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Music This Sunday
Hymns:
| #116 |
The God of Abraham Praise |
| #724 |
On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand |
Bound for the Promised Land
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Quick Links
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Our Website & Calendar
9:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Contact Us:
Office Manager
Dr. Erin Steele
301-933-7933
Senior Pastor
Rev. Adam B. Snell
Associate Pastor
Rev. Claire Matheny
Youth Pastor
Mr. Micah Smartt
Director of Christian Education
Mrs. Meg Baker
Youth Pastor
Mr. Micah Smartt
Director of Music
Mr. Tom Pedersen
Organist
Mr. Marvin Mills
Treasurer
Mrs. Sharon Zeigler
Facilities Manager
Ms. Tracey Furman
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Preaching - Rev. Adam B. Snell
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Exodus 2:23-3:8b
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After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God.
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God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
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Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
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There the angel of the
Lord
appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.
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Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up."
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When the
Lord
saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
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Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
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He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
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Then the
Lord
said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,
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and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey."
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We're in the second week of our month-long sermon series on Paradise, and continue the journey toward it with this passage from the book of Exodus. In this account God promises to deliver a people in bondage to a "good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey."
The questions below are from the Study Guide available in the Narthex and on our website.
Ponder these questions:
Moses' people had endured much suffering and more suffering was yet ahead.
Describe a current cry for help you or someone close to you is offering to God.
Are there ways in which you have experienced God taking notice of you and your situation?
How would you prefer that God take notice of you and your situation?
What would the promised land of deliverance look like to you?
Knowing that the Israelites' deliverance through the leadership of Moses will require a long journey, what might you need to leave behind or take on in order to keep your eyes on a paradise yet to come, a land flowing with milk and honey?
Milk and honey were both tastes of prosperity. The people would require fertile pastures and ample resources for life to thrive.
Are you thriving?
What resources or blessings would be necessary in order for you to feel prosperous?
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Dear friends:
They craved
milk.
Tuesday afternoon I drove to BWI Airport to pick up the returning
Nicaragua mission team.
Steve Warren also drove up to help convey the weary travelers and their luggage, and a few piled into his van. The rest, mostly youth, climbed aboard the church van, and we headed home.
As I drove I listened as they shared memories about the people they met, the work they did, and the shared adventure of being in a new country together. As is typical when we dare to go forth in Christ's name, this journey sounded like a powerful, faith-strengthening experience.
After listening for a while, I asked the youth behind me what they were most looking forward to now that they were home. "Sleep in my own
bed" was a response I heard. Someone said something about "rice and beans" that was met with laughter, but I suspect that this was a meal they ate many times in Nicaragua and weren't eager to find on the menu at home anytime soon.
Somebody said "a glass of
milk," and this was met with near universal affirmation. Every parent who has struggled to keep milk in a house of teenagers knows of the popularity of this beverage among this age group. Can you imagine the insatiable thirst which must build up after a week without it? I hope the Safeway has enough supply on hand to meet the demand.
It's often the simple things that make home seem like paradise. A night of rest. A good meal. A glass of milk. As we continue our August sermon series on Paradise, the things of that promised land toward which we all yearn can be likewise simple. At both worship services this Sunday we have the special treat of hearing
Frank Johnson,
Beth Pierce, and
David Weaver amplify the simple joys of that promised land through their guitars and voices as they sing
Big Rock Candy Mountain, an old Bluegrass song about a hobo's idea of paradise. I think I first heard this song from the movie
O Brother, Where Art Thou (great movie) and it's become a favorite. I hope you enjoy the music and the message, too.
See you Sunday, friends. May the milk and honey flow.
Peace,
A.B. Snell
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Upcoming Events
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Sunday
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8/13/17
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9:00 am
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Nursery - 202
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9:00 am
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Worship with Communion - Sanctuary
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9:30 am
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Adult Sunday School - Parlor
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10:30 am
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Worship - Sanctuary
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| 10:30 am |
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Nursery - 202 |
| 10:30 am |
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Summer Sunday School - 200, 201, 203 |
| 11:30 am |
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Education Brainstorming - 109 |
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Monday
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8/14/17
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| 1:00 pm |
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Staff Meeting - Parlor |
| 7:00 pm |
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Stephen Ministry - Octagon |
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Tuesday
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8/15/17
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| 7:00 pm |
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Journey Group - 211 |
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Wednesday
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8/16/17
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No church activities scheduled |
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Thursday
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8/17/17
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| 7:00 pm |
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2x4s Book Club - King home |
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Friday
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8/18/17
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No church activities scheduled |
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Saturday
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8/19/17
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No church activities scheduled |
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Sunday
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8/20/17
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9:00 am
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Nursery - 202 |
| 9:00 am |
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Worship with Communion - Sanctuary |
| 9:30 am |
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Adult Sunday School - Parlor |
| 10:30 am |
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Worship - Sanctuary
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| 10:30 am |
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Summer Sunday School - 200, 201, 203 |
| 10:30 am |
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Nursery - 202 |
| 11:30 am |
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Backpack Build - Heavener Hall |
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Our two Summer Sunday School classes are meeting this Sunday, starting at 10:30 AM. One class is for children ages 2-5, the other for children ages 6-10. We still have a need for adult leaders and teen helpers on August 27 (ages 6-10) and September 3 (ages 2-5). Each Sunday has a theme, coloring pages, and snacks provided. Teachers are asked to plan a small craft or activity. Sign up in the church office or contact Amy Frontz (
[email protected]) to get involved.
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St. Paul's Justice & Compassion team is partnering with Interfaith Works to get backpacks and supplies to needy children in time for the start of school. Collection is going on now and ends this Wednesday,
August 16. The top supplies needed are: 3-ring binder (2 inch size), two-pocket folders, dividers, pencil boxes or pouches, rulers, scissors, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, and the backpacks themselves! Financial contributions are also welcome - make checks out to St. Paul's UMC and mark "Backpack Build" on the memo line. We will build the backpacks after the 10:30 AM service on Sunday,
August 20. If you have questions, please contact Angela Harvey (
[email protected]) or Leigha Gordillo (
[email protected]).
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The 2x4s Third Thursday Book Club (for readers in the 20s-40s age range) will skip discussion in July and will next meet 7:30-9:00 PM on
August 17 at Jim & Rachel King's home for our July/August selection,
Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson. Brilliant and engagingly written,
Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine? Contact Rev. Claire Matheny at
[email protected] for the address and more information.
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Raising children of faith takes a village, and we need you. The 2017-2018 Sunday School year begins on
September 10, and we are seeking teachers and volunteers now to help ensure a vibrant church school experience for all. Openings exist for the 3-year-old, Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and high school classes. Training is provided, as are all the materials from lesson plans to snacks. Each teacher typically leads class twice a month during the 10:30 AM worship hour. Please especially consider volunteering if you have a child of Sunday School age but have not yet donated your time to this valuable ministry. Contact Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education, at
[email protected] or 301-933-7933 for more information. Thank you!
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Essential Conversation on Race
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Join seasoned facilitator and author Milagros Phillips as we discuss the history of race. We'll explore how our current landscape shapes our spiritual journeys and calls us forward as a people of faith. Save the date: Saturday,
September 16, 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon in Heavener Hall. Cost is $50 per person.
Scholarships available. Registration is now available online stpaulsk.org/service/beloved-community or contact Rev. Claire Matheny at [email protected].
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Summer Paradise Sermon & Scripture Series
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Explore the Biblical idea of Paradise with our August scripture and sermon series. During this month, we'll look at what it means for our Creator's beauty to infuse the life we lead in the here and now, and point us to the mystery that comes in life beyond what we can now know. Pick up a Guidebook in the Narthex with passages of Scripture and questions for reflection on your own spiritual journey, or visit the website:
http://stpaulsk.org/community/summer-series-2017
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Ring! Ring! Joyful Ringers! Calling!
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The St. Paul's Joyful Ringers! are gearing up for Fall 2017 and we're looking for a few new members to join the fun of bell ringing. We're especially interested in expanding our bass section for an even fuller, richer sound, though we welcome individuals for other positions, too. Whether a musical novice or musically experienced, we can work with you, including offering some private sessions on reading music and/or bell techniques. Anyone age 16 and above interested in ringing should contact Linda Ferrara at
[email protected] or 703-786-1344.
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The first Pancake Breakfast of the 2017-18 pancake breakfast "season" will be on Saturday,
September 2, 8:00-10:30 AM in Heavener Hall. This will be the 47th year the St. Paul's United Methodist Men have served pancakes for our wider community. As a special treat, gingerbread pancakes will be served in addition to the regular pancakes and bacon, sausage, fruit, eggs, and beverages. The proceeds from this breakfast will be given to the Baltimore/Washington UMC Camping Ministries and to help feed those in need in the Kensington area.
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Kensington Labor Day Parade
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The Labor Day Parade is an annual tradition in Kensington and at St. Paul's. On Monday,
September 4, join us for a short walk through town beside our float and have fun handing out candy along the way. All ages are welcome to participate, and a St. Paul's tee-shirt will be provided for all walkers. Use the insert in this Sunday's bulletin to sign up, or contact the church office.
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Stephen Ministry Training
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There is a continuing need to add a few women to the Stephen Ministry group this year. Training begins in September. If it's been on your heart to reach out to the St. Paul's congregation and the Kensington community to provide spiritual care to those who need it, contact Rev. Claire Matheny (
[email protected]) or Virginia Bickford (301-598-5496). This is a heartfelt ministry of caring, and those who participate receive many blessings themselves.
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