Nutshell IN A. Walnut Grove United Methodist Church N E W L E T T E R. From the pastor: April 2012 May 2012 Go...and make disciples.

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1 IN A Nutshell Walnut Grove United Methodist Church N E W L E T T E R April 2012 May 2012 Go...and make disciples. Matthew 28:19 From the pastor: Several days ago Hannah called and said she was unable to get her car in gear. The engine started but she couldn t get it out of park. I told her to turn it off, wait a few minutes, and try again. After a few minutes, she called back and told me that she got it in gear and she made it home. The next day we took it to the mechanic and they began the diagnostic work. We are still waiting for the results hoping that the problem will be minor and the cost minimal. From time to time, our relationship with God seems stuck in park or put differently, there are times when it seems like our spiritual lives are not going anywhere. There are dark nights of the soul when prayers seem to bounce back to us, words of Scripture don t give us much inspiration, and the desire to worship and serve is non-existent. We know God is present but we seem stuck. This can be very frustrating and upsetting. While I hope you are not in such a period now, allow me to assure you it is common and at some point most everyone will go through dry times. There are no easy answers when it seems we are stuck. However, there are a few questions which may help as we diagnose our spiritual dry period. Do I have any unrepentant sin in my life? There are times when our spiritual lives get stuck because there are things we need to change. We can get off track and we need to ask God to get us back on track. The call to repentance is for believers and unbelievers. Is there someone with whom I need to reconcile? Our relationship with others can interfere with our relationship with God. It is impossible to grow in our relationship with God while we are holding grudges and refusing to forgive another person or persons. As hard as it can be, God always calls us to seek reconciliation with others. Do I need to readjust my priorities? Life can get hectic and sometimes our spiritual lives get stuck in park simply because we have not been devoting our time and energy that is needed for a relationship with God to flourish. Have I separated myself from other believers? The Christian life is a communal journey. We need to have others who can encourage us, challenge us, tell us the truth, and stand strong with us. We need our sisters and brothers. Am I simply going through the motions? There are times when simple changes can ignite spiritual growth. Perhaps, we simply need to read a different type of book, one that challenges us or we need to step out of our comfort zone and take on a new ministry. While these questions may help our spiritual growth, there are also times when there is no apparent reason for being stuck and the answer is simply perseverance. We keep praying. We keep reading the Bible. We continue to worship. We continue to be in fellowship. As a friend of mine says, We keep on keeping on. We persevere trusting that God is always with us and continues to lead us. We always Seek first the Kingdom of God. or as Eugene Peterson translated it, Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. (Matthew 6:33) The good news is that God is with us always, even when it seems like we are stuck. As we seek God, worship God, serve God, love God and others then we are heading in the right direction even if it doesn t seem like it at the time. Now, if Hannah s car would just do the same. See you on Sunday! Stuart

2 United Methodist Women Ruth Robinson, Vice-President Happy Spring!! There is no more confusion due to temperature. This is the time of year to begin to see new growth in God s world. Also, the warm weather gives one the added energy to seek and achieve new goals. Speaking of energy, our group is as busy as ever. First of all a big thank you to all who had a part in preparing and cooking the UMW soup as well as the ones that purchased the soup. We had another very successful year and therefore, since the UMW is mission oriented the group decided that the proceeds from the soup sale would be divided between the Backpack Ministry and ASP. It is such a joy to be able to support these two ministries. To bring you up to date in regard to UMW, as members of the Burlington District change is on the horizon. We will soon be called the Corridor District. A district President will be announced by March 31 st. In May a new team will be announced and will take office on July 1 to serve 2 ½ years. This will begin a new year of working and learning in a larger District. To close out the Burlington District, a celebration will take place at Bellemont UMC at 2:30 on June 10, This is a chance to say good-bye to the old and look forward to the new. Please join the UMW for mission studies in They include Haiti; Challenges and Hopes on March 31 st at First Elon UMC and The Journey; Forgiveness, Restoration, Justice, and Reconciliation on April 28 th at Hillsborough UMC. Also, candle burning will be May 1 st (Homecoming). During April forms will be available in the bulletin to complete In Memory or In Honor of loved ones. If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact me or any UMW member. Finally, the next local meeting will be on May 1 st in the Walnut Grove fellowship hall at 7 p.m. with the program led by Ruth Robinson. Hi Everyone! Friends for the Fight is up and running and gearing up for this year's Race for the Cure on Saturday, June 9th at Meredith College in Raleigh. Please support this wonderful cause as we fight to stamp out breast cancer for good. Many advances have been made in this field and The Susan G. Komen Foundation has been a leader in supporting research and education to keep progress going in finding a cure. You can make a tax deductible donation if you prefer. Thank you for your time and I hope you will join us in this fight. Anne Campbell

3 M ARY MART H A BUSY LADIES There were 22 members present for the February 14th meeting, on Valentines Day. Judy Parker lead the devotion. Quilters were quilting and those ladies that didn t quilt were making soup. The chicken soup was delivered to the community elderly and shut-ins with a dessert and valentine made by one of the Sunday School classes. Thank you Billie Roberts for chairing the soup volunteers. There were 17 members attending the March 13th meeting in the Fellowship Hall. There were three quilts completed and this was a celebration for the completion. Thanks go to Peggy Mustian for the quilting and to Jean Mangum for arranging the luncheons for the quilters. A Scavenger Hunt was conducted for 40 items in ladies purses. The six winners were given a quilt pattern. Ann Marie Laiumia provided the devotion. Plans were made for the Wednesday scheduled for April 25. The MMBL voted not to continue hosting the traditional 55 and Alive lunch as must of the MMBL were over 55. May is senior citizen month so ideas for MMBLs celebrating this is welcome. Coming up is the Granddaughter Tea on June 12th. Tom Roberts has invited the MMBLs to host that event at Inn At Teardrop. The Grandson Outing is scheduled for June 28. The April 10 meeting will be a trip to Smithfield to tour the Ava Gardner Museum and shop at Carolina Premium Outlets. Members will gather at the Fellowship Hall at 9:45am and leave at 10am. Lunch will be in Smithfield. Transportation is available. The Mary Martha Busy Ladies meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the FellowshipHall at 11:45 a.m. unless announced in the Church Bulletin. The Mary Martha Busy Ladies meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the FellowshipHall at 11:45 a.m. unless announced in the Church Bulletin. For information phone Madora Davis ( ) or Jane Sparks ( ). The Mary Martha Busy Ladies have been quilting for several weeks and have completed 3 beautiful quilts. Many, many thanks to the quilters and to the wonderful people who furnished lunch each day to the quilters.

4 Don t Wait Till Mother s Gone It may be nice for folks to hear The praise you have for mother dear When she has passed across the bar To dwell, perhaps, where angels are; But do not wait till mother s gone To heap good words and praises on The life she s lived, the good she s done, And glory in the race she s run. Perhaps today she needs to hear A bit of praise to give her cheer; A hand to help her bear her load She carries on life s rugged road; A lovely rose her eyes can see, Or some kind look to make her free To tell you of her inner cares, For which she needs your earnest prayers. Go sweep the room, and make beds, Or comb the little children s heads; And sometimes ask her how she feels, And would she have you cook some meals; Or help her in some other way To brighten up a cloudy day; That in your heart you have true love That God has sent you from above. Don t let your mother be a slave, Then lay her nicely in the grave And think you ve done your noble best That God in heaven ought to bless, If out across the bygone years You ve caused her eyes to fill with tears, And brought the wrinkles to her face That helped too soon to end her race. Oh, do not wait till mother s gone And gather flowers from the lawn To show a tribute to respect And think you ll pay for your neglect; But plant a kiss upon her cheek Through love that makes God s children meek, And say, Dear Mother, I ll be true And help you make your journey through! -- Walter E. Isenhour, Minister Taylorsville, N.C. UMYF Schedule April 8 No regular UMYF - Happy Easter April 15 Praise Band (Need 4:30 Regular 5:30 April 22 Praise Band (Need 4:30 Regular 5:30 April 29 Youth Sunday! Last Regular 5:30 until the fall May 6 Homecoming Burlington District UMYF Chicken Pickin- Cedar Rock 2:00 May 13 Confirmation Sunday/Mother's Day May 20 UMYF Senior 4:00 / Little River Park (All UMYF/Families invited) May 27 Memorial Week-end June 3 Graduate Sunday 12:00 Cheryl to take Seniors to Lunch! Announcements: Re: Outreach/Ministry Opportunities Callie picked up the soccer balls and delivered them to Mr. Wagoner for children in Haiti, so that deadline is past. Thanks Callie! Cari will continue to collect flip flop/shower shoes for the next two weeks. These shoes are going oversees to our troops for use at base camp barracks and to those troops who are hospitalized. Please continue to bring them to church! Yelling Help! Any UMYF member who can assist me with hiding easter eggs for Children's Ministry Egg Hunt, please report to church at 9:30 am on Saturday, April 7th. We have tons of eggs to hide, so I could use some help! Peace. Still My Heels! Cheryl S. Parker

5 Nursery Improvements Before After Youth Lock - In

6 April 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Palm Sunday Emma Beneville 2 Mackenzie Parker 3 Sharon Addison Lany Freeland Randy Oakley Karen Read 4 Kim McColman 5 Holy Thursday 7 p Praise Team Band Martha Bordeaux 6 Good Friday Brandi Oakley 7 Easter Egg Hunt Vaughn Compton Jerry Smith 8 Easter Sunday 6:30 a Sunrise Service Adam Compton 9 7 p Disciple Bible S David Porterfield Ken Vuolo Kasi Wahlers Alec Dement 10 Johnny Overcash Bibiana Parker 11 Paula Gross 12 7 p Praise Team Band 13 Kaleidoscope at Camp Don Lee Meghan Berry Joyce Roberts Jeff Smith 14 Kaleidoscope at Camp Don Lee Rachel Cole Ashley Pope 15 4:30 p Youth Praise Band 5:30 p MYF Debra Snipes Carla Snipes p Ministry Team Mt Danny Overcash Daniel Rath 18 Steven Prentice 19 7 p Praise Team Band Lori Berry Tina Walker Woods Porterfield Reunion 22 2 p OCIN Walk For Hunger 4:30 p Youth Praise Band 5:30 p MYF Cindy Bradsher 23 Keith Hawkins 24 Hannah Milton 25 David Pope Katlyn Reynolds 26 7 p Praise Team Band 27 1 p WG Crafters 28 9 a WG Crafters Wesley Tilley 29 Youth Sunday 4:30 p Youth Praise Band 5:30 p MYF Ed Powell 30 OCIM FOOD OF THE MONTH Pasta and Pasta Sauce If you would like to place flowers in the church anytime, please contact a member of the Worship Committee. Please note that these dates sometimes change. For the most up-to-date information check your Sunday bulletin or visit the website of

7 Happy Homecoming, Happy Mother s Day May 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat OCIM FOOD OF THE MONTH Mayonnaise Ketchup Jelly 1 7 p UMW Betsy Parker Emma Beckham Anita Simmons 2 Michelle Latta 3 7 p Praise Team Brenda Sykes 4 Relay for Life 05:00PM at Gravelly Hill Middle School Football Field Sue Powell Carolyn Tidwell 5 Setup for Homecoming Brenda Berry 6 HOMECOMING Youth at Chicken Pickin-Burlington District Taylor Guy Edith Roberts 7 8 Jamie Dean 9 Sheldon Perkins Worth Sparks 10 7 p Praise Team Mac Cole Cailin Nicole Glenn Brian Rath a Confirmation Ruth Alliger Cynthia Berry 13 Mother s Day Confirmation Sunday 14 Alexandria Mangum 15 7 p Ministry Team Mt Julie Sparks p Praise Team 18 1 p WG Crafters Bill Cole Danny Wilkerson Hope Parker 19 9 a WG Crafters Matthew Trembley 20 UMYF Senior Picnic Tucker Beneville Debbie Gates 21 Margaret Ann Dow 22 7 p Covenant Council Mtg Katinka Bates Luke Long 23 Keegan Walker 24 7 p Praise Team Brenda Painter Spencer Walker 25 David Berry, Jr. Nathan Tilley Steve Virginia Alan Horton 28 Memorial Day Stacy Beneville 29 Chance Murray 30 Susan Rimmer Charles Tilley 31 7 p Praise Team Kim Horton If you would like to place flowers in the church anytime, please contact a member of the Worship Committee. Please note that these dates sometimes change. For the most up-to-date information check your Sunday bulletin or visit the website of

8 News from Sisters in Christ- Walking for a Cure: Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us on March 10th at our annual spaghetti dinner and Bingo. Special thanks to all our sisters who baked desserts and helped serve in so many ways. A great time was had by everyone! Our next event is the Spring Fling to be held at the Heritage Clubhouse at 1900 Orange Grove Rd in Hillsborough on March 31st from 10am till 4pm. We will have vendors offering everything from jewelry to pocketbooks to yard art! This is a great Ladies Day Out! Lunch and delicious desserts will be available so we invite you to come out and shop for a Cure. Our 3 rd Annual Golf Tournament is on Friday, May 18th at Mill Creek Golf Course in Mebane. Elaine tells us the greens are in exceptional shape this year so sign up soon! $65 per person includes green fees, your cart and dinner. We have prizes for many categories including rounds of golf at Lonnie Poole at NC State, Duke Golf Club and Finley Golf Course at UNC. We will also be selling our famous fresh squeezed lemonade at Last Fridays in Hillsborough beginning April 27th and at the Timeless Cruisers Car Show on May 11 & 12. We wish to thank everyone for their support and prayers as we raise funds and walk our training miles in our fight to find a cure for breast cancer. Kim & Cheryl Sisters in Christ IV Cleveland 2012

9 NOTES from the Music Ministry by Leigh McFalls, Music Director Spring has sprung at Walnut Grove UMC and so has some new music for the upcoming liturgical seasons of the church year. Here are some events to watch for. Holy Week Services: Thursday (April 5 th ) The Sanctuary Choir will provide special music for this service. Good Friday (April 6 th ) The Praise Team will lead the music in this community service. We will also have special music from our neighbors at Lattisville Grove. Easter Sunday (April 8 th ) As always, we will have the heavenly sounds of the Praise Band and Sanctuary to bring the joy of Easter closer to you. Homecoming Sunday (May 6 th ) [ONE SERVICE AT 10:30] The Music Ministry always looks forward to our coming together as one to participate in the annual Homecoming service. We will again have music provided by the Sanctuary Choir and the Praise Team. Sanctuary choir meets at 7:00pm on Wednesday nights and the Praise Team at 7:00 on Thursday nights. For more information about any of the above opportunities, contact Leigh McFalls at MINISTRY NEEDS Audiovisual Assistant Needed There continues to be a HUGE need for persons to help with sound and projection at both services. We need persons to work the sound board and run the projection program (currently ProPresenter on the Mac laptop) at the 8:30 service. At the 11:00 service, we need a person to primarily run the sound board. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact Roger McFalls at or Leigh.

10 Announcements Easter Egg Hunt As a celebration of Easter season, please join the children of Walnut Grove for the annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7 at 10:30 am. Children will make an Easter craft, enjoy a story, and find lots of eggs! Light refreshments will be served. All children through fifth grade are invited to attend. For more information contact Gwen Hall-DiFabio at or a gwenkhd@gmail.com. How Do You Like Your Newsletter? Our newsletter is now on the web page and in a pdf format. You can now download it yourself from the web page at: Gail if you don t want to receive a print copy. office@walnutgroveumc.com Gone to be with the Lord! Dot Murray February 11, 2012 Welcome New Member! Margaret Williams WGUMC Ministers The Congregation The Staff who help them are: Rev. Stuart Milton Pastor Laure Kalau Assistant Pastor Leigh McFalls Music Ministries Director Cheryl S. Parker Youth Ministries Director Lorraine Parker Organist/Pianist Church Office Phone: Pastor s Address pastorstuart@walnutgroveumc.com Church Web Address Church Address office@walnutgroveumc.com Church office hours are Tues, Wed, Thur. from 9-1pm. This newsletter is printed every other month. Newsletter questions may be addressed to Stuart Milton at or Kim McColman, Newsletter articles may be sent to gallopingkm@gmail.com. Walnut Grove United Methodist Church 7215 Walnut Grove Church Road Hurdle Mills, NC Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage Paid Hurdle Mills, NC Permit No. 2 Change Service Requested