The

Epistle

Monthly Newsletter of St. Paul’s Moravian Church

MAY, 2010

Pentecost

The Bible refers to the festival we call Pentecost as “The Feast of Weeks.” (Shavuot) It was to be celebrated by faithful Jews seven weeks and one day after Passover. The event was to be observed by the bringing of two loaves of bread to the Temple, baked with fine flour and leaven. God commanded this observance thousands of years before Christ came to give clues to his people of what was to come. Christians know Pentecost as the “birthday” of the Church, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ followers. Can an ancient Jewish holiday have any meaning for 21^st century Christians?

Jesus ministered 40 more days on earth after his resurrection. He told them God was about to send them the Holy Spirit and to wait for that event. They had only ten days to wait after he ascended. On the 50^th day the Spirit descended to remain with believers forever. The Holy Spirit is present with us moment by moment. He will never leave us or forsake us!

The two loaves represent Jews and Gentiles. Before Jesus, Gentiles were outside the covenants and under God’s judgment. In the new covenant of Jesus Christ non-Jews are brought to the very heart of God. Now in God’s eyes we are one. (Ephesians 2:14-15)

Something else about those loaves – they were made with leaven. In the Bible leaven (yeast) is a symbol of sin. In this case it reminds us that even though we are forgiven and accepted by God and a new creation (2 Cor. 5:7), there is still sin in us. So, don’t be surprised when another Christian messes up or lets you down. And don’t expect the church to be a refuge from the influence of sin. For that we have to wait for heaven. Sin has no power to keep us from heaven, but we won’t be free from it until we get to heaven!

Brothers and sisters, there is much for us to celebrate this Pentecost. We can celebrate our new status before God and relationship with him. And we can celebrate God’s abiding presence with us. No matter what happens and wherever we go, God the Holy Spirit is with us. That’s a lot and that’s worth celebrating. Happy Pentecost!

~Pastor Bill

WEAR RED SUNDAY

May 18, 2010

Wear something RED to church in honor of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

~ Worship in May ~

May 2 – Covenant Stewardship Sunday, Holy Communion

Season Two of the Covenant Stewardship Program concludes with a focus on “Give” and an opportunity for you to make a commitment. What better way to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us than by taking a step forward in our walk with him?

May 9 – Mother’s Day

This service will focus on honoring moms and giving appreciation for the godly work they do! There will be special presentations appropriate to the day and the sacrament of baptism.

May 16 – Ascension Sunday, Moravian Music Sunday

Moravians have some of the best music in the Christian world! Come and celebrate this living heritage by joining us for a Singstunde (singing hour). You will learn more about the meaning of some of the wonderful hymns we sing in worship. See you there!

May 23 – Pentecost, Wear Red Sunday

Pentecost marks the “birthday” of the Church by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. We will remember that powerful event and celebrate that same power that works in us today. Worshipers are encouraged to wear red that day to celebrate the Spirit! Pastor Bill’s message will focus on marriage.

May 30 – Trinity Sunday

God has revealed himself as Father, Son and Spirit. We celebrate that reality on this Sunday. We will also mark the celebration of Memorial Day for our nation. The five-part series of messages on marriage will continue.

~Old Testament Characters~

Pastor Bill is currently leading a University of the Spirit class on Old Testament Characters, which began on April 11, and will conclude on May 16, Sunday mornings at 8:45 AM. All are welcome to participate.

~40^th Anniversary Celebration~

January 31, 2011, will mark the 40^th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Church, and we are planning a number of special anniversary events! This year-long celebration will be HUGE and you are invited to take part. On Sunday, May 23, after worship, we will have an organizational meeting – all are invited to participate in the planning!

In Christian Sympathy . . .

St. Paul’s congregation has been deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and brother, Grant Watkins on Wednesday, April 14, after a long and difficult battle with cancer.  Grant, 72, the husband of our member Margaret Watkins, is also survived by their son Timothy and his wife, Alaina, grandchildren Eliza and Joseph, Grant’s sister, Billie, and many other family members and friends. 

Grant was a senior engineer with Northrop Grumman, dedicated to research and development and was proud of his many patent awards. Upon his retirement in 2007, he was a constant caregiver to his youngest son, Todd, until Todd’s death later that year. While the sadness of losing Todd was always with Grant, his two grandchildren, Eliza, age five, and Joseph, age three, enriched his life.

On Monday, April 19, 11:00 A.M., Pastor Bill led a Celebration of Life at St. Paul's, with Grant’s life-long friend, Al Seeland, giving the eulogy. 

Please continue prayers for Grant’s family during this difficult time. You may send condolences to Margaret at her home: 10400 Three Doctors Road, Dunkirk, MD 20754, and to Tim, Alaina and the children at  4914 Haversham Court, Fairfax, VA 22032.

Thank you . . .

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards and words of encouragement.  The cards kept coming and coming.  Thank you.  I enjoyed hearing from all of you.

     The second surgery on the hip has gone well and I am now back in physical therapy for my broken shoulder and hip.

    Losing my mother at this time was difficult.  Fortunately, Jack and I were able to visit my mother in Hawaii last November. 

    It was a wonderful visit and we were able to take her out every day we were in Hilo.

     Thank you again for your prayers and kind words.  St. Paul's is truly an awesome, caring church. 

Love you all,

Mona Voden

Sunday School News

On June 6 we will celebrate the end of the Sunday School year with a Breakfast for Sunday School students and their families and presentation of awards to the children. We are grateful to Sister Aisha Thompson for volunteering to cook breakfast that day. The Education Team looks forward to this special morning with the children and their families! 

Children’s Center kids enjoying Parachute Day April 28th

What’s Happening at the

Children’s Center . . .

Everyone enjoyed the Month of the Young Child activities which included a performance by the Blue Sky Puppeteers on April 30^th. They performed a story called Pig Tales which is about cooperation among your friends and family. Some of the other highlights of our month were………ice cream sundaes, parachute play, game day, pajama day, bubble day and, of course, our annual Breakfast with your Child.

The majority of our staff attended the Prince George’s annual Early Childhood Conference at Wise High School.

It is with sadness that we must say good bye to Co-Director Mrs. Ruthann Stone after nearly 28 years of dedicated service to the children and their families of the Marlton community who have attended the Children’s Center. She will be relocating to Cary, North Carolina to be near her family. On Sunday, April 25, Mrs. Stone was honored during the worship service, and presented with a lovely Moravian Star to hang in her new home. She will be greatly missed….

~ Ruthann Stone and Virginia Anthony

Prayer and Healing Service

The Prayer and Healing Service in May, will be held at the church on the

FIRST Friday, May 7^th, 7:30 PM.

We will meet in May on the

FIRST Friday, June 4^th at 7:30 PM.

All are welcome!

Bring-a-Friend Sunday

June 13, 10 AM

Now is the time to start thinking about who you will invite to join you for worship on Bring a Friend Sunday. Is there someone you know who has no church? Start praying for God to open a door for your invitation.

Women’s Bible Study

The Women’s Bible Study has resumed meeting on alternate Wednesdays, beginning April 14, at 7:00 PM, and will continue in May on the 12^th and 26^th. All women of the church are invited to participate – come and bring your Bible!

Ministry to Men 

All Men! Join us for a great breakfast on Saturday, May 22, at 8 am. Take an hour out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time enjoying good food and relaxing with friendly conversation about things that matter to you: family, faith and baseball! See you there! 

Men’s Group -- If you’re ready to step up and go deeper in your faith, we’ve got a great opportunity for you. On Tuesday, May 25, at 7:30 pm men will gather to study the Word, hear each other’s stories and pray together. It doesn’t matter how religious you are, you are welcome. Save the date and bring your Bible! Contact Pastor Bill if you want to know more.

Marlboro Churches Food Bank

Thank you to everyone who donated canned fruit for the Food Bank last month. We also had a large donation of food from the Archdiocese of Washington. All of the donated food we received last month helped re-stock our empty storage shelves and allowed us to pack 200 bags!

Please keep the Food Bank clients in your prayers.

Here is the Food Bank schedule for May 2010:

Bring food donations to church with you on

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Volunteers sort food on

Thursday, 7 p.m., May 6, 2010 @ Trinity Episcopal

Volunteers bag food on

Friday, 8 a.m., May 7, 2010 @ Trinity Episcopal

Volunteers carry bags on

Saturday, 7 a.m., May 8, 2010 @ Trinity Episcopal

Sister Johnnie Riley coordinates the preparation and serving of the breakfast and welcomes all who would like to come and help – cooks, servers, dishwashers – all are welcome! Please contact Johnnie to let her know you will be there, and to find out what time she needs you – 301-780-3710. Io help with packing and distribution, call Sister Trudy Smith, 301-627-8039.

Joint Board Retreat

The Annual Joint Board Retreat will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Facilitators of this retreat will be Hazel Lewis, Fred Mayes, Tanya Scott and Pastor John Lane. Please mark your calendars!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS

As of April 28, we have contributed $23,133 towards the extensive repairs that were made to the Parsonage for the Andrews' arrival. With twelve months remaining in the Campaign, we need to receive $1,867 if we are to reach our goal. If you have been one of those who have so faithfully brought us so far, keep it up! The goal line is in sight. If you have not yet done your part for this important project, you can give a gift today. We will need your help if we are to reach our goal in these difficult financial times. Let's pull together - we are a winning team! 

Vacation Bible School News

Two ladies were overheard having the following conversation . . .

Question: “Have you heard?”

Response: “Heard what?”

Question: “Heard about the VBS program this

year?”

Response: “No, but when is it?”

Response: “I heard it was July 12 – 16.”

Question: “The kids went on a prayer safari last year. They learned the Lord’s Prayer, created nice crafts, learned new songs and a foreign language. They kept saying, “Jambo” to everybody. I even heard that word “Jambo” in the grocery store. (She smiled broadly.) What’s St. Paul’s doing this year?”

Response: “I’m not sure, but I know it will be a fun

time for the kids.”

Question: “Will St. Paul’s have VBS in the

morning and in the evening?”

Response: “I’m not sure. I overheard that VBS director person talking about whether the community wants an evening program. St. Paul’s seems to be considering . . . Well, I don’t know what they’re considering. I hope they will tell us about this year’s program soon. “

Question: “Are you going to be a helper this

year?”

Response: “I sure hope so. I had a great time with the kids last year. They like to learn, have fun and sing. I’m going to check my calendar and reserve that July 12-16 date. Call me when you hear anything else about VBS.”

(As she leaves she softly sings,

Say “jambo,” It means “hello,” To Jesus, Your best friend . . .)

A Mission That Matters

Message to the Moravian Church, Northern Province

How do our Moravian pastors come to serve the Church?

The journey our pastors take to enter ordained ministry is not an easy one. It begins with a call – God’s call. For many pastors that call was heard at a young age, and with the support of nurturing mentors and loving congregations like yours/ours, they answered their call to enter the ministry. Most Moravian pastors receive their formal training, education, and preparation at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. If you are not aware, it is the only accredited Moravian Seminary in the world.

For many, the journey involves moving to Bethlehem and studying full-time with other Moravians who are completing their Master of Divinity degree, better known as the MDiv. The MDiv requires three years of full time study, this in addition to four years of undergraduate school. It is at Moravian Seminary where students study the bible and biblical languages, learn to preach, develop skills in counseling and church administration, learn church history and theology, have internships in congregations, develop leadership capabilities, and grow in faith with other students who are studying to become pastors. A pastor’s education is a rigorous one. And it also involves sacrifice, for some it may include leaving a career, leaving family for a period of time; and for all, making a financial sacrifice.

For over 200 years, men and women have been taking this journey; preparing for service and leadership in the Moravian Church; with an ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of others through the love of God.

Three years ago, the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, which included a number of people from the Northern Province – Steve Black, Lyn Trodahl Chynoweth, Frank Crouch, Brian Dixon, Eileen Edwards, Bob Hess, Otto Dreydoppel, Glenn Hertzog, Gary Straughan, Wilma Lewis, Betsy Miller, and David Wickmann – approved a strategic plan for Moravian Theological Seminary. The plan assures that the Seminary will maintain its vital role in serving the Moravian Church by increasing scholarship assistance, faculty expansion, and resource development.

The plan included a major fundraising campaign. Up to this moment, the campaign has been in the leadership or “quiet” phase. During this time, the Seminary has been blessed by the generosity of many, including a number of bequests, a commitment of one million dollars by the Board of Trustees, and numerous leadership gifts from alumni and friends. In fact, the response thus far has been remarkable. It is a testament to how much people do care and recognize the significant role the Seminary plays in the Church’s life.

Here, in the Northern Province, a group of dedicated volunteers comprise the Northern Province Campaign Committee. Since the campaign’s start, they have personally brought the Seminary’s story, mission, and campaign initiatives to many throughout the province. The committee includes Chair Janel Rice, Blair Couch, Frank Crouch, and the late Peter Wolle. They have been instrumental in securing financial gifts, and perhaps of even greater importance, they have helped bring the mission of the Seminary and its place within the Moravian Church directly to the extended Moravian community.

The campaign, appropriately named A Mission That Matters, will enable the Seminary to provide the very best possible preparation for those men and women discerning God’s call to ministry while also lessening their personal burden of debt as they answer that call. To this end, the Seminary Trustees set a goal to secure at least $15 million in gifts. The word “historic” appropriately describes the magnitude of the campaign, and its success will have a significant, far-reaching impact on students, the Seminary, and the Moravian Church for many, many years to come.

The Seminary’s campaign has come a long way in three years, especially in light of the economic times. However, we still need over a million dollars in order to achieve the campaign’s goal and fulfill the campaign’s initiatives.

1. Your gift will benefit our students by providing additional financial assistance and thus lessening their debt upon graduation.

2. Your gift will provide the resources for programs of innovation and academic excellence including new faculty positions, state-of-the-art computer and library resources, guest speakers and multi-cultural ministry opportunities.

3. Your gift will provide for much needed renovation and upgrades to the Seminary’s building – The Bahnson Center.

On behalf of the Seminary, especially its students, I hope you will join me in supporting our Seminary. Within a few weeks, you will receive the Seminary’s appeal in the mail. It will explain in detail the campaign initiatives and the ways in which you can support the campaign. I ask that you give prayerful and thoughtful consideration to your gift and please be as generous as possible, but please know that no gift is too small.

Your support and generosity will truly make a difference in supporting the mission of Moravian Theological Seminary; a mission that touches each one of us. Thank you.

St. Paul’s Spring

Community

Yard Sale

Saturday, May 1, 2010

It’s gonna be a H-O-T one!

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

All 120+ spaces have been filled!

Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Sodas and

Baked Goods will be sold!

Can you grill or

Bring baked goodies?

Work the Concessions?

Help set up or clean up?

Direct traffic or parking?

Call Rick Cira, (585)309-1879, or Jaime Lawshe, (240)267-9473, Coordinators

St. Paul’s Moravian Church, 8505 Heathermore Blvd., Marlton, www.spmoravian.org

St. Paul’s T-Shirt Order Form

Light blue shirts with navy blue decal/Navy blue shirts with light blue decal

Name_______________________________

Phone_______________________________

E-Mail address: _______________________

T-shirt- $13.00 ($10.00 for Youth sizes and $16.00 for 2XL and 3XL)

How many:________

Color__________ Size: YS_____ YM_____ YL_____ S_____ M_____ L_____ XL_____ 2XL_____ 3XL_____

Total Number of Shirts_________ Subtotal of Section___________

Golf Shirt (embroidered)- $28.00 ($24.00 for Youth sizes and $31.00 for 2XL and 3XL)

Color__________ Size: YS_____ YM_____ YL_____ S_____ M_____ L_____ XL_____ 2XL_____ 3XL_____

Total Number of Golf Shirts__________ Subtotal of Section___________

Sweatshirt- $22.00 ($19.00 for Youth sizes and $25.00 for 2XL and 3XL)

Color__________ Size: YS_____ YM____ YL_____ S_____ M______ L______ XL_____ 2XL_____ 3XL_____

Total Number of Sweatshirts___________ Subtotal of Section_____________

Total Number of Products___________ Total cost__________

Paid with cash__________________ Check______________________

St. Paul’s

EPISTLE

Printed on: April 30, 2010

Mailed from Upper Marlboro

Post Office on: April 30, 2010

VOLUME XXXVIV, NUMBER 5 MAY, 2010

Church Office Hours

The Church Office is generally open:

Mondays 9:30 AM – 12:00 noon, Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:30-4:30 PM

Connecting . . .

St. Paul’s Moravian Church

8505 Heathermore Blvd.

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

301-627-4200 FAX: 301-627-4204

Church e-mail: spmoravian@aol.com

Church website: www.spmoravian.org

Rev. Bill Andrews’ e-mail: stpaulspastor@gmail.com