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Fellowship
News
Willow Grove United Methodist Church
34 York Road, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090-3422
April 2001
some thoughts………..
It is Easter, the time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time when wecelebrate death and new life; the end of one life and the beginning of another.
We talk about resurrection a lot within the church. There is always a lot of discussion about
Jesus’ dying and being raised. But one of the important questions is what do we do about our own
death and resurrection.
Allowing the old life to die and moving into a new life are always hard experiences for human
beings. My mother is having a hard time with that whole process. The old married life she knew for
67 years is gone, but no clear picture of a new life has emerged as yet.
We all go through those experiences in one form or another. I believe the hardest part is
finding the willingness to let go of the old life. Being born again is so hard because we want so much
to hang on to the familiar that we know and understand. It is normal for my mother to want to go
back to being married rather than ahead to widowhood because she understands married.
In the wilderness the Israelites wanted to go back to slavery in Egypt rather than forward into
the wilderness because they knew and understood slavery. They had been slaves for years and
knew what to expect as slaves. They didn’t know what to expect in the wilderness and were
frightened of the possibilities.
But God went ahead of them as the pillar of fire and smoke to lead them and give them
direction. And the wilderness led to a whole new, wonderful life they never dreamed possible in
Egypt.Lots of writers are suggesting that the church is in the midst of its own death and resurrection.
We know the old life where we had Sunday morning worship and Sunday School, but we don’t
understand Saturday evening worship and weekday education. We know hymn books, but we don’t
understand PowerPoint worship.
I was at a conference last week where the leader reminded us that 50 years ago mainline
churches were at the heart of communities providing programs and worship to which people
responded. We were the heart and soul of the community filled with people who felt loved and
included in our church lives. On the edge of the communities were fundamentalist, Pentecostal,
holiness churches that were bickering over who was saved and who wasn’t, preaching sin and
damnation, struggling to survive. Today, we were reminded, those roles are almost totally reversed.
We are struggling to survive, bickering over who we can or cannot marry, while those formerly ‘fringe’
churches are now at the center of the community, providing programs and worship that fill people
with love and acceptance.
It seems to me that the problem is that we want to get back to where we were and don’t know
how to get there.
I would remind you that Jesus didn’t know how to get from Palm Sunday to Easter either. He
didn’t have a plan or program that he followed to get from death to resurrection. What he did was
trust that God would take care of getting him through to resurrection if he just turned his life over to
God and trusted God to carry him. But he had to be willing to let go of the old life of teaching and
healing so he could move into a new life.
The Israelites didn’t know how to get from slavery to freedom either. What they did finally
learn was just to trust that God would get them through the wilderness. They finally learned that the
pillar of fire and smoke could be trusted to give them direction. But they had to be willing to let go of
any desire to hang on to the old days of slavery.
In our transition the same process works. I am absolutely convinced that if we are willing to
let go of the old life, God will lead us to a new one. God will give us whatever it is that we need to
find resurrection. Whether it is individually or collectively God has not forgotten our names. Just as
God will get my mother through to a new life if she is willing to let go of the old one, God will do the
same to the United Methodist Church, Willow Grove United Methodist Church, and all the other
churches that are moving into a new time and life.
Near the end of his book, The Eyes of the Heart, Frederick Buechner has a little prayer that I
think is so appropriate for people and churches who are struggling with resurrection: "Dear Lord,
bring me through darkness into light. Bring me through pain into peace. Bring me through peace into
life. Be with me where I go, and with everyone I love. In Christ’s name I ask it. Amen." My
experience is that God always answers that prayer if we just let go and allow him to do so.
Shalom,
Byron
Church Communications
The last Interim Committee meeting had a
good discussion about the need for morecommunications within the church. One of the
great needs is for each group within thechurch to provide a regular article for this
newsletter. If you are a chairperson or leaderof any committee or group reading this you
will soon receive a letter asking you todevelop a means of submitting an article
regularly. We have got to move beyond thepattern of assuming that everyone already
knows what we do.Note: The deadline to submit articles for
May’s Fellowship News is Easter Sunday, April 15.Byron’s Retreat Day
Because Byron will be on vacation at
the end of the month, he will not be taking a retreat day in April.Byron’s Continuing Education
On Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6,
Byron and others from the church will beattending an Alban Institute Conference in
Baltimore on "Redeveloping Congregations:New Life for Older Churches." If anyone is
interested in participating in this conference,please call Byron ASAP.
Byron’s Vacation
During his vacation from April 22 through
April 29, Byron will travel to Florida to visit hisson and spend some time in
renewal in the sun (even thoughIt seems like the end of February
and early March would havebeen a better time to escape the
cold). During his absence, ournew secretary, Maureen, will know how to
reach him.Rev. Howard Pinter will be available for Pastoral Care.
Welcome, New Secretary –
Maureen Konen
The Staff - ParishCommittee received a
number of resumes for the new secretary, interviewed four candidates, and choseMaureen Konen, who
was to begin work on Monday, March 26. Maureen comes to us from the Holy RedeemerHealth Care System and
has had extensive secretarial and administrative experience. She lives in Hatboro and is deeply involved in herchildren’s lives and has been looking for a
work experience closer to her community.Maureen will be working 30 hours each
week. The exact office hours are now beingnegotiated with Staff-Parish, who are
considering the most effective time for theoffice to open, the wisdom and feasibility of
having the office open after work, and phonecoverage over the weekend. The hours will be
announced in the Sunday bulletin after March26 and in the next newsletter.
Dan’s Leave of Absence
As many of you know Dan Deitzel, our Director of Music Ministry, will be taking a
leave of absence until around Labor Day. Dan works for a large national assisted living firm.
The Vice-President of the company met with him and wanted to temporarily transfer him to
Pittsburgh immediately. Dan has negotiated his departure after Easter Sunday, but during
May, June, July, and August he will be playing here one Sunday each month. He will remain
in regular contact with the Staff-Parish liaisons. He has been told to keep his
apartment in Roslyn and expects to return to it around Labor Day.
This is an ambivalent situation without any doubt. We feel excited for Dan and his new
career opportunities, but also sad that he will be gone for awhile. We took some time on
Sunday, March 18, to say goodbye.
Lenten Bible Study
and MeditationSome of you are aware that there is a Lenten Bible Study and Meditation time being
held each Sunday at 12:15 p.m. The group meets for one hour to discuss a particular
passage each week and spends some time at the end of the hour in meditation, prayer, or
quiet reflection. The final meeting is scheduled Sunday, April 1 at 12:15 p.m.
There is no requirement that you go to all of the sessions, therefore, anyone who is
interested is welcome to come on April 1. Pizza and beverages will be available.
JAWJAG Lenten Series
The JAWJAG Lenten series will conclude on Wednesday, April 4, at Jarrettown United
Methodist Church. A Soup and Sandwich supper will be available at 6:15 with a Hymn
Sing at 7:15 and Worship Service at 7:30. The speaker on this last night will be Millie
Dienert. Everyone is urged to attend this conclusion to our joint Lenten services.
The Apostle
Peterdrama will be presented
Saturday, April 21, 7:15 p.m.
Please invite your friends and
witness this moving dramatization
in our sanctuary.
A free-will offering will be taken
following the drama for this
"New Life Ministry."
Christian Camping – Give it a Try!
Recent and Upcoming Camp Experiences
The McKelveys , Mathers , and
Cunninghams enjoy camps such asChildren’s Pioneer, Junior High Adventure,
Senior High Adventure, and Youth, as well asvolunteering as counselors and nurses.
Nicole Durchsprung, Bobby Rowland, andLeslie Ott enjoy the Plateau. Joanna Hyde,
Kirsten Graupner, and Michael Hyde have allbeen life guards at Carson Simpson Farm, as
well as Innabah campers/counselors duringhorseback riding, outpost, and choir camps.
Alicen Graupner has enjoyed the outpost andcreative arts camps. Joanna and Jenny Hyde
volunteer during Challenge camping. MelissaShaw, Angela Crouse, Rebecca and
Stephanie Lamb, Jared and Jacob Soltis,Andrew and Matthew McIntyre have all been
campers at Carson Simpson Farm. Jaredand Andrew enjoyed the Flat Tire Festival at
Gretna Glen.This year, Dot and Merle Bennett will be
making memories at Innabah as they enjoyone of the "Grandparents and Me" sessions.
Paul and Jenny Hyde are co-programdirecting a new camp at Innabah called
"Parents and Me." This camp is for one or twoparents and any of their children aged eight
and under (yes, even toddlers and infants).An exciting new camp for ages 14-17 is the
CILT camp. During this camp, teens will learnhow to be a counselor-in-leadership-training
and then, during the summer, they canvolunteer for three additional weeks to work
as a CILT. For each week worked, the CILTgets $100 back from the original $300 fee for
the training week. Good deal, right?All four of the Christian camps in the
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference have awide variety of camping experiences that fit
anyone’s personal interests. Specialty campsinclude creative arts, computers, horseback
riding, backpacking, golf, sailing, miniaturegolf, soccer, baseball, science, music and
drama, rock climbing, and canoeing. Campbooklets are available on the table outside the
Narthex. Volunteer to be a counselor,volunteer to do some maintenance, volunteer
to help anywhere on any of the sites, comecamping! Or donate money or items needed
at each site.During the next two years, each of the
camps will be completing major constructionprojects. Please take a look at the "Fueling
the Fire" notebook with the camp bookletsand see what exciting things will be taking
place in Christian camping. Whatenvironment could possibly be better for our
children and youth than a week at camp withcounselors and volunteers filled with the spirit
and bubbling over with enthusiasm to sharethe spirit.
Summer Camp booklets are available now. Sign up quickly for a week of incrediblefun and spiritual growth. At Carson Simpson,
Gretna Glen, Innabah, and Pocono Plateau,you are sure to find a camp that fits your
interest, whether you are 3 or 93. Check itout!
1st through 6th graders, get a head start on camp! There are a few openings for the
May retreat at Innabah. We leave Friday evening, May 11, and return either Saturday
evening, May 12, or Sunday noon, May 13. Contact Jenny Hyde at 215-659-9067 for
more information. Thank you to the 35+ families who supported the joint Girl Scout cookie booth.
Over 115 boxes of cookies were ordered and, hopefully, delivered. (If you did not receive
your order, please contact Jenny Hyde.) The scouts greatly appreciate your willingness to
support them, even at the cost of your glucose level! If you are still hungry for
Samoas (caramel, chocolate, and coconut), Do-si-dos (peanut butter icing between
oatmeal cookies), Reduced Fat Apple Cinnamons ("special" graham crackers), and
Tagalongs (peanut butter patties), contact Jenny Hyde at 215-659-9067.
Youth News
Sunday, April 1, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Youth Fellowship Bake-Off – We get to
bake tons of cookies for a Lenten Service.
Bring board games and your best "kitchen"
attitude.Sunday, April 8, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Combined game/fellowship time,
separate "hot topics" time. Bring your
friends – they’re always invited.
Saturday, April 21, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Last Friendly Group dinner clean-up for
the school year. Help needed – Thanks!
Sunday, April 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Pizza Party with a Bible study – Need I
say more? We’ll move into the 2nd chapter of
John’s Gospel while stuffing our faces. Ideas
for toppings? - call Janis!
Saturday, April 28
Contemporary Christian Concert
featuring Geoff Moore and The Apologetics.
Duffy Robbins, from Eastern College, will
speak briefly. All this happens at Lansdale
United Methodist – meet at our church at 6:15
to return around 10 p.m. Reserve your ticket
by calling Janis today! Tickets cost $26.00,
and they’re worth it. Adults who sign up are
welcome as well.
Blood Drive
St. David's Church will be hosting a blood
drive on Monday, May 7, from 2:00 p.m. until
7:30 p.m. Call Pauline Bergan (215-657-
0165) for an appointment or just drop in on
the day of the drive. Let's continue to support
our community in this way.
Fellowship Time
Let's welcome the new look of fellowship
time. Several groups in the church have
expressed concern that this time has become
too elaborate and too much work for the
planners. However, the tradition and time for
fellowship is valued by all. The presentation
will now be more informal with less food and
more fellowship. Let's join together in putting
the fellowship back in fellowship time!
United Methodist Men
Saturday, April 7, 7:30 a.m.
Our Bishop, Peter Weaver, will speak
following the 8:00 a.m. full breakfast at
Jarrettown United Methodist Church. To make
a reservation, contact Bill Woehr (215-343-
0907) by April 1. How wonderful it would be if
we could have 20 ore more men from Willow
Grove UMC hear Bishop Weaver.
Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
"Where Jesus Walked" - Come and take
this journey to the Holy Land in Jerusalem,
Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, and Nazareth.
Wednesday, April 18
Spring Take-Out Dinner – "Old-Fashioned"
Chicken Dinner (includes dessert and salad)
Tickets are available from any of the
Methodist Men – $6.50 covers a complete
meal except for beverage. Take-out dinners
will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets must
be purchased by April 15.
Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.
"Steps Into the Holy Land" - This visual
pilgrimage through the Holy Land celebrates
the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Passion Play
Presented by The Hilltoppers of
Hopewell United Methodist Church
Friday June 15 June 22 June 29
Saturday June 16 June 23 June 30
Sunday June 17 June 24 July 1
Tickets are FREE but they are required for
one of the specific dates above. For individ-ual
or group tickets, write to:
Passion Play
Box 224
Downingtown, PA 19335
Contact Bill Woehr for further details.
Girl Scouts are:
Awesome! (And a Blessing!)
Excerpts from Girl Scout Sunday, March 11, 2001
Victoria Travis: I like Girl Scouts because we donate cookies to the Norristown State Hospital. I
enjoy Girl Scouts because I meet new people. My favorite thing in Girl Scouts is that we sing
Christmas carols.
Laura Travis: I like Daisies because we make crafts. I enjoy making new friends. I enjoy earning
badges.
Rachel Carter: This is my third year of Girl Scouts. I enjoy everything we do. I like going camping
the most.
Melissa Shaw: I like camping, crafts, and the friendship circle.
Rebecca Lamb: What I like about Girl Scouts – arts and crafts, going on trips to the New Jersey
State Aquarium and Thinking Day, I like to hold the flag, I liked our Daisy Investiture ceremony when
we popped up with our Daisy masks on, I like singing Girl Scout songs.
Stephanie Lamb: What I like about Girl Scouts – arts and crafts, being a color guard in the flag
ceremony, I like going places, I like coloring in our Daisy activity book, I liked getting a real daisy at
our Investiture ceremony, I like playing Girl Scout games.
Samantha Pronzato: My favorite parts about Girl Scouts are camping, badges, and selling cookies.
When we sell cookies it helps pay for camping and trips. I like camping because there are always
fun things to do and see, like crafts, walking trails, and lakes. I like the nature and outdoors. I have
lots of friends in our Brownie troop, and it’s fun to learn new things with them. I also like how every
year we earn more and more badges. It’s like a collection.
Joanna Hyde: I am an adult graduate Girl Scout. What I really liked about Girl Scouts is all the new
people that we got to meet and the fun trips that we always went on. I know our troop did a lot of
service projects in combination with trips that we did and that was always fun to do.
Holly Gustafson: I like everything.
Mary Gustafson: I’ll be graduating this year so I won’t be in Girl Scouts anymore. I have my own
Daisy troop and I like working with them. They’re real young like these girls and I like all the stuff
and helping them have fun.
Alicen Graupner: Our troop does so many cool things. We go indoor rock climbing, we learn how
to do ballet and jazz dance, we go on trips to New York and New England, and we have lots of fun.
Jenny Hyde: And I ditto all of that. As a leader, and I have been an official leader since Joanna
was in fourth grade, as well as doing the Daisy troop with her, I think just sharing in the lives of all
these young girls and watching them mature and decide who they really are in life is such a
blessing. We do a lot of interacting with other troops so we get to know some of the younger girls
and, hopefully, help them to understand how much fun Girl Scouts is even when you become a
senior high student. It’s hard for them to schedule all of this into their busy lives but I really respect
the girls who stick to it. And I’m really proud of the troop I work with because all seven of them have
gotten their Gold Award and that’s tremendous for them. And I thank you all for some wonderful
years.
Friendly Group
Join us for an excellent program onApril 21, at 7:15 p.m. when Nick Seyfried of
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will present, "The
Apostle Peter." This drama will unfold in the
Sanctuary following the 6:00 p.m. dinner. Our
church family and friends are invited to at-tend.
A free-will offering will be taken following
the drama.
Please contact Bill Woehr or Fred
Vandegrift (chef) for dinner reservations. Cost
of the dinner is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for
children and youth. Note that this dinner will
begin at 6:00 p.m.
Retreat for Seniors and Adults
Ladore Conference Center, Waymart, PA
The Friendly Group extends an invitation
to all adults to spend one week – May 21-25 –
at this beautiful Salvation Army Retreat
Conference Center. Cost for one week is
$190. If you are interested in spending a
week with friends and members of our Church
family, please contact Bill Woehr (215-343-
0907).
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the many "get well"
cards, flowers, and phone calls and also for
the many visits of Rev. Pinter. Each day I get
stronger and hope to see you all real soon.
Please keep me in your prayers.
In Christian Love,
Ginny Binns
Dear Friends,
This is a sad time for me and my family
but you have been so very supportive with
your lovely cards. Just to know that you care
means so much at this time. What would we
do without faith in Christ? It is our hope and
gives us the courage to continue life’s
journey.
In His Love,
Ann Boyer
A donation of $100 to the United
Methodist Men was made by Mildred Fritsch
and friends in memory of her husband,
Herman Fritsch. Herman was an active
member of the UMM and a member of the
Men’s Bible Class. The donation in his
memory was directed to missions giving by
the United Methodist Men.
"Old Fashioned"
Chicken Take-Out Dinner
April 18
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are only $6.50 per person and can
be purchased before April 15.
Sponsored by the United Methodist Men
Dan Crouse, President
Bill Woehr, Vice President
Gary Alexander, Secretary
John Ketterlinus, Treasurer
Support our United Methodist Men and at
the same time enjoy an excellent dinner.
Get your tickets today.
April 1
Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21
John 12:1-8
Philippians 3: 4b-14
Sermon: I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST
We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s
Supper. There is a new order of worship for
this Sunday (see article below). Come and
break bread with your brothers and sisters in
faith.
April 8
Palm Sunday
Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 19:28-40
Sermon: PEACE IN HEAVEN
In celebration of Palm Sunday, we will have
palms available for everyone and use them in
our opening procession. The choir will also
present an Easter Cantata at 10:45 a.m.
April 12
Maundy Thursday
Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Sermon: THE NEW COMMANDMENT
This scripture will be for both services. We
will celebrate communion at both services
(see article below).
April 15
Easter
Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25
Acts 10:34-43
Luke 24:1-12
Sermon: HE WENT HOME AMAZED
April 22
Scripture: Psalm 150
Acts 5:27-32
John 20:19-31
Rev. Sara Lilja of The Dialogue Center will
preach.
April 29
Scripture: Read by Youth
Sermon: God’s Grace
Janis Jacobine will preach.
Worship
New Communion Service
The Worship Committee has been looking at how we celebrate communion, trying to develop a liturgy that would make the sacrament more meaningful and more a part of worship. They have developed a liturgy, which we will be using on Sunday, April 1, and on Maundy Thursday, April 12. It is hoped that this will allow us to gather in a more meaningful way around the table without feeling like we have just tacked communion on to the rest of the service. Come and see what you think.The Worship Committee welcomes your comments.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday, April 8
The choir will present an Easter Cantata.We will have palms available and will
celebrate the coming of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Come and wave your palm in celebration of
Jesus’ coming into your Jerusalem, into your
life.
Maundy Thursday
We will celebrate Jesus’ Last Supperwith his disciples. There will be two services,
one at noon, and the other at 7:30 p.m. At
both services we will celebrate the Lord’s
Supper. Come and prepare your hearts for
the Easter resurrection.
Good Friday
The Willow Grove Ministerium will sponsora Community Good Friday Service at St.
David’s Roman Catholic Church at noon.
Everyone is welcome to come and meditate
on the sufferings of Jesus during the last days
of his life.
Children’s Worship Service
Please plan to attend our Children’s
Worship Service on Good Friday, April 13, at
2:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Children of all ages
are invited to attend . . . Bring a friend!
Judy Lamb
Easter Sunday Sunrise
On Easter Sunday at 6:30 a.m., we will
gather at Carson Simpson Farm to celebrate
the resurrection of Jesus along with our
brothers and sisters from other churches in
the community. Come and join us as we
gather for celebration. After the service the
Resurrection Run will be held from Carson
Simpson to WGUMC. Entry fee is $10. All entrants
will receive a prize and light breakfast
in Fellowship Hall. If you have
questions or would like to register for
the Resurrection Run, please call
either the church office (215-659-3232) or
Ellen Bell (215-659-4066).
Easter Sunday
At both the 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
services on Easter Sunday, we will celebrate
the resurrection of Jesus with lots of music,
flowers, poetry, hymns, and hope. The service
will include more readings than usual
reflecting upon the hope of resurrection.
Come and celebrate Easter with your brothers
and sisters in faith.
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the alter each Sunday are provided by members and
friends of our congregation. They are supplied by Penny’s Flowers of Glenside
and paid for by the individual who requested them. A statement is sent directly
to you from the florist. You may take your flowers home with you after the
10:45 a.m. service or leave them for a shut-in. Each Sunday, we have
dedicated volunteers who deliver these flowers to shut-ins, hospitals, nursing
homes, etc.
If you are interested in having flowers put on the altar, please contact
Charlotte Benning (215-659-9590). If possible, please let us know one month
in advance, so that we can make up the flower schedule for the florist on a
timely basis.
Fellowship News
The newsletter of
Willow Grove United Methodist Church34 York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090-3422
Phone: 215-659-3232
Fax: 215-659-7817
E-mail: wgumc@erols.com
Web Site: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/wgumc
Rev. Byron D. Leasure - Interim Pastor
Maureen Konen – Secretary
Janis Jacobine – Director of Youth Ministry
Jon Klinger – Custodian
Rev. Howard Pinter – Minister of Visitation
Daniel W. Deitzel III – Director of Music Ministry