February 2018 Greenwood United Methodist Church Page February 2018 Twig Bender F e b r u a r y i s L o v e M o n t h By Steve Stalnaker A s February begins, our thoughts turn to what? The Super Bowl? Snow? (Hope not!) Valentine s Day and love? Yeah, that sounds good; let s turn our thoughts to love. We certainly begin to think of love as we close in on Feb. 14. In terms of Be my Valentine the love we think of is generally love of one person for another, not love of country or love of a football team. Through the years, many have tried to answer the question what is love? Science Fiction author Robert A. Heinlein writes that Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. (From Stranger in a Strange Land 1961) And then there s this definition of love: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV) Our Ministry Of Prayer Roger Eckwright, Michelle Gibbs, Rob Maxey, Iker Ochoa, Jackie Parker, Roy Sheets, Gloria Slingerland, Bob Smith, Dot Thomas, Susan Wachter (Continued on page 10)
Page 2 The Twig Bender F r o m t h e Pa s t o r L o v e a n d L e n t Soon we will begin the season of Lent. It will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. This is a day we in America in modern times think of as a day of love, Valentine s Day. This conjunction of holidays may seem a little strange to many of us in this modern world where we are more used to celebrating the holidays pushed by our culture. Valentine s Day is a day where we focus on passion, sweets like chocolate, hearts, lovers, and exchanging love sentiments with friends, classmates and significant others. Ash Wednesday is a day when we concentrate on the instructions from the Old Testament to express our repentance by putting on ashes both literally and figuratively. We express our contrition for our sins and begin a time of 40 days where we express that contrition by living more simply, giving something up and preparing for the Passion of Christ. Originally the Lenten devotion was designed to help those new to the faith prepare for baptism. Now it is a time when those already in the church delve deeper into their faith as we prepare to celebrate the Risen Christ at Easter. Many people spend the time in service to others, sharing their faith through action. But the two celebrations on the same day are not really opposed. We express contrition, we take on the ashes and repent of our sin because we love God. We love God (Continued on page 8) Ash Wednesday Services Feb. 14 4 p.m. at Greenwood 7 p.m. at Laurel Park
February 2018 Page 3 Your Communion Offerings H e a r t H a v e n s i n F e b r u a r y By Linda Walker I don t often drive across the James River because I usually am lost once I get to the other side. But I made the trip to meet with Sarah Wilkinson of Heart Havens. As I spoke with Sarah, I felt like I touched the heart and soul of the organization. Heart Havens empowers adults with intellectual disabilities to live full lives to be the best versions of themselves with as much independence as possible. Isn t that what we all want for ourselves? The organization provides seven permanent homes (typically four residents per home). Two homes are in the Richmond District in Varina and there is one in Ashland. Shift workers help the residents, depending on individual needs. These are not nursing homes. Heart Havens helps residents realize their hopes and dreams and goals. Medicaid pays some expenses for residents, but does not pay for eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dental visits. We all know being able to see, hear and chew are vital to good health. Also, Medicaid does not pay for the upkeep of the houses (they recently had to replace roofs on two houses) or for pay increases for the shift workers. Heart Havens does not receive funds from church apportionments. Donations are considered second-mile giving. The Virginia Conference designates February as Heart Havens month to raise funds. Greenwood UMC s February communion offering will go to Heart Havens. We are encouraged to invite Heart Havens residents to activities to include them in the community. Also, the organization needs volunteers to occasionally perform handyman work on the houses. Another way we can help is to sponsor a supplies (Continued on page 11) Our February Communion Offering Goes to: Heart Havens
Page 4 The Twig Bender Summer Adventure Spanish and French Students Need Hosts Families and foreign teens can make lifetime memories and wonderful international experiences this summer sharing their hearts and homes with a Spanish or French teen. This will be a treasured memory for every family. Compass USA needs 80 families each to host a student from Spain or France (ages 13-17) in their homes for three to four weeks in July. Families can learn about their guest s culture while he or she learns about living in an American family, just by being a part of what the family regularly does. There are a variety of programs to suit each family s schedule. Families receive stipends to help with expenses. Compass USA can help work out transportation or vacation concerns. Host family requirements: Couples with or without children or a single parent with at least one child living at home. English must be the primary language spoken in the home. (Continued on page 9) Crown of Glory Bible Study Coming in Lent This year during the Lenten Season Pastor Barbara will be offering a six-week Bible Study called A Crown of Glory. The study will look at ways in which God works through our lives. The study comes with a book with scripture readings, questions, prayers and suggested activities for each week. Bible study books cost $9.50 each. The plan is to offer the study on Sunday afternoons. If you are interested in participating, please let Pastor Barbara know you would like a book and what time you would prefer to see the study held. She would like to offer the study at the time most interested people are available.
February 2018 Page 5 Emergency Response System Test Downloaded from the UMC s General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) website. Don t you hate those tests of the emergency broadcast system that pop up unexpectedly on television and the radio? They frighten us a bit and are unwanted interruptions. But we know it is necessary to be prepared to take action in the case of an emergency. When the prophet Joel calls upon the people of Zion to blow the trumpet, he is essentially setting off an emergency broadcast alert that the day of the Lord is coming near. While Ash Wednesday may not signal the imminent return of the Lord (for no one knows the day or the hour of his return, not the angels in heaven or even the Son, but only the Father), it does serve as an annual test of our emergency response systems as disciples of Jesus Christ. We should observe a holy Lent by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self denial; by reading and meditating on God's Holy Word. Ash Wednesday is an annual call to mark a right beginning of repentance by receiving a mark of our mortal nature. This is a reminder that we need to live as people who are prepared to stand before our Lord at any time to receive the judgment the Lord renders upon our lives. G r e e n w o o d Wo m e n s C i r c l e s The Ruth Circle will meet Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the home of Agnes Dalton. We will be making chocolate Easter eggs again this year see the article on page 14 for more info. Use the order form on page 15 or in upcoming bulletins. The Willing Workers will meet on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the choir room at church. We ll be working on our plans to honor Longdale teachers and other activities to help our community. (Continued on page 9)
Page 6 By Maurice Hawkins The next meeting of Cornerstones, on Wednesday, Feb. 21, will feature two guest speakers from the Henrico County Revenue department. The Twig Bender C o r n e rstones Host Ta x Ta l k Our guests will explain Henrico s Real Estate Advantage Program (REAP). If you meet the qualifications, you do not have to pay real property taxes (up to $3,000.00). If you qualify, you also will be able to get free trash pickup (not household garbage). You do have to be age 65 or older, own your home and meet some limits as to income and over all wealth. Even if you haven t been coming to Cornerstone meetings, come to this one. We eat at 11:30 a.m. and talk at noon. Food and drink will be provided. If you want to join us, let Maurice or Charlene Hawkins know. F e b r u a r y F o o d F u n Fellowship Dinner Wednesday, Feb. 21 6:30 p.m. Menu: meat loaf, potato casserole, butter beans, apple sauce and cherry pie with ice cream. $7.00 per person. Sign up by Feb. 18 on the form in the bulletin or email the church office. Note: this is the 3 rd Wednesday rather than the 2 nd as usual, since Ash Wednesday is on the 2 nd Wednesday this year. FunRaisers Bag Lunch Available for pick up after church services on Sunday, Feb. 25. Menu: pimento cheese with 2 white house rolls, baked apples, chips and Watergate salad. $7 each. Sign up in the narthex by Feb. 18.
February 2018 Page 7 Jaliyah and Jayden Honored Every Martin Luther King Day, Henrico County holds a ceremony to honor Dr. King. Part of the ceremony is a recognition of one student from each school in the county. The award is called "The Light of Hope" and this year Jaliyah and Jayden Shuler were the students sent from Chamberlayne Elementary School. Jaliyah was telling her teacher about some of the things she does at her church such as helping with the Food Connection Program, CARI- TAS and singing with the choir for the Christmas Cantata this year. Jaliyah just is excited about her church and loves helping and participating and the teacher felt she was really a special girl. So, a special thank you to all of the people at church who have encouraged her and Jayden and allowed them to grow in their faith. The Shuler Family Food Donation Connection February Pick Up Rotation Wednesday, Jan. 31: Charlene and Maurice Hawkins; Thursday, Feb. 1: Glenda and Steve Stalnaker; Friday, Feb. 2: Carolyn and Ray Smith. Wednesday, Feb. 7: Jean Mowatt and William Gibbs; Thursday, Feb. 8: Lewis Daniel; Friday, Feb. 9: Adamarye Patteson. Wednesday, Feb. 14: Betty and Raymond Ritchie; Thursday, Feb. 15: Glenda and Steve Stalnaker; Friday, Feb. 16: Brenda and Harry Shuler. Wednesday, Feb. 21: Charlene and Maurice Hawkins; Thursday, Feb. 22: Lewis Daniel; Friday, Feb. 23: Carolyn and Ray Smith. Wednesday, Feb. 28: Jean Mowatt and William Gibbs; Thursday, March 1: Glenda and Steve Stalnaker; Friday, March 2: Adamarye Patteson.
Page 8 L o v e a n d L e n t The Twig Bender (Continued from page 2) so much we are willing to change our lives for God. We are willing to give up or give of ourselves because we love God. I don t remember Valentine s Day and Ash Wednesday falling on the same day. The last time that happened was in 1945. But the two events occurring on the same day has captured my interest this year. To think about how we can take the day to express our love for God by expressing our love to other humans seems to be in synch. It calls to mind how in Genesis, as part of the creation, God created a helpmate for Adam. God wanted humans to have family, friends, people with whom they can share their lives and the wonder of creation. This year, as we begin the Lenten journey together, I invite you to think of ways that instead of giving something up, we give something forward in service or small gifts to help others know the Risen Christ, the love of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. Grace and peace, Barbara Chat n Chew 2.0 Virginia Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis will host a listening session, Chat n Chew 2.0 on Saturday, Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ebenezer UMC in Stafford, VA. This event is for laity and clergy from the Alexandria, Arlington, Rappahannock River and Richmond Districts. The listening session will focus on the work of The Commission on the Way Forward regarding unity and human sexuality, allowing lay and clergy voices across the conference to engage directly in this important conversation. Registration is required at $10 per person with lunch included. Register online at eiseverywhere.com/chatnchew2.
February 2018 Page 9 Emergency Response System Test (Continued from page 5) As Christians, our call is to seek to please not the people around us, but the God who made us. In Matthew, Jesus tells us that the way to do this is to not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. As we begin this holy season together, let us not ignore the alert that is built into our tradition. Let us instead take it as a clarion call to action. Let us hear the invitation to observe a holy Lent as our marching orders, in which we get up and do what we need to do to be prepared for whatever may come, this day and every day. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we march courageously and faithfully through this season side by side, shoulder to shoulder, as disciples trusting completely in the promises of our God, made known to us in Jesus Christ. (Continued from page 4) Host Spanish or French Teens The student must have a private bedroom or share a private room with a family member of the same sex and similar age. The student must have her/his own bed. Compass USA was founded in 2000 to provide educational opportunities for foreign youth and adults in the United States. They are dedicated to the principle that living inside an international culture is the key in the journey to achieve international understanding. Compass USA encourages each participant to personally contribute to this important journey. Their intent is to foster new understandings and worldwide friendships one person at a time. Contact Debbie Hardy, Compass USA Regional Supervisor, at 804-909-3190 or debbiehardy2003@yahoo.com. Learn more at www.compass-usa.net.
Page 10 Jesus Greater Love The Twig Bender (Continued from page 1) Better yet, as Jesus put it: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one s life for one s friends. (John 15:13 NIV) Shortly thereafter, Jesus put these words into practice when He gave up his life for us, dying on the cross for our sins. This month, Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14 leads us into Lent which takes us to Easter where we commemorate Jesus sacrifice for us and his victory over death when he arose three days later. Before Jesus told us about the greater love mentioned above, He said: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12) So, when both Ash Wednesday and St. Valentine s Day come this month on the 14 th, think of Love. Think of Jesus love for us and his admonition that we love one another, as He loved us. Happy Valentine s Day from your Twig Bender staff. Be Prepared Read the Scriptures February Lectionary Readings Feb. 4 Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39 Feb. 11 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9 Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Feb. 18 Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 Feb. 25 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
February 2018 Page 11 February is Heart Havens Month (Continued from page 3) drive for the homes (for items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, art supplies and board games). When I met with Sarah she gave me a glimpse into the future. Plans are being formulated to provide options for persons who are intellectually disabled who do not live in group homes. This will include those as young as eight who live with their families or in apartments to support them with hygiene, cooking, and managing medicines. Please join me in prayerfully considering making a donation to Heart Havens. You can view their website at www.hearthavens.org. Note: this is the second in a monthly series about how your Communion Offerings are used. Greenwood Church Family Birthdays Gay Stapleton... 2/1 Teresa Coleman... 2/1 Lorrie Bowie... 2/7 Brenda Shuler... 2/18 Riley Patteson... 2/19 Jordan Stapleton... 2/20 Alison Smith... 2/22 Joseph Stanley... 2/22 Harry Shuler... 2/28 Don t see your birthday or wedding anniversary in The Twig Bender and would like to have us publish it? Send your dates to admin@gumcva.org or call the church office at 804-266-5341; likewise, let us know if you d like your birthday or anniversary removed.
The Twig Bender Page 12 January Attendance and Offerings Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce Proverbs 3:9 Date January Weekly Avg. January Totals Sunday School Worship Giving 13.6 34.3 $2,423 41 103 $7,269 Chocolate Easter Eggs The Ruth Circle will be making their famous chocolate covered Easter Eggs again this year. The Circle will be taking orders until March 18 and delivering them on Sunday, March 25. These half pound chocolate eggs are filled with cream, coconut or peanut butter; cost is $4.50, same as last year. So decide which is your favorite and place your order. If you would like to join the circle members for a fun filled day, they ll be making the eggs on Saturday, March 24, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Place your order using the form on page 15, or call any member of the Ruth Circle. Twig Bender is a publication of Greenwood United Methodist Church Office Phone: 804-266-5341 Email: admin@gumcva.org 10040 Greenwood Road Glen Allen, VA 23060 Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. Sunday Pastor The Rev. Barbara Lewis Phone: 804-432-5319 Email revbarbara@gumcva.org Office hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday Friday Fax: 804-266-2019 After School Phone: 804-266-6668 Acting Music Director Jackie Schultz Twig Bender editor Steve Stalnaker webmaster@gumcva.org Visit our web site at www.gumcva.org 2018 Greenwood UMC all rights reserved
February 2018 Page 13 Ruth Circle Easter Eggs Delicious, hand dipped, half pound, chocolate Easter eggs, with your choice of filling: peanut butter, coconut or cream; $4.50 each. Order by March 18. Eggs will be ready March 25. Complete this form and put it in the offering plate, or in the church office, or give it to any member of the Ruth Circle. Please pay when ordering. Thank you for your order! Name: Filling QTY Cost Ext. Cost Peanut Butter $ 4.50 = Coconut $ 4.50 = Cream $ 4.50 = Amount Due = Spring 5 Talent Academy Set for March 10 Registration for the next 5 Talent Academy is now open! Don't miss out on the Spring Event on March 10. The presenter is Rachel Billups and the focus is on Faith Development. "Beyond Sunday School: Empowering Regular folks to lead a God Movement. Visit: vaumc.org/5talent or talk to Pastor Barbara to learn more and register.
Page 14 Greenwood UMC February 2018 The Twig Bender Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 UM Day at GA 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 2 6 p.m. Free Food 3 8 a.m. Men s Breakfast and Road Clean Up 4 Communion Sunday LAMB s Basket Sunday School Supplies Drive Deadline 11 a.m. Worship Service 5 National Weather Person s Day 6 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7 7 p.m. Ruth Circle Meets 8 5:30 p.m. Willing Workers Circle Meets 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 7 p.m. Richmond Beekeepers Meet 9 6 p.m. Free Food 10 11 Scout Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Service 12 Lincoln s Birthday 7 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting 13 Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 14 Ash Wednesday St. Valentine s Day Ash Wednesday Services: 4 p.m. at Greenwood 7 p.m. at LPUMC 15 Gum Drop Day 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 16 6 p.m. Free Food F r i e n d s h i p Q u i l t e r s 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day 18 Fellowship Dinner and Bag Lunch Sign Ups Due 11 a.m. Worship Service 19 President s Day 20 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 21 11:30 a.m. Cornerstones 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Dinner 22 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 23 Twig Bender Deadline 10:30 a.m. Hidden Treasures at Hermitage Richmond 6 p.m. Free Food 24 8:30 a.m. Chat n Chew with Bishop Lewis 25 11 a.m. Worship Service Bag Lunches Ready 26 National Pistachio Day 27 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 28 National Tooth Fairy Day
February 2018 Page 15 Mark Your Calendars March 10... 5 Talent Academy March 11...Daylight Saving Time Begins March 20...Spring Begins March 25... Palm Sunday March 30... Passover/Good Friday March 31... Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 1... Easter Sunday L i k e G r e e n w o o d o n Fa c e b o o k w w w. fa c e b o o k. c o m / g u m c va