Peoples Prodder. Lenten United Services at 10:00 a.m. March 5 th - Easter Sunday, April 16 th. March, The Lenten Calendar 2017 New Beginnings

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1 P e o p l e s C o n g r e g a ti o n a l U n i t e d C h u r c h o f C h r i s t 4704 Thirtee nth Stree t, NW Washington, D C Peoples Prodder WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sundays 9:30 a.m. Adult Church Study 11:00 a.m. Church School Deacons Prayer Service Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Prayer Service Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on Thursday 6:30-8:00 p.m. HOLY COMMUNION First Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Worship Second Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Worship Nursery available during 11:00 a.m. service Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Hopson Transitional Senior Minister Rev. Venita - Enola George Assistant Minister Clyde T. Parker, Minister of Music Follow us on MINISTER S MESSAGE March, 2017 The Lenten Calendar 2017 New Beginnings Lenten United Services at 10:00 a.m. March 5 th - Easter Sunday, April 16 th. Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 13 th, 7:00 p.m. will be held in the Lemuel Haynes Chapel sponsored by the Deacon Board. Good Friday Friday, April 14 th, 12:00 Noon will be held in the Sanctuary. The service of the Seven Last Words. Easter flowers, dinner and baked goods will be available by the Camellia Circle, following the service. Annual Easter Vigil Jazz Vespers Saturday, April 15 th, 5:00p.m. featuring Fred Irby and the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Sponsored by the Peoples Jazz Society. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Easter Sunday Services Sunday, April 16 th, Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. sponsored by the Women s Fellowship and United worship service: 10:00 a.m. Christ Is Risen!

2 MISSION AND VISION OF THE CHURCH MISSION OF THE CHURCH The Mission of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ is: To worship God and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to labor for peace and justice so that the world may become the kingdom of God on earth; To foster within its membership, by its teaching and its ministry, the spirit which was in Christ; To be to its membership and the community a source of spiritual refreshment, guidance, transformation, comfort and support; To impress upon its membership the need for mutual loyalty and charity; VISION OF THE CHURCH so we, who are many, are one body in Christ and individually we are members of one another. (Romans 12:5 NRSV) Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian community called by faith, led by hope, and united by love to build strong and committed disciples for Jesus Christ and to be a spiritual presence locally and globally in service to humanity. This vision is lived out through our focus on relationship with the Lord, which produces perspective; scholarship in study of the Scriptures, which produces focus; stewardship awareness in our giving and sharing which produces trust; and fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ, which produces unity. To teach its young people the noble traditions of its past; to point them to the possibilities of its future, and to give guidance in the building of Christian character; and To educate and develop its members for consecrated and sacrificial service. Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it, for there is a vision for the appointed time (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NRSV) 2

3 BOARD OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ACTION Read and Share, A Suggested Reading List: Of, By and About African Americans February is officially called Black History Month, but why not seize any opportunity to learn more about our history and culture on a year-round basis? With this in mind, the Board of Christian Social Action compiled the following reading list of books either authored by African Americans or dedicated to the lives of African Americans, past and present. We hope you enjoy the selections and invite you to suggest other books for future lists. A Street in Brownsville, by Gwendolyn Brooks Alexander Twilight: Vermont's African-American Pioneer, by Michael Hahn American Uprising: The Untold Story of America s Largest Slave Revolt, by Dan Rasmussen Barack Obama: The Story, by David Maraniss Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates Black Boy, by Richard Wright Dreams from My Father, by Barack Obama Extraordinary, Ordinary People, by Condolezza Rice From Slavery to Freedom, by John Hope Franklin I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou If We Must Die, by Claude McKay Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson Manchild in the Promised Land, by Claude Brown My Bondage and My Freedom, by Frederick Douglass Native Guard: Poems, by Natasha Trethewey Native Son, by Richard Wright Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin 72 Hour Hold, by Bebe Moore Campbell Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America, by Melissa Harris-Perry The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, Arnold Rampersad (Editor) The Color Purple, by Alice Walker The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, by Edward E. Baptist The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot The Mis-Education of the Negro, by Carter Godwin Woodson The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander The Souls of Black Folks, by W.E.B. Du Bois The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabelle Wilkerson Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston Thomas and Beulah, by Rita Dove Who s Afraid of Post-Blackness, by Toure 3

4 The Role of Diet in Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Understanding the connection between nutrition and heart disease is critical. Evidence shows that coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs when plaque (atherosclerosis) builds up in the arteries. When the plaque ruptures through the arterial lining and the fatty deposits reach out into the bloodstream, a heart attack or stroke may occur. Some researchers argue that this process is preventable and that through nutrition (plus in some cases, low doses of cholesterol lowering drugs) the risk of heart attack and heart failure can be eliminated. Consuming the Standard American Diet makes us likely candidates for heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, despite 40 years of aggressive drug and surgical interventions. Taking medicine, without a change in diet, may reduce your cholesterol numbers but may not prevent a future cardiac event. A plant-based diet is increasingly becoming recognized as a healthier alternative to a diet that includes meat. The food we eat, and the amount, can affect controllable risk factors: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. We should choose nutrient-rich foods which have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories over nutrient-poor foods. Cruciferous vegetables are the most nutrient-rich; kale, collards, broccoli, brussels sprouts, watercress, bok choy, cabbage, mustard greens, beets, greens, arugula, and more. A diet that meets the following criteria has been shown to be beneficial in reversing heart disease: Plant-based (pure vegetarian) Low-fat (only 10% of calories) Low-glycemic (from the Glycemic Index) High Fiber (Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Legumes) A plant-based diet needs to be supplemented with Vitamin B-12 and Omega 3 (flaxseed, walnuts, algae, nutritional yeast). While those who follow a low-fat plant-based diet may reap great rewards in reversing or abating their heart conditions, some people find it difficult to adhere to. Alternatively, many people choose to follow a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in plant foods and has yielded good results, though the plant-based diet has yielded the best results. This article is based on notable heart studies, including those by Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. C. Esselstyn, and the Lyon Diet Heart Study. Risk factors for coronary heart disease (also known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)) can be improved by a change in lifestyle, starting with a change in diet. If you have heart disease or diabetes, consult your physician before making any major changes in your diet, including transitioning to a plant-based diet. References include: Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by C. Esselstyn, Jr., The Journal of Family Practice: A Way to Reverse CAD? Harvard Health Newsletter; Halt Heart Disease with a Plant-based, Oil-free diet, American Heart Association, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Submitted by the Wellness Ministry bwellatpeoples@gmail.com 4

5 2017 MONTHLY MEMORY VERSES (FROM THE NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION) January: But Jesus looked at them and said, For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) February: For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) March: For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) April: But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) May: Jesus said to him, If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes. (Mark 9:23) August: He replied, What is impossible for mortals is possible for God. (Luke 18:27) September: So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) October: Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) November: For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11) June: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) July: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) December: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. (Matthew 1:23) MARCH 2017 LECTIONARY READINGS March 5 First Sunday in Lent "Abundant Grace Old Testament: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 Epistle: Romans 5: ***************************************** March 12 Second Sunday in Lent Bold Blessing Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4a Gospel: John 3:1-17 Epistle: Romans 4:1-5, March 19 Third Sunday in Lent Thirsty Voices Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 Gospel: John 4:5-42 Epistle: Romans 5:1-11 ******************************************* March 26 Fourth Sunday in Lent Restored Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Gospel: John 9:1-41 Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14 5

6 GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITE, FACEBOOK FAN PAGE, AND TWITTER NEWS: Our website address is or contact Carolyn Veiga at if you have any questions. Follow us on The website is constantly being updated, so click the refresh button when you visit. Our Twitter handle Follow us on Twitter! The Prodder, Website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter exist to further the social connection with the membership of Peoples United Church of Christ and with the community to promote outreach and notices of important Church events. The social networking tools are designed for easy mass communication and media sharing. Through the Website, members and users can access the Online Giving page to donate to the General Fund and purchase tickets for Church events and fundraisers. Members/users can view the Events Calendar to participate in the life of the Church. Members can advertise Church events through the Website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter. To advertise Church events and/or submit flyers for Church events, members can submit information to The website is the New Front Door of the Church, and allows members/users to interact, communicate and connect to foster connectivity and community. Prodder Guidelines: All announcements and flyers must be submitted by the third Tuesday of the month by 12:00 Noon. Announcements and flyers can be ed to Ms. Valerie McCray, Administrative Assistant, at or to the church account, or faxed to Do not mail information. Announcements should be no more than 90 words and should be informational about Peoples Church events or members and their families. Announcements may be edited. If you would like a flyer inserted in the Prodder, please contact Ms. McCray for more information. NO PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO, OR AUDIO RECORDING: This policy has been adopted to protect the musicians and speakers who are a part of the worship services and special events at the Church. The cooperation of the congregation is essential to the observance of this policy by visitors and guests. Photographs and CD recordings of worship services and other events are available as produced by the designated Church photographers and the Sound Engineer. Please contact the Church office to request specific photographs and/or recordings. Thank you. Facility Reservations: If you wish to reserve space for an event and/or activity, please contact Ms. Yvette Hunter, Operations Specialist, at the church office on (202) or yhunter@peopleschurchucc.org to complete a reservation contract. Facility reservations can also be made online through the church s website: Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis; however, religious events and funerals take precedence. Peoples Church is a multi-use venue so reservations are necessary to ensure competing needs are met efficiently and to specification. Member and non-member reservation fees apply. Floral Arrangements for the Altar: To order a designer floral arrangement to remember your loved one or recognize a special day, contact Vernandi Richardson, (240) or Diane Miller (301) for additional information. Facilities Committee: Two (2) First Aid Kits have been placed in the Main Office and the Fellowship Hall/Kitchen area. Incident Reporting Forms are also available in the Main Office for completion. All incidents must be reported on the forms, regardless of how small the incident is. The completed forms should be given to Yvette Hunter, Operations Manager, any member of the office/volunteer staff, or the Facilities Chair, Esther Williams Yarborough. MINISTER S ADDRESS: Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Hopson, Transitional Senior Minister: rhopson@peopleschurchucc.org Rev. Venita Enola George, Assistant Minister: veg@peopleschurchucc.org CHURCH MODERATOR S ADDRESS: Robert Veiga, Church Moderator, onyxbob@verizon.net ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (202) (202) Fax info@peopleschurchucc.org (National Setting) Ms. Yvette Hunter, Operations Specialist, yhunter@peopleschurchucc.org Ms. Valerie McCray, Administrative Assistant vmccray@peopleschurchucc.org Mr. George Porter, Maintenance Ms. Donika Palmer, Maintenance Mr. Lawrence McDaniel, Maintenance 6

7 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION *Inactive at this time Church School Pre-K Adult Bible Class Men s Bible Study Youth Ministry GROW Ministry* Deacon s Prayer Meeting Deacon s Prayer Service Bible Study Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday 2nd and 4th Sunday 4th Sunday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Elmes Center Nursery Corbin Lounge Small Lounge Youth Lounge Room 203 A & B Corbin Lounge Corbin Lounge Corbin Lounge Voices of Peoples Fellowship Choir Rhythmic Choir Chancel Choir Men s Chorus CHOIR REHEARSAL Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday 6:45 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. CHURCH BOARDS MONTHLY MEETING SCHEDULES Board of Christian Education Board of Trustees Christian Social Action Church Council Board of Deacons 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 3rd Wednesday Saturday Before the 1st Sunday 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. PEOPLES NEIGHBORHOOD FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Hours of Operation: Sunday: 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Tuesday: By Appointment Call Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 7

8 HIGHLIGHTS AT PEOPLES CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SERVICE BOY SCOUT SUNDAY SPRING FORWARD DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 12TH. SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD 1 HOUR. 8