1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Communicator
228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh NC 27603-1790
(919) 832-7535 www.esumc.org
Volume XLIV, Number 7 May 3 - May 9, 2015
Available online at www.esumc.org/communicator
Help a Child By Giving Books
Ever heard of the term “summer loss”? No, it’s not a seasonal
diet or exercise program, but a troubling trend in which
students lose valuable literacy skills when they stop reading
during their break from school. Low-income children are
especially susceptible to this problem, because they often go
home to an environment where there are very few books or
other reading resources. As a result, by the end of fifth grade,
these students are approximately 2 ½ years behind their more
affluent peers in terms of reading ability, primarily because of
summer loss.
To help, we’re partnering with Hunter Elementary to make
sure low-income students in grades K-5 leave school on the
last day of the year with books in hand!
Research done at Harvard University by Dr. James Kim shows
that even reading four or five books over the summer helps to
prevent the summer slump.
As we share the joy of reading with the children in our own
lives, let’s consider sharing it with those who cannot afford
the small luxury of owning a book. Can you give five new
or gently-used children’s books to make a huge impact on
a child’s life? Or, even one or two? Books, which should be
appropriate for children in kindergarten – fifth grade (from
early readers to chapter books), can be dropped-off at the 1st
floor collection bins throughout the month of May.
Please join us in this simple way to love on our little neighbors
at Hunter Elementary!
Please Join Us For A New Parent Reception
and Fellowship Hour
Spring is a wonderful time to celebrate God’s majestic
creation, especially the children who have become a part of
our church family. As a church community that is devoted to
putting faith and love into action, please help us CELEBRATE
all new parents who have brought babies and children into
their families and into our church congregation during the past
year.
The Nursery Preschool Council looks forward to hosting new
parents, parents-to-be, and church members who would like
to celebrate these new families on May 17 from 9:45–10:45
a.m. in the new church commons area. We hope church
members of all ages will join us to celebrate the special
people who have recently become parents. Please mark your
calendars and plan to join us for tea, pastries, fellowship, and
fun!
*If you are a new parent, please RSVP to Cameron Graham at
[email protected].
Upcoming changes to the Communicator
As Edenton Street continues to evolve its communications strategies, many exciting changes are taking
place. You may have noticed the brand new televisions around the church, advertising many of our
fantastic ministries and their events. In keeping with moving forward and revising our communications
for the better, we will enhance the Communicator information by offering it along with the traditional
worship bulletin. After May 10, you can read about upcoming events via the traditional worship bulletin.
This weekly bulletin is also available on our website at http://esumc.org/worship/sermon-media/ and
contains all of the information the Communicator currently provides, plus more! You may also sign up
for our weekly e-newsletter on the bottom of the homepage of our website. This too will inform you of
upcoming events and ways to register for them. We greatly appreciate your support of this transition
and trust that with each step we take, our communications get better and better. Thank you!
ESUMC is a community of faith: Inviting all to encounter Jesus,
Preparing believers to deepen their dependence on God,
Construction Update Celebration Planned - Sunday,
May 10
On Sunday, May 10, we will celebrate the
opening of the newly renovated Brown Chapel,
Poindexter lobby and portions of the new
Commons area. You are invited to a reception
following each of our five worship services. In
addition, the Chapel will be open for scripture
reading and prayer on Friday evening, May 8
between 5 and 8 p.m., as we prepare for all the
ways this new space will be used for worship,
education and fellowship. To sign up in advance
for the prayer vigil, please go online.
In January, 2014, following several years of
prayer and discernment, our congregation
embarked on three new “Opening Doors”
initiatives. With completion of the first phase
of this renovation and construction project, we
are opening a new door to hospitality, providing
additional space for welcoming visitors and for
building and strengthening community among
our members. In September, we opened a new
door of discipleship with renovations to the
Bulla Youth Building providing additional space
to engage more young people into our rapidly
growing youth ministry. And a few months
ago we opened a new door to evangelism in
launching Church on Morgan, the first of our two
new faith communities.
While there is excitement about the new space,
we are reminded that the most important thing
is how we will use this space to bring others
to Christ. It’s not about the color of the carpet,
the new furnishings or even the wonderful light
shining through the windows - all of which will
be enjoyed - it’s about the feet that will walk on
the carpet, the people who will sit in the chairs
and the people we will invite to enter our doors
and experience the love of Jesus Christ. As we
complete this phase of the project, each of us
has an opportunity to reaffirm our mission of
bringing others to Christ and to consider how
we might strengthen our own relationships with
Christ and with each other.
Thanks be to God and to all of those who have
helped this dream become a reality. Numerous
committees have been involved in the planning
and execution of this effort. A special word of
thanks to the leadership team of the Opening
Doors Committee, members of the Hospitality
Building Committee and the Sub-Committee on
Interiors, chaired by Lynn Wilkerson.
While we will begin enjoying the space
immediately, like us, this is still a “work in
progress”. Construction of the new covered
ramp and Garden Gallery is underway, so you
will continue to see signs of construction for the
next several months. Some interruptions in the
ways we navigate our church space will continue,
so I ask for your help as we make people feel
welcome.
Please join us Friday night, May 8, and Sunday
morning, May 10, as we celebrate what has been
completed and anticipate what is yet to come.
To God be the glory,
Leslie Bevacqua Coman
Chair, Hospitality Building Committee
By Our Gifts - April 19
General Budget Received this Week: $52,377.74
Received Year-to-Date: $1,255,947.05
Opening Doors Pledge total: Opening Doors received: $5,114,439
$2,996.955.30
By Our Presence - April 26
Worship 8:40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
9:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
10:55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
11:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Church on Morgan . 135
Worship Total . . . . 1,402
Sympathy
ww To the family of Kern Holoman who died on April 20.
Congratulations
ww To Clint and Kathryn Stevenson on the birth of their
daughter, Lucille “Lucy” Hope Stevenson, on April 22.
Caring for those who are hurting, sending ordinary people
into the world equipped to do extraordinary things.
Welcome Our Newest Members:
Glenn Dion, Becky Dion, Nick Parker, Megan Parker, Jan
Poff, Catherine Poff, Justin Starks, Christina Starks, Linda
Grimes, Dorsey Manning, Anne Coln, Jean Stacks, Mike
Freeze, Megan Freeze, Mark Holt, Bruce Blankenhorn, Lee
Blankenhorn, Mike Christos, Casey Abbott, Robert Smith,
Claudia Saavedra, Bob Matthews, Barb Matthews, Will
Bostic, Emily Bostic, Derek Van Berkel, Carrie Myers, Lindsey
Blankenhorn, Tom Richardson, Ward Warren, Emily Warren,
Kyle Parker, Lindsey Parker, Candyce Rumley
Meet Dr. Mickey Efird
May 6, 10:30 a.m., Room 321
The Wednesday Morning Bible Study has for a number of
years studied the Efird Bible Study Series, using videotapes
of numerous books of the Bible led by Dr. James “Mickey”
Efird, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Languages and
Interpretation at Duke Divinity School. Dr. Efird is a popular
teacher and well-known biblical scholar. Members of the class
have enjoyed him on video and have often said they wish
they could meet him in person. Their wish is coming true!
Dr. Efird will visit the class for a social on May 6, and anyone
who wishes to meet him and join the visit is invited to be
present on that date. Dorathy Chance is the leader of the
group and a student of Dr. Efird’s for more than 50 years.
The class will challenge Dr. Efird to check up on Dorathy and
correct anything she has said that is misleading or just plain
wrong! Join the class and join the fun! You will be glad you
did!
eStreet Prayers: May
Please join with us as we lift up prayers and petitions to
our loving God. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes 5:16-18).
•
Congregational: for the transitional time in our youth
group; that our students, our volunteers, our staff,
and the Snyder family may know the joy of new
seasons in life!
•
Local: for those looking for summer and full-time
employment as the school year ends, that our
community may be blessed by their work.
•
Global: Please keep the people of Nepal in your
prayers, as they deal with the aftermath of the 7.8
magnitude earthquake hit near the Nepali capital on
April 25, killing more than 3,700 people and injuring
thousands of others. Pray for them to feel God’s
presence, comfort, strength and love. And for those
who are working tirelessly to save lives and provide
relief. If you would like to help financially with relief
efforts, please make a check out to ESUMC and mark
Nepal on the memo line. All gifts will go to the United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) which is
working with ministries and partners on the ground.
A Time for Prayer
May 8
Please join us for a time of prayer in the newly renovated
Brown Chapel on Friday, May 8, between 5 and 8 p.m. The
Prayer Committee is planning a time for scripture reading
and prayer in advance of celebrating the re-opening of this
space. When our Poindexter Building was dedicated in 1937,
the space that is currently the Chapel was designated as
the “Joseph G. Brown Room.” According to notes about our
church history, this space was “to be used as an assembly
area for prayer meetings and adult classes.” It is appropriate
that the first event in this space is a time of prayer. Scriptures
will be read at the beginning of each half hour and members
and visitors are encouraged to come and go during the
3-hour timeframe and offer silent prayers of thanksgiving for
all that has been and guidance and direction for all that is yet
to be. Sign up online for a spot!
Need to reserve childcare for an event? Contact Robin
Ellison at [email protected] or (919) 832-7535 ext. 212.
Sunday Servants-May 10
Greeters:
8:40 Meghan Belanger, Bill and Linda Northcutt
10:55 Annie Lee and Gary Hansen, Cathy Draz, Bill and Sarah Adams
Gathering:Owen
Ushers:
8:40 Nita Lawrence, Richard Chandler, Albert Wade, Cameron Seely, Mark Langdon
10:55 Johnny Neese, Bryant Paris, Roger Earnhardt, Jon Sasser, Jim Stewart, Louis Wilkerson, Ed Upchurch, David Greenlee, Bryan Everett, Jerry Stoltz, John Draz
Nursery:
Meagan Maddox, Kathleen Coughlin
Wiggler Worship: Katie and Will Humphries, Molly and Matt Lee, Susan and John Maddux
Parking Group:
Jones
12:30 p.m.Caring Ministries Luncheon (Kerr); Nanny Luncheon (251)
3 p.m. Baptism Class (251)
4 p.m. Exsultate Ringers Handbell Choir (Annex)
4:30 p.m. Task Force (351)
4:45 p.m. Children’s Council (164)
5 p.m. Exsultate Youth Choir; Spirit Led Dancers (357)
6:30 p.m. Wesley Handbell Choir (Annex); Youth Group (Bulla Hub)
Monday, May 4
9:30 a.m. Boylan Brass Rehearsal
9:45 a.m. Fitness Class (357)
10:15 a.m. UMW Circle 2 (Parlor)
5 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 3279
6:30 p.m. New Testament History (163); Fine Arts Series Planning Meeting (251)
7 p.m. Cub Scout Meeting (Bulla Gym)
Tuesday, May 5
9:45 a.m. Zumba (Bulla Gym)
12:15 p.m. Moms in Prayer (Bulla 215)
2 p.m. Boylan Brass Rehearsal
7 p.m. Young Adult Basketball (Bulla); BSA Troop 100 Adult Leader’s Meeting (Bulla 205)
Wednesday, May 6
9:15 a.m. DWELL Bible Study (163)
9:45 a.m. Fitness Class (357)
10:30 a.m.Wed. A.M. Bible Study (321)
12 p.m. Intercessory Prayer (356)
12:30 p.m.Boylan Brass Rehearsal
1 p.m. Children’s Ministry (162)
7 p.m. Boy Scouts (Bulla); Troop 100 Committee
Thursday, May 7
7:30 a.m. Steering Committee (251)
8 a.m. StepUp Ministry (Bulla 217)
9:45 a.m. MOPS (Kerr)
11:30 a.m. National Day of Prayer
6 p.m. The Gathering Rehearsal
7 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday, May 8
7:30 a.m. Lakins Study Group (166)
9 a.m. End Homelessness Executive Committee (165)
9:30 a.m. Boylan Brass Rehearsal
5 p.m. Brass/Doki Wedding Rehearsal (Kerr); Prayer Vigil (Chapel)
6 p.m. Brass/Doki Rehearsal Dinner (251)
Saturday, May 9
11 a.m. Brass/Doki Wedding
Sermon Information:
May 3
TRADITIONAL
SorryNotSorry
Rev. Will Hasley
GATHERING
SorryNotSorry
Rev. Ned Hill
May 10
TRADITIONAL
SorryNotSorry
Rev. Ned Hill
GATHERING
SorryNotSorry
Rev. Lisa Yebuah
Need prayer?
You can submit prayer requests to pray@
esumc.org, or you can fill out the prayer
card in the pews. We are honored to lift
you up before our loving God, and we
keep all requests confidential.
Contacting ESUMC
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Office: (919) 832-7535; Fax (919) 829-5780
Inclement Weather: Main number, option 2
Emergency on-call: (919) 345-8435
Doorstep Ministry: (919) 832-9530 (Mon. 10-12)
Submit newsletter content to:
[email protected] by Wed 12 p.m.
Internet: Sunday, May 3
Sermon recordings at estreet
gathering.org/media
9:30 am Contemporary Service
Television (One week delay): 12:00 pm on
Raleigh CTV Channel 22 or 97.6
Radio (Live): 5/3/15 WPTF 5/10/15 off air
Internet: Live video streaming and sermon
recordings www.esumc.org/worshipservices/online-broadcast.php
10:55 am Traditional Service
More Ways to
Worship
8:40am Traditional Worship
9:30am The Gathering Contemporary
Worship (Kerr)
9:45am Sunday School
10:55am Traditional Worship
11 a.m. Church on Morgan Worship
11:11am The Gathering Contemporary
Worship (Kerr)
Sunday
Mornings
Periodicals
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THE COMMUNICATOR: (USPS: 167-620) is published weekly except the weeks of July
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address changes to The Communicator, Edenton St. United Methodist Church at 228
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