No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. Because Jesus has taught us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength,

and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we invite people of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, economic circumstance, and physical and mental ability into the worship,

rites and sacraments, fellowship, and leadership of our church.

Last Friday Mary and I purchased a new car to replace my Corolla. There were a couple of requirements. It had to get relatively good mileage because of the running around I do, so we got a vehicle with a hybrid engine. It had to have all-wheel drive. Though we don’t live far enough north that dealing with snow is a major issue we’ve found that even in rainy conditions the 4 wheel drive makes the handling better, so we got a Toyota Rav4. And because someone long ago someone told me, quite seriously, that pastors shouldn’t drive red cars because it is indicative of loose morals, it is a very respectable grey color. Actually red would have been a lot of fun, but it wasn’t an option on the manufacturer’s color palette.

In buying a car there is standard equipment and there are always options. Some options are rational and add to the safety and usefulness of the car. Some are frivolous and more of an impulse purchase. They make it fun. For the most part, unfortunately, I think we added the former and not the latter.

In reading Adam Hamilton’s book, The Call, in small groups over the last few months he reminded us of the work and power of God’s Spirit in Paul and in us. How we describe that Spirit and its impact on our lives is sometimes hard to do. We tend to think of churches filled with the Holy Spirit as ones that are full of charismatic gifts: speaking in tongues, healing prayer, ecstatic worship. But so identifying the Spirit’s work makes the definition far too narrow. Using only those marks would mean that churches like ours are not filled with God’s Spirit, a judgement with which I would take strong exception.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, an area where he helped found churches, he wrote that the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our life are what he calls “fruits.” In Paul’s words those fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The fruit of which he speaks are standard equipment for followers of Jesus and not options. Paul doesn’t imagine them as a list from which we get to pick and choose as if in a car dealership. They are the natural outgrowth of the Spirit’s work in us. In some ways Paul’s fruits may seem banal. Love? Peace? Joy? Hardly the stuff that would suggest an unsettling Spirit having its way in our life. But as Paul envisioned and embodied them these fruits can be quite dangerous. When carried out to their fullest extent they don’t add to our safety, but they certainly add to our usefulness to God.

During my sermons in May I’m going to ask us to revisit these fruits and consider how they are or are not evident in us. Perhaps these messages will be an appetizer for the summer months when the Parish Life Board makes the season’s berries the center of our fellowship time after worship. Come and rejoice in the fruit God is nurturing in you.

Markings 1

Stewardship Committee Medical Advance Directives Progressive Dinner Strengthen the Church Planting an Eagle Scout Project VBS Volunteers Needed Graduation Information Needed

2

Homewood Benevolent Fund Professional Directory Children’s Center News MS/HS Youth Events

3

Plan Your Calendar Thanks You Notes

4

CRUCC Vocation and Recreation Directory Church Picnic Flyer May Calendar

Insert

Confirmands Community Outreach

5

Note from Kathleen Vacation Bible School

6

Around the Congregation 7

Girls Night Out & Basket Bingo 8

Markings

BLOOD DRIVE

8:00 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

Please give the Gift of Life!

Stewardship of Life: Medical Advance Directives

Working as a chaplain at St Francis Hospital (Indianapolis, IN), David Grieger experienced the concept of stewardship of life, that the biblical notion of stewardship included how we consider and make our end of life decisions. And he heard the testimony of many: making my advance directives, my own end of life decisions, reflects my values as a Christian and is a gift to my family. With these thoughts in mind, the Stewardship Committee offers a workshop Sunday, May 7 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. in the Social Hall. David will be leading this one-time session, reviewing biblical and ethical issues of advance directives, as well as offering the class an opportunity to discuss in detail the most common form. In addition, we will review the lesser known Maryland Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). Even if you do not come to the session, please ask your family physician to review this most important document with you. It offers significant items which the more traditional form (the type hospitals provide) do not. As a chaplain, it was David’s privilege to share with patients and family members in this act of stewardship of life. It will be his privilege to share with you on May 7th.

Progressive Dinner

The Progressive Dinner has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

Strengthen the Church

On June 4th, Pentecost Sunday, we’ll be collecting the Strengthen the Church offering, “Spread the Love,” which goes to support new and renewing churches in the UCC and to aid in developing the spiritual life of youth and young adults. Half of the offering will be used to support programs of our own Central Atlantic Conference. You can find more information about this offering at http://www.ucc.org/stc/.

Stewardship Committee: Sharing

Planting an Eagle Scout Project

CRUCC member Nick Coccagna is getting ready to start his Boy Scout Eagle project and it will be a benefit to the church and the community. The trees on the upper side of the church’s parking lot were planted nearly 70 years ago to honor members of the church who had served in World War II.. Many of the trees have succumbed to age and disease and had to be taken down. Nick and his troop will be planting new trees in May. He is raising funds to buy the trees and other supplies. If you would like to make a contribution toward the purchase of trees in honor or in memory of someone, checks (made out to Christ Reformed UCC and noted “Eagle Project”) can be mailed to the church at Box 333, Middletown, Maryland 21769.

Vacation Bible School Volunteers Needed

VBS is more than just a fun time for the kids in our church, it's an authentic encounter with the Lord that enriches them for life. In order to make this year's Maker Fun Factory VBS a memorable and successful experience, we need your support. Whether you are interested in being a troop leader or assistant, running an activity station, organizing logistics, or using your decorating skills to transform our space into an energizing and engaging activity space, your gifts are in demand. We need help both behind the scenes and out in front, during the event and in preparation for it. Please prayerfully consider how you could help us this year and contact Sarah Petermann, our Volunteer Coordinator

Graduation Information Needed

If you or a member of your household is graduating from college or high school, please send the information to the church office by May 15th. Please include the graduate’s name, school and any future plans. We will recognize graduates at worship services on May 28th.

Notes

Sharing is a significant motivator for stewardship of all our gifts. Sharing... It reminds me of the time I was in the hollers of Appalachia, near Neon, KY. Our work group had just completed its project. The home owners were Christians living on the husband’s black lung government compensation. They begged all six of us to stay for lunch: fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, muffins and three kinds of pie. I imagine it cost them a week’s income. They begged us to stay and eat…. sharing because of their gratitude to God. I hope I portray that sense of gratitude as I share my offerings with God and God’s people. I hope you do as well. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day, someone looking back at us, would write: they begged to share in the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. (2 Corinthians 8:4) ~David Grieger, Stewardship Committee Member

Children’s Center News

Planting Trees Middletown Park

May 13th 8:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Meet by the sand volleyball courts near the restrooms. Please bring sunscreen, gloves and water. This can be used as service hours.

Middle School/High School Youth Upcoming Events

Please RSVP to Ms. Kathleen at kathleen.rogers1@comcast.net

Bowling MAY 21st Leave parking lot at 2:15 p.m. Return by 5:30 p.m. $11 per person

Notes (continued)

Mother’s Day Homewood Endowment Fund

The Homewood Foundation’s Benevolent Endowment Fund was created to receive gifts from churches, friends, families and residents and to provide support for residents who have depleted their assets through no fault of their own. Their goal is to enable residents who need a little bit of help to continue to live at Homewood with dignity and in comfort. We will collect a special offering on May 14th.

Professional Directory

Sites like Trip Advisor, Yelp and Angie’s List are a great help when we are looking for a recommendation for a place to eat, a contractor to use, a place to stay, a

doctor to visit or when faced with another consumer decision. Peoples’ experiences can be a good guide. Another way to feel confident in making a choice is to use people you know. CRUCC has a number of members who are professionals with skills and experience in a variety of fields. Enclosed with this month’s newsletter is a list of some of those members. If you have a need that matches with their gift you are invited to consider using them. If you have a trade or profession that you would like to add to the list, please contact the church office.

Spring has officially arrived and we couldn't be more excited about it here at CCCC! Last month we were able to enjoy our Easter Extravaganza outside with an Easter Egg Hunt and we were also able to spend a day at Memorial Park with the school age group during spring break!

Plan Your Calendar

GRADUATION RECOGNITION

SUNDAY

May 28, 2017 During Both Services

FAMILY NIGHT

COMING IN JUNE!! & Crabs

Please contact Mickey Keller at 240-994-7547 for details.

CHURCH WORKDAYS Spring is here and it is time to spruce up our grounds around the church. We will provide coffee and snacks

but we need you to provide the enthusiasm.

Friday, May 12 starting at 8:00 a.m. Raking up and disposing of cut trees

Saturday, May 13 at 8:00 am Spreading mulch

Basket Class Join us for our last class of the season, Sunday Brunch Basket. This basket has many color possibilities, you choose from our stock. Towel pictured on the basket is not an add-on we are

providing, just an idea for you to think about adding. The class will be $20 and will be held in the Parish House on May 16th at 6:30 p.m. and May 23rd at 12:30 p.m. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Questions, call Diana Corl at 301-371-7737 or Gail Johnson at 301-371-6610.

Thank You Notes

Dear Friends, What a send-off! The beautiful celebration of worship and fellowship we shared on April 2 was a shining example of the richness of grace we experienced while part of the community at Christ Reformed. It’s no exaggeration to say that we have been deeply moved and inspired by the outpouring of generosity from members and friends of CRUCC as I and my family stepped out on our new adventure. Without a doubt, the manifold blessings have been great: a large financial gift and gift cards which will all help as I prepare my new ministry; a flood of cards and emails offering cherished words of encouragement and celebrating partnership and friendship; and of course precious moments of connection I will forever treasure – the handshakes and hugs, the parting memories and jokes, the expressions of mutual appreciation and well wishes. Thank you, friends, for giving us all these gifts of joy – God’s grace made manifest.

~ Michelle, along with Andrew, Max, and Veronica

BLESSING OF THE SEED SERVICE

Sunday, May 21st at 3:00 p.m. Growing Project Farm

11720 Wolfsville Road in Myersville Enjoy the hayride from the Grossnickle Church prior to the

service. There will be an Ice Cream Social at the Parish House at the conclusion of the service.

Dear Middle and High School Youth, I am so deeply grateful for your kind words and tasty treats to mark my leaving. Starbucks and white chocolate?! How did you know my favorites? These will surely help me stay pumped up as I prepare for my new ministry. Thanks again! It has been a joy to watch you all grow through the years in body, mind and spirit. But also as people of faith and critical members of the CRUCC team. You each have great gifts, and are each needed by that Team—maybe even more than you know yet. It was an honor to learn about God from you and to witness His goodness at work in you.

~ God Bless You Always, Miss Michelle

Book Club Book Club will be meeting at 11:30 a.m. at The Main Cup to discuss: May 24: The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore June 28: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Confirmands

Brady Nicholas Austin is the son of Dana and Bill Austin. He is an eighth grade student at Middletown Middle School. Brady plays soccer and basketball. He enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Maxwell Clemence Beadle is the son of Michelle and Andrew Beadle. He is an eighth grade student at The Harbour School in Baltimore. Max enjoys gaming, writing music, drawing, and writing fan fiction.

Autumn Laine Bramhall is the daughter of Robyn and George Bramhall. She is an eighth grade student at Middletown Middle School. Autumn enjoys dancing, hanging out with friends, drawing, crocheting and watching Netflix. She is a member of the Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance Company.

Grace Elizabeth Coccagna is the daughter of Christina and Michael Coccagna and the granddaughter of Glenda and Paul Wiles. She is an eighth grade student at Windsor Knolls Middle School, where she is a member of the band and the Fellowship of Christian Athletics. She enjoys playing volleyball and gymnastics. She is also a member of the Girl Scouts and Volleyball.

Jessica Davis Mekkelson is the daughter of Stephanie and Scott Mekkelson. She is an eighth grade student at Middletown Middle School. She enjoys baking and competitive dancing at Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance.

Ethan Kade Moser is the son of Angie and Jason Moser. He is an eighth grade student at Middletown Middle School. He enjoys hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping and archery. Ethan is also a member of the Scouts.

Community Outreach

One Great Hour

Our Church contributed $1,346 to One Great Hour. Thanks!

Note From Kathleen

Vacation Bible School

Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God. That ’s what Maker Fun Factory VBS is all about! Throughout this fun-packed week of engaging assemblies, energizing recreation games, scrumptious snacks, inspiring Bible stories, and crafty creations, kids will encounter the Good News of our One True Creator God’s unending and all powerful love for them and for all of this Very Good Creation! All the while, participants will also explore the many ways God has invited each of us to be part of making this already Very Good Creation even better by sharing this Good News with others through word and deed. Contact the church office for more information and keep an eye out for registration forms to come next month.

An Open Invitation to Rising Kindergarten through 5th Grade

Created by God: Built for a Purpose

July 17th – 21st 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.M.

A Vacation Bible School adventure at Holy Family Catholic Community, co-hosted by Christ Reformed UCC

I know everyone is feeling a little melancholy over the departure of Pastor Michelle. I can honestly say that I, too, feel that void, but we must not lose sight of our purpose: to continue on with what we are called to do in Christ’s name. And I know of no other way to do that than to step up and do what is needed when it is needed. Pastor Michelle was a “doer” and what better way to make her proud than to follow in her footsteps and become like-minded individuals and "do something". I know I am not Michelle and can never be Michelle, but I am going to try and help alleviate some of the gap left with her departure. I will be stepping in where I can in areas such as ordering curriculum, helping coordinate Spirit Stars, maintaining the Sunday School records and leading a team of volunteers to offer the Children’s Story time in worship each week.

I met with the Christian Education Board and we have decided to kick off the fall Sunday School activities with something fun: On September 3rd we will have a P.J. Sunday. All the little munchkins come in their jammies and we will have some fun while we eat munchkins/donuts along with milk and juice. This is also the day that the children move up in classes and I will be sure to get them their moving up Bibles so that they do not miss out on why we are gathered on this day and each Sunday.

The Board has also started planning the games portion of the all-church picnic on June 4. BTW the youth are really looking forward to the flag football game competition against the adults. The youth are ready!

As far as the Sunday School support for teachers, I am here and if you need anything please let me know. I will be more than happy to assist in any way that I can. Teacher Recognition is May 28th and Teacher commissioning is August 27th.

Please be on the lookout for a survey coming from me soon. We are all concerned with the declining attendance in our Sunday School and are interested in hearing from parents and others about how we can make this program an important part of our children’s faith formation. We are ready to do what we need to do. The C.E. Board decided that while Children’s Church will continue during worship over the summer, there will be no summer K-5 Sunday School starting June 11th. I will continue to meet with my Youth grades 6-12 at 9:15 each week in the youth room during the summer months.

I am seeking another set of volunteers to assist with Spirit Stars. They meet every other week and it is something that will enrich you when you serve in this manner. Please contact me if you feel that you can help (Kathleen.Rogers1@comcast.net).

As I said, I am just trying to do my share. This is a transition and life is full of transitions, but it's how we go through them that counts. Let's go through this one together. And praise God when we realize He has already worked it out. Amen!

~Miss Kathleen

Around the Congregation

SOUND TECHNICIANS May 7 Tony Verdi

May 14 Chris Johnson

May 21 Nicole Fontaine

May 28 Nick Fink

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS May 7 Barbara Ohler

May 14 Nancy vom Lehn

May 21 Robyn Bramhall

May 28 Sandy Oliynyk

USHERS May 7 Team 1

May 14 Team 2

May 21 Team 3

May 28 Team 4

MIDDLE SCHOOL HELPERS May 7 Clark Zecher

May 14 Jessica Mekkelson

May 21 Brady Austin

May 28 Autumn Bramhall

LAYREADERS May 7 TBD

May 14 TBD

May 21 TBD

May 28 TBD

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS/GROUPS May 7 Laura & Ed Fontaine

May 14 Joe Kroener & Elizabeth Klamert

May 21 Jean & Bob Galey

May 28 Property Board

ALTAR FLOWERS May 7 Chris Brandenburg

May 14 Wendy Campbell

May 21 Wendy Campbell

May 28 TBD

2017 Operating Finances Year-to-Date – MARCH 31, 2017

Budgeted

Income

Actual

Income

Budgeted

Expenses

Actual

Expenses Variant

Operating $76,244.76 $96,832.31 $106,350.84 $103,438.74 -$6,606.43

Children’s Center $139,445.01 $133,092.71 $123,504.36 $140,017.19 -$6,924.48

Global $215,689.77 $229,925.02 $229,855.20 $243,455.93 -$13,530.91

MARCH 2017 8:15 am 10:30 am March 5 63 150 March 12 60 78 March 19 54 112 March 26 62 109

March Average — 172 2017 Average — 160

Christ Reformed United Church of Christ

Rev. Mark Wakefield, Pastor

Contemporary Worship 8:15 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages 9:15 a.m.

Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour following 10:30 Worship

Church Office Hours Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

301-371-6610 Fax: 301-371-6912

Non Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid PERMIT 2202

Frederick, Maryland 21701

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Christ Church Children’s Center Childcare

Ms. Trista McAleavy, Director Mrs. Jesi Bell-Godfrey, Assistant Director

6 Weeks—12 Years Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

301-371-0360 www.christchurchchildrenscenter.net

12 South Church Street P.O. Box 333 Middletown , Maryland 21769

christreformeducc@comcast.net www.christreformeducc.org

Reaching out to help people to know God through Jesus Christ.

Equipping people to love God through the community of faith.

Sending people to serve God throughout the world.

May 10th 6:30 p.m.

Social Room

Tickets are on sale Sundays after church or from the church office. Please contact

Gail Johnson for more information.