Friends,
Please continue to pray for brothers and sisters in federal service, international missions, war- and gang-torn areas, fragile cease-fires, and those things the Holy Spirit places on your compassionate heart.
There is so much to put before you as God moves in our church and the world. Below are some church highlights to be aware of, to include for prayer, and to put on your calendars:
- Confirmation started March 2 for youth learning what followership of Jesus as Lord and membership in church means—and there are 12 from Community!
- Lent began last night at a joint Ash Wednesday service with Nichols-Bethel UMC in Odenton! Thank you for being there and the joint choir for special music. Whether your Lenten spiritual discipline is sacrificing something you value or adding something more, please prepare your heart with remembrance of your gifts of life and salvation and new life in Christ Jesus.
- GriefShare begins a 13-week series on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. This program helps our church reach out beyond its walls into the community to support those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
- Church Council will host Rev. Bill Brown on March 27 to help us interpret the responses to the Readiness360 surveys completed by 49 persons. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more information.
- This month’s side offerings are for UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) which helps people all across the globe, using none of the donations for administration. In addition, UMCOR Sunday is March 30th, and special guest speakers during our worship service will be the organization’s Executive Director, Jim Cox; Treasurer, Charlie Moore; and, BWC Disaster Coordinator, Thea Becton.
- After worship on March 30, our 5th Sunday Messy Church will continue the focus on “Loving and Serving Our Neighbors.” The missions-of-the-day will be putting together Flood Buckets and Hygiene kits for those whose lives are upended by unexpected natural disasters and life events. Under the stewardship of the Vitality Team and funding from our missions budget, Community will complete up to 50 of each buckets and kits for donation to UMCOR. The simple fare of our meal will recognize neighbors near and far.
- The April 12th Eggstravaganza for our families leads us into worship that walks with Jesus to Jerusalem for Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday! Almost as late as it can be, Easter Sunday is April 20. We begin the Resurrection Day celebration with a sunrise service and continue with our traditional service. This year it is our joy to receive our confirmands as new members on Easter, too!
- April 20th is also when the devotions written by congregants for the “Love in Grief, Gratitude, and Blessing” devotional are due to Robin Lee. This is the second in a series of devotionals to help all of us navigate changes in our lives. The first is “Love in the Midst of Change” and the third is “Love through Hospitality and Welcome”.
- The 2nd Annual Chocolate Festival is May 10. It is the day before Mother’s Day for ease of finding gifts that will be enjoyed by Mom!
- Celebrate Pastor Erik and Sheila with an informal, fun, outdoor/indoor retirement party (at his request) is Saturday, May 31, from 3 to 6 p.m., right here on our campus —so hold the date as Staff-Parish Relations Team and others continue to plan the details!
- Pastor Erik’s last day in the pulpit will be Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. Come! Wear red to represent the “fire” of the Holy Spirit and the empowering of the church. And, there will be time for “good-bye-ing” and “God-speeding” Pastor Erik and Sheila on their next faithful steps into retirement.
Well, that’s all for now folks…
God loves you and so do I!
Barb Julian, Lay Leader
