themessenger Feature Article: i look forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. equally, i can't wait to read your comments In This Issue: |
Welcome to the world of blogging. What you see above is a post from my new blog, rev(out)loud. I know, some of you may be wondering what a blog is. Technically, blog is short for "web log." More practically, a blog serves as sort of an online, interactive journal. It is one person's thoughts and comments on any number of topics. Some blogs are focused on specific issues such as family, politics, or church. Other blogs are completely random. In either case, reading someone's blog can give you insight into what that person thinks about a number of issues. Further, blogs are meant to be interactive. The reader has the ability to leave comments regarding whatever topic is being addressed. So, do you want to know what your pastors are thinking? Pastor Carl has a blog titled Faith and Empire. In it, he tends to speak about some of the more pressing issues at work in our society. No surprise, his observations are very insightful and well-informed. My new blog, rev out loud, tends to be a little lighter in nature. I blog about a variety topics, usually with a connection to our faith. In addition to the above post, I have blogged about such things as the recent earthquake and our Hands In Mission day. Blogging provides me an opportunity to put ideas out there and to get feedback on them. I truly hope that it becomes interactive. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. Equally, I can't wait to read your comments. God has certainly given us much we can discuss. What an up-and-down, beautiful and scary, awe-inspiring and head-scratching world we live in! I invite you to check out our blogs and share your thoughts as well. There are links to both of them on our web site. Or, you can go directly to them at www.faithandempire.com or revoutloud.blogspot.com.
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| LETTER FROM CARL | ||
we will have cake, balloons, dancers, and, yes, birthday presents. what more important birthday is there to celebrate than the birth of
Be sure to read Carl's blog, Faith and Empire.
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Dear Friends, On May 18 we will celebrate Pentecost, which is sometimes called the "birthday of the church." The story of Pentecost is told in the second chapter of Acts in the New Testament. Key to the first Pentecost was outreach. The first disciples of Christ were Jews from the region of Palestine. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit caused the boundaries of the church to expand to people around the Mediterranean world. The explosion of Christianity into the Roman world had begun. Pentecost Sunday is the day to celebrate this pivotal event in the spreading of the gospel. One of the ways we celebrate Pentecost is to bring "birthday presents" to the church wrapped in red, the color of Pentecost. Over the years as we have done this, some have felt that this practice was too inward and too focused on ourselves. In part, we do the Pentecost catalog and the gifts simply to be in the spirit of the "birthday of the church." That's what we do on birthdays: we give gifts to the one celebrating. I have never heard someone say that giving a birthday gift to a friend or relative was a "selfish" thing to do. More importantly, many of the Pentecost gifts enable our outreach to others just as the gift of the Holy Spirit did on the first Pentecost. When we give gifts to strengthen our Sunday School, we should always remember that this is one important way we train the next generation of Christians and that some of our Sunday School students come from families who are not a part of our church. The same is true in an even larger way for our Vacation Bible School where many of the families served come from outside our church. In fact, as you go through the Pentecost catalog, I think you will find that the gifts go to many ministries of our church that reach out to the community around us. Our Pentecost gifts are not just gifts to us, but they are gifts to strengthen our witness to the community. I hope you will get into the spirit of celebration and enjoy our Pentecost observance on May 18. We will have cake, balloons, dancers, and, yes, birthday presents. What more important birthday is there to celebrate than to birth of the church of Jesus Christ? I hope you will be in worship this week. Grace and Peace, Carl |
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MINISTRY and FELLOWSHIP |
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| messenger submissions | Please send all submissions for the Messenger to the following new email address: themessenger@manchesterumc.org Thank you! |
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market for missions garage sale Please download this printable flier and distribute them to people in your community! If you have any questions, please contact Jane Carr at 636.394.9151. |
Got stuff? Cleaning out basements, garages, and closets? We will be accepting donations on June 2-4 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the United Methodist Women Market for Missions. We would appreciate items in the following categories: children's, women's, and men's clothing (please indicate sizes), shoes (like-new only), tools, sporting goods, kitchen items, linens, books, videos/DVDs, CDs, toys, framed art, electronics, crafts, collectibles, jewelry, and furniture. Contact Jane Carr if pick-up is needed for larger items. We CANNOT accept the following items: computer equipment, garden supplies, pet supplies, Christmas trees, curtain rods and blinds, stoves, refrigerators, waterbeds, console TVs, textbooks, magazines, or encyclopedias. Monday, June 2 Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4 Thursday, June 5 Friday, June 6 Saturday, June 7 Volunteer sign-ups will be available in the Narthex on Sundays, May 11 and May 18.
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easter hydrangeas Note: Due to space limitations, lilies will be listed in the next issue.
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The following people gave hydrangeas in memory or honor of loved ones on Easter Sunday. We thank all those who helped make the service a glorious tribute to God. Gene and Carol Stukey |
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perform with one voice Individuals who believe they fit the criteria, or anyone with questions, please contact us by filling out the Contemporary portion of the service signup insert inside the Sunday bulletin, or you may call Wanda Kuntz, Contemporary Music Director at 636.200.4714. |
The MUMC Contemporary Music Team (One Voice and One Voice band members) leads two worship services Sunday mornings at Responsibilities will include:
Vocalists (all voice parts), and bass players are also needed. How to join:
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20/30 vision calendar of events Next Up:
Contact Olivia Crook if you have questions. |
Here's what the 20/30 Vision gang has in store for the next few months. Get out your calendar and marker! Sunday, Weekly - Evening Bible Study, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 17 Come out and enjoy a day around Forest Park!
Meet in the church parking lot at 10 a.m. to carpool down to the park. (You are welcome to meet us there, too!) We will start out at the zoo and see where we go from there (Art museum, Science Center, History museum, frisbee, etc.?). We will grab lunch somewhere around the park and we plan to be back to the church between 3 and 4 p.m. Hopefully it will be a beautiful day outside but if not, we will still plan on going, we will just stick to inside activities! Saturday, June 7 Friday, July 4 20/30 Vision is a ministry for 20-and 30-somethings. We love to see new faces, so please feel free to join us! |
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come play with us! Questions? Contact Julie Southwick at 636.527.3225. |
An opportunity for preschoolers to strengthen their bodies and spirits through unstructured play, fun and fellowship. Kiddie Gym is for babies through preschoolers with a parent. We will meet every Thursday in June, and July 10 and 17, from 9:30-11 a.m. in room 133 (downstairs). Come once, twice, or every week. It's free! |
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children's education volunteer opportunities! Please contact Linda Simino at 636.227.4710 if you are interested in helping. |
Smiling faces are needed to greet our parents and children as they arrive in our Nursery and Children's Education areas. Children's Receptionist (lower level/education area) will greet parents and children, take attendance, and answer questions. There is a television screen next to the desk with audio feed from the sanctuary so the traditional services can be viewed while you are working. Must be Safe Sanctuary trained. Time commitment for children's department receptionist is one Sunday per month at both 9 and 10:30 a.m. Please prayerfully consider these wonderful opportunities and the impact you would have on these Children's Ministries. |
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stephen ministry updates Contact Peggy Bennington at 636.227.4261 for more information. Learn more about Stephen Ministries Saint Louis. |
The comments from some of the thirteen current Stephen Ministry trainees have a familiar ring to them: "Stephen Ministry training is already changing my life." |
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family bbq picnic Contact Nancy Lynn at 636.227.3313 with questions or to help. |
Our MUMC Family BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, June 1. Mark your calendars to sample top-quality BBQ cooking. We'll have plenty of great food and multiple serving lines for faster service. Advance ticket sales begin in May for BBQ pork, brats, hamburgers, or jumbo hot dogs - dine in or carry out. Price will be $7 for a main dish, beans, cole slaw, and drink with a family-friendly (same household) cap of $20. Volunteers (men and women) are needed to help set up, cook, serve, and direct traffic. Watch for details!
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got a minute? phone cards for soldiers on sale For more information, contact Terry Fairchild at 636.519.8561. |
One US soldier's blue eyes lit up when the United Methodist chaplain handed him a free phone card with 120 minutes on it. "Since I've been wounded, my Mom wishes she could talk to me everyday to see how I'm doing. Now she can!" Phone cards provide a connection to family and friends for the 157,000 troops in Iraq and the 31,000 in Afghanistan. That connection can now be sustained as MUMC sells phone cards again this year after worship during May. Each $5 card grants a soldier 120 free minutes. When the soldier activates the card, the following message is heard before the call is placed: "The people of the United Methodist Church are praying for your safety and sense of peace." Phone cards may be pinned to the cross located in the narthex. After Memorial Day, all money will be used to purchase the cards and then the cards will be sent overseas. Last year, MUMC raised the most funds for phone cards of any United Methodist Church in the country! Just $5 will make a difference to a soldier in harm's way. |
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pentecost party 2008 Contact Maida McCormack at 636.230.9913 to offer your help or with any questions. |
At services on May 17 and 18 Help support our ministries as we celebrate the church's birthday! Every year, our ministry leaders submit lists of items they need to fulfill their ministry's mission. We then call on our congregation to help provide those things, enabling MUMC to continue to seek, share, and serve Christ. There are other ways to help! Donate cupcakes for May 17 and 18: Receive gifts May 18:
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metro homeless center-shalow house to host the tri-ball-athon Contact Megan Green at 314.534.1010 with questions.
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The Lazy Person's Triathlon! Love to spend time with friends and family outside but not a fan of high exertion sports? Come support Metro Homeless Center-Shalom House on Saturday, June 21 at our first Tri-ball-athon, sponsored by the Shalom Outreach Society, Metro's new young professionals group. Teams of ten will compete in games of volleyball, kickball, and bocce ball to raise money for the Center's Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing operations. In addition, Manchester United Methodist Men will be providing a BBQ and beverages throughout the day. Metro Homeless Center-Shalom House gives hope to homeless women through innovative programs and supportive services designed to stabilize and rebuild lives. So gather a group of friends and come for a day of fun while supporting a great cause. Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a team of ten and T-shirts are included with the price of the ticket. The games will commence on Saturday, June 21 from noon-4 p.m. at Langenberg Field at Forest Park with team registration beginning at 11 a.m.. Register online at www.metrohomelesscenter.org .
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in concert:
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Sunday, May 18 The combined Festival Choirs Orchestra. Contact the church office at 636.394.7506 for more information. Please download this printable flier to distribute! |
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a message of healing - alternative mother's day service |
Mother's Day can be a time of celebration or a time of pain. If you have lost a parent, a child, a friend, or are simply separated from someone you love, then a service of healing will be offered on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11 at 4 p.m in the Chapel. Stephanie Hibray will bring a message of healing to all who attend, so come alone or bring a friend. You will be blessed. |
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God opens doors - did someone help you through seminary?
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God opens doors in different ways. When the need for funds is blocking the way to seminary, God looks for those who can share their blessings to open the door so that a gifted student can fulfill God's call on their life. It's easy - just $50 a month can make the difference for a ministerial student in Mozambique. Here's your chance. Open the door to education for a seminary student today by making a covenant for financial support. Open the door for a future in ministry, making disciples for Jesus Christ. Visit www.moumethodist.org/mi/leaderdev then click to Make a Commitment Online.
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room at the inn For more information, contact Peggy Bennington at 636.227.4261. |
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to help the needy. Room at the Inn has been sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence since 1993. The program offers emergency shelter for women and families and provides opportunities for education and networking. The headquarters are connected with 55 different St. Louis congregations and their volunteers to provide temporary shelter and resources each month. Many of the clients' needs are met through these donations of time, money and out-sourcing. |
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| Contact Art Broadwater for more information at 636.227.1533. | Fore! Join us Thursday mornings at Saint Ann Golf Club at 9:15 a.m. This is a fun league for all levels of play.
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| thank you | I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for all the prayers, well wishes, and visits during my recent hospital stay. God bless. Betty Anderson |
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| LIVING OUR CHRISTIANITY | ||
A Revival of Stephen Ministry is Underway, Seeking a Growth Pattern by Ed Heins
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A revival of MUMC's Stephen Ministry is well underway with 13 newly-trained volunteers expected to graduate this July. MUMC member Peggy Bennington is leading the drive to revive the ministry that helps people cope with personal tragedy, such as illness and death of a loved one. Peggy began volunteering in Stephen Ministry in 1994 while a member of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church. She and her husband, Craig, joined MUMC seven years ago. Peggy admits she twice turned down requests from Pastor Debby Peebles to help in a revival of Stephen Ministry. But, Peggy explained, "Then God told me to say 'yes.' It was the Holy Spirit that reached me." The first order of business was to begin training volunteer ministers. Classes began in March and will end on Wednesday, July 16. "We have 13 very special people undergoing training," Peggy said. That includes five men and eight women. She was especially pleased at the number of men who were in training, since, in the past, there had been a scarcity of male ministers. While the training is going on, Peggy is working on ways to identify those whose personal setbacks have hit them hard. In the past, church members have been reluctant to ask for help even if they might benefit from the contact. The MUMC Stephen Ministry group also will network with similar groups in other churches. "There can be situations where a person might be fearful of contacting a person from their home church for help," Peggy said. Another aspect of Stephen Ministry involves urging new volunteer ministers to be on the lookout for people they know who are in need. For instance, one MUMC member works with a "helper dog" program. Volunteers in that program work with adults and children who benefit from the company of specially-trained dogs. For instance, handicapped persons can be helped with such things as blindness, autism and even poor reading skills. Peggy said she was working on ways to get youth of the church to be available to offer assistance. Thus, Peggy is looking for new ministry volunteers to put their church skills to work in areas in which they already are providing other types of assistance. "We want to make the Stephen Ministry at Manchester explode. And I want to be the fire to expand it and keep it going," she said. Peggy also helps with the Room at the Inn program at Manchester. Her husband is also in the Stephen Ministry program and is on the church's finance committee. In a recent article in the Messenger, Peggy noted examples of how the experience of training to be a Stephen Minister helped those ministers-to-be. One said the training had already helped change his life and another mentioned how it helped make her more comfortable in speaking in public. Asked what she gets out of the Stephen Ministry work, Peggy said simply, "Everything. It energizes me." |
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| WORSHIP | ||
May 10 and 11 Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, 8, 9, and 10:30 a.m. Traditional Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary May 17 and 18 Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, 8, 9, and 10:30 a.m. Traditional Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary May 24 and 25 Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, 8, 9, and 10:30 a.m. Traditional Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Contemporary
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| OUR CHURCH FAMILY | Members in bold. | ||
| we celebrate these new homes created: | Jessica Barbagallo and Marcus Sierawski on April 12. |
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| we celebrate these new arrivals: | Tela and Bryan Morgenthaler on the birth of their son, Bryce Steven Morgenthaler, on February 15. Big sisters are Emily and Katie. Proud grandparents are Steve and Pam Morgenthaler. Kristen and Kevin Schaller on the birth of their son, Gavin Robert Schaller, on April 8. Big sisters are Taylor and Ashley. Proud grandparents are Steve and Pam Morgenthaler. Greg and Heather Detter on the birth of their daughter, Aleka Ann Detter, on April 12. Big brother is Dyson.
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we extend our christian sympathy to: Request a prayer by filling out a Prayer Card in the church, by email, or on our website. |
Dianne Brady on the loss of her father, William F. "Bill" Smyly, on April 13. Grandfather of Evan Brady. Robbie McDonough on the loss of her husband, Michael R. McDonough, on April 13. Father of Michelle (Gregory) Bear. Grandfather of Mackenzie and Nathan. Stephanie Hibray on the loss of her father, David Lendt, on April 14. Grandfather of Valerie and Aaron Hibray. Frank Piskos on the loss of his wife, Betty Piskos, on April 20.
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meal-a-month
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May Menu |
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| MANCHESTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | ||
MUMC 636.394.7506 Visit our website: |
Staff: Article Publication:
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