WEEKLY MISSIVE  March 18, 2024

Hampstead United Methodist Church

15395 US Hwy 17 N., Hampstead, NC  28443  

Email:  office@hampsteadumc.org

Good Day, Saints,    

NOTE: This Sunday after the 11:00 service we will our Easter egg hunt for the children.  We are also having a covered dish meal.  Please consider bringing a little extra for our guests.  Thank you!!!!

   My message for Palm Sunday comes from Mark 11:1-11; it is Mark’s version of the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Saints, you know this story well.  Mark’s version gives us Jesus riding into town on the colt of a donkey.  Jesus rides at the center of a procession as the crowd greets him with loud Hosannas.

   This seems in stark contrast to all those times when Jesus told His disciples to say little about His work.  Unlike some today, Jesus didn’t seem to desire the spotlight, didn’t seem to want to go on a self-promotion tour.  The problem was that Jesus was healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding thousands at His rallies.  Hard to go unnoticed when one is doing such things.

   Jesus is still among us…we just don’t have the same visuals as the early disciples.  What’s more: We seem to get lost in our struggles and our day-to-day living.  Hard to see Jesus, we say, when our eyes are clouded by our hardships and worries.

   We seem to have forgotten that, while the Apostle Paul would suggest that our life is a letter, our living may in fact be more life a canvas.  More than few times, it seems like the Artist’s brush has no definition.  The canvas of our lives seems like arbitrary brush strokes that appear to have little meaning.  But then the browns, the yellows, the blacks, the reds, the blues and the greens come together.  And we see the moments wherein God has been present.

   And so, in my pondering, I am thinking that you and I need to live our lives in such a way that we make Christ visible in the world around us.  Every day, through our words and our living, we have the opportunity to show the world Jesus.  And, yes, I know that it can be a hard task to have the heart and mind of Christ, to reflect Christ Jesus living in us.  But it is not enough, as I have said, to look like disciples.  We must want to be disciples.  Show them Jesus, make God visible in your world.

   Come join with us on Sunday morning at either our 8:45 or 11:00 service.  If you come to worship, you won’t be disappointed.  Stay encouraged; stay faithful.

Still in His Peace,

Pastor William

 

Called Charge Conference: There will be a called Charge Conference on Tuesday, 26 March, at 6:30.  If you are a member of the Administrative Council, you are a member of Charge Conference.

Confirmation Class: Due to Palm Sunday festivities, our Confirmation Class will not meet this Sunday, nor Easter Sunday.  Our next session will meet on Sunday, 7 April.  As we are combining sessions 10 (Spiritual Life) and 11 (Death and Resurrection), we will need to go until 2:30.  Confirmands should, by this date, have read Luke chapters 1-21


BLTs (Books, Lunch, Talk)  Join us on Tuesday, March 19th at 11:30 AM in room 5/6.

 

Finance Committee Meeting  We will meet Tuesday, March 19th at 5:30 PM in room 5/6.

 

Administrative Council Meeting  We will meet Tuesday, March 19th at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary. 

 

Trustees Meeting  We will meet on Thursday, March 21st at 6:00 PM in room 9.

 

Help With Easter Eggs! Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, March 24th. HUMC's Youth are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt followed by a Covered Dish party in the FLC. We need help with filling eggs (located in the bins in the narthex) or donate candy, eggs, prizes, or other Easter themed goodies. We also need items (mini sandwiches, fruit, side items, desserts) for all to share after the hunt. Thank you for your support! Questions, contact Jaime Alberti 910-524-1712.

 

Good Friday Passion Performance   Want to know what happened between Maundy Thursday and the celebratory Sunday? Chris Dresp will be delivering a powerful retelling of the story of the days leading up to the crucifixion. The story will be enhanced with songs from the choir and praise band. Please join us on March 29th at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary, to get the whole picture before we celebrate on Easter Sunday!

 

Friendship Circle  Are next gathering is Monday, April 1st at 2:00 PM in room 5/6.

 

Missions Meeting  Out next meeting is Tuesday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM in room 5/6.

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry  Join us on Thursday, April 4th in room 9.  All are welcome!

 

New Bible Study  We will begin a new Bible study about six prayers in the Bible.  We will begin Thursday, April 4th at 10:00 AM in room 5/6.  This study is entitled "When You Pray" by various authors.Books are $26. All are invited! For more information contact Jennipher Burns (jennipherlove09@gmail.com).

Red Cross Blood Drive HUMC will host a blood drive on Monday, April 8th.  Register at www.redcrossblood.org. Any questions contact Allison Williams (Alleycwms@gmail.com) or Ruth Sheaffer (Rsheaffer@hotmail.com).

 

We still have open dates for Altar flowers!!

April:        21 (1), 28 (1)

May:         5

June:         2, 16 (1), 30 (1)

July:          14,  21,  28 (1)

August:     25 (1)

September: 1 (1), 15 (1), 29 (1)

October:      20 (1), 27

November: 3 (1), 17

December:  1 (1), 8 (1)

Flowers are on a first come-first served basis. Each arrangement is $45. Every Sunday offers 2 sponsorships.  Contact the church office to sponsor an arrangement.  (office@hampsteadumc.org)

 

This Week’s Calendar of Events:

Monday—3/18

8:00 AM      ROMEOs  (Library)

6:00 PM      Cub Scouts Dens (Rms. 2, 3, 5/6, Sanc, FLC)

7:00 PM      Boy Scouts (FLC)

Tuesday—3/19

9:00 AM     Prayer Team (Library)

11:30 AM   BLTs (Books, Lunch, Talk)  (Rm. 5/6)

5:30 PM     Finance Committee Mtg. (Rm. 5/6)

6:30 PM    Administrative Council (Sanc)

6:30 PM     Divorce Care Group (Rm. 9)

7:00 PM     Al-Anon (FLC)

7:00 PM     Al-Ateen (FLC)

Wednesday—3/20

5:15 PM     Praise Band Practice (Sanc)

6:00 PM     Bible Study Fellowship (Rms. 2, 5/6, 9, Sanc)

7:00 PM     Choir Practice (Sanc)

Thursday—3/21

6:00 PM      Trustees Meeting (Rm. 9)

Friday—3/22

7:00 AM to 1:00 PM  Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby (FLC)

Sunday—3/24  Palm Sunday

8:45 AM      Worship Service (Sanc)

10:00 AM    Sunday School (All Ages)

11:00 AM    Worship Service (Sanc)

12:00 PM    Easter Egg Hunt Followed by a Covered Dish Luncheon (FLC)