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Email: office@stmarysucc.org
Page last updated: May 11, 2009
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXX May 2009 No 5 modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Mother's Day Bulletin - deadline May 3rd
Friends of Hoffman Homes Membership Drive - May 3rd and 10th
Faith Journey/Stories - May 6 & 13th
Mother's Day - May 10th
Change a Pew Sunday - May 17th
Kid's Night Out Picnic - May 30th
Strengthening the Church - May 31st
Pentecost Sunday - Confirmation Class - May 31st
Honoring Graduates - June 8th
2009 VBS - June 22-26
“Remember, I am with you always…” Jesus reassures his followers with these words that we find at the end of Matthew’s gospel. As followers of Jesus, we too can find in these words a constant source of comfort and encouragement. From Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate Easter as the “Great Fifty Days” of our joyous response to the good news of Christ’s resurrection. These are weeks in which we encounter the risen Christ as he appeared to those first disciples, knowing that the Christ who died and rose again is still with us. Like Mary Magdalene, we too see the risen Christ outside the tomb in the garden. We too are able to walk with him and talk with him along the roads we travel. And on the day that we see his ascent into heaven, we know that we have not been abandoned. As he promised, Christ has sent to us the divine presence of the Holy Spirit, which unites us as his church and empowers us to be his true disciples.
The Sundays of May promise experiences of joy and celebration as together we encounter the risen Christ. On May 3rd, we will observe Good Shepherd Sunday. We will observe Mother’s Day on May 10th when we will honor our mothers and receive our annual offering for Homewood Homes. Sunday, May 17th, will be our annual observance of Change A Pew Sunday with its opportunity to experience worship from a new perspective. And the Sundays of Easter conclude with our Memorial Day weekend Contemporary Worship service on May 24th. Pentecost Sunday is on May 31st when we will Confirm our new members and celebrate the sacrament of communion together. Christ has promised that whenever we are gathered, he is present with us. I hope that each one of can take advantage of our opportunities to worship as the church Christ has gathered together. The risen Christ is with us. The Spirit unites us and empowers us. Together we are called; together we worship; together we serve.
Grace and peace, Dick
We remind everyone that on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, we will receive our annual offering to help “Strengthen The Church.” Great works of redemption can be accomplished when we offer our resources to be utilized by the Spirit in the building and rebuilding of the Body of Christ. Strengthen The Church is our United Church of Christ effort to renew and revitalize the church so that we may continue to be a faithful witness and servant of Christ’s love in the years ahead. Envelopes will be made available. Please give generously.
Sunday, May 31st, will be a joyous occasion for our congregation as we celebrate Pentecost. Five of our young people will be confirmed as full members of our congregation. They have worked hard and are looking forward to sharing in our life together as God’s people. Our service of Worship at 10:30 AM will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion, which will be served in the pews. We will also receive our annual Strengthen the Church offering to help our partner churches in our denomination to continue in their efforts to renew and revitalize their ministries as faithful disciples of Christ. This is a time for all of us to be on fire with the passion of the Spirit as we share the joy of this special day.
Sunday, May 17th, has been designated as a Change A Pew Sunday by our Evangelism and Spiritual Life Committee. Everyone in the congregation is encouraged to find a seat in the sanctuary that is unfamiliar to them and experience worship from a different perspective. You might even make a new friend or rediscover an old one. Come and see what God has in store for you as we worship together.
Sunday, May 10th, is Mother’s Day. This is always a special Sunday at St. Mary’s as we remember and honor our mothers as we gather to give praise and thanksgiving to God. We thank the Mother’s Class for their work each year in soliciting names for our Mother’s Day bulletin and we encourage everyone to keep attendance at worship as a part of our Mother’s Day celebrations. This is also the Sunday that we receive a special offering for the care and good work with the elderly at the facilities of Homewood Homes. Special envelopes will be provided and everyone is reminded to make checks payable to St. Mary’s UCC. Many of our St. Mary’s members have become residents at their retirement community at Plum Creek. Please give as you are able to help the ministries of this UCC related institution.
ANNUAL FRIENDS OF HOFFMAN HOMES - MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The annual membership drive for Friends of Hoffman Homes will be held at St. Mary’s on May 3 and 10. A donation of $2.00 is requested for each membership. Stop in the vestry following worship service on these two Sundays to sign-up. If you have questions or wish to join this very worthwhile group, please see Linda Matthias, Becky Dutterer, Millie Kline or Carla Smith. Thanks to all for your continued support.
During the months of April and May
Carla will be taking orders for homemade Jewish apple cakes. The cakes
will be $15 each and 100% of the proceeds will go to Hoffman Homes for Youth.
Contact Carla or the church office to place an order.
Why Stephen Ministry?
We have many needs for care in our congregation and community: people experiencing grief, illness, loss of a job, relocation, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses or challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care that would be helpful to them. With only one pastor for our size congregation, you can easily see why it is impossible for our pastor to meet every single need of every single person.
Stephen Ministry expands the care that St. Mary’s UCC can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide Christian care. This gives us a larger pool of people with the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ’s love and care to those who most need it.
For more information about Stephen Ministry or to request a Stephen Minister, please contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Scott, Steve, or Dorothy Ellen.
The Wednesday Night Bible Study Group will be concluding its 5-week study on Faith Journeys/Stories on May 13th. In April, the group talked about Joni Eareckson Tada’s story and people in the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, and Paul. Also, Guest, Pat Goldberg, shared her faith journey with the group.
On Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Dr. Park Espenschade will be sharing Martin Luther’s story with the group. On Wednesday, May 13th, Pastor Scott will be sharing John Calvin’s story. Everyone is welcome to attend either or both of these sessions, regardless if you have or haven’t attended previous sessions.
The Mother’s Class will again sponsor the Mother’s Day Bulletin. This will be 55 years since we started the project, so we would like to have 555 names. Names in honor or memory of will be included in the bulletin for $1.00 per name. We would appreciate your cooperation in helping us reach our goal. Sign-up sheets are on the back windowsill of the sanctuary or contact Betty Harman. Deadline to sign-up is May 3rd.
The congregation is reminded by the Organist Search Committee that applications are still being received from anyone who would like to be considered for the position of Church Organist. 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, Sherry , Steve, Doug, Jane, and Pastor Scott or by contacting the church office.
Kid’s Night Out will be held Saturday, May 30th at 6 pm. Join us for a “School’s Out” picnic and celebration. There will be food, games and lots of fun. Parents are encouraged to join us.
Wonder-filled things are waiting for you in the majestic and awe-inspiring canyon!
Place: St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Dates: June 22-26, 2009
Time: 9:30 am –noon
Ages: Age 3 (potty trained) through 5th grade
Grab your hiking boots and join in a week of high-action games, awesome music, Bible stories, and cool crafts.
For further information contact Linda
or the church office.
Blossom is one of the many new friends you meet at Discovery Canyon.
Did you know?
A burrow can travel in herds as large as 100 members and they defend themselves with a powerful kick of their hind legs. Unlike horse fur, burrows fur is not waterproof, so they must have shelter when it rains.
The Christian Education Committee will be honoring high school and college graduates on Sunday June 8th, during the 10:30 worship service. Please contact the church office 410-848-3862 or Stacy with your information.
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
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Email: office@stmarysucc.org Page last updated: May 11, 2009 |
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