Home Page | Who We Are | Event Calendar | What We Offer | Related Sites
Email: office@stmarysucc.org
Page last updated: March 13, 2005
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXVI March, 2005 No 3- modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2004, January 2005, February 2005)
Christ is risen! Alleluia! On Easter Sunday we will recall again the story of the empty tomb and the risen Christ. We remember Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus in the garden. We celebrate Christ’s glorious victory over the forces of sin and death. We marvel at the astounding miracle. And with the apostle Paul, we too can exclaim that death is swallowed up in victory. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Because of Easter, we are able to look back at Friday’s cross of crucifixion with new eyes. The Jesus story is not one of tragedy, but one of redemption and salvation; a release from the bondage of sin and death into the light of a new day. It is the resurrection story.
So often we hear the message of Easter as a story only about Jesus. We forget that it is also a story about ourselves. Christ triumphed over death. And the promise to us is that because he lives, we too shall live! The promise of victorious living is not merely about the hereafter. The really good news is that the living Christ calls us all to the fullness of life even now. Everlasting life is a present reality as well as a future promise. All that is dead in our lives, all that imprisons us, all that eats away at the fabric of our being proves powerless against the power of the love of God. Easter is a message for each one of us. Easter is a message for our church. Easter is a message for our world, especially in this time of war and devastation. We are called out of the prisons of fear and hatred, sin and shame into the bright light of the new tomorrow. We are called to walk with the risen Christ along new paths that lead beyond the dark valleys into the greener pastures that await us. I invite you to join with me in celebrating this good news. I encourage us to experience together the message of the resurrection. Praise be to God for the message of Easter. Praise be to God that Jesus is alive. And because he lives, we too shall live, now and forever.
Grace and peace,
Dick
We will begin Holy week this year on Sunday, March 20th, with our Palm Sunday service at 10:00 AM that will include music by our church Bell Choir, the Bells of St. Mary’s. On Thursday, March 24th, we will gather at 7:30 PM to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion as part of our observance of Maundy Thursday. And on Friday, March 25th, we will remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus at our Good Friday Tenebrae service that will begin at 7:30 PM. These are worship services that go to the heart of our Christian Faith and all who are able are encouraged to attend.
This year, we celebrate Easter on Sunday, March 27th. We will begin the day with our annual Sunrise Service in the cemetery across the road starting at 6:30 AM with breakfast following at 7:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Our Church Choir will be featured at our Traditional Easter service that will begin at 8:00 AM and we will also offer a Contemporary service at 10:00 AM led by our praise band, Winds of the Spirit. Both services will include the sacrament of Holy Communion served by stations at the chancel rail. All are welcome. Come share the joy.
A special envelope is enclosed with this month’s newsletter for our annual Easter Benevolence Offering. In years gone by, many of us had filled coin folders as a way of reminding us to share our God given resources with those less fortunate. Again this year, our offerings using these special envelopes will help our church reach out to the world in a very tangible way through the support of our Benevolence Fund. Offerings made using these envelopes can be place in the offering plate during our Lenten and Easter services or mailed to the church office. Additional envelopes are available in the sanctuary on the back windowsills. Thank you for your continuing support of our benevolence giving. Please give generously as you are able, as together in Christ’s name we continue to make a difference.
On Sunday, March 20th the Children’s Sunday School classes will present a program, "The Easter Tree". All the children in the Sunday School are invited to participate. We will begin with a covered dish supper at 6:30 pm with the program following. Each family should bring their own place setting and a dish to share. Drinks and rolls will be provided. Please join us for a memorable evening. Questions, see Nancy.
ORDINATION OF BARBARA GUNSEL-MEARNS
For two years, Barbara Gunsel-Mearns served St. Mary’s church as our student pastor while she attended Lancaster Seminary. On Sunday, March 13th, at 3:00 PM, Barb will be ordained by our Catoctin Association at a special service at St. Matthew’s United Church of Christ in Pleasant Valley. Her husband, Jim Mearns who is the pastor at St. Matthew’s will be the featured speaker at her ordination, and Pastor Scott has been asked to assist her with the communion service. Barb has also invited our St. Mary’s choir to join with the choir at St. Matthew’s to provide special music during the ceremony. All are invited to come and be a part of this celebration.
When disaster strikes, the church has been there to offer help and hope. The recent earthquake and tsunami disaster on the Pacific Rim, hurricanes hitting the islands of the Caribbean and the Florida peninsula, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the church has been able to be a first responder because someone has been willing to share. Our gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing have helped to allow the church to offer significant help in times of need. We will have the opportunity to support the One Great Hour of Sharing with a special offering on Sunday, March 6th. Envelopes will be provided on that Sunday. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary’s UCC. Please be as generous as you can in your support of this essential ministry as we reach out to others in their time of need.
DISPLAY CASE DEDICATEDAt our first worship service in the Vestry on Sunday, February 27th, we dedicated a new display case that was donated in memory of Charlie Menchey. This beautifully crafted furniture piece will allow us to appropriately display church treasures that remind us of our church’s past history and the legacy of all that has been bequeathed to us and to future generations. We are grateful to the Menchey family for their thoughtfulness and generosity in making this donation and we look forward to its use in the years ahead.
The Property Committee of our church has appointed a committee led by Sonny Kline to oversee usage of the display case and other matters relating to church artifacts. This group will help us with issues about preservation, storage, and display of our church treasures especially as we anticipate our 250th Anniversary in 2012. Those who have treasures and artifacts that relate to our St. Mary’s history who would like to see that such items become part of our church collection can contact the church office or a member of the artifacts committee.
EASTER BASKETS FOR SHEPHERD’S STAFF
The Children’s Department is collecting donations to provide Easter Baskets which they will put together and be given to Shepherd’s Staff. We would like: puzzles, bubbles, playdough, socks, crayons, markers, school supplies, tooth brushes/toothpaste, Christian story books. There will be a box in the vestry for people to deposit their donations. The deadline for these items in Sunday March 20th. If you have any questions see Nancy or Stacy.
It’s been several years since the prayer chain at St. Mary’s UCC was formed. The prayer chain was created to provide a source for intercessory prayer during times of acute need such as sudden traumas and/or surgeries. Confidentiality is key to this important ministry to those who are in need of immediate prayer. Everyone’s privacy is valued and respected. One need not explain why someone is in need of prayer unless one desires to.
If anyone would like to become a part of this meaningful ministry in our church, please contact Belinda Finn or the church office to express your desire and interest. Someone will be in contact with you to incorporate your name and phone number in the chain.
Thank you for prayerfully considering this important ministry at St. Mary’s.
The Evangelism and Spiritual Life Committee
St. Mary’s Spring Spiritual Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. This activity will be held at the Aisling House in Millers, MD. There will be a $5.00 registration fee. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this spiritually uplifting and renewing event. Space is limited, so please call the church office, as soon as possible to make your reservation. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, March 27th.
We will be receiving new members into our congregation at our 10:00 AM worship service on Sunday, April 17th. There will also be a new member orientation conducted on the prior Sunday, April 10th. Anyone interested in becoming a member of St. Mary’s church should be in touch with the pastor or the church office as soon as possible.
Christian Education is looking for volunteers to assist with Vacation Bible School this summer. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Stacy or the church office.
If you or a church member you know will be graduating, from high school or college, this year please contact the church office, 410-346-7977 or 410-848-3862.
The Evangelism and Spiritual Life Committee is again inviting individuals interested in the Ministry of Welcoming too join current Welcomers for a brief meeting following worship, Sunday, March 13th. We feel that identifying and welcoming those who are visiting our worship services, is not only vital to our church growth, but also in keeping with the dictates of good hospitality. The committee would like to thank all the current Welcomers who help make the Ministry of Welcoming a priority at St. Mary’s.
FYI - Interested in Meeting New People?
Interested in meeting new people? Want to participate in the worship experience but not sure how? A greeter is an excellent way to meet new people and stay in touch with old friends on Sunday morning. Stacy Fourhman is currently looking for greeters for worship services. If you are interested or would like to know more, please call the church office 410-346-7977 or 410-848-3862.
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
|
|
|
|
Home Page | Who We Are | Event Calendar | What We Offer | Related Sites |
|
|
|
|
|
Email: office@stmarysucc.org Page last updated: March 13, 2005 |
|