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
MAY/JUNE 2009
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Dear Members and Friends,
Great things are happening in our Church. We have a new minister, a new vision,
and a new outlook.
An adventure in faith is taking place here at St. John's. We are building for
the future in God's kingdom as we grow together in spirit and love. Today we
are benefitting from what we have because our forefathers sacrificed, built
and worked faithfully. For nearly 144 years, the love and loyalty of members
and friends has put the gospel of our Lord front and center, pure and vital.
Now we have a pressing need.
A few years ago St. John's was required to undergo an inspection of its church
school building by the Baltimore County Fire Department. It was determined by
the fire chief that we had a number of fire safety deficiencies. Knowing that
the costs involved in these renovations would be a burden on our church, the
fire department made an arrangement with our Board of Trustees to complete the
needed repairs in three phases. Phase one, which enlarged the window exit, and
phase two, the installation of the fire door at the bottom of the middle staircase,
have been completed. This leaves us with the third phase, the replacement of
sixteen classroom and office doors. The original doors were not fire or smoke
rated doors and did not meet BCFD regulations. The Board of Trustees has found
the least expensive replacements for our needs. To help us save on this project,
we are able to reuse hinges and door lock-sets as we install the doors ourselves.
We are asking for a one time gift to meet these critical needs. Please give what you are able. We are instituting an Adopt a Door program. A door will be dedicated in honor of or memory of a loved one, signified by a dedication ceremony and plaque. Donations for doors will be $300.00 for one door or $150.00 for a shared door.
Knowing of your faithfulness, we feel confident in thanking you in advance for helping us meet this special need.
Respectfully,
Pastor Jay, Ron Dumas and Ken Norris
St. John's United Methodist Church
Adopt a Door Program
I would like to help support the Adopt a Door Program with a one time gift of
_____ door(s) $300.00 _____ shared door(s) $150.00
I would like to support the Adopt a Door Program with a gift of ___________ to be paid in monthly installments of __________.
Name _________________________ Phone # _________________
Address _______________________ Email ___________________
_____________________________
*******************************************************************
Adopt a Door Program
I would like to honor/remember _____________________ by sponsoring a door in
their name.
(There are 16 available)
If you wish, several families or groups may sponsor a single door. You will
need to make this arrangement before requesting a door. There will be one plaque
per door. Each plaque will have 3 lines. For shared doors the three lines will
be divided.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
GENERAL MEETING - Our May meeting will be the annual Covered-Dish Supper on Saturday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. We will have a short Memorial Service for those who have passed on during the year, the awarding of the Special Recognition pin, and the Installation of Officers for the coming year. We will then consider the theme "Those Were the Days." Come and reminisce with us. All are invited.
MOTHER'S DAY BLANKETS/TOOLS OF HOPE - The deadline is Sunday, May 3. See the flyer elsewhere in the "Story" or check your bulletin.
NATIVE-AMERICAN PRESENTATION - Esther circle invites you to join them in the Choir Room at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11 to hear Kirk Drier, the director of the Marshy Point Nature center, tell about the Native Americans of Maryland and how they fully utilized their environment to develop a productive way of life.
PRAYER BREAKFAST - On Saturday, May 16 we have the honor of co-hosting with
Edgewood the first meeting of the new Baltimore Suburban District UMW, a Prayer
Breakfast, to be held in our Fellowship Hall. Watch for details.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - Would you believe it has been Twenty years!!! On Saturday,
June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. we will again be serving our delicious strawberries,
cake and ice cream. Don't forget the Flea Market, jewelry table, gift table
and bake table. And of course – lunch. Save your fleas – and watch
the bulletin for ways to help.
BABY BLANKETS - Leesa will be taking handmade baby blankets to New Windsor early in July. If you can knit and have never made a blanket, see her for instructions.
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION - The School is moving back to Hagerstown where there has been a reported five million dollar renovation to the Clarion Hotel. The date for this year are July 23 - 26. The studies will be "Food and Faith" and Sudan. See Leesa for details.
OUTREACH - We have sent proceeds from Daffodil Sunday to the American Cancer Society. A donation was sent to ACTC for the Feinstein Challenge. We will soon be sending the proceeds from the Bow tree and Thank Boxes to our missionary, Suzanne Porter. Thanks to all who helped in these efforts.
— Leesa Sipe
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR MAY
Saturday May 2 5:30 p.m. Covered Dish Supper Hall
Monday May 4 7:30 p.m. Executive Meeting Chris DeMent's home
Sunday May 10 Mother's Day Blankets/Tools of Hope
Monday May 11 7:30 p.m. Esther Circle Choir Room
Tuesday May 12 1:00 p.m. Hannah Circle Youth Room
Thursday May 14 12 noon Lydia Circle Maggie Hediger's home
Saturday May 16 8:30 - 12 District Prayer Breakfast Hall
The 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Coffee Hour for May will be hosted by Esther Circle.
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR JUNE
Friday June 5 9 & 9:30 a.m. Festival Set-up Hall
Saturday June 6 10 - 2 Strawberry Festival Hall
Monday June 8 Esther Circle TBA
Tuesday June 9 Hannah Circle TBA
Thursday June 11 Lydia Circle TBA
Thurs.-Sun. July 23-26 School of Mission Hagerstown, MD
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
Andy Anders, Staff Parish Relations
Doris Wells, (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
TBA, 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.
WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
8:15 a.m. Church School
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
Pentecost
On May 31, Christians around the world will celebrate the Day of Pentecost.
It's often remembered as the church's birthday. Before Jesus ascended into heaven,
he promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon those who believed in his resurrection.
Three thousand people were gathered in Jerusalem when the Spirit came upon them.
They were so touched by the Holy Spirit that they began to worship regularly,
especially on Sundays, the day of Christ's resurrection.
To symbolize the "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3, NRSV) that came
upon the people present at Pentecost, liturgical churches display the color
red in their worship services on Pentecost Sunday. Many people attending worship
wear red on that day.
Sunday, May 31 - Confirmation Sunday
On this special Day of Pentecost, we will celebrate Confirmation Sunday. There
will be a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall.
ATTENDANCE
March Total
1 36
8 45
15 38
22 57
29 46
April
5 44
12 79
19 37
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ALTAR FLOWERS - Please see that the Altar Flower order forms are brought to church - the church office or offering plate, - at least one week before the date for which you signed up.
– Pat Owings for the Work Area on Worship
NEXT WORSHIP MEETING - The next meeting of the Work Area on Worship will be
Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pastor's office.
MEMBER NEWS
SYMPATHY - St. John's congregation would like to express our sympathy and ask for the Lord's comfort and strength for
Linda, Rocky and other family and friends of our dear friend and member, Edith Cox, who died March 9, 2009
Peggy & Denny Baughan and family at the death of Denny's sister, Kathy, on March 19, 2009
the family and friends of Douglas Turner who died April 8, 2009
Don Owings and family at the death of his brother, Bud Owings, on April 16, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - St. John's congregation wishes Ralph Johnson a very Happy Birthday. Ralph celebrated his 91st birthday on April 14.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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'.
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.
SOUP AND SALVATION - Join us on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Choir Room as
we continue the study,
"The Miracles of Jesus." We begin each week by sharing a meal of soup,
bread and dessert provided by Chris DeMent. We will meet through May 13.
SOMETHING NEW - Pastor Jay's sermons are now available on St. John's website or the church secretary can download a copy for you. These are being supplied by Sermon Scripts courtesy of owner Ken Norris.
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES - There were 66 people in attendance on Wednesday,
March 25 here at St. John's and $299.00 was collected in the offering for the
Assistance Center of Towson Churches. The total amount sent to ACTC from all
five weeks was $1,435.00 from offerings and $30.00 sent directly to ACTC equaling
$1,465.00.
COMMUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPRING CHICKEN BARBECUE - For Fine Food, Fun, Friends, Fellowship and barbequed
Fowl, come to Wiseburg Spring Barbecue on Saturday, May 2 from 2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
This sit-down dinner, served in Fellowship Hall, includes one-half barbecued
chicken, home-made potato salad, cole slaw, apple sauce, seasoned beans plus
rolls, beverage and dessert all for $12 per person, $5 for children. Carry out
and home delivery starts at noon (Call 410-821-5927 for carry out service. Please
call or email wiseburgumc@aol.com by Thursday, April 30)
FLEA MARKET - This event, sponsored by Bosley United Methodist Church, will be held on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church which is located at 14800 Thornton Mill Road. Breakfast, lunch, bake table and flea market items will be available. Great new items for Mother's Day gifts! Come rain or shine! Spaces are available by calling 410-771-4944. Call Carole Gray at 410-825-3969 for more information.
PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST - The next Pray for Peace service will
take place on Friday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation,
4 East University Parkway, Baltimore.
We will meet to pray for Peace at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22 at St. Ignatius
Church in Baltimore.
HEALTH CONCERNS - The following event takes place at St. Joseph Medical Center:
AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM - The Driver Safety Program is a 2-day classroom course designed to increase the knowledge of safe driving skills of the mature driver. Teaching methods include discussion, video and review of printed material. The next classes will be held on Saturdays, May 9 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Canticle Room of St. Joseph Medical Center. The cost is $12.00 per person for AARP members and $14.00 per person for non-members. Please call 410-337-1479 to register, which is required.
CONFERENCE NEWS
SUMMER CAMPING - Catalogs are available in the church office with information
about all the summer camping opportunities at our United Methodist camps. Open
house is scheduled at West River and at Manidokan on Sunday, May 3, from 2:00
- 5:00 p.m. Camping scholarships are available. Please contact Pastor Jay or
Clara Hall.
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.
Gladys Ament (8/26)
C. Melvin Askins
Mary Bolyard (7/13)
Mary Carl (7/25)
Herb (11/17) & Lil (1/20) Creech
Betty Henry (9/1)
Doris Seaman (8/22)
Pat Temple (1/19)
RELIGION & RACE
"Three Cups of Tea"
and
The Struggles of the Frontier People
"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Relin was selected
for the February St. John's - Idlewylde book club. It describes the amazing
story of Mortenson. It begins with Mortenson's failed attempt to climb K2 in
the Himalayas, the second highest peak in the world. Mortenson, a world-class
climber, failed. Weakened by malnutrition, dehydration, and bitterly cold night-time
temperatures, he struggled to survive. He would have died had it not been for
his faithful guide and companion who led him for many days down toward civilization.
Toward the end of the journey, his guide dashed ahead to seek medical aid for
his friend. He crossed the rickety rope bridge spanning the cascading Baldu
River. Mortenson missed the bridge. Stumbling along for miles he eventually
arrived in Korphe, one of the most remote hamlets in Pakistan. He was welcomed
by Haji Ali, the village elder and given a welcoming cup of tea by the elder's
wife.
Nursed back to health, Mortenson felt he needed to repay the people of Korphe
for their limitless kindness. Realizing that the children of Korphe had no school
and there was absolutely no support from the Pakistani central government for
education, Mortenson promised to raise funds to build them a school to include
both boys and girls. The rest of the book describes how he more than fulfilled
his promise. In fact he built more than 30 schools for girls along the Pakistani
frontier areas.
Mortenson, the son of Lutheran missionaries in East Africa, was a very rare
American who lived out the Christian virtue of "love one another"
without ever trying to prosletyze the frontier people. He also showed great
respect for the simple Muslim faith of these people, sometimes joining in their
prayers. He was a larger than life figure with his gaunt 6'3" frame and
his confidential and friendly manner. With some prior medical training he at
times took on the role of nurse practitioner. A young girl from Korphe was able
to go to medical school in Pakistan to become a doctor, an amazing feat in itself.
Sadly much of Mortenson's work has been undone by the resurgence of the Taliban
and Al Quaeda. They have overrun many of the areas along the frontier in Pakistan
and neighboring Afghanistan, killing village elders or others who opposed them
and sometimes entire families. They destroyed the schools so painstakingly built,
replacing them with schools emphasizing study of the Koran, and sometimes denying
any education for girls. By imposing Sharia Law their aim was to eradicate Western
influence.
It is difficult to choose the best strategy to help the frontier people restore
stability and counter the toxic pressure from the Taliban and Al Quaeda. Increasing
Western military presence alone is not the answer. Bombing supposed Taliban
or Al Quaeda targets accomplishes little if civilians are killed in the process.
Massive economic aid to Pakistan and Afghanistan will be very helpful if it
gets to the people who so desperately need the help in this impoverished area
and doesn't end up in the pockets of corrupt officials. Again the struggle for
the soul of Islam continues – between the true Islam of peace, kindness,
and respect for others and the other false vision of Islam – of suspicion
and violence.
Randy Hall
P.S. On Friday, March 27 ABC World News selected Greg Mortenson as their "Person
of the Week ," the same week as he received the highest honor given by
the Pakistani government for his work.
MOTHERS DAY 2009
"A Rainbow of Caring"
The Church World Service TOOLS OF HOPE AND BLANKET PROGRAM creates a rainbow of help and hope each time the right tool is placed in the hands of the people in need.
If it empowers people and brings a better tomorrow, it's a tool of hope!
A simple truth: Ordinary things — things that we often take for granted like . . . blankets . . . clean water . . . education . . . garden tools . . . seeds — can make a world of difference for people devastated by tragedy, as well as those working to build a better life for themselves and their communities.
So, this year, your $5.00 gift could go to provide the familiar blanket – or – it could be used toward other needs as mentioned above. Church World Service will use the money where it is most needed in more than 80 countries throughout the world, including right here in the U. S. A.
Please fill out the form and include your check, payable to St. John's United Methodist Women by Sunday, May 3.
I wish to contribute _______ $5.00 share(s) in the Tools of Hope & Blanket Program.
In Honor of___________________________________________
In Memory of__________________________________________
Signed: _______________________________________________
(Please sign your name as you wish it to appear in the Bulletin.)
THE DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2009.
St. John's
United Methodist Church
STRAWBERRY
FESTIVAL
AND
FLEA
MARKET
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
216 W. Seminary Avenue, Historic Lutherville
410-825-3969
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Theme: CAMP E.D.G.E. -
Experience & Discover God Everywhere
Where: St. John's Lutherville,
216 W. Seminary Avenue
When: Tuesday, July 7 & Thursday, July 9,
Tuesday, July 14 & Thursday, July 16,
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Camp E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible School takes our children to an extreme adventure
camp where they Experience and Discover God Everywhere! Camp E.D.G.E. VBS is
not the typical stroll through the woods. It's an action-packed, adrenaline-filled
expedition that teaches kids their strength and might come from God. Through
rockin' contemporary music, larger-than-life recreation games, mind-boggling
science activities, extreme sports videos, and cool, challenging crafts, we'll
show our kids how to live on the E.D.G.E. in their faith.
Day to Day Lessons:
Day One: God is with Me. I will stay close to God.
Bible Story: Trek to the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-11; 3:1-4:18)
Bible Verse: Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your
God. –
Isaiah 41:10
Day Two: God guides me. I will follow.
Bible Story: Trek to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12)
Bible Verse: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who
leads you in the way you should go. – Isaiah 48:17b
Day Three: God teaches me. I will learn.
Bible Story: Trek to the Pharisee's House (Luke 14:7-14)
Bible Verse: You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that
is what I am. –
John 13:13
Day Four: God loves me. I will love God and others.
Bible Story: Trek to the Upper Room (John 13:3-20; 13:33-14:30; 16:12-18:1)
Bible Verse: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you. –
John 15:12
St. John's United Methodist Women
of Esther Circle
Invite you to attend a special presentation
about Native Americans
Date: Monday, May 11, 2009
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Location: Choir Room
Guest Speaker: Kirk Dreier
Director of Marshy Point Nature Center
Learn: The Native Americans of Maryland, relied on a subsistence strategy which
exploited habitats at appropriate times of the year, learn how these people
fully utilized an environment, that to the white colonists was simply empty
and unused in their eyes. Kirk will tell how and what these people did to achieve
a balance between hunting and gathering and farming the land around them.
This presentation is part of the United Methodist Women's
2008-2009 School of Missions Study: "Giving Our Hearts Away:
Native American Survival"
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
VIM TRIP TO RED BIRD MISSION
This year's Volunteers In Mission trip to Red Bird Mission in Beverly KY will
take place October 11-17, 2009. The cost for each individual is $315 which includes
meals, boarding, materials, and insurance. If you are interested in participating
in the trip to Red Bird, please contact Pastor Jay. If you wish more information
about Red Bird Mission you can visit their website: www.rbmission.org.
BALTIMORE COUNTY CHRISTIAN WORK CAMP
Baltimore County Christian Work Camp information is available in the narthex. This 26th work camp will be held July 19 - 24. For more information, please call Chip Day at 410-744-2794 or Frank Thomas at 410-667-1725.
JULY/AUGUST NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: MAY 29
We are now doing a bimonthly newsletter. The next ‘Story' will be the July/August 2009 issue. All those who contribute articles will need to plan to submit information for a two month time period.