THE GLENWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2931 Myrtle Street Erie, PA 16508 814-456-6268 Address Service Requested Gym and Continues March Glenwood is the place to be on Wednesday nights! From 6:30-8:00pm, children ages 9-17 are invited to participate in Gym, filled with both planned games as well as free time. And where you can work on various artistic pursuits, under the direction of our artist-in-residence, Anne Cutri. March is the last month for Gym and until the fall. Both are free so invite your friends and come in out of the cold! Church Night @ the Erie Bayhawks for Celebrate Your Faith Night Saturday, March 28 @ 7pm. Come one and all as we watch the Bayhawks take on the Delaware 87 ers. Tickets will cost about $10 (but price is subject to change). Sign-up at the table in the bell room to reserve your seats. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ERIE PA PERMIT NO. 1677 THE March WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday, Mar. 1-8:15 & 10:45 am Lent II Holy Communion The Woman at the Well: Freedom from the Past Freedom: Week 2 John 4:5-42 Sunday, Mar. 8-8:15 & 10:45 am Lent III Kurt Crays, EUMA Executive Director Sunday, Mar 15-8:15 & 10:45 am Lent IV The Sick Woman: Freedom from Suffering Freedom: Week 3 Mark 5:21-34 Sunday, Mar. 22-8:15 & 10:45 am Lent V The Adulterous Woman: Freedom from Condemnation Freedom - Week 4 John 8:1-11 Sunday, Mar. 29-8:15 & 10:45 am Palm Sunday The Thief on the Cross: Freedom from Fear Freedom: Week 5 Luke 23:26-43 Sunday for all ages 9:30 a.m. Child care available Messenger Glenwood United Methodist Church We Focus on Prayer Pastor s Office Hours Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. E-mail: pastor@glenwoodumc.org www.glenwoodumc.org Prayer Ministry Relaunches: Hey, have you ever thought I really want to do something more for God? Maybe you re not the one for teaching Sunday. Maybe you re unable, due to health or other commitments, to help with the Food Pantry, or church clean-up, or ramp building. Well, don t feel bad, because I need you! Pastor Matt has asked me to be Glenwood s Prayer Ministry Coordinator. Now I m not sure what exactly is involved, however, I know that I am in need of help. First, I want to put together a ministry team to help me. Before you brush this idea off, remember, anyone and everyone can pray. It is in its simplest form just talking with God which in turn brings a closer encounter with God and that leads to a more intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior. So how can you say no to that? I have been touched by God because of the prayers of so many others! Wow, they were powerful. I could tell you more than a few stories about that! I m sure you have stories of being blessed by prayer. So, if you would give my request some serious thought and prayer, I will be very excited to receive that God-blessed call from you. Together, with God, we can do great things. Second, I would like to re-organize our phone prayer chain. We had to cancel our One Call Phone System and not everyone has e-mail, so this will help us stay connected with the needs in the church. If you would like to be on this prayer chain, please call the church office so we can begin to get things organized. Waiting to hear from you - call Peggy Seib at 814-440-4206. Short-Term Sunday Elective: When God s People Pray pick up your book in the sanctuary for this 6-week study led by Pastor Matt during Lent. Here is a summary: Prayer can change lives and circumstances like nothing else can. What are the keys that unlock its power, that turn prayer from a mere activity into a vital link with God and all his resources? In When God s People Pray, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, shows you truths about prayer that God has used to turn his own church into a vital, thriving community of believers. This class meets in the church Social Room. Church Office Hours Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. E-mail: office@glenwoodumc.org Making disciple-making disciples of Jesus Christ
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens PAGE 2 LIVING INTO MY CURRENT SEASON Last month in this space, I spoke of the season of Lent, that time in the life of the Church where we focus more intentionally on our spiritual life. I invited you to review your life and ask the question Who am I becoming? This month, as we continue our journey, I want you to consider the question What season am I in? Writing in Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon reminds us There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens He then goes on to describe those seasons: birth and death; planting and uprooting; killing and healing, building up and tearing down; mourning and dancing; keeping and discarding; speaking and being silent, just to name a few. Bill Hybels, in his book Simplify, addresses these seasons in our lives in this way: They invite us to consider the seasons of our lives through the landscape of eternity-and this is key to simplifying our lives (p. 227). I think one of the struggles we often face is to miss the various seasons of our lives and to see life as one long event, instead of series of seasons punctuated by moments where the season I am in changes. Seasons change in many ways: marriage or divorce; the birth of a child; a new job or career change; retirement; death of a loved one; and many more. Every season will require of me different skills and will teach me new things about the faithfulness of God. Every season becomes a soul-making opportunity where I can grow more into becoming like Jesus, if I will see it that way. God never wastes a season and He never wastes an experience in our lives. Hybels later says this It s also important to identify your current season so that, when the season comes to a close, you ll be less likely to cling to it, and more apt to make a graceful exit and step wholeheartedly into the new season that is dawning (p. 239). As we travel the path with Jesus, we all know that the cross is the end point for the journey. Some translations tell us that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there a season of ministry would end, marked by a brief but intense and bitter season of betrayal, physical agony, and spiritual separation from His Father. What if Jesus had decided hang on to his current season of wide acclaim and praise from the crowds? It may have been good for him but it would be very bad for us! So what season do you find yourself in right now? No matter the season, I invite you to embrace it, for in doing so you will gain a deeper understanding of the love and provision of God no matter what your circumstances might be. And remember this, if the cross is in sight, it means the empty tomb is also close! Living into the season, In Christ s service, Pastor Matt 2015 Remember to Check out our Web site: www.glenwoodumc.org Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Communion Lent II 8 Lent III 1:30 Youth - Ice Skating JMC 15 Lent IV 22 Lent V 29 Palm Sunday 2 6:00 Food Pantry 9 6:30 Church Administrative Meetings 16 6:00 Food Pantry 23 30 6:30 Church Program Meetings 3 12:30 Homeschool Writers 10 12:30 Homeschool Writers 2:00 Homeschool Gavel 3:30 Prayer Shawl Min. 7:00 UM Women 17-12:30 Homeschool Writers 5:15 Brain Injury Support 24 2:00 Homeschool Gavel 31 4 11 18 25 5 6:00 Craft Guild 8:00 Gym 12 6:30 Noteworthy 8:00 Gym 19-8:00 Gym 26 6:30 Noteworthy 8:00 Gym 6 6:00 Jump Start 13 14 20 6:00 Jump Start 7 South Harborcreek 12:00 Gym in use Asbury Waterford 21 McKean UMC 27 28 First UMC Easter Egg Hunt 7:00 Family Faith Night - BayHawks Game PAGE 11
March Birthdays and Anniversaries PAGE 10 Listed below are those in our church family who celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries this month: Birthdays: Mar. 4 Anna Chase Mar. 5 Gabriel Skrabacz Mar. 7 Nellie Huber Mar. 7 Judy Nass Mar. 8 Kirra DiPaolo Mar. 9 James Barnes Mar. 9 Cindy Berdis Mar. 9 Spencer Saft Mar. 10 Sara Ernst Mar. 12 Molly Petroff Mar. 12 Anders Schlabach Mar. 12 Ingrid Schlabach Mar. 15 Chuck Crosby Mar. 15 Bradley Durst Our much-awaited renovation of the stage and surrounding areas is underway! Thanks to all who helped with the initial demolition and preparation. As part of our cost-saving measures, we have chosen to do most of the painting of the rooms ourselves instead of paying the contractor to do it. Mar. 16 Becky Gonda Mar. 16 Bill Waytenick Mar. 16 Heather Hedderick Mar. 17 Steven Ernst Mar. 17 Chuck Herron Mar. 18 David Fialkowski Mar. 18 Glenn Wiser Mar. 21 Marilyn Fialkowski Mar. 24 Nova Davis Mar. 25 Zachary Mitchell Mar. 26 Debbie Brumagin Mar. 29 Bill Varrato Mar. 30 Luca Miller Anniversaries: Mar. 22 Rev. Jerry and Cheryl Gray Our records may not be complete, please call the church office, to let us know if we have omitted your name. Basement Renovation Project out the month of March, please be aware that we will be making requests for painting help (walls; ceilings and trim) and may even try to schedule another work day. Please contact Lois Ross (814-397-3891) if you are able to help in this way. Youth in grades 4 through 6, are you looking to JUMP START your weekend after a week of school? Come to Glenwood on Friday March 6 from 6:00-7:30 pm to play games, Anyone who knows me, knows that winter is not my favorite time of the year. Yet as I write this it is 4 degrees, but the sun is shining and I am reminded that we are to Rejoice in the Lord, always! So while I m rejoicing, I am thinking of warmer days and fresh picked fruit. I guess I m thinking of fruit because of Pastor Matt s sermon series on how we are to thrive and live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. I found some interesting comparison about fruit and the fruit of the Spirit I would like to share. When eating a strawberry, remember the fruit of the Spirit of love. Strawberries are red, like a heart and a heart reminds us of love. FUN FACT Did you know that strawberries were used as a medicinal herb in the thirteenth century? How appropriate because love is the best medicine for a hurt. Did you ever put an orange slice in your mouth and smile? Joy is all about smiles and the happiness that God spend time with old and new friends and of course, snacks. Be sure to invite a friend! Can t wait to see you there. gives. So make someone smile the next time you eat an orange. Who wants to eat a green banana? No, you need to wait for them to ripen. So be patient and enjoy that banana when it s ready. Have you ever seen a starfruit? It s a bit strange looking, but it reminds me of God s faithfulness. God promised through his prophets to send His Son, the Messiah. And one day, he did! There was a bright star that led the wise men to find the baby. God is always true to His promises and we should be faithful in following God s word. Well those are just a few ways we can remember to live out the fruit of the Sprit in our lives. Even when the sun isn t shining, remember God loves you so rejoice! Pastor Shirley PAGE 3
With Gratitude COINS FOR MISSIONS We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. PAGE 4 LOCAL MISSION I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to helping EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) end homelessness for families, honorably discharged veterans, and other; and alleviating poverty in Northwestern Pennsylvania. In all, you assisted over 3,000 men, women, and children. Without your support none of this would be possible. In 2014, your total giving was $5,888.00. I want to thank you for your recent donation of $430 to The Refuge. Your gift is at work right now ending homelessness for 13 families including 6 Dads, 10 Moms, and their 24 children, along with 5 honorably discharged veterans all formerly homeless, but now on a pathway to permanent housing and hopeful tomorrows. Kurt B. Crays EUMA Executive Director ALSO: On behalf of the EUMA s The Refuge, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of bread and discharge baskets. Your contribution makes it possible for us to continue to minister and provide support to homeless families. Missy Niedzielski The Refuge GLOBAL Thank you for your support of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The Advance, the designated giving channel of The United Methodist Church, 100 percent of your contribution will go to UMCOR. Your gift of $44 is supporting programs that fight hunger and poverty, assist the displaced, and respond to disasters, as we partner with other United Methodists in mission and ministry around the world. Thank you for giving so generously. Thank you for joining with us to Be Hope to those who desperately need it. Roland Fernandes General Treasurer UMCOR This month is a Coins for Missions month and we will be supporting the work of the Erie United Methodist Alliance. EUMA is a cooperative ministry of the United Methodist churches in Erie to provide housing to homeless families (The Refuge and Hope House) and male veterans (Liberty House), a thrift store (The Rainbow Connection) as well as managing the homeless intake database for Erie County. Kurt Krays, EUMA s Executive Director, will be here to preach on Sunday, March 8. The children will be collecting your coins each Sunday during March. Find out more at http://www.eumaerie.org. YOU CAN NOW REGISTER FOR CAMP ONLINE! Summer camp is a great opportunity to help your child and grandchild grow in their faith, to learn new things and to make new friends. Over the next few months we will bring you information about summer camping ministry opportunities for this coming year. There is something for everyone s interests at Wesley Woods. Camps start as early as age 4 (bring a parent or grandparent) and include themes/activities like: rock climbing; horse and pony; fishing, night camp, CSI, acting; astronomy, rocketry, canoeing, sports, golf and more. They are always supervised by great summer staff and volunteers and kids come back with great stories of friends they made and things they learned. There will be more information over the next couple of months, but if you would like to get started NOW you can go to www.wesleywoods.com or get a brochure in the Lower Lobby. You can also register online and print out a campership form. A campership form needs to be reviewed and signed by Pastor Matt before submitting. The church will provide campership funds to help pay for the cost of camp because we believe that any child who wants to attend camp should be able to! For more information, contact Al Smith (814-454-8788) or Pastor Matt. Brochures are available in the lower lobby or online at: www.wesleywoods.com PAGE 9
Glenwood Youth Ministry Our Glenwood Praises Men s Lenten Breakfasts Continue PAGE 8 Glenwood Youth Ministry (Perhaps The Wave Youth Ministry???) 2015 Schedule meeting Sunday nights from 6-8pm All youth in 7 th -12 th grade Sunday, March 1 youth meeting Sunday, March 8 - ice skating at JMC 1:30-3:30pm $6/ person (no youth meeting tonight) Sunday, March 15 youth meeting Sunday, March 22 youth meeting YOUTH MISSION TEAM Our team is selling subs and pretzel sandwiches to raise funds for our summer mission trip to Lincoln County, WV. Orders must be placed by Sunday, March 8 and will be available for pick-up after church on Sunday, March 22. 10 inch subs are available for $5 each - Combo, roast beef, ham and cheese, turkey or tuna. Pretzel sandwiches are either ham and cheese or turkey and cheese and cost $3. Please see a member of the youth or sign-up at the table in the bell room. You have to eat so why not help out the youth while you are at it! Youth preparing Salsa for the Super Bowl Sale. Saturday, March 28 Erie Bayhawks Game - Faith and Family Night Sunday, March 29 youth meeting Spring Retreat @ Wesley Woods camp - TBD Summer mission trip August 2-7, 2015 to Lincoln County, WV Glenwood UMC 2931 Myrtle Street Erie PA 16508 www.glenwoodumc.org Got Questions??? - Contact P-Matt 724-316-2631 A great start to the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday with all the urban UM churches together for worship. Thanks to Pastor Shirley and our choir for participating All the help Saturday to get ready for the basement renovation over 30 volunteers gave almost 100 hours of time that morning! A wonderful family ministry game night on Saturday evening what a joy to hear all that laughter Lorraine Porte and Rhonda Martin in worship after recent health problems Morgan Ernst swimming in Districts this Friday and Saturday (only freshmen girl from McDowell to qualify) Alyssa Turner cheer squad placed first in a Saturday competition Allison Judd doing well after a root canal Fran Donatelli-Sprake for safe travels home from NC Michael been 1 month without seizures following his brain surgery Get challenged Get fed Get going! Calling all men! Join together with other guys from around the city to learn what it means to fight for the things that really matter in today s world to serve your wife, to love your children, and to stand up for Jesus every day. United Methodist Men will again be hosting a weekly breakfast and worship service during the Saturdays of Lent at churches throughout the city. We begin at 8am with worship and communion and conclude with breakfast. A free-will offering is taken. This gathering might be the Lenten discipline that you need to add to your schedule to take you to the next level in your spiritual life. March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28 South Harborcreek UMC Phone: 899-5962 Keith McGarvey, Pastor 7929 McGill Road Asbury UMC Phone: 796-6012 Gary Donaldson, Pastor 23 W. 2 nd Street, Waterford McKean UMC Phone: 476-7538 Barb English, Pastor 5041 Old North Main, McKean First UMC Phone: 453-6889 Dr. Sang Choi, Pastor 707 Sassafras Street Reservations are needed by each Wednesday please call Brenda (456-6268) if you plan to attend. PAGE 5
PAGE 6 Opportunities for Spiritual Growth Sermon Series: Freedom! Our Lenten messages will focus on the freedom that Jesus provides by looking at many people that Jesus met throughout His ministry. We will study how Jesus met their deeper needs and invited them to live a life of freedom based in Himself and how God longs for the same thing for us today. Easter Egg Hunt March 28 - Plans are in the works for an egg hunt and other activities for the children this year. More information will be coming soon. Palm Sunday March 29 Don t miss out on this celebration of Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Together we will wave our palm branches and raise our voices to shout Hosanna in the highest! Holy Thursday Worship April 2 @ 7:00pm This will be a remembrance of all that Jesus experienced the last night with His disciples. Communion will be part of the worship experience. Good Friday Worship April 3 @ 7:00pm Stare at the cross and weep as we witness again that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, [and] was crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). We will be hosting this service among all the UM churches in the city. Easter Celebration April 5 He is Risen! Come and worship our Risen Lord as we celebrate His defeat of death and Hell. Begin praying now for that person you want to invite to church this weekend. Save the Dates: Laity Celebration Luncheon Sunday, April 19 @ Noon. Wesley Woods Work Week - April 25 - May 3 (we still have 1/2 a roof to re-shingle!) New Member - April - A special series of classes will be offered for those interested in learning more about being a member of Glenwood Church. Contact Pastor Matt if you are interested. Building Erie Families - April 26-27 Sessions by Dr. Kevin Leman, psychologist, include Tools for a Happy Marriage on Sunday, April 26 from 6:00 7:30 p.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center followed by Tools for Peaceful Parenting on Monday, April 27 from 7:00 8:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 1 each night $12 per couple and $7.50 for individuals Walk for a Healthy Community - June 6 at Presque Isle State Park. Walk with EUMA to end homelessness in Northwestern PA Our Prayer Concerns Dave Gens chemotherapy Bill Riekert ongoing health issues Alex Kelly moved to a rehab facility in Youngstown, OH Mary Bartone neck troubles Chuck Caskey Alzheimer's Rev. John Shuttleworth (Brown Hill UMC) pancreatic tumor surgery Iva chemotherapy and depression Rhonda Martin s niece and baby Anna Chase s aunt new baby Tony Wujik biopsy for mass in his chest Kathy Krahe - meeting with a surgeon concerning thyroid issue Family of Agnes (Patty Bonnell s aunt); a 19 year old; Esculis family Thanks for your Service... For all those who bought salsa as part of the youth group fundraiser. We hope you liked it. To all our faithful Food Pantry workers who help in so many different ways. For Glenwood s AARP Tax Counselors, Wanda Watkins and Doc Salmon. Call Wanda at 572-7165 for an appointment, as our Unit will prepare returns for Glenwood members regardless of age or income. To all EUMA newsletter folders and labelers. We got it in on time. To 30 Glenwood volunteers who gave almost 100 hours to begin our renovation work. H 2 O HELPING HANDS OUTREACH Is your child frustrated at not meeting the age requirements for volunteer work? Helping Hands Outreach is a unique program to provide service opportunities to kids. Anyone from age six through entrance into youth group is welcome, though certain organizations may have different age limits. There will be a larger off-site project every three months. The first quarterly project will be in April, with the date coming in the April newsletter, and will most likely be volunteering at the Rainbow Connection. About once monthly there will be a smaller project to be held at the church. If you are interested or have any questions please contact Caroline Judd at 814-452-2835 or at carolinejudd7@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! PAGE 7