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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 2017 Inside This Issue: Book Worms Book List 9 Calendar 2 Church + Society 10 Church Mouse 6 Confirmation Class Easter Brunch 5 Holy Week Schedule Lunch Bunch 8 MAD 8 New Members 8 Study Groups 9 Sunday School 7 United Methodist Women 5 Upcoming Events Vacation Bible School 7 Widows Well 8 Work Day 5 World Mission Gift Shop 6 Worship Leader Schedules 11 Worship Services 4 Youth 3 Youth Choir 7 Holy Week Friends, Someone once told me that they would not be in church for Good Friday because it was just too sad. It is sad, isn t it? And difficult too. It is difficult when we realize just how radically invasive was and is the message of Jesus. So much so that he was executed for challenging the power base, breaking the religious rules, and hanging out with the untouchables. And he did it all for love. Go Jesus! It is also sad that we don t want to be sad. Or that we seemingly don t deal well with sadness. I have a number of theories about this: that it has to do with our personal life experiences; has sadness been forced upon us? (yet?) Maybe we were taught not to be weak; or taught not to cry; or taught to mind our own business. (That is, of course, until we are taught that we are to be about the business of Jesus.) Perhaps we are already sad enough underneath our skin-surfaces that we are terrified to let that loose. We are afraid of what that could look like. Or we are just adamant that we don t have to deal with the sadness because we are Easter people, not Good Friday people! (And there are many of those but that s another letter.) And maybe, we are just not able to go there: to the Cross of crucifixion, to the stone-sealed tomb, to the breath-less church that is the body of Christ. Until we are broken. Broken open. THIS is the body of Christ, broken FOR you. Now I get it. Been there. (Been that.) Broken. You get extra points if you are still with me. Because then Holy Week explodes in our psyches as another awesome space and time to hear, see, know, believe, something new. Some of us come early for a good seat. We come to intentionally go there: And then come to fully comprehend the stunning gift of Easter. I have love for you all, janice

2 April

3 3

WORSHIP Experience the whole story Palm Sunday, April 9 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.with the Children!

m. Easter Sunday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Children are always welcome here.

with lite supper following Contemplative / Meditation Service Quiet Time and Sacred Space 12:15 and

4 WORSHIP Experience the whole story Palm Sunday, April 9 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.with the Children! Contemplative/Meditation Service April 12 12:15 and 7:15 p.m. Maundy Thursday, April 13 at 7:15 p.m. Good Friday, April 14 at 7:15 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Children are always welcome here. Invite your neighbors and friends. GOD ROCKS! PRAISE SERVICE May 21 at 4:30 p.m. with lite supper following Contemplative / Meditation Service Quiet Time and Sacred Space 12:15 and 7:15 p.m. WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT April 5 & 12, May 10 Embracing the ancient practice of Christian Meditation 4

Mark your calendars Bring your favorite breakfast food/casserole and join us for: CHURCH WORK DAY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE AND FELLOWSHIP Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were

5 Mark your calendars Bring your favorite breakfast food/casserole and join us for: CHURCH WORK DAY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE AND FELLOWSHIP Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 As we need to be good stewards of God s house, the Trustees invite your participation in a work day on SATURDAY, APRIL 29 TH, FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON, Easter Sunday, April 16 from 9:30-10:15 (between services) Please sign up in the narthex so we know how many tables to set up! This will be in place of coffee hour on Easter. to spruce up our church, make some needed repairs, and do some thorough cleaning. Even if you can come for just a brief time, your help will be greatly appreciated. There will be a number of targeted tasks from which to choose. A sign-up sheet will be available in the narthex. If you have any questions or want to volunteer, see Bob Schutz, Laura Kempson, Sandy Svenningsen, or any of the Trustees. Please come! We need you! Pathways 2 Prosperity Provides United Methodist Women s Program, May 6 at 9 a.m. On May 6 United Methodist Women will meet at 9am for a brunch and program. Diana Morrison, director of Pathways 2 Prosperity, will lead the group in an interactive event. This organization uses space each week at Sparta United Methodist Church. Approximately eighty people gather for a meal, break into small groups, and participate in the two-generation approach to ending poverty. 5

Our shops Church Mouse Thrift Shop Can you help us?!? The Thrift Shop needs able-bodied people to periodically help carry trash and cardboard to the dumsters.

6 Our shops Church Mouse Thrift Shop Can you help us?!? The Thrift Shop needs able-bodied people to periodically help carry trash and cardboard to the dumsters. Monday morning is our normal cleaning day and sometimes we have lots of trash to move. We could also have help on Saturdays between 10-2 during business hours to do the same thing. One half hour of your time is all we need! Sometimes we have enough help, so you can call first to see if you are needed. We so appreciate your help and consideration! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! WORLD MISSION GIFT SHOP SAD NEWS An important notice to the congregation As of May 31, 2017, the doors of the World Mission Gift Shop will be closing. It is with regret that this decision had to be made. However, the WMGS Executive Committee feels the shop has had a good run. Unfortunately for the last three years, because of operating and administrative issues, the shop has been unable to maintain its viability. The WMGS has been in operation for 15 years and its mission has been to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide; to support antitrafficking efforts to end human trade. Because of our volunteers and sale of fair trade items, lives of people around the world have been positively impacted. Revenue from sales has gone to help Family Promise, our local food pantry, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), SCARC (supporting people with developmental disabilities in Sussex County), as well as anti-human trafficking organizations. These are a few of the local and worldwide causes where we have contributed funds. All shop items are being sold at a discount. Hours: Thursday and Friday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; Sunday 11:30 AM to Noon. Please come to the World Mission Gift Shop to support us in our final mission. 6

Invite a family member, friend or neighbor to bring their children!

7 for the children! Vacation Bible School July 31 - August 4 Please sign up now to help! The sign up sheet is outside the youth office. Recruit a family member, friend or neighbor to help! Invite a family member, friend or neighbor to bring their children! Youth choir rehearsals - Sundays 11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We are preparing for our Easter performance! New members are always welcome! A CO TEACHER IS NEEDED for every other week for 4-6 th grade Now through June pick your dates and pick up the lesson plan. Date Time Event Sunday 4/9 10:30 AM Palm Sunday Presentation (ALL KIDS) Sunday 4/16 11:30 AM Easter Egg Hunt (after worship) Sunday 5/7 10:30 AM Presentation Rehearsal Sunday 5/14 10:30 AM Mother s Day Presentation Sunday 6/11 10:30 AM Presentation & Teacher Appreciation Luncheon 7

Upcoming Events To all interested in Church Membership,

for our New Member Dinner and discussion on what

New members will be received in church on May 21 st.

The Sunday Lunch Bunch a group for further socialization

(4th or 5th Sunday) April 2, 5-6:30 p.m.

8 Upcoming Events To all interested in Church Membership, please save Sunday, May 7 at 5 p.m. for our New Member Dinner and discussion on what membership means, some interesting information on what is Methodism, and fellowship. Please contact Kathie Mackey, Membership Secretary at or mackey_kathie@yahoo.com to be sure we have you on our list. New members will be received in church on May 21 st. Join us on April 10 to discuss - Love Casts Out Fear by Brother Nathan and David Culross. Come whether you have read the book or not! The Sunday Lunch Bunch a group for further socialization Sunday after church. Watch the bulletin for the next date. (4th or 5th Sunday) April 2, 5-6:30 p.m. If you are interested in a church family meal, please call Wilma Smith, or Ginger Stecklein, WIDOW S WELL for those who have lost husbands The next meeting will be on Friday, April 21, in the Library. 8

9 Expand your horizons.. JOIN US FOR ADULT STUDY, CONVERSATION AND FELLOWSHIP Sunday Morning Adult Study Video Series at 9:30 a.m. in Room 8 The Sunday Morning Adult Sunday Class is reviewing a new DVD, Violence Divine: Overcoming the Bible s Betrayal of Its Non-Violent God. Filmed before a live audience in a workshop setting, professor and author John Dominic Crossan summarizes the essence of his bestselling HOW TO READ THE BIBLE & STILL BE A CHRISTIAN: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis Through Revelation and shows the way forward for those seeking an authentic Christianity for the 21st century.violence Divine is an eight-session DVD-based program. Session Titles: An Epic Matrix Sin and Escalatory Violence The Heart of the Torah Deuteronomy Rules Undecided Justice Monday Night Book Group will be starting a new book, Rabbi Paul by Bruce Chilton on April 3 rd. Without Paul, there would be no Christianity. His letters to various churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire articulated, for the first time, the beliefs that make up the heart of Christian practice and faith. In this biography, Bruce Chilton explains the changing images of Paul, from the early Church period when he was regarded as the premiere apostle who separated Christianity from Judaism to more recent liberal evaluations, which paint him as an antifeminist, homophobic figure more dedicated to doctrine than to spiritual freedom. By illuminating Paul s thoughts and contributions within the context of his time, Chilton restores him to his place as the founding architect of the Church and one of the most important figures in Western history. UMW Book Worms Books for 2017 At last United Methodist Women s book group has a complete list of books for the year. Dates given are the dates of the meeting. Books are the ones to be discussed on that date. One copy is kept in the United Methodist Women s library when you borrow it, please sign it out, so we know where that particular book is. And join us on these dates: April 10 - Love Casts Out Fear by Brother Nathan and David Culross May 8 - Wisdom Way of Knowing by Cynthia Bourgeault June 12 - Pre-Post-Racial America by Sandhya Rani Jha July 10 - Seamless Faith by Traci Smith August - No Meeting September 11 - Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War by Rita Nakashima Brock and Gabriella Lettini October 9 - Little Way of Ruthie Leming A Southern Girl, Small Town, and the Secret of a GoodLife by Rod Dreher November 13 - Faith Beyond Borders Doing Justice in a Dangerous World by Rob Mosely and Joyce Hollyday December 11 - Falling Into Place A Memoir of Overcoming by Hattie Kaufman 9

Church & Society 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.

FREE SHOWING OF DOCUMENTARY, BEFORE THE FLOOD The United Methodist Book of Discipline and the Social Principles urge us to be good stewards of our environment, a precious gift from God.

10 Church & Society 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. FREE SHOWING OF DOCUMENTARY, BEFORE THE FLOOD The United Methodist Book of Discipline and the Social Principles urge us to be good stewards of our environment, a precious gift from God. On FRIDAY, APRIL 21st, AT 7 P.M., there will be a showing in room 8 of the National Geographic documentary, Before the Flood, featuring environmental activist and Academy Award winning actor, Leonardi DiCaprio. As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, DiCaprio traveled to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. The film presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent the disruption of life on our planet. DiCaprio notes, This documentary shows not only how interconnected the fate of all humanity is, but also the power we all possess as individuals to build a better future for our planet. The film showing is free and open to the public. Please come and bring your friends and neighbors. 10

11 Leader schedules Liturgists 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. April 2 Lynn Godbersen Alison Collins Palm Sunday Brittany Vaszlavik SUNDAY SCHOOL Presentation EASTER Harry Tappen Muriel Godberson April 23 Janice Vaszlavik Brian Stites April 30 Donna Scott Dean Hiatt CHILDREN S MESSAGE April 2 Mike Batche April 9 Pat Schultz April 16 Sean Jans April 23 Debbie Dickerson April 30 Mike Batche Coffee Hour Schedule Svenningsen Sandy Apr. 2, 9, & 23 Baldini Sue Castaldi Vinnie & Karen McCall Megan Smith Wilma Stecklein Ginger Williams David & Susan All volunteer schedules can now be found on spartaumc.org Church is good for your health. It s good for your children. It s just plain good. Do the research. We are looking for volunteers to open their homes. 1. Volunteer to open your home. 2. Interested folks will contact you. 3. Together you will decide the schedule. 3. Ideas for conversation and fellowship will be provided. 4. the groups will decide together what they wish to do. We would like have a household open in each neighborhood Lake Hopatcong, Franklin, Lafayette, Sparta East, Sparta West, Alpine. Some ideas : book studies, faith talks, bible reading, dinners Please like us on Facebook! 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. Contemplative/Meditation Service EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH LENT at 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. GOD ROCKS! PRAISE 3rd Sundays at 4:30 p.m. with lite supper to follow YOUTH GROUP EVERY THURSDAY at 7 p.m. World Mission Gift Shop Friday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sunday 11:30 AM to 12:00 noon Thrift Shop Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Friday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 12 THE DEADLINE FOR THE MAY NEWSETTER WILL BE APRIL 15

S PA RTA. Inside This Issue: Members and Friends,

S PA RTA. Inside This Issue: Members and Friends, S PA RTA U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U RC H NEWSLETTER May 2016 Members and Friends, Inside This Issue: Calendar 2 Children + Youth 3 Church + Society 7 Church Mouse News 7 Coffee Hour 5 Congregational