|
|
Weekly Reflections
Pete Berntson
Fifth Sunday Excitement
I must tell you that I am very excited for this Sunday to arrive. Not only do we have some great Sunday schools digging into some key issues of faith. Not only is it the start of the Confirmation process for two of our sixth-graders. It is also the first “fifth” Sunday of 2012. A “fifth” Sunday is that extra Sunday when, once a quarter, a month has not four, but five Sundays. It is like having a “bonus” Sunday! J
Here at Church of the Palms we are establishing / re-establishing (I am not exactly sure!) a practice that transforms these bonus Sundays into an extra-special time of worship and fellowship. We have scheduled special speakers, presenters, or preachers to share the good news of Gospel on these Sundays. Some will use various techniques of music, or drama, or even story-telling as they share their gifts and graces with us. It is our hope and prayer that these special guests offer an engaging way of experience the familiar story of God’s love in new and engaging ways.
To extend our time of worship to include fellowship with one another, our fifth Sundays will also include a covered-dish luncheon following the worship time. Breaking bread, sharing a meal with one another, is such an important part of being the body of Christ. We rarely get the opportunity to talk and share with each other, certainly not as often as I would like to do. Casual and informal conversation over lunch is a gift offered to each of us.
So I encourage you not only to be “present” this fifth Sunday, but also to consider inviting a friend, neighbor, or family member to come with you. We will experience story-teller Luella Krieger ofVisitor from the Past Ministries, as she portrays Lydia, seller of purple cloth. Lydia has a testimony to give, one that tells of how God was present in her life – a reminder to give thanks for God in your life as well.
And then there will be the food…yum!
See you Sunday!
Blessed to be on this journey as your pastor,
Pete+
In Palm Notes This Week:
Confirmation Class begins January 29
January 29 Luella Krieger and 5thSunday fellowship meal
Ushers and Greeters, please sign up!
Souper Bowl of Caring, Sunday February 6
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday February 21
New study for Lent
Walterboro District Winter Lay Speaking School March 3 & 4
United Methodist Women
Come Join the Choir!
The Church Calendar
Serving schedule
February Birthdays and Anniversaries
Confirmation class
to begin January 29
Starting January 29, all youth in 6th grade and above, who are not yet confirmed, are invited to take part in the Credo Confirmationprogram during Sunday school time each week. Confirmation is not the beginning or the end of the faith journey. Confirmation is about making disciples. It is that simple and that challenging.
Credo(Greek meaning "I Believe") is a confirmation program that is not your conventional classroom experience! It brings worship, Sunday school, Bible study, service, and church ministries into confirmation.
Confirmation Sunday will be April 22. Contact Pastor Pete if you are interested in confirmation or have any questions.
January 29th Luella Krieger
is bringing Lydia to visit
Church of the Palms
"The seller of purple". She was not only the first convert in Philippi, it would appear she was a leader in the interesting church that grew up there. When you meet Lydia you will hear her impressions of that strange looking man named Paul who came to the riverside to join in their prayer meeting. You will hear of her life as a dealer in the business of dyeing and selling fabric but also of the vague longing she had in her heart for something that was missing. She will talk of how she came to know the God who could satisfy that longing and of how He brought her to Philippi to complete the work He had begun in her. You will also hear about the varying group of folks comprising the church of Philippi. You will hear how God took an odd group of people having nothing at all in common and created a part of the body of Christ!
January 29th 5th Sunday Fellowship
Thank you to everyone for signing up to bring a dish to the fifth sunday fellowship meal, the response has been fantastic! We do, however, need a few more offers to help set up and clean up.
Ushers and Greeters
Paula has created a sign up sheet for you to sign up to serve as Ushers and Greeters. Please check your calendars and sign up when you next come to church. The sign up section of the narthex bulletin board is the upper panel facing Hwy 170. Thank you.
Souper Bowl of Caring
next Sunday February 5
140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join the Youth of Church of the Palms as they demonstrate God’s love by loving their neighbors through Souper Bowl of Caring. Drop $1 (or more) in the soup pot next Sunday.
Thank you!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday February 21
Come join in the fun and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes as The Brothers! of Church of the Palms do some cooking! On Shrove Tuesday, February 21, from 5:30 pm until the food runs out, The Brothers! will be preparing pancakes with bacon and sausage. The Brothers! will accept a free-will offering with the proceeds going towards their missions projects.
The word "shrove" is the past tense of the English verb "shrive", which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as "Pancake Day." Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.
Shrove Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent. Come be part of this fun evening of fellowship!
Lenten Study 2012
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? What is it? Many of us have asked that question during our journey through life. Maybe Jesus even asked that same question, especially during His last week on earth.
Drawing from six stories in the gospel of John, Thomas Steagald invites us to take a Holy Lenten journey with Jesus following Him from the temptation in the wilderness, to the darkness at Calvary and into the hope of dawn on Easter morning.
For this Lenten season during February 29ththrough April 5th you are invited to join one of the three classes being offered. Both adult Sunday School classes that meet at 9:15 am will engage in the Lenten study along with a new class on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. If you are interested in joining one of these three Lenten study classes please inform the contact person of that class so that a study book can be ordered for you. The cost of the study book will be $12.00.
To participate in the Lenten study with the Seekers class, please contact Wanda Lane: 705– 6839 or e-mail thelanes@hargray.com
for the Wise Women Class contact Barbara Carnal: 726-4310 or e-mail barbcarn1@earthlink.net
and for the Wednesday evening class contact Pastor Pete: 694-7447 or e-mail pete@palmsumc.org
Walterboro District
Winter Lay Speaking school
March 3 & 4 at Carteret St UMC, Beaufort
If you have not yet attended a Lay Speaking Ministries weekend in the Walterboro District, this is your chance!
Classes will start on Saturday March 3 with registration at 8am and end at 5pm. Sunday afternoon we will begin at 2pm and conclude with graduation and worship ending at 5pm. Lunch is furnished on Saturday and snacks will be provided on both days.
You will find it to be a meaningful and rewarding experience. While many believe that lay Speakers only preach in the pulpit, the program is much more expansive than that. A wide variety of courses are offered on different subjects with phenomenal instructors. Those new to Lay Speaking Ministries will be required to take the Basic course first to become a Local Church Lay Speaker. Youth start with the Youth Basic course. Regardless of your age, experience, or place in your faith journey, there is a course for you. The weekend includes opportunities for fellowship, community dining, and very moving times of worship.
The registration deadline for the Winter Lay Speaking School is February 17, 2012.
Class sizes are limited, so don’t delay! Registration forms are available on line from
http://www.sclayspeaking.org/walterboro.html
or from our Church Secretary and Church of the Palms Certified Lay Speaker, Lee McSavaney
Church of the Palms
United Methodist Women
19 women attended our first afternoon meeting of the UMW this past Tuesday! If you weren't able to get to the meeting, I hope you're planning to come along to the evening 2012 kick-off meeting this coming Tuesday, January 31, 6:30-8pm, dessert and coffee will be served. (The program will be the same as on Tuesday afternoon.) You do not need to be a member of the UMW, although of course it would be wonderful if you choose to be.
We have been invited by the women of The United Methodist Women of Bluffton UMC to join them at Bluffton UMC on Calhoun Street, on Saturday February 18 at noon, for a program given by Tidewater Hospice, lunch wil be served. (The meeting will be for an hour and a half to two hours in duration.) Please let me know by Wednesday February 8 if you will be attending. My contact information is below.
This coming Tuesday evening, I will give a very brief account of the origins of UMW, its focus on missions, and its role at Church of the Palms today. We will then have an open discussion about what our plans for 2012 will look like. Bring along all your bright ideas and your favorite coffee cup. Please RSVP if you haven’t already done so to: lee@palmsumc.org or call me at church 379-1888 or see me at church.
Lee McSavaney, 2012 Church of the Palms UMW President
The Chancel Choir needs You!
Beginning February 2nd regular rehearsal will be from 6:45-7:30 pm. Easter Cantata Rehearsal will follow 7:30-8:15pm. And remember:
Singing blesses;
it helps us get in touch with the holy inside us, and it helps the listener do the same.
Singing is healthy;
it keeps your brain active, and your lungs exercised.
Singing makes friends;
making music together, especially spiritual music, binds friends together.
Singing is a gift;
and if you have that gift, come share it!
Blessings and Peace,
Norma Brown, Chancel Choir Director
|
|
The Church Calendar for
January 2012
|
Weekly: |
|
For full details of Sunday worship, scroll down to below "Meetings" |
|
Sunday |
9:00 am |
|
Nursery for newborn thru age 3 |
|
|
9:15 am |
|
Adult Sunday School |
|
|
9:15 am |
|
Confirmation class begins 1/29 |
|
|
9:15 am |
|
Children's Sunday School and Youth Group will begin February 26 |
|
|
10:30 am |
|
Worship / Children's Worship
no children's worship 1/29 |
|
|
|
|
From February 26 children age 8 and over will remain in worship, and ages 4-7 are invited to participate in Children’s Worship |
|
|
11:45 am |
|
following worship, Children's choir rehearsal |
|
|
6 pm |
|
Financial Peace University |
|
Monday |
|
|
Pastor Pete's sabbath |
|
|
10:00 am |
|
Upper Room Disciplines |
|
Thursday |
8:00 am |
|
The Brothers! |
|
|
6:00 pm |
|
Emmaus Reunion Group |
|
|
6:45-7:30pm |
|
Choir Rehearsal - regular |
|
|
7:30-8:15pm |
|
Easter Cantata Rehearsal |
|
Friday |
|
|
Lee's Day Off |
|
Saturday |
|
|
Church Office closed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meetings: |
|
|
|
|
Tu Jan 31 |
6:30-8 pm |
|
UMW kick-off evening Meeting |
|
W Feb 8 |
10 am |
|
Worship Committee Meeting |
|
Sa Feb 11 |
10 am |
|
CYMT Meeting, work room |
|
W Feb 15 |
1-3 pm |
|
Stephen Ministry Meeting |
|
Tu Feb 21 |
5:30 pm |
|
The Brothers! Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper |
|
W Feb 22 |
7pm |
|
Ash Wednesday service with Communion |
|
M Feb 27 |
7pm |
|
Church Council Meeting |
|
Tu Feb 28 |
3-4:30 pm |
|
UMW afternoon Meeting |
|
Tu Feb 28 |
6:30-8 pm |
|
UMW evening Meeting |
|
W Feb 29 |
7pm |
|
Lent evening study begins |
Sunday January 29
4th after Epiphany - green
Ecumenical Sunday
Worship at 10:30 am: Luella Krieger – Visitors from the Past Ministry
Fifth Sunday Fellowship Luncheon
Sunday, February 5—5th after Epiphany
A Balanced Life - Mark 1:29-39
Souper Bowl of Caring
Communion Service
Remember your non perishables for First Sunday Food Pantry Offering
Sunday, February 12—6th after Epiphany, Boy Scout Sunday
The Power of Change - Mark 1:40-45
VBS showcase 2pm
Sunday, February 19—Last Sunday after Epiphany
Transfiguration of the Lord
Communion service
Mountaintop Realities - Mark 9:2-9
Sunday, Feb 26—1st Sunday in Lent—Purple
Shadows Darkness and Dawn: A Lenten Journey With Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11
Children’s Sunday School & Youth Group begin
|
|
|
|
Happy February Birthdays
Janet Nolan, 2/9
Bob Longest, 2/20
Steve Kundrat, 2/22
Denny Rettew, 2/22
Rex Divine, 2/23
Matilda Smith, 2/23
Dalton Manning, 2/28
...and Anniversaries
Crystal & Leslie R. Murphy, 2/3
Bob & Wanda Lane, 2/25
|
|
January 29
4th Sunday after the Epiphany
Green
Announcements
Toni Wald
Ushers
Dave & Betsy Harrelson
No Children’s Church
Counters
Toni Wald, Carol Siddall
February 5,
5th Sunday after the Epiphany
Green
Souper Bowl Sunday
Ushers
Kay & Mike Porter
Ron & Sandy Hillstrom
Announcements
Toni Wald
Children’s Church
8-11 yrs. Candy, Sylvia
4-7 yrs. Crystal , Sharon B
Communion servers
Scott & Selina Denny,
Jean Stephens
Altar Guild
Elizabeth Hargrove
Counters
Candy Grose
Sylvia Kaufman
|
|
|
|
|
|
