LIMA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER
March 2015
Volume 22 Issue 174
“they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”
Isaiah 40:31
Dear Friends,
Warnings of arctic air, snow, freezing rain and ice usually mean an extra
trip to the grocery store for milk, eggs and bread (snacks too), or to the
home improvement store for salt and maybe another snow shovel. The
warnings also urge us to prioritize what needs to get accomplished before
the inclement weather arrives. This prioritizing often means making an additional effort in getting it all done.
When there’s one wave of inclement weather after another, we sometimes
get into the routine of picking up an extra gallon of milk “just in case”, and
getting another bag of salt “just in case”; and we prioritize our schedule
“just in case”.
Just as warnings of impending snow storms establish us in routines that
keep us safe, and meet our needs “just in case”, so Lent seeks to establish us in certain spiritual routines that aren’t on the shelves of our spiritual
pantry. During Lent, we stock the shelves with an extra measure of prayer,
Bible reading, sacrificial giving, and acts of kindness; and we salt the
paths of our daily routines with them. They become a staple in our spiritual diet, so much so that we find ourselves relying on them for the ups and
downs of everyday life.
The prophet Isaiah called these routines waiting on the Lord, which he
said renewed one’s strength. The routines of Lent do connect us with God
and do renew our strength. They are a necessary staple for living the
Christian life. Let us stock our shelves with them.
Have a blessed Lent!
Pastor Bob
Worship in March
“The Message of the Cross for the 21st Century”.
The cross of Christ is the dominant symbol of the Christian faith, and certainly conveys the central message of Lent. Each Sunday in March we will
explore an aspect of it’s message, especially as it relates to us in the here
and now.
March 1
Communion Sunday
Theme: “Servant of All” (Mark 9:35)
March 8
Theme: “Once for All” (Romans 6:10)
March 15
Theme: “A Ransom for All” (I Timothy 2:6)
March 22
Theme: “Lord of All” (Acts 2:36)
March 29
Palm Sunday
Theme: “Yea though I walk through the valley”
(Psalm 23:4)
HOLY WEEK
Special services are being planned for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Both will be evening services, beginning at 7:30 PM. For Thursday, 13
adults are needed for a “visual” of Leonardo DaVinci’s “Last Supper” painting. There will be some speaking parts. For Friday, 4 or 5 adults/youth are
needed for a unique re-enactment of the “Stations of the Cross”.
Adult Bible Study
“It Is Necessary—When God Says You Must”
A Bible study based on passages in the Gospel of Luke in which we hear
Jesus say “It is necessary” - making a reference to God’s plan.
This study will help us explore what is necessary for us
as followers of Jesus.
Tuesdays 6:30—8:00 PM in the Conference Room
Tools for Ministry
March 7th at West Grove United Methodist Church
8:30 AM —12:20 PM
This is an opportunity for the leadership of a local church to receive training and
collect resources that will equip them for their responsibilities. Sixteen workshops
are being offered. They include:
The Sign Our Front says “Everyone Welcome”. Do You Really Mean It?
Introduction to the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Me? Do Prison Ministry?
Thinking Missionally to Create a Healthy Congregation
How to Start Older Adult Ministries in Your Church
Effective Community Outreach
…...and several others
If you would like to join others in attending this resourceful event, please contact
the church office by Monday, March 2nd. Perhaps we can fill a van!
FAITH SHARING WORKSHOP
The EPA Conference will welcome Thom and Joani Schultz, coauthors of Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore: And How
4 Acts of Love Will Make Your Church Irresistible, as keynote presenters at the 2015 faith sharing and training event.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Training
New Hanover UMC
2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, PA 19525
Cost: $10 per person including all materials & meals.
Please register by calling Lima Church Office
*We will return to the church by 3 PM—
In time to be involved in the Oyster Supper
March 6 7—9 PM
(doors open at 6:30 PM)
Featured band: Ray Seemans and Friends
March's band will be Ray Seemans and Friends. Ray has
been our guest at the Cafe in the past. He brings a wide
variety of genres of music all with an amazing message
and a ton of energy! Ray uses his music as a way to
bring the message of Jesus to everyone. Come
on out and enjoy coffee, popcorn and the ice
cream sundae bar!
Second Sunday 2Gether
March 8th
ALL CHURCH BOWLING EVENT
beginning at 6:30 PM
Please sign up for the event either by using
the bulletin tab or by calling the church office
CONCERT
“Angels of Harmony”
Sunday, March 15
4:00 PM
This ensemble is a Gospel choir committed to ministry and diversity.
The repertoire includes the richness of
African-American heritage coupled with
contemporary Black Gospel music.
Reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
March Women’s Circles
The ESTHER Circle:
Tues., March 10
@ 10AM at Granite Farms
The RUTH Circle:
Thurs., Feb. 19
@ 7:30 (CR)
All ladies are always invited to
attend any circle!
UMM Supper - Saturday, March 21
Oysters, Fried Chicken Strips or Ham!
4PM, 5PM, 6PM or Take Out
Oyster Supper
$17.00 pp
Fried Chicken Strips $15.00 pp
Ham
$13.00 pp
4PM Early Bird Price:
Take $2 off each above priced platters
Reservations: 610-566-7109
[email protected]
HELPERS ARE GREATLY NEEDED!
Please see sign up sheet in hallway
for different jobs that need volunteers!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
SAVE THE DATES: JUNE 22-26 (9-11:30 AM)
THEME: “Dive into VBS under the Sea”
Please mark your calendars and pray about being a volunteer
EASTER FLOWERS – Order forms in narthex! Deadline: March 29
You have the opportunity to purchase beautiful spring flowers to be used to decorate our church for Easter Sunday, April 5 and/or to give to one of our very appreciative homebounds. All flowers will come with foil and a bow.
Each 6” pot has 5 – 6 blooms. The Easter lilies are approximately 2 ft
high. The tulips are assorted colors and the daffodils are yellow. See
order forms in narthex for more info and ordering.
2015
Lima UMC Directory
Please pick up your copy from
bench outside of the church
office. For corrections, please
email [email protected]
News from
Feeding the Homeless Team…
4th Annual
Top Shelter Chef Contest
The Community Action Agency of
Delaware County, Inc. invites you to
join us for a special night to support
the homeless of Delaware County
while enjoying a unique dinner. This
one-of-a-kind event will raise funds
to support CAADS’s shelters.
Volunteer groups-including Lima!will provide samples and vie to be the
Top Shelter Chef.
www.lima-umc.org
Have you seen the new website?
There’s a lot to see and explore!
Pictures, announcements of
upcoming events, blogs from the pastor
and lay leader, an opportunity to make
a prayer requests….and more.
It’s colorful, friendly, informative
Many thanks to the Lima website team:
Nancey Sheppard
Trevor Salla
Sabrina Daluisio
We are very excited to note the many who
are accessing our website to find out more
about Lima UMC. It will be a tremendous
witness to the community of our desire to be
a Christ centered church—a faith building
church and a mission minded congregation!
The attendees will vote and decide
the winner.
When: Saturday, April 25 at 6PM
Where: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 229 Powell Lane, Upper
Darby PA
Tickets: $25 per ticket
Go to www.caadc.org and click on
tickets.
Happy 100th Birthday on
March 11 to Doris German!
Let’s SHOWER her with Birthday Cards!
Doris German
411 N. Middletown Rd, WBC 29
Media, PA 19063
Lima United Methodist Church
Calendar of Events for March 2015
WORSHIP SERVICES: 8:30, 9:45, 11AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM Riddle Village - 7PM
PALM
SUNDAY
March 29
SPECIAL EVENTS:
March 6
March 8
March 15
March 21
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
4:00 PM
4PM - 6PM
First Friday Café “Ray Seemans & Friends”
Second Sunday 2gether: BOWLING
CONCERT: Angels of Harmony
UMM Supper & Grandma’s Attic
March 2
March 9
March 25
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
Finance (CR)
Church Council (CR)
Trustees (CR)
ACTIVITY GROUPS:
Thursdays
March 14
9:30 AM
1:30 PM
Quilting
Knit/Crochet
MEETINGS:
COMMUNITY GROUPS:
Sundays
2:30 PM/7PM
Mondays
6:30 PM/8PM
Tuesdays
12:00 PM
Wednesdays
6:00 PM
Thursday (3/19) 7:00 PM
Debtor’s Anonymous (RC)/AlAnon(RC)
Zumba (FH)/ AA (WH)
AlAnon (Library); AA (Wesley Hall)
Bible Study -11/4 & 18(FH)
Narcotics Anonymous (Conference Room)
Family to Family (Library)
A Christ-centered Church growing
together in faith and caring for others in love.
Lima United Methodist Church
209 N. Middletown Road
P. O. Box 158
Lima, PA 19037
610-566-7109 www.lima-umc.org
DATED MATERIAL
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Media, PA
Permit No. 239