T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXXI April 2010 No 2 modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available:   2008, 2009, 2010)

 

 

Message From the Pastor

            Jesus is alive!  This is the good news that we celebrate at Easter.  Cruelty and torture were powerless against him.  Death could not destroy him.  He lives.  And because he lives, we too shall live.  The stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty.  And today the Christ is with us and among us and within us.  Where once we were filled with despair, we now have hope.  Where once we were afraid, we now can find courage.  Where once we fell victim to the forces of this world, we now receive power to make a difference.  Jesus is alive.  And our lives are now changed forever.

As a community of faith, as the church of Jesus Christ here in this time and place, we have been entrusted with this good news.  This is the gospel which empowers us.  This is the message given to us to proclaim to a needy world.  We proclaim this message in our worship.  We proclaim it in our learning together and in our fellowship together.  We proclaim it in our caring for each other and in our acts of concern for those in need around us.  This is the message which gives us our being as Christians and our being as the church.  The Lord we serve was crucified, but now he is alive.  The Messiah we follow bears the marks of the worst the world could offer, yet he was not overcome.  We are disciples of a risen Lord, who died and rose again that we might have life which is full, and abundant, and everlasting.

The message of Easter is too great to be confined to a single Sunday.  Each year on our church calendar we celebrate seven Sundays of Easter.  Yet in truth every Sunday of the year commemorates the resurrection of the Lord who died on our behalf.  May the weeks ahead be for us a time to experience the joy and celebrate the life which is ours to share both now and forever.

Grace and peace,  Dick

Holy Week

We will begin Holy week this year on Sunday, March 28th, with our Palm Sunday service at 10:30 AM.  New Members will be welcomed into our congregation on that Sunday.  On Thursday, April 1st, 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, April 2nd, 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.

 

EASTER SERVICES

This year, we celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 4th.  We will begin the day with our annual Sunrise Service starting at 6:30 AM in the cemetery across the road with breakfast following at 7:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. A Contemporary praise service will be offered at 8:30 AM lead by our praise band, Winds of the Spirit, and a Traditional style service will take place at 10:30 AM featuring our Church Choir.  At both services the sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered at stations in the front of the sanctuary.  All are welcome.  Come share the joy.

Special Easter Offering

A special envelope is enclosed in this 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.

Save the Date

Our first annual St. Mary’s Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, May 15th, to support our Community Support Fund.  This fund used to be called our “Gifts for the Needy” fund and will continue to be used to assist those in need in our community as well as be available to help support projects that support our local community.  We hope that golfers and those who can help support this effort will give generously of their time and resources to help make this initial event a huge success

1st Annual St. Mary's UCC   Golf Tournament

On Saturday, May 15th St. Mary's UCC will host our 1st Annual Golf Tournament at the South Hills Golf Club in Hanover .  Shotgun start is at 1 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the St. Mary's UCC Community Support Fund.  You don't have to be a golfer to support the event.  You can volunteer to help that day, sponsor a hole, donate items for the silent auction or as prizes.  Also, everyone is welcome to attend dinner and enjoy the auction and other events for $20.  Donor and Golfer forms are available in the church office for more information or to sign up for any of the above. 

SPRING RETREAT

St. Mary’s annual Spring Spiritual Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, May 8th.  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 Sunday, May 2nd.

Mother’s Day Bulletin

For many years, the Mothers Class has supported St. Mary’s church by raising funds through the gathering of names for the Mother’s Day bulletin.  Although the class’s activities have ceased, we still have the opportunity to keep the tradition alive by supporting this year’s Mother’s Day bulletin with the names of those we would like to honor and remember in this special way.  We are continuing to ask for only a dollar per name and envelopes will be in the sanctuary over the next few Sundays where you can list the name and designate whether it is “in honor of” or “in memory of”.  You may also call the church office with names you would like to have included.  All names must be received by Sunday, May 2nd, in order to insure their listing.  Thanks to all who are willing to continue this very special way that we can honor our mothers on Mother’s Day.

BATTLEFIELD TOUR

Be sure to save the date of Sunday, May 16th, for a narrated Gettysburg battlefield tour lead by Nancy.  Nancy has been working hard to become a certified tour guide and already has extensive knowledge of the battle that she is able to share with us.  The tour is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, 1:30 to 5:30, and more information will appear in the next newsletter.

Clothing Drive

During the Sundays after Easter, our church will receive donations of used clothing items.  These items will be sent to area groups working on behalf of the poor in our region.  Clothing can be brought to the church starting Sunday, April 11th, through Sunday, May 2nd.  Please refrain from using oversize boxes and overfilled bags.  Thank you for thinking of others during this Easter season.

 

STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER

 

“The Stephen Minister-Care Receiver Relationship” - An Excerpt from “Stephen Ministers Listen Well” by Marge Terman

A Stephen Minister is a caring, compassionate friend, a good listener, a firm believer in God and someone who can keep confidences.

The referred, known in Stephen Ministry as the care receiver and a Stephen Minister will be paired.  The Stephen Minister will call the care receiver to set a time to meet, and the confidential caring relationship has been established.

Some people find it hard to admit they need help, but in fact, realizing that one needs help in a life transition and then seeking that help is a sign of strength, as well as an opportunity to grow personally and spiritually.  There is great benefit is talking to an objective person when it isn’t possible or practical to share with a family member.

A Stephen Minister is ready to be that person who might be of help as a confidential, active listener and compassionate care giver.

For more information about Stephen Ministry at St. Mary’s, please contact Pastor Scott, Steve, or Dorothy Ellen.

VBS Planning Meeting

There will be a meeting on April 11th, following the worship service, for all persons interested in helping with  this years VBS. Site leaders, Guides and Helpers are needed. This is a valuable and fun ministry that is offered to children in our community. It takes many adults and youth to have a successful VBS.  Please consider giving your time and talents to the children of St. Mary’s.  For further information contact Linda Matthias or the church office.

Baobab Blast VBS

Join everyone at God’s Great Get-together for a week of high action games, awesome music, Bible stories, cool crafts,  and snacks fit for the savannah.

Place:   St.  Mary’s United Church of Christ

Date:   June 21-25, 2010

Time:   9:30am-12 noon

Ages:   All children age 3 (potty-trained)- completion of 5th grade are welcome.

For further information contact the church office.

Baobab Blast is the place to be this summer!

“By the Kids, for the Kids” Yard Sale

 

The youth group is planning a yard sale at church on Saturday May 15th from 9:00-2:00.  All proceeds will go to Hoffman Homes for Youth.  Rent a space only for $10, spaces with table set up $15.  Renters are in charge of set-up and clean-up.   We would like to have a church table where anyone can drop off items for donation. If they are not sold, they will be taken to Goodwill. Food will be available in the social hall in the basement of the church. Activities include kids’ games with prizes, pony rides, and a bake sale.  For more information contact the church office.

KID’S NIGHT OUT

Join us the last Sunday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun & games.  All kids in Grades K through high school are welcome.  Bring a friend!  A light snack will be provided.  Contact Brian or Lisa or the church office for more 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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