Peoples Prodder. April 2018 MINISTER S MESSAGE

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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 10:00 a.m. Sundays 9:00 a.m. Adult Church Study April 2018 MINISTER S MESSAGE Deacons Prayer Service Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Prayer Service Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on Thursday 6:00-8:00 p.m. HOLY COMMUNION First Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Worship Nursery available during 10:00 a.m. service Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Hopson Designated Senior Minister Rev. Venita - Enola George Assistant Minister Clyde T. Parker, Minister of Music Follow us on Dear Peoples Family: Happy Easter! This year we are truly engaged in Easter Work: Revitalization, Renewal, Resurrection! Of coarse resurrection assumes death and so we are being challenged to do the work of letting go, grieving, changing! Yet it is also spring, and all of nature attests to the relentless power of life. So, as the wisdom of scripture affirms, whether we live or die, we belong to God, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Greetings All: The year is moving swiftly, just yesterday we celebrated the New Year and now we are celebrating Resurrection Sunday. As a child I looked forward to getting new Sunday outfits, and preparing to participate in the Resurrection Sunday Recitals. However, as an adult the Resurrection has new meaning. The Resurrection is the source of the power that we may experience in our lives, on a daily basis. The same resurrection power that we read about in the Bible that brought Jesus from death to life is available to us. If we dare to release ourselves from rituals and old habits, I am confident we will experience an amazing transformation in our own life, too. We may experience resurrection power by trading religious rituals for a stronger relationship with God. Instead of directing our energies on implementing rituals, believing right doctrines, or doing good deeds, realize that those things are valuable yet cannot produce hope. We should place our hope in a dynamic relationship with God. As we recognize God s resurrection power at work in our lives, we will be more aware of God s master plan for each of us. Instead of focusing on what we can do for God, focus on what God can do through us. Despite the fact that we are living in a time of fear, and hate, and fracture; God is in the business of performing miracles in our lives. So my friend during the next season expect God to challenge your faith when you ask for God s resurrection power in your life; but know that if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you ll experience greater adventures than you can ever possibly imagine. Peace Reverend Venita- Enola George

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 ANNOUNCEMENTS Scouting is fully committed at Peoples Church for generations to come. The best to all, Shirley Moseley. (Announcements that groups wish to place in the Prodder are subject to final approval by the Ministers.) Potomac Association 2018 Spring Meeting Saturday, April 14, 2018, 8:30AM - 1:00PM Peoples Congregational UCC Registration: $15 (includes materials, continental breakfast and light lunch) You are invited to attend the Potomac Association Spring Meeting to be held here at Peoples Church. The theme for the meeting is "A Season of Transitions". Agenda items include discussions regarding Racism in the Potomac Assn. and the UCC, clergy guidelines and the elections for 2018 officers and committee members. We are the host church for this event. Your participation is needed. To register contact MIn. Robert Faison at robert.faison10@gmail.com. GOT GAME? Let s see what you got! Come out and have some fun. The Board of Trustees is sponsoring an ADULT GAME NIGHT. It will be held Friday, April 27, 2018 from 6PM-10PM. There will have card games, board games, Wii bowling, golf putt-putt, hula hoop and more. Tickets are $20.00 and will be on sale in the Atrium and online. The Scholarship Committee is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors who plan to attend college or an accredited postsecondary institution of higher learning. The scholarship application with instructions may be obtained from the church website at peopleschurchucc.org/scholarship/ or on the table in the church lobby. Please note, the due date for applications and all supporting documentation is Friday, May 4, 2018 at 5:00 pm. All high school seniors who are church members are eligible to apply for a Peoples Church Member (PCM) Scholarship. High school seniors who participate in Peoples programs, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Peoples Youth Ministry, but who are not church members may apply for a Peoples Church Community (PCC) Scholarship. High school seniors who attend DC Public Schools and are recommended by their high school counselors may apply for the Peoples Designated High Schools (DHS) Scholarship. A scholarship application with instructions may be obtained from the church website at or on the table in the church lobby. Please note, the due date for applications and all supporting documentation is Friday, May 4, 2018, at 5:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact the Scholarship Committee at peoplesscholarship@gmail.com. Thank you." Dear Peoples Church, Please accept my deepest gratitude for your prayers, calls, cards and other expressions of support after my recent loss. The love you have shown makes me know that I am part of a wonderful CHRISTIAN FAMILY. For that, I am eternally grateful. Sincerely, Shirley Eglen Thank you Girl Scouts for an inspiring service on Girl Scout Sunday. Leaders, families and mentors, I am humbled by your dedication to these young women. This is reflected in a celebration of this organization with eleven troops meeting at Peoples Church. We celebrate their achievements, growth and development under the extended arms of many with love. The youth speaker s message was on point. The Fellowship Hall Health program was informative and enjoyable. Special thanks to the individuals who supported the coffee hour and served as part of the kitchen crew. I know that Girl 3

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5 The Peoples Food Pantry Presents Constance Stevens Jazz Extravaganza Buffet Dinner Featuring Shirleta Settles Sunday, May 20, :00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 2:45 p.m. Buffet served at 3:30 p.m.) Fellowship Hall Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ th Street, NW, Washington, DC Donation: $60.00 (Checks made payable to Peoples Food Pantry) ~ Advance Ticket Sales Only ~ Proceeds Benefit Peoples Food Pantry Bette Wooden, Event Chairperson For Tickets Contact: Church Office (202)

6 Lenten Season Campaign and Sleep Out to Stamp Out Homelessness in its Final Push for Resources Please join us for the final push for resources as we approach the end of the Lenten Season Campaign and Sleep Out to Stamp Out Homeless. This campaign has three purposes: to increase awareness and empathy about the plight of the homeless here in Washington, DC and to learn about the work of organizations addressing this critical need; to secure donated items (see the list below) and to raise funds for organizations working to stamp out homelessness in DC. The campaign has been a blessing to our church and the organizers from the Board of Christian Social Action (BOCSA) and the Peoples Revitalization Social Justice Action Group thank our entire congregation, ministers and other staff, Board of Christian Education, Boy Scouts, Church Council, Peoples Youth Ministry, and members of so many organizations within and beyond the church for making this campaign successful to date, even as we prepare for the last push for resources. Lynda Mack, BOCSA member, brought the idea for this Lenten season activity to the BOCSA and has led the organizing effort, working with Cynthia Prather, of the Social Justice Action Group and Cynthia Robbins, who co-chairs the BOCSA w/audrey Hendricks. During the campaign, we have hosted visitors/presenters from Thrive DC, Friendship Place and the Central Union Mission. The Launch Program on Friday March 23, 2018, was heartwarming event attended by some 70 people who are members and friends of Peoples church. We shared a light supper as we heard testimonies and discussed the way homelessness has touched the lives of all of us. More than 200 sandwiches were made and delivered to Nativity shelter for women, Emery Recreation Shelter (both in Ward 4), Project HOPE of St. Augustine s Catholic Church and Martha s Table. Some 18 people slept out in tents relocated to the Fellowship Hall due to hypothermia conditions. Before we parted, we discussed ways that we can continue Peoples work to stamp out homelessness. Thank you again for your support so far, to those who loaned and donated equipment for our use in the sleep out, to the boy scouts who set up tents, and to all who have donated items and money so far. Thanks in advance for additional donations for a strong finish in the Sleep Out Campaign to Stamp Out Homelessness. Monetary donations may be made through this payable to Peoples Church by credit card, check, or envelope. Please make payable to: Peoples Church Board of Christian Social Action, memo note: Stamp Out Homelessness Campaign. We will then donate funds and items and post the total donations collected through this Campaign on the Peoples Church website. Please Donate These Requested Items and Place in Boxes in Atrium -- Belts -- New socks (plain white) -- New & Gently Used T-Shirts -- Sweatpants & Elastic gym shorts -- New underwear for men (boxers) -- Toiletries (trial size) -- Small flashlights -- Bibles (preferably small) -- Religious and health reading material 6

7 2018 MONTHLY MEMORY VERSES (FROM THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION) Jan Jun January:...God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.(genesis 1 :1-5) February:...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ) March: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.(isaiah 40:28-31) April: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:15-19) May:.He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98 ) June:...You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) April 2018 LECTIONARY READINGS April 1 Easter Now What Old Testament: Ps 118:1-2, Gospel: I Cor 15:1-11 Epistle: Mk 16:1-8 ******************************************* April 8 Second Sunday after Easter Marks of Faith Old Testament: Ps 133 Gospel: I Jn 1-2:2 Epistle: Acts 4:32-35 *********************************************** April 15 Third Sunday after Easter Christ is Among Us Old Testament: Ps 4 Gospel: I Jn 3:1-7 Epistle: Acts 3:12-19 April 22 Fourth Sunday after Easter Enfoleded by Love Old Testament: Ps 23 Gospel: I Jn 3:16-24 Epistle: Acts 4:5-12 *********************************************** April 29 Fifth Sunday after Easter Abiding in Love Old Testament: Ps 22:25-31 Gospel: Jn 15:1-8 Epistle: Acts 8:26-40 *********************************************** 7

8 GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITE, FACEBOOK FAN PAGE, AND TWITTER NEWS: Our website address is 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. Yvette Hunter, Operation Specialist, at or to the church account, Do not mail information. Announcements should be no more than 50 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, it must be approved by the Ministers. 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, (202) or Diane Miller 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: Brenda V Smith bvsmith@wcl.american.edu ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (202) (202) Fax info@peopleschurchucc.org (National Setting) Ms. Yvette Hunter, Operations Specialist, Yhunter@peopleschurchucc.org Ms. Donika Palmer, Administrative Assistant dpalmer@peopleschurchucc.org Mr. Lawrence McDaniel, Maintenance 8

9 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Church School Pre-K Adult Church School Men s Bible Study Youth Ministry GROW Ministry* Deacons Prayer Service Bible Study Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday 2nd and 4th Sunday 4th Sunday Wednesday Thursday 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. *Inactive 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 *Inactive at this time Voices of Peoples Fellowship Choir Rhythmic Choir Chancel Choir Men s Chorus CHOIR REHEARSAL Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:30 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. 9

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