logo
Highlights This Week

Music This Sunday

Hymns:
#173
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
#706 Soon and Very Soon
#717 Battle Hymn of the Republic

Sanctuary Choir:

Battle Hymn of the Republic
arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

Youth Choir:

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
Rachel Aarons

Organ:

Bye and Bye
arr. William Farley Smith

III. Air
from Suite for Organ
Florence Price 

5. Agonies and Ecstasies
from Invention for Organ
Dan Locklair



Quick Links



Find us on Facebook 

 

 

 Visit our website to sign up for Weekly News!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 11, 2018

Rev. Adam B. Snell, preaching
Mark 9:2-9

2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them,  3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.  4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  5Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.  7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"  8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead .
Questions to Ponder
Before we descend into the Lenten valley of reflection, we stand at the mountaintop with Jesus in this week's Transfiguration passage from Mark

Ponder these questions:
 
Jesus takes a few close friends with him as he goes up the high mountain. When you need to get away from the cares of the world for a moment, where do you go? 

Who would you want to go with you when you go to this place? 

Moses is the great law-giver, Elijah is the great prophet. After the cloud lifts, only Jesus is left. How does this shape the laws you follow and the prophetic voices you hear?

 

Dear friends:
 
It's a chance for glory.
 
The other night I watched Chariots of Fire, an old favorite of mine. This award-winning classic was based on events in the lives of several athletes competing in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. I never tire of the music and the scenery and the acting in this movie. Watching it also helped me get into that spirit of athletic competition for the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea, which begin tomorrow.
 
The races and the Olympic medals won and lost, however, make up a relatively small part of the drama in the movie. For most of the movie the characters train. They are shown running, all the time and everywhere. They run on tracks, they run along roads, they run across beaches, they run over mountains. These athletes run for years training for events that will be over in as little as 10 seconds. That moment of glory looks easy, but behind every mountaintop experience are countless hours of effort spent learning how to climb mountains.
 
Lent is almost upon us, friends. It begins next week on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Our Youth Pastor, Micah Smartt, will lead us in worship that night at 7:30 p.m., and we'll all be invited to take upon ourselves the discipline of the Lenten Journey. This last Sunday before Lent, Transfiguration Sunday, is our opportunity to imagine the momentous glory of Easter that awaits at the end of these 40 days of disciplined prayer and fasting. The Sanctuary Choir will also be singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic as their anthem at the 10:30 service this week; this is always a stirring favorite, so don't miss this.
 
It's also Scout Sunday at St. Paul's, an annual opportunity to give thanks for the ministry of scouting and the growth in wisdom and virtue this program inspires in young people. All current Scouts, boys and girls, are invited to worship with us in uniform. During worship we will celebrate the achievements of three Cub Scouts who recently completed the requirements for the God & Family award. Connor Buss, Jonah Chen, and John Stephens will all be recognized at the 10:30 service for their accomplishments and be given the appropriate emblem to wear with pride on their uniforms.
 
See you Sunday, friends. Let the games, and the preparation for Easter's glory, begin.
 
Peace,
A.B. Snell
Upcoming Events


Sunday
2/11/2018
9:00 am

Nursery - 202
9:00 am

Worship with Communion - Sanctuary
9:30 am
Adult Sunday School - Parlor
10:30 am
Worship - Sanctuary
Scout Sunday. All scouts are invited to attend in uniform. Youth Choir is singing in worship.
10:30 am
Opening Chapel & Children's Sunday School (age 2 - grade 5) - DuVall Chapel, classrooms
Children begin with a worship moment in the Chapel then transition to their Sunday School classrooms with their teachers.
10:30 am
Nursery - 202
11:30 am
UMW Book Club - 109
11:30 am

Family Valentine's for 2x4s, SPYs, and families - MPR
4:30 pm
Confirmation Class - Youth Lounge
6:30 pm
Senior High SPY - Youth Lounge, MPR
Monday

2/12/2018
1:00 pm
Staff Meeting - Parlor
7:00 pm
Yarn Ministry - Library
Tuesday

2/13/2018
10:00 am
Prayer Lift - Chapel
10:45 am
Jericho Road "Lite" Study - Library
11:30 am
Friendship Club - Heavener Hall
6:15 pm
Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Ice Cream Dinner - Heavener Hall
7:00 pm
Lenten Study Classes - Octagon, 109, Parlor
7:00 pm
Disciple I - Library
Wednesday

2/14/2018
5:30 pm
Joyful Ringers! - 109
7:30 pm
Ash Wednesday Worship - Sanctuary
Thursday

2/15/2018 
7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal - 211
Friday

2/16/2018 
7:00 pm
Middle High SPY - MPR, Youth Lounge
Saturday

2/17/2018

no church activities scheduled
Sunday

2/18/2018
9:00 am
Worship with Communion - Sanctuary
9 & 10:00 am
Nursery - 202
10:30 am
Worship - Sanctuary
10:30 am
Opening Chapel & Children's Sunday School (age 2 - grade 5) - DuVall Chapel, classrooms
Children begin with a worship moment in the Chapel then transition to their Sunday School classrooms with their teachers.
10:30 am
Youth Sunday School - classrooms
11:30 am
UMW Book Club - 109
11:45 am
Youth Choir Rehearsal - 211
6:30 pm
Senior High SPY - MPR, Youth Lounge

Sunday School Details

This Sunday, February 11 all children age 2 through grade 5 will begin with a short worship experience in the Chapel at 10:30 a.m. and will transition to their Sunday School classes with their teachers. Youth in grades 6-12 be in the Sanctuary for worship.
Scout Sunday

Sunday, February 11, all Scouts are invited to attend worship in uniform as we celebrate our relationships with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations.  Additionally, several scouts from the St. Paul's community will be receiving an award during the 10:30 a.m. worship service for completing the "God and Family" program. 
Lenten Study Classes!

Sunday, February 11, is the last day to sign up for Lenten Study classes sponsored by St. Paul's Adult Education Committee. Classes will be held on Tuesday nights beginning February 13. Seats are still available for:
  • "The Forgotten Jesus" led by Amy Frontz. People often see Jesus through the lens of their own cultural norms, forgetting that He was a Jewish man living in a Jewish land with specific Jewish customs. Understanding Jesus' own cultural and religious context can give you fresh insights into His life and ministry and even transform your relationship with Him.
  • "Jesus, From Prophecy to Praise" led by Bob Nordstrom. The Bible speaks of Jesus in many different ways. The gospels tell the story of his ministry, passion, and glorious resurrection. Other books of the New Testament give him praise. Passages in the Old Testament anticipate the arrival of a Messianic figure in prophetic ways. We will try to bundle all of this together to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and his times. 
To sign up and pay with a credit card, go to:  http://stpaulsk.org/community/study-classes-2018
To sign up and pay with cash or check (made out to St Paul's UMC with "Lenten Study" on the memo line), use the insert found in the Sunday  worship bulletin or visit the table in the Narthex.  Registration ends Sunday, February 11 or when classes are full. The fee for each class is $12 per person and includes all books or materials. Classes meet at 7:00 pm on Tuesdays beginning  February 13 .
Youth Choir

The Youth Choir will sing in worship on Sunday, February 11. Our next regular rehearsal will be February 18 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 211. All singers (and wanna-be singers!) in grades 6-12 are invited to participate. We hope to see (and hear) you there!
Family Valentine's Sunday

St. Paul's Youth and 2x4s families are joining forces for a Family Valentine's event Sunday, February 11, following the 10:30 a.m. worship time. Families with elementary age children are particularly invited to meet us in MPR. Together, we'll pack Smart Sacks for hungry school kids, share a pizza lunch, and assemble Valentine-theme crafts.
UMW Book Club

Our Women's Book Club will meet Sunday, February 11 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 109. We will discuss Cesar Chavez: A Photographic Essay by esteemed Latin American scholar Ilan Stavans. Illustrated with more than forty photographs from archival collections, this book helps readers understand Chavez's struggles as a civil rights activist for farm workers and his relationships with his family, comrades, and other civil rights leaders. The Women's Book Club typically meets about every other month to discuss books from the UMW reading program list, which are available in the church library.
Adult Sunday School Feedback

Following its study of Christianity & World Religions, the Adult Sunday School class will be taking a break during the Lenten season. The Adult Education Committee is evaluating the future of this class offering and would welcome your suggestions! Please see the insert in the February 11 worship bulletin, or stop by the table in the Narthex to share your thoughts with us.
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes & Ice Cream

Before we settle down for a season of reflection during Lent, please join us on Tuesday, February 13 for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Serving hours are 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in Heavener Hall. We will feature a family friendly dinner of pancakes and ice cream. Contact the church office if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to join the Jochebed Circle ladies running this event.
Jericho Road "Lite"

From February 13 through March 20, during the weekly Lectionary Bible Study slot (Tuesdays, 10:45-11:45 a.m.), Rev. Claire Matheny will lead a shortened version of the Jericho Road study series featuring Scripture, readings, and themes related to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work at the intersections of racial and economic justice. No registration is necessary. The devotional guide and major topics will be the same as those offered in the Tuesday night Lenten Study class, but discussion and enrichment projects will differ.
Friendship Club

All older adults are invited to the next meeting of the Friendship Club scheduled for Tuesday, February 13, starting at 11:30 a.m. in Heavener Hall. The entertainment will be by the "Just in Time Chorus," a delightful, harmonizing group of lovely and talented ladies who are part of the "Heart of Maryland Chorus." We look forward to welcoming them once again. Please join in the fun, food, and entertainment. We will also have door prizes!
Ash Wednesday Worship

Ash Wednesday Cross
Join us for the Ash Wednesday service on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary to mark the first day of the Lenten season. Still Wednesday, which usually meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., will resume their time of prayer and quiet meditation the following week.
Taste and Sing

On Tuesday, February 20, gather at 12:00 noon in the Octagon for a hymn-sing and celebration of the life of Charles Albert Tindley, a noted songwriter and composer considered one of the fathers of American gospel music. Included among our songs are "We'll Understand it Better By and By" and "Stand By Me." There will be a hearty lunch by Ginny Hagberg to follow.
Biblical Archaeology

St. Paul's is co-sponsoring next month's Biblical Archaeological Forum, "The Book of Esther Revealed," on Wednesday, February 21 starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington (6125 Montrose Road, Rockville MD). University of Maryland scholar Dr. Adele Berlin will explore the Persian, Greek, and Jewish influences evident in this fascinating Old Testament text about a devout queen. Admission is $5 for members and friends of St. Paul's, $10 for the general public, and free for high school students. Transportation is available; to sign up please contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 104.  Go to http://www.benderjccgw.org/event/book-esther/ to read more about this event.
1968: Civil Rights at 50

St. Paul's is organizing a field trip to see the exhibit "1968: Civil Rights at 50" at the Newseum in downtown Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, February 28, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25, which includes admission, transportation, and snacks. Space is limited. To sign up, or for more information, visit the table in the Narthex or contact Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 104).
Black History Month in the Parks

February is Black History Month.  To celebrate, Montgomery County Parks will be having several special programs.  Go to www.HistoryInTheParks.org for more information, including a PBS documentary about excavating the Josiah Henson site.
  • Josiah Henson Park (11420 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda MD, with parking at the Shriver Aquatic Center across the street) will be open for free tours on Saturdays February 10, 17, and 24, 12:00-4:00 p.m.; the last tour begins at 3:00 p.m.  The park is part of the National Park Service "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom" program, and is the former plantation property where Rev. Josiah Henson was enslaved before he escaped to freedom and wrote an influential 1849 autobiography The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave...
  • Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (16501 Norwood Road in Sandy Spring, MD) will host two special programs in February.  On Saturday, February 10, 12:00-3:00 p.m., "A Long Way from Home" will have hands-on activities and storytelling about African culture. Space is limited so make reservations. On Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. there will be a special Winter Walking Tour about the life of the enslaved at Woodlawn, and the Underground Railroad. (Tours of the Woodlawn Manor House will begin in March and guided hikes with museum tours begin in April.) 
All God's Creation Is Very Good

All women and men are invited to the World Day of Prayer meeting of the Church Women United group, here at St. Paul's UMC on Friday, March 2 in the Octagon, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon, for the program "All God's Creation Is Very Good."
Pancake Breakfast

UMM Pancake Breakfast
Our next Community Pancake Breakfast will be Saturday, March 3, 8:00-10:30 a.m. All are welcome!  We will feature regular pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, fruit, and grits, plus a specialty pancake. Proceeds from this breakfast will benefit the Red Bird Mission, a longtime partner serving communities in rural Kentucky.
Communion Collect

The next Communion Collect will be Sunday, March 4 with distribution on March 5, but you can bring non-perishable food items to the Narthex any time and monetary gifts are always gratefully received in the office. Each month, we serve 110+ families in the 20895 ZIP code who face hunger, providing hungry neighbors over 2,450 food items per month, and we can only do it thanks to your generosity. To volunteer, contact Dawn Ely ( dawn.c.ely@gmail.com) and read more at:  http://stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry
BWC Scholarship Deadline!

Each year, the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church awards a variety of scholarships to qualified students attending or planning to attend college.  The scholarship application window closes March 7. The entire process will be handled online. For details about individual scholarships or to apply, please visit www.bwcumc.org/administration/finance/local-church-resources/scholarships/. If you have questions, please contact Cheryl Cook at ccook@bwcumc.org or 410-309-3446.
Liturgists and Communion Stewards

Would you like to read Scripture or help serve Communion at the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service? We are looking for Liturgists and Communion Stewards to assist in the first worship service on Sunday mornings. There are dates available now for February and March 2018. To sign up online, simply add your name and email address to the sign-up sheet found at this site: goo.gl/Xz5T79. Contact Rev. Claire Matheny ( cmatheny@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 103) if you have questions.
2x4s Book Club Update!

magic_ribbons_book.jpg
The 2x4s book group for readers in their 20s-40s will be taking a break in the season ahead while many families welcome new babies and we focus on Lent. We anticipate resuming our book discussions on April 19 and will provide the book title and location information closer to that time.
Winter Weather Reminder

snow-shovel.jpg
In the event of inclement weather, St. Paul's follows the Montgomery County Public Schools announcements concerning delays, closures, or cancellations. We try to update the office voicemail and the stpaulsk.org website, but you may also contact the leader of a specific activity or refer to http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ for more information. Your safety is always the first priority - please use your own best judgment before venturing out in wintry conditions.
Memphis Sojourn

Rev. Matheny will be leading a trip to her hometown of Memphis TN, April 3-7, 2018. She welcomes you on the journey alongside lay and clergy United Methodists of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. This Sojourn of remembrance commemorates the life of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., marking the 50th anniversary of his assassination on April 4, 1968. We will visit historic sites, hear from dynamic speakers, and engage in daily prayer. Through the lens of Civil Rights and the Poor People's Campaign, sojourners will consider what it means to work for King's Beloved Community today. For more information, contact Rev. Matheny: cmatheny@stpaulsk.org. Registration is live: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/mlk50/
Online Prayer Requests

Upcoming surgery? Have a joy or concern? In need of prayer support? Submit a prayer request online, day or night. You have the option to share your request with the Prayer Lift team or only share directly with the pastors. Visit our online prayer request form linked on our website at:  http://stpaulsk.org/community/prayer-requests.
 

Thank you for staying connected to St. Paul's UMC through this weekly publication.  The email addresses used in this mailing were provided by the addressees for church use.

 

To unsubscribe from our emails, follow the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.