A Note from Pastor Susan

Dear Ones! How is it that it is almost September already?? The summer has flown by and we are poised to begin another church year filled with the ministry and missions that La Plata Church is known for. These ministries are vital to our community and of course, funds are needed to allow these ministries to flourish and the lives and circumstances of people to be changed in the name of Christ. Beyond your faithful tithing, we also have some important fundraisers that help us be the church in our community and beyond. One of the biggest is the Charles County Fair Food Booth. I was pretty much the new kid on the block last year at this time and when I went to help, I ended up having the time of my life! It was busy but organized, serious but fun, a group effort for a singular purpose and above all else, participating in something bigger than myself and seeing how my little part became something much more for many. I would invite you to consider volunteering and being a part of the Fair Food Booth for our Church. In terms of time, you can give a lot or a little. I do know there is something for everyone. But, everyone has to do their part. The Bible tells us that we are the One Body of Christ, but each are unique and have a part within the whole. People sometimes say to me, "I didn't help because you never asked me." Well, I'm asking. You are needed. You are wanted. You are one with the Body of Christ. Please.... make time to be a part of something bigger than yourself and be a blessing to the Fair, to the Church, and to our community and beyond. His...and Yours, Pastor Susan

The Grapevine Weekly Newsletter of La Plata United Methodist Church

August 29, 2019

In This Issue

Sunday School Registration & Rally Day Calling ALL Volunteers for the Fair! Visiting Church Family Would You Kiss a Cow? Ready for Confirmation? Chancel Choir Really Needs YOU! Are you Technology Savvy? Financial Peace University Let’s Celebrate! Let Us Pray Footprints in the Sand Facebook Find Holy Happenings

3 Port Tobacco Road La Plata, MD 20646

301.934.2288 laplataumc.org

laplataumc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan E. Boehl

Sunday Summer Worship Services:

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

Don’t miss the LAST Preacher’s Pop-Up Prayer on FB Live! Thurs at 7pm!

Calling ALL Volunteers!

Our Church will be managing the main food booth at the Charles County Fair, beginning with lunch on Wed, Sept 11th through dinner on Sun, Sept 15

th. We need about 20 people for each shift,

that’s about 60 people per day, over 5 days. If you are able to work 1 or 2 shifts, awesome! Sign up Online! Go to www.signupgenious.com, click on the magnifying glass next to login on top right, under “Search for a Sign Up” (left side of page) enter jazzitshws@verizon.net and click on search OR type the URL below into your browser: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4dabae2babfb6-2019 If you have any questions, contact Cheryl Smith @ 301-752-1386 or email jazzitshws@verizon.net. We look forward to seeing those of you who have graciously volunteered in years past! If you haven’t tried it yet, we hope this year you will join us. If you are 16 years or older and would like to help, please sign up! The Fair Food Booth is one of our Church’s major fundraisers and the fellowship is priceless!!

Sunday School Registration & Rally Day Sunday School will begin on Sept 8 and it is time to register! Online registration is available on the church website, under the Events tab. Brochures about the classes offered and a registration form are located on the information tables in both FH2 and narthex. Sunday School is open to everyone, children, youth and adults. The three adult classes have different focuses, one talks about "The History Of. . . ", one uses a book study relating to life application while the third one looks at current events. Sunday School will kick off this year with Rally Day! There will be a super exciting opening before students head to class where they will have a small snack while learning about their class. Also on Rally Day, at both worship services teachers and backpacks will be blessed. All teachers and students are invited to be a part of this special day of worship.

Visiting Church Family “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2. What a joy it is to spend time with our church family! The crabs at Port Tobacco Marina were great and the fellowship was even “greater”. But, there were members of our church family who were not able to attend because they are in nursing homes, homebound or too sick to go out. We, as God’s hands and feet, are called on to reach out to these members of our family. It is so sad to see those who are so lonely and sometimes scared, but by our visit we can bring them joy, if only for a little while. We know that a lot of you already visit others, but if you don’t and have time, please go and see some of our church family who would love to see you. A lot of them are right in La Plata or nearby so you could drop in to see them while you are out shopping. There names are listed in the bulletin each week and, if you want more info, please give us a call. Sandy and Jeanette Tull 240-233-3082 Congregational Care Committee

STARTING THIS SUNDAY

Worship services change times:

8:30am Café Worship 11:00am Traditional

Worship

1 Peter 5:7:

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares

for you.”

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

Aug 4 Aug 11 Aug 18 Aug 25

265 221 235 236

Attendance

This Past Week

82 122

32 236 150

254

Church Income

11,678 10,439 11,308

6,961 12,911

Worship

8:00 10:00 Others Total

Aug 4 Aug 11 Aug 18 Aug 25 Need/wk.

$ $ $ $ $

Facebook Views Preacher’s Pop Up Prayer

Would You Kiss a Cow? We love our pets – all kinds of pets. Dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and many more. We love to cuddle with them, pet them, and sometimes even let them into our beds at night. Do you ever kiss your pet? Well, you don’t have to answer, but what if

I told you that our very own Pastor Susan Boehl might one day kiss a cow? But if we want to see the bovine kiss happen, we need to put our money where our curiosity is. On October 27th, LPUMC will be sponsoring a Blessing of

the Animals community-wide event. You’ll be hearing much more about this exciting day in the coming weeks, but our job right now is to insure we hold Pastor Susan to her promise to kiss a cow if we can raise $1000.00 between now and then. We’re raising money to support one of our partners in the Blessing of the Animals. It’s a local organization called Help for Pets. Help for Pets is a community outreach program that provides pet food, shelters, supplies and services for the elderly, disabled, homeless and low income residents of Southern Maryland, who are struggling to keep their pets. With our support, they can continue to help keep pets at home where they belong. Beginning this Sunday, you will find a container in the Lobby/Narthex in which you can make your donation. Every dollar will help bring Pastor Susan and a local cow closer to that fabled kiss. Donate now and start planning ahead for the Blessing of the animals on October 27th by inviting friends and neighbors. Animals of all varieties and sizes will be welcome.

Financial Peace University

FPU is a nine-lesson course taught by Dave Ramsey. With FPU, you will master how to handle money using biblical wisdom and common sense. Weekly classes will begin on Sun, Sept 22nd from 6-7:30PM through Sun, Nov 17th. The cost is $109.00 per family unit, including teenagers still living at home. If you have already taken the class in the past and just need a refresher, you can take it again for free! Just email fpu.laplataumc@yahoo.com to signup. If you have never taken the class and would like to signup, please go to https://www.fpu.com/1090314 and you can order your books. If you have any questions, please contact John or Sherri Hastings at 240-299-9487 or fpu.laplataumc@yahoo.com.

Ready for Confirmation? This year, will be another Confirmation year. All students in grades 7 and above who are interested in learning about the church and becoming a member are welcome to participate. Classes will begin in October and end in May, with an orientation session for both parents and students being held on Sept 22 at 12:00. Please let Corrie Roberts know of your interest, so that you can get all the details about dates and events. This is an exciting time for our youth. Anyone interested in supporting our youth on this journey, can still be a confirmation mentor. Talk with Corrie or Pastor Susan.

Chancel Choir Really Needs YOU! In recent years, our numbers have dwindled due to relocations, illnesses, and even death. We really need more singers! Rehearsals begin on Sept 4 at 7:30 pm. No one has to commit to every rehearsal or performance - your schedule can be very flexible! Don't feel that you are not a good singer - we help you grow. The Chancel Choir is a very spiritual and loving group that likes to have fun. Please consider joining us. If you need more info, call Pat Day at 301-934-4896. Otherwise, just come on the fourth!

Are you technology savvy? Do you enjoy working with computers, or audio and video systems? LPUMC Tech and Media team is looking for help in all areas of technology. All are invited to share in this amazing ministry, making our services available to anyone who is not able to attend. Work includes operating video cameras, sound boards, presentations for Sunday services, computer and server maintenance, and network support. If you are interested, please contact the church office.

Thursday, August 29 Aubree Della-6 Karen Hamner Arden Wyrick-9 Friday, August 30 Joe Boswell Brittany Grace Harold Hayes Saturday, August 31 Emily Boggs Quinn Kober-6

Monday, September 2 Jason Groth Wednesday, September 4 John & Ava Knott-43 Emmalie Chiusano-6 Debbie Simmons Thursday, September 5 Thomas Hall Meighan Hungerford Carol Teets

Friday, September 6 Jason & Beth Groth-11 Mark Mudd John Sorenson Saturday, September 7 Tim & Phyllis Coombs-45 Sunday, September 8 Ann Starkey

Let’s Celebrate! Birthdays & Anniversaries

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

Jeff Bennett Tom Berry Margaret Bowie Kimberly Brotosky Patricia Buckler Jennifer Carpenter Harolly Coombs Joyce Dean

Jeanette Grant Carl Greene Jennifer Hamer Dorothy Jackson Larry Johnson Christina Kingsbury Sarah Marsh Donna McKenzie

Renee Nash Lt. Col. Mark Owens Crystal Rupprecht Sunny Rupprecht Tabitha Schneider Carol Sorenson Don Stapleson Mike Williams

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

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

Continue to pray for:

James Compton, Calvin & Cathy’s son is being deployed to the Middle East for 6 months.

Special request this week:

Footprints in the Sand

Facebook Find

One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Holy Happenings

Weekly Food Pantry Activity

Mondays - 8:00 AM Food pick up at Southern MD Food Bank in Waldorf

Tuesdays - 9:30 PM Food pick up at Panera Bread in La Plata at closing time

Wednesdays - 8:30 AM Food pick up at Weis Market in La Plata

9:00 AM Bakery wrapping at the Annex

10:00 AM Food pick up or delivery from Next Step Produce in Newburg

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Food Pantry is open at the Annex

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednes-

day Thursday Friday Saturday

25 8:00 AM Cafe Wor-ship 10:00 AM Traditional Worship 11:00 AM Mud, Suds and Youth Fun 12:00 PM La Plata UMC Emmaus gather-ing

26 1:30 PM Red Cross Blood Drive 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 7:00 PM Strug-gling Together Small Group Meet-ing 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

27 10:00 AM Women United for Change event organization meeting 6:00 PM Fair Committee Meeting 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 7:00 PM Blessing of the Animals Meeting

28 9:00 AM BLP Staff Meeting 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM BLP 3's Orientation 6:00 PM Southern MD Youth Organi-zation

29 6:00 PM BLP Orientation 6:30 PM Cub Scouts Leadership Meeting 7:00 PM Preach-er's Pop Up Prayer

30 31

1 HOLY COMMUNION 8:30 AM Cafe Wor-ship 11:00 AM Traditional Worship

2 Church office Closed Labor Day 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

3 5:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 6:30 PM Mounted Wanderer's 4-H Club 7:00 PM Evening Circle

4 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning 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 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

5 10:00 AM ABR Circle special meeting: Key Women in Charles County History 11:00 AM Women United For Change Event organiza-tional meeting

6 7 8:30 AM Pas-tor's Prayer Partners 10:00 AM Wor-ship Committee Meeting

8 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service 12:00 PM Youth Group 12:30 PM Fellowship Ministries Meeting 1:30 PM Sagepoint Service

9 9:00 AM Meal & Hope Food Prep 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM BLP WCBA (Preschool Board) Meeting 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meet-ing 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

10 11:00 AM Women United For Change Event organization-al meeting 1:30 PM BLP 2's Team Meeting 6:00 PM Creative Circle Meeting 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 7:30 PM FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

11 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 1:30 PM BLP 4's Team Meeting 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

12 Charles County Fair 1:30 PM BLP 3's Team Meetings

13 Charles County Fair

14 Charles County Fair

15 Charles County Fair 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:45 AM Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM Tradi-tional Service

16 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meet-ing 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

17 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 7:00 PM UMW General Meeting - Women United For Change 7:30 PM Trustees Meeting

18 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning 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

19 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meeting 7:30 PM SPRC Meeting

20 6:30 PM Youth Group Game Night

21 10:00 AM Men-tor Training