1 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

Thurmont United Methodist Church 13880 Long Road

Thurmont, MD 21788 Office - Monday-Thursday, 9-1pm

301-271-4511

Email: Office@ThurmontChurch.org Website: www.ThurmontChurch.org

www:facebook@ThurmontUnitedMethodistChurch

Our Mission Statement

“To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”

THURMONT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MAY NEWSLETTER 2020

Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. Fizer, Jr.

Cell 301-991-7839

kfizer@minister.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Calendar 2

A Word from Pastor Ken 3

Message from Tim Olsen 4

Announcements 5

Clothes Closet 6

Small Groups 7

Military, College, Medical, etc. 8

Update Puerto Rico Trip 9

Missions 10

Thurmont Good News Club 11

Lion King Bus Trip 12

Queen Esther Bus Trip 13

Birthdays 14

Sunday Worship Times:

Traditional - 9am

Sunday School - 9-10am

Contemporary - 10:30am

Thursday, May 7th, National Day of Prayer

2 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

MAY 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Lana 9-1pm

Sanctuary

3

Live Stream

10:30 Contemporary

Service - Web Site &

Facebook

Confirmation Class

11:45am-12:30pm, hold Youth Grp 6-7:30pm hold

4

5

6

Prayers 9:30am

Prayer Rm

PK Bible

7-8:30pm Adult

Rm 1

7

Natl Day of Prayer

Moser 9am

Barber 9:30am

Karate, 4, 5, 6:30

pm SH

8 9

Lana 9-1pm

Sanctuary

10

Mother’s Day

Live Stream

10:30 Contemporary

Service - Web Site &

Facebook

Confirmation Class

11:45am-12:30pm, hold Youth Grp 6-7:30pm hold

11

Missions Mtg

2pm, SH

Senior Lunch,

Noon, Mt. Gate

Finance Mtg

6:30pm, SH

SPRC 6pm SH

Trustee’s Mtg

7pm, SH

12

13

Prayers 9:30am

Prayer Rm

Craft Class,

6:30pm SH

PK Bible

7-8:30pm

Adult Rm 1

14

Moser 9am

Barber 9:30am

Karate, 4, 5, 6:30

pm SH

15

16

Lana 9-1pm

Sanctuary

17

Live Stream

10:30 Contemporary

Service - Web Site &

Facebook

Confirmation Class

11:45am-12:30pm, hold Youth Grp 6-7:30pm hold

18

Council Mtg

7pm, SH

19

20

Prayers 9:30am

Prayer Rm

PK Bible

7-8:30pm Adult

Rm 1

21

Moser 9am

Barber 9:30am

Karate 4, 5, 6:30

pm SH

22 23

Lana 9-1pm

Sanctuary

24

Live Stream

10:30 Contemporary

Service - Web Site &

Facebook

Confirmation Class

11:45am-12:30pm, hold Youth Grp 6-7:30pm hold

25

Memorial

Day

26

27

28

29

30

Lana 9-1pm

Sanctuary

KEY

CC-Clothes Closet SH-Social Hall

PK-Pastor Ken

Moser-Fellowship & Bible Study

All regularly scheduled meet-

ings, events are subjected to

change or cancellation due to

state and church guidelines.

3 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

A WORD FROM PASTOR KEN

Dear Thurmont Members & Friends,

Pentecost celebrates the birth of the church. It is no accident that Pentecost begins wit

the Spirit. Indeed, Christin life cannot exist without the first gift of Christ to those who believe.

Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we cannot stand up to the forces of evil that separate us

from God and one another.

St. Paul advised the Ephesians “to put on the whole armor of God that you may be

able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. We are to put on the breastplate of righteous-

ness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. As St. Paul

writes. “such weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world”. The Lord has given us the

resources to fight those spiritual battles against evil, sin, discouragement, doubt, and despair

that we often experience in our world.

The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus for us today. Through the Holy Spirit, God is

still among us. The Spirit helps us experience God’s love and grace in our lives and serves

as God’s comforting presence, guiding and directing us in conformity to God’s will. The Spirit

transforms us, touches us, and enables us to carry on the mission of the church in the world

and God’s will on earth. What remains is our willingness to be open to the Holy Spirit as the

community of believers.

When a person confesses Christ as Lord and Savior, he/she receives the promise of

eternal life and immediately becomes a member of God’s family and a part of Christ’s spiritu-

al body. In these uncertain times may we find strength in the Spirit who brings God’s comfort.

Stay safe and continue to explore ways to live out our ministry during this coronavirus pan-

demic. I am thankful for the folks who have assisted in producing our online worship experi-

ence: Technicians: Jessica Bentley, and Steve Ness. Musicians: Jeff & Kim Head, Jessica

Distad, and Michael Willard.

Also, I want to say “thank you” for the many expressions of sympathy on the passing

of my Dad.

In God’s Love,

Pastor Ken

4 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

A Word from Your Lay Leader

May 2020

“You are the light of the world; A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do peo-

ple light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it

gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before

men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”

Matt. 5:14-16

With the things that are happening in our country now, and the world around us.

With all the uncertainty and fear being caused by this Pandemic, we have a great

opportunity at TUMC to be that light for our community and our part of the

world. We may not be in our church building right now, but the building is not

“the church” We the people of TUMC and the body of Christ are “the church”.

I want to encourage you to be that light in someone’s life, to be that bright spot in

their day. Ask God each day for opportunities to share with someone what He has

done for you, and what he has also done for them through his son Jesus. I believe

that people are searching for answers and also for that hope in their lives that’s

missing. We have a tremendous opportunity today to show them that hope and

that light that we have in Jesus, whether it be in word or deed.

God Bless

Tim Olsen

5 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

FELLOWSHIP: There is fellowship each Sunday following Sunday School from 10:00-

10:30am prior to the second service. Whoever has snack that week is also responsible for

cleanup, that includes taking out the trash. The schedule for MAY is as follows:

Date Group Contact Phone Number May 3 May 10

May 17 Suspended for now May 24 May 31

From Our Daily Bread

PSALM 107:4-9

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

(PSALM 107.6)

THE PICTURE OF DESPAIR

During the Great Depression in the US, famed photographer Dorothea Lange snapped a

photo of Florence Owens Thompson and her children. This well known photograph, Migrant

Mother, is the picture of a mother’s despair in the aftermath of the failed pea harvest. Lange

took it in Nipomo, CA, while working for the Farm Security Admin, hoping to make them aware

of the needs of the desperate seasonal farm laborers.

The book of Lamentations presents another snapshot of despair-that of Judah in the

wake of the destruction of Jerusalem. Before the army of Nebuchadnezzar swept in to destroy

the city, the people suffered from starvation thanks to a siege (2 Kings 24:10-11). though their

turmoil was the result of years of disobedience to God, the writer of Lamentations cried out to

God on behalf of his people (Lamentations 2:11-12).

While the author of Psalm 107 also describes a desperate time in Israel’s history (during

Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness, vv4-5), the focus shifts to an action step to be taken in

hard times: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble” (v.6). And what a wonderful re-

sult” “he delivered them from their distress.”

In despair? Don’t stay silent. Cry out to God, He hears and waits to restore your hope .

Though He doesn’t always take us out of hard situations, He promises to be with us always.

When have you experienced God’s help in a stressful time? How will you encour-

age someone this week who’s facing a crisis?

Heavily Father, I’m grateful for Your comforting presence.

6 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

TUMC COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET

Please Welcome Baby Braden Richard Bentley,

arrived Saturday, March 21st,

8lbs, 15 ozs,

Congratulations to Rick & Mandi!!!

The TUMC Clothes Closet will be closed until Monday, June 1st. due to the Cororavirus. We are not accepting any donations at this time. For any emer-gencies please contact the church office at 301 271-4511 or Pastor Ken at 301

991-7839. Let’s all work together and stay home and stay safe.

GOD’S GOT THIS!

CLOTHES CLOSET HOURS

CHURCH FAMILY: EVERY SUNDAY, 9:30am - Noon

1st & 4th MONDAY - 6:00 - 7:30pm

3rd TUESDAY - 10:00 - 11:30am

Emergency needs, please call the church office

Monday - Thursday 9am-1pm, 301-271-4511

7 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

TUMC have many groups to choose from if you are looking at deepening your rela-tionships with your church family and with God, but do you see a need for a group that isn’t already covered? Do you have an idea for starting a group geared toward a specific age group or life situation (parenting, aging, health, stay-at-home moms, etc.)? If so, talk to Pastor Ken. These groups fellowship together and pray with each other every week. The Olsen Life Group meets on Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8pm. Individual devotionals on different subjects and how they pertain to our daily lives. Call Tim Olsen at 301 271-2576. (suspended for now) Mid-Week Prayers with Pastor Ken meets on Wednesdays 9:30am in Prayer Rm. (suspended for now) Bible Study with Pastor Ken meets on Wednesdays 7-8:30pm in Adult Classroom 1 downstairs. (suspended for now) The Women’s Life Group meets on Thursdays at 9:30am. Currently studying the Ephesians. Call Annette at 301 271-6931. (suspended for now) Fellowship & Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 9:00am. Studying the book, Je-sus Always, Following God’s Direction by Sarah Young. Call Dorothy Moser at 301-271-9104. (suspended for now) Youth Group meets Sundays following our Contemporary Service. (suspended for now)

SMALL GROUPS

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

CONFIRMATION CLASSES HAVE BEGUN

YOUTH 8th - 12th GRADE

PLEASE JOIN US ON SUNDAY’S

MARCH 1st - MAY 24th

11:45am - 12:30pm

PLEASE SEE PASTOR KEN

8 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

COLLEGE STUDENTS - Whether they are away from

home or commuting, please keep our college students in your pray-

ers. Knowing they have someone praying for them can make all the

difference.

Lauren Ames Jessica Bentley Hannah Hartness

Joshua Head Victoria Hoke Chrissy Kaas

Morgan Koch Alex Mayhew Meagan Mongold

Sydney Willard Carly Crone

MILITARY PRAYERS - Please keep all our Military in your

prayers. Whether they are home or away, active or retired, they still

need our prayers. They have served our country well and we will re-

member them in prayer.

Steven Clarke, PFC son of Charles and Tammy Clarke, address:

PFC Steven Clarke

A/2-10 TF Dragons

KAF, Afghanistan

APO, AE 09355

ALL MEDICAL PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPOND-

ERS, POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS - Please pray for a safe

work environment and personal protection as they care for the sick

throughout this Coronavirus Pandemic.

Please notify the church office with any updates.

9 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

God Lights Our Way

Church Family,

The Puerto Rico Mission trip is being postponed to a date in the near future. When we are able to lock in the date, we will pass it along to the church family. Please be in prayer for this mission. We want to be able to go and serve the people in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Apparently, July wasn’t God’s timing. All fundraisers that were on the calendar will be resched-uled once everything is back open. Be sure to check out our bulletin board once we are back in church for updates. The “giving wall” will remain up. You can continue to give to the mission trip through your donations. Just be sure to memo “2020 Puerto Rico”. Thank you to the church family for supporting this mission. We all continue to pray for our church, our na-tion, our leaders, our medical personnel, our military, our law enforce-ment officers, scientists and all involved in helping with the Corona-virus.

Blessings,

Chuck and Tammy Clarke

10 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

This Sponsored Girl Now Supports

Another Little Girl!

As a little girl, Sosina’s biggest worry was whether or not her mother would have

enough money to send her to school. But she was sponsored, and now Sosina is in

veterinary school!

She always wanted a way to give back, and now this inspiring young woman is do-

ing just that! Though she lives on just $12 a month, she gives a quarter of it away to

help a girl in need — just as she was once helped.

Won't you please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion

International? Go to www.compassion.com or see Shirley Greene.

for information on how to sponsor a child.

PLEASE NOTE

Anyone in need of assistance w/utility

bills, rent, medical bills please be in

touch with the Seaton Center in Emmits-

burg, 301-447-6102 or setoncentor.org

11 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

GOOD NEWS CLUB

THURMONT ELEMENTARY

Our last meeting of the Thurmont Elementary Good News Club was scheduled for

April 14. However, as we all know, the schools were closed and so we could not meet.

Our school year ended much sooner than we planned. Thank God, all of our club chil-

dren and their families are doing well. We had an on-line meeting on April 9 and one

of our leaders did a short lesson and we got to pray with the children that were on line

with us. We hope to do that again soon as well as deliver the end of the year certifi-

cates and trophies as soon as we can.

Thank you for your prayers and support. It has been a good year. God is good!

Continue to pray for God to send volunteers to help with this Ministry as we plan

for the Fall.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole

armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:10 & 11

12 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

Sign-Up sheet in Social Hall

13 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

Sign-Up Sheet in Social Hall

14 May 2020 Volume 16 Issue 5

MAY

Deborah Kaas 5/1

Denise Burch 5/2

Jantia Barnhart 5/3

Carly Crone 5/4

Erin Davis 5/4

Cale Tyreyar 5/5

James Brown 5/6

Calee Burke 5/6

Alex Bennett 5/7

Jessica Bennett 5/7

Camden Bentley 5/7

Hyun Park 5/8

Patrick Kelly 5/9

Kaylee Rivera 5/9

Grace Williams 5/10

Dennis Smith 5/13

Elizabeth Burch 5/13

Patsy Wetzel 5/13

Quintin Cassidy 5/14

Scotty Little 5/15

Jessica Cassidy 5/16

Michael Willard 5/16

Robin Willard 5/17

Joclyn Cassidy 5/18

Jennifer Rolko 5/18

Steven Clarke 5/18

Edward Reifsnider 5/19

Stephen Bentley 5/20

Jessica Bentley 5/20

Angie Forrest 5/21

Derrick Thompson 5/22

Vicky J. Angell 5/26

MacKensie Horner 5/30