Linden Letter Linden Heights United Methodist Church 9914 Harford Road March, 2016 From the Pastor s Desk Easter people, raise your voices; sounds of heaven in earth should ring. Christ has brought us heaven s choices; heavenly music, let it ring. Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing. This is one of my favorite Easter Hymns. I love that it reminds us that we are Easter people. Because we know of and believe in Jesus resurrection, our lives are changed. We live as people who know healing and hope. We live as people who know companionship and protection. We live as people who know guidance and teaching. We live as people who know forgiveness and love. We live as people who know that death is not the complete end of life, but that life with God is never ending. In other words, we live as Easter people. The hymn goes on to say every day to us is Easter. Think about that for a moment. What would our lives be like if we celebrated Easter every day? Not the Easter bunny, jelly bean and died egg stuff, but the glad and joyful worship stuff with hearts overflowing with joy and happiness? What would it be like if every day we celebrated, worshiped, and remembered that we are Easter people? Throughout the remainder of Lent and through the Easter season (and hopefully beyond) I am asking each one of us to proclaim out loud I am an Easter person! You don t have to say it in front of others if you don t want to, but proclaim your faith, your belief, and your place as a disciple of Jesus Christ out loud every day. Remember, you are an Easter person and that Jesus has invited you to join Him in the joy of resurrection today and always. Let us celebrate! Easter people, let us sing! New Member Class Sunday, March 6 th, 6-7 in the parlor. Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of joining Linden Heights is invited to attend this informal class. We will get to know each other a little better, you will have the chance to ask questions, and I will review some basic information with you. We will set a date for new members to join the church, however, attending the class does not commit you to joining the church if this decision is not right for you at this time. If you have questions, please contact the pastor. Check out our website!! Our website has been redesigned and is full of current information about our church and activities. It is being updated on a regular basis so check it out! 1
Alicia Mark Your Calendars for our Holy Week Services!! Palm Sunday- March 20 th. Children will open both of our worship services and lead us in the waving of our palms. The choir will present their cantata at the 11 am service. The Easter Egg Hunt will be in between the worship services. Holy Thursday- March 24 th Our worship service is at 7:30 pm. Arnolia UMC will join us as we celebrate the Last Supper. Good Friday- March 25 th 9am-6 pm, prayer vigil in the church Our worship service is at 7:30 pm at Arnolia UMC. Join us as we remember Jesus death on the cross. Easter Sunday- March 27 th Sunrise Service- 6:30 am. Join us as we celebrate the rising of Christ with the rising of the sun. We will be outside, weather permitting. Dress accordingly!! We will provide folding chairs but feel free to bring your own if it is more comfortable. Family Service- 9:15 am. This service is designed to help children and their families worship God and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together. We will not have Sunday school. Traditional Service- 11 am. This festive service will include music from our choir celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and offer our praise to God. as we There will be coloring pages available for children at all of our Holy Week and Easter services. 2
CHOIR NOTES March 2016 Hello Everyone! Once again we are pairing with Arnolia United Methodist Church for Holy Thursday and Good Friday services. Recently we were at Arnolia for a lovely service on Ash Wednesday, with our combined choirs. On Holy Thursday we will be at Linden Heights, and back at Arnolia on Good Friday. Please plan to attend these services I can promise there will be beautiful music at both, with the two choirs again singing together. On Palm Sunday (March 20 th ) our choir will be presenting an Easter cantata, Once Upon A Tree by Pepper Choplin, at the 11:00 AM service. I think you will find it to be very moving -- it so perfectly encompasses the story of Jesus death and resurrection. Please see the attached flyer, and feel free to share it with your family and friends! Hope to see all of you for these services. In peace and song, Vanessa Lawson Choir Director 3
Linden Heights United Methodist Church s Chancel Choir Will Be Presenting An Easter Cantata Once Upon A Tree by Pepper Choplin When: Sunday, March 20, 2016 11:00 AM Service Where: Linden Heights UMC Sanctuary Please come and be part of this very special occasion! 4
Don t forget Daylight Savings Time on March 13 th - set your clocks ahead one hour!! Moms Bowling The moms in our church are going bowling! We will gather at the bowling alley on March 20 th at 6 pm. If you have not already let Pastor Alicia know that you would like to attend, please do so this week so we can reserve a place for you. Communion Bread and juice is needed for our Contemporary Service on Sunday s at 9:15 a.m. If you would like to sign up for one or more weeks please let the pastor know. Easter Egg Hunt Help is needed with the purchase of items to stuff our eggs for our hunt on Palm Sunday. If interested, please bring in small toys, wrapped Easter candy, stickers, etc., and give to Ruth Snyder. Thank you for your continued support of our Sunday School. 5
Our Prayer Concerns Please pray for our church, our pastor, our nation, and our world, and remember in your prayers those with special needs including: For our first responders in our community and our nation For our armed forces For our church Our Altar Flower sign-up sheet has many available dates to remember a loved one, or to honor or thank someone, or to celebrate a special event. Check the bulletin board outside the sanctuary for the sign-up sheet. 6
Easter Flower Order Form Due by MARCH 17 TH All Easter Flowers are $7.00 a piece Please indicate the number of flowers you would like and fill out the information on the bottom. # Easter Lily- White # Mums- Yellow # Mums- Pink # Tulips- Red # Tulips- Yellow # Tulips- Purple # Hyacinths- Purple # Hyacinths- White Your name: # Yellow Daffodils # Mum- Purple # Mums- White # Tulips- Orange # Tulips- Pink # Tulips- White # Hyacinths- Pink Way to contact you: In Memory of By In Honor of By TOTAL PAID $ 7