1. family and parenting
2. children

The Lamplighter October 2014
Message from Pastor John ~
Kingdom Focus:
26
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night
and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it
happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the
heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the
farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
Mark 4:26-29 New Living Translation (NLT)
Farming requires a balance of hard work and the even-more-difficult practice of waiting and trusting in
things outside human control. Long days of preparing the fields and planting and tending the crops go
hand-in-hand with long nights of waiting and praying for just the right combination of rain and
sunshine. There is much work to do, but so much that God has already done!
We have been looking at the Parables of Jesus in this season, discovering how the seemingly small and
insignificant signs of God’s presence among us impact our world. Through all these stories, Jesus has in
mind one single focus – the kingdom of God. In our nation of fiercely independent souls, it may be
difficult to relate to the notion of a kingdom. Simply put, a kingdom is a matter of influence: the will of
one king or queen being exerted over subjects (people) and their territory (land). Jesus compares the
influence of God in God’s kingdom to the automatic growth that takes place in nature. Nature governs
the growth of each seed that is sown, so that they sprout and grow whether the farmer sleeps or works,
worries or peacefully waits. And so, in God’s kingdom, God’s will is being accomplished all around us
and within us, above and below us, whether we are aware of God’s influence or not.
God’s kingdom is the place where God’s will unfolds, whether or not we recognize what is happening. In
God’s kingdom, we as God’s people have a role to play in the sowing and the harvest, but there is much
that is beyond our control. What this means for us is that we need to focus on our part in God’s
kingdom, but also carry with us a degree of humility about our limitations. We need to focus on what
God is calling us to do as subjects of God’s kingdom, but also confess that there is so much more beyond
us that only God can accomplish. To paraphrase Paul’s words to the Corinthian church, we can plant
and we can water but God causes the growth!
I invite you as workers in God’s kingdom to do your best to carry out the work God has set before us,
working in the strength God provides to us. But also take some time to pause and consider the wonder
of God at work in spite of our efforts – the gracious growth that takes place because God is Sovereign!
We give thanks for the wonderful foundation that has been built up over the years by those who have
gone before us. We give thanks for our new space, and the fact that a $2 million dollar building project
carries the debt of a single-family home. We give thanks for the promise of even better things to come
because God is not finished with us yet!
Church Family & Friends,
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
was written by Alford Henry in 1844.
Written for harvest festivals in
England, the words to this hymn use
ideas found in two parables: the
growing seed (Mark 4:26-29), and
the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30,
36-43). The text combines language and
metaphors that represent annual harvests.
Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God's own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.
The initial harvest theme becomes an image for
the final judgment when the angels will gather
God's chosen people into the "glorious harvest
home." Give thanks for your daily bread, grow
in the Word, and know that in the end of time
there is life everlasting.
Peace and Blessings,
The Churchmouse
WORSHIP PLANS for OCTOBER
Sparks, Seeds and Raindrops: Making a Big
Difference with Small Beginnings
October 5 – Nets & Fishes
Worship & Communion
World Communion Day special offering
Matthew 13:47-52
October 12 – Wandering Sheep
Children’s Sabbath
Matthew 18:10-14
October 19 – Workers in Vineyard
Laity Sunday
Matthew 20:1-16
October 26 – Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32
Roast Beef Supper Volunteer
Opportunities
Volunteers are needed!
See Sharon Cowart or Shirley Tucker to sign up
for a shift or for additional information.
Friday, October 3rd
1:00 PM Peeling Potatoes
1:00 PM Making Cole Slaw
Saturday, October 4th
9:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM
7:00 PM
Slicing Beef
Prepare for Supper
Waitress Shift #1
Supper Begins
Waitress Shift #2
Clean-Up
OR
Make donations for the Bake Table.
PRESCHOOL
It’s hard to believe that a month
of the new school year has
already flown by. We currently
have 84 students enrolled, which
is right in-line with the several previous years’
enrollment. The staff and children are getting
used to one another and settling in for a new
year together. Parents, children, and especially
our staff have been handling the nuances of
adjusting to our new space well.
In addition to our regular class time, the 3- and
4-year-old children have the opportunity to
participate in Lunch Bunch. On Tuesdays and
Thursdays for 1-2 hours, this supplementary
time allows students to share a meal with their
peers and participate in unstructured play while
working on the social and emotional skills that
are core to a child’s healthy development. It’s
also a chance for their parents to get more done,
devote solo time to a sibling, or just relax. We
began the program in mid-September with 46
children. The program becomes even more
popular after it begins.
October means fire fighters and fall, pictures and
pumpkins at the preschool. To learn about fire
safety, the younger children will have visits from
the Liberty Road Volunteer Fire Department
while the 4’s will visit the Gamber Fire Station on
October 6. Our 3-year-olds will venture out to
the ‘pumpkin patch’, and both the 2’s and 3’s will
enjoy a hayride pulled by Mr. Klingelhofer’s
tractor. The John Deere tractor is often as
popular as the pumpkins! The 4’s will be
attending a field trip to the Irvine Nature Center
in Owings Mills to coincide with their unit on fall,
focusing on the changing seasons and how
nature and animals prepare for cold weather.
School pictures will be taken this month for all
children and all classes will celebrate costume
parades at the end of the month.
Please take a minute to look for the flyer in this
newsletter to learn more about our parenting
workshop. Church member Melinda Roberts
attended in the past and thought it would make a
great outreach event. As part of his Celebrate
Calm program, Kirk Martin will be bringing
practical strategies for families that are hungry
for real-world solutions that really work with
their strong-willed, not so easy to raise kids. The
workshops will be held Thursday, October 23 at
7-9 p.m. and Friday, October 24 at 9:30. Both
workshops cover the same hands-on, problemsolving material. If you are interested in
attending, please fill out the tear-off portion of
the flyer and drop it in the preschool mailbox or
the collection plate on Sunday.
Fondly,
Ms. Bridget
SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
The Sunday School Attendance awards for the
2013-14 Sunday School year were recently
announced.
Perfect Attendance
Ed Rushing – 4 years!!
Missed One Sunday
Karen Jaeger
Peyton Jaeger
Wendy Miller
Sharon Cowart
Kim Winand
John Nupp
Shirley Tucker
Missed Two Sundays
Noelle Thresher
Ben Thresher
Ryder Jaeger
Pam Horn
Julie Weller
Ron Weller
Justin Rushing
Pauline Reisberg
Wayne Reisberg
Missed Three Sundays
Logan Jaeger
Eric Weller
Cindy Reisberg
Congratulations to the many students and
teachers with outstanding attendance.
FALL FUN FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 26th
2pm to 4 pm!
Games
Food
Crafts
Hayrides
Costume Judging
NURTURE NEWS
Sunday School Picnic
The weather couldn't have
been better for our annual
picnic! We had a great turn out
and everyone enjoyed the
covered dish luncheon. Thank you to all who
helped with the preparation, food, and clean up.
We especially want to thank our dedicated
Sunday School teachers who have made their
rooms ready for another year of learning about
Jesus. Come and join them. There are classes for
all ages!
Meals for Shut-ins
We would like to coordinate meals for our shutins. Interested in helping prepare a meal or
delivering a meal, please contact Carol Parker.
Don’t be left out!
A canned food donation will secure a seat
on the hay ride, or you may purchase a
ride for just $1.
Intergenerational Activities
We are planning monthly intergenerational
activities. Our Sunday School is already planning
the activity for October, the Halloween Party. We
would like some suggestions for the rest of the
year. Let us know your ideas and share your
suggestions.
Next Nurture meeting will be Tuesday,
November 11 at 7 pm.
We will have costume judging
#Games#Food#Hayrides#Costumejudging
and games for all ages!
#Crafts#don'tbeleftout!
Please refrain from wearing very scary or
costumes
as somewill
of our
younger
Agory
canned
food donation
secure
a seat
children
frightened.
on a hay
ride. Ormay
yoube
may
purchase a ride
Nurture Committee Members: Barb Charnock,
Julia Morse, John Nupp, Jeannine Hale, Bridget
Wetzel, Donna Gregory, Carol Parker
As always this just wouldn't be a church
affair without food! We will be serving
some healthy and some not so healthy food
on our menu!
Collections will soon resume for
the Soldiers Fund. We are
currently looking for a serviceman
or woman stationed overseas to be
the next recipient of a care package.
If you know someone, please contact Mary Libby
Green or the church office with a name and
address as well as any likes, dislikes or special
requests for the care package contents. Thank
you!
If you are a youth currently in the 6th grade
or up you may come and help with the
festivities and earn volunteer hours. Please
contact the church office at 410-922-6556
and leave your contact number so Beth
Houck can call you back.
SOLDIERS FUND
MISSIONS
JOIN US FOR BIBLE STUDY
Baltimore County Christian Work Camp
There is always a kick-off dinner the Sunday that
starts work camp. This year, Ward’s Chapel
provided the desserts. I want to thank the ladies
that did the baking. I don’t have all your names
but you know who you are. Everyone enjoyed
the variety of tasty desserts.
Our weekly Bible Study meets on Wednesday
afternoons at 1:30 p.m. the location is noted on
the class schedule below.
Fair Trade Ministry
Have you missed the cocoa, coffee,
candy, etc.? Well, start thinking about
your holiday baking needs and
potential gifts. We will be taking orders
in October.
October 8 – Narthex
Matthew 18:10-14
Wandering Sheep
MISSION AUCTION WILL RETURN IN MARCH!!
The planned date is March 7 but we still need
confirmation from our auctioneer. Although we
certainly appreciate your contributions, please
do not bring them to the church until after
Sunday, January 4, 2015. If you have a special
situation, please the church office at 410-9226556. If anyone is interested in helping out with
the auction, please contact me.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
– Boxes due by November 16
Each year, we join with the
Sunday School to fill shoe boxes
with small gifts and personal
items to be sent to children all
over the world. Each box requires a donation of
$7 to cover shipping expenses. If you pay online,
you will get bar-coded labels to use so you will
know in what country your boxes land. There
will be more information in the bulletin next
month but you can start watching for bargains.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday,
October 1 at 7 pm in the adult Sunday school
room just off the narthex. Anyone interested in
missions is welcome to attend.
Susan Farnum
October 1 – Fellowship Hall
Matthew 13:47-52
Nets & Fishes
October 15 – Fellowship Hall
Matthew 20:1-16
Workers in Vineyard
October 22 – Fellowship Hall
Matthew 21:28-32
Two Sons
November 5 – Fellowship Hall
Matthew 25:1-13
Ten Bridesmaids
November 12 – Narthex
Matthew 25:14-30
Talents
November 19 – Fellowship Hall
Matthew 25:31-46
Sheep & Goats
- to Dave Hutchins for helping lead worship at
our outdoor service on September 7th.
SIT AND SEW
Sit and Sew has returned. We will be
meeting on Mondays at 6:15 p.m. Bring
your sewing or craft project and join us
in the Fellowship Hall.
OCTOBER GREETERS & USHERS
8:30 a.m.
Greeters:
Ushers:
Norma Hong
Dale Smith
Cindy Reisberg
Billy Allen
11:00 a.m.
Greeters:
Ushers:
Joan Horn
Bill Showman
Sue Swensen
Joan Horn
Dave Horn
Daniel Dell
OFFICE HOURS
The office is open weekdays from
10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Please check the weekly announcements for
closures.
WARD’S CHAPEL
WEDNESDAY
At the
TEXAS ROADHOUSE
in Westminster
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
4 pm to Close
You can help support Ward’s Chapel
and the easiest part is
all you have to do is have dinner.
Bring this flyer with you to
Texas Roadhouse and they will donate
10 % of the cost of your dinner
(excluding tip or alcohol) to Ward’s Chapel.
GREETERS & USHERS 2015
We are looking for friendly folk who would like
to serve at Greeters and Ushers for 2015. Don’t
worry if you missed our Worship Servant
meeting, it is not too late to sign up. If you are a
returning Greeter or Usher contact the office to
make sure you stay on the schedule.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
We will begin a new training class
on Sunday, October 5, with two new
trainees. It is not too late to join us
if you are so led.
We have gotten positive feedback from people
who have received the four Stephen Ministry
grief books. These books are given out over the
period of a year following the loss of a loved one.
We continue to pray for them as they continue to
work through their grief in the coming months
and years.
STAR FELLOWSHIP
The Star Fellowship's ongoing
fundraiser, RADA knives make good,
useful gifts. You can check out our display in the
social hall or order gift sets from the
catalog. We also sell Happy Home Flavoring and
The Original Vanilla, Butter, and Nut Flavoring
from the Superior Company. See Cindy Reisberg
if you are interested.
Join us at our next dinner/meeting on Tuesday,
October 28 at 6:15 pm at Beck's in Sykesville.
Ward’s Chapel MYF
21st Annual Cookie Sale
Sugar Cookies - $14 per pound
Order deadline November 9th - NO EXCEPTIONS
Quantities are limited. Please order early to insure availability.
Please limit your order to the amount of your last order or less.
Cookies baked November 28th & 29th.
Pick-up is Sunday, November 30th.
Proceeds will be used for youth activities throughout the year.
See any UMYF member or
detach the slip and place it in the collection plate along with your payment.
Name:____________________________________________
Phone:________________________
Sugar Cookies _____________ Pounds at $14 per pound
Total Enclosed $ ____________
Office Use Only: Check #: __________ Date:________________
STAR FELLOWSHIP
FUNDRAISERS
R100
R101
R103
R104
R105
R107
R108
R109
R110
R111
R112
R114
R116
R117
R118
R119
R120
R121
R122
R123
R125
R126
R128
R130
R131
R132
R136
R137
R138
R139
R140
Granny Paring
Paring Knife – Regular
Paring Knife - Heavy Duty
Steak Knife (Plain) Utility
Steak Knife – Serrated
Slicer
Carver/Boner
Butcher Knife-Old Fashioned
Carving Fork
Ham Slicer
Bread Knife 10”
Spatula
Serverspoon
Handi-Stir
Bagel Knife
Knife Sharpener
Pie Server
Pizza Cutter
Granny Fork
Cook’s Spoon, plain
Cook’s Spoon, holed
Tomato Slicer
Turnover
Grapefruit
French Chef
Vegetable Peeler
Bread Slicer 6”
Ice Cream Scoop
Serrated Slicer
Cheese Knife
Cooks Utility
5.20
5.20
5.40
5.80
5.90
8.50
8.00
12.90
7.50
10.80
10.80
7.80
5.80
5.80
7.20
7.00
7.90
12.60
6.00
10.60
10.60
6.10
9.40
5.90
16.00
7.30
8.80
14.00
8.70
8.70
6.60
HAPPY HOME FLAVORING
Flavors available: $3 each
Almond
Black Walnut
Coconut
Lemon
Rum
Vanilla – Clear and Dark
Southern Flavoring Company
The “Original” Butternut
$4.50
Special Orders Available
Contact [email protected]
Revised 7-2014
Free Parenting
workshop
Join us for a “practical, life-changing and laugh-out-loud funny” parenting workshop. On
Thursday, October 23 @ 7:00 p.m. and Friday, October 24 @ 9:30 a.m. nationally acclaimed
life coach Kirk Martin will present his Celebrate Calm workshop.
In two short hours Kirk will demonstrate ten ways to get your kids to listen, stop defiance and
disrespect, end whining, fights and tantrums and create stress-free mornings, homework and
bedtime routines.
Designed for those with children aged 2-22, this workshop is sponsored by Ward’s Chapel
Preschool but is completely free for you! Both sessions cover the same content and designed
so that both parents, or caregivers and grandparents can attend.
You can see videos and get more information on the internet at www.celebratecalm.com.
Please let us know which session you and your spouse will be attending, whether it’s together
or one at each session.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name ______________________________________________
Email ______________________________________________
We’ll email you a reminder.
I will be attending the workshop on:
 Thursday, October 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
 Friday, October 24 @ 9:30 a.m.
My spouse will be attending on:
 Thursday, October 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
 Friday, October 24 @ 9:30 a.m.
I will be bringing _____ additional attendees on:
 Thursday, October 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
 Friday, October 24 @ 9:30 a.m.
“Kirk Martin is the
most prolific national
parenting speaker.
His gut-wrenching
honesty and humor
inspire change.”
~ Parenting Magazine
Ward’s Chapel United Methodist Church
11023 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133
Saturday, October 4, 2014
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Ward’s Chapel United Methodist Church
11023 Liberty Road
Randallstown, Maryland
For information call 410-922-6556
Country Store
Bake Table