Bethel United Methodist Church 16101 Swanson Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 301 627-4515 Fax: 301 627-3793 Email: bethelum@verizon.net
www.hisbethel.org Volume 1, Issue 2 May 2009
Church Calendar Every Week: Sunday School for all @ 9:15AM Sunday Worship @10:30AM Sunday Bible Study @5PM Tuesday Intercessory Prayer @9AM Wednesday Lunch Bunch @11:30AM Wednesday Eastertide Reflection—Bible Study @6PM
Prayer Avails Much The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when people are asked to come together and pray, especially for this country. It was created as a floating holiday in 1952 and fixed on the first Thursday in May by President Reagan. The 58th National Day of Prayer will be on May 7, 2009, the first Thursday in May. The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "Prayer...America's Hope!" We, as believers, can be confident that when we come to God in humble prayer, He hears us and stands ready to respond to our cries for help. Our forefathers sought God for guidance and safekeeping; and we, too, can depend on His divine intervention if we will turn to Him in repentance and prayer.
Wednesday Choir Rehearsal @7PM
Encouragement for Today
Saturday AA, Al-Anon, Alateen @8:30PM
Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
Special Events: 2nd Sunday Church Breakfast Given by UM Men @ 8AM 1st Sunday Food Bank Collection Saturday Yard Sale, May 16 @ 8AM-2PM Monday Lay Visitation Training, June 8, 2009 Vacation Bible School (VBS), Crock Dock Mon-Fri June22-26 @ 9:30-11AM Saturday Festival! June 27 @ 10:30-AM-1:30PM
In our world today, many people think they have found God. But the only true way to God is through Jesus. This will seem foolish or even downright offensive to the world at large. We shouldn't expect everyone to receive it. In our desire to see as many come to the truth as possible, we must never compromise the "offensive" message that there is only one true way to the true God: Jesus Christ who suffered for sin, died, and was raised from the dead. This is the message, and God will open the hearts of some to receive it. "Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who
believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:21–24 Thank you , Dear Lord, for writing your love on our hearts. May we reveal you to others in all we do and say today. Amen
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Loving Father, help us to tell others when we pray for them, and then remind us of our commitments. Amen!
Adopt a Bethel Garden Plot
a note from Bob Hooker
Bethel Church
Parking Lot
Please adopt one (or more) area of the church grounds! I have mapped out eight (8) areas that need landscape/gardening care this growing season. Please see me to select an area around the Church grounds that you can maintain and upgrade as needed this growing season. Maintaining the grounds can provide another opportunity to connect/pray/fellowship with God our creator in such a quiet way. It will reminds us of Christ our Redeemer, who is constantly planting, pruning, fertilizing and growing our lives into His kingdom. Contact me today! God, help us to turn away from distractions so that we can hear your voice in the quiet place you have for us. Speak Lord God, for your servant is listening. Amen!
Pastor’s Desk
Jennifer Fenner
Dear Bethel Friends in Christ
Church Yard Sale Pastor
Saturday May 16 8AM - 2PM Table Space Entertainment Food
Grace and Peace to you in the name of our risen Lord. It is a joy to live in this season of Eastertide and a challenge to remain faithful to all that God has put before us in these days. I am excited to have been given the opportunity to serve Christ here and am amazed at all the ways in which the Spirit of God seems to be leading and guiding us as a fellowship. What a wonderful teacher the Spirit of God is, when we let him. As never before God has been teaching me about the importance of these days between Christ’s resurrection and Pentecost, the day when the church was gifted with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of just moving through this in-between-season, God has been teaching me about all the faithful preparation that was necessary before Christ’s final ascension and the birth of the body of Christ in the believers. Truly, do we ever stop to consider all the hard work that moved the early disciples from crucifixion pain to resurrection disbelief; from Easter power to Pentecost purpose? I believe that Bethel, in many ways stands in this post-resurrection / pre-Pentecost period, waiting, preparing, re-encountering the living Christ so that we can be emboldened to claim the Spirit in our lives and equipped to go forth…to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all the world. So I invite you to let the Spirit sink into your souls in these next weeks. Struggle with your questions. Seek the face of God. Humble your hearts and turn from all the ways that would keep you from hearing Christ. And prepare your lives for the power of God that will strengthen, encourage, direct, and bless us beyond imagination – even in the midst of our personal pain and struggle and heartache, when we humble ourselves before Him. See Pastor’s Desk; Continued on page 8
Volume 1, Issue 2
O God, thank you for placing in our lives people whom we can share your love.
Amen.
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Atlantic Welders to the Rescue! As you recall, the church steeple was tearing away from it’s foundation in April. Thanks goes out to Mr. Kevin Holmes and his sons Jacob, Robert, and Benjamin for a job well done! Atlantic, Industrial, Mechanical, and Electrical Contractors donated material, truck, and man hours; Grove heating & Cooling of Bowie loaned us the power washer; and Mr. Paul Tucker loaned a cherry picker to lift the members of our Holmes family to the rooftop! Services have also been provided by Mr. Joe Hooker. Mr. Hooker donated his time in ordering, delivering and installing the boiler room door, vent, and two coats of paint. Bethel has been truly blessed to get these repairs done. Again, thank you to our business partners!!
Interview with Ms. Anderson! Barbara is originally from Greenwich, Connecticut. She was born on January 4. Barbara is the widow of Robert Anderson. Together they have two children. Doug lives in Illinois and Valerie lives in Florida. Between her two children, there are four grandsons and two granddaughters. Barbara was raised as a Congregationalist. When she married, she worshipped with her husband as an Episcopalian. She and her husband came to Maryland in 1959. Bob was in the military. After the military, he worked in various branches of the government as Barbara worked as an Elementary Educator. (Mostly to substitute teach). Barbara served as Director for the Department of Aging and legislative liaison with the county in Annapolis. She calls herself a professional volunteer. Barbara and her husband came to Bethel about six years ago. They began attending Bethel as it was closer to home. At
Wednesday Lunch Bunch
Getting to know her better By Alice Canter Witness & Evangelism Team
Bethel, she is Financial Secretary and a member of the choir. Barbara is also Bethel's Reserve Member to the Annual Conference. She has enjoyed working with people in the Spiritual Gifts Workshops. Barbara's hobbies include Bridge, sports (especially the Orioles), and of course reading the Bible. She has been on an Emmaus Walk and describes it as a leap forward in strengthening her faith. God of light, help us to give you our hard times and our fears. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
an Email from Jan Holmes
We will be reading and discussing the book: Asking God Your Hardest Questions by Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Questions like What is God like? Where is God when I suffer? Is God really in control? We would love to have you join us any and all Wednesdays for lunch at 11:30 or at noon for the discussions. Father, thank you for keeping us always in your mind and heart. We have faith, but help our unbelief. Help us to share your grace with others when they are in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
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Lord, help us to turn over to you our hurts and bitterness, to pray for those who harmed us, trusting you to work in their lives. Amen
Adoration and Worship Team: Gloria Nelson REPORT Jan—Feb 2009: To the Church Council and Bethel UMC. This team continues to be in prayer about planning Worship. We pray for the Holy Spirit’s leading at Bethel. We are still doing a creative workshop with the Service of Praise, Prayer, and Word on Monday nights. We have completed (three) of them and God has truly been moving in this place! We are planning more services that may occur on different nights. The Pastor and this team have been praying to God to lead us in the services for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Services (including the Lent Reflection Services). This team selects music for Sunday’s praise time. We are practicing more with our choir director, Sarah Helen Clagett. This team continues to ask the Church to pray for and with us as we plan to worship to God. Pray that this team will be very obedient to God’s Spirit and God’s Leading at such a time as this!
Nurture and Fellowship Team: Jessye Miller REPORT Jan—March 2009: To the Church Council and Bethel UMC. This team cancelled its monthly activities for March 28 (which was Game Day) so members could attend the Spiritual Gifts Retreat at Mattaponi Retreat Center. In February, there were our thirteen bowlers. Among the many Bethel-family faces, Sheila Hutson, Eric Smothers, and Dante Smothers were there with their friends Cynthia and PJ! Arta Hawkins and her daughter, Arlene were there as Brenda King got really COMPETITIVE!! She is going to be a winner! We had a wonderful time, bowling two games. Clark and Sandra Holland were our high rollers. Everyone is improving, so watch out for the Bethel Bowlers!
Volume 1, Issue 2
Lord, we pray! Excite us with your Holy word, and that will be enough. Amen
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Equipping and Discipleship Team: Mary Minnis
Bethel and Marlboro Meadows Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) co-hosted the Second Easter Egg Hunt. This year's extravaganza was more successful than the one held last year. It was truly a God sighting to see the happy faces of the many children who participated. Dr Patton, the musical director of the Monday Praise and Worship Service, was the highlight of the day. Thanks to Theresa Lynn, the MMCDC, Pastor Jennifer Fenner, and our Bethel members for making this event truly amazing.
Witness and Evangelism Team:
Robin Terry Mazyck
REPORT Jan—March 2009: To the Church Council and Bethel UMC. We have discussed many opportunities for evangelism. The team has been praying and searching for a better understanding of evangelism and witnessing. Our present theme is ―The Ark‖, Acts of Random Kindness! We need to plan for Evangelism training. We have started new web site, post event signs, and have taken over the Bugle Newsletter to increase communications! The team plans to contact/network with other groups performing outreach in this neighborhood like: · Brothers for a cause · Bowie Pantry Emergency Aid Fund · Office of the State’s Attorney: Support Network for Domestic Violence · Family Crisis Center Inc. The team will select areas to develop later this year.
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God of diversity, help us to recognize & celebrate the different ways we all contribute to your work in the world. Amen
Service and Mission Team:
Julie Tsamoutales
Kathleen Karaffa Masters, missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, is serving as a Church and Community Worker in Bluefield, West Virginia. Bethel UMC, Service and Mission Team has decided to support Ms. Masters’ ministry. Based at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Kathleen works with a maternal and child resource center that is a cooperative endeavor serving women and children in Appalachia with clothing and educational resources. Bethel prayerfully supports the missionary efforts of Mrs. Masters. ―This past year was a pivotal year for me in many ways.‖ Kathleen shares. ―Mark’s sudden death in Nepal; Matthew’s graduation from high school and his subsequent freshmen move to Oxford College in Atlanta have challenged me to contemplate how I can best serve God, and how best God can use me. I have attempted to be true to that goal and to my relationship with Mark as I re-invented myself in West Virginia. I have learned that, once again, when I listen to God, and open myself to God’s will throughout my life, wonderful doors will open, even in the midst of great loss and pain.‖
Clean Up Day at Bethel
by Bob Hooker
Last Saturday was our Clean Up Day. The weather was great for the task!! Participants were Barbara Anderson, Tom Smith, Frank Holland, Joanne & Paul Johnson, and Molly O’Neill. The crew got busy to spread mulch and trimming a very large branch! The group even unplugged two of the church’s downspouts and opened the storm drains just in time for the continuing rains! Even the church windows got a long needed cleaning on both floor levels. The crew did not stop there, as they were inside to do a little spring cleaning in the kitchen’s refrigerator A much needed electric can opener was installed. Way to go!!!
Happy Birthday: Growing old is mandatory... Growing up is optional & takes a lot more work ! Happy Birthday (and keep acting your shoe size) ! May: Frances Case 7th; Luckie Fleri 13th; Laverne Weeks 14th; Donnie Strine 23rd; Clark Holmes 31th June: Kristian Minnis 2nd; Adell Pope 3rd; Julie Tsamoutales 6th; Bob Hooker 14th; Thomas DiSalvo 15th; Hasani Green 18th; Elmer Smith 22nd; Mary Johnson 27th July: Jimmy Holland 5th; Dillion DiSalvo 9th; Sandra Holland 19th; Ivy Johnson 28th
Thank you God, for the example set by faithful people and lessons of life we learn through them. Help us to be an example to others. Amen
Volume 1, Issue 2
Loving God, thank you for being there for us. Help us to enjoy your presence. Amen
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Happy Mother’s Day "Happy Mother's Day" means more Than have a happy day. Within those words lie lots of things We never get to say. It means I love you, first of all, Then thanks for all you do. It means you mean a lot to me, And that I honor you. But most of all, I guess it means That I am thinking of Your happiness on this, your day, With pleasure and with love.
Another Mother's Day is here, Bringing joy and pleasures new, On this special day, Mother dear, I want to remember you. I cannot give you costly gifts, And I've told you this before, No matter what I give to you, You give back much, much more. I'm giving you a pure, sweet rose, Gathered in the early morn, This rose you planted in my heart, The day that I was born. In kindly, loving thoughts of you, And with the faith you still impart, The rose I give to you today,
Once upon a memory, Someone wiped away a tear. Held me close and loved me, Thank you, Mother dear. If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away.
MOM I miss you when we're not together I'm growing up so fast See how big I've gotten Since you saw me last? As I grow, I'll change a lot, The years will fly right by. You'll wonder how I grew so quick When and where and why? So save this poem in a safe place, And take it out each year. The memories will come back of me, When I was small and dear.
Before I was a Mom Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or learned the words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. And I NEVER thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, Pooped on, Spit on, Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my priorities, my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried because I could not stop the pain, the hurt. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin and a band-aid.
Before I was a Mom I never knew that dating, proms, pimples, and mood swings would come back into my life. I never knew that I could love someone so much that I’d learn to bake cookies for the big game. I never knew I would love being a busy Mom for teens who want my car.
Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart ache when my child grew-up and moved away. I didn't know about that kind of bond…,
Before I was a Mom I didn’t know about The Warmth, The Joy, The Love, The Heartache, The Wonderment or The Satisfaction. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
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O God, thank you for placing in our lives, people whom we can share your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Shoe Box Ministry
Email from Jan Holmes
Nearly one year after an earthquake in China left thousands of people hurting and displaced, gift-filled shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child will soon be on their way to bring hope to children in the Sichuan province. The boxes are being sent with permission from the Chinese government to the Sichuan province as direct follow up to the earthquake that happened on May 12, 2008. Before sending these shoe box gifts, the most important thing we can do is pray! We know the Lord can and will do amazing things in the hearts of the children through these gifts, and we want to pray earnestly for these efforts to not be thwarted by the enemy but be blessed by the Lord. Please be in prayer now for this special effort. As details are continuing to come together, please pray for the following: For wisdom for the Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan's Purse leadership. That the Lord would use this event and the shoe box gifts for His lasting Glory and Kingdom in Sichuan, China. That God would grant favor with Chinese government officials with whom plans are being finalized. Positive results from the meeting with Civil Affairs. Guidance and wisdom for the Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child staff in China. The continued resolution of customs and importation issues. Thank you, Taken from article written by Leigh Fisher Director, Mid-Atlantic Region, Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse
Pastor’s Desk
The Jelly Bean Prayer
continued from page 2
On Sunday May 31, we as a church, will celebrate Pentecost – the great day in which the Holy Spirit descended upon the diversity of the gathered faithful – and all – heard in their own language - the voice of God speaking to them. It is my prayer that Bethel will be blessed with this unity in diversity, this clarity of voice, even as we all may hear in different ways. I pray that you will join me in coming before God seeking his calling for Bethel. I pray that you will join me in asking that the seeds of spiritual gifts planted in lives long ago will begin to sprout possibilities in God’s timing and purpose. I pray that you will join me in expecting that as we embrace God’s love for us in a deeper way that we will see unfolding evidences of God’s purpose before us.
question I believe God is calling us a community to a deeper sense of who we are in Christ and a wider extension of the arms of God’s love through us. My prayer is that by the grace of God we will stay the course and be led, in faithfulness, to God’s deeper purpose for us individually and as the gathered body of Christ. And as we wait and pray and are led, let us not forget to share the ways God is at work in our lives right now. Let us bear witness to the power of our living God. Your story just may be my encouragement. Your faithfulness may be my much needed conviction. That is, of course, the power of the Good News which helps us to hold out until our change does come In Joy-filled Expectation.
Bethel is right on time; right between the promise and the power. Without
Pastor Jen
Red is for the blood He gave, Green is for the grass He made, Yellow is for the sun so bright, Orange is for the edge of night. Black is for the sins that were made White is for the grace He gave, Purple is for the hour of sorrow, Pink is for the new tomorrow. Give a bag full of jelly beans, Colorful and sweet, Tell them it's a Prayer… It's a promise... It's an Easter treat!
Volume 1, Issue 2
O God, thank you for receiving us into your kingdom and for Your sacrifice that saves us and gives us hope.
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Armed Forces Day: May 16, 2009 Email collection from Pat Woods, Evangelism Team In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. The day was created in 1949, and was a result of the consolidation of the military services in the Department of Defense. It was intended to replace the separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Days, but observance of these days, especially within each particular service, continues to this day. The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense." It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: "This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty." May God bless United States Armed Forces!
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God, you are the great physician. Thank you for the love and the healing you freely give this nation. Show us how to be your hands reaching out to those who need help. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Why Do We Pray?
Pray for Government; Pray for Military; Pray for Church; Pray for Family.
Pray for Media; Pray for Business; Pray for Education; Email notes from Phyllis Kerns. Information from Sarah Helen Clagett
As American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt called for our nation to unite in prayer. He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. "Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee." The victory that followed on June 6, 1944-also known as D-Day-began the march to Berlin. Eighteen months later, WWII was over and one of the world's greatest evils had been defeated. The prayers of a nation had been a powerful force. Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection-through prayer. President Abraham Lincoln knew this well. It was his belief that, "it is the duty of nations as well as men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God." When it came to the fate of the nation, he practiced what he preached. Before the battle of Gettysburg, he turned to God in prayer. "I went to my room one day and I locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to him mightily for victory at Gettysburg." Won by the Union, Gettysburg was one of the turning points in the war. Today the need for prayer is as great as ever. We must ask the Lord to bless our leaders with wisdom and protection, and that we will have the fortitude to overcome the challenges at hand. Amen!
Please Join Us: EASTERTIDE REFLECTION WITH THE PASTOR: Wednesday evenings May 6, 13, 20 we will continue to look together at the ways in which worship leads us into repentance and humbleness before our Creator. May 17th, Ascension Sunday: Claudette Braswell, Lay Pastor, Preaching. Bethel Leadership Planning Retreat: Saturday August 29 th (all day) All Ministry team leaders, administrative team leaders, council members are requested to attend. Anyone else who is interested, please see Pastor Jen. Stay tuned for the next step in our Spiritual Gifts training: So what do I do now? Tentative Day: Saturday June 13th
Continue to pray for Eric & Heather as they leave this area.
Volume 1, Issue 2
O God, give us the courage to taste your goodness in our lives. Amen
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“WHY LORD?” Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' A daughter tells her Mother how everything is going wrong. She's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her, and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a piece. The daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.' 'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck' says her daughter. To which the mother asks, 'How about a couple of raw eggs? Or would you like some flour? Perhaps you would prefer a little baking soda?' The daughter responds, 'Mom, all those things are all yucky!' To this, Mother finally replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! ' God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad or difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him. God loves you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and yet He chose your heart. Email from Gordon Piscacek
Monday—Friday June 22-26, 9:30 11AM & Saturday June 27, 10:30AM-1:30PM
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