S PA RTA. Be the Best Parent (or Mentor ) We Can Be. Easter Season Sermon Series. Inside This Issue:

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1 S PA RTA U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U RC H NEWSLETTER April 2016 Inside This Issue: Angels 11 Bible Study on Finances 7 Calendar 2 Children + Youth 6 Church + Society 8-9 Coffee Hour 6 Congregational Care 10 Grief Support 8 Handbell News 3 Labyrinth 5 Lunch Bunch 10 MAD 4 Memorials 11 Missions 10 Small Groups 7 Study 3 United Methodist World Mission Women 5 Gift Shop 8 Worship 6 Youth Group 3 Faithful Friends! Christ is Risen! Hooray! Thanks for patiently waiting through the season of wilderness, and the sermon series on a brief historical overview of Biblical interpretation. That was a series that you didn t necessarily ask for, but your pastor (who has the great privilege of the pulpit) felt strongly that a historical perspective is always useful. The Bible can be, not only our greatest resource, sacred, divine, and wonderful----but at the same time part of the struggle to move the church where God might be wanting the church to go. Here s the good news! At our very first Mini Retreat, I asked for suggestions for new sermon series. A few ideas were mentioned. One of them was how to be a good parent, and what the bible says about that. The truth is that families in the Bible are quite messy. And Jesus didn t have children. (And either do I.) Hence my delay. But, after much prayer and gratitude for your patience, I realized that we certainly can apply the more simple principles of the Bible with some advice from the experts. We can also pray together to make ourselves better for the sake of our kids. FINALLY AS REQUESTED! Easter Season Sermon Series Be the Best Parent (or Mentor ) We Can Be Based on the advice of folks like Rev. Andy Stanley, Brene Brown, Judith Warner, Crystal Luiton, and Scott Turansky In many ways, we are all God s children and in many ways, all God s parents in the life of the church we share in their care. I hope that you will be here and tell your friends where we are headed over the next 50 days. Peace and love, and Happy Easter Season, janice

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3 Have bells, Will travel! On February 28 six ringers visited the homes of three members of the congregation who are home bound. We entertained our audience with a short program of old favorites. We plan to visit others in the future. Here's one of our appreciative audience members... Hudson Valley Young Ringers Handbell Festival 49 young ringers from six churches gathered in our church's Fellowship Hall on Saturday, March 12. Besides rehearsing five pieces of preselected music the students decorated their gloves, played rhythm and coordination games and learned about music composition. The day culminated in a concert given that raised funds for Rainbows for All Children. Rainbows is an organization that helps children, ages 5 to 14, cope with loss from death, divorce, separation and abandonment. For more information about the handbell program, contact Yvonne Roux, or yrouxrings@gmail.com FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES 9:15 a.m. For STUDY AND Confirmation Class with Pastor Janice 9:30 room 15 Theology Video Series continues in Room 8 On Monday nights at 7 p.m. Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, a Journey through the 12 steps. On Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. Men s Study and Reflection at the Sparta Diner! On Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study Group Watch for details and texts in the weekly bulletin. MONTHLY UMW Book Worms Second Mondays at 9:30 a.m. The April book for the UMW BookWorms is The Weight of Mercy by Deb Richardson-Moore. The author of this book admits that there is a great deal they do not teach you in seminary, as she writes about being a novice pastor on city streets. On Amazon s website it says about the book: In this frank and engaging account of answering a call later Iin life, Richardson-Moore brings the reader into the world of her work at the Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The result is an honest look at the complications and difficulties surrounding her first years of ministry to homeless men and women suffering from mental illness, crack addictions, and alcoholism. At the same time, it is a humorous and deeply touching account of God s grace manifested in the most remarkable of ways, whether in the inadvertent befriending of a mugger or in the unexpected witnessing of an addict tenderly washing another's wounded foot. A copy of the book is in the UMW portion of the church library. 3

4 Great news from the MAD in mission group: Thanks to all who helped and supported, we have $585 to spend in new books!!!! WOW! Please remember to put the March MAD meeting on your calendar April 3rd, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Please let Jeni Moriarty or Sarah Digioia know if you can make it, so we can prepare enough materials for the night. WIDOW S WELL For those who have lost husbands. April 22 at 11:30 a.m. Bring your lunch! FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS for parents who have lost children... Every Friday at 7p.m. UMW Holy Hookers (knitting and crocheting group for all!) Meets 1-3 pm Wednesdays in the Wesley Room. If you don t know how to do this, come and we will teach you. It s relaxing and fun! 4

5 Rev. Kem Monk Will Lead Labyrinth Workshop Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 10am to 2pm Save the date Plan to come Watch worship bulletins for more information Both women and men are welcome Learn more about this spiritual tool that is now in our own backyard Labyrinth Books in Narthex Bookcase One is titled Walking a Sacred Path Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice by Lauren Artress. She is the founder of Veriditas, The World-Wide Labyrinth Project. The other book is Labyrinths from the Outside In Walking to Spiritual Insight A Beginner s Guide by Donna Schaper and Carole Ann Camp. The narthex bookcase also has other books concerning Lent, so be sure to browse there a little while. Children and Youth Reading Program Started by Sparta s United Methodist Women The Children and Youth Reading program has officially launched! It will use components of the National United Methodist Women s Reading Program Catalog along with some additions by the committee set up to oversee this program. In the Wesley Room, there is a special shelf just for children and youth, boys and girls. If you d like to suggest a book or donate a book, please see Ann Freeman Price or Pat Schutz. UMW will be in the Wesley Room after church on Sunday. Come see what we have and to hear more about the Reading Program. Book Worms Books for 2016 Here s the list for the year of There is one copy of each book in the United Methodist Women s portion of the church library. Sign the book out so we know where it is and so more than one person can read it. Be sure to join us whether you ve read the book or not. April 11: The Weight of Mercy by Deb Richardson-Moore May 9: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd June 13: The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu July 11: The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline August 8: Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg September 12: On God s Side by Jim Wallis October 10: House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle November 14: Cured but Not Healed by Kymberley Clemons-Jones 5

6 YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS SPRING DATES 2016 Mark your calendars and don t miss out! April (tbd) Bag Day -Township Garbage Cleanup FUNDRAISER May 7 Picnic and Labyrinth Introduction/Walk - w/pastor Janice May 27 FAMILY PROMISE dinner and visiting 7-9 p.m. June 18 Lakefront picnic and Watersports at Bud Larsen's June (tbd) Sussex County Miner's Baseball Game - Family Night VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July SIGN UP NOW TO HELP! Rotations for Sunday mornings WORSHIP LEADERS SCRIPTURE READERS 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. April 3 Lynn Godbersen Kasia Juan April 10 BunnyJune Meloni Sarah Kuhns April 17 Aaron Sawicki Karen Sutphen CHILDREN S MESSAGE ROTATION April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 Pat Schutz Sarah Kuhns Debbie Dickerson Pastor Janice COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE Vrabel Mike & Tammy Apr. 3 & 10 Clark Steven Fields Dwan & Erni Krueger Bruce & Lee Raffo Jay & Daniella Smith Jane Darnsteadt Tom & Pat Apr. 17 & 24 Cummings Melva Rowan Roger & Kristi Smith Wilma Smith Nancy Tomasello Kyle & Amanda Wolters Carol 6

7 FRIDAYS in APRIL at 6:30 p.m. See Cullen Kempson 7

8 The Church and Society Committee of the Sparta United Methodist Church is connected to both the Conference and the General Boards of Church and Society. The job of the Church and Society Committee at all these levels In the United Methodist Church is to work on issues of social justice. Gun Violence and the Church In the book of Matthew, as Jesus is being arrested on Good Friday, his disciple Peter seizes a sword and cuts off the ear of one of the Roman Centurions. Jesus replies to this act of violence by commanding Peter to Put down the sword, for all who draw the sword shall die by the sword The sword, man s instrument of self defense and military might in Jesus time, has been long ago replaced by the gun as modern society s tool of self defense, military might and in the wrong hands, mayhem and murder. For those of us in the Christian community who try our best to learn from Jesus timeless message of love and compassion, the issue of gun violence presents us with a very real and trenchant choice between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Empire. The gun is embedded in our history as a storied tool of noble patriots who rose up to throw off the yoke of Imperial oppression. But today the gun has morphed into the very symbol of the rampant violence that permeates our society. We at Church & Society believe strongly in John Wesley s timeless admonition to Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. Guided by this principle, we believe we have a moral obligation to speak out against the scourge of gun violence just as Wesley spoke out against Slavery and the other great moral issues of his day. To this end, we will soon be writing and presenting to the congregation a letter to our congressional representatives advocating for sensible gun violence legislation. Please prayerfully consider signing this letter, which will advocate for three main courses of action: 1.) Expansion of the Brady Bill to include background checks for all gun sales, including those through the internet and by currently unlicensed gun dealers 2.) Ensure that people on the U.S. Government s Terrorist Watch List cannot purchase firearms 3.) Provide for President Obama s request of 500 million dollars of additional funding for Mental Health coverage and screening in order to better prevent the dangerously mentally ill from obtaining a gun. It is our hope and prayer that one day our leaders at all levels of government will hear the voices of the faithful and act to stem the tide of bloodshed. John Wesley once compared the power of a living faith to an unquenchable fire. That s why the symbol of the United Methodist Church is the cross on fire. Perhaps John Wesley s fire of Passion can help to cauterize and heal America s gaping gunshot wound. The echo of Jesus call to Peter still resonates. We need to learn to put down the gun or surely we will die by the gun.-----mike Vrabel A unique around-the-world shopping experience WORLD MISSION GIFT SHOP Downstairs at Sparta UMC Gifts for all occasions Scarves, handbags, baskets, jewelry, pottery, Coffee, tea, chocolate, puzzles, games Home décor- New spring items Hours -Wednesday & Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon/12:00 noon to 2:00 PM Thursday & Friday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Sunday 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Volunteer opportunities available. Please contact Pat Johnson, OUR MISSION To eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide; to support anti-trafficking efforts to end human trade. 8

9 The Church and Society Committee of the Sparta United Methodist Church is connected to both the Conference and the General Boards of Church and Society. The job of the Church and Society Committee at all these levels In the United Methodist Church is to work on issues of social justice. 9

10 congregational care - events and socials NEW MEMBER DINNER Sunday May 1 at 5 p.m. Have you been worshipping at Sparta UMC? Interested in becoming a members? Would you like to make your involvement official? There will be a dinner on May 1st for those interested in learning about membership in the Sparta United Methodist Church. Please contact Pat Schutz (pat.schutz@yahoo.com or ) or Muriel MARK YOUR CALENDAR for LINE DANCING Friday Night - April 1 Dinner at 6:30, Dancing at 7 p.m. Mark your calendar and Invite a neighbor and friend. The Sunday Lunch Bunch a group for further socialization April 24 at 12:15 pm If you are interested in a church family meal, please call Wilma Smith, or Ginger Stecklein, Crafters for the Family Fun Fest Fridays from 1-3pm in the downstairs craft room (end of hallway). We need skilled and non-skilled crafters and we always need more buttons. Please come and bring your old buttons with you! 10

11 Dear Secret Angel, You have been such a blessing to my daughter over the past four weeks. The little notes and gifts you leave her on the pew Sunday mornings and in the mail have made her feel special, loved and so excited to come to church every week. Her face lights up and she squeals with innocent delight every time she sees the envelope with her name written on it. We have no idea what your name is, however, we do know who you are - a voice of love, kindness and inspiration. Thank you for caring so much about my daughter and giving her the warmth and sweet understanding that she is a special child of God. Please let us know who you are so we can thank and hug you back! Thank you very much. Missions and Memorial Gifts Gifts to the Memorial Fund have been used to enhance our worship and enable our ministry in many ways. In recent years, memorial monies have been used to purchase a new piano for the sanctuary, additional bells for the bell choir, to air condition the sanctuary, build the picnic pavilion behind the church, upgrade the fire safety system, provide a security system for the office, and more. A simple written statement left with your important papers can instruct your survivors to direct memorials gifts be given to your church. The statement should read as follows: To my Loved Ones: Upon my passing, I request that any donations from family or friends in my memory be given to the Sparta United Methodist Church. I would prefer such donations in lieu of flowers. This request may be included in my obituary and death notices. The statement should be signed and dated. 11

12 SPARTA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 71 Sparta Avenue Sparta, NJ spartaumc.org Worship Every Week. Communion Service at 8:30 a.m. Choir and children s message at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 a.m. Toddler Care open all morning! Contemplative/Meditation Service FIRST WEDNESDAY of Every Month Come browse gifts from our Fair Trade Shop World Mission Gift Shop Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Thursday 1: Friday 1:00-4:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 CHURCH MOUSE THRIFT SHOP Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Thursday 1:00-4:00 Friday 1:00-4:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 (973) THE DEADLINE FOR THE MAY NEWSETTER WILL BE April 15 PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT ANY ARTICLES BY DEADLINE 12