THE HIGHLIGHTERfiles.constantcontact.com/0b1c95c0201/fbfc0fc6-7d7... · George & Ruth Everhart -...
Transcript of THE HIGHLIGHTERfiles.constantcontact.com/0b1c95c0201/fbfc0fc6-7d7... · George & Ruth Everhart -...
Dear Trinity Church family,
Isaiah 43: 2cd “…when you walk through fire you shall
not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
The promises of God are, bluntly, sometimes hard to
believe. He promises that even when we go through
fire, we will not be burned or consumed. Our
experiences in this life are often very different—it
seems as though we are being battered, torn, defeated,
chewed up and spit out in this world.
But faith informs us differently. As we read the pages of
this month’s Trinity MESSENGER, let’s see how God has
been working for our good, to bless and not to curse us,
and believe that the things Jesus says are actually so.
Love you all in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim
Dr. James E. Swecker
Senior Pastor
MAY 2018 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
From the Pastor's Pen...
Highlights from Trinity United Methodist Church
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Inside this issue:
Blessings, Thanks & Prayers 2-3
Help Send a Child to Camp 4
Security Seminar 4
Youth Ministry and Fellowship 5
New Pictorial Directory 6
Free Spring Concert 7
Message from Evangelism —
The People You Meet at the Foot of the
Cross
8-9
Trinity Memories 10
Trinity Blood Drive 11
Special Events Corner 12-13
Listen to the Words... 14
May Events Calendar 15
TUMC Mission Statement:
“To ignite such a passion,
for Jesus Christ
and His teachings, that it
sets our world on fire.”
Blessings, Thanks & Prayers
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Trinity
United
Methodist
Church
90 Church Street
P.O. Box 2142
Prince Frederick,
Maryland 20678
410-535-1782
Office Hours
M-F 8am-4pm
email:
churchoffice
@trinityumchurch
.org
web:
www.trinityumchurch.org
Lead Pastor
Dr. James E. Swecker
pastorjim@
trinityumchurch.org
Washington-East
District Supt.
Dr. Rebecca Iannicelli
Bishop
LaTrelle Miller
Easterling
Page 2
Prayers for Those Who Have Been Hospitalized Recently…
Jessie Jo Bowen, Hayleigh Rae Eckard, Jimmy Catterton, Linda Lusby and Larry
Wood.
God’s Blessing Upon…
Rayelle Finlayson, as she resigns as Coordinator of Christian Education. Thank you
Rayelle for your Godly service to our Trinity family.
Praising God For New Life…
† Congratulations to Mary Stortzum, who welcomed a grandson on March 29 -
Max William Kyser
† Congratulations to Robert and Paula Bailey, who welcomed their first grandchild
on April 2 - Riley Isabel Bailey
Visitation List...
Doris Benesh - 1140 Scenic Way, St. Leonard, MD 20685
Dorothy L. Bowen - 4915 Sandy Point Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Mildred Bowen - 990 Dan Bowen Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Glenn Conner - 165 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Arlene Downs - 4540 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
George & Ruth Everhart - 600 Dana Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Mabel Herring - 1055 German Chapel Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Carol Jean Hutchins - 1710 Old Adelina Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Donald & Madelyn Hutchins - 2220 Henry Hutchins Rd., Pr. Frederick, MD 20678
Frankie Rawlings - 29750 El Dorado Farm Drive, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Don & Marilyn Russell - 3487 Cassell Blvd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Betty Southard - 1665 Mallard Point Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Eddie & Charlotte Wood - 5050 Hallowing Point Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Asbury Solomons
Fred Davenport - 11450 Asbury Circle, #421, Solomons, MD 20688
Dottie DeHaven - 11100 Asbury Circle, Room #200A, Solomons, MD 20688
Charlotte Hall - 11740 Asbury Circle, Apt. #1404, Solomons, MD 20688
Bill and Mary Hawxhurst - 11450 Asbury Circle, #324, Solomons, MD 20688
Margaret Hayes - 11740 Asbury Circle, Apt. #1308, Solomons, MD 20688
Mary Irvin - 11480 Asbury Circle, Room #322, Solomons, MD 20688
Jane Schmidt - 11740 Asbury Circle, Apt. #1420, Solomons, MD 20688
George Wells - 11750 Asbury Circle, Room #225-HC, Solomons, MD 20688
Wanda Wells - 11750 Asbury Circle, Room #219-HC, Solomons, MD 20688
Calvert County Nursing Center - 85 Hospital Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Jessie Jo Bowen
Annabelle Morrison
Eileen Moser
The Hermitage at Solomons
Louise McCumber - 13325 Dowell Road, Solomons, MD
20688
Calendar for Bible
Study Groups
Sunday:
Contemporary Issues
in the Christian Faith
Adult Sunday School Class
9:15 AM – Room 313
Jim Van Duzer (410-474-1160)
Faith Foundations
Adult Sunday School Class
9:15 AM – Room 102
Bob Finlayson (410-610-6437)
New Covenant
Adult Sunday School Class 9:15 AM – Parlor
Rick Cox (410-535-1385)
Monday:
Healthy Living Bible Study 11 AM – Room #311
Alice Thomas
Tuesday:
Ladies of Grace
Women’s Bible Study 10 -11:30 AM – Church Library
Mona Monsma (410-231-7977)
Sue Clark (410-474-3146)
Wednesday:
Open Bible Study 10 AM and 6:30 PM
Fellowship Hall
Pastor Jim
Youth Bible Study
6:30 – 8 PM
Youth Room
Thursday:
Men’s Bible Studies 5:30 AM
At the homes of:
John Godfrey (410-586-3282)
Fred Haller (410-586-9898)
Morris Hawkins (410-535-0681)
Page 3
VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
Did You Miss a
Church Service?
You can hear the sermon on our
website!
Go to
trinityumchurch.org.
Click on the
‘Sermons’ tab.
Listen to the sermon
of your choice!!
Trinity UMC will celebrate the
sacrament of baptism
and the reception of new full
members again on Sunday, May 20.
If you would like to consider these steps of faith and
commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church, please
contact Pastor Jim Swecker at 410-535-1782.
I am with you always…
Matthew 28:20
Page 4
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Please Help Send a Child to a Christ-Centered
Camp this Summer
West River Summer Camp registration is open - and the Trinity
family will once again sponsor camperships for children in our
community to attend summer camp. This special giving
opportunity makes a difference in the life of a local child. Total
cost per camper is $500. Designate your contribution of any
amount as ‘Campership’ in the memo line of the check. Contact Tom Carroll for
more information: [email protected].
“Set out for the Calvert Circuit - preached on the way to West River…
After dinner, I retired and sat down on a log beside the water and had sweet
communion with God.”
Circuit Rider Frances Asbury wrote these words in his journal June 3, 1782
BE INFORMED……BE EMPOWERED……BE SAFE!
Trinity UMC, in conjunction with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department,
invites you to attend a Violent Critical Incident Response training
presentation to be held on Saturday, May 19th from 10 am – 12 noon. This is
not meant to scare but to inform and empower all congregational members
in how to respond in the event of an act of violence. While it is very sad that
schools and churches must deal with such issues, this is the reality we live in
today. To be sure, this is not only for church leaders. All are invited and
encouraged to attend this presentation which will be led by Sheriff Mike
Evans and other members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department.
Date: Saturday, May 19th
Time: 10:00 – noon (no RSVP required)
Where: Trinity UMC Sanctuary
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VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
Time is flying by quickly! I can’t believe
we are already in the month of May.
We would like to ask all of our church
family and friends to mark their calendars
for Saturday, May 12th and plan to come to
our CAR WASH any time between 10:00AM
-2:00PM!! We will be in the Trinity UMC
Parking lot on the far side of the building
ready to wash your car. Now, we know that this is the day before Mother’s Day, so
why don’t you at least bring Mom’s car to be washed so that it is bright and shiny for
her special day!!!
For those who have been attending our Wednesday Evening Bible Study, we will be
ending our study on Wednesday, May 16th. We will resume again in the Fall. With
the nice weather, sports, the end-of-school exams and graduation coming up, we
start to dwindle in numbers. So, Wednesday, May 16th will be our last Bible Study
for the school year.
Youth Group will continue to meet until the first Sunday in June.
God bless you all!
Janet Swecker [email protected]
Click on the images above to see Youth Fellowship in Action!
Youth Ministry & Fellowship
IT’S TIME!
It’s time for a new pictorial directory. To celebrate our church family and
strengthen the bond within our congregation, we welcome you to be a part of
our upcoming new directory. We need you to make our directory complete!
A new directory:
Preserves this special time in the life of our church
Becomes a lasting record of our current membership
Helps us connect faces with names
We are partnering with Lifetouch for this important project. (They acquired
Olan Mills about 2 years ago.) Lifetouch is providing the directory at no cost to
our church. Every family photographed receives a complimentary directory
and an 8x10 portrait. You can sign up for photography on Sundays after
worship or by calling Terese Wells at 410-414-2660.
PHOTOGRAPHY DATES
Mon, Tue & Wed, June 4, 5 & 6 from 2-9 pm.
Thu, Fri & Sat, June 14 (2-9pm), 15 (2-9pm) & 16 (10-5pm)
For your convenience, all photography and portrait viewing will take place at
our church with no sitting fee. You will have a variety of poses taken and one
pose will be selected for the directory. In addition to your complimentary
8x10, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits on the day
of your portrait session. Lifetouch’s portrait price lists are available in the
church office for those who would like them prior to photography. A 20%
discount will be offered to Active & Retired Military, First Responders and
Seniors.
Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to be professionally
photographed. We are looking forward to seeing you in our directory. I am
encouraging 100% participation!
Terese Wells
Directory Chair
P.S. Your photography session will take about an hour.
During which time, you will check-in, be photographed
and view your portraits.
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VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
Page 8
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Message from Evangelism
The People you Meet at the Foot of the Cross This year, Good Friday was different in many ways. This
year, I put a vision into action and received more than I
can even comprehend. The Holy Spirit shared with me an
idea; Pastor Jim and a few members put it in action; and
members of Trinity made it meaningful.
What I learned about Good Friday from books, websites
and the Bible was eclipsed by what I learned from the
people that came to the foot of the cross that day.
The first lesson was from children. The girls that helped
were happy to be at church, loved being outside, happy
about the day, the weather, the freedom. I asked two girls
to spot me as I climbed the ladder to nail the seven deadly
sins to the cross. I did not want to share what they were or
what they meant. They had an innocence—A precious gift
to children to feel free, happy and full of love for God. I
pray to have that childlike innocence again.
At 12:00, the first man came and said Hi. He came right at
12:00, had his card and found the hammer and nailed and
added another nail and again hammered hard. He wanted
to make sure the card was fixed to the cross. He had a
purpose, a reason for the day and a schedule. It was clear
in his mind what he was doing. To be so clear about
God’s calling and his message. Clarity is what I pray for
each day.
Next came a woman, I did not recognize her. She sat on the bench that was placed at the foot of the
cross and prayed in silence. The silence is what I crave and found as I sat at the church that day
and waited and watched. She did not say much, but I knew this day was meaningful to her and her
few words meant more to me. The woman said this was good. She blessed me, yes, she said, bless
you for doing this. I felt moved instantly by a stranger. Someone who has not been to Trinity in a
while came today and I felt blessed. I pray she will come back.
The second man came to the cross. He came with a purpose, he wrote on his card, nailed it to the
cross and left. He did not speak, he was there for his own reason and took swift action. This was a
personal event. Some came that day with a card and some came with a thought or maybe God put
something on their heart that day. It took me a while to write something and to think of what to
write. To have the thought in mind and to know you want to do this and do it quickly showed he was led by God. God speaks to us and this man listened. I pray I will listen when God calls me to
do something quickly.
Then two women came together, a mother and daughter who I came to know better that day. The
daughter said the symbolic action of the nail on the cross makes today more memorable. As she
nailed her card to the cross, she said it hurt! To truly feel the hurt and pain is more than I imagined.
(Continued on page 9)
Page 9
VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
They spoke about many things that they had seen and ideas they had, and I instantly felt
friendship and I felt I knew their hearts for they were full of love for Jesus.
The daughter said she went to a sunrise service where they were given a rock to remind them
that he had risen. She kept the rock for years always with her to remember that he has risen
and is at the right hand of God. Sometimes we need reminders like holding a rock or nailing a
nail. A physical, tactile reminder of the miracle that happened. As she dropped the nail and
picked it up, I said take it as a reminder.
We continued to talk about the imagery of the stations of the cross and what happened at the
foot of the cross. We both struggled to understand why so few people were there at the cross
when he died. John wrote that three Mary's stood at the foot of the cross, Mary—Jesus' mother,
Mary Magdalene, and Mary—the wife of Clopas all stayed with him and loved him with all their
heart and soul. The women anointed Jesus, cleaned him and came back to find the tomb empty and ran to tell the disciples. All strong women full of love for Jesus. I pray that I will be a strong
woman who demonstrates my love of Jesus.
I met another couple, a married couple. They had a simple, pure faith and love. She was raised
Catholic and said confession is something we did every day, we need to ask God for
forgiveness every day. She knew that God loved her; she knew since she was a child. Her
husband was not raised Catholic. He said something I think about every day, “we make our
lives harder than it should be.” His message was simple, we try to live right, but we make
mistakes. We confess, and it is wiped clean. Is it really that simple? She added it’s all a
learning experience, life is a learning experience. They make it seem so simple. I think God
wanted it to be that simple. Worry, doubt, grief, guilt is not from God. I pray that I will try to live right, but know that if I confess to God and ask, he will wipe my debt clean with his grace.
Next, I met another woman who came up behind me as I sat on the front steps. She arrived
through the front door and clearly knew her way. She asked me questions. She wanted to know
what this meant to me and how I came up with the Good Friday event. I told her it was not from
me, but God. I told her Mike had made the cross and that Sue made the basket and I made the
cards, it was a group effort. After she nailed her card to the cross, she said it made her feel
free, free from burdens. To actually write it down was cathartic. She said loudly, IT IS DONE!
What a profound feeling of freedom the cross gives us. Some need a smile each day, some
need the freedom to live another day. It was clear that she knew the way. It was a blessing just to listen to her. How fresh it would be to have that confidence to proclaim out loud, I’m a sinner
and I’ve been set free. She said everyone has sin, it’s good for the church to go through this to
show that we are all sinners, just like the people driving by. She said keep up the cross and do
it again next year.
I looked at the cars that drove by that day. Some people waved, a few looked up to see what
was going on, and I wondered if anyone saw the cross and what we were doing and thought
about Jesus that day. I wonder if anyone will look at Trinity again and think, that’s the place
where I saw the cross on Good Friday. I wonder if they would think about reading the Bible and
find out what it’s all about. I pray that not only did the actions today speak to the members of
Trinity who walked away with a sense of freedom but to those who drove by and saw the cross
on the hill in front of Trinity and thought about what Good Friday means and wondered about
coming to Trinity to find out more.
Cheri DeLaVergne, Evangelism Chair
(Continued from page 8)
Page 10
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Trinity Memories
Trinity United
Methodist Church
Sunday Schedule
8 - 9 a.m. ~ Worship Service
9:15 -10:15 a.m. ~ Sunday School
(for all ages)
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. ~ Worship Service
Open Bible Study
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Remember the
Sabbath day by
keeping it holy.
Exodus 20:8
Page 11
VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
Blood Drive
Trinity United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
Sunday, May 13, 2018
7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Please contact 800-REDCROSS or log on to www.redcrossblood.org
(enter sponsor code “Trinity UMC Prince Frederick”) to schedule
your life-saving donation or be a walk-in on May 13.
Thank you!
Trinity United Methodist Church
Staff
Rayelle Finlayson ....... Coordinator of Christian Ed
Sharon Godfrey ...................... Financial Secretary
William Jenifer ........................................ Sexton
Becki Nelson ................................... Bookkeeper
Kathy Pinkowski ............. Administrative Assistant
Rebecca Adams ....................... Nursery Attendant
Emelyn Riggleman .................. Nursery Attendant
Mary Stortzum................. Lead Nursery Attendant
Janet Swecker .......... Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Leah Woods .............. Director of Music Ministries
~ ~ ~ Jim Swecker ..................................... Lead Pastor
Page 12
THE HIGHLIGHTER
CORNER
SP
EC
IA
L E
VE
NT
S
He Is Risen
Trinity had a great turnout
for the children’s Easter
Celebration. Almost 100
children and adults came
out and were treated to the
Stations of the Cross put on
by the Sunday School
classes. An interactive
station put on by the High
School gave visitors a
chance to experience some
of what Jesus might have
experienced. The children
were also treated to the
Story of Jesus told using the
egg. His birth, His ministry,
His death and Resurrection
were discussed by using
different colored eggs. The
last egg had bubbles and
when the youngsters went
outside, they blew bubbles
to remember Jesus’
ascension into heaven, but
also to encourage them to
share the Story of Jesus out
in the world the way the
bubbles spread out and
traveled up into the air.
Finally, lots of candy was to
be had as the youngsters
found all the eggs on the
front lawn and gardens.
Praise the Lord for a
wonderful celebration.
Special Events would like to
thank all the parents who
brought the children out
and all those who helped.
Page 13
VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5
SAVE THE DATE
for the next Special Event –
The Church Picnic to be held on July 15 at 5:00 p.m.
on the Church Lawn.
Page 14
THE HIGHLIGHTER
Listen to the Words...
CCLI Song #15960
Helen H. Lemmel © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2418144
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Verse 1
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Chorus
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Verse 2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
Verse 3
His Word shall not fail you He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
We sing
beautiful
songs and
hymns
every Sunday.
Do you ever
really listen
to the
words…
click here
(to sing along)
Trinity United Methodist Church
MAY 2018MAY 2018
Weekly Ministries
Sunday
8:00 am Worship Service
9:15 am Sunday School (for all ages)
10:30 am Worship Service
5:30 pm Kid’s Choir Rehearsal
6:00 pm Youth Fellowship
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm AA Meeting
Monday
11:00 am Healthy Living Bible Study
7:30 pm Calvert Dance Band Rehearsal
Tuesday
10:00 am Women’s Bible Study Wednesday
10:00 am Open Bible Study
6:30 pm Open Bible Study
6:30 pm Middle/High School Bible Study
7:00 pm Unclouded Day Rehearsal
Thursday
5:30 am Men’s Bible Study
6:30 pm Praise Team Rehearsal
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1 Missions
6 pm ~
Leadership 6:30 pm
2
Bible Study Covered Dish
Dinner at 6:30 pm
3 4 5 Encore Chorale Concert
3 pm
6
7
Trustees 7 pm
8 Evangelism
6 pm ~
Worship 7 pm
9
10
11
12
Youth Group Car Wash
10 am - 2 pm
13
Mother’s Day
~ Blood Drive 7 am - noon
14
Finance 6:30 pm
15
16
17
Scholarship
7:30 pm
18 19
Church Security Seminar
10 am - noon
20 New Member and Baptism
Sunday
21
22
Church Council
7 pm
23
24
25 26
27 28 Church Office
Closed for Memorial Day
29 30 31
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VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5