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

May – June 2025 32nd Edition

“Your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always

give you all you need from day to day.” Luke 12:30-319

CHURCH CALENDAR

May 1 Food Prep for Yard Sale, 8 am

May 2 Food Prep, Move Items Outdoors, 8 am

May 3 Yard, Food and Bake Sale, 8 am - 2 pm

May 4 Holy Communion

May 11 Mother’s Day

May 12 Craft Workshop, Noon at Dinah Benson’s

May 13-15 Annual Conference

May 15 Trustees Meeting, 7 pm

May 17 Ladies’ Luncheon, 11:30

May 18 Laity Sunday

May 25 Meal after Worship

June 1 Holy Communion

June 9 Craft Workshop, Noon at Dinah Benson’s

June 15 Father’s Day, Peace with Justice Sunday

June 19 Administrative Council Meeting, 7 pm

June 29 Church Indoor Picnic, 11:30 am in Parish Hall

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Recently someone asked me the traditional Wesleyan question for “checking in”: “How is it with

your soul?” It is a good question to ponder from time to time, even if not in direct conversation

with someone. It is much easier to answer questions like: “How is it with your physical health?” Or

“How is it with your financial portfolio?” Or “How is it with your work?” But… how IS it with your soul?

While it is true that all the questions above may impact our answers, it is my hope and prayer that

you can respond, “It is well with my soul.” Do you know the story of Horatio Spafford, and the

writing of the hymn with that title? Even amidst personal and family tragedies, he was able to

affirm, “It is well with my soul.”

Christians should not be naïve or unfeeling, nor turn a blind eye to real distress. Jobs have been

lost. Investment accounts have cratered. The forecast is for higher inflation. The days are not

easy for many, maybe for most, and there is no use in hiding from that reality. But whatever may

come, however “the adversary” (aka the devil/Satan) may attack, we can take refuge from the

storms within the arms of our Loving God, who has overcome our last enemies of sin and death.

There, we are secure and can affirm - even if through sorrow and tears - it IS well with my soul.

Christ is Risen! (and we all respond, “He is risen indeed!”)

Thanks be to God.

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 email: revdwhodsdon@gmail.com

LITURGISTS

May

4 - Chris Smith

11 - Laura Wood

18 - Kendra Gibson

25 - Dinah Benson

June

1 - Tom Maher

8 - Sam German

15 - Leslie Short

22 - Becky Ireland

29 - Pat Huff

CHURCH YARD SALE

Wesley Chapel will hold a Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, from 8 am to

2 pm, both on the front lawn and indoors. Breakfast and lunch will be

served. Soup-to-go and a bake table will also be available.

What will sell? HOUSEHOLD items (dishes, glasses, mugs,

kitchenware, small appliances, bed clothes, curtains, towels, etc.).

CLOTHING for all seasons and sizes, TOOLS, ELECTRONICS, COLLECTIBLES, BOOKS,

SMALL FURNITURE PIECES, KNICKKNACKS, TOYS, and anything useful, clean and in

working order will be accepted. Please, no personal items such as cologne, cosmetics,

undergarments, or toiletries.

All items become the property of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. Any items left

from the Yard Sale will be donated to different charities.

This project takes many hands!! Canopies are needed to cover the outside items. Please

bring these to the Parish Hall Thursday or early Friday. Help is needed in the kitchen, at the

bake table, assisting people with purchases, and cashiers. Homemade baked goods are

needed for the bake table: drop-off between 7:30 and 9:00 am the day of the Yard Sale.

After the event, much help is needed to pack and move items back into the Parish Hall or

secure items under the tent for pick up the following week. Please contact Carolyn Maher

at 240-409-6428 or Thomas Maher, 240-626-3334 or at their home, 301-662-5769 for

details or to volunteer to help.

Yard Sale Drop Off Dates and Times

April 26 Yard Sale Drop Off, Noon - 4 pm

April 27 Yard Sale Drop Off, Noon - 4 pm

April 28 No Drop Off

April 29 Yard Sale Drop off, 7 -9 pm

April 30 Yard Sale Drop off, 7 -9 pm

May 1 No Drop Off. Begin Food Preparation

May 2 Food Prep & Move Items Outdoors, 8 am

May 3 Finish Setting Up Outdoors & Final Food Prep

Bake Goods arrive, 7:30 - 9 am

YARD, FOOD & BAKE SALE, 8 am - 2 pm

Clean up Begins After 2 pm

=======================================

Love doesn’t make the world go round.

Love is what makes the journey worthwhile.

FAITH WITH FEET

To better meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, Wesley

Chapel is cooperating with other churches to fill the food pantry located

at Morgan Chapel. Nonperishables are needed. The list is shown below.

Place all donations in the Wesley Chapel choir loft. This is an on-going

need, so as a congregation, let’s fill the container and help to fill some

hungry tummies!

Peanut Butter Soup (no Ramen)

Jelly Black Beans

Pasta Pasta Sauce

Cereal Corn Muffins

Cans of Tuna or Chicken (no Spam

or high fat canned meat)

Canned Fruit

Mac n Cheese

Helper Meals

Ravioli/Chili/Pork n Beans

Potatoes

Rice

Canned Vegetables (low salt varieties preferred)

Items difficult to keep in stock:

Peanut Butter Jelly

Canned Fruit Helper Meals

TO OUR GRADUATES:

Congratulations to all our graduates! A gold star and a tip of the

tasseled cap to these of our family who have accomplished their goals!

May you go forth with confidence and joy.

May you remember your roots in Christ and family.

May you be a beacon of love in the world.

Mason Hipkins, Williamsport High School. Son of Scott and Katie, grandson of Tommy Hipkins.

Megan Lawrence, Urbana High School. Daughter of Scott and Cyndi.

Jacob Pontius, Governor Thomas Johnson High School. Son of Mark and Kristin, grandson of Judy.

Justin Maher, Academy of Video Production. Son of Michael and Tita, grandson of Tom and Carolyn.

Elise MacDonald, Saint Martin's University, Lacey, Washington. Daughter of Kris and Amy.

And in August 2025 -

Allie German, Shepherd University. Daughter of Sam and Roger, granddaughter of Tommy Hipkins.

If you know of a graduate not on this list, please inform Dinah Benson (towncow@aol.com)

or Judy Pontius (poncho3506@gmail.com).

EATING, SHARING, BEING MERRY!

CHURCH INDOOR PICNIC

Come join your Wesley Chapel family for food and fellowship at the

June 29 Indoor Picnic beginning after worship at 10:30 in the Parish

Hall. Bring your favorite dish or two to share with everyone. Fried

chicken, drinks and place settings will be provided. After eating, stay

for some fun and fellowship. Questions? See Carolyn or Dinah.

MEALS AFTER WORSHIP

Christmas in July will be the theme of our July 27 meal.

October is the traditional Halloween meal.

There are no meals in September, November and December.

August is the only remaining open date.

Please contact Carolyn to volunteer.

IT’S IN THE BOOK!

BIBLE STUDIES

The Monday Sunday School is studying the “Bad Girls of the Bible.” Liz Curtis

Higgs discusses ten of Scripture’s best known “femme fatales” in a way that

mirrors so much of today’s life situations. This group meets Monday mornings

at Dinah Benson's home from 10:00-12:00.

How can we do discipleship in an instant society? The Thursday Morning Adult

Bible Study group debates this topic within a new book, “A Long Obedience in the

Same Direction” by Eugene H. Peterson. The group also meets from 10:00-12:00 at

Dinah Benson's home and both groups welcome everyone who desires to attend.

FINAL NOTES

ALTAR FLOWERS

The altar flowers for the month of May are given by Greg & Anne Gray.

Altar flowers for the month of June are given by Fayne Lebherz.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored altar flowers this year. Every month

has been filled. If you have any questions, please see or contact Carolyn Maher, 240-409-6428.

WITH GRATITUDE TO

The Hipkins family for our February Meal After Worship.

The Missions Team for the March Meal After Worship.

Carolyn and Tom Maher and all who helped with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

Dinah Benson for hosting our Monday and Thursday Bible studies.

All who purchased lilies for the Sanctuary at Easter.

DIRECTORY UPDATES

If your address, email or telephone have changed, or you know of someone listed in Wesley

Chapel’s directory who has changed any of these, please submit the changes or additions to

Judy Pontius: poncho3506@gmail.com, phone-301-831-8153 or to Thomas Maher:

maher323@verizon.net, phone 301-662-5769.Thanks.

THE SUNSHINE CLUB

Would you like to have a card sent to someone? All you need to do is contact Fayne Lebherz

(301 473 5767) or Barbara Coffey (240 446 7339). Give them the person's name, address,

and occasion. Thank you.

GENTLE GEMS

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the LORD your

God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9