September 2018

Roots & Branches

Wingo’s Words

Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise

Worship is the most countercultural thing you will do all

week. Is that a statement you would agree with? Worship is the most countercultural thing I will do all week.

Which is exactly why sometimes – worship is hard. Nonetheless, we, as a community of faith, gather and

proclaim that “we are not of this world;” that we are “set-apart;” that we are a “royal priesthood;” that we are

called to live differently. Sure, there are other countercultural things we are called to do, things like – pray for

our enemies instead of smite them, keep a Sabbath day, give away our possessions to the poor, stand up for the

oppressed and the outcast, live with humility and lay down our pride and ego. But, worship? Countercultural?

I have a book on my shelf and I will confess that I have not even read it. But the title intrigues me,

inspires me and shapes my life every week, every Sunday. The title keeps me humble and centered. Marva

Dawn is the author and she writes about worship as “A Royal ‘Waste’ of Time” and the splendor of

worshipping God. Obviously, being a worship leader, I get many comments about worship –the music, the

liturgy, the lectionary, the time of the service, the length of the service, the order of the service – you name it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad people care. And I will be the first to say, that I, too, have thoughts and

opinions about all these things. It is also good to remember that worship is not about us and has never been

about us.

Marva Dawn says it this way, “it is a royal waste of time because we have to die to ourselves and our

egos, our purposes and accomplishments to live now in God’s kingdom. As Matthew 10:39 reminds us, only

in losing our life – wasting our time- do we truly find it.”1 This is why it is one of the most counter cultural

things you will do all week. You won’t accomplish that list of household chores. You won’t get your laundry

or yard work done. Your kids won’t get in an extra 2 hours of practice on the field. You won’t make it to

brunch with your friends. You won’t catch up on those latest Netflix episodes. And our culture doesn’t prize

wasting time. We don’t usually make room in our lives for those things that don’t reward us with a new skill,

or achievement, or the feeling of accomplishing something useful.

The Psalmist writes in chapter 29 for us to worship the Lord in holy splendor. We worship because

God is worthy of our worship. And in the world we live in there are fewer and fewer opportunities to get “lost

in wonder, love, and praise,” as Charles Wesley wrote in that beloved hymn (Love Divine, All Loves Excel-

ling). As we conclude a summer time of worship and as we find ourselves having ongoing conversations about

worship at Pleasant Green, I would also issue the invitation to consider what it would mean to get lost in

wonder, love and praise. Perhaps in our wastefulness, in the attempt to lose ourselves in wonder, we actually

find ourselves.

“Worship is a royal waste of time,” as Dawn says, but it also “spirals into passion for living as

Christians and back into more passionate worship. It is totally irrelevant, not efficient, not powerful, not

spectacular, not productive, sometimes not even satisfying to us. It is also the only hope for changing the

world.” 2

-Laura

1Marva Dawn, A Royal Waste of Time: The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church for the World (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans

Publishing Company, 1999), 14.

2Dawn, 17.

PleasantGreenUMC.org

Rev. Laura Thompson, James Hamm, Wendy Anderson, Bailey Anderson, Mark Stocking, Theresa Stocking, Alex Stocking, Megan Stocking, Kathryn Dempsey, Glisceria Vindas, Rev. Brian Wingo &

members of Raeford UMC

This summer, I had the chance to go to El Salvador with our Mission Team. When we started to leave on the

plane, I was praying that the Lord would keep us safe during this trip. We got to El Salvador and I definitely fell

in love when I saw it! The El Salvador trip isn’t just about going and serving for God, it is going and sharing love

with the people. Everyone and especially the kids were just amazing. I felt so much love when I was on this trip,

not just from the people I was staying with, but also from those kids. I didn’t know how to communicate with them

that well, but they still hugged me and cared for me. It was really hard to leave and when people say that you

leave a bit of your heart in El Salvador, you really do. I wouldn’t trade that for anything! I’m very grateful for

this opportunity and I hope I get the chance to go next year. Bailey Anderson

Summer Camp Musical “Good News from a Grave”

Special Thanks To:

Cindy Clark Musical/Drama Director

Mike Quinn Sound/Video Technician

Wayne Leonard Set Decorator

Rev. Laura Thompson Pastor

Dylan Parson & Amanda Wolfe-Ministerial Interns

Becky Crawford & Martha Walker-Dessert Coordinators

Church Members, Parents & Grandparents For ALL your support!

Summer Camp Musical Week Staff

Jo Anna Walker Brown - Director, Susan

Adams, Pam Hall, Wayne Leonard, Chris Martin, Martha Walker, Lisa Westbrook, Wandra Whitford, *Alyssa

Braddy, *Rick Cassidy, *Hannah Kankelfritz, *Jammie Potter, *Will Witt Volunteer: *Bella Tesoro * We

were so happy to have help from former Summer Camp Musical participants!

Kids Connect Service Project August 11th at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC

We were small in number but mighty in spirit! Our local mission trip was based on this scripture, John 3:16

-18 from the International Children's Bible: 16 This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life

for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers. 17 Suppose a believer is rich enough to have all that he needs.

He sees his brother in Christ who is poor and does not have what he needs. What if the believer does not help the

poor brother? Then the believer does not have God's love in his heart. 18 My children, our love should not be only

words and talk. Our love must be true love. And we should show that love by what we do.

We gathered in the fellowship hall for some word games and discussion about hunger and food scarcity before

heading across town. When we arrived at the Food Bank we helped sort and bag white and sweet potatoes that had

been donated by area farmers. The work was a bit smelly and squishy (think rotten potatoes!) But our group was up

to the task! We participated in the process of providing 7,800 pounds of bagged potatoes which will provide 6,500

meals to be distributed to the hungry in central N.C. Good work Sydney Baker, Isaiah Harris, Victoria Harris and

Emily Farmer!

Parents of College Students

Please email your student’s

email & mailing addresses to

the church office.

(even if it is the same as last year!)

Eleanor Walker Circle’s Back Pack Ministry for Central Elementary School

Food donations are needed! Place in the red box in the Narthex. Please also save Box Tops for Education—give to Mary Ann Hamm or leave them in the kitchen.

PGUMC 186th Homecoming Anniversary

Homecoming September 16th 11:00 am Worship Service Special Music ~ Chancel Choir and Praise Band

We will be “one worshipping congregation” on this special day. (no 8:30 am service)

We invite you to attend this celebration of building of new relationships and reunions of old friends. And plan to stay for the annual covered dish lunch following worship!

Ministerial Interns

Dylan Parson and Amanda Wolfe were

honored with a reception on Sunday

August 19th in appreciation for their work

with PGUMC. We will miss you!

Blessings to your bright future!

(Amanda Wolfe was out of town on this date)

3

The El Salvador Mission Team presents a cross from

their mission trip to the Church.

Words of Gratitude Dear PGUMC,

I would like to thank all the church members who have

been praying for me over the last year and a half. I

really appreciate it. Please keep praying. I would also

like to thank The Circle of Faith for the cards, visits and

goodies.

Sincerely,

Glenn Brockwell

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Wednesday September 12th at 7PM Choir Practice Resumes

Sunday Sept. 30th

UMW General Meeting

After Worship

Lunch provided by Circle of Faith

UMM Breakfast 7:30am Sunday September 23rd

Circle of Faith Meeting

6:30pm Thursday September 20th

At the home of Sandra Totten

Prayer Team Meeting 6:30pm Wednesday Sept. 19th

Pleasant Greeners’ Lunch

Wednesday, Sept. 26 ~ NOON

All are welcome, especially those retired!

Lunch provided ! Please come and enjoy food, fun and fellowship!

Dream Weavers 7pm Thurs. September 13th

9:30am Saturday Sept. 22nd

Common Thread

UMW Silent / Live Auction Saturday October 20th

5:00 — 7:00 pm Silent Auction 5 - 6pm

Live Auction 6– 7pm

Please join us to browse & bid on silent auction items while enjoying

appetizers/desserts.

Donations of items are appreciated!!

Suggestions for donations: gift cards/certificates for items/services, pottery, jewelry, vacation

homes/retreats, baked goods, other handmade items (please include description of item and

value)

Ladies are asked to bring an appetizer and dessert.

Donation: $1 for opportunity to own a

New Authentic Amish Handmade Quilt

King/Queen 98” x 108”

Drawing ~ 10/20 at 7pm

Hearts & Hands to Murdoch Come join us 8:30am Sunday September 9th

Eleanor Walker Circle 6:30pm Sept. 11th at Vinnie’s Restaurant

Dinner to honor Eno Volunteer

Fire Department

Monday, September 10th

Please sign up in the Narthex to help!

FOOD FOR ALL Tues. Sept. 11th

Sponsored by the Chancel Choir

Sign up in the Narthex to help

Brunswick Stew Meeting

Monday September 17th at 6PM

Finance Committee Meeting

7pm Tues. September 18th

Special Homecoming Offering

Happy Birthday, PGUMC! In celebration of our church’s 186th birthday, please consider a special offering for this year’s Homecoming. Suggestions include a special offering in

any of the following forms to further the ministry and missions of PGUMC:

1. A gift of $186 per family celebrating 186 years of worship at PGUMC. 2. A gift of $1 per person for every year that PGUMC has been a part of your life.

3. A memorial or honorary gift to recognize someone in PGUMC’s past or present who has helped you at some point along your walk with Christ.

Thanks to the generosity of its family and friends, PGUMC endures, providing encouragement,

enlightenment and spiritual growth to so many people, near and far. We’ve accomplished a lot in 186 years, but have so much left to do!

From the Prayer Ministry…

This poem, in celebration of their church homecoming, is from Restoration Church in Nairobi, Kenya. Their website provides information for church pastors and church leaders. Since Pleasant Green UMC is celebrating our homecoming on September 16th; what better way to recognize this important spiritual date than through the love and praise of another church! Let your mind drift to the beginning of Pleasant Green UMC under the grape arbor 186 years ago. Could those dedicated Christian men and women have known what their church would be in 2018? Only God knew…

OUR LORD IS WONDERFUL It is another year that the Lord has given us we are gathered to celebrate the goodness of the Lord in our lives we want to thank Him and praise him always when we began this journey, nobody knew how far we shall go but only the Lord who is our creator He knew before that we shall grow and multiply to feel this place, we can only say, thank you Lord for everything the journey is still on today is our home coming to our church that started small and has grown big and still growing its only by the grace of our Lord Jesus that we can celebrate today and as we look forward to another year we want to thank the Lord for the favor.

http://www.churchpastorguide.org/church-homecoming-poems.html

Next Prayer Ministry Meeting – Wednesday, September 19th at 6:30 pm; Just 3 days after PGUMC Homecoming! Come join us as we pray for our church, state, the nation, the world; as well as for those individuals in need. Perhaps something you experience at homecoming will motivate you to come pray

with us!

CHURCH CLEAN-UP

8:00 am September 8th & 15th

Everyone’s help is needed!

DIAPER DRIVE The Eleanor Walker Circle is sponsoring a diaper drive for

the N.C. Diaper Bank during the month of September. Donate any size diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products September 2nd thru October 7th. A collection

area will be located in the narthex.

Youth Pilgrimage

November 9th—11th Fayetteville, NC

Contact Richard Cassidy for information richard.l.cassidy@gsk.com

Our new Mobile Church Directory

is ready!

Our Mobile Directory contains contact information for

all our church families and is an easy to use tool to help

you stay connected. PLUS, you will see portraits of all

our families who participated in our recent photography

event. What a great way to connect names and faces!

To access the mobile directory:

1.Click on the Directory link on the home page of our

church website (pleasantgreenumc.org)

2. Enter your Access Code (which you will

receive in an email or you may call the church office)

Once you have logged in, you can scroll through the

directory, search by name, view family profiles,

email/call/map.

To update your contact information, please call the

church office.

Project AGAPE is making a difference in the lives of

thousands of people in Armenia and Karabagh.

United Methodists from across North Carolina continue to

support our brothers and sisters assisting in empowerment

ministries in housing reclamation of bombed-out buildings

and live-stock husbandry. Your gifts also provide medical

care for poor children and Christian education in this oldest

of Christian nations.

Project AGAPE continues to offer the love of Christ in

2018. Your gifts and your prayers proclaim hope and

bring life in the battered land of Armenia.

All of our work in Armenia is totally funded by

your financial support. Please prayerfully

consider giving to this wonderful mission!

100% goes to the ministry. Contributions may

be made through the church.

Make checks payable to PGUMC.

Thanks to the Eno Fire Department for

providing an instructor to teach our

AED / CPR class of 24 on June 19th.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

SEPTEMBER 15TH

Non-Profit Org.

US POSTAGE PAID

Durham, NC 27705

Permit No. 5

Address Service Requested

Pleasant Green United Methodist Church 3005 Pleasant Green Road Durham, NC 27705 (919) 383-5764

Website: PleasantGreenUMC.org

Pastor - Rev. Laura Thompson (919) 383-2339

lthompson@nccumc.org

Interim Director of Youth Ministry-Richard Cassidy

richard.l.cassidy@gsk.com

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide is provided

free of charge to the PGUMC congregation by the

United Methodist Women. You may pick up a copy

in the Narthex.

If you would like a DVD of a Sunday

Worship Service, please call the Church Office.

CHURCH CLEAN-UP

September 8th & 15th 8:00 am

Everyone’s help is needed and appreciated!

PGUMC 186th Homecoming Anniversary

Homecoming September 16th 11:00 am Worship Service Special Music ~ Chancel Choir and Praise Band

We will be “one worshipping congregation” on this special day. (no 8:30 am service)

We invite you to attend this celebration of building of new relationships and reunions of old friends. And plan to stay for the annual covered dish lunch following worship!

Brunswick Stew by the quart

November 3, 2017 4 - 7 pm

Sponsored by the United Methodist Men

Reserve Brunswick Stew Quarts $9

Potato Peeling Party in the multi-purpose room on

Friday, November 2nd at 6:30 pm.

Sundays at PGUMC beginning September 9th 8:30am Worship Service 9:30am Food & Fellowship 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service Children’s Sunday School: 9:45am Food & Snacks 10:00am Children’s Choir 10:15am Lesson

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