T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXIX February 2008 No 2 modified for the Web.

((Back to current Parish News)

 

 

FROM THE PASTOR

 

Discipleship is at the heart of the Christian life. As Christians we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This means that the Christian life is one of both being and becoming. We are; but we are also not yet fully. To be a disciple means to be a learner. To be a disciple means to be a follower. We are followers of the Christ. But we are true followers only to  the extent that we have opened our lives to being changed by the message, the person, the power of the master whom we follow. Christian discipleship is about changed lives. Christian discipleship is about transformation - the transformation of the world through the transforming power of the Spirit at work in those who follow Jesus. Change is at the heart of the gospel message. Jesus preached a repentance that meant turning away form lives that were broken and empty, and to follow him into lives filled with promise and possibility.

Arriving early this year, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 6th. As a season of repentance, Lent encourages each one of us to reexamine and refocus on our faithfulness to our Christian discipleship. Each one of us should be asking the question, "Does my life reflect my commitment to be a faithful follower of Jesus?" Faithful disciples worship together. Faithful disciples learn and grow together. Faithful disciples share what they have to help carry on the work that God calls us to do together. Faithful disciples acknowledge their God given gifts and are willing to utilize them in the advancement of God's realm. Lent commemorates Jesus' fast of forty days to pray and to study and to discern the leading of God's Spirit before his journey began. Lent gives us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves as Christian disciples. May each of us use this time of study, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to grow in our discipleship that we may become more fully the disciples of Christ that we are called to be.

Grace and peace,   Dick

ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6th. As we begin this season of reflection and repentance, everyone is invited to join in our annual Ash Wednesday service beginning at 7:30 PM. Pastor Scott will be leading our worship along with Rev. Gerry Fuss from Emmanuel Baust UCC. The service will include the imposition of Ashes and the sacrament of Holy Communion. As we host this event, all of us at St. Mary's UCC are encouraged to participate in this meaningful service of worship and celebration.  

LENTEN COMMUNION SERVICE

The First Sunday of Lent is Sunday, February 10th. We at St. Mary's UCC will begin our season of reflection and penitence with our 10:00 AM service of worship which will include Holy Communion served at stations in front of the sanctuary. As we prepare our hearts and our lives for the coming of Holy Week and Easter, all are invited to share in this most meaningful way to begin the Lenten season. 

SPECIAL EASTER OFFERING

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 during Lent 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 places 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. thanks 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. 

EASTER FLOWERS

We will be taking orders for Easter flowers in February. This year we will be taking orders for lilies, tulips and daffodils. Flyers to order will be in the bulletins the first three weeks of February, or call the church office, 410-346-7977. Deadline to order is February 17th.

ASSET TRANSFER

Thanks to a spectacular giving level at the end of 2007, our church General Fund finished the year with a larger than normal balance to begin 2008. On the advice of the Finance Committee, Consistory has voted to add $1,000 to our Contingency Fund and $3,000 to our Special Items Fund. With this asset transfer, our Contingency Fund will be above our targeted amount of $10,000 and the Special Items Fund amount will be available as needed. This will mean that our new January balance in the General Fund will be $3,627.01 which is still a healthy balance to begin our new year. Thanks to all of you for your continued trust and support of our common life together at St. Mary's.

NEW BOOK STUDY GROUP

Our next book study begins towards the end of February with Catherine Keller's On The Mystery: Discerning God in Process. In this text, Ms. Keller, a theology professor from Drew University, offers a brief and unconventional introduction to theological thinking, especially as recast by process thought. She takes up theology as a quest for religious authenticity in a way that helps us probe the meaning of the divine, of divine power and compassion, of our evolving world, and of Christian life in the Spirit. 

Through a marvelous combination of brilliant writing, story, engaging reflection and unabashed questioning, Keller redeems theology from its often dry and predictable categories to reveal what has always been at the heart of the theological enterprise; a personal search for intellectually honest and credible ways to make sense of the loving mystery that encompasses even our confounding times. Her writing style is very accessible despite the complexity of her subject. Eight sessions are planned; group will meet most Thursdays starting February 21st through April, starting each night a 7:00 and concluding by 9:00 PM. Books will be available in the church office for those interested in participating. Please let Anna, or the church office,  know if you are interested in attending so we may procure enough copies. 

LENTEN STUDY GROUP

Beginning of February 13, there will be a Lenten Study Group meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 PM during the season of Lent. We will be using the book Parables and passion: Jesus' Stories for the Days of Lent by John Indermark. 

Lent offers a time to reflect on how we live compared with God's expectations, and we can find no better model than Jesus himself. His parables, in particular, offer valuable insights to how Christ lived and taught. Now, by holding up these timeless lessons in perspective on the journey to Jerusalem. Considered in this way, the parables take on a new significance, becoming even more transparent and more clearly applicable in the lives of Christian believers. 

If you are seeking for a way to enhance the Lenten Season, you are encouraged to become part of this Lenten Study Group. Everyone is welcome. 

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

At the end of January, the Children's and youth Sunday School concluded their Health Kit Project. We assembled the kits and they will be delivered to Church World Services Distribution Center in New Windsor. Thank you to everyone who donated toward this service project. Beginning in February the Sunday School monies will be going to Heifer International. 

FAMILY BOWLING

Suffering fro a case of cabin fever: Try bowling! The Christian Education Committee has reserved several duckpin and ten pin lanes at Thunderhead Bowling in Taneytown on Sunday, February 17th. The cost is $6 per person and this includes shoe rental, small soft drink and a piece of pizza. This event will be held form 2:00 to 4:00. A droup will be leaving form the church at 1:30. the sign up sheet is in the Vestry. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Vacation Bible School will be June 23-27 this year.

CARROLL COUNTY UCC'S UNITE TO SERRV

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