TIDINGS OF WELLER “Affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we

care for others and tell people about Him.”

Affirm ~ Care ~ Tell

April 2016

101 N. Altamont Avenue, Thurmont, MD 21788 Office: 301-271-2802 On the Web: www.wellerumc.com

“That Tomb is Still Empty!”

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:2-3)

He Lives! That is the proclamation of the faithful upon the day of Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a statement that resounds through the ages and resonates in our hearts to-day. “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” the old hymn tells us. And many more tomorrows on top of that.

Our Easter celebration this year included the im-portant reminder: “That Tomb is Still Empty!” We need to remember this constantly—without ceas-ing, the Apostle Paul might say. Why? Because we tend to forget. Here we are, only days after cele-brating the Resurrection and life is getting back to “normal.” We’ve sung the Easter hymns; we’ve exchanged the Easter greeting (“He is Risen!” “He is Risen indeed!”); the balloons have all lost their lift; and it seems like the party is over. It’s al-most as if we’ve put Jesus back in the tomb until next year.

But the Christian witness says otherwise.

Yes, we celebrate and remember the day of Res-urrection as a special Sunday among Sundays. But Christian tradition holds that every Sunday is a little Easter.

That’s why we “feast” (celebrate) on Sundays during Lent, the season of fasting and self-denial, because Christ is Risen.

That’s why Easter is a season, not just a one-day observance. (Eastertide runs through Pen-

tecost).

That’s why the words of the liturgy for Holy Communion throughout the entire year are ada-mant in declaring the mystery of faith: “Christ has died (past tense), Christ is risen (present tense), Christ will come again (our future hope).”

The empty tomb leads to the conclusion that God was right all along. All of God’s promises are ful-filled in Jesus. God’s love for us is so great that God raised Jesus to a new life that we share through the Spirit of Him who arose from the grave. Our sins are forgiven and our lives are held by Christ forevermore.

This good news changes everything. It has to. It makes us Resurrection people, reborn to live the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the year.

As we walk in the light of Easter, my prayer for you and for me is that we keep the Spirit of East-er alive in our hearts. Awaken to the call of Christ, who is alive our hearts. Christ is risen! Not so we can go back to sleep and fall back into the “tombs” of our own making until next Easter, but so we can live with purpose, and live with love toward God and our neighbors.

“That Tomb is Still Empty!”

“The party still goes on!”

May the Spirit of the Risen Christ arise in you and keep you mindful of the love of God and the fel-lowship of the Holy Spirit now, and always.

Peace,

Pastor Bob

Weller UMC Easter Cantata will be on April 10, 2016,

10:00 a.m. Combined Service

“Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth.” (Psalm 96)

Adam Swanson, pianist, will be playing a benefit concert here on

The concert will include Swanson accompanying a 1921 Silent movie titled ONE WEEK staring Buster Keaton.

Only 200 tickets are available. For information or to reserve a ticket, please call the church office at 301-271-2802. Some tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds benefit renovations of Weller UMC, Renovate 185. Adam Swanson is rapidly becoming known as one of the world’s foremost performers and historians of ragtime and early American popular music. He recently received his B.A. in classi-cal piano performance and is now in his second year of graduate studies as a musicology stu-dent at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Although he is on-ly twenty-three years old, Adam has been a featured performer and lecturer at ragtime and jazz festivals across the United States, and he is the youngest three-time winner of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest. In 2007, he appeared alongside the late John Arpin at the Bohem Ragtime and Jazz Festival in the Republic of Hungary and has al-so toured Switzerland. Adam made his New York debut in Carnegie Hall at the age of nineteen, where he performed with multi-platinum-selling artist Michael Feinstein. Adam has played at the prestigious Cinecon Classic Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and private-ly for noted Disney/Hollywood composer Richard M. Sherman (Mary Poppins, etc.). In 2013, Adam made his first appearance at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.

April 9th at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are $8.00 for Adults and $4.00 for children under 12 yrs old.

A WELLER PHOTO ALBUM: MARCH 2016

SCOUTING MINISTRIES SUNDAY

DEERFIELD UMC PASSION PLAY

EASTER WORSHIP: THAT TOMB IS STILL EMPTY!

April Youth Group Announcements

By Sarah Pickett April 8th– On Friday evening, we will take the Easter Baskets we created to our seniors and shut ins. We will meet at the church at 5:30 and go out in groups to deliver the baskets.

April 10th- Laser Tag youth group event at the Shadow Land Adventures at the FSK Mall. We will meet at the church at 3:00 pm and arrive back at the church at 5:00 pm. I will need to know by April 3rd who is interested in going. Please email me at: Sarah.pickett@fcps.org April 24th- Youth Group meeting at the Weller House from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER We are having a fundraiser for Wyatt Black and his family. We are selling sandwiches. Deadline to order is Sunday, April 10, Sandwiches will be delivered the 21st. Money must be turned in with the order.

Order forms available in the narthex.

mailto:Sarah.pickett@fcps.orghttps://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Sub+sale+clip+art&view=detailv2&&id=D0D6EA3539D86B9D130F1FD40DB4D60D17F74B66&selectedIndex=1&ccid=D48KSs%2fP&simid=607999320871210644&thid=OIP.M0f8f0a4acfcf406d9129faad6e0c64fdo0

WELLER BASKETBALL SEASON UPDATE By Robbie Shaffer The Weller basketball team is off to a great start with a 3 and 1 record. Our next three games are: Sunday April 10th at 7:15 p.m., Monday the 11th at 8:45 p.m. and Thurs-day the 14th at 7:15 p.m. All games are played at First Baptist Church in Frederick, MD. Come on out and support the Weller basketball team!

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP EVENTS

April 21st– Soup n Sandwich get together for Earth Day at 5:30 p.m. After soup n sandwich we will have a Tree Dedication for R.J. Shorb in front of the Weller House.

May 11th - Save the date for Girls Night Out. more information to come.

BELLS WILL BE RINGING The local churches will ring their bells for 5 minutes on Saturday, April 9 starting at 10 a.m. to celebrate Bell and History Day. Cantata Dress Rehearsal will be, Saturday, April 9th 2-4 p.m.

The refrigerator in the kitchen needs a good cleaning. Anything that is not marked what it is for and a date will be thrown out. It will be cleaned on

April 16th.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=clean+refrigerator+clipart&view=detailv2&&id=0FB179D780587EA1BD889E966240CDF61511B835&selectedIndex=0&ccid=W6NkGGn%2f&simid=608015079098419069&thid=OIP.M5ba3641869ff0a2d48faa3e054e04c24H0

FELLOWSHIP HALL PATINING DONE!

Part Two of our painting project was completed this week when the Fellowship Hall was given a new coat of paint. The room looks a lot brighter, the walls are free of scuff marks and the whole room is more appealing. Please take some time to look at the great job done by our volunteer workforce.

Special thanks to everyone who took part in the painting: Bill Clayton, Roy Clever, Earl Weant, Marilyn Worsham and Pastor Bob.

And a very special thank you to our crew leader, Bob Follin, who directed the work and did a whole lot more Thanks, Bob. We could not have done this without you!

Thanks also go to Rick Wivell and Company for plastering and patching the area inside the front door, which had cracks and peeling paint.

Praise God for everyone’s gift of time and talents on this project.

GETTING READY FOR GRADUATION:

SPECIAL OFFERNG FOR GRADS, 1 MAY!

It’s nearly time for that annual rite of passage—Graduation! This year, we have four college seniors and seven High School seniors who will be donning cap and gown to celebrate the completion of these important milestones in their education. This year’s graduates are:

College: Matt Eyler, Kaitlyn Herbert, Caitlyn Merico, and Elaine Schray.

High School: Alec Baugher, Kelsey Herbert, Kelsey Mathias, Alison McGuire, Emmalee Miller, Brianne Selders, and Makalya Stull.

To demonstrate our continuing love and support for these young women and men, Weller UMC will honor our graduates at two upcoming worship services: College Grads on 22 May, High School Grads on 12 June.

We want to give each of these graduates a gift to remind them of God’s love and our continuing support for their faith journies. To accomplish this, we will receive a special offering on Sunday, 1 May, that will go toward the purchase of gifts for our Grads. Please watch the announcements for this special offering, and considering what you can give to help us recognize our graduates.

If you have a senior (high school or college) graduating this year, please contact the church office so we can add their name to the list. 301-271-2802, secre-tary@wellerumc.com.

PLAYGROUND IS NEARLY READY!

The playground donated to the church by Judy Durick is in place and almost ready for business. We are waiting for a fence to be in-stalled and the remaining mulch to be spread around the area. After that, Weller kids and children from the neighborhood will have a new place to play. We will dedicate the playground later this Spring.

mailto:secretary@wellerumc.commailto:secretary@wellerumc.com

BIBLE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF ROMANS

Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is one of the most important letters in the New Testament. Romans has played a vital role in bringing renewal to the church. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley and others were inspired by God’s word as found in this Book.

Paul and the Romans is a seven week study that looks in depth at the well-known epistle, and covers the major issues facing Christians then and today. Topics covered include:

The Apostolic Ministry of Paul

Establishing Common Ground: The Universal Need for Salvation

The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Spiritual Life of the Christian

The Sovereignty of God

The Practice of the Gospel in Community Life

The Church Dynamic: Then and Now

Paul and the Romans will be led by Pastor Bob on Monday nights beginning 25 April. We will take a two week break for Memorial Day weekend (30 May) and on 6 June. The study concludes on 20 June. Cost for the book is $8. Sign up during worship this month or contact the church office at 30-271-2802.

17 APRIL LOVE OFFERING TO BENEFIT AFRICA UNIVERSITY

Bishop Marcus Matthews, the episcopal leader of the Baltimore Washington Conference, is retir-ing in July of this year. As part of his legacy, Bishop Matthews has asked that a love offering be re-ceived to help build a new health and spots complex on the campus of Africa University. Our gifts to this cause will help transform the lives of the school’s 2,500 students and honor a man who has given his life to the ministry of the United Methodist Church. Please prayerfully consider donating to this love offering.

https://www.cokesbury.com/product/9780687090792/paul-and-the-romans/?rank=16&txtSearchQuery=Romans%20Bible%20Studyhttp://bwcumc.org/about/our-bishop/bishop-matthews-love-offering/

Worship

Sunday School

Church Offering

March 6 121

March 13 137

March 20 128

Holy Thurs. 24 30

Easter March 27 153

March AVG.

135

April 2016

BIRTHDAYS

01 Krista Royer 02 Karen Watson

03 Donald Eyler, Jr.

04 Nikki Brown

06 Bob Fogle; Donnie Wastler, Sr., Karen

Younkins

09 Jan Owens; Alice Kells 10 Allen Krenzer

12 Lee Taylor

17 Andrew Kells

20 Scott Gautney

21 Pauline Grimes

23 Steve Kurz

24 Dave Krietz 25 Andrew Lavigne

26 Ed Woods; Kim Lavigne

27 Rosie Andrew

ANNIVERSARIES

03 Paul & Deborah Shultzaberger 04 Eric & Tammy Dutrow

12 James & Peggy Royer; Steve & Sandy

Valentine

In the event of a church service having to can-celled, Pastor Bob will put the closings on his blog.

www.wellerumc.com

March 6 46

March 13 39

March 20 31

March 27 30

March AVG. 37

March 6 $3,029

March 13 4,187

March 20 2,260

March 27 3,201

ACH Monthly Deposit 1,360

Total $14,037

5

Greeters 8:30

03 Janice & Mo Snyder

10 (Combined Svc) Dennis & Paulette Mathias

17 Matt & Jenny Roberts

24 (Combined Svc) David & Jennifer McGuire

Acolytes 8:30

03 Brody Mathias

10 (Combined Svc) Daniel Dutrow

17 Skyla Smith

24 (Combined Svc)

Scripture Readers & Call to Worship 8:30

03 Lee Taylor

17 Melissa Mathias

24 (Combined Svc) Roy Clever

Greeters 11:00

03 Katy Bowers & Makayla

10 (Combined Svc) Dennis & Paulette Mathias

17 Jane Eyler

24 (Combined Svc) David & Jennifer McGuire

Acolytes 11:00

03 Charley Keilholtz

10 (Combined Svc) Daniel Dutrow

17 Josh Miller

24 (Combined Svc)

Scripture Readers 11:00

03 James Keilholtz

17 Debby Shultzaberger

24 (Combined Svc) Roy Clever

HELPERS FOR MONTH OF APRIL

Messages and Scriptures:

04/03 Mission Sunday, Hogan Family speaking

04/10 Easter Cantata, 10 a.m. combined service

04/17 Discipleship Road: The Meaning of Discipleship

04/24 Discipleship Road: Prayers

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

Holy Communion

Missions

Sunday, Ho-gan Family

4

Scout Leaders 7 p.m.

5

Puppet Ministry

6 p.m.

6

Prayer Time 7 p.m.

7

Choirs Rehearsals 6:15-8:30

p.m.

8

Deliver East-er Baskets of

Joy 5:30-7:00

p.m.

9 Bell & History

Day 10 a.m.

Cantata Dress Rehearsal,

2-4 p.m.

Piano Concert 7 p.m.– 9 p.m.

10

Easter Cantata 10 a.m.

Combined Svc

11

Worship Design Team 7 p.m.

12

Puppet Ministry

6 p.m.

Church Coun-cil

7 p.m.

13

UMW 1 p.m.

14

15

16

17

18

19

Puppet Ministry

6 p.m.

Missions Team, 7 p.m.

20

Prayer Time 7 p.m.

21

Soup n Sandwich 5:30 p.m.

Tree Dedication

22

23

24

10 a.m. Combined

Service

25

Romans Bible Study,

7 p.m.

26

Puppet Ministry

6 p.m.

27

Admin Assistant

Appreciation Day

28 29 30