Weekly Newsletter of La Plata United Methodist Church

The Grapevine

In This Issue Special Invite! Trunk N Treat ~ Oct 27 She’s Hungry & Wants to be Kissed Harvest Dinner- Big Fundraiser! Holiday Shoppe & Bake Sale Blessing Buddies What are your Spiritual Gifts? Fair Food Booth Facts Let’s Celebrate! Let Us Pray Spiritual Gifts Facebook Find Holy Happenings

October 17, 2019

A Note from Pastor Susan Dear Ones, You know, I had my week very well planned this week. Like all of us, I had a lot to do, but it was going to get done in order, just like I planned....until. Until. Until life happened. Until some folks needed me. Until one thing led to another. Until I got a phone call. Until my timeline was interrupted by important issues. Then the blessings really started. What? Blessings? Yes, blessings. You see, I had planned my time, but God used my time. Let that sit for a moment. I PLANNED my time, but God USED my time. I planned my week so I would accomplish what I wanted. God used my time to glorify him and be about HIS business. What a great and amazing difference. I was about to leave for something in my planned schedule but instead, I had a powerful and spiritually intimate encounter with someone that blessed me much more than I blessed them. I was running late, but if I had not been, I would have missed another "interruption" that brought me joy! I always say, God's ways are not our ways...they are better! God has proved those words to me this week. How about you? Do you ever get so focused on YOUR plans that you dismiss or overlook God's "interruptions?" I think we all do at times, but if we do, we risk missing out on those extra special blessings God has in store when we give up OUR plans and open ourselves for HIS use. While sharing some of this with our Administrator, Karen, she told me something that your previous pastor, Rev. Dr. Bruce Jones said. He said, "Ministry happens in the interruptions." It certainly does, Bruce! And, so do the blessings... His...and Yours, Pastor Susan

3 Port Tobacco Road La Plata, MD 20646

301.934.2288 laplataumc.org

laplataumc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan E. Boehl

Sunday Worship Services:

8:30am Café Worship 11:00am Traditional Worship

Special Invite! October 20 (this Sunday), our children's message will be given by some special guests...of the four legged kind! We will be given a taste of our Blessing of the Animals Service on October 27. The pets that will be joining us for the Children's message are hypo-allergenic, so don't worry about allergies. You may have a hard time getting a smile off your face though, so beware! I have a feeling we ALL will be kids Sunday! Bring one of your favorite little ones and we will see you there!

Trunk N Treat ~ Oct 27th Cars will once again circle the lower parking lot and pop trunks for our annual Trunk N Treat. Plan to join us on Sun, Oct 27 from 5:00 - 7:00pm for this fun evening. Families are invited to come collect goodies between 5:30 - 7:00pm. Those who are able to pop a trunk and pass out goodies, please arrive at 5:00pm to set up and plan for about 150 kids. Kids can still go car to car even if they park. This is a fun evening of fellowship that is perfect for friends, family and neighbors. Hope to see you there!

DON’T MISS Preacher’s Pop-Up Prayer on FB Live every Thursday

at 7pm!

She’s Hungry & Wants to be Kissed Look for the hungry little cow in Fellowship Hall 2 during the Café Service, and later in the lobby after the 11am service. She needs to be fed – and she only eats money. She wants to get fat and sassy to support “Help for Pets,” a local organization that provides seniors and others who cannot afford to take care of their pets with food and other necessary supplies, so that they can keep their beloved animals at home. But, she’s more than that. She’s also the key to watching our Pastor kiss a real cow at our October 27

th

Blessing of the Animals event. She’s promised to do it if we can raise $1000.00 for “Help for Pets.” So, drop your donations in this Sunday and bring your friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers, along with their animals, to receive a blessing on October 27

th. See our

website for more details. NEW: You can also donate to “kiss the cow” through our online giving service.

The Grapevine Editor: Sherri Hastings

Publisher: Karen Hamner Circulation: 750

Weekly deadline for submitting articles is Wed. at 4pm.

Submit articles to news@laplataumc.org

Sept 22 Sept 29 Oct 6 Oct 13

252 246 211 311

Attendance

This Past Week

77 163

35 36

311

122

160

Church Income

Worship

8:30 11:00 Sagepoint Others Total

Sept 22 Sept 29 Oct 6 Oct 13 Need/wk. Dine Out Totals Since 2015

$ $ $ $ $ $

Facebook Views Preacher’s Pop Up Prayer

Harvest Dinner - Big Fundraiser!

Our Annual Harvest Dinner will be held on Fri, Nov 1 from 4:30-7:30 in the Fellowship Hall. We need everyone's help to continue this successful fundraiser, so please invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. The menu features ham, roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, kale, cranberries, rolls, drinks, and dessert. Carry-out meals are available. Adult tickets are $20, children (aged 5 to 10) are $5. Carry-out meals are $20. It takes a lot of hands to make this work, so if you can lend yours, it would be appreciated. Please contact Bonnie Thompson at 240-298-5389 if you would like to help.to help.

Holiday Shoppe & Bake Sale

Are you a crafter? Do you own your own business? Call the church office, 301-934-2288, to get your application to rent space at our Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale scheduled for Sat, Nov 23 at 9am. We are asking for donations of your gently used Christmas decorations for our “Recycled Christmas,” and books of all kinds for our used book sale. Call the church office to schedule a time to deliver your items.

Sun 10/20 Sun 10/27 Fri 11/1 Sun 11/3

Gatherings at a Glance Laity Sunday Reformation Sunday Harvest Dinner All Saints Sunday

7,190 7,205

12,378 11,327 12,911

8,779

Got news for The Grapevine,

bulletin & website? Send it to one email:

news@laplataumc.org

1 Peter 4:10-11

And serve each other according to the gifts each person has received, as good

managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power

forever and always. Amen.

What are your Spiritual Gifts?

Have you ever wondered about Spiritual gifts? Do you know what spiritual gifts you possess? Perhaps, you wonder if your spiritual gifts have changed over the years, because as Ecclesiastics 3 reminds us, everything has a season, and therefore, we grow and change over time. Thus, in the coming weeks, we are going to ask everyone to complete a questionnaire that will help determine your spiritual gifts. These will be kept confidential and only you will see your own unique results. We will not share your results with anyone. This will be strictly for your own information and consideration. Remember, 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLV) says…”The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.” We look forward to having you all participate in this venture.

Blessing Buddies The Prayer Shawl ministry is adding another comfort blessing, but they need your help. Please donate a new 10-inch Teddy Bear for our new Blessing Buddies ministry. These bears would spend time in worship and prayer with our congregation and then be taken to bless those who need some comfort from their church family. There will be a box in the front entrance for your donations, or you can bring them to the church office any time during the week.

Fair Food Booth Facts

Many of you have asked questions about the Food Booth fundraiser we do at the Charles County Fair each year. Below, are some facts and some history!

• Ray Hindle, Louise Stine and J.T. Hindle’s father, was on the Charles County Fair Board and was asked

to build a Food Booth at the Charles County Fairgrounds. When it was completed around 1961, the Fair Board asked for an organization in the community to run it during the Charles County Fair weekend. La Plata UMC stepped up to use it as a fundraiser for the church. The Fair Board asked the church to sell items that a family attending the fair could afford to purchase. The church began selling hot dogs, burgers BBQ, chips, ice cream, candy and drinks.

• In the beginning, the church organized the booth, and for a little over 30 years, the bills and any profit was turned over to the Fair Treasurer. After the Fair, the net income was then split between the Charles County Fair Board and the church on a percentage based system.

• Around 1995 to current day, the percentage based system was changed to simply a rental fee that the church pays to the Fair Board. The church handles any purchases and profit within our own finance system.

• Over many years, the Food Booth has been run by faithful people in our church family. Dorothy Roberts remembers being at the fairgrounds as a teenager while her parents worked in the Food Booth with Myrtle Burdette manning the barbeque station and Lona Boggs having her pot on simmer to cook more hot dogs. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Dorothy’s husband, Jimmie, would take off during fair week and work every day in the food booth alongside Grace Franklin, the chairperson of the fair for the church for many years, and Archie Verdiglione, Sr.

• A lot of friendships were formed, laughter shared, and food prepared. • In 2010, a Food Booth Committee was formed and there are about 11 people who serve on this

committee each year. • Though La Plata UMC does not own the building that we use at the fair, we do bring almost

EVERYTHING down each year to run the food booth. The only thing that remains in the building all year is the standup refrigerator and freezer, the Coke machine and the stainless-steel tables.

• All products from food to paper supplies is ordered and purchased by the church from SYSCO, Schmidt’s and Coca Cola.

• The Food Booth Committee cleans the building before and after we use it. We empty out the Food Booth closet (which is pretty full) and haul everything down to the building the Saturday before the fair and set it up. Then on Sunday night, once the fair is finished, we pack it up and haul it back to the church. Then, we take inventory and pack it back in the closet again.

• It takes close to 200 people to man the Food Booth, if everyone only worked just one shift. We have MANY folks that work at least two shifts, and all of the committee members work each day, sometimes doing double shifts.

• Many have asked, what we really make by having the Food Booth as a fundraiser for our church. Here are the statistics for the past 10 years:

2010 $9,100 2011 $9,500 2012 $11,000 2013 $13,000 2014 $5,722 (plus an insurance claim of $6,687) 2015 $9,070 2016 $8,296 2017 $12,331 2018 $3,282 2019 $5,000

For our friends and family who are living in nursing homes, and assisted living or home bound:

Jeff Bennett Tom Berry Margaret Bowie Allison Bowser Kimberly Brotosky Patricia Buckler Sue Carns Jennifer Carpenter Cathy Compton Harolly Coombs Tom Crosby Joyce Dean Otis Elmwood

Sandra Fykes Jackie Gibbs Jeanette Grant Carl Greene Jennifer Hamer Addison Herbert Dorothy Jackson Larry Johnson Turner Kies Christina Kingsbury Sarah Marsh Donna McKenzie Renee Nash

Lt. Col. Mark Owens Crystal Rupprecht Sunny Rupprecht Mark Saunders Tabitha Schneider Carol Sorenson Don Stapleson Michael Stewart Jeanette Tull Sandy Tull Mike Williams Audra Young

Let Us Pray

For our friends and family who have medical issues:

Ann Bergerstock Lennis Bridgett Marion Craft

Iris Dickerson Sharon Ferguson June Hanson

Mike Merritt Donald Rowe Helen Sullivan

Pastor Susan, our church, our denomination, our local, state and national leaders, our first responders, and our armed forces.

Continue to pray for:

Thursday, October 17 Matt Holcomb Joan Mitchell Don Stapleson Friday, October 18 Steve & Deanna Hancock-39 Carol Sorenson Saturday, October 19 Judith Melvin Ryan Mudd Brian Pyle

Sunday, October 20 Scott & Stephanie Williams Monday, October 21 Gary & Linda Badgley-41 Kathryn Stapleson Tuesday, October 22 Margaret Carlson James Gray Mary Johnson Wednesday, October 23 Jim & Randi McWilliams-21 Thursday, October 24 Joyce Dean Joan Dent

Friday, October 25 Rory Daetwyler-13 Brian Fisher Summer Maddox-18 Adam Todd Elizabeth Turner-7 Abigail Turner-7 Sunday, October 27 Rollie & Harryette Hower-68

Let’s Celebrate! Birthdays & Anniversaries

Facebook Find

Within each mortal being, deep down in the caverns of their soul, A fertile garden of talents hidden, divine seedlings wait to grow!

Planted by loving hands, into the rich soil of one's heart,

A Heavenly Father's desire, the greatest of blessings to impart!

Inspiring gifts of the Spirit, patiently positioned to one day emerge. Nurtured by faith, cultivated with truth, and rooted in His sacred word.

The Light of Life, he warms the plant, illuminating the way.

Each child's talents grow into blossoms, to dawn a future day.

Obedience leads to undiscovered abilities, that spring forth to manifest! A flowering witness of God goodness, His miracles reverently expressed!

For each of God's children are sacred, endowed with specific gifts!

Fruits to inspire those around us. To lead, to love, and to lift!

"Know that thou art My special child, a masterpiece one of a kind! I sent thee here with powers, to guide and heal the blind!"

"So use wisely thy endowment given, adore Me through service today!

And show your gratitude more fully, by sharing thy gifts in My way!"

Spiritual Gifts

By R. Lyle Johnson

Holy Happenings

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednes-

day Thursday Friday Saturday

13 Children’s Sabbath 8:30 AM Cafe Service 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service 1:30 PM Sagepoint Service 6:00 PM Financial Peace University

14 BLP Closed Church office Closed Columbus Day 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 1438 7:30 PM PMNS - Five Marks of a Methodist 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

15 11:00 AM Dine Out at Foster's Grill 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Wom-en's Emmaus Group 7:30 PM Trus-tees Meeting

16 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM Hunter Safety Course 6:30 PM Meeting with the Fair Board 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

17 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:00 PM Hunter Safety Course 6:30 PM Cub Scouts Leadership Meeting 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Prayer 7:30 PM SPRC Meeting

18 6:00 PM Bowl-ing - Welch Re-hearsal 6:00 PM Hunter Safety Course 6:30 PM Charles County Farm Bureau Dinner Mtg. 6:30 PM Youth Punch & Paint

19 10:00 AM Connectors meeting 3:00 PM Bowl-ing - Welch

20 Laity Sunday 8:30 AM Cafe Service - Recep-tion of New Mem-bers 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service 6:00 PM Financial Peace University 6:30 PM Youth group

21 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meet-ing 7:30 PM PMNS - Five Marks of a Methodist 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

22 10:00 AM UMW Book Club 6:00 PM Creative Circle Meeting 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Wom-en's Emmaus Group 7:30 PM Admin-istrative Council Mtg

23 9:30 AM Wednesday Morn-ing Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

24 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meeting 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Prayer

25 26

27 Reformation Sun-day 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:30 AM Fair Trade Coffee 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service - Handbell Choir 11:15 AM Kid's Church 12:00 PM Fair Trade Coffee 2:00 PM Blessings of the Animals 3:00 PM Washington East DS Service of Installation 5:30 PM Youth Trunk N Treat 6:00 PM Financial Peace University

28 1:30 PM Red Cross Blood Drive 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 1438 7:30 PM PMNS - Five Marks of a Methodist 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

29 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Wom-en's Emmaus Group

30 9:30 AM Wednesday Morn-ing Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 12:00 PM BLP Harvest Celebra-tion 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

31 Reformation Day 12:00 PM BLP Harvest Celebra-tion 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Prayer

1 All Saints Day 4:30 PM Har-vest Dinner

2 8:30 AM Pas-tor's Prayer Partners 2:00 PM Unikids

3 All Saints Sunday Daylight-Saving Time Ends HOLY COMMUNION 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:30 AM Meals & Hope Food Prep 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service 11:15 AM Kid's Church 12:00 PM Youth Group 3:00 PM Fellowship Ministries Meeting 4:00 PM Church Conference 6:00 PM Financial Peace University

4 6:30 AM Girl Scout 9:00 AM Meal & Hope Food Prep 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meet-ing 7:30 PM PMNS - Five Marks of a Methodist 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

5 5:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Wom-en's Emmaus Group 6:30 PM Mount-ed Wanderer's 4-H Club 7:00 PM Evening Circle

6 9:30 AM Wednesday Morn-ing Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 1:30 PM BLP Staff Meeting 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM Horse-masters 4-H Club 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

7 10:00 AM ABR Circle 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meeting 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Prayer

8 9