Tony will be making all spoken announcements today. If you have an announcement that must be made today, please write it out and hand it to the Pastor before the service. Thank you. An Afternoon of Music and Drama Today, March 27 th! As a special ending to a pleasant day, everyone is invited to the sanctuary for a 4 PM performance of scenes from Shakespeare, as well as musical performances, by the students of Margie Mutchler s Kreative Kids Art and Music Academy. Prayers and Tangible Aid for the Victims in Japan Please see the letter from Bishop Devadhar that is printed at the end of this week s announcements. During Sunday services, Pastor Tony will be addressing how we can help. First Friday Bible Study The regular First Friday Bible Study will meet on Friday, April 1, at Noon. All invited. Bring a sack lunch. Study passage will be Galatians 1:11 2:21. Topic: Dealing with conflict and differences of opinion in the church from a New Testament perspective. Questions? See Rev. Dave Housten. Vacation Bible School This yearʹs Vacation Bible School, Son Harvest County Fair, will be July 18th 22nd from 9 AM 12 Noon. Registration forms for campers and volunteers are now available on our VBS website

3 Volunteers Weʹll be having our first organizational meeting on Wednesday, April 6 th, at 7:30 PM. If youʹd like to help out with Vacation Bible School but are unable to attend, please Sue Mayer at suemayer@alumni.rutgers.edu or call her at Palm Sunday, ʺSermon In Songʺ Please plan to join us for our annual ʺSermon In Songʺ on Palm Sunday, April 17th. The Chancel Choir will present the story of Holy Week in music. Holy Thursday Good Friday Prayer Vigil (21 April 22 April) The week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday is known in the Christian calendar as ʺHoly Weekʺ the most sacred time in the Christian year. Weʹd like to add to the spiritual depth of our celebration of that time by adding a silent ʺPrayer Vigilʺ between Holy Thursday and Good Friday. You may sign up for a half hour or an hour slot (or more or less, as your schedule permits). We will need Prayer Volunteers (who sign up to come in and pray), and Security Greeters (those who watch over the church door while the Prayer Volunteers are in the sanctuary). Our Sanctuary will be candlelit, quiet, prayerful music will play, and an atmosphere of reverent devotion will enhance your prayer time. The Prayer Vigil schedule is as follows: Holy Thursday, starting after the 7:30 PM service; half hour slots until midnight. (Any number of people can sign up; we hope to have a continuous chain of prayer volunteers). Good Friday, starting at 6 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The Good Friday service begins at 12:15 PM. Bell Choir The Bell Choir is looking for new members to ring the bells for the Easter Celebration. We practice on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 PM. We would encourage anyone to come and join us. It is enjoyable and no music knowledge is necessary. If there are some young people in the church, we invite them to come also. Please call Carol at

4 United Methodist Women s Rummage Sale to be Held May 6 and 7 It s that time of year! What a wonderful opportunity to clean out the clutter! There will be more information as the time draws closer. Please see Joan Musante or Arlene Bougher with questions. A Message from Rev. Marion Holy Communion with Understanding Do you have a child in the second grade? Would you like them to learn more about the Sacrament of the Lordʹs Supper and its meaning for their life as a young Christian? If so, they are invited to attend our class for ʺFirst Holy Communion with Understandingʺ led by Rev. Marion during the Sunday School hour on April 3rd, April 10th and May 1st. Classes will consist of Bible readings, instructions and games which will stress the importance of this wonderful Sacrament which Jesus gave us to celebrate. There will also be a meeting with Pastor Tony at a date to be determined. This will culminate in our celebration of ʺFirst Holy Communion With Understandingʺ on Motherʹs Day, May 8 th. If you have an interest please sign the following form and return in the collection plate Thank you for your interest and God bless you! Name of Child Name of Parent(s) or Caregiver Your Phone Your E mail Happy Birthday! Joyful birthday wishes to the following people celebrating birthdays in March. If you would like to be on our birthday list, please send an to mumcinfo at aol.com.

5 March 2 Elaine Mallett 5 Dawn Bjornsen 6 Ann Thompson 8 Sandy Pesce 11 Larry Pesce 12 Emily Moses 13 Susan Cunningham 16 Barbara St. Rose 20 Kay Behn 23 Paul Baldauf 26 Alicia Cooper 27 Pat Ellis 29 Mo Borghard 30 Gail DeHeus 31 Tom Armento 31 Carol Milhiser Peace and grace to you and your loved ones always. Calendar of Meetings and Events in the Sanctuary or Sunday School Classrooms *Women s Bible Study takes place first and third Wed. of the month at the home of Alba Lucia.* Sunday, March 27 Bishop s Visit and New Members Sunday Special Luncheon Celebration Margie Mutchler s Kreative Kids performance at 4 PM Tuesday, March 29 Den #7 Friday, April 1 First Friday Bible Study with Rev. Dave Friday, April 1 Pack 185 First Friday Scout Leaders Meeting Saturday, April 2 Evensong Tuesday, April 5 Troop 625 Wednesday, April 6 Vacation Bible School Volunteers Meeting at 7:30 PM Tuesday, April 12 Troop 625

6 Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday Sermon in Song by the Chancel Choir Baptism Tuesday, April 19 Den #7 Thursday, April 21 Holy Thursday Service 7:30 PM followed by Prayer Vigil thru Midnight Friday, April 22 Silent Prayer Vigil from 6 AM until Noon Good Friday Service at 12:15 PM Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday! Tuesday, April 26 Den #7 Sunday, May 1 Rummage Sale Set up Noon until Thursday, May 5 Tuesday, May 3 Troop 625 Friday, May 6 First Friday Bible Study with Rev. Dave Friday, May 6 Rummage Sale Saturday, May 7 Rummage Sale Saturday, May 7 Evensong Sunday, May 8 Mother s Day and First Holy Communion with Understanding Tuesday, May 10 Den #7 Friday, May 13 Pack 185 First Friday Leaders Meeting Tuesday, May 17 Troop 625 Tuesday, May 24 Den #7 Friday, June 3 First Friday Bible Study with Rev. Dave Friday, June 3 Pack 185 First Friday Scout Leaders Meeting Saturday, June 4 Evensong Tuesday, June 7 Den #7 Tuesday, June 7 Elections held in Sunday school classrooms Wednesday, June 8 Blood Drive Tuesday, June 14 Den #7 Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22 Vacation Bible School

7 March 15, 2011 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am forwarding a letter sent by the President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. Let us continue to pray for the victims of the earthquake, tsunami, and the consequences of damage to the nuclear plants in that same area. Also, while there was not extensive flood damage in the State of New Jersey please remember the communities where flooding did occur. In Christ's love, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar Dear sisters and brothers, As you know, a series of tragic events has unfolded over the past few days in Japan. The massive 9.0- magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11 and the accompanying tsunami resulted in the death of at least 2,800 people and possibly more than 10,000. Damage to the country's nuclear power plants jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of thousands more. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the disaster the worst crisis Japan has faced in 65 years. In times of immense loss and grief, we are reminded once again that God's grace is sufficient. While it does not offer us immunity from tragedy, it sustains us with healing and hope. At such times, the church is called to be a healing presence among those facing heartbreaking circumstances. I am confident that the people of The United Methodist Church will respond to the call with prayers and generous support for the victims of this catastrophe. I ask that you join with me in prayer for the deceased and their families; the injured; the search and rescue workers; the survivors who are without water, food or heat; those who have been evacuated from their homes as the nuclear threat worsens; and all who have been affected. When disaster strikes, we are especially grateful for the valuable ministry that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides with the help and support of United Methodists and others. I hope that all United Methodist churches will consider taking a special offering designated for Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance # , to provide financial resources to respond to the needs resulting from the disaster. Working with its partners, the United Church of Christ in Japan, the Korean Christian Church, Church World Service, Global Medic, the National Christian Council, and the Asian Rural Institute, UMCOR is currently focused on working to assess the damage to determine how best to provide assistance and will then respond accordingly. May we join together in opening our hearts to those suffering in the midst of devastation. Yours in Christ, Larry M. Goodpaster, President