The heart of the Lenten Season is upon us. The month of March is filled with opportunities to open our hearts and minds and wills to the leading of the Christ who was willing to lay down His life for us. Each week we will gather during worship to ponder and experience the deeper meaning of our faith and prepare ourselves to enter Holy Week with fuller understanding and firmer devotion to the Chris whom we follow. As we continue to be a congregation committed to exploring a more Passionate Spirituality, I urge all of us at St. Mary's church to take advantage of the opportunities of this Lenten season.

Lent is a time that reminds us of our role as disciples of Jesus Christ. As disciples we are learners and followers. The road that Christ traveled started at the river, went into the wilderness, climbed the mountains and descended to the valleys, led to crowded streets and places alone. And finally there was the garden, the upper room, Calvary's hill, and the empty tomb. As disciples, our goal is not to head directly to the empty tomb. It will make no sense to us unless we follow Jesus throughout the journey. Lent is our time to climb the mountains and descend into the valleys. It is our time to rub elbows with those in the street and meet Jesus alone in the garden. It is our time to come to the upper room and follow the road to the cross. Only then will the empty tomb be seen in the glory of true resurrection light. Only then will our hearts be prepared to greet the risen Lord on Easter Sunday. may each of us use the opportunity of this Lenten season to make following Jesus our goal and to be the disciple we are called to be. May we be ready to follow wherever Jesus leads us until we reach our journey's end.

The first Sunday in Lent is Sunday, March 1st. We at St. Mary's UCC will begin our season of reflection and penitence with our 10:30 AM service of worship which will include Holy Communion served in the pews. 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.

We will be receiving new members into our congregation at our 10:30 AM worship service on Palm Sunday, April 5th. In preparation, there will be a new member orientation following worship on Sunday, March 29th. 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.

When disaster strikes, the church has been there to offer help and hope. In times of disaster and loss, 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 15th. 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.

There will be a Lenten Study Group which will meet on the five Wednesday nights between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday: March 4, 11, 28, 25, & April 8, from 6:30-7:30 PM in the conference room. Steve and Dorothy Ellen will be leading the group using meditations from the Upper Room devotional booklet. Everyone is welcomed to attend.

We are all reminded that this year, Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour.

St. Mary's annual Spring Spiritual Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th. This activity will be held at the Aisling House, in Millers, MD from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Mark your calendar now and plan on attending this uplifting and spiritually renewing event. There is a registration fee of $10.00. Space is limited, so please sign-up in the vestry or call the church office as soon as possible to make your reservation. The deadline for reservations is Monday, April 6th.

The Sunday Worship service is now being recorded on CD and recordings are available after each service. This service is available to all, but especially to the shut-ins. If you now someone who would enjoy this service, contact your Caring Team Leader, Becky, or the church office.

With Dorothy Ellen's pending retirement as Church Organist on September 1st, the congregation is reminded by the Organist Search Committee that applications are now being received from anyone who would like to be considered for the position. Applications are available and can be submitted to the church office. Questions about our search can be directed to the members of the committee which consists of Lisa C., Sherry, Steve M., Doug S., Jane, and Pastor Scott.

For more information about Stephen Ministry at St. Mary's, please contact one of its Stephen Leaders: Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen.

The Fellowship Committee will hold a Spring Fling Family Night on March 21, 2009 at 5:30 PM. The evening will consist of a pot-luck dinner followed by BINGO with prizes for both adults and children. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Meat, rolls, beverages and place setting swill be provided. A sign-up sheet will be in the vestry for an approximate head count. There is no charge for this event. Mark you calendars and plan to join us for an enjoyable evening of good food and games - And say good-bye to winter!!

In January, the children in Sunday School chose their next Heifer International Mission Project. The choices for the use of their offering monies were to purchase a gift of chicks, a gift of tree seedlings, or a gift of honeybees. They voted and the winner was a gift of chicks. each starter flock of chicks costs $20.00. Their goal is to send Heifer International enough money for five flocks. We have already collected enough money to purchase two flocks. A starter flock of 10-50 chicks is an especially effective way to help families in need.

We will be having our annual Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 4th from 9:300 to 11:30. There will be crafts, games and egg hunts for children of all ages. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at this event please contact Stacy or the church office. Donations of small door prizes and baked goods are also welcome.

Kid's Night Out will be held Sunday, March 29, from 6-7:30 PM. All kids in Grades K through high school are welcome. This will be a time for the children to get together and have fun. Bring a friend! A light snack will be provided. Contact Brian or Lisa for more information.

The youth of St. Mary's are working on a "wish list" for the youth room. We would like to make the youth room a warm, welcoming, and fun place to meet. The list will be posted on bulletin boards throughout the church. Donations can be left in the church office. Contact Brian or Lisa for more information.

The date of this year's Vacation Bible School is June 22-26 from 9:30- Noon. The theme is "Discovery Canyon". We are in need of teachers and helpers. On March 1st, following the worship service there will be a meeting for everyone who is willing to be involved with this year's program. For further information please contact Linda M.

Max is one of the may new friends you meet a t Discovery Canyon. The Praying Mantis is named for its long front legs, which it holds together in a way that makes it look like it is praying. The praying Mantis smells through its antennae, can swivel its head 180 degrees, and its excellent eyesight lets it see movement up to 60 feet away. Max is one amazing creature!

Senior Girl Scout Troop 1096 is hosting a scrapbook crop on March 7 from 9AM - 7 PM in St. Mary's social hall. Cost is $25. Dinner and drinks are included. Subs, snacks, and baked goods will be sold through-out the day. A Close To My Heart scrapbook vendor will be on site. Seating is limited. Contact Nancy Turnbaugh.

I have been dabbling over the years doing genealogy and would like to share what I have learned about finding your ancestors - or as my daughter calls it "looking for dead people"! My first attempts at doing genealogy included going to the National Achieves and rolling through films of census records but today that can be done through the Internet. The availability of resources on the Internet, both free and paid, have enabled people to be able to track down ancestors without the need to travel to National or local achieves. I'm not an expert but do have a lot to share. I will be holding a kick-off session on March 11th at 7 PM to anyone who would be interested. If you are interested please contact me or sign up in the vestry so that I have enough handouts and worksheets available. I will also have a recommended supply list to help get you started. I am happy to include anyone that has an interest regardless of age or your at-home resources. Also, if you have been doing genealogy research and would like to share you experiences please let me know. Thanks - Vicki.

Classic for the Cure - We Need Your Support

Angie Zepp is organizing the second annual "Classic for the Cure" event. This event is a 3 on 3 basketball tournament to raise money for cancer. The tournament, sponsored by the Linton Springs PTA, is open to adults and teens and will be held a Century High School on Sat,. April 4th. Last year, over $5500 was raised for the Susan G. Komen Fund for breast cancer. This year, the money will be donated to The Breast Center in Carroll County, a non-profit organization that offers many support services to women battling breast cancer. In addition, the proceeds will be donated to the Bankus and Alderman families, both of whom are fighting cancer. Please help support this cause and help these families in need by making a donation. Any donation is greatly appreciated and should be made out to the Linton Springs PTA. Please mail donations to Angie Zepp at 2680 Halter Road, Westminster, MD 21158. If you are interested in registering for the event or if you have any questions, please contact Angie Zepp at 410-346-6533. Click here for the registration form.

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