St. John's United Methodist Church
216 West Seminary Avenue, Lutherville, Maryland 21093
Reverend James (Jay) DeMent, Pastor
Church Office Pastor's Study
410-825-3969 410-825-4840
Pastor's email: pastorjaychris@yahoo.com
Church email: stjohns216@aol.com
Website: www.stjohns-lutherville.org
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
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DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE 2010
This year's Daily Bible Reading Guide, "Embodying Hope," will help
us become closer to the Lord and more familiar with his word for us in the new
year. The Bible Reading guide is included in this newsletter. The Maryland Bible
Society provides us, free of charge, the Daily Bible Reading Guide each year.
Our Lord is always there for us. How much time in our lives are we spending
with and for Him? FEBRUARY
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday
and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which
means "spring." The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter.
Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism
by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians.
(from The United Methodist Book of Worship)
Ash Wednesday Service
February 17
6:30 p.m. Simple Soup dinner
7:15 p.m. Worship Service
Idlewylde UMC
A NEW START! Two United Methodist pastors heard that one of the specialties
of the area was ice fishing, so they decided to try it. They went to the sporting
goods store and bought all the necessary equipment.
They went out the next morning, found some ice, pitched a tent, and started
cutting a hole in the ice. Just as they got into the spirit of the thing, a
loud, awesome voice from above proclaimed, "There's no fish under the ice."
Well, that stopped them for a minute, and they looked quizzically at each other.
But then, too embarrassed to acknowledge hearing the voice, they returned to
cutting the ice. Just as they got going again, they heard the voice once more
say, "There is no fish under the ice."
Still embarrassed, they once again started sawing when the voice came a third
time only booming, "There is no fish under the ice!"
Finally, one of them could stand it no longer, stood up, and cried out, "Is
that you, Lord?"
The voice boomed out again, "No! This is the manager of the ice rink!"
As we begin a new year, our world is filled with those who seek to predict
the coming events of 2010. Some see a bright future while others see struggle
and calamity throughout the world. Some see the world economy moving forward
and others see a greater recession on the horizon. And still some will proclaim
the end of the world as tensions continue to grow in the Middle East. Whatever
your concerns may be, I'm sure you join me in looking to this new year with
some anxiety.
In Isaiah 43 we find these words: Forget the former things; do not dwell on
the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now there are those who believe that
this passage is still another prediction of the future, but I would suggest
to you that these words are an invitation. You see, God offers us a new start
whenever we surrender our lives to God's purpose and will. And who couldn't
use a new start?
The Good News for us as Christians this coming year is that God is offering
us a new start. Grace says all is forgiven and… you are not forgotten!
Grace says,"My Son died for you!" Grace says' "Welcome home,
my child!" I pray that you find God this year, and with this relationship
you find meaning and purpose to your life.
Together in Christ, Pastor Jay
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Pastor Jay will be away on a working vacation Jan 29 through Feb 5. He
will be attending a 2-day educational seminar, maintaining his "on-loan
to another conference" status with the Illinois conference and visiting
family in Illinois. In case of an emergency you can reach him by cell phone
at 410-790-8935.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
THANK YOU - The members of Lydia Circle wish to thank Doris Wells for her many years as Circle Leader. All the members of the UMW thank her for her tireless work "managing" the kitchen. Doris was a Charter Member of the UMW, and the only woman in our history to receive the Special Membership Award two times. We will miss you and we wish you well in your new home.
BAZAAR - Our annual Christmas Bazaar was again a great success. Although the lovely snowfall adversely affected our attendance, it certainly put everyone in the Christmas spirit. Special thanks go to the men who helped set up and take down – we couldn't do it without you! Our profits will go to outreach projects.
BOW TREE - The UMW appreciates your contributions to the Christmas Bow Tree. Your gifts will go to Suzanne Porter, our missionary in Liberia.
WHITE GIFTS - Packages were put under the Christmas tree by the UMW and
the Circles. Recipients included Sue Porter, ACTC and Red Bird Mission.
CIRCLES - We have made a mid-year decision to join the two daytime circles.
Meetings will follow Lydia's Thursday schedule. A new name will be chosen for
next year.
GENERAL MEETING - There will be no General Meeting in January. In February we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake Brunch on February 16 at 10:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. At that time, we will consider "Where Would Jesus Sit?" as part of our Food and Faith study.
THANK BOXES - This annual project will again be due in February. Turn in your money to your Circle Leaders or May Price, our treasurer. We will decide at the General Meeting where the money will be sent.
LOOKING AHEAD - Mark your calendars now for World Day of Prayer right here at St. John's on Friday, March 5.
— Leesa Sipe
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR JANUARY
Monday Jan. 11 7:30 p.m. Esther Circle Leesa Sipe's home
Thursday Jan. 14 12 noon Lydia Circle Youth Room
Esther Circle will host the 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Coffee Hour.
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR FEBRUARY
Monday Feb. 1 1:00 p.m. Executive Meeting Jane Bray's home
Monday Feb. 8 7:30 p.m. Esther Circle Pat Owings' home
Thursday Feb. 11 12 noon Lydia Circle Youth Room
Tuesday Feb. 16 10:30 a.m. General Meeting Choir Room
Lydia Circle will host the 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Coffee Hour.
MARCH/APRIL NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: JANUARY 30
The next ‘Story' will be the March/April 2010 issue. The deadline will be Friday, January 30. All those who contribute articles will need to plan to submit information for a two month time period.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School at St. John's meets on Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
Happy Holidays to everyone at St.John's. Just wanted to share this email from
the director at the Night of Peace Shelter. Our donation was made on Sunday.
Sarah Shane and her daughter Mykayla Conley made the drop off this time. Thank
you Sarah and Mykayla!! Thanks to all and please keep the shelter in your prayers.
They keep families together and get them back on their feet in tough times.
God Bless You,
Susan Dumont
Yes, THANK YOU for the donations and taking the time to drop them off.
I will be sending a thank you letter in the mail. Thanks St. John's Lutherville
U.M. You are one of two churches who donate every holiday to our shelter. You
are truly a blessing!
Megan Goffney
Executive Director, Night Of Peace Family Shelter, Inc.
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PRETZEL SUNDAY
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 - 8:15 A.M.
Come out and help us make and enjoy pretzels
during Church School and Coffee Fellowship.WHO TO CONTACT?
STAFF
James (Jay) DeMent, Pastor
Church Study, 410-825-4840
Parsonage, 410-321-0617
Leesa Sipe, Interim Organist
Carole Gray, Church Secretary
Church Office, 410-825-3969
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Andy Anders & Ron Dumas, Lay Leaders
Cleo Matthews-Conley, Church Council
Hap Cursey, Finance Committee
Ken Norris, Stewardship Committee
Ron Dumas, Board of Trustees
Cora Edwards, Staff Parish Relations
Mary Alice Young, (Bldg) Usage Committee
Gerry Kalar, Memorials
Maggie Hediger, Memorials
KEY PERSONS
Bill & Freda Harris, Co-Treasurers
Maggie Hediger, Financial Secretary
Ron Dumas, Ushers
Susan Dumont, Church School Superintendent
Leesa Sipe, United Methodist Women
Phylicia Conley, Youth Representatives
Pat Owings, Altar Flowers
Gerry Kalar, Day Care/Board of Child Care
Freda Harris, Susanna Wesley House Rep
TBA, Church Historian
Don Owings, Boy Scout Rep
WORK AREA CHAIRS
Pat Owings, Worship
Clara Hall, Education
Sarah Shane & Nancy Lingar-Norris,
Membership & Outreach
Carol Anders, Missions
Leesa Sipe, Church and Society
Randy Hall, Religion and Race
Church Council meetings will take place on the third Monday of the month at
7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.
Church Council minutes are available in the church office or may be sent to you upon request.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Church Council meeting in January. The next
meeting will be Monday, February 15. If anyone has an urgent issue that they
feel needs to be discussed, please contact Cleo Matthews-Conley.
WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
8:15 a.m. Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
Sunday, January 10 at 10:30 a.m.
Combined choirs of St. John's and Idlewylde United Methodist Churches present
a cantata at St. John's
Sunday, January 24 at 9:30 a.m.
The leadership of St. John's - Chairpersons and members of committees - will
be dedicated during the Worship Service
Sunday, February 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Couples will be invited to renew their marriage vows.
Wednesday, February 17 - Ash Wednesday, which begins the period of Lent.
At 6:30 p.m. at Idlewylde UMC, a meal of soup and bread will shared by attendees
from Idlewylde and St. John's UM Churches. The meal will be followed by a Worship
Service at 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m.
This is Scouting Ministries Sunday at St. John's. Both Scout Troop 340 and the
Cub Pack will participate in the Worship Service.
The Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their one hundredth anniversary this
year.
The Blue and Gold Dinner will be held in the afternoon in Fellowship Hall.
ATTENDANCE
November Total
1 36
8 47
15 40
22 39
29 45
December
6 32
13 29
20 0 (snow)
24 57
27 33
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– Pat Owings for the Work Area on Worship
NEXT WORSHIP MEETING - The next meeting of the Work Area on Worship will be
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pastor's Study.
MEMBER NEWS
SYMPATHY - St. John's congregation would like to express our sympathy and ask
for the Lord's comfort and strength for
May Price and the other family and friends of May's sister and our member, Betty Henry, who died December 16, 2009
RECUPERATING - Doris Wells is now in rehab at:
ManorCare-Charles Street
7001 N. Charles Street
Room 102, Bed 1
Towson, MD 21204
443-632-2523.
OUR CHURCH ACTIVITIES
CHURCH ACTIVITIES -
All members and friends of St. John's and our sister church, Idlewylde, are invited to join us for all events featured in the ‘St. John's Story'.
ACTC Food Donation for January and February - PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY
DEDICATION - On Sunday, January 24 the Church Officers for 2010 will be dedicated during the regular Worship Service.
SUNDAY SCHOOL - Sunday School meets on Sundays at 8:15 a.m. with classes for all ages.
PRETZEL SUNDAY - The Sunday School will celebrate Pretzel Sunday on Sunday, February 14 by making pretzels and sharing them with the congregation during Coffee Fellowship time after the Worship Service.
ASH WEDNESDAY - Join us on Wednesday, February 17 at Idlewylde United Methodist Church for our combined Ash Wednesday Service. We will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a soup and bread meal followed by a Worship Service at 7:15 p.m.
SOUP & SALVATION - This small group meets on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. Join us for a lunch of soup, bread, dessert and beverage, fellowship and spiritual enrichment.
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - The Men's Bible Study meets on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Idlewylde United Methodist Church. This group is led by Pastor Jay.
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - The Women's Bible Study meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Idlewylde United Methodist Church. This group is led Chris DeMent.
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING - The Parish Nurse provides blood pressure screening in Fellowship Hall after the 9:30 a.m. Worship Service during Coffee Fellowship time on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.
ALTAR FLOWERS - The 2010 Altar Flower Chart is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Be sure to sign up early for the Sundays when you wish to place flowers on the altar.
CHURCH ENVELOPES - Offering envelopes for 2010 may be picked up from the table in the Narthex. If you did not receive envelopes for 2010 and you desire them, please contact Maggie Hediger at 410-252-2941.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST - The next Pray for Peace service
will take place on Friday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Redeemer,
5603 North Charles Street in Baltimore, (between Northern Parkway and Towson).
We will meet to pray for Peace at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22 at a place
to be announced later. Watch the bulletins for that information.
HEALTH CONCERNS - The following event takes place at St. Joseph Medical Center:
FREE FLU SHOTS - St. Joseph Medical Center is offering free community Flu
Vaccine for seasonal flu only. Flu shots are free to everyone. High risk individuals
are especially encouraged to be vaccinated. We will vaccinate anyone age 9 and
older. Age 9-17 requires parental signature. All clinics will be held in the
Canticle Room. Call 410-337-1479 for an appointment.
Saturday, January 16, 2010: 10a.m. - 2p.m.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
In every season, it is always nice to be remembered! Your card, note, visit,
or phone call to one of our family members at home is always appreciated. If
you would like to have your name included on our Keep-In-Touch page, just call
the Church Office.
CONSECRATION SUNDAY
We had a great crowd and an excellent response for our Consecration Sunday on October 25. Also, the ladies from Idlewylde United Methodist Church provided a delicious brunch for us.
We have received many pledges to date. If you have not yet completed an "Estimate of Giving" card, please contact Maggie Hediger, our Financial Secretary, at the Church Office – 410-825-3969. She will be glad to see that you get one.
Thanks to all who participated in bringing this fine spiritual experience to an excellent conclusion for St. John's United Methodist Church. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.
Finance Committee
RELIGION & RACE
SOME THOUGHTS FOR 2010
As the Christmas season winds down and the calendar New Year approaches, here are a few thoughts:
1.) I hope that 2010 will be remembered more as a year of peace rather than a year of war and strife. Right now there is bloodshed in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. There is the threat of violence in Israel and Palestine, Turkey, Algeria, Sub-Saharan Africa and even Christian Spain and northern Ireland. Peace cannot be accomplished through bloodshed, and the killing of civilians is despicable in the sight of God no matter what the perceived justification. Our answer should be Christian love to all people and respect for all the other great religions. They all espouse love for all others, even though a minority in some seem to reject this principal.
2.) I hope that President Obama will begin to accomplish measures that will justify the honor bestowed on him with the Nobel Peace Prize.
3.) Let us hope that we can take more meaningful measures to protect our fragile environment and slow down the apparent effects of global warming. This requires cooperation locally, nationally and internationally. I pray that climatologists can prove to all of us what is happening.
4.) Let us hope that we can solve at least some of the many problems involved with providing health insurance to our citizens and others who need and deserve it in more of a spirit of cooperation among many competing interest groups.
5.) Let us hope that our economy improves to such an extent that many more of us can return to work. Also we pray those that are in poverty or near poverty will be assisted through community action, religious groups and if necessary government programs. Perhaps we can even start to reduce the shocking disparity between the very rich and the working poor.
Randy Hall
Saturday January 16 at 1:00 pm.
Bring a serving of your favorite Chili recipe to share in a common pot along with a chili topping (cheese, crackers, onions, etc.) We will watch the award-winning movie Mission Appalachia: The Story of Red Bird. After the movie we will have a time for games. Bring your favorite game to share.
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Looking for people interested in a new way of evangelism to reach both the un-churched
and the de-churched.
LifeTree Café is a new innovative way of sharing faith in Christ in a non-threatening atmosphere. For many who grew up outside the church walls, going to church is a scary proposition. For those who have gone astray or have bad memories, church is a place for others but not for them. LifeTree Café provides an opportunity for people to be in conversation about God without the typical Sunday morning package.
If you are interested in learning more about how you might speak Jesus in a different kind of personal relevancy, contact Pastor Jay to reserve your place in this cutting edge ministry.
January 17- 3:00 pm
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SIP Book Club
Our next meeting will be at the Manley Home (66 Cedar) next to Towson High School. We will be sharing the book by Henri Nouwen The Return of the Prodical Son. We gather at 7:00 pm on Monday January 25th.
NEW MEMBER'S CLASS
If you are interested in joining us or if you are a current member with questions about the United Methodist Church I invite you to be a part of the "New Member's Class". We will meet on Sunday afternoons for five weeks starting on February 7. Interested persons should contact the church office for times and location.
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VALENTINE'S DAY EVENT
In honor of Valentine's Day, married couples are invited to renew their
vows during the regular worship service. A reception will follow to honor the
renewed marriages. Interested couples need only to be present at the service
and come forward with other couples to renew your vows together.
GUYS!!! You may wish to do something special like a corsage. If you have any
questions, contact Pastor Jay.
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Come join us as we celebrate 100 years of Scouting in the USA and 75 years in
Lutherville! A reception follows the worship service.