WEST END CIRCUIT RIDER

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1 WEST END CIRCUIT RIDER 1800 RODMAN AVENUE PORTSMOUTH, VA Rev. Lynda D. Moore/Pastor Gail Sasser/Administrative Assistant The Church Council of West End United Methodist Church publishes the West End Circuit Rider. Editor: Susan Cohen May 2017 No. E-17-d Maybe it s just me, but have you ever been so busy preparing for some big event and after the event is over, there s a kind of a letdown? You know birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, etc. those are a few examples, I would think. After the event ends and it has been deposited in your memory bank, most of the time you go back to your old routine until the next event happens. I wonder, sometimes, if that how we feel about those special days in the Christian year, especially Christmas and Easter (Advent, Lent and Holy Week lead up to Christmas and Easter, so I include them in the preparation phase). Think about it, last month the Church universal celebrated the most holy of holy seasons for Christians Easter and what a glorious celebration that is? But after all the pomp and circumstances of Easter, what s next? What do we, as Christians and as the church, do until we wait for the next high holy season, Christmas, comes? Consider this, if you will: Easter marks the beginning, literally and figuratively of the Christian year. Without Easter, which highlights the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no Church and we would not be Christians. According to the history of the Christian church, the very reason that most Christians worship on Sunday mornings is because the Biblical accounts tell us that Jesus arose from the dead and revealed himself on a Sunday morning. Who we are and what we do is because of the events of Easter, and yet, if we are not careful, we tend to forget this simple fact. Easter Sunday is but one day, and even that, it s not celebrated on the same month every year, like Christmas, for instance. Easter is more than a once a year notation on a calendar, the spirit of Easter is every day, every week and every month of every year. So, friends, even in the month of May we still celebrate Easter, only without the Easter lilies, the Easter Egg hunt and sunrise services. If that s the case, then the question is how do keep from having an Easter letdown and how do we still celebrate, and why? I m glad you ask me this- here s a few suggestions: 1. Rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus Christ will always be with you in spirit and in truth. Because He lives, you can live a full and complete life. 2. Because of Easter, the spirit of Jesus Christ now lives in those who believe. The Christ in you enables you to be an effective witness for Him. 3. Share the love that the living Christ has for you with others. 4. Recognize that because Jesus conquered death and is now sovereign, you have the assurance that you also have the victory in Christ Jesus. 5. Allow the spirit of Jesus Christ to guide and direct your path. Learn to trust Him and to follow His lead. 6. Sing, with gusto, the songs and hymns celebrating who Jesus is and what he has done. 7. Remember that because of His resurrection and ascension into heaven you have the hope of eternal life with Jesus. My list is not complete, and it never will be. When you think about Jesus and what He means to you, make your own list. Celebrate!! Lest I forget, in May we celebrate Mother s Day. To all who have nurtured a child the way that a mother does, Happy Mother s Day to you. To those who are graduating from college or some other institution, congratulations! To all who served and died for our country in all the branches of the military, we remember you on Memorial Day. God bless and keep you all. - Pastor Lynda

2 A-Z Festival for Tweens & Teens West End UMC will sponsor our first annual A-Z Festival for Tweens and Teens on Saturday, May 20 th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the church. There will be various informative booths on topics such as: tobacco and drug usage, nutritious and healthy eating, etc. Volunteers are needed to help make this ministry a success, such as setting up exhibit areas, helping with outdoor games, to name a few. If you would like to be involved in any capacity in this ministry, please see Pastor Lynda or Susan Cohen. Blessing of the Cars, Bikes, and Trikes West End began its second season of Cars for Christ with a blessing of all wheeled vehicles - 4 wheels and 2 wheels. This event had the best turn-out for vehicles EVER! --- over 30 vehicles (cars & motorcycles), plus representatives from the Police and Sheriff departments. We would like to thank everyone for the help they gave whether it be in setting up, preparing food, musical contributions, tearing down or just support. We would like ALL church members to come out and be a part of our next Cars for Christ and Country on May 8 th. The car owners appreciate knowing their efforts for coming out are being rewarded by having a crowd of onlookers. E-Giving is an Option for Your Offerings West End United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the introduction of an electronic option for making regular offerings. Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Our new electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. It can be found on our new website. If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. For any questions, see Nancy Clark or Adam Goldblatt. New Bible Study Opportunity Pastor Lynda will be offering a six-week study called "It's the B.I.B.L.E." on Sundays at 3:30 PM in the social hall beginning May 7 until June 11, The only book you need is your Bible. Let her know if you are interested. A T T E N T I O N!!! It is time to start thinking about planting our Community Garden. It is very important that we find out who is interested so that we can plot out the plots and get the ground ready to plant. Those that will want to plant need to realize they are responsible for the planting, weeding, watering and, the most fun part, HARVESTING their crops. SO IF YOU WANT A GARDEN PLOT PLEASE LET Iverson Garrison or Nancy Clark know as soon as possible. Also a sign-up sheet will be in the narthex. Join the fun and fellowship of the West End United Methodist Church Cars for Christ & Country Fellowship When: The Second Monday May 8 4:30 PM till dusk Where: West End United Methodist Church 1800 Rodman Avenue, Portsmouth, VA [at the corner of Greenway Ct W. & Rodman Ave.] Why: To enjoy a fellowship for lovers of Classic, Modified, Hot Rod and Cruiser automobiles and motorcycles Light Dinner, Fellowship, & Friendship will be provided for all participants! For more info contact: Leon Jackson (757) or Roger Everett (757) Brought to you by your friends, enthusiasts & fellow car lovers at West End United Methodist Church -Stewardship Corner- All Can Be Faithful God does not give to everyone the same ability. There are those with one talent, those with three and those with five. Some gained the advantage in heritage, in training or through opportunities. God, however, did give to each the ability to be dependable. He requires of a steward that he or she be faithful over that to which he or she is entrusted. God will reward the person who did the best with his or her given talents. He will bless that one who accepted responsibility and was loyal to it. But, in none of his teachings do we find leniency for those not found faithful.

3 Our Food Pantry is Greatly Used West End s Food Pantry is open on Thursdays 10:00 AM 12:00 PM. Thank You to all who continue to donate items for our Food Pantry Sunday", the third Sunday of every month. The item being asked for on May 21 will be canned fruits and vegetables. We are asking each person who reads this to bring an item and place it in the altar basket or put a donation in the plate on the rail that day. Your donations are a blessing. You don t have to wait until Food Pantry Sunday to bring donations to church. When you go food shopping for yourself, throw a few extra things in your cart and bring them to church on any Sunday. Cash donations are also accepted to purchase additional items as well. Choir Notes A huge thank you to our devoted choir members who provided incredibly wonderful music during the Easter and Lenten Season. The musical drama The Living Last Supper was amazing and we were blessed by thirteen men who reenacted the roles of Jesus and His disciples. Thank you to all who participated. After June, the choir will take a much needed summer break. This is an opportunity for those who have special talents to provide summer anthems. Please contact Susan Heely if you would like to help out with music one Sunday in July or August. susanheely@gmail.com or The United Methodist Women celebrated UMW Day at West End on Sunday, April 23 rd. On this day the entire service was conducted by the women of our UMW. The music was led by WE Praise. Everyone did an outstanding job. A big THANK YOU to Ruth Gilmore for coordinating the day and for bringing us the message on the Road to Emmaus. As is tradition on this day, someone in our membership was recognized for their outstanding service to West End. This year s recipient of the Special Mission Recognition Pin was Ruth Gilmore. Congratulations and well deserved! The UMW General Meeting was held on April 19 th. The program was the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial brought to us by the Circle of Grace. Thank you to everyone for supporting the Mother s Day bulletin. If you haven t submitted names, the deadline is May 7 th! Please consider honoring a woman you admire by placing her name in the bulletin. The donation is $1.00 per name. The Circle of Friends will now ask for your help in preparing the Father s Day bulletin. Inserts will be running in the weekly bulletins soon and will be available in the narthex. The UMW fundraiser for the spring will be catering a luncheon for Church Women United at West End on Friday, May 5 th. Please make your reservations by Monday, May 1 st. The cost is $ The next general meeting will be on Sunday, June 5 th with an after church luncheon. Everyone is invited to join them on that day. Upcoming dates: June 3 rd is UMW Day at Ferrum College. Christmas Trip to the Amish Country West End would like to sponsor a trip to the Amish Country in Pennsylvania. We are thinking of taking this trip in the late fall. The Sight and Sound's production Miracle of Christmas is from November 3 rd December 30 th. We hope to have enough people to go on a bus trip for 3 days and 2 nights. We would need about 40 people and this would be open to anyone who would like to go, not just church members. This is just in the planning stage so please think about it and if you are interested let Nancy Clark or Susan Cohen know or put your name on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. VBS preparations are underway. The date set is July 30 August 3. If you can help, or would like more info, contact Terry Tynes or Lisa Boettcher. Joys, Thanks, & News To West End United Methodist Church, The Westhaven PTA Board would like to thank everyone who joined and/or made a donation to the Westhaven Elementary School PTA. This was greatly appreciated and we thank you for your support. Thank you, Susan Jenkins Westhaven Elementary School PTA President Congratulations to our newest additions to the family: *Gabriel Matthew Becerra born Sunday, April 2 8 lb 3 oz 22 inches son of Michelle & Joe Becerra, grandson of Tricia & Harvey Bright, great grandson of Lila Cox *Victor McKeena De Jesus born Tuesday, April 4 6 lb 2 oz 20 inches son of Heather Howard & Victor De Jesus, grandson of Lisa & Todd Howard, great grandson of Judy & Charles Kelly

4 Do You Know of a Graduate? We would like the names and info for anyone who has graduated since May of 2016 or is in the military. Get this info to the church office ASAP. West End s Dance Team has weekly practice on Saturdays. They meet in the karate room on the 2 nd floor of the Education wing at 1:00 PM. The class is open to boys and girls between the ages of 3 years old and up. Mrs. Ellen Clayton is the instructor. Anyone who would like more information or would like to register their child can contact the church office at (Monday Thursday, 9:00 AM 2:00 PM) and give their child s name, age, and phone number. They plan to perform on the 5 th Sundays during the year, the first performance being April 30 th. This will be such an inspiring ministry at West End. The Wesley Class The Wesley Class held their class meeting on Wednesday, April 5 th. Iverson and Georgia Garrison were our hosts and served a wonderful ham and all class members provided delicious side dishes and desserts. Joyce Geluz presented their devotional program. They are enjoying a wonderful study during Sunday School and encourage anyone looking for a way to fill your heart with the spirit of Jesus Christ in a special way, the Wesley Class is waiting for you. They have some exciting times scheduled for the upcoming months, including a picnic at Roger and Vernna Everett s home in June and they are talking about a possible trip to the Amish Country, so please join them and change your life, every Sunday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. Their class is located in the Dill Chapel ask anyone you see, they will point you in the right direction. Please come join in study and praise, they promise you ll be glad you did. The Asbury Class The Asbury Class thanks everyone who purchased an Easter Lily to adorn our altar for Easter Sunday. Thirty-four were ordered and the church looked beautiful. It is hoped you are still enjoying them at home. They do well being planted in your flowerbeds. Many come back year after year. They continue their Max Lucado study entitled In the Grip of Grace. All are welcome to join in this discussion class. Their class is located through the double doors in the front of the Chapel building. They begin at 10:00 AM. The lessons and thought provoking questions are sent out as an attachment each week. Contact Sidney Goldblatt if you would like to be put on the list to receive this. You don t have to be a member to attend this stimulating series. We ve always got a seat on the couch for you. Two Ongoing Monthly Volunteer Opportunities for You: Meals on Wheels will be delivered on Wednesday, May 24. To volunteer, please see Ginny Collins. Oasis Ministries Breakfast will be prepared and served on Thursday, May 25. If you would could help with this, please see Iverson Garrison. Other Opportunities at West End: The 2017 Altar Flower calendar is in the narthex for anyone who would like to place flowers on a particular Sunday morning during the year. If you have questions, please call the church office for assistance. There is a 2017 Liturgist calendar in the narthex for anyone who would like to help with the liturgy during a particular worship service during the year. If you have questions, please see William or Ginger Collins, our Liturgist Coordinators. Receive Newsletter in Electronic Form West End began sending out this newsletter as an attachment in 2012 four years ago. This was our way of cutting down on expense (mailing them out) and cutting down on waste (paper and ink are costly). If you would like your to be added or your updated then send your info to our editor, Susan Cohen, at queenbeez@cox.net. If you do not have an account then you can always pick up a copy in the narthex by the entrance door. This is your newsletter and we want you to receive your copy in the way that s best for you. Birthdays for May: 6 Norman Collins 15 Georgia Freeman 16 Harvey Bright 16 Kay Volz 22 Dale Matthews 25 Gracie Collins Anniversaries for May: 26 Joe & Sue Williams 28 Missy & Steve Rapp Heather & Mark Anderson 2016 **The next newsletter deadline is Sunday, May 21. At this time all news for June will be due. You can your articles to queenbeez@cox.net, give them to Susan Cohen (editor), or put them in the Communication mailbox in the Dill Chapel hallway.

5 Game Night Wednesday, March 29 Opportunities: 1 Mon. Trustees Meet 7:00 PM WE Praise practice* 7:00 PM [*=every Monday] 2 Tues. Circle of Friends 7:00 PM 3 Wed. Men s Bible Study* 7:00 PM [*=every Wednesday] 4 Thurs. Bible Study* Dill Chapel 10:00 AM Choir Practice* - 7:30 PM [*=every Thursday] 5 Fri. Church Women United mtg & lunch 11 AM 6 Sat. Liturgical Dance practice* 1:00 PM [*=every Saturday] 7 Sun. Sunday School - Adults* 9:45 AM Sunday School - Children* 11:00 AM Holy Communion 11:00 AM New Bible Study* 3:30 PM [*=every Sunday] 8 Mon. Cars for Christ 4:30 PM 9 Tues. Ministry Team mtg 7:00 PM 10 Wed. Circle of Ruth 1:30 PM Circle of Grace 7:00 PM [*=every Wednesday] 14 Sun. Mother s Day World Hunger Offering Received 16 Tues. Church Council mtg 7:00 PM 20 Sat. A-Z Festival for Tweens & Teens 11 AM-2 PM 21 Sun. Food Pantry Sunday canned fruit/veggies Newsletter deadline for June 24 Wed. Meals on Wheels 10:30 AM 25 Thurs. Serve breakfast at Oasis 6:00 AM 28 Sun. UMM breakfast and meeting 8:00 AM Missionary Support Offering Received WE worship 29 Mon. Memorial Day office closed Nancy Clark & Pastor Lynda Rick Dignard & Joyce Geluz Susan Cohen & Joyce Dignard For current photos & news updates check us at WestEndUnitedMethodistChurchPortsmouth David Geluz & Joe Cohen

6 Cars for Christ - Tuesday, April 10 Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15 Uncle Johnny & Shane Leon Jackson & Pastor Lynda WE Praise Easter Sunday - April 16 Addy & Gabriel visit the Bunny

7 UMW Day - April 23 President Nancy Clark opens service with a welcome Lisa Boettcher on computer and Georgia Garrison leading Prayer of Confession Nancy presented Ruth Gilmore with the Special Mission Recognition Pin Ruth Gilmore bringing the message on the Walk to Emmaus Joyce Geluz, Janice Melton, Julia Maye, Joyce Dignard WE Praise led the music - Donna Goldman, Susan Cohen, Steve Rapp, Mark Goldman, Tricia Bright, Connie Lane