Join The 2017 Mt. Sylvan Crop Walk Team!

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1 March, 2017 M T. SY LVA N G R A P E V I N E C H U R C H N E W S L E T T E R I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Pastor Larry Writes 2 Conference News Prayer Concerns 3 In Service 4 Adult Discipleship Around the Church Health & Wellness 6 Youth Ministry Missions Children s Min. 8 Worship & Music 9 Church Calendar Staff listing Missions Calendar Office Hours Seniors Calendar "Neighbors Feeding Neighbors." Join The 2017 Mt. Sylvan Crop Walk Team! When: Sunday, April 2 at 200:pm Where: Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Dr., Durham, NC 2770 CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide walking events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. See page 7 for details on how to be a part of it.

2 Pastor Larry Writes 2 Pastor Larry Writes. Declare the fast is a common scripture often shared during Lent. Fasting, or abstaining from certain foods, or even eating altogether, has a long history in Judaism and Christianity as a way to be deepened spiritually. It has been, and is, practiced by many, not just clergy or spiritual leaders. Anyone can fast. In fact, a lot of people fast during Lent by giving something up. This is a kind of fasting that many people will embrace and practice. Some families talk about this and decide to practice something together, like giving up desserts, or putting a quarter in a jar every time someone cusses (and giving the money to the church or some other helping organization). In the words of Marjorie Thompson, author of Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, fasting brings us face to face with how we put the material world ahead of its spiritual Source. We are confronted with our preference for filling our lives with things that don t ultimately satisfy, and lead us away from God. There are many ways to keep a fast. Many people nowadays fast from social media. Others give up habits that are detrimental to their spiritual growth (and physical health). You can give up your prejudice, your impatience, your stinginess and many more practices, habits, beliefs and acts. As we move through the 40 days of Lent (not counting the six Sundays, which in a quirky, grammar induced theological statement are in Lent, but not of Lent), may your days be filled with an increasing awareness of God s presence in love in your life. Throw some stuff out; you may be surprised what comes your way when you do. Peace, Pastor Larry From the Conference Office Durham as a City of Inclusion: A Public Dialogue between Local Leaders and Latino, Muslim, and Refugee Immigrants who Call Durham Home This is a dialogue with public officials and Latino, Muslim, and Refugee immigrants who call Durham home. E V E N T DETA I L S Event Date: March 5, 2017 at 02:30 pm Contact Name: Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millan Contact irmillan@div.duke.edu Location: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 810 W. Chapel Hill Street Durham, NC Event Link:

3 Prayer Concerns 3 Congregational Prayer Requests Chip Christ is recovering at Duke Regional after having 6 hour neck surgery this week. He is doing well and hopes to go home very soon. Pray for Ron Keizer for the loss of his father Tommy Blalock is doing well at home after a recent gall bladder surgery. RosaBelle Mangum thanks everyone for their prayers. She is doing much better after a bout with double pneumonia. She is currently at Treyburn rehab facility getting stronger. Pray for Gil & Susan Buker. Gil's mother, Dottie, died Friday morning, and his dad, Ed, who was in hospice care, died eight hours later. Pray for healing for Gerald Lindsey as he prepares to begin new treatment Frances Cimburke has begun chemo treatments. Pray for them to be successful and for Frances to feel well. Pray for Herb as he is by her side. Pray for comfort for Faye McFarland as she goes through hospice care. For Marie Palmer undergoing treatment. For the family of Dr. Sharon Hawks. Anna Sellers has moved to a rehabilitation center in Elon which is half way between her daughter and son. Vickey Overman lost her aunt, Etta Kimbrell a couple of weeks ago Jim & Eudya Polhamus Rebecca Polhamus People going through hard times The family of Cathy Beckwith Continued prayers for: Barbara Berry, John Bowers, Doris Coltrane, Jane Hayes, Albert Howell, Cindy Miller. Mt. Sylvan Family in Medical Care or Assisted Living Brookdale Durham: Croasdaile Apts: Croasdaile Pavilion: Brian Center: Treyburn: St. Joseph of the Pines At Home Mildred Cooke Albert Howell Doris McBroom Bess Smith Partners In Ministry Pastor Leon Dorleans and the Churches of Haiti Outreach. Serving Our Country Dan Armour, Jerry Armour, Mike Armour, Nick Farlow, Thomas Lecky, Bryan Thompson, and Madison Thompson Connectional Ministry Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, D.S., Carol Goehring, Asst. to D.S, Jessie Larkins Grace Moore Neda Hendrickson Shirley Wollner Carla Coltrane Sue Van Rood Harold Bizzel Mandy Jeffries Valerie Bizzell Barbara Berry Church Staff: Jim Bock, Rev. Larry Bowden, Jay Butler, Sophia Clark, Elizabeth EB Tester, Rev. Bess H. Smith, Rev. Kathie S. Wilkinson, Mt. Sylvan Preschool Staff A Thank You Note from John Bowers Thank you so much, Mt Sylvan friends. You have blessed Donna and me by your many, many prayers, cards, s, calls and visits. The prayer quilt and clinging cross are beautiful treasures and their stories are shared with all who visit! Your continued prayers would be much appreciated as I work to regain strength and stamina and learn to embrace my "new normal" way of life.

4 In Service 4 March 5th 8:30 Worship Acolytes: Ben Neal and Laura Neal Cross Bearer: Anna Neal Ushers: Roy & Katy MacDonald and Rick & Kathy Ebersohl Communion Servers: Mary Ann Sellers, Sidney Murchison, June Armstrong, John & Donna Bowers, and Dan Coulter 8:30 Nursery: TBA 9:45 Nursery: TBA Sound Technician: Jim Davidson Slide Operator: TBA 11:00 Worship Acolytes: Madi White and Ginny Vincent Greeters: The Dixons Communion Servers: Michele & Ginny Vincent, and Trisha & Emma Andrews Infants Nursery: Annetta Andrews Preschool Nursery: Kathy Rhodes Sound Technician: Tim Wilkinson Slide Operator: Gabe Whitnack March 19th 8:30 Worship Acolyte: Kate Flintom Cross Bearer: David Hall Ushers: Richard & Sissel Jakobczyk and Randall & Bobbie Clark 8:30 Nursery: Lorri Givens 9:45 Nursery: TBA Sound Technician: Jim Davidson Slide Operator: TBA 11:00 Worship Greeter: Darlene Lumpkin Acolytes: Jordan Rogers and Ginny Vincent Slide Operator: Luke Vincent or Gabe Whitnack Infants Nursery: Annetta Andrews Preschool Nursery: Kathy Rhodes March 12th 8:30 Worship Acolyte: Faye Rodio Cross Bearer: Kistler Hunt Ushers: June Armstrong, Jane Lumsden and Rick & Nancy Pace-Hunt 8:30 Nursery: TBA 9:45 Nursery: TBA Sound Technician: Jim Davidson Slide Operator: TBA 11:00 Worship Acolytes: Jordan Rogers and Madi White Greeter: Cindy Knapp Slide Operator: Luke Vincent or Gabe Whitnack Infants Nursery: Annetta Andrews Preschool Nursery: Kathy Rhodes March 26th 8:30 Worship Acolyte: Kistler Hunt Cross Bearer: David Hall Ushers: Peggy Cates, Louise Satterwhite, Wayne & Ruth Booth 8:30 Nursery: Linda Skinner 9:45 Nursery: TBA Sound Technician: Jim Davidson Slide Operator: TBA 11:00 Worship Acolytes: Faye Allen and Lily Allen Greeter: Rick Pettyford Slide Operator: Luke Vincent or Gabe Whitnack Infants Nursery: Annetta Andrews Preschool Nursery: Kathy Rhodes

5 Adult Discipleship News 5 Interested in a Soul Group? This month, we will be starting our new Soul Groups! Soul Groups are small groups that are transformation-driven instead of information-driven, and are based off of the Class Meetings of early Methodism. It s an amazing addition to your regular Sunday School class. If you d like to know more please contact Jay at jay@mtsylvan.org or Men s Weekly Prayer Breakfast (This group is always open to new participants) March schedule for Thursday Morning Men's Prayer Breakfast February 2: Meet at Silver Spoon restaurant for breakfast at 8:00 a.m. On March 9, 16, 23, and 30, meet in church kitchen at 7:30 for continental breakfast and then mover into the Action classroom to view and discuss the video, "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg. Lenten Study: Creed by Adam Hamilton For Lent this year, our Sunday School classes are doing a church-wide study: Creed by Adam Hamilton. It s a six-week study that will examine why we believe what we believe as Christians, using the Apostle s Creed as a frame. The study will begin on March 5, the first Sunday of Lent. Here is more information from the publisher: We re used to answers popping up on a screen right in front of us. But when the questions examine the truths that give meaning and purpose to life, finding the answers takes more than simply typing a few words and pushing a button. Adam Hamilton believes that powerful answers to many of our complicated questions are contained in the Apostles Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs. In Creed, he explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe, and why it matters, which in turn leads readers to confront and examine their own core beliefs and go beyond reciting the Creed s familiar words. Around the Church Upcoming Church Workday Saturday, April 1, from 8:00 noon is Mt. Sylvan s annual workday around the church. Tasks include reseeding, mulching, etc. We will also be doing some inside work this year, including, cleaning chair seats, dusting in the sanctuary, cleaning the wood in the chancel area, window cleaning, etc. If you have them available, please bring rakes, shovels, blowers, gloves, and wheelbarrows. Contact Tommy Wade for details at You re Invited to a Bridal Shower for April Grissom & Matt Jones Saturday, March 4, 10:30am in the Parlor. April & Matt are registered at: Target, Amazon.com, Bed, Bath & Beyond. Matt is the son of Lin & Judy Jones. Hosted by The RosaBelle Mangum Circle

6 Mt. Sylvan Health & Wellness Ministry Work on your balance now to avoid falls when you re older You put in three or four days a week of cardiovascular work, squeeze in two sessions of strength training, even find time in a busy schedule to do some stretching. Isn t that enough to keep an aging body healthy? Sorry, it isn t. Everyone from gerontologists to personal trainers say you need to work on your balance as well. If you re in your 40s, 50s or early 60s, you probably move through life securely without even thinking about it. But studies show that balance declines with age, especially if the complex system that governs it isn t challenged regularly. For most of us, it isn t. When is the last time you had to stand on one foot for any length of time, or negotiate a narrow pathway? The results of that decline can be catastrophic. One out of three people age 65 and older falls each year, and 20,400 people in that age group were killed in falls in Falls are the top cause of injury death among that population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 9% of people who suffer hip fractures die within 30 days, a figure that rises to 43 percent for those who contract pneumonia in that period. How balance works. Your ability to stay upright and move through space is determined by a complex combination of muscle strength, visual inputs, the inner ear and the work of your proprioceptive system specialized receptors in the nerves of your joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons that orient you in relation to other objects. It s all sorted out in the sensory cortex of your brain, which takes in the information from those sources and orchestrates your response. It s why, for example, you can walk up a flight of stairs without looking down at them, how you know where your hand is without seeing it, how you adjust when you find yourself navigating rough terrain. But aging dulls those senses. The functioning of those receptors declines, and the processing of the information sent over neural pathways slows. As they become less stable and mobile, some older people also experience a corresponding loss of confidence and adapt by using canes or limiting their movements. Use it or lose it What can you do? As with most physical abilities, you can either use it or lose it. You don t often think about practicing your balance, but you should, experts say, the same way that you ride a bike to strengthen your heart and lungs or lift weights to stave off sarcopenia, the natural loss of muscle mass that accompanies aging. The more active you are, [the more] you can slow that process. If you have a balance problem that is not tied to illness, medication or some other specific cause, simple exercises can help preserve, and perhaps improve, your balance. 6 Know Your Numbers! This Sunday March 5th and every first Sunday of the month get your blood pressure checked by medical professional of the Health & Wellness ministry. 9:40am in the Preschool Cafeteria. Get Healthy at Mt. Sylvan in 2017: Free Fitness Classes Every Monday at 10:00 a.m. and every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. meet us in the Mt. Sylvan Fellowship Hall for challenging but safe workout classes. If you can move at all you can benefit from these classes. No pressure. No judgement. Just self improvement at your own pace. No registration needed. Contact the church office for more info at

7 7 Youth News and Events! Defy Gravity Lock In On March 10-11, we will have our annual lock-in at Defy Gravity! We will leave the church at 11 PM on the 10th, and arrive back at the church around 7:30 the next morning. This is a GREAT event to bring friends! The cost is $20, and this event is eligible to be paid with Pumpkin Bucks. Sunday Night Supper Sign-Ups One of the parts of every Sunday night youth gathering is our dinner that we share together as a group. Our parents and other members of the church have always been gracious with providing a meal for our students and leaders. Sunday Suppers are super simple way of having fellowship for our youth each Sunday before our meetings. Please peruse over the list of available of dates, and volunteer to help during one or two Sunday evenings. To sign up to serve for a night, please contact Jay at jay@mtsylvan.org or SLAM Nashville 2017 This summer s mission trip will be in Nashville! From June 12-17(note the date change), we will be partnering with SLAM, or Students Living a Mission, to help with Nashville s refugee and immigrant populations. It s an awesome way for students to immerse themselves in personal missions, and to see the Great Commission be fulfilled right in front of their eyes. The opportunity to sign up is STILL AVAILABLE! Don t miss this opportunity to help serve others! Please contact Jay ASAP at or jay@mtsylvan.org. Save these Dates!!! April 2: CROP Walk April 12: Stations of the Cross April 28-30: Spring Camp Don Lee Watch for more info on these events in upcoming newsletters and Youth s. Mt. Sylvan Missions Ministry 2017 Crop Hunger Walk Sign-up today to join the 2016 Mt. Sylvan Durham Crop Hunger Walk team. Please go online to to register as a walker and/or donate to the Mt. Sylvan team. If you are not walking you can make a donation to the Mt. Sylvan team or sponsor an individual family or walker. If you would like to pre-order a T-shirt before the walk, please fill out an envelope located on the table in the narthex. T-shirts are $3.00 each and will be delivered on March 26, so you can wear your shirt to church the day of the walk on April. DEADLINE FOR T-SHIRT AND LUNCH SIGN-UP IS MARCH 19! Lunch is provided at no cost by the Missions Committee and T-shirts can be purchased the day of the walk in front of Duke Chapel if you choose not to pre-order. Please support this important cause to help end local and world hunger by either signing up to walk or donating to the Mt. Sylvan Crop walk team! HELP WANTED: Bus driver for FMF. Families Moving Forward and Mt. Sylvan are so grateful for our 2 regular bus drivers, Terry Rhodes and Bill Pinkerton, however, in May they will both be out of town for our FMF week. We are looking for a bus driver for Monday evening, May 22, and Thursday, May 25. Please let Kit Chappell know if you can lend a hand. Contact her at or jchappell16@nc.rr.com.

8 Children s Ministry 8 New Bible Study for Mothers of Young Children Holy Strollers is a Bible study group for mothers with young children where we discuss the hard and joyful emotions we experience as moms and how we can use these experiences to grow with God. We talk about how we can raise our children in God-centered homes, and how to encourage our children to have a loving relationship with the Lord. We meet at 6:30 on the first and third Wednesday evenings of the month at Mandy Wilkinson s house. Please Mandy at aswilkinson10@gmail.com for more information. Mt. Sylvan Day Camp at Camp Chestnut Ridge Mt. Sylvan will be taking a group to Camp Chestnut Ridge July CCR will have programs that week for students grades K-8. Registration is at campchestnutridge.org. Use code sylvan for the discount and to identify your child as part of our group. Mt. Sylvan will provide the transportation to and from camp each day. Campers leave Mt. Sylvan at 7:45 and return at 5:30. The week will fill up, especially the elective choices for the older kids, so register early. Please contact EB Tester at , if you have questions. Sunday Morning Needs Since church is currently without a regularly scheduled childcare worker in the nursery we are in greater need than ever for volunteers. at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00. We also need Sunday School teachers at 9:45 (including music for the preschool aged children). If you are able to help please contact the church office at or sign up online at go/30e0d45a9a62ea5fa7- nursery.

9 Worship & Music Ring In Spring Sunday, March, 12th, 7 pm at the Aldersgate UMC Family Life Center Mt Sylvan Ringers will join handbell choirs from Aldersgate, St. Matthews Catholic, Bethany UMC, First Baptist, and Temple Baptist, for this handbell concert conducted by composer, Kathleen Wissinger. Holy Week Services Joint Maundy Thursday Service with Communion Thursday, April 13th, 7:00 pm at Aldersgate UMC Good Friday Service of Tenebrae Friday, April 14th, 7:00 pm at Mt. Sylvan UMC We Remember Calvary Presented by Mt. Sylvan and Aldersgate Choirs Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, April 16th, 6:45 am in the Mt. Sylvan Cemetery A joint sunrise celebration of the Resurrection with Temple Baptist Church Easter Fellowship Breakfast Sunday, April 16th, 7:30 am in the Mt. Sylvan Fellowship Hall Easter Sunday Worship Sunday, April 16th, 8:30 & 11:00 am in the Mt. Sylvan Sanctuary 9 Communion Signup Information Thanks to everyone, we are off to a good start using Signup Genius to volunteer as a communion server for the 8:30 AM service. More than 50 members have expressed an interest in participating. This program is new to most of us and we have had a few small issues, but we are working through them as they occur. If you would like to participate in serving communion go to: Please feel free to Linda Skinner at linda.skinner1@frontier.com or call me at if you have any questions.

10 March 2017 at Mt. Sylvan UMC 1 ASH WEDNESD Sun Mon Tue Wed 11 Preschool 10 7p Ash Wednes 5 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 6 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 7 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 8 HOSTING UGA 7:30 8:30 Traditional 9:45 Sunday 11 Contemporary 8 Serve at Urban Ministries 10 Free Fitness Class 7p Monday Night Soul Group 7:30p Evangelism Team Mtg. 8p AA Meeting 9:45 Seniors Bible Study 11 Sylvan 1p Staff Meeting 5:30p 7p Praise Band 7p Missions Team Meeting 11 Preschool 7p Wednesday Ni 12 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DAY :30 8:30 Traditional 9:45 Sunday 11 Contemporary 8 Serve at Urban Ministries 10 Free Fitness Class 6:30p Children's Ministry Mtg. 7p Monday Night Soul Group 7pTrustees Meeting 8p AA Meeting 9:45 Seniors Bible Study 11 Sylvan 1p Staff Meeting 5:30p 7p Praise Band 7p Staff-Parish Meeting 11 Preschool 7p Wednesday N :30 8:30 Traditional 9:45 Sunday 11 Contemporary 8 Serve at Urban Ministries 10 McKay Circle 10 Free Fitness Class 7p Monday Night Soul Group 8p AA Meeting 6:30 Serve Breakfast at UMD 9:45 Seniors Bible Study 11 Sylvan 1p Staff Meeting 5:30p 7p Praise Band 11 Preschool 7p Wednesday N :30 8:30 Traditional 10 Youth Serve at UMD 9:45 Sunday 11 Contemporary 10 Free Fitness Class 7p Monday Night Soul Group 7p Preschool Committee Mtg. 8p AA Meeting 9:45 Seniors Bible Study 11 Sylvan 1p Staff Meeting 5:30p 7p Praise Band 11 Preschool 7p Wednesday N

11 11 AY Thu Fri Sat 2 8:00 Men's Prayer 9 Free Fitness Class 3 10 Prayer Shawl 4 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 9 Faye Watkins Circle 10:30 Bridal Shower 5p AA day Service STUDENTS 9 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 10 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS 11 HOSTING UGA STUDENTS ght Soul Group 7:30 Men's Prayer 9 Free Fitness Class 6:30 Serve Breakfast at UMD 10 Prayer Shawl SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD 5p AA :30 Men's Prayer 9 Free Fitness Class 10 Prayer Shawl 5p AA ight Soul Group :30 Men's Prayer 9 Free Fitness Class 10 Prayer Shawl 5p AA ight Soul Group ight Soul Group 7:30 Men's Prayer 9 Disaster Response Group 9 Free Fitness Class 10 Prayer Shawl

12 12 Larry Bowden, Lead Pastor Primary Business Address Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Address Line 4 Kathie S. Wilkinson, Minister of Congregational Care kathie@mtsylvan.org Phone: Fax: someone@example.com Bess H. Smith, Pastor Emeritas Priscilla Jaiah, We re on the Web! example.com Sophia Clark, Missionary to Liberia Office Administrator sophia@mtsylvan.org Business Tagline or Motto Jim Bock, Business Administrator jimbock@mtsylvan.org Organization Jay Butler, Minister of Youth and Discipleship Jay@mtsylvan.org Patricia Deal, Preschool Director mtsylvanpreschool@msn.com Elizabeth EB Tester Children s Ministry Coordinator elizabeth@mtsylvan.org Find us on the web at Church Office Hours Monday - Thursday 9 am - 3 pm, Friday 9 am - 12 pm Church office@mtsylvan.org Monthly Missions Calendar Urban Ministries of Durham 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mondays Staff UMD Food Pantry Contact Frances Cimburke ( ) 2nd Friday of the month Help serve breakfast 7 am - 9 am Contact Terry Rhodes ( ) 3rd Tuesday of the month Help serve breakfast 7 am - 9 am Contact Jim & Phyllis Polhamus ( ) 4th Sunday at 10 am Youth Serve lunch Habitat House Projects Habitat work teams go out each Wednesday morning Contact Herb Cimburke ( ) Backpack Program Help pack or deliver backpacks Wednesday evenings or Friday mornings (during the school year) Contact Katy MacDonald (katymac0615@gmail.com) to volunteer Prayer Shawl Ministry Each Friday from 10 am-12 pm in the Children s Center Contact Nancy Smith (ncsmith2155@gmail.com) Sylvan Seniors Calendar Mar. 7 th Golden Horizons-Julie Bell Mar.14 th Cling to the Cross-Methodist Men Mar. 21 st UNC Hospice Care- Marketta Williams (Treyburn Visitation) Mar. 28 th Emergency Services Police & Fire (Ralph Thompson) Senior Trip: Temple Theatre April 2, 2017 The Andrews Brothers