Confirmation 2017 INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY. Inside This Issue... January/February 2017 Loch Raven United Methodist Church

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1 January/February 2017 Loch Raven Church Confirmation 2017 Confirmation classes begin Sunday, February 26th at 9:00 AM. We will be meeting in the Youth Room (#214) for twelve weeks. The class is for students in the sixth through twelfth grade. Some of the topics we will cover are faith, the church, history, and the Church. The classes will conclude with the students being received into the full membership at Loch Raven United Methodist Church on Pentecost Sunday June 4th. We will not meet on Easter Sunday or Mother s Day. Please contact the church office if you are interested. Pastor Cliff INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY In the event of inclement weather, you may telephone the church office on Sunday morning to determine if church services remain scheduled for the day. The telephone number is (410) Inside This Issue... This is a day of new beginnings. The beginning of the year is a great time to take stock of whether we are focusing on the important things of life. Too many people measure happiness by how much money they have. That is not where happiness or security come from. Security comes from knowing that Jesus Christ is in charge of your life. Let s reach back into the book of Genesis and see what the Lord knows about new beginnings. Adam knows about new beginnings. Eve knows about new beginnings too. The word genesis actually means new birth. That s new birth as in a brand new world. That s new birth as in the creation of woman and man. That s new birth as in the creation of all the animals. If we want to know about new beginnings, it s only logical to look to the One who started it all the Creator. Matthew uses that same word genesis in regard to the birth of Jesus Christ. He says, Now the birth (genesis) of Jesus Christ took place in this way Mary will bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins Matthew 1:18ff. That is a genesis, a new birth. That is how we get a new birth, a new beginning, even a happy new year. When we allow the Holy Spirit of Christ to be born in us, God wipes out all of our past sins. He sees us as pure and righteous just as he himself is pure and righteous and we can be at one with him whole again. Then we have a new lease on life. He also gives us the ability to resist the temptation of future sin. The Apostle Paul says, So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has (Continued on page 3) Music Notes From Your Organist in Italy Page 2 UMW Year-End Giving Page 3 Missions In Action Manna House Page 6 Music Ministry Spotlight Page 7

2 January/February 2017 The Spire The Spire is published monthly (except July and August) by Loch Raven Church, 6622 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD All signed articles, letters, announcements, and other information of interest are welcomed and considered for publication. The deadline for the March issue is Sunday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. Electronic Submission: You may send articles by to: or place articles in the Church Office s newsletter box. Editor - Nancy Williams Pastor - Cliff Webner Pastor of Congregational Care - Wayne Harting Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: Fax: Info@LRUMC.org Change of Name/Address - Call, mail or church office Website: Visit us on Facebook Music Notes From Your Organist in Italy Forte... allegro... piano cantata... andante sonata Did you know that Italian is the language of music? Most musical terms pertaining to dynamics volume, tempo, and more are in Italian. This is because over a thousand years ago Italian composers pioneered musical notation as we know it. In the 10th century, music theorist Guido d'arezzo invented staff notation, which is how we read music today. Since then, Italy has given us many wonderful composers, such as Monteverdi, Palestrina, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini. Even our favorite German-speaking composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven used Italian words in their music. I hope to learn more about the history of music in Italy while I am there. I can tell you more about it when I return in March. Until then - ciao! Patti Gould If you have called the church office these past two months, you hear a new voice answering the phone. It s the cheerful voice of Anne McCorkle Garrett. With Myra Wagner on leave of absence, Anne is filling the very important staff position of Administrative Secretary. The hectic pace of a church office is familiar to Anne as during her career journey she has served as pastor of churches for eight years in Harford and Anne Arundel County within the Baltimore Washington Conference. She has also served as Director of Children s and Family Ministries at St. John s Lutheran Church of Sweet Air, (Phoenix, MD) and Director of Christian Education at St. James Episcopal Church in Monkton. Anne is the wife of Joe Garrett and mother of two adult children, Becky and Dan. So next time you call the church office, please give her a warm welcome to Loch Raven Church! 2

3 The Spire January/February 2017 Pastor s Message for the New Year (Continued from page 1) become new! As we head further into this new year let s ask ourselves Do we really want a new world? Would we really like to be a new person? Would we appreciate having a new lease on life? If our answer is yes to any of those questions, then it makes sense to turn to God, the author of new beginnings and let him do his work in us. That is how we will truly have a happy new year. Grace and peace, Your pastor, Cliff Women End of Year Giving 2016 Thanks to all who supported the Women during 2016 with your pledges and support of our flea market, chocolate Easter eggs and gift cards fundraising projects. As a result, UMW was able to donate a total of $5,000 to the following organizations: Board of Child Care $500 Auxiliary Essex UMC $500 Table of Grace Quality of Life Retreats $300 Manna House $600 Assistance Center of $600 Towson Churches Ellen Hoover $500 Advance Special #10337A Red Bird Mission $500 The Wesley $200 Endowment Fund Asbury Methodist $200 Village Guild N. M. Carroll Home $200 Life Water Canada (Wells) $400 U.M.C.O.R. $500 TOTAL $5,000 Operation Christmas Child Update If you packed a shoe box or donated money to cover the mailing/handling of the boxes, a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this ministry of Samaritan s Purse. Our congregation packed 55 boxes this year. This means 55 more smiling children across the globe. These children will also be introduced to the Good News of Jesus. Thanks again for supporting this important and meaningful project. Yvonne Horn Missions Committee February 14 February 20 3

4 January/February 2017 Human Relations Day January 15 Together, we extend a helping hand to those in crisis so they can overcome formidable obstacles. Turn on the news or drive around the outskirts of your town and you will find what Jesus called the least of these. Those living in the margins of society, struggling to survive. People like: An immigrant teenager in Texas poorest county, being recruited by a local gang A father struggling for sobriety in Little Rock, Arkansas An Oklahoma woman recently released from incarceration looking for work Over and over Jesus served people like this, embracing them. And that s what we want to model as the people of the United Methodist Church. To continue the ministry of Jesus we established Human Relations Day as a Special Sunday that calls all of our churches to participate in helping all God s children to realize their potential. For more information, see: human-relations-day. Other Special Giving Sundays in 2017: UMCOR / One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday - March 26 Native American Ministries Sunday - April 30 Peace with Justice Sunday June 11 World Communion Sunday - October 1 Student Day Sunday - November 26 UMC Lectionary Calendar January, 2017 The Spire January 1 Epiphany Sunday Church Color: White Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, (UMH 795) Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 January 8 Baptism of the Lord Church Color: White Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 (UMH 761) Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 January 15 Second Sunday, Human Relations Day Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 (UMH 774) 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 22 Third Sunday Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (UMH 758) 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 January 29 Fourth Sunday Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 (UMH 747) 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12 4

5 The Spire January/February 2017 In Touch Ministry Special Prayer Requests Please refer to insert in Sunday bulletins for up-to-date information. Stay in Touch with some of our members who are not able to regularly attend church. Contact the church office for up-to-date information. January Birthdays 1 Laurie Collidge 2 Gregory Sinkler 14 Scott Eshleman 16 Owen Williams 21 Hortense Fauntleroy Stephen Ferguson 22 Jim Wagner 25 James Ferguson 26 Margaret Tracey Joseph Caleb 27 Nancy Gillotti 29 Ev Dorfler Michael Koogler Women January Schedule Phyllis Downes Circle Tuesday, January 3 10 am Parlor Women in Christ Circle Monday, January 9 7:30 p.m. Room 202 Study: Woman of God Lesson 3: Wise The Eyes of Faith Study Leader: Judy Devotions: Judy Hostess: Sandi NO GENERAL MEETING Women Gift Card Update We want to thank the shoppers and diners who bought Gift Cards through the UMW fundraiser. A total of 528 gift cards were sold, totaling a face value of $10, Our profit was $ or (7.1%). The next UMW fundraiser will be the sale of our ever popular Easter Eggs. Order forms will be in the Spire and in the bulletin. Thanks in advance for your support. UMW Executive Committee February Birthdays 1 Joyce Dixon 4 Chad Schoelkopf 5 Theresa Alaeze 7 Bolanle Akerele 10 Sandra Edmonds Cherie Buszczak 14 Melissa Quinn 17 Betty Ford RJ Stockton-Porter 19 Patricia Barbee 23 Courtney Naff 24 Titilayo Akerele 25 Laverne Nimmo 26 Adiaha Essien Women February Schedule Women in Christ Circle Monday, February 6 7:30 PM Room 202 Study: Woman of God Lesson 4: Strong Deborah in Battle Study Leader: Cheryl Devotions: Cheryl Hostess: Cheryl Phyllis Downes Circle Tuesday, February 7 10 AM Parlor NO GENERAL MEETING 5

6 January/February 2017 Missions In Action: Manna House To offer assistance and support to the homeless, poor, and needy of Baltimore with services contributing to their independence and stability. Your mission dollars support a number of worthwhile projects locally, nationally, and internationally. Our focus this month is on a local mission: Manna House. Manna House, located at 435 East 25th Street, has been serving the poor and homeless of Baltimore for 50 years. They embrace a holistic approach in providing services physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They serve men and women of our community who are faced with poverty, homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction, followed by HIV/AIDS, spousal abuse, and other chronic diseases. They provide a welcoming setting where the poor and homeless can enjoy a nutritious breakfast 7 days a week. Their 365- days-a-year hot breakfast program serves more than 60,000 meals a year, primarily to the homeless in Midtown Baltimore City. After breakfast, the homeless can stay indoors in the Day Center and may meet with a case manager whose services can help them with their difficult circumstances. Shelter, hunger, poor physical and mental health, job loss and fears of being vulnerable to violence and arrest are immediate worries. Unaffordable housing, domestic violence, mental illness, aging out of foster care, addiction and foreclosure are the heartrending events that bring clients to Manna House. If you would like to volunteer to help prepare or serve breakfast, contact Linda Cole, Our next Breakfast Club date is Saturday, February 18. For more information, see: Upcoming and Ongoing Mission Opportunities: To help better serve food-starved individuals in our community, we will be collecting specific, non-perishable food items monthly for ACTC. Watch the Sunday Worship Bulletin for the most critical need. Manna House Breakfast Club Feb. 18, May 6, July 15 and Oct. 14 (If you would like to volunteer to help prepare or serve breakfast, contact Linda Cole: Collection of hotel-size toiletries for Essex UMC. There is a box for the items on the hospitality desk. This is an on-going collection Sandwich making for Essex UMC 3 rd or 4 th Tuesday of every month. The Spire It s Cookie Time at the Board of Child Care February provides an opportunity to support the Board of Child Care. We have been asked to donate cookies for the girls and boys who live on the Board of Child Care campus. A box will be placed in Fellowship Hall if you would like to help. Storebought cookies are preferred. Some of the children have food allergies and the staff can check the ingredients in storebought cookies. Please bring them from February 5 until February 26. Cash to purchase cookies is also being accepted. Thank you. Leslie Christopher Keyperson 6

7 The Spire January/February 2017 Music Ministry Spotlight By: Sam Chin, Music Director This month's spotlight member is Judy Zahren. Judy was one of the first to welcome me to Loch Raven UMC. Having served as Music Director and as a music teacher in public schools for many years, her vast experience and knowledge has been a huge source of support and inspiration. Believe it or not, Judy has been working with our organist, Patti Gould, and will serve as the Organist in Patti's absence starting this January. Perhaps I can get her to play the trumpet in time for Easter Sunday as well! We thank Judy for being an anchor of our Music Ministry. When did you start attending Loch Raven UMC and when did you get involved with the Music Ministry? I came to Loch Raven as music director September, At that time I was directing the Chancel Choir, Memorial Handbell Choir, and the Youth Choir, and assisting Patti Ferguson with the Children's Choirs. What is your most memorable experience in LRUMC's Music Ministry? There are many experiences through the years, with the Rutter and Faure requiems, as well as the two International Church Choir Festivals in 2003 (England) and 2007 (Switzerland). I had the privilege of working with several organists, and, of course, the wonderful members of Loch Raven, for 14 years. Cluster Choir Concerts with surrounding churches are also special memories. What are your favorite hymns? There are too many to list them all: Some of my favorites include: Great is Thy Faithfulness Hymn of Promise Amazing Grace Let All the World in Every Corner Sing Spirit Song Three adjectives to describe LRUMC? UMC Lectionary Calendar February, 2017 February 5 Fifth Sunday Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112:1-10 (UMH 833) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:13-20 February 12 Sixth Sunday Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 (UMH ) 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 February 19 Seventh Sunday Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33:40 (UMH 841, 842) 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 5:38-48 February 26 Transfiguration of the Lord Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 99 (UMH 819) 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 Multicultural, caring, family How do you envision the Music Ministry and LRUMC growing in the future? My hope is that LRUMC will offer programs and worship experiences that will attract people of all ages and backgrounds to join the Loch Raven family. I believe we must evaluate current practice and seriously consider making changes that will assist in reaching that goal. 7