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1955 East Arizona Ave. Denver, CO 80210 303-777-3043
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Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
- Teresa of Avila (attributed)
This month, we will be considering as a community of faith what it means to be the Body of Christ. As we have just celebrated Christ rising from the grave, and consider that his physical body is no more, we realize that we gather together not just to meet our own needs, but to be Christ's hands and feet in this time and place.
Join us April 3rd-May 1st as we use the resources of our own bodies to look compassion, to do good, and to bless the world in the name and spirit of Christ. Make sure to see the worship line-up and mission article to find out how you can lend a hand!
Peace,
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April Worship
This sermon series will have a special emphasis on reaching out. See the Missions article for more information.
April 3 - COMMUNION SUNDAY and Rev. Jerry Herships of After Hours Denver
* Make a pb&j sandwich for the hungry (9:10-9:30 am)
April 10 - We are the Body of Christ: Offer Hands, Romans 12: 4-5
* Bring non-perishable foods for East Denver Fish
April 17 - We are the Body of Christ: Look Compassion, 1 Corithians 12: 12-20
* Bring items for Bags of Hope
April 24 - We are the Body of Christ: Do Good, Ephesians 4: 1-6, 14-16
* Earth Day Sunday-take a garbage bag and pick up trash around your neighborhood
May 1 - We are the Body of Christ: Clothe Yourselves, Colossians 2: 12-15
* Bring socks for the Sandwiches and Socks ministry
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Connect with WPUMC
Connect with us on social media to keep up with church and preschool events, activities, and breaking news--or to enjoy an inspirational moment we want to share with you. Follow us by selecting the links below.
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Preschool
Happy Spring! We hope everyone had a great Spring Break and a very Happy Easter. In the month of March the preschool was very busy. On top of learning all about art, St. Patrick's Day and Easter, we had many exciting events including our annual Father/Child Breakfast, an Art Show and a Book Fair. Thank you to everyone who supported the preschool and purchased books from the book fair; we reached our goal and will be getting over $2,500 in books for the preschool classrooms and curriculum library. In April, the kids are looking forward to learning about the five senses, the zoo, and the ocean.
No School April 11 and 12: There will be no school on Monday April 11 and Tuesday April 12 for spring conferences.
Fall 2016-2017 School Year: Registration for next school year has been very successful and we are almost full in all of our classrooms. We do have space available in our Pre-K and Junior Kindergarten classes. If you would like more information on how to register your child please let us know.
Summer 2016: Are you looking for a fun option for you kids this summer? Check out WPUMC Preschool's summer camp. Camp runs from June 13 through August 19 with a fun new theme each week, we are accepting applications now. Please note limited space is available so submit your application before it's too late.
Wee Worship: We are so blessed to have Rev. Sandi lead Wee Worship with our kids twice a month. This month Wee Worship will be on April 20 and 21.
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Park Youth
Blessing and Friendship to you all!
The youth are getting very excited about our summer mission trip to North Carolina. The camp we will be attending is
Carolina Cross Connection. CCC is a home repair mission in which campers have the unique opportunity to meet families in need and help to make their homes and lives better. It is a mission of spiritual renewal, service to others, and growing in community, a place of experiencing the presence of God, and knowing God more intimately.
Our week at Carolina Cross Connection will include laughter, meeting new people, exercising your home repair skills, worship, and experiences you will never forget. We will be impacting people's lives for the Gospel and learning along the
way!
We hope to share in our experience and our journey with our church community by partnering with everyone in prayer, love and financial support. We are working to raise as much money as we can to make the cost of the trip as reasonable as possible for our youth families. If we come together as a community of believers to surround and support the youth, we can all contribute in making this journey of great worth not just for our youth and their families, but also for our entire church family, extending our missional reach to other parts of our country.
Much love to our church family,
WPUMC Park Youth
Club 456
We are starting a new ministry program called CLUB 456 that is specifically for our 4th 5th and 6th graders. We will have a Club 456 meeting once a month on the third Sunday of every month. The purpose of our Club 456 is to allow for our younger youth to gather together in fellowship and have fun. Our hope is that Club 456 will help our younger youth engage with church in their own ways and build relationships that will last. Like I said before, Club 456 is just for youth in grades 4 5 and 6 and will help them prepare for faith formation before their 7th grade year where the youth will then spend a year in confirmation.
*Our next CLUB 456 meeting will be April 17 from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. We will be walking to Wash Park to play field games if the weather is nice. All students in grades 4th-6th are welcome. Parents please feel free to join us, to fellowship together and to have fun alongside your children.
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Dear WPUMC Family
I'm Kori Banbury, a sophomore at Valor Christian High School and a member of the Wash Park UMC community of faith.
I am blessed with an incredible opportunity to travel to Kenya this summer with a team of Valor students and faculty. Valor Discovery experiences help students understand God's heart and how to compassionately serve the poor, disadvantaged and helpless in the name of Jesus Christ. Last summer, I had a spiritually and emotionally transformative experience in Uganda with Valor Discovery.
The Kenya experience will provide my group with a unique opportunity to learn some Swahili, encounter Masai warriors, serve the least of these in Oldonyondoki, build a house, love and elevate HIV/Aids-positive widows, and take an African safari. Valor Discovery will partner with H.E.A.R.T Ministries to bring healing and bless the widows, orphans, and others impacted by poverty and HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
I hope that you would partner with me through your prayers for effectiveness, protection and transformation in our lives. If you feel led, I also need financial support. We are working to raise $4,400 each to cover the expense of the airfare, food, lodging, and to give to local needs where we will serve. I've raised half of the funds through generous donations - Thank you sponsors! - and I have a deadline to submit the balance of the funds in early April.
In an effort to raise the rest of the money for Kenya, I would love to babysit or dog walk. I am available after school and on weekends; and I am willing to work over the summer as well with a prepaid donation towards my trip. I am an experienced babysitter and pet caregiver. Tax-deductible donations should be made payable to Valor Christian High School or submitted online at GoValor.com using the Discovery button (under the Kenya Team you can select my name). This is a great opportunity and I hope you will consider partnering with me through prayers, donations, and/or using my services. You can reach me at [email protected] or via my family's information in the church directory. I'd love to speak with you about this opportunity!
Thank you so much!
Kori Banbury
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Congregational News
Ilene Benedict (93) is home with hospice care. She is in great spirits and doing well.
Catherine and Blake Garrett
welcomed their third little girl. Eliza Catherine Garrett was born on March 17th at 4:47pm. She weighed 6 lbs, 8 oz, and is 19" long. Her older sisters, MaeMargaret and Carlisle are doing well. MaeMargaret "is the best big sister and is thrilled to have a real live baby doll to love on. Carlisle is still not sure what's going on but loved all the free ice cream in the hospital". Congratulations Garrett family!
If you have any news you would like to share with the congregation, please email
[email protected].
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Education: A People Called Methodist
Tyler Joyner will lead a new class titled "A People Called Methodist".
Come learn what it means to be a Methodist and the beliefs that set us apart. We will discuss and unpack the unique beliefs of our church tradition including: Christian perfection, assurance of salvation, the priesthood of all believers, the primacy of scripture, and works of piety. We will look more deeply into the Methodist tradition's of social holiness, missionary zeal, charity and service to the poor.
This will be a 4-week study on Thursdays below:
- April 7
- April 14
- April 21
- April 28
There will be a class offered at 9:30am and at 5:00pm in the evening. No books are required. Please sign up by emailing Tyler Joyner at
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From the Music Director
As I write this note, I'm sitting at home for a second straight snow day, after days of 70 degree weather. I give thanks that I live in a place that has so many seasons, even if I don't need them all!
I want to offer huge congratulations and thanks to the children who sang during our Palm Sunday service. While the service as a whole was a beautiful liturgy, having so many children sing so heartily was clearly a high point. Thanks to the kids, and to their parents who made it possible for them to rehearse after church for the weeks before. We're going to do something similar sooner than later, so be on the lookout for more information.
As we wrap up another Lenten season, I want to thank everyone who attended the weekly Taizé services. They were, once again, a meaningful experience and a spiritual anchor for me through the season. I'm already looking forward to them next year!
Peace everyone, and I'll leave you with this reminder about singing, from John Wesley:
Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead,
or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength.
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Guatemala Mission Trip
WPUMC is embarking on our third trip to Guatemala through the Pura Vida organization (
www.puravida.org). In the past, WPUMC has had the opportunity to help build classrooms in the rural region of Lemoa, Guatemala.
This year's trip is scheduled for 10 days (May 14 - 23, 2016) and will include 10 - 14 members from the congregation. There is still time to volunteer.
In preparation of the trip, we are collecting the following donation items:
- Shoes - new or lightly used with a specific need for women and children.
- Toothbrushes
- School supplies (pencils, notebooks, etc.)
There is a bin located in the Narthex for you to drop off your donations at any time.
If you would like additional information about this trip, please contact Jon Schmidt at 303.519.2732 or at
[email protected].
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Missions
April Sermon Series
Rev. Sandi will be delivering a sermon series on 'We are the Body of Christ'. To help campaign the experience in these series, we will support one of our on-going missions each Sunday. Below is the schedule:
- Sunday, April 3 - Sandwiches and Socks: During communion, members will be asked to provide a sandwich as a part of the offering. A table will be set up prior to the service that morning to make a sandwich for your family to donate - the Mission Committee will provide the bread, peanut butter, jelly and sandwich bag.
- Sunday, April 10 - Food Bank: Families are asked to donate non-perishable items for the FISH of East Denver. This group is an emergency food bank that delivers 3 days a week to those who are unable to get to a regular food bank.
- Sunday, April 17 - Bags of Hope: Families are asked to donate the following supplies to be assembled and given to the homeless: peanut butter, jelly, soft granola bars, individual bags of chips, sandwich bags, brown lunch bags, apple sauce, small bottles of water.
- Sunday, April 24 - Earth Day: We will distribute garbage bags to the congregation and encourage members to fill their bags with trash around your neighborhood. In addition, a group will meet at Wash Park after church to collect trash around the park.
- Sunday, May 1 - Sandwiches and Socks: We will end the series with a collection of socks. The socks will be donated during periodic Sandwiches and Socks in the park.
We look forward to the congregation participating in each of these events. It is easy for all ages!
Habitat for Humanity
Watch for upcoming news. We will be having several events throughout the summer and early fall to support Loaves and Fishes and the home build for WPUMC.
Ronald McDonald House
SAVE THE DATE: The Mission Committee will host quarterly meal service at the Ronald McDonald house. Our first date is Saturday, June 11, 2016. We will be at the house at 1300 E 21st Ave, Denver, 80205. We are looking for 5-7 volunteers to shop, prepare the meal, serve the residents and then clean-up. Watch the weekly newsletter for more details.
All Church Mission Day
SAVE THE DATE: The Mission and Trustee Committees will be hosting an in-house mission day on Saturday, June 4, 2016. There will be activities to assemble packages for on-going missions and help with the beautification of our church property. We expect this event to be 4-5 hours long. We will provide a sack breakfast and conclude the event with a potluck lunch. Watch the weekly newsletter for more details.
Ongoing Missions - Sandwiches and Socks
Each week, you can help by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after worship service in the tea kitchen. The sandwiches will then be distributed to the homeless in Civic Center Park.
The Sandwiches and Socks Mission is part of a bigger mission in our Denver Area. We collaborate with multiple churches and organizations to feed the homeless in Civic Park EVERY SINGLE DAY at noon. Many rely on these lunches to keep them from starvation and the ability to save on the expense of close to $70 a week.
Also, as a church, we make full lunches and distributed them on the fourth Saturday each month. The next event is Saturday, April 23.
This mission is easy, family friendly and an integral part of life for almost 600 people a week! Next date is January 30th from 10:45 am - 12:30 pm.
You can sign up on the Missions bulletin board or online at
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New Look for the Link
Now that the church has a new logo, we're updating our weekly and monthly newsletters accordingly and ensuring that they can be easily read on all devices--tablets, laptops, and smartphones. In addition, we're going to highlight the current liturgical colors in this monthly newsletter. This month, you see white and gold to reflect the Easter season. We welcome your feedback on church communications, including the website, newsletters, social media, etc. Send us your thoughts
[email protected].
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April Calendar
April 10 - Seekers and Joiners. A time to learn about WPUMC and the larger United Methodist Church. Appropriate for those wishing to join WPUMC and those just wanting to know more. Meet in the Library after the service.
Contact: Rev. Sandi Dillon
April 11 - Preschool Spring Conferences. No Kids
April 12 - Preschool Spring Conferences. No Kids
April 16 - Mark Robinson Memorial Service 10am at WPUMC
April 17 - Club 456
April 19 - Administrative Council 5:30
April 23 - Sandwiches and Socks
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Birthdays
1-Apr Ben Jankowski
2-Apr Chris Sublette
2-Apr Koren Banbury
4-Apr Lynne Kinghorn-Agnoletti
4-Apr Jeni MacNaughton
4-Apr Whitney Schaub
4-Apr Lauren Burger
6-Apr Ryan Hoskins
7-Apr Thomas Mann
7-Apr Meghan Schock
8-Apr Christine Mikesell
9-Apr Eleanor McGowan
9-Apr Ryan Schmidt
9-Apr Grace Sublette
10-Apr Sydney Burckhardt
11-Apr Lana Banbury
13-Apr Luke Warren
14-Apr Zachary Casey
15-Apr Ana-Merrey Strickland
15-Apr Megan Palizzi
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16-Apr Craig Rogers
16-Apr Zachary Strickland
17-Apr James Hunter
18-Apr Brian Schaub
18-Apr Emily Skotak
20-Apr Monica Smith-Acuna
20-Apr Misty Meade
22-Apr Rebecca Burckhardt
24-Apr Dan O'Meara
24-Apr Sandi Dillon
26-Apr Liam Poirier
27-Apr Jonathan Howe
27-Apr Emelia Winkler
28-Apr Scott Stang
29-Apr Charles D. Dana
29-Apr Rowan Ortgessen
30-Apr Brett Casey
30-Apr Ethan Scheffler
30-Apr Winnie Quick
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Washington Park United Methodist Church
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