THIS WEEK M A R C H 2 2 | 2020
AGAINST ALL ODDS by Penny Oliver
www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207
704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP TIMES 8:45 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. | 11:00 a.m.
WE LCO M E To O u r C h u rc h !
We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.
In Celebration
ADJUSTING TO A NEW NORMAL B Y R E V. J E S S I C A D AY S O N & PA R I S H N U R S E L AU R E N S M I T H
Emery Louise Cummings, daughter of Ellie and Chris Cummings, sister of Miller Cummings, granddaughter of Charlotte and Gary Morgan, niece of Tiz and Alex Federal, and cousin of Charlie and Henry Federal, who was born on February 18.
LENTEN COMMITMENTS LENTEN DEVOTIONAL Our Stephen Ministers provide an annual Lenten devotional booklet for us, which is free of charge. They are available to view online and include essays from church members, clergy, and staff.
LABYRINTH Spend time on the Labyrinth with God. Hours are posted online at www.myersparkumc.org/contemplative.
PRAYER WALL In this season of Lent we hope you will participate by offering your prayers to our church-wide prayer wall, located in the lobby and in the hallway near the Sanctuary. If you have a prayer request that you would like to share with our clergy, email them to us at prayer@mpumc.org. These prayer requests will remain confidential and will be viewable only by our clergy.
ARTSCHARLOTTE GALLERY Now through Easter in the second floor lobby, we are hosting an exhibit of fine art, entitled “Beauty from Brokenness” from now through Easter (April 12). Be sure to visit.
A friend of mine shared this with me earlier in the week and I have been looking at it daily. The news, concerns for family and children, the uncertainty of being in physical space with others, questions of do I have enough at home to not go out, questions of how long this will go on, and just our basic emotional and physical needs still require tending to. Feeling overwhelmed at such a time as this is expected. But now what? What do we do to adjust to a new normal when very little feels normal? When I have had moments of feeling overwhelmed in the past week, I found myself being drawn into remembering that we are in the season of Lent. This uncharted territory of living during a pandemic certainly feels like a journey in the wilderness. This season is about slowing down, recognizing our need for God, creating spaces for our intentions to be directed towards the person of Jesus. This is not just a Lent where we are giving up chocolate or TV or social media. This Lent, we are being drawn into the wilderness that we likely never imagined. The words from the prophet Isaiah (41:10) have been resonating in my ears and heart…”do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.” Even though we are in this wilderness space, we can hold on knowing that God is with us, helping us each step of the way. So, what does it mean for us to adjust to this new normal of physical distancing, of figuring out new schedules and new life flow. I’m not exactly sure, but I do know that this season is one where we are given new rhythms that force us to come face to face with our own health and our need for God. Our parish nurse Lauren Smith shared with me this definition of health put out by the World Health Organization: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. From our perspective in caring for each other, we know that there are physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health aspects to consider. Each person’s health and care needs are individual and unique, and plans of care need to be tailored to address each person’s unique needs; not a “one size fits all” approach to care and in the processes of transitions/adjustment.”
During this season of wilderness, the Holy Spirit is with us and we know that God desires all of creation to thrive. Now we are pushed into this time of physical distancing and new rhythms. May we seek God as we seek our own health and the health of our neighbors. May we find ways to breathe and care uniquely for ourselves: physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. Although this wilderness is different, God is with us. Through the joys of technology and gratitude for the beauty of spring bursting around us, may we all explore new ways, new normals for this season that may draw us closer to the heart and spirit of God.
STAY UNIFIED: WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER B Y R E V. N AT H A N A R L E D G E
GIVING AT MYERS PARK Although we are shifting connections this season, ministry and discipleship is still very much alive at MPUMC thanks to your continued support of the Operating Fund. Clergy and staff are dedicated to being responsible stewards of your ongoing offerings. Know that your support matters and will enable us to stay connected in creative new ways and support the most vulnerable in our local community in the coming weeks. Make your gift today at www.myersparkumc.org/give
Friends,
TRINITY’S TABLE OFFERS HOPE AMIDST TIME OF UNCERTAINTY with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Sisters and brothers in Christ, what a time that is upon us. We have anxieties we have never felt before, stresses that we are feeling greater than we ever have, and uncertainty that feels daunting. And with all of this we are called to be unified in Christ and remain hopeful. This hope is real. This hope we lean into is everlasting and this hope is what helps us persevere in this difficult time. And the best we can do in this time is embrace the unity that we are to live into as the body of Christ. It is challenging because we are not sitting, studying, and serving together. And what happens is that we begin to feel isolated and alone, and friends, that’s when we need one another the most. Step into the vulnerable spaces of your heart and call someone, text someone, and give, continually give to the church. This giving to the church is a way that we, as a unified body of Christ, say to the world that we are hopeful, we are sticking together, and we are here for the vulnerable and the gap people in our communities. We will have many neighbors losing jobs and seeking assistance who have never had to before. These are the gap neighbors we need to pray for and with, these are the neighbors who need to know that we as the church are unified and are aware, ready and geared up to make an impact within our community. For example, this Tuesday we had a financial gift come to the church, and we were immediately able to use the money to support a minority-owned business, and then use the goods to feed our neighbors at McCreesh place and sustain lives. This is what being unified looks like. We will have many more opportunities. We are collecting canned food to distribute to Brookhill Neighborhood, our unified body of Christ will sustain life. Stay together, friends. We are better together and now more than ever our community needs us to lead in this witness. Peace Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement
Thanks to our partnership with South Tryon Community Church, Trinity’s Table has been able to continue, offering meals and hope to some of our most vulnerable population.
CO N N E C T WITH US ! F o l l ow u s o n s o c ia l m e d ia @ my e r sp a r k u m c
“PLAY” by Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot
V i s i t o u r we b s i te w w w. mye r s p a rk u m c .o r g to find small groups, ways to serve and engage, how to give, and plug in with other members of our church!
In our busy lives, many of us have forgotten how to play. We have a God who delights in our creativity and joy. Each week we want to highlight ways we can seek joy in this season. Here is our invitation for you this week! BE OUTSIDE! We have a photo challenge for you and your time outdoors. Tag us @myersparkumc: • Find 5 different tulip colors • Take a selfie with a robin • Take a picture of the blossoming trees • Find a four leaf clover • Draw a picture on the pollen residue • Take a picture of yourself jumping in a rain puddle • Read the following scripture. You can read it outdoors, read it alone or read it with your family. Journal/write about what it meant to you. We would love to hear your reflections. DO NOT WORRY
OU R CLE RGY Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement Rev. Uiyeon Kim Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Bill Roth Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Nancy Watson Executive Pastor
TALK WITH A PASTOR A pastor on staff stands ready to respond to your question or concern. Those needing immediate pastoral help should call 704-376-8584 and follow the prompts to the pastor on call.
Matthew 6:25–34: “25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, [a] or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? [b] 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God [c] and his [d] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
VIRTUAL SMALL GROUPS During this time of shifting connections, our Lenten small groups will continue virtually. We invite you to get involved and grow in your spiritual life during Lent as we stay connected in this season. Please click on the link here to learn more and follow along with our study. Contact Pastor Uiyeon ukim@mpumc.org with any questions. Newcomers are welcome!