MARCH 2018 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
DON MEADOR PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
SENIOR ADULT FITNESS KICKOFF Sandra Huskey, Fitness Director | Julie Pauls, founder of ATLAS Posture | Rev. Don Meador and his assistant, Vanessa Amelunke
Over fifty senior adults “started off 2018 in the right direction” by attending the Senior Adult Fitness Kickoff on January 12 in Aldersgate Hall. The group exercised, enjoyed breakfast and Rev. Don Meador unveiled the 2018 Senior Adult Fitness T-shirts. Julie Pauls, founder of ATLAS Posture spoke and Sandra Huskey, The Woodlands UMC Fitness Director entertained the group with a fun question/answer session which included lots of door prizes.
If you have looked at your calendar you may have been surprised to note that Easter falls on April Fools’ Day this year. That may or may not be a problem for you but, as I read recently, it is a problem for Pope Francis. It seems he has declared there will be two April Fools’ Days in 2019 in order to avoid a clash with Easter this year. The Pope has had the authority to change dates since Pope Gregory XIII created the Gregorian calendar in 1582. It does seem to be unfortunate that we may be celebrating a day when we usually pull jokes and pranks on others and even tell deceptive “little lies” on the same day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, the most important day on the Christian calendar. While pondering all of this I was led to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, the first chapter. There he says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” He goes on to say, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” As we prepare to celebrate Easter, let us remember that the world, in its great wisdom and knowledge, has sometimes found it difficult to believe in the resurrection. But let us also remember that Christian believers have occasionally been referred to as “fools for Christ.” That is because we know that the cross is the power of God for salvation. So, on April 1, even though the world may think it is foolish, let us gather to sing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” and boldly affirm our faith in Christ as the one, and only one, who brings salvation and the gift of eternal life. May you have a glorious Easter and, if you choose, a happy April Fools’ Day. Your Friend,
thewoodlandsumc.org/easter
26
5
25
4
12
19
26
11
18
25
The Gathering Place 8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall
MONDAY
SUNDAY
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Prime Timers 11:15 a.m. in Wesley Hall
28
21
Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room
14
7
28
WEDNESDAY
Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Goldenaires Rehearsal in the Infant Care Room 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
27
Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite
Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. in Allen Parlor
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
20 Senior Fitness
Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite
Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. at Guadalajara
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
13 Senior Fitness
Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite
6
27
TUESDAY
MARCH 2018
Maundy Thursday
29
22
15
8
1
THURSDAY
Senior Game Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
Good Friday
Please RSVP for the April 4 Prime Timers by noon today.
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
30
An Afternoon at the Movies 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. in the Music Suite
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
23
Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall
16
9
2
FRIDAY
31
24
17
10
3
SATURDAY
UPCOMING EVENTS SMALL GROUPS THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, March 5 | 10:00 a.m. in Asbury Hall The Gathering Place is an outreach program for adults who have early to moderate Alzheimer’s or dementia. Volunteers arrive at Aldersgate Hall at 8:45 a.m. and our guests arrive at 10:00 a.m. The theme will be “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” For information, contact Chuck and Jean Abernathy at 936.449.6450.
PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON
Wednesday, March 7 | 11:15 a.m. in Wesley Hall Join us for our monthly luncheon. Our speaker will be Jaclyn Owusu, the Public Awareness Coordinator for the Texas Talking Book Program, a part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The Talking Book Program provides free library services for Texans with blindness or visual, physical, or reading disabilities. The program currently has over 90,000 titles and 70 plus magazines. Every item is sent via mail and is free – free shipping, free loans, free equipment. Ms. Owusu will be available to sign people up at the end of the luncheon. Please RSVP by noon on Friday, March 2 to Joyce and Ken Nesmith at 281.367.5519. The cost is $7 per person and checks are preferred, payable to TWUMC.
SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, March 9 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Games include Mexican train, bridge, hand and foot, and Rummikube. $1 per person. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893. Everyone is invited. Please bring a snack. LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, March 13 | 11:00 a.m. at Guadalajara Hacienda Each month we meet at a different restaurant for good conversation and Christian fellowship. This month, please join us at Guadalajara Hacienda in The Woodlands at (27885 N I-45, across the parking lot from Target). Reservations are due by Monday, Monday, March 12. For more information, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062. All senior adults are welcomed to attend. AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Friday, March 23 | 2:30 p.m. in the Music Suite Please join us for the movie, Home Alone, on the big screen. Snacks will be served. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 20 by signing up or by calling Dee and Dave Megee at 281.364.7114. All senior adults are welcome.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Third Friday of each month 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long-term or terminal illness such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. For more information, contact Caring Ministry at 281.297.5953.
GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. This group is open to those 55 and older and is directed by Stephen Jones, The Woodlands UMC’s Music Associate and Organist. Performances include providing beautiful anthems once a month for the 8:30 a.m. worship service in Robb Chapel and singing at community events for Interfaith, The Gathering Place, and area nursing homes. We would love to have you join us! No audition is required. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053. SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays & Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Join us up to twice a week for a muscle toning workout for men and women featuring strength training and some stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Lite body sculpting is an unintimidating, less strenuous class with modifications for any fitness level. Segments include warm-up, strength, stretching and cool-down. There is no charge. Please wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. For more information please contact Jackie Martini at 281.451.3844. MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesdays, March 14 & 28 | 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Join us for a men’s book study/Bible study, which meets twice a month. We have begun a new book, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski. Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives. The book is available in the church bookstore or it can be ordered from Amazon. Contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.323 for more information. PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, March 20 | 12:30 p.m. in Allen Parlor Bring a brown bag for lunch, we will discuss the book Me Before You by by JoJo Moyes. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 for more information. Everyone is welcome – men and women! SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS For information on March activities, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932 or tloughridge@twumc.org.
SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult residences and private residences. New shepherds and new lambs are always welcome. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012. ELDERRIDE Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. Please call at least 48 hours in advance. COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY If you need computer assistance, please call Jerry Barney, a member of The Woodlands UMC at 281.826.3232 (home) or 915.373.3707 (cell). There is no charge.
The Woodlands United  Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. HOUSTON, TX PERMIT #296
Return Service Requested
THE SASSY SISTERS
The accounting department loves the Sassy Sisters who are always so willing to assist!
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
The Souper Bowl of Caring was held at our church, once again, on February 4 benefitting the Montgomery County Food Bank. Several boxes of food and over $2,000 was contributed. Our dear friend, Neil Johnson, who was in charge of it for years, passed away a few days earlier.
Judi Bonds, Becky Hamrick of the accounting department, Sue Stephenson, Gin Meinhardt, Helen Burgdorf, B.J. Dunlap, Alice Lofton, and Dixie Jackson
Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.