APRIL 2019 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
HARVEST CROSS Contributed by Anita Wren.
AWAKENING Paul writes to the house churches in Rome a letter of encouragement. “The hour has come for you to WAKE UP from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.” Romans 13:11-13 But what is Paul inviting the Church to wake up to? How did they fall asleep? In Acts 1:8, Jesus says “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, before I return at my Second Advent, you be my witnesses in places you live to the very ends of the earth. This was the mission! George Barna released a survey in 2018 that asked Christians if they believed in this statement. “It is the call of a believer to share their faith with others.” The survey invited each Christian to answer true or false to that statement. The results came back after surveying thousands of Christians in America and 64% agreed with the statement. The other 36% disagreed. The reasoning ranged from “it’s the churches mission not mine” to “I don’t think we should tell people how to believe at all.” We have lost our mission haven’t we? Constanly busy with everyday life, pressed down by the concerns of the world, infatuated with what’s in front us and indifferent to eternal matters. We need an Awakening! Lord, wake us up. Help us live into your mission for us. Rev. Mark Swayze, Pastor of Contemporary Music and Community Growth
Easter brings a spirit of renewal and hope. Praise God for our ability to worship our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. We have grown deeper and closer together in these past few weeks of Lent. I hope you can feel the tangible presence of God. It is good to know we can trust the eternal, unchanging nature of God in times like these. Alas, everything on this side of eternity will change. I’ve learned to embrace this truth with a hopeful anticipation rather than a fearful angst. Change can be good, if we keep looking for the hidden blessing. We planted fruit trees in a small orchard on the family place in deep East Texas this year. When we started this project the grass in the pasture was dormant. There wasn’t much growing in that space way back in February, except for puddles of rainwater that would not go away. But, as March and April came to be, we discovered a delightful surprise. The orchard is planted right on top of the “old home place.” That’s the place where my grandparents kept a homestead for many, many years. In fact, my grandfather never lived more than a mile away from the home where he was born. The house has long since been demolished and the structures of their old home place have been removed over the years. But, as if speaking a word of encouragement to us from the heavens above, my grandmother’s Daffodil and Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs made their secret presence known. In the Spring, you can see the outline of her flower gardens, blooming with yellow and white flowers in the crisp morning air. The new fruit frees are just twigs in the fresh dirt, but the bulbs buried deep beneath the soil are making everything bright, new and fresh. Spring is more than a season that comes after winter. It is an eternal promise of new things to come. Jesus is our eternal Spring. A new day comes when we trust Him. His resurrection reminds us of the hope we have in things eternal. They will never change. I pray you will have a blessed Easter!
HAPPY EASTER FROM SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY! — The Woodlands UMC
With grace and peace, Cliff Ritter
PHOTO GALLERY LUNCH BUNCH The Whole Gang! In February, our Lunch Bunch group gathered for a meal at Salt Grass Steakhouse!
Richard and Barbara Fulmer
Nancy Gonzalez and Carolyn Lentz
Ruth Myers and Linda Owens
Linda McCraray and Linda Morrill
Dolly Loftiss and Norma Toth
The Whole Gang
GOLDENAIRES Welcome new Goldenaires members: Bobby and Kathy Smith. GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Music Suite The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. No audition is required. All seniors are welcome. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053 GOLDENAIRES PERFORM Sunday, April 14 | 8:30 a.m. | Robb Chapel You’re invited to see the Goldenaires perform in Robb Chapel on Sunday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. Bobby and Kathy Smith
UPCOMING EVENTS AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Friday, April 26 | 2:30 p.m. | Music Suite Join us in viewing Shenandoah, starring James Stewart. It’s a dramatic story of a man caught in a dilemma. He is a Virginia farmer during the civil war. He refuses to support the confederacy because he is opposed to slavery, yet he will not support the union, because he is deeply opposed to war. When his own son is taken prisoner, Stewart goes to search for the boy. Seeing first -hand the horrors of war, he is at last forced to take his stand. No reservation is needed. For more information, contact Glenda Bailey at glendabailey@gmail. com. All senior adults are welcome. PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON Wednesday, April 3 | 11:15 a.m. | Asbury Hall Join us in welcoming Debbie Johnson as she tells us about 1960 Hope Center offering the basic human resources to the homeless men and women in the North Houston area. Reservations are due by noon on March 29 to Ken and Joyce Nesmith at 281.367.5519. The cost is $7 per person and checks are preferred, payable to TWUMC.
LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, April 9 | 11:00 a.m. Join us at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, located at 18165 I- 45 in The Woodlands. Reservations are due by Monday, April 8 at noon. Call Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062. All senior adults are welcome. SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, April 12 | 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. The cost is $1 per person. Please bring a snack to share. All senior adults are welcome. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893 SHEPHERD CARE EASTER LILY PICK UP/DELIVERY April 17 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Dunnam Conference Room Pick up your lamb’s Easter Lily in Dunnam Conference room! Watch for the date/time reminder in the mail! SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY MEETING Thursday, April 18 | 2:00 p.m. | Jones Library Join us in planning our senior adult activities. All seniors are welcome.
SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY TRIPS The Senior Adult Ministry will be offering two trips in 2019. The first will be Santa Fe in May (May 15 – 18) and the second Canadian Rockies via Rail (July 20 – 27). For additional information or to sign up, please contact Helen Burgdorf at home 281.397.3726 or cell 713.822.5728. Seating is limited for both trips. SANTA FE IN MAY | May 15 – 18 Flying into Albuquerque, we will continue our trip via motor coach to Santa Fe going by way of the Turquoise Trail and stopping in an artist community of Madrid. The next day we take a walking tour to see the State Capitol Building, stroll the Old Santa Fe Trail past the San Miguel Mission and see the Loretto Chapel Museum (the Miraculous Staircase). We will drive to Chimayo to see El Santuario de Chimayo, a little church built in 1816 and believed to have healing powers. Friday will be a free day in Santa Fe with multi museum passes for the New Mexico Art Museum, New Mexico History Museum, International Folk Art Museum and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. All museum passes are included in the price of the trip. Meals included are 3 breakfasts at the hotel, 1 lunch and 2 dinners. Airfare is also included in price. Cost of the trip per person: Double occupancy: $1,165 Single occupancy: $1,425 CANADIAN ROCKIES VIA RAIL | July 20 – 27 Our trip begins in Vancouver with a tour of Vancouver Island and Butchart Gardens. Then we visit Victoria, British Columbia. Enjoy a Victoria City Tour featuring Inner Harbor and Parliament Building. We board The Canadian and overnight on the train. From the train enjoy the views of the incredible passing scenery like Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Cross the Continental Divide into Alberta before arriving in Jasper. We will visit Jasper National Park and Maligne Canyon and lake. We travel along the Icefields Parkway to Banff with a stop to see Athabasca Falls and later ride the Ice Explorer on the thick Athabasca Glacier. We will see Moraine Lake and Valley of the Ten Peaks before visiting Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier. From Banff we travel to Calgary for our flight home. Meals included are: 7 Breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners. Cost of the trip per person: Double occupancy with Booking Discount: $4,149 Double occupancy, Regular Rate: $4,249 Single supplement: $1,000
SMALL GROUPS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Friday, April 5 and 19 | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group is led by Rev. Cliff Ritter.
SENIOR ADULT FITNESS INTERMEDIATE CLASS Thursdays | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Move through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength. This is a functional fitness class and all exercises can be adapted to your personal fitness level.
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN GROUP Wednesday, April 17 | 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Allen Parlor Come and join us on the third Wednesday of each month. We can plan, share and get to know each other as we travel this journey together. Group will be led by Lois Crowley. For more information, contact Teri Rossi at 281.297.5935
PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, April 16 | 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Bring a brown bag lunch and join us in discussing the book Charm of Revenge by Ron Secret. If you’d like to read ahead, next month is Killers Of The Flower Moon by David Grann. Coffee and cookies are provided. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660
THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, April 1 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall The Gathering Place is for adults who have been diagnosed with early to moderate dementia. Join us for the Gathering Place. The theme for this month is April Fools… or Upside Down Day! MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesday, April 10 and 24 | 10:00 a.m. | Infant Care Room Join us for a continuation of The Joy Stealers by Rob Renfroe. New members are welcome any time. For more information, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us twice a week for a muscle toning, strength training and stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Segments include warm-up, strength training, stretching and cool-down. Modifications can be made for any fitness level.
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. If you know of someone in need of companionship or if you would like to volunteer to be a Shepherd, please contact Kay Meador at 936.321.5159. Next meeting is May 9.
PARK MANOR WEEKLY WORSHIP Wednesdays | 4:00 p.m. | Park Manor Join us and our clergy, as we take a ministry of presence to the residents of Park Manor nursing home. Everyone is encouraged to join in reaching out and enriching the lives of these people who, for the most part are no longer able to attend church outside the home. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Those who love to knit or crochet are invited to participate. Although most of the hand work will be done at home, we will meet occasionally for fellowship and to pray for the recipients of our shawls. Shawls will be given in faith, hope and love to those in need. For more information, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@comcast.net or 281.292.3875. Next gathering is June 14. SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Friday, April 12 Friday, April 26 For more information about Single Life Widows, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932
SHEPHERD CARE Author and speaker Missy Buchanan spoke at the Shepherd Care meeting on February 14. Missy reminded us that we should make an intentional effort and have a daily focus on reaching out to the aging population in our church.
COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY Our computer support ministry is free of charge! If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 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. PARKINSON’S DISEASE EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUP Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall. For more information, contact Dale Mefford at 936.443.5351, or go to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society’s website. We are in the north group.
Shepherd Care with Missy Buchanan
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” — Psalm 92:14-15
APRIL 2019 SUNDAY 31 MARCH
MONDAY 1
TUESDAY 2
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3
9
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16 Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
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28
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30
17NEW! Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Allen Parlor Shepherd Care Easter Lily Pickup 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Dunnam Conference Room
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Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
18Senior Adult Fitness
MAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor
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Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows Check TWUMC Website Senior Adult Game Night 5:00 –7:30 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall SAM Meeting 2:00 p.m. | Jones Library
Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor
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27
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Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room
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Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
11 Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room
Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
Happy Easter!
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10 Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
14
THURSDAY
Prime Timers Luncheon 11:15 a.m. Asbury Hall
Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall
The Gathering Place 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall
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WEDNESDAY
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Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows Check TWUMC Website Afternoon at the Movies 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Music Suite
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
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HOW WILL YOU SERVE? *THIRD SUNDAY FOOD DRIVE Sunday, April 14 BACKPACK BUDDIES Monday, April 22 | 9:00 - Noon | Montgomery County Food Bank We partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank to pack weekend meals to distribute to elementary children. Family -friendly opportunity. CREATIVE HANDS SEWING Thursday, April 11 | 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Loft Craft Circle Room Friday, April 12 | 9:00 – Noon | Loft Craft Circle Room Gather to work on small projects! We can use all skill levels to help cut, assemble, organize, iron and sew projects ranging from blankets for the homeless to tote bags for Human Trafficking victims. WOMEN’S SHELTER WORK DAY Saturday, April 13 | 8:00 – Noon | Caravan from the Loft Help with various projects at the Women’s shelter such as cooking meals, maintenance and cleaning. Sign up at missions.thewoodlandsumc.org
A GLANCE AT NEXT MONTH (MAY) PRIME TIMERS PICNIC May 1 Burroughs Park TWUMC SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY TRIP May 15 – 18 Santa Fe, New Mexico FRIENDSHIP CLASS MISSIONS DINNER May 25
RESOURCE CORNER CHECK OUT BOOK “THE TIME OF MY LIFE” BY OUR MEMBER MARC MCCOY Marc McCoy, a cancer survivor, was forced to address life’s most difficult questions and overcome some of life’s biggest challenges. HERE’S A GREAT MEDITATION APP THAT CLIFF RECOMMENDS! Meditation Studio for your smart phone. Whether you want to reduce stress, ease anxiety, improve sleep or boost confidence, we’ve got meditations for you! Enjoy over 500+ guided meditations, plus courses on happiness, changing habits and meditation essentials. Got more time? Browse the collections just for moms, teens, kids and more at meditationstudioapp.com Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.