Bugle 'N Brief is a bi-monthly newsletter used to keep everyone 'up to date' on what is happening at Wesley Chapel UMC.
BUGLE ‘N BRIEF September - October 2024
“May the Lord continually bless you with heaven’s blessings as well as with human joys.”
CHURCH CALENDAR:
Sept 1 Holy Communion
Sept 9 Bazaar Workshop @ Dinah’s 12 pm
Sept 19 Church Council Meeting @ 7 pm Psalm 128:5
Oct 6 World Wide Communion Bread & Soup Feast after worship
Oct 14 Bazaar Workshop @ Dinah’s 12 pm
Oct 25 Craft Show Preparation @ Urbana Fire Hall 9 am
Oct 26 Urbana Indoor Art & Craft Show 9am – 4pm
Oct 27 Reformation Sunday Halloween Meal after worship Expectations and Engagement
FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN It is mid-August, and many new things are either upon us already, or will be in short order. These things may induce a variety of emotions, depending upon our expectations. This in turn will affect the quality of our engagement or participation. What are some of your expectations? Take a few moments and write down some of them, asking yourself the “why” question as you do so. Sometimes we avoid thinking about such matters at least in part because we see no way for our actions to make a difference in outcomes. So, when bad things happen, (or are forecast to happen), we may become cynical, or depressed, or just “detached.” Expectations affect the way we engage. Recently in one of our study groups, one person observed that while we often cannot make a difference on big-picture matters (things on the global scale), we still can make small-scale differences. Maybe you have heard the phrase “think globally, act locally.” It is the idea behind the parable of the Star-Thrower. If you don’t know it, here is one source that can help you share its wisdom with children: https://schoolofkindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/the-story-of-the-star-thrower-2.pdf When it comes to moving our society in a healthier direction, it may seem our actions are small and insignificant, having little meaningful impact, but I believe that is untrue. I believe the small is always where we start. We start with ourselves: How can we become more Christ-like? We move on, taking what we have learned from Christ and embodying that in our moment-by-moment encounters. Those encounters may not change the world immediately, but they may change the world for the person we have encountered. Who knows? Maybe some will ask us why we were kind. Maybe even that won’t matter to some, but still, they will choose “to pay it forward.” I believe that is how we change the world. I believe that is how Christians always have changed the world. One of the authors I read regularly has recently offered this prayer: Lord, help me to put myself in your presence today, not just now, when I am consciously doing so as I speak and listen to you in prayer, but in the unconscious moments as well when I’m busy living my life. Let me be so aware of you, so in your presence even then, that your love leaks out of me and pours out onto others. ~ Patricia Ramsden We can and should expect that God will use us to touch the lives of others with God’s grace. When we so expect, that is where Church happens! When we expect God’s grace to move, even in going to school, or in going to the polls, the quality of our engagement changes.
Pastor Dave Pastor’s Contacts: Rev. Dave W, Hodsdon 240-676-7825 www.facebook.com/david.w.hodsdon
Mail: 4227 Headwaters Lane, Olney, MD 20832
www.youtube.com/david.w.hodsdon3533
LITURGISTS
September 1- Sam German
8 - Leslie Short
15 - Becky Ireland
22 - Carolyn Maher
29 - Pat Huff
October 6 - Christine Smith
13 - Laura Wood
20 - Kendra Gibson
27 - Dinah Benson
BIBLE STUDIES NOTES AND NOTICES At Monday Sunday School, we are reading and enjoying “Twelve Ordinary Men” by John MacArthur, a study of each of the twelve disciples. It meets Monday mornings from 10:00 12:00, at Dinah Benson's home. The Thursday morning Adult Bible Study group is examining the book, “In the Presence of Jesus” by Paul Bane and Matt Litton. This group meets from 10:00-12:00 at Dinah Benson's home and all are welcome to share in the good discussion and sweet fellowship!
MEALS AFTER WORSHIP Thank you so much to Carolyn and all who helped with the Christmas-in-July meal. The wonderful pre-pre-pre-Christmas celebration included turkey and all the trimmings!
Thank you also to Jean Rhinehart and Carolyn who provided the August meal.
There will be no September meal since the Bread and Soup Feast will be the following week.
The Hoffman family will provide the meal after worship on October 27 with a Halloween theme. This is always a fun and delicious social event.
ALTAR FLOWERS:
The August altar flowers were given by Sunni, Anne & Chip in Memory of Buddy & Helen England and for Helen’s birthday, August 16.
The September alter flowers are given by Pastor Dave and Bonnie Hodsdon.
The October’s blooms will be given by Beverly Sharrer in memory of Alice Maher and Paul Naundorf.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
BREAD AND SOUP FEAST October 6 - Wesley Chapel's annual Bread and Soup Feast is fast approaching. Please join us in the Parish Hall following our celebration of World Communion Sunday for one of our favorite traditions. There will be a variety of homemade soups provided, as well as drinks, jams, jellies, and cream cheese. Bring your favorite bought or homemade bread to share with everyone. It’s always a good time of fellowship.
URBANA INDOOR ART & CRAFTS SHOW:
This is Wesley Chapel’s Biggest Fund Raiser, held at the Urbana Fire Hall. October 26, 9 am-4 pm. Friday, Oct 25 9:00 am Urbana Fire Hall to prepare food for Saturday. 9:30 am - Unload rented tables & pick up tables from the Parish Hall. Set up for vendors in dining hall TBD.
Saturday, Oct 26 6 am Rise and shine early Saturday morning to set up 48 tables in UVFD engine bays for vendor tables.
7 am to help the vendors bring in their items.
7:30 - 9 am. A great job for High Schooler’s community service hours!
Bring baked goods to Fire Hall. Prepare Breakfast and other kitchen duties. Counter help is needed all day long. You do not handle money. Just smile and fill the customer’s orders.
4 pm. the doors close. Help to tear down all tables in both areas, clean up the hall and help vendors out the door. Please consider taking time out to help. Make some yummies for the bake table and stop in for breakfast, lunch and to shop.
If you have any questions, contact Carolyn Maher, 301-662 5769 or Nancy Bittle 301-639-3136.
LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER Please mark your calendars for these events:
November 2 Live Nativity Stable Building, Urbana Fire Hall rear parking lot. 9:30 am. November 8 Set up for Holiday Bazaar at Wesley Chapel. Bring your crafts. 9:00 – Noon November 9 Holiday Bazaar. Bring baked goods and an appetite. Food to Go! 9 am - 2 pm.
December 1 Annual Live Nativity at Urbana Fire Hall, rear parking lot. Actors, hosts, cookie bakers and hot chocolate makers are needed. 6, 7, & 8 pm
HOLIDAY BAZAAR Saturday November 9 - Everyone’s help is needed for the annual Holiday Bazaar. It may be a holiday event, but items of all kinds are desired. All profit will go for those in need. We ask that all items be handmade. Some examples would be jewelry, ornaments, table decor, textile/fabric, gifts, crochet, knitted, etc.
Baked goods will be needed as well. Get your glue guns out and start creating! GIFTS, BLESSINGS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
HELP IS NEEDED: FOR COUNCIL SECRETARY A personal plea from Judy Pontius. Due to her failing eyesight, she will NOT be able to continue as Council Secretary, a position she has faithfully held for many years. Please consider helping Wesley Chapel (and Judy). It is not a difficult job. Come talk to her.
IN SOCIAL MEDIA This is a great way to spread the News of what is happening at Wesley Chapel and you can do it from home! Carolyn is looking for volunteer(s) to contact Social Media outlets to advertise our upcoming events: Urbana Indoor Art & Craft Show, Holiday Bazaar, Live Nativity, Christmas Eve, Lenten and Easter services, Yard Sale, and anything else that may be added to the calendar and open to the public. Carolyn Maher will guide you about what information is needed to advertise the event/occasion. You can be creative in design and how to put the info out there. Contact her by email at maher323@verizon.net. BABY GRAND PIANO SEEKS GREAT NEW HOME Pastor Dave recently received the following note: I am currently in the process of moving and have a beautiful Yamaha baby grand piano that I would love to donate. This piano holds a special place in my heart as it belonged to my late husband, who deeply appreciated the artistry and beauty of music. It would mean a lot to me to find a new home for this instrument where it will be cherished and properly cared for. If you know of anyone who is passionate about the piano and would genuinely appreciate the opportunity to own and play this Yamaha baby grand, I would be more than happy to provide further details. I look forward to potentially connecting with someone who has the same love and devotion for this instrument.
Please contact Pastor Dave for more information and a contact number.
END NOTES We think God’s love rises and falls with our performance. It doesn’t. God loves you for who you are: You are His precious child. -Max Lucado
Our activities
We organize various activities throughout the calendar year. See our Church Calendar below
Weekly Prayer Concerns
Each week our church bulletin lists members and friends that need our prayers.
Annual gatherings
Our Church organizes various events, from Christmas celebrations, Especially our Live Nativity held behind the Urbana Fire Hall to Easter festivities and Thanksgiving prayers.
Bible Study groups
Our Bible study groups meet on Monday and Thursday mornings, so you can choose which one suits your life the best. Call: 301-663-4956 to ask for info.
"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way."