news - sjumcwv.org John St. MARCH 2016 ... dead! It seemed that darkness had indeed won! Overcomes Darkness By: ... received into church membership …

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Resurrection’s Light

A little over a year

ago, I joined a group

of pilgrims on a

journey to the Holy

Land to experience firsthand the

Biblical significance and the

historical events that took place in

Jesus’ day. One day our guide

invited us to journey with Jesus

through the events of Holy Week.

We walked down the road from

Bethpage on the Mount of Olives

as we recalled the triumphant

entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We

walked the narrow streets to the

upper room where Jesus shared

the Passover meal with his

disciples. We made pilgrimage to

news

John

St.

MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER

the Garden of Gethsemane where

Jesus prayed. We touched the

walls of the prison cell in

Caiaphas’ house that held Jesus

captive. We recalled the trial of

Jesus and then visited the

traditional site of Jesus

crucifixion and burial, the

Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

As I reflected on the

events of that day, I found myself

an emotional wreck. I

experienced emotional highs and

lows and through it all an

overwhelming sense of humility

that my God would do such a

thing to offer me life, abundant

and eternal. But, as I reflected on

the retelling of the story by our

guide, I realized the darkness

most of all. It was not a literal

darkness but a darkness that

manifest itself in the words and

actions of those involved in the

story.

Jesus experienced that

darkness everywhere he traveled

but especially that week. In the

end, he was crucified and was

placed in a cold, dark tomb. For

many people that day, all hope

was lost. Their Messiah was

dead! It seemed that darkness

had indeed won!

Overcomes Darkness By: Pastor Michael Q. Atkinson

Cont’d - Page 3

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March Birthdays St. John

United Methodist

Church

WV ANNUA L

CONFER ENCE

OF TH E

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SENIOR PASTOR

Rev. Michael Q. Atkinson

WORSHIP MINISTER

Joe McCullough

MUSIC MNISTER

Fern Medley-Forsythe

DIRECTOR of YOUTH MINISTERIES

Kyle Smith

DIRECTOR of EDUCATION and ACTS COORDINATOR

Candy Atkinson

OFFICE MANAGER

Kaye Morton

MISSION

Introducing people to Jesus,

Growing as disciples together

OFFICE HOURS 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Monday thru Thursday

4536 TEAYS VALLEY ROAD SCOTT DEPOT, WV 25560

304-757-6343

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 am and 11:00 am

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 am

WW.SJUMCWV.ORG

Name Birth Day

Rick Henchey 03/01 Shirley Persinger 03/02 Arbutus O'Dell 03/02 Ryan Long 03/02 Joshua Hill 03/03 Katie Wagoner 03/04 Kathy Carney 03/05 Nicholas Reib 03/05 Garrett DeFries 03/05 Natalie Reib 03/05 Gloria McCane 03/06 Jim Perry 03/06 Kirk Boyce 03/06 Seth Skiles 03/06 Alexander Dunham 03/06 Pat Sammons 03/07 Fran Wilmoth 03/08 Coni Mays 03/08 Lil Miller 03/09 Nancy Williams 03/09 Madison Black 03/09 Leah Martin 03/09 Belle Thomas 03/09 Greg Napier 03/11 Barbara Southern 03/13 Caleb Delph 03/14 Bobby Johnson 03/15 Ava Edwards 03/15

Name Birth Day

Helen Sheppard 03/16 Isabella Fuentes 03/16 Dick Goff 03/17 Pat Ward 03/17 Lindsay Johnson 03/17 Betty Haynes 03/18 Tammy Litton 03/18 Carol Pendleberry 03/19 Jennifer Smith 03/19 Joshua Ford 03/20 Sarah Hunter 03/22 Mike Johnson 03/22 Mike Spratt 03/23 Emily Elswick 03/24 Peyton Bielinski 03/24 Jared Whited 03/25 Belinda Weddington 03/28 Meghan Shaffer 03/28 Lauren Shaffer 03/28 Pat Murphy 03/29 Laura Brotherton 03/29 Gennifer Taylor 03/31 Shirley Ferguson 03/31 Stanley Jackson 03/31 Jeffrey Dunham 03/31 Julie Henry 03/31 Michael Atkinson 03/31

Welcome New members

St. John UMC is honored, privileged and blessed to have

received into church membership those whom God has lead

to us. We open our hearts to you and offer God’s Grace,

mercy and love as you are now a part of ’the body’ and are

HOME!!

Rick and Rita Altizer

Tom and Shelia Owens

Roger and Christi Miller

Tom and Carolyn Summers

Butch and Linda Haynes

Bob and Judy Hill

Page 2

THANK YOU to all who volunteer in Church Office!!!! You’re each one a true blessing!!

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Page 3

Resurrection . . Death could not hold Him!!

He is Risen!!!

Page 3 Christ is Risen!

He is Risen, Indeed!

Holy Week at St. John United Methodist Church

March 20 - 27, 2016

When winter started, I think we all thought, "Well, this isn't so bad!" Two feet of snow later, we're all anxious to see the flowers and green of spring. Easter is a little early this year. And it may still prove to be a little on the cool side. But we'll look for the warmth of the sun to bring the love of the Son as we take time to remember His Passion and Resurrec-tion.

Palm Sunday, March 20: The Holiest of all weeks be-

gins with Palm Sunday. Special music, the procession of the children with palm branches, the rising “Hosannas” of the congregation, all greet the memory of our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem at both 8:30 and 11:00 am.

Maundy-Thursday, March 24: Just as Christ shared a

final meal with His disciples, we will gather for the Lord’s Sup-per and acknowledge the sacrifice Jesus was preparing to make for us. Maundy-Thursday service will be held at 7:00

pm on March 24.

Good Friday, March 25: At 7:00 pm on a special dra-

ma and remembrance of Christ’s final words from the cross will help prepare us for the dark time of Jesus in the tomb.

Easter Sunday morning, March 27: The sun’s ris-

ing brings us here to celebrate the Rising of the Son as we gather to rejoice and honor the One who died for our sins! Sunrise service will be held on the back parking lot (weather permitting) of the church at 6:45 am. Dress for the tempera-ture and come share in the joy!

Services at 8:30 and 11:00 am Easter morning will commem-orate in music and the Word, the joy we know because of our Savior’s willing sacrifice.

Join with us in this wonderful and holy time for the Church. Joe McCullough

Minister of Worship

However, the story did not end with

darkness. On that first resurrection Sunday

the light of life overcame the darkness that

surrounded Him. And with His resurrec-

tion, hope and life began anew. All of this

was God’s gift to us at the ultimate price.

We know that darkness all too well

in our lives today. We are surrounded by

people and events that remind us of the

darkness in our world. Yet, we are called to

live above our circumstances as Easter peo-

ple and celebrate the hope and life we have

in the resurrected Christ. This coming

month, as you prepare for our Easter Cele-

bration, I invite you to remember the life-

saving acts of Christ, overcome the dark-

ness that surrounds you by living in the

light of the empty tomb, and give thanks to

God through your devotion and worship!

He is Risen! Death could not hold

Him. Rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus

Christ!

God’s Blessings to you this Easter

Season,

Pastor Mike

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Open Gym - 6:45 am

(Walking)

Preschool - 9:00 am-1:00

Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)

Basketball - 5:00 pm

(Gym - Reserved)


(Gym - Reserved)

Bites 4 Bitty Ones - 7:00

pm Packing (Kitchen)

2

Preschool - 9:00 am

Active 4 Life - 9:30 am

(Room 110)

Women’s Sharing Group

10:30 am (Room 250-A)

Basketball-5:00pm (Rsvr’d)

Girl Scouts - 6:00 pm

Band Rehearsal-6:00 pm

Confirmation - 6:30 pm

Choir Rehearsal-7:00 pm

Youth Hangout-7:00 pm

3

Open Gym 6:45 am

(Walking)



Wesley Fellowship-1:00

Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)


(Open Gym)

4 WORLD DAY OF

PRAYER

VBS Fun Shop 5:00 pm

Gym/Kitchen/2nd &

3rd Grade classes &

Lower Level Entrance

NA Meeting - 7:00 pm

(Conference Room)

AA Meeting - 8:00 pm

(Room 250-A)

AL Anon Mtg - 8:00 pm

5

VBS Fun

Shop - 8:00

am Gym/

Kitchen/

etc.

UMM 9:00

am (Room

250-A)

6

Worship Service-8:30 am

Sunday School - 9:45 am


Miles of Pennies Offering

Youth Board Fundraiser

(After Service-Welcome

area)

Youth - 6:00 pm

Beth Moore Study - 6:00 pm

(Room 250-A)

7



(Room 110)

Disciple III - 10:30 am

(Room 210)


(Gym - Reserved)

Boy Scouts - 6:30 pm

Cub Scouts - 6:30 pm

Disciple I - 7:00 pm

(Room 250-A)

8

Open Gym - 6:45 am

(Walking)


Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)

(Room 250)

9

Preschool - 9:00 am


(Room 110)


10:30 am (Room 250-A)




Confirmation - 6:30 pm



10

Open Gym 6:45 am

(Walking)




Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)

11


(Gym - Reserved)


(Gym - Reserved)

12

UMM 9:00

am (Room

250-A)

SCOUTS

BLUE &

GOLD

DINNER

(Gym)

13




Confirmation Reception


Youth Board Fundraiser

(After Service-Welcome area)

Administrative Council -

4:30 pm (Conference Room)

Youth - 6:00 pm


(Room 250-A)

14



(Room 110)


(Room 210)


(Gym - Reserved)




(Room 250-A)

15

Open Gym - 6:45 am

(Walking)


Book Club - 1:00 pm

(Room 200)

Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)

UMM - 7:00 pm (Room

200)

16

Preschool - 9:00 am


(Room 110)


10:30 am (Room 250-A)




Trustee Mtg. - 6:00 pm

(Conference Room)



17

Open Gym 6:45 am

(Walking)




Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)


(Open Gym)

18

19

UMM 9:00

am (Room

250-A)

Easter Egg

Hunt

20 PALM SUNDAY



Passover Meal/SS Classes



Youth - 6:00 pm


(Room 250-A)

21 HOLY WEEK



(Room 110)


(Room 210)


(Gym - Reserved)




(Room 250-A)

Troop 0017 6:00 pm

(Sanctuary)

22 HOLY WEEK

Open Gym - 6:45 am

(Walking)


Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)

23 HOLY WEEK

Preschool - 9:00 am


(Room 110)


10:30 am (Room 250-A)






24 MAUNDY THURS.

Open Gym 6:45 am

(Walking)




Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)

Maundy Thursday

Service - 7:00 pm

(Sanctuary)

25 GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday Service -

7:00 pm (Sanctuary)

26 HOLY

WEEK

27 EASTER SUNDAY

Sunrise Service - 6:45 am




28 SPRING BREAK


(Room 110)


(Room 210)


(Gym - Reserved)


(Room 250-A)

29 SPRING BREAK

Open Gym - 6:45 am

(Walking)

Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Gym - Reserved)

30 SPRING BREAK


(Room 110)


10:30 am (Room 250-A)





A.D. Rehearsal - 7:45 pm

31 SPRING BREAK

Open Gym 6:45 am

(Walking)



Open Gym - 4:00 pm

(Walking)


(Open Gym)

March 2016 Page 4

5

St. John Preschool

Now Enrolling

For 2016- 2017 school

year for our

3 and 4/5 year old class.

To obtain an Application or more

information call the Church office

304-757-6343 or

Ms. Joy 304-757-7872.

Limited class size.

SPROUTS SPROUTS is available to all children -

Preschool through 3rd grade.

Each Sunday during 11:00 Service (Except Communion Sundays)

The children receive a short lesson and

play a game and/or participate in a craft. This is a fun time for them to get with

other children during the worship service and learn about God’s teachings.

Volunteers are needed to serve in this exciting ministry!

Page 5

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March 4 & 5 - Planet Wisdom, Wash., DC

March 6 - Youth 6:00 pm



March 27 - Easter - NO Youth

April 3 - Youth 6:00 pm


April 15 & 16 - Lock-In

April 17 - No Youth


Upcoming Events

F ebruary was an awesome month in the life of The Youth at St. John. We had a

great time at our super bowl party as we watched the Broncos defeat the Pan-thers. On Feb. 21, we had a laser tag night at the church. It was a night to re-member, not just because we managed to set the fire alarm off, but because we had over 50 students that came out and participated! We had a pancake dinner on Shrove Tuesday to raise money for our Reach mission trip this summer. It was a very fun and successful night that raised over $700! Again, I want to thank everyone who made that possible. Over the next month we will be having our normal youth meetings on Sundays and Wednesdays. On top of that, we have two trips planned. We are going to a student conference called Planet Wisdom in Washington D.C. on March 4

th and 5

th. We are also doing an overnight trip to

Asbury Woods in Lincoln Co. on March 18th and 19

th. We

will be doing our Big Board Fundraiser on March 6th and

13th. We will have a board numbered 1 to 100. You can

choose any of the numbers and donate that amount. This will all go to our Reach mission trip this summer. If we manage to mark off all of the numbers, we will have raised over $5,000! Continue to pray for the youth and for me as we continue to seek God and glorify Him in all that we do! Thank you, Kyle Smith

St. John YOUTH . . . . on the MOVE!!

Page 6

SJUMC YOUTH are sponsoring a Housing Rehabilitation Ministry Program to assist our local church people with needed projects at their homes: Snow Removal, Yard Clean-up, Lawn Care, Painting, Electrical, Plumbing, Moving Furniture and Carpentry (non-extensive projects). All of this is under the direction of professional people within our church. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Sign-up at the Welcome Desk!

Housing Rehab

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Confirmation Sunday

March 13th

A Place for You to Serve

Are you a singer, or an instrumentalist? Are you interested in enJOYing music through the Lenten season,

Palm Sunday and Easter?

WE HAVE A PLACE for YOU to SERVE!

Eight new songs have been chosen for the choir through the coming weeks. Easter is just around the corner.

COME and JOIN the choir in singing during Lent.

We practice on Wednesdays in the choir room at 7:00 p.m.

JOIN US!!!

Build a Bird House for the

Boy SCOUTS!

Support our Troop by building a Bird House to be placed in Silent

Auction. All proceeds will help send our scouts to camp.

Must be turned in by March 20th. (See Kirk Boyce for more details)

Available at Welcome Desk:

Ministries ‘Needs-Lists’ Newsletters Hospitality Schedules Weekly-Flowers Binder Ministry Sign-up sheets CD’s of Worship Services And More

Be sure to check it out for all your

ministry interests.

EASTER FLOWER ORDER FORMS AVAILABLE AT WELCOME DESK!!

PLEASE CONSIDER ORDERING A BEAUTIFUL

FLOWER IN HONOR OF/OR IN MEMORY OF A FAMILY

MEMBER OR FRIEND.

ORDERS MUST BE IN BY MARCH 6.

COLLEGE MINISTRY!!

Thank you for having donated to this ministry during the last

several months!

Valentine boxes were recently sent to our students!

Thank you for your continued support! God Bless!!

Page 7

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~Special Music Announcement~

St. John’s Music Ministry will be presenting

A.D. – A Musical for Easter and Beyond in late May

as a Spring Mission Outreach Project. This work

musically brings to life the Death, Resurrection, and

Ascension of Christ, Pentecost, and the formation of

the early church.

Your participation is greatly desired in this church-wide

event! Adults, youth, and children are all anticipated

and wanted for this multi-age musical presentation.

Adults

Rehearsals begin Wednesday, March 30th

at 7:45 PM in the Choir Room. Please Join Us!

Youth

Rehearsals begin Sunday, April 17th as a part of weekly

Youth Meetings. Please Join Us!

Children

Rehearsals begin Sunday, April 17th

at 6:00 PM in the Choir Room. Please Join us!

Questions?

See Seth Skiles, Fern Medley-Forsythe, or Joe McCullough.

Page 8

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Bites for Bitty Ones

St. John UMC is partnering with Ascension Church this year for Bites for Bitty Ones; a program to send nutritious food bags home with (50) children in need of supplemental food on weekends at Lakeside Elementary located in Hurricane, WV. If you would like to help with monetary donations, please

make checks payable to St. John UMC and designate “Bites for Bitty Ones” on the memo line of your check. Or, you may donate canned/packaged

meats, boxed milk, fruit, drinks, or snack items by placing those items in the “Bites for Bitty Ones” basket downstairs in the entrance hall.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to assemble bags; please meet in the downstairs kitchen at 7:00pm, Tuesday, March 1, 2016. If you would like to be added to our “Bites for Bitty Ones” contact list for dates/times for packing, please text

Kay Angle with your phone no. and email address.

Miles of Pennies Offerings will

begin next Sunday, March 6

thru March 20.

These Offerings, during this season, will support our

College Ministry.

Thank you for your extra giving for this ministry!

Thank YOU!! Breakfast foods 48

Canned meats 112

Canned veggies 505

Canned fruit 178

Coffee/tea 1

Milk (Dried/Evaporated) 1

Juice/water 59

Shampoo 17

Toilet tissue 16

Toothbrush 6

Toothpaste 12

Deodorant 12

Baby food 23

Beans 376

Boxed dinners 26

Cake mixes 224

Cereal 51

Condiments 15

Corn meal 69

Crackers 54

Flour 913

Jello/pudding 110

Jam/jelly 42

Mac & Cheese 371

Pasta 88

Pasta dinners 68

Peanut Butter 80

Potatoes 28

Rice 30

Salt 3

Snack foods 298

Soups 112

Spaghetti sauce 70

Sugar 630

Tissues 1

2015 Community Cupboard Donations

Page 9

For more information, please call, text, or email Kay Angle:

[email protected] Cell: 304.549.1333

POTLUCK DINNERS HAVE BEEN A GREAT

SUCCESS!!

NEXT DINNER IS APRIL 17th!!

mailto:[email protected]

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Do not know Christ

If you knew Jesus was going to be in your

Sunday School class this Sunday, who would you in-

vite to meet Him? Remember, He will be there! Jesus

said, “For where two or three come together in my

name, there am I with them” Matthew 18: 20 (NIV).

INVITE THOSE WHO: . . . . . .

Do know Christ - and are church attendees

Are new in their relationship with Christ

Are not growing in their relationship with Christ

Haven’t made spiritual-life-decisions,

EVERYONE: FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS

YOU ARE INVITED to Sunday School!!!

St. John UMC has a place and a class for everyone of

all ages! Please come join us! We’re offering our

hand, our heart, our love, our friendship - but, most of

all, we’re offering Jesus!!

Pray

Invite people to Sunday School - 9:45 am each Sunday

Jesus will be there

Trust Him to work

Watch as lives are changed

Be revolutionary!

St. John is working to address how your

Sunday experience can be exciting and life-

changing. Consider some of the reasons why

numerous people love Sunday School:

Because I only have to make one trip to church

for worship and Bible study

Because I learn more when I study God's Word

together with others

Because the age group understands what I am

going through and encourages me.

Because I have learned so much about the Bible

and how to live for God in our world.

Because the group ministers to my needs and

those of my family during times of crisis.

Because it allows me to minister to members

and prospects in their times of need

Because we have fun in class, at fellowship

times, and in projects.

Because I have learned much about teaching and

leadership from watching leaders in classes and

from serving as a leader and teacher.

Because I have met so many new people.

Because some of my best friends in the world

are in Sunday School with me.

Why Sunday School?

There is a class for ALL ages!!

A List of Classes and room numbers is

available at the Welcome Desk! Be sure to check

it out!

Page 10

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BOOK CLUB Book Club will be meeting Tuesday,

March 15, 1:00 pm, Room 210

Our book is entitled “Dead Wake”, by Erik Larson.

“The Last Crossing of Lusitania. Gripping and important, Dead Wake captures the sheer dra-ma and emotional power of a disaster whose intimate details and true meaning have long

been obscured by history..”

Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 19th, 1:00 pm, Room 210.

Our book is entitled “Follow the River”, by James Thom

PLEASE JOIN US!

March Anniversaries

ACTIVE for LIFE Group!

These ladies have started their seventeenth (17) year and are

still going strong and building deeper relationships!

Four of the Group-Charter-Members are still participating:

Betty Carpenter, Joanna Bostic, Louise Pullen & Bea Fields.

Congratulations Ladies! You’re an Inspiration!

W ord has it that St. John UMM’s group is having

some AWESOME Bible Studies!! God is pouring

out His blessings upon them - and YOU DON’T

WANT TO MISS OUT!! Get involved - Do Something!

St. John UMM has many missions within this one ministry:

Habitat, Bible Study, Car Washes, raising funds in support

of Boy Scouts and assisting with

Youth Housing Rehab and more!

Bible Study thru March 19, 9:00-11:00 (Room 250-A)

Monthly Meeting - 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm (Room 200)

Please join us for an inspirational gathering!

Kirk Boyce, SJUMC UMM President

BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY!!

“Breath” examines the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Its title is drawn from the words of John 20:22,

which records that Jesus "breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.” It also includes writings from Moore's daughter Melissa that takes readers deeper

into the teaching.

Sessions continue thru March 20 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm - Room 250-A

(Across Bridge).

See Cindy Howerton for more information!

Page 11

Bob & Karen Clatworthy 03/21

Brian & Jeanne Adkins 03/22

Justin & Gennifer Taylor 03/23

Ron & Patty Robson 03/29

Wade & Sherri Smith 03/31

WESLEYAN FELLOWSHIP

This faithful group of ladies meet each Thursday to study and discuss God’s Word - growing in grace and

Christian fellowship!

PLEASE JOIN THEM!

1:00 pm Room 210

12 March 2016 Newsletter

Documents

news - sjumcwv.org John St. MARCH 2016 ... dead! It seemed that darkness had indeed won! Overcomes Darkness By: ... received into church membership …