CHRIST IS RISEN! - Home - North Bethesda UMC · 2019. 7. 17. · Celebration led by our children &...

Contact North Bethesda

United Methodist Church

Volume 48 Issue 3

Pentecost 2019

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Sunrise Service

Our Children

Pentecost 2019 Contact

North Bethesda

United Methodist Church 10100 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda MD 20814

Phone: (301) 530–4342

E–mail: [email protected]

Website: www.NorthBethesdaumc.org

Office Manager: Chris Lee

Office Hours: Tuesday -Thursday

8:30am– 3:00pm

Pastor: Pastor Jeff Jones

cell: (240) 994-1505

Minister of Visitation: Linda Thompson

Music Director: Tony Ashur

Coordinator of Education: Renee Newman

Contact Newsletter Editors: Ardoth Hassler-Short, Carol Malmi.

Contact Newsletter Publisher: Chris Lee

1 John Welton 2 Mary Ellen McCabe 4 Sam Northridge 4 Rachel Northridge 5 Mark Ball 6 Jim Short 6 Mel Thompson 6 Tony Ashur 7 Colton Hammond 8 Ray Gilbert 8 Thelma Jenkins-Anthony 11 Bob Gawler 12 Samantha Santoro 15 Paul Hurlburt 17 Ryan Davis 19 Christina Johnston Pul-liam 20 Trevor Hammond 20 Ashley Egerton 20 Gregory Davis 22 Bets Bloom 24 Cynthia Spang 26 Heather Swanson 26 Peggy Lamoreaux 30 Ryan Workman

2 Nathan Aehle 10 Rosemary Gibson 18 Ed Swanson 19 Kathy May 20 Basil Manns 24 Vicki Morrison 25 Dean Follmann 29 Betsy Duane

NBUMC Weekly Email A weekly email goes out Friday afternoons with

information about Sunday’s service, current events

and activities, timely notices, reminders of

worship-service participants, and more. It is mailed

to the NBUMCFlash mailing list. If you are not

receiving a copy and would like to, please contact

the Church Office or email [email protected]

Thank you to Lynn DeForge for

arranging for the beautiful flowers that

adorned our Sanctuary for Easter.

As we go to press, The United Methodist Judicial Council is meeting to decide the constitutionality of the anti-LGBTQ Traditionalist Plan and the exit plan passed by delegates to GC2019.

We leave the enactment of justice not in the hands of a select few, but we take that responsibility for ourselves: United Methodists around the connection who oppose the cruel and un-Wesleyan nature of the Traditionalist plan. May our Judicial Council be guided to lead this Church in seeking justice. (From: Reconciling Ministries Network.)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.northbethesdaumc.org/

Volume 48 Issue 3

Preacher Feature

So often we see Easter as the end of the season in our spiritual lives instead of the real beginning of what God is trying to do. The celebration of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover/Easter celebration, is the coming of the energy and power of God into our individual lives so that we may live out the incredibly good news that life is renewed in every way by the presence of Jesus after the crucifixion.

We hope that the celebration of Easter reminds us that with God all things are possible, God’s love can conquer any barrier or obstacle. Life after Easter is a celebration of that potential for us, spiritually and relationally, to become the kind of people that God intended, and make a difference in our world. Our culture needs a major influx of the way God would work, and it flows out of us who live like Jesus to show the way.

Life does have disappointments that include troubles at work, in our relationships, or in our perspectives. The trouble can come because some of our dreams did not work out the way we had so hoped that they would—people getting on our nerves, results of tests or applications, orders that taking longer to arrive than we had hoped…

Easter can help us with all of that. Not so much the day of Resurrection, but as the companion on the way to Emmaus traveling with us every day now. Jesus said that his Ascension to God after 40 days allows his Spirit and presence to be everywhere with everybody, whenever we need it. The Spirit’s presence should be more than an alarm box we pull when we are desperate, but a companion that can direct and guide us every step of the way.

Maybe this Easter to Pentecost season, before the summer breaks, can be that time when we discover how close Jesus is to us, and how much help his Spirit can give us for the day-to-day challenges.

Jesus asked us to become full devoted followers of his message. Knowing and doing that requires some work. How do we grow in our faith? The answer is in what the church can provide. The church provides a pathway—offering study groups, and making recommendations for your reading and study. Having conversations with your other church members who are more mature can help lead you in the right direction also. Our excellent library has material that will help you grow.

Prayer is the key to feeling God’s Spiritual presence, and a way to grow in the connection with the Creator. I’m always amazed at how often St. Patrick prayed, and how much he discovered in those moments that led him to make such a difference in the world he lived in. His ideas swept across Ireland, and also influenced the church in England and in Europe. May we make such a difference ourselves.

Enjoy the beauty of this season. May God bless you in new and surprising ways.

Pastor Jeff

We love our children. However, for reasons of

security and privacy, we do not identify them

by name in our publications.


The Lectionary

May 5 Third Sunday of Easter

• *Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)

• Psalm 30

• Revelation 5:11-14

• John 21:1-19 May 12 Fourth Sunday of Easter

• *Acts 9:36-43

• Psalm 23


• John 10:22-30 May 19 Fifth Sunday of Easter

• *Acts 11:1-18

• Psalm 148


• John 13:31-35 May 26 Sixth Sunday of Easter

• *Acts 16:9-15

• Psalm 67

• Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

• John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9 June 2 Ascension of Jesus

• *Acts 1:1-11

• Psalm 47 or Psalm 93

• Ephesians 1:15-23

• Luke 24:44-53 June 9 Day of Pentecost

• *Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9

• Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

• Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21

• John 14:8-17, (25-27) June 16 Trinity Sunday First Sunday after Pentecost

• Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

• Psalm 8

• Romans 5:1-5

• John 16:12-15 June 23 Second Sunday after Pentecost

• 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

• Psalm 42 and 43

• Galatians 3:23-29

• Luke 8:26-39 June 30 Third Sunday after Pentecost

• 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

• Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

• Galatians 5:1, 13-25

• Luke 9:51-62

Worship Themes

The Month of May has a great variety of worship service themes to

encourage your continued celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus

and the new beginnings that we receive from God’s love and

forgiveness. Each Sunday provides a moment in the life of the

church following Jesus’ death and resurrection.

5/5 Holy Communion

John 21: 1-19 Jesus Serves Breakfast. We will share in the meals

as Jesus did, remembering how much of our own memories of

family and friends come through meal gatherings.

5/12 Mother’s Day

Celebration led by our children & youth.

Our children and youth will be sharing their awesome talents as a

part of Mother’s Day. This will make any Mom and Gramma proud

of her family this day. Invite friends to show off what great talent

we have.

5/19 5th Sunday of Easter

John 13:31-35 Jesus gives a new commandment. Let us love one

another as God loves us and demonstrated that love in the life and

work of Jesus.

5/26 6th Sunday of Easter

Memorial Sunday Observance

John 14: 23-29 Jesus Promises Presence, Power & Peace

6/2 Holy Communion, Ascension Sunday

Luke 24: 44-53 Jesus Returns to Heaven

6/9 Pentecost & Pledge Dedication

Acts 2:1-21 Birth of the Church

6/16 Father’s Day We will celebrate our graduates and those moving up in schools. Service led by our children and youth.

6/23. Luke 8: 26-39 The man in the tombs and herd of pigs. Jesus can bring new life in the toughest cases.

6/30. Luke 9:51 How hard it is to really be a follower of Jesus, especially today. This is a fifth Sunday and we want to invite the families to stay together for the service. There won’t be any Prime Time that day. But there will be nursery provided.

Donating to NBUMC Just Got Easier: We now have a QR code to make donating easier. Scan this code with the camera on your smartphone, and a a secure website will open for you to make your donation online.

OR TEXT $ (your donation amount) to 301-905-9998

Volume 48 Issue 3

Sale of Parsonage Property Our former parsonage adjacent to the church, which has been a rental

property for the past five years, has been sold. On Sunday, April 7, a

Special Charge Conference was held, and the members present voted 45

to 16 to authorize NBUMC church leaders to go back to the Baltimore-

Washington Conference with the recommendation to proceed with the

sale. Once it was placed on the market, the property sold in less than a

week. Several offers were received.

The new owners are a couple who plan to give it the upgrades and care it

deserves.

NBUMC joins 82% of the congregations in our Greater Washington District that provide housing

allowances to their Pastors rather than parsonages. Some Pastors who served their entire lives living

in parsonages have ended up without a home when retirement came. Owning a home helps a Pastor

achieve the housing best suited for his or her family and personal situation as well as preparing for

retirement.

Proceeds from the sale of the property will be invested through the endowment fund. It is anticipated

that the funds will grow and generate the funds to cover the pastoral housing allowances going

forward.

We wish to thank the tireless efforts of Michele Bernot and the Trustees for the hours of work they

have put in preparing the property and following through with the sale.

SUPPORT FOR OUR MINISTRY

During this Easter Season, you will hear from members and leaders of our church as they share the ways they support the ministry of North Bethesda UMC. Please pray for them, and may they provide an inspiration for your support as well.

We operate on a Fiscal Budget that runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. This helps us to coordinate our ministry and program with the actual calendar of events, and along with the school year that so many people work on mentally.

We hope to have an estimate of giving card turned in from our members, to give our finance committee an estimate of how much support there will be for planning our ministry with worship and music, congregational support, children and youth, and missions. Remember: a large part of our church budget keeps our physical plant, our building, in top shape. It is a major portion of our obligation and we pray you will consider that when you make your commitment.

Your generosity is very important for many reasons. The recent sale of the parsonage property (See below) and the investment of the proceeds will help to generate funds to support the pastor’s housing allowance. However, it will take a few months for that to provide all the resources we will need.

We are also deeply dependent on the rent we receive from Fernwood Montessori School, other building uses and fundraisers. We pray you will support us in those efforts as well.

We have a dynamic and beautiful congregation here. If all of us do all we can to support and

love one another, incredible things will happen as we work together. You will be receiving

information in a separate mailing that will include the estimate of giving card we hope you bring

back or mail back for Pledge Dedication on June 9th. - Pastor Jeff


SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKES AND TALENT!

What a wonderful evening of gathering together and sharing our many talents. We have so many remarkably talented people - adults and children alike - in our church family.

Thanks to all who shared their crafts and their performed talents - everything from gymnastics, dance, songs, musical instruments, poetry, to comedy.

Thanks to all who came out to feast on pancakes, sausage, and baked apples - and cheered on our performers. And thanks to those who helped take down the tables and chairs and helped clean-up afterward.

And a special shout out of thanks to those who helped make the evening happen - everything from greeting guests, cooking, buying supplies, setting up, cleaning up, serving plates, running the audio, playing piano for singers, to being MCs for the evening, and taking photos.

- Natalie McManus

Beth Wason-Blair and son,

Daniel Blair, with several

of Beth’s beautiful quilts.

Our chefs: Mark Aehle, Michael

Din, Wayne Huff and Natalie

McManus

Our performers: from the youngest to the youngest of heart!

Jack Enders

Who’s on First?

Rich McManus and Mark Aehle

Volume 48 Issue 3

Happy Birthday to Us! Membership and Evangelism Committee

March 31, 2019 was a joyous celebration of the Birthdays of our members

and friends of North Bethesda United Methodist Church. We had

approximately 98 attendees who were served a delectable spread

consisting of a variety of sandwich platters with a selection of meats and

seafood, as well as a veggie tray and dip and a delicious fruit medley. After

enjoying our feast, we sang Happy Birthday to everyone with a special wish

to Jennifer Fellows whose Birthday was on that day, and Helen Welton who

had a Birthday the day before. We enjoyed a delicious sheet cake of chocolate and vanilla with

buttercream icing.

Thank you to all who helped to

serve and clear away everything

afterwards.

- Mary Lou Griffin, Chair

Missions Refugee Support Mr. Jon Halpern and Ms. Gretchen Young,

experienced local refugee support volunteers

from Tifereth Israel Congregation in DC visited

our Church at coffee hour on Sunday April 28.

They talked about their work with refugees and answered questions about how NBUMC

volunteers can get involved in this important activity. The NBUMC Missions Group has

been assisting Jon and Gretchen for several months now on a limited ad hoc basis,

helping a Muslim family from Syria who were processed and resettled in the US through

the US refugee program. We have visited the family many times and helped with

transportation and job hunting; we purchased a laptop for the family; and, we donated

two cribs, a printer, and other items including homemade crib covers which Beth

Wasson-Blair made. Jon and Gretchen lead a group of volunteers from their Temple

who have been providing weekly tutoring and other significant help to the family and

they are looking to answer questions and hopefully encourage increased volunteer

support from NBUMC. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please

contact Rich McManus 301-505-1848 [email protected].

- Rich McManus


Our Maundy Thursday celebration started with a delicious meal of homemade soups, bread, and salad in Johnson Hall. Thanks to Rose Aehle for organizing the meal, and all of the

cooks and contributors. After our meal everyone made their way to the Narthex where foot or hand washing was offered by Pastor Jeff and the Arts Committee members. Once everyone was gathered in the sanctuary, a presentation of the Last Supper through the play, The Twelve Seats at the Table, was presented by church members.

Jesus and the Apostles spoke of their connections and faith, with the backdrop of Leonardo Da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper. followed by the offering of communion by Pastor Jeff and our "Jesus", Ed Swanson.

—Natalie McManus

A moving solo

of Crucifixus by

Giacomo

Puccini was

performed by

Mark Aehle.

GOOD FRIDAY Good Friday services were offered by UMC

cluster clergy at Rockville United Methodist

Church.

PALM SUNDAY

Children and adults paraded with palms in

a service filled with scripture and music.

Volume 48 Issue 3

Very, very early Easter Sunday morning, an early-bird crowd gathered at the garden cross by the woods to sing, listen to scripture, an Easter poem, and a staged reading by Carol Malmi, Richard McManus and Virginia Swanson, portraying the first Easter morning at the tomb. Attendees were then invited to dine to-gether in Johnson Hall. A lovely way to celebrate the Risen Jesus.

It wouldn’t be Easter at NBUMC without an appearance by the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt after worship! Thank you to Renee Newman for organizing the activities.


Memorial Candle

On Sunday, March 17, a Memorial Candle was

dedicated for Bobbi Grace Malmi by her daughter,

Carol Malmi.

On November 3, 2018, Claire Ashur (daughter of our music director, Tony Ashur) wed Justin Carrico at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Georgetown Prep. Claire started singing at NBUMC when she was in 7th grade and continued to share her talents with us through college. She and her husband live in Henrico, Virginia. Claire is a special education teacher at Midlothian High School and Justin works at Virginia Commonwealth University as an Assistant Manager and buyer for technology and computers.

We continue to urge you to bring friends, that is the best way the church will continue to grow.

Blessing of the Bikes

Volume 48 Issue 3

Then and Now: Our Youth North Bethesda has always been a place for our children to live, love and be loved, grow and thrive. I’ve been a member since 1982 and as far back as I can remember, we’ve had a “Children’s Time” in worship. We’ve celebrated Scout Sundays, confirmations, Vacation Bible Camps, our youth musicians, Christmas and Easter Pageants, Mother’s Day celebrations, and more.

When AJ Ow returned for a visit in January, I got to thinking about “where are they now”--our youth. Many of them were baptized at NBUMC; many were in Youth Group; some “left” and returned to be members.

Where ARE they now? This is the first of periodic articles.

AJ (Alexander Jeffrey) Ow

With two parents who always sang in the choir, AJ has music in his soul. In the photo, he holds

both guitar and trumpet! Mr. Benedict would create

arrangements to feature any and all instruments our youth

could play, tailoring their part to match their skills.

AJ was “born into” NBUMC and was baptized here. His

parents are Ken Ow and Bets Bloom. He participated in

Sunday School, Youth Group, Scout Sunday, Mother's Day

services, and numerous dramas--Christmas Eve and other

times. In September 2008, AJ enlisted in the United States

Navy. When I asked him for an update on what he does, AJ

wrote:

“In the Navy I am an Electronics Technician First Class Petty

Officer (Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare). Previously

stationed for 5 years onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)

our of Bremerton, WA. I most recently departed Commander, Naval Beach Group One (CNBG-1)

as Communications Division Leading Petty Officer and Staff Lead Communications Planner.

During my tour, I was awarded my second and third Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, third

Good Conduct Medal, Korea Service Defense Medal, and was named CNBG-1's Shore, Sailor of

the Year FY2018. I will be heading out soon to be stationed onboard the USS John S. McCain

(DDG-56) out of Yokosuka, Japan for the next two years. I maintain and repair electronic

equipment to include RADARs, Communications, and Navigation equipment, along with various

leadership positions to be determined upon my arrival.”

AJ has a son, Atticus, who will be 8 years old on May 1st. It's an easy

date for AJ to remember (May 1st, 2011) because it was the day the US

sacked Osama Bin Ladin. Atticus is currently in the 2nd grade in Fort

Walton Beach, FL. Some of his favorite activities include reading Harry

Potter and eating Chinese food.

For the Shrove Tuesday Talent Show, AJ sang and played guitar, with

“backup” from Ken Ow and Betsy Duane. Betsy said, “who’d have

thought 10 years ago that Ken and I would have been backing up AJ?”

AJ wrote: “I don't accept the word 'should', as in 'things should be done a certain way.’ Either they

are or they are not. Take action today and make a change!" -- Ardoth Hassler

[L-R: AJ Ow, Kyle Short, Matt and

Alison Ghaman, Jonathan Fellows,

with Henry Benedict]


Youth Service Celebrating Mother’s Day - Sunday, May 12, 2019 For many, many years, NBUMC has celebrated Mother’s Day with a worship service lead by our youth and children. This year is no exception! Under the tutelage of Renee Newman, our young peo-ple are already working on this celebratory service. You don’t want to miss it!

Day of Pentecost - Sunday, June 9, 2019 Acts 2:1-21. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (v. 1). We invite speakers of other languages to come forward and simultaneously read these passages aloud in their non-English language. Remember to wear Red.

Spring Rummage Sale!! Saturday, June 1, 8am – 2pm

ANNUAL NBUMC MISSIONS RUMMAGE SALE

PLEASE JOIN THE FUN AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS

DONATIONS: PLEASE CLEAN EVERYTHING AND BRING ITEMS TO NBUMC STARTING SUNDAY, MAY 26 (12- 2 pm) or

MONDAY – THURSDAY, MAY 27-30 (10 am-8 pm)*

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Set Up:

Monday to Thursday 10 am-8 pm

Friday 10 am to 6 pm

Saturday: THE BIG SALE DAY

First Shift: 8-11 am

Second Shift: 11 am- 2 pm

CLEAN UP: 2-3 pm

Contact: Gordon or Jacqui Cragg

(301-216-5794/leave message or [email protected])

We look forward to receiving linens; toys; puzzles; artwork; books; LPs, CDs, DVDs, DVD players, and video games; ‘wearable’ clothes (please, clean and neatly folded or on hangers); household items; knick-knacks; jewelry; collectibles; lamps; working small appliances (plus batteries if needed); tools; furniture; usable luggage items; sports items; bikes; etc.

BUT - please NO magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks, TVs, computers, monitors, phones, video tapes, beds, mattresses, curtains/rods, baby car seats or prams, medical devices.

BAKED GOODS: Needed Friday afternoon by 6 pm, or no later than 9 am on Saturday.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION: Volunteers who help sort and price, who prepare goodies for the bake sale or café, and those who work during the sale are welcome to enjoy the earliest shopping opportunity, Friday May 31, from 3:00-6:00pm. This will be the only time for pre-sale purchases.

All proceeds go to the NBUMC Missions charities and outreach.

Youth Service Celebrating Father’s Day - Sunday June 16, 2019 We will celebrate our graduates and those moving up in schools. This service led by our children and youth. You won’t want to miss this service!

Volume 48 Issue 3

Re-Introducing the Enabling Ministry Endowment Fund The purpose of this article is to raise members’ awareness of the Enabling Ministry Endowment Fund (EMEF) and to invite qualified proposals for support of EMEF projects.

The Enabling Ministry Endowment Fund (EMEF) is program-oriented—different from the brick-and-mortar oriented Capital Improvement Endowment Fund (CIEF). “I had in mind for the EMEF a resource that could support well-thought-out projects leading to positive outcomes,” said Marv Burt. “These would be relatively short-term endeavors, not [the usual work of] permanent standing committees.” Since its beginning in January 2007 with a contribution from Jacqui and Gordon Cragg, followed by a contribution by Joy and Marv Burt in 2008, the EMEF has used the magic of compound interest and dividend reinvestment to grow its value from $20,000 towards $40,000. A third contribution came this year from the estate of Charter Member Betty Tabb.

Through the years, NBUMC members and friends have contributed to the growth of the CIEF, whose balance in early 2019 is about $870,000. The less visible EMEF has received far fewer contributions. A little-noticed option is that donors can designate gifts to the EMEF, though donations cannot be earmarked for a specific project. Each year, based on the performance of domestic and international financial markets, the Investment Committee authorizes release of up to 5% of the value of the fund. EMEF projects are proposed to, and approved by, the Church Council. Few EMEF project proposals have come forward. Most expenditures have been in response to pastoral requests for program and communication support.

The Church Council invites well-planned and limited-term projects with a positive outcome. A hypothetical example is in the box below. - Carol Malmi, Endowment Committee

You Can . . . Designate a Donation to the EMEF You can designate a donation to go to the Enabling Ministries fund. A donation not designated for the EMEF is automatically placed in the Capital Improvements endowment fund. Propose an EMEF Project

Well planned Limited term Positive outcome

If you have an idea for a qualifying project, submit a project plan to Church Council. Include the information shown in the hypothetical example. Project requests are reviewed by Church Council throughout the year.

Eagle Scout Project: Landscape the Memorial Cross Purpose: This project’s purpose is to install a newly designed flower garden with stone garden border around the white wooden memorial cross at the edge of the north lawn The Scout can be given money from the EMEF to pay for supplies. Completion of this project is a major milestone in the advancement of a Scout to the rank of Eagle. Project Activities: • Request NBUMC approval of garden area restoration project. • Order materials (garden supplies) • Recruit helpers to do the work • Schedule & assign tasks • Begin work on Week One • Conclude work on Week Three. • Present final landscaping, account for materials Resources needed: Funding for garden supplies (estimate based on proposed design: $______) Positive outcome: Restoration of an attractive garden area where NBUMC members can go for contemplation. Optional outcome: If NBUMC provides benches, the Scout will incorporate benches into the design.


Church Steeple

Steeple Cross Presented by Dr. and Mrs.

Clifford Homer Richmond (Superintendent who encouraged building of the sanctuary)

Chancel

Altar Cross

Sadie G. Harvey Presented by

Her Family and Friends

Tree of Life (narrow jewel-tone window)

Presented by The Renner Family

In Memory of Michael L. Renner

1946-1964

Narthex Hallway

AED Automated External [Heart] Defibrillator

AEDs Save Lives Kyle H. Short January 2008

Purchased with donations From

Richard & Natalie McManus In memory of their fathers:

Charles McManus & Andy Gutow And

Ardoth Hassler & James Short In memory of their parents

Catherine & F.R. Hassler IV and Fred & Lucille Short

This list of “Silent Witnesses” may grow longer as donations of sacramental items and congregational gifts continue. As this effort came to an end, the Church Office file cabinets yielded up a folder containing a similar effort in the past by Fannie and Jesse Shelton and Wayne Huff. Their findings and the current survey are consistent. It is a pleasure to acknowledge their work and name them as co-authors of the Silent Witnesses records. - Carol Malmi

Silent Witnesses: A Record of Memorial Gifts to NBUMC

Volume 48 Issue 3

CHRIST IS RISEN! - Home - North Bethesda UMC · 2019. 7. 17. · Celebration led by our children &...

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