Baker Memorial United Methodist Church

Tower Topics Our Monthly Newsletter

April 2017 “Open hearts, open minds, open doors”

Pastor: Reverend Matthew Golibersuch Congregational Care: Reverend Rebecca Naber -Director of Youth & Family Life Ministry: Lisa Doutt

Worship Opportunities 2

Events 3

Information 4

Youth 5

Missions 6

United Methodist Women 7

Words of Thanks 8

Calendar 9

Our Church Family 10

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it

remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)

Welcome to today. If you are reading this letter, then you are alive and in the midst of life’s journey. The Lord has ordained it to be this way. We awaken every morning to this gift that is life. As we open this present, we come to realize that today is a new day. Within this new day, God is always giving birth to new wonders everywhere! Have you not perceived it?

Yet there are times when we take life for granted. This day seems much like yesterday. We arise in the morning much like yesterday. We engage our routines much like yesterday. We shower or bathe and get ready for the day much like yester-day. And we live our lives much like yesterday. The end of the day arrives and we find our heads

upon the pillow, much like yesterday. Is this the way the God of all creation desires us to receive the new wonders of every-day life?

With the passing of Winter and the emergence of Spring, new wonders are sprouting up all over creation. New life unfolds just as the Lord intended it. After a winter that seemed lifeless in the natural world, new green shoots and sprouts force their way up through the cold dead ground bringing new wonders to the barren landscape. You can intuitively sense God’s Word giving birth to new wonders everywhere- without words, but truth none the less, in a very real sense. It’s as if we can feel it in our bones.

Jesus often looked to creation and tried to relate God’s truths to his followers by referring to the physical world around him. As the time for his crucifixion neared, he shared with his disciples the reality of what was upon him. “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” When we examine the metaphor that Jesus related to, we notice that wheat is a caryopsis- a particular grain where the seed and grain are fused together as one (Webster’s). The only way the seed can produce more grain is to literally die to self in the ground and the wheat stalk is born; producing a head full of caryopses. Were one to dig around or uproot the stalk, one would find no seed. It is literally dead and gone, and in the process new life abounds. God giving birth to new wonders everywhere!

Scripture tells us and we hold to the belief that Christ died and was raised to new life on the third day. As is God’s habit,

God’s Word always gives birth to new wonders everywhere. Do you not perceive it? I invite you to consider God’s Word-

spoken and unspoken and incarnate in Christ Jesus. Do you sense new wonders springing forth in you? I pray that as Lent

gives way to Holy Week and Easter and the journey from Ashes to Redemption continues, you might sense the truth of

God’s love for you and God’s Word giving birth to new wonders everywhere; even in you and me!

Shalom, Rev. Matt

W o r s h i p O p p o r t u n i t i e s

APRIL SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Praise Service @ 8:30am

No Sunday School for youth in the month of April

Traditional Worship Service @ 10:45am

April 2nd April 16th~One Service at 10am

5th Sunday in Lent Easter Sunday

Communion Sunday Communion Sunday

April 9th ~Palm Sunday April 23rd 6th Sunday in Lent 2nd Sunday of Easter

April 30th

3rd Sunday of Easter

Page 2 Tower Topics: April 2017

The ‘Through the Bible’ Class led by Bonnie Smeal is continuing their study in

the Bible with the new testament. Join us Sundays April 2, 30 at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor.

“Going Further with Reverend Matt” is continuing their conversation about the scripture of the

day and the sermon. This class meets on the 3rd floor at 9:45 am on Sunday morning April 2 and 30

From Ashes to Redemption: A 40 Day Lenten Journey of Discovery, Discipline and Devotion

4th Sunday of Lent: “Seeking Our Way Out of Darkness- Our Sight Restored” John 9:1-41 (NIV)

5th Sunday of Lent: “The Spirit of Life Gives New Life- Even to Our Dry, Lifeless Bones”

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NIV) Romans 8:6-11 (NIV)

Palm/Passion Sunday “Not The Christ They Were Looking For- What Kind of Christ Are We Looking For?”

Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV) Matthew 26:14-27:66

Holy Thursday April 13th- 7:00pm service. “Will We Taste and See, Stay and Pray or Will We Flee?” Matthew 26:17-30 Matthew 26:36-46

Good Friday April 14th-Cross Walk– Noon– Immaculate Conception Church

Easter Day April 16th—One Service at 10am: Resurrection Sunday: “Thanks be to God Who Gives Us the Vic-tory in Our Lord Jesus Christ”

John 20:1-18 (NIV) Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

If you would like the Tower Topics by email, please send your email address to towertopics@yahoo.com. This will

assist in controlling our cost of mailing, help the environment and there are color pictures included at times. Let us

know if you want it just by email or by snail mail and email, both. Thanks for thinking of the environment.

We

P a g e 3 Tower Topics: April 2017

E v e n t s A t B a k e r

Grief Share meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays @ 4-5:30 pm in the parlor. For details, contact Sue Toft at 652-9549 All are Welcome to join us!

Prayer Chain Ministry– If you or someone

you know needs prayers, we have folks

willing to pray. Please contact our email

prayer chain by contacting Kathie:

swiny0@gmail.com, or our phone prayer

chain by calling Sue: 667-2570 with your

request.

Baker Preschool is Now Registering for the 2017-

2018 School Year

The Moms & Me Playgroup: classes are held on Fridays from 9:15-11:15am

4 year old class: Classes are on Mon., Wed., Fri 9-11:30 a.m.

3 year old class: Classes are on Mon & Wed from 9-11:30 a.m.

For information call Marie Gusakov at 652-7954 or Donna Learn at 652-6988.

Baker—A Praying Church

This month we have been praying for Nathan Stolte, Jim and Debi Suttell and their

family, Carl and Kathie Swinamer and their family and Lowell Sylwester and his family.

Jesus said in Mark 11:24: “Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if only you

have faith.”

JUMBLE SALE/STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL!

Save the date June 24th for our important church

fundraiser. All hands are needed. There will be a

meeting on Wednesday, May 10th at 7pm in the di-

nette for the chairpersons of the Strawberry Festival

only.

Also we need an individual or individuals to oversee

the Special Treasures table and the Odds & Ends ta-

ble. Contact Wendy at 652-7416 for more info.

BOOK PRESENTATION

On Tuesday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel, Ladine Housholder will give a presentation on her new book "Bus to Corinth." Five of the original 'Well Women' journey through Greece to retrace the footsteps of Paul the Apostle during his ministry in Athens and Corinth. As they study I and II Corinthians, the friends discover how the Apostle Paul loved and labored as God's change agent for quarrelsome Judeans in Corinth. They realize they, too, are changed. Like Paul's vision of Jesus, their experience explodes into their lives, empowering and transforming them forever."

If you would like to read her previous book, "The Well Women", it is on the UMW bookshelf in the Chapel. Ladine Housholder, the mother of Lisa Hasselback, is a professional musician and lives with her husband Frank in the Ba-varian Alps. Please come to hear Ladine speak about her new book!

Page 4 T o w e r T o p i c s : A p r i l 2 0 1 7

I N F O R M A T I O N

MIDWEEK LENTEN LUNCHEON

Our Lenten worship luncheon

will continue April 5th and 12th

at 12 noon for a 1/2 hour medita-

tion time followed by a soup

luncheon.

BAKER WOMEN’S RETREAT

Our Baker Women’s Retreat will be April 28-30th at the Meth-

odist House, Chautauqua Institute. Cost is $75 per person.

Reservations for “The Sweet Life Café” can be made between

services with a non refundable payment. There is a limit of

twenty guests. You may call the office to make a reservation.

Easter Plants

The Easter plants you order will be placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April16th.

Please Note: Deadline for orders is Monday April 3rd

Payment must accompany order. Checks can be made out to Baker Memorial UMC.

Flower choices 6-61/2” pots (no color choices)

*Lily, Martha Washington Geranium…$7.00 *Please note different price*

Tulip, Hyacinth, Daffodil…$6.00

Inscriptions: In loving memory of, In honor of, To the Glory of God, For blessing received…

Please print clearly.

Quantity Flower Choice Inscription

_______ ____________ _______________________________________

_______ ____________ _______________________________________

_______ ____________ _______________________________________

Given by: _______________________________________________________________________

Exactly as you would like printed in the bulletin.

Visitation Team ~ Tuesday, April 11 @ 7pm

Trustees Mtg~ Tuesday April 18th @7pm April 17th ~ Office Closed

Finance Mtg~ Wednesday April 26th @ 7pm

Let the office know of your scheduled meetings Admin Council ~ Thursday May 4th @7pm

Meetings

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT BAKER

Please join us for a hot brunch between services on

April 23rd in Frantz Hall. Please sign up to bring egg

casseroles. Rolls and a light fruit salad will be served.

For even more fun, we will have a Chinese auction of

home baked pies, cakes, etc. during the meal. Dona-

tions will be taken instead of ticket sales. It will be a

great time of fun, food and fellowship. Shalom and

thank you. It will benefit the Seneca Street UMC.

T o w e r T o p i c s : A p r i l 2 0 1 7 Page 6

M i s s i o n s a t B a k e r

FISH of EAST AURORA The collection item for

April is Cold Cereal

City Mission News

Thanks again for all your donations of men’s razor blades. Personal items like that are always needed. For April we are still collecting men’s boxer briefs size large for the men’s mission. Imagine how won-derful and comforting it would be to have a brand new clean pair of underwear after living on the streets for many days or weeks. Your donations bring many smiles and a sense of comfort to so many. The City Mission is such a wonderful institution that really speaks to the heart of what Jesus asked us to do. Therefore, we thank you so much for your generous donations and kind prayers for the home-less who need all the support we can give them.

Are you having company coming for Easter brunch or dinner? Do you need some good/tested recipes for appetizers, or side dishes or dessert? OR Are you going to someone’s home for East-er brunch or dinner and need a nice hostess gift? Then pick up one of Baker’s Cookbooks…on sale in the church office during business hours. Still only $12.00

Baker UMC Missions and Outreach: It’s our M.O.! We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in

the world. Baker is responding to God’s love in many ways both locally and internationally. Opportuni-

ties to serve and get involved are all listed on the updated M&O bulletin board outside the Chapel.

Where is your heart calling you? Where do you see yourself? Check it out, reach out to the contact

listed, take a commitment card, get involved. Grief Share, City Mission, Respite Care, FISH of EA, Seneca

Street and Youth Missions all continue to serve our local community. Our connections to Uganda, Para-

guay and Africa are strong and active. 20,000 meals event will be returning in December during Advent!

We need to fund the balance of this worthwhile, church-wide project. Please see the bulletin board for

more information.

Our next meeting will be in mid-May. TBA.

“Let us stop saying we love people. Let us really love them and show it by our actions” 1 John 3:18

Peace, Linda Ramsey

Our Emergency Supply Cupboard

is in need of non perishable food items such as canned

soup and ravioli, macaroni and cheese, tuna, pb&j, canned

vegetables, etc. They can be left in the office. Thank you.

H A P P E N I N G S O F T H E U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T W O M E N …

T o w e r T o p i c s : A p r i l 2 0 1 7

Hands and Hearts will meet Tuesday,

April 4th at 6:00pm to have a salad bar

dinner and to clean the church kitchen.

Also we will be collecting items for the

“senior backpacks” for FISH.

Love and Learn will meet on Mon-

day, April 24, 2017. We will gather

with Rev. Matt. All are welcome.

Page 7

Baker ladies will meet on April19th

for breakfast at 9 am at Mikey

Dees. Contact Margie Allshouse at

655-0766 for more info.

See you there!

Faith & Friendship will meet at 9:30am on

Monday, April 3rd for a Bible Study with Rev.

Matt. Lynn Carlson and Becky Popiel will be

hostesses. We welcome new faces!

The UMW Executive Committee will

meet April 7th at 9:30am in the di-

nette.

Ladies’ Wednesday Morning Bible Study will meet on Wednesday April 12th @ 9:30am in the dinette. We will be discussing Chapter 7 “Mother Teresa” in the book 7 Women and the Secrets of Their Greatness.

Beth Moore Ladies Study meets Tuesdays @ 9am

in the Parlor. Call Dawn at 652-7109 for info.

Hands and Hearts is selling Tops

gift cards. Please make checks

payable to Baker Memorial

Methodist Women.

Cards are available in the

church office. Proceeds go to the

restoration of the Tiffany

windows.

UMW COMMUNION BREAKFAST

The District wide Communion Breakfast

and Memorial Service will be held April

8th at Elma UMC. Cost is $5. Please call

Becky Popiel at 655-5043 if you would

like to register.

W o r d s o f T h a n k s

T o w e r T o p i c s : A p r i l 2 0 1 7

Thank you to our recent Scripture Readers:

Ben Bachman, Mary Jane Bartlett, Mary Lou Bust-

er, Lisa Doutt, Eric Naber, Linda Ramsey, Rick

Phillips, Becky Popiel, Sandy Potenza,

Thank You to our recent Communion Stewards: Margie Allshouse, Rita Babcock, Mimi Burdick, Mary Lou Buster, Mary Huber, Eric Naber, Marian Robert, Sue Toft and Dave Weaver

Page 8

Scripture Readers

Thank you to our recent Greeters:

Bonnie Chaney, Ellen Colby, Don and Tim Hall, Kris and

Jon Logel, Cliff and Angie Mason, Wendy Mix, Marian

Moyer, Marian Robert, Ardeen Schaefer, Tom and Barb

Splain, Connie Tsujimoto

Thank you to our recent Acolytes:

Bob Sowyrda, Erin Zagrobeleny

Tower Topics Deadline for the April issue is Mon-day, April 10th @ 4 pm Email articles to TowerTopics@yahoo.com

Thank you to everyone who made

Blanket Sunday a success!

We raised a significant amount

for disaster relief across the world!

Linda Butler would like to thank everyone who sur-

rounded her with love, prayers and cards when her

beloved Bill went to be with our Heavenly father. You

are such as blessing.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers dur-

ing this difficult time.

From the family of Bryan Stier.

ALTAR FLOWERS

If there is a date you would like to place flowers on the altar, you simply need to sign the Flower Chart. (Country Crossroads Floral and Gift Shop in Marilla (Phone: 937-4407) has graciously waived delivery charges if flowers are ordered through them.) Please remember to let the church office know how you would like the dedication to read in the bulletin by the Wednesday before.

YOU ARE INVITED

Dessert receptions at the parsonage

Join Rev. Matt and Darlene for a time of re-

freshment and fellowship at the parsonage on

Sunday nights from 6:30-8pm. Stop in or call

the office to reserve your place. We will re-

ceive up to 8 guests at a time. The next oppor-

tunity will be April 2nd. May dates will be an-

nounced soon. There is nothing to prepare

and nothing to bring except yourselves. Come

for a time of relaxation, conversation and of

course, dessert.

Thank you to all for your cards, thoughts, visits,

prayers and food during this time. We are so blessed

by our church family. Ellen and Carlton Colby

April 2017

Tower Topics

345 Main Street

East Aurora, NY 14052

Phone: 716-652-0500

Fax: 716-652-8346

Website: www.bakerchurch.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

WE’RE ON THE WEB!

WWW.BAKERCHURCH.ORG

Baker Memorial United

Methodist Church

Our Church Family

Nancy Kamm on 4/7

Nyla Jensen on 4/8

Douglas Dedrick on 4/8

Roy Row on 4/10

Beverly Bancroft on 4/11

Johanna Lorah on 4/29

The McFeely’s and the family of Bryan Stier at this very difficult time

Stan Bird and his family for the loss of his beloved wife, Ethel Bird

Cheryl Ogilvie and her family on the loss of her Mother, Lois Tatro

Mary Doyle and her family on the loss of her brother in law Ray

“Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted”

Matthew 5:4