Due to Rev Randy’s announcement in February that he would be accepting a new church appointment beginning July 1^st 2008, the district superintendent asked Garfield to again consider if we still wanted to proceed as we had originally voted last year (to go on our own as a station church).

The March Administrative Council meeting was held on March 2^nd (one week early) to consider this and get back to the District Superintendent for their March 3^rd meeting.  After much discussion, it was voted by all those present.  They voted 42 to 3 in favor of proceeding as a station church with a full time pastor.  It was also our hope that Pastor Katie would be appointed to Garfield to complete her remaining 2 year probationary period.

Due to the Easter period, the Bishop and his appointment group have two weeks off.  Therefore, we do not know yet of Pastor Katie’s definite appointment.  We will update you as we have more definite information.

 

--Submitted by Jeannette Kuhn

The annual Rock-a-thon will be held on Friday April 11^th until Saturday morning, April 12 from 8:00 to 8:00.  Philip Reid and Jacob Reeder have been busy inviting kids from other local churches to join in the fun.  The golt this year is to raise funds for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association which we supported in honor of Case Bly, the young Thurmont boy, last year.

Kids, if you haven’t been involved before, now is the time to join King’s Kids for fun and service to others.  There will be a free supper, indoor and outdoor games, snacks, music, movies and breakfast in the morning.  Of course the rocking chairs have to be in motion all night in order to generate money for the charity.  The parents, friends and neighbors can support the efforts of King’s Kids by making this a community event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Week is one of the most important weeks of the Christian year.  Yet it is overlooked by so many because it is not a joyful time.  However it is a time to reflect, learn and worship.  Here is what you missed if you missed Holy Week 2008.

 

Community Hymn Sing -

Just like long ago when Jesus walked into Jerusalem, our church gather with the community on Palm Sunday and sang praises and worshipped our Lord.  We greeted one another with excitement of old friends after a long absence. 

Choirs from four of our community churches, Harmony Road Band, and soloist helped build the excitement.

Hosanna!!!! Hosanna!!!  

Maundy Thursday Goes First Class, Jesus Style

In case you missed Maundy Thursday service, we read Luke 22:7-27 and John 13:1-17. We were also blessed with special music from the choir. Pastor Katie preached about going First Class Jesus Style.  She first spoke to us what first, second and third class means yesterday and today.  Today we think of first class as a plush seat on an airplane with free food and drinks.  In the stagecoach time it meant something different.  The first class passenger stayed in the coach, the second class passenger went to the top of the hill and the third class passengers got out in the mud and PUSH the stagecoach to the top of the hill. 

We remember that Christ chose to serve us and calls us to serve others. Washing our feet and offering His body as a sacrifice, Christ put us first. After taking Holy Communion together, we celebrated Jesus' willingness to humble himself for our sake. First Class Jesus Style

Good Friday

Our Good Friday service was a Tenebrae Service and one of great reflection.  After singing “Were You There?” and the scriptures were read, 15 people came forward and told the story of Jesus last week and extinguished a candle.

When the church was completely dark with the exception of the cross in the front of the church, you heard the hammer hit the nails and a photo of Jesus on the cross was displayed on the screen.

We were encouraged to return on Sunday “for the rest of the story”.  We know Good Friday is not the end.  Christ Lives!!!!

Special services are a wonderful opportunity to grow closer to the Lord through fellowship and worship. Please watch the church newsletter for more upcoming special services.

 

 

April Showers to May Flowers

April is a weird kind of month when it comes to the weather, isn’t it? Early in the month, when you are expecting it to still be cold and dreary, it can be just like spring instead. The sun is out, the sky is picture perfect blue, the temperature is in the 60’s, and you are absolutely convinced that winter is gone and spring is here. 

And just as soon as you think such a thing, bam! It all changes in the snap of a finger. You go to bed thinking spring is in the air, and you wake up to a half foot of snow on the ground. The wind is blowing, the sky is ugly, and it seems more like the middle of January instead of April. And just as soon as you’re convinced that its going to be awhile before spring returns, the sun comes out, melts the snow, and you’re right back to pretty weather again. 

What a roller coaster ride April weather can be. But maybe what makes April the most trying is when the rain sets in. April can be one of the rainiest months of the year. Sometimes the rain sets in and you don’t think the sun will ever shine again. The storms roll in and out. And even if its not big storms, simple showers can come and stay for days on end. However it comes, the sun is not shining. And the cloudy, sunless days can become brutal, until once again the sun begins to shine.  But when the sun comes back, it brings with it a most glorious sight. Spring springs up all around.

And don’t you just love that day when you take that drive and you realize the grass is starting to come in as green as green can be. You realize the flowers are starting to pop out everywhere. You notice the trees are starting to bloom on the ends of once dried up limbs. The sky seems bluer, and you feel brighter, and you know that spring has finally arrived. But if you think a little deeper, you come to understand that it wasn’t just that spring decided to come. No, behind all those stormy April days, behind all those rainy showery days that just wouldn’t go away, underneath all those clouds that seemed to hang heavy over you all through the month of April, spring was being made. And you have to admit that if it weren’t for all those April showers preparing earth for this great time called spring, May flowers would never be. And if it weren’t for the flowers of May, it might as well keep on raining. 

More fascinating than the April showers that bring May flowers is the way our God uses the stormy showery days of our lives to bring a time of spring to you and me.

Did anyone have a more stormy day than Mr. Job of the Old Testament? The guy walked with God and worked hard to do what God wanted him to do. The devil wanted to test Job though, and God gave him permission to do just that. And what a test he gave to Job. Job was a wealthy man, and through a couple of storms, the devil stole away much of Job’s possessions. In a heart beat, his cattle and livestock were gone, barns were toppled, and Job’s money flow was dried up. Much worse than that though was that Job was a family man. So in single storm that sounded like included a tornado, the devil wiped out the house where all of Job’s children were, and in a single storm the children and their families that Job loved so much were gone! Can you have any worse day than to have everything you own and everything you love be stolen away in the blink of an eye? The sad thing is that some of you reading this article have been through some stormy, cloudy days all too similar to what Job went through. April shower days can devastate us right to the core of who we are. But the rest of the story is that in all of this, God used all of this stormy time to bless Job and bring him to the days of May flowers.

You may wonder how this happened to Job that he got through the storm and into the place where flowers bloom again. Here is what happened. Job got mad with God. He laid out a lot of questions to God about why such a terrible thing would happen to someone who is trying to follow the Lord. The bottom line is that Job didn’t get all of his questions answered. But he got something better. He saw God in a whole new way. He heard God’s wisdom and experienced God’s strength. And in all of this, Job learned that no matter what, God could be trusted to care for us and see us through anything when we turn to Him and simply trust in this God who really does love us always. In the end, God blessed Job in an even greater way, and gave Job the promise to see all of his loved ones again.

You may be going through some April showers or even long lasting storms. May I encourage you to turn to the Lord. Talk to Him, lay it out to Him just how you feel and what you don’t understand. He can be trusted, he really does love you. He is using this stormy time to make you an even greater person for Him. He hasn’t forgotten you, He is with you. And He will see you through to the place where May flowers bloom again.

 

A New Season

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I can remember standing before my desk in my dorm at Wesley, looking at my dying cactus. It was a gift from one of my preschool students, one who had watched me kill off our classroom plants one by one. The cactus, his mother thought, would be safe. But sure enough, somehow, I found a way to kill it. Apparently you can water a cactus too much.

No, I have never had a green thumb. And because of this, I stood yesterday, in front of my newly planted seeds, perplexed. What was I thinking? I had gone into Home Depot with the intention of only buying a new hose to water the already planted bushes in our front yard, and walked out with a cart full of top soil and at least twenty different seed packets. I guess I thought trying to plant a variety of flowers, fruits and veggies would increase the odds of something growing. But, looking back on it, I realize now it was a moment of weakness.

I long to be someone who can grow beautiful strawberries and big round pumpkins. I dream of the day that Eden and I will walk to our vegetable garden and find cucumbers and tomatoes that could be cut up for dinner. But today, as Eden and I travel to our garden, all I see is dirt.

In Ecclesiastes, we hear that there is a time for everything. There is a time for war and peace, a time for love and hate, and time to be silent and a time to speak. Tearing and mending, searching and giving up, weeping, laughing, mourning, dancing, they all have their place. There is a time for everything - a season for every activity.

At Garfield, a new season is upon you! With all kinds of  adventures coming your way, I give thanks to God for your faithfulness. This leap of faith to become a full time church is wonderful! While it can look like dirt now, with God tending to your garden you will be harvesting good fruit in no time-- growth in numbers, growth in ministry and growth in faith. I am sure we will have opportunities in the coming months to witness to the fruit that God brings, celebrating His faithfulness.

While the vegetable garden Eden and I have planted might not bear fruit, we must trust that God will tend to us, giving us exactly what we need!  This month, pray that your heart will be opened to God, to God tending to your needs. And remember, there is a season for everything!

 

 

 

“The Case of the Missing Leis”, a mystery dinner theater production original play by our own Pastor Katie Bishop, will be presented May 10^th at 6:00 p.m.

Six characters will present this Garfield based entertainment and all kids and adults will enjoy the production.  The menu for the dinner will be spaghetti, fried chicken, and baked potato, tossed salad, garlic bread, jello cake and Iced Tea.  The cost will be voluntary dependant on your pleasure and enjoyment.

 

--Submitted by Pastor Katie

Please join us on the 1st and 3rd Saturday nights at 7 pm at the Beall house. The book we are studying is “The Bad Girls of the Bible and What we can Learn from them. The book is easy to jump into! Babysitting is available, if you reserve a spot for your child. Contact Pastor Katie for information or to reserve childcare.

 

The address directories are completed and at the church.  They contain the most current information the church has on you and/or your family.  Our apologies if your information is not correct.  .

 If you are unable to attend church, please have a family member pick it up.

 

This is a mission trip for all who are interested.  Young Adult, Youth whoever is willing to give of their time to help someone who is in need.

If you are interested in going, please contact Pastor Katie ASAP!

 

Kids of all ages!!!  Vacation Bible School is in the planning stages for mid to late June, with several programs in consideration. 

Remember how much fun everyone had last year at Waterworks Park!  Be sure to attend this year as we become more aware of God’s goodness and celebrate with friends.  Older youth will assist in games and music.  Dates will be forthcoming.

 

 

Enjoy the Children's Worship bags? Pastor Katie is looking for someone who is willing to keep them usable! It requires checking them monthly, adding new paper or crayons, and emptying trash.  If you are willing to help, please see Pastor Katie.

 

 

Income	2007	2008
Month	5549	8414
YTD	12084	15261
Expenses	2007	2008
Month	7225	9038
YTD	14043	17768
Sunday School/Missions	2007	2008
Sunday school	120	221
YTD	315	444
Missions	165	579
YTD	515	734
Attendance	2007	2008
Worship	181	355
YTD	507	681
Sunday School	66	93
YTD	161	184

 

 

An Old Testament book reveals some lessons that King Lemuel learned from his mother. One was the following: “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

 

Which book contains that quote?

 

A. Psalms

B. Jeremiah

C. 2 Kings

D. Proverbs

 

 

The friendly church

A friendly church is one where worshipers greet one another warmly and sincerely.

A friendly church is one where members seek out newcomers and make them feel welcome and important. Visitors hear that the congregation can help meet various needs: spiritual nourishment, Christian education, fellowship, friendship, service opportunities, support and comfort during difficulties and more.

A friendly church has something for everyone. It becomes a loving home where people desire to return frequently for spiritual, social, physical and emotional support.

 

Cross of Triumph

Also known as the Cross of Victory, this cross symbolizes Christ’s final triumph and his reign throughout the earth. The Cross of Triumph is often depicted atop Jesus’ scepter when he’s shown in his kingly office.

 

 

 

 

My dear family and friends of Wolfsville Charge and community:

By now I am sure the news has spread to everyone that the Reid family will be leaving Wolfsville.  Several weeks ago I received a phone call that started the wheels of us moving to a new church.  We will be going to Emmanual UMC in Hagerstown.  The pastor there is moving to the DC area for his wife to have better work opportunities, and so that opened the door for several pastoral moves, including the churches here.  Our churches will be split.  Most likely, Pastor Katie will stay at Garfield, and Pastor Bob Snyder will serve at Salem.

I want to say to you all thank you so much for a tremendous 12 years here on the mountain.  I have said to people that being a pastor here has been like being in a good marriage.  Most days are good, and when they are good, they are very good. Some days are bad, and when they are bad, they can feel very bad.  Most of our days have been great, and there were a few not so good days.  But in the process of it all, we became family in Christ in a very deep way.  And that spirit that we have had here has blessed us more than we could ever imagined.

For all that you have done for us, for all that you have given in material and spiritual ways, for how you have kept us and blessed us, I thank you and give God great thanks for our time here. We truly have experienced the hand of the Lord in this

place.

Saying goodbye over these last few weeks has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.  Yet I know God is in this, and so I expect great things to come from all of this.  Both churches are moving into brand new things, going out on their own, both with full time pastors to care for you.  I know you will care for them as you have cared for me and my family.  And trusting you to do this, I expect great things to come from Salem and Garfield churches.  My dream has been to see both churches filled with people who are filled with the Spirit of God.  May I say you are nearly there.  Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, trust in the Lord, work together in all you do, bless one another, and I know God will bless you and this community greater than He ever has before.

I will miss each one of you deeply, but I know this is a growing time for us all.  So as we say goodbye over these next few months, let’s remember we have an awesome God who cares for us, uses all things for our good, and does new things that are for our best.  I bless each of you in the name of our Lord, and look forward to see what God is up to and what great, Godly things will come.

Rev Randy

 

 

 

 

A new mission project was brought to the group, The Cardboard Derby for Cedar Ridge Ministry.  The youth took the idea and showed their talents.  The result was the “GUMC Christian Soldiers”.

The “GUMC Christian Soldiers” had a wonderful time racing their cardboard tank down White Tail’s Ski Slope in the derby.  They were awarded a plaque for raising $660.00, the most money raised for Cedar Ridge Ministry’s children.

After several weeks of drawing up the plans  and a few more weeks of gluing, taping and painting; the tank was ready to descend the slopes.  But not before a “pep rally” was held after church on February 24^th.  With the youth leading the congregation in “Onward Christian Soldiers” and a “21gun salute” okay it was only a few pop guns, the tank was loaded on the truck for transportation to the slope.  

The children’s ministry is grateful for your support and the youth want to thank you for supporting them in all they do.

But the youth are not all about mission projects and service although that is important.  Seventeen kids and chaperones watched Baltimore Blast defeat Philadelphia 20-2 at the Mariner’s Arena on March 7^th. A Christian music concert by Todd Agnew and then Stellar Kart invited everyone to sing along.  The Arena floor was flooded with both kids and adults who joined in the action.

 

Stepping Stones

            It is just a step to the Father’s love —

No farther than the heart,

No farther than a faith that knows

God sets each life apart.

 

It is just a step to the Father’s work —

No farther than a door,

No farther than the lonely soul

So easy to ignore.

 

It is just a step to eternity —

No farther than the spring,

No farther than the laws of life

That govern everything.

—Peggy Ferrell

 

Car Wash

During a youth group car wash, a teenager drove up in his dented, old automobile.

“Welcome!” said another boy. “But I have to tell you that while we can wash your car, we can’t iron out the wrinkles.”

 

It's His Call

A long, long time ago, God was mopping His brow after finishing a difficult task. "Whew! I just made 24 hours of alternating light and dark," He said.  A nearby cherub asked, "What are You going to do now?"  God replied, "I think I'll call it a day."