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Mark J. Blough
Facilities Manager
Chuck Plant
Office Assistant
Valerie Pierce
Treasurer
The P interMount Zion United Methodist Church
Our Mission
Touching
Lives
for
Jesus Christ
Our Core
Values
To be a
Loving
Christian
Community,
providing
opportunities
for worship,
spiritual
growth,
and service.
Our Vision
Love,
Grow,
Serve
12430 Scaggsville RD
Highland, MD 20777
301-854-2324
410-531-5137
301-854-2326 (fax)
Check us out on the web:
www..mtzionhighland.com
Rev. Gary Sheffield-James
Senior Pastor
Carol Wunderlich
Youth and Childrens’
Ministries
Mark Dubbs
Director of Music
Chris Fox
Keyboard/Children’s
Choir Director
Larissa Sanders
Organist
Dianne Sanna
Administrative Assistant
March 2020 Pastor’s Message
Friends,
What does it mean to observe a Holy Lent? Lent has not become a secularized holiday. The commercial world would probably have a hard time marketing the season of Lent to the general public in terms of buying and selling. While businesses and retailers over the years have been able to carve out an established buying clientele with holidays such as Christmas and Easter in using marketing icons as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, I don’t observe any marketing of the season of Lent. We know that a few weeks before Lent we can go to the bakery and pick up some of those delicious hot cross buns – which I think are very tasty. Other than that, I can’t think of much else.
The season of Lent which emphasizes self-denial, prayer, fasting, meditation, and almsgiving doesn’t lend itself to being a big ticket item for a consumer culture.
(continues, page 2)
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Mt. Zion UMC Highland Inclement Weather
Policy:
Please adhere to this policy in cases of
inclement weather. Always call the church first
at (301)854-2324, to be advised of all openings
and closings. Monday through Friday we follow
the Howard County Government inclement
weather policy. If there is a snow state of
emergency for Howard County our services will
automatically be cancelled.
During inclement weather, if the 9 a.m. service
is cancelled, we may still have Sunday school
(10:10 a.m.) and/or the 11:00 a.m. service.
Please call the church or check the church
website, Facebook, or twitter page to be certain.
The Pointer welcomes submissions
of content and events that
occurred in the last month, or are
upcoming in the next two months.
The Pointer deadline is the 20th of
the month.
Mt. Zion News ~ Everyone can contribute:Tag Mt. Zion on social media with @mtzionhighland or #mtzionhighland.See what was in the Pointer 25 and 50 years ago – follow Mt. Zion on Facebook.
Pointer ContentsPages 1, 3: A message from Gary
Page 4: Worship Participants
Page 5: Easter Schedule
Pages 6-7: BWC Coronavirus Updates
Page 8: Spiritual Resolutions
Pages 9-10: Easter Events
Pages 11-12: Volunteer Opportunities and Other Events
Pages 13-14: Calendar
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Pastor’s Letter (Cont)
With that being said, you and I have been so conditioned by an
economic system that defines us as consumers that we may seek to
observe Lent by focusing on ourselves. Mark Galli wrote an
insightful article in Christianity Today entitled, “Giving Up Self-
Discipline”. Below is an excerpt from that article.
Lent is supposed to have more spiritual overtones than mere self-
improvement mantras of New Year’s. But I suspect that for many
of us, Lenten disciplines are more about us than about God. More
about getting our act together in some area that continually discourages us
and repeatedly sabotages our self-respect. The advantage of Lent over New
Year’s resolutions is that we can bring God on our side, and the whole
church is there to cheer us on. But for many of us, I suspect, it’s one big self-
improvement regimen, with God as mere personal coach.
Lent is not so much an inward focus about us as it is an
outward focus toward God and God’s call on our lives. In the
Gospels, we read about Jesus being led by God’s Spirit into the
wilderness to fast. While there for forty days, he was tempted to use
his authority to serve himself – by amassing political, economic, and
religious power. The Tempter was saying in effect to Jesus, “This can
be all about you.” Jesus rejected the way of power and self-
aggrandizement by dedicating his life to the way of service to God
and to others. In following Jesus, we are able to know the true
meaning of a Holy Lent – that life, real life, begins when we move
outside of ourselves.
Grace & Peace,
Gary
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Worship Spiritual Growth
Those called to Serve and Lead WorshipService
Times
1 Mar 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Mar
Greeters 0900 Shugo
Tanaka &
Wayne
Mullinix
Crystal
Zimmerman
& Lorene
Brown
Lorene
Brown
Alice Ellis &
Erin & Jack
Island
TBD
Liturgist 0900 Katie
Davis
Elizabeth
Dennis
Lamont
Baskett
Carol Hill Ellen
McKinzie
Slide
Preparer
0900 Elizabeth
Blough
Bonnie
Luepkes
Carolyn
Powers
Susan
Kalbach
Bonnie
Luepkes
1100 Sharon
Waligora
Diana Bandy Diana
Bandy
Diana Bandy Diana
Bandy
Projection 0900 Adam
Johnson
Bonnie
Luepkes
Jill
Scott
Adam
Johnson
Bonnie
Luepkes
1100 Carol
Messerly
Chuck
Sehman
Carol
Hill
Carol
Messerly
Chuck
Sehman
Sound 0900 Dustin
Eidson
Scott
Johnson
Rob
Messerly
1100 Bill Ray Al Hill Bill Ray Al Hill Rob
Messerly
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Lenten/Easter Worship Schedule
• Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 pm
Preacher from Hopkins UMC/Choir from Hopkins
• 1st Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Praying Through the Wilderness”
• 2nd Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Nicodemus: Cautious, Curious, and Changed”
• 3rd Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Bloopers and Blunders and yet Grace”
• 4th Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Sight and Light Adjustments”
• 5th Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Can These Bones Live?”
• Palm Sunday
Sermon: “The Way of Peace”
• Maundy Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 pm
Sermon: “RE-MEMBER ME”
• Good Friday, April 10 at Noon.
Service held at Mt. Zion Chapel
• Easter Sunrise, April 12 at 7:00 am
Service held at Mt. Zion Cemetery
• Easter Morning Services, April 12
Sermon: “When the Foundations Shake – LIFE”
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BWC Coronavirus Update
This letter from BWC Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling was posted online on
March 6th 2020
To the clergy and laity of the Baltimore-Washington
Conference:
As our global community is dealing with COVID-19, also known as
the coronavirus, it is our responsibility to be prepared and to act with
the health and welfare of our conference in mind. It is also imperative
that we rely on credible sources of information.
At this time, it is understood that this virus spreads through person-
to-person contact. That includes respiratory droplets produced when a
person sneezes or coughs. A secondary source of infection can occur
when we come into contact with those droplets on surfaces and then
touch our mouth, nose, or eyes. The best way to limit the spread of
any disease is through proper preventive measures.
Preparedness at this time includes:
Personal
• Use thorough hand-washing protocol (wash with soap and water
for at least two minutes).
• Remain at home if you are symptomatic with fever or upper
respiratory illnesses.
• Follow the proper cough protocol (into sleeve, use tissues, dispose
of tissues properly, wash hands).
• If you have traveled to an area on increased alert for COVID-19
and you feel sick, seek medical attention.
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Coronavirus Update (cont)
Communal
• Those serving Communion should wash hands thoroughly, and use
hand sanitizer.
• When serving Communion, refrain from intinction at this time.
• Use wafers or pre-cut bread for Communion.
• Serve the Communion elements rather than allowing others to
serve themselves.
• Do not shake hands during times of greeting or the passing of the
peace.
• Anyone serving food should follow hand-washing protocol and be
in good health.
• Ensure you have a good communication system for sharing vital
information quickly.
• Purchase hand sanitizer for use during any times of serving
(Communion, food, pantries, etc.).
At this time, there is no need to interrupt your regularly scheduled
services. If we receive information to the contrary, it will be shared
immediately.
The operations of the Conference Mission Center can be conducted
remotely. Therefore, if we are required to work from home, we will be
able to continue providing support to our laity and clergy.
Please remain in prayer for those affected by this virus and their
caregivers.
Blessings and Peace,
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
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Spiritual Resolutions
Looking ahead to April
Everyday, ask God to make you
a blessing to others. How can
you bless someone else each and
every day? Be kind. Pray. Call
them. Put others ahead of
yourself. It need not be
something big, though that is
always a possibility. It could be as
simple as bringing your patience
and a ready smile to the grocery
store with you. It is up to you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your
heart and mind with ideas of
how to be a blessing to others.
Have a beautiful April.
March: Start everyday with
prayer. Every day is a gift. It may
be the best or it may be filled with
challenges. Regardless, if we start
our days filled with gratitude for
the blessings God has given us,
then we are starting the day well. I
fully believe that everyday we are
alive, God has a purpose for us.
Our first purpose is to glorify
God. Let’s start each day giving
praise!
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Lenten Book Study
Simon Peter—an ordinary fisherman who heard an extraordinary
call.
He left everything to follow his teacher and possessed a passion that
would change the world. That’s one way to describe Peter. Here’s
another: poor, uneducated, quick-tempered, and full of doubts and fears.
Doesn’t even sound like the same man.
And that’s the point of Simon Peter, a new book and six-week adult Bible
study by Adam Hamilton. Peter was just an ordinary guy who heard and
followed God’s extraordinary call. Discover how you, too, have special
gifts, talents, and abilities that God can use to make a difference today.
Chapters Include:
• The Call of the Fisherman – March 2nd Session 1
• Walking with Jesus in the Storm – March 9th Session 2
• Bedrock or Stumbling Block? – March 16th Session 3
• “I Will Not Deny You” – March 23rd Session 4
• From Cowardice to Courage – March 30th Session 5
• The Rest of the Story – April 6th Session 6
You are invited to join us for this Lenten Study. Classes will be held on
Mondays; a morning class at 11 am and evening class at 6:30 pm. Cost
of study book is $11.49. To sign up you can place your name on the
Info sheet found inside your Sunday Bulletin or contact the church
office at [email protected]
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Easter Egg Hunt
We are in need of donations of individually wrapped candy (that will
fit in plastic Easter eggs) for our Eggstravaganza on April 5.
Donations can be put in the labeled bin in the West Narthex March 1 -
March 22 or can be brought to the Church Office during the week. We
are also in need of a few plastic eggs to replenish our supply.
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Supporting Mt Zion
The Lay Leadership Committee needs people to serve on the Staff
Parish Relations Committee (Chair needed) and the finance
Committee (Rob Edison is the new chair of this committee). If you
are interested in serving in this area of ministry, please contact me at
[email protected]. The following people serve on Lay
Leadership: Art Jacques, Joyce Saunderson, Betty Cashmark, Bettye Ames,
Jo Ellen Sines, Jill Scott, Debbie Fitzgerald, and Lamont Baskett. ~Pastor
Gary, Chair
Sunday School Attendance. We need one more volunteer to support
our weekly Children’s, Youth, & Adult Sunday School ministries by
taking attendance. This is a 10-minute task (10:30 - 10:40 AM) each
Sunday and requires the ability to get around the Mt. Zion campus and do
some basic counting and addition. If you are interested, please contact Carol
Wunderlich at [email protected]. Thank you!
Building Trustees’ Work Day, Saturday, March 14. We all benefit from
our church kitchen and Fellowship Hall. Let’s get together and keep it nice
for everyone. We will have a church workday to clean the kitchen and
fellowship hall. Everyone’s help would be greatly appreciated!
THANKS to the scores of members and friends who helped to make
the past week's Winter Shelter a big success. We housed and fed an
average of 19 men for each of the seven nights. We were delighted that we
could help one of the long-term shelter guests move his belongings into his
own apartment in Laurel, his first real home in 20 years. ~Rod Barr
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Volunteer Opportunities
RebuildingTogether Howard County (formerly Christmas in April)
Saturday, April 25. If interested in participating, please contact Will
McKinzie or Ken Sines. A headcount is needed to help us select a house to
repair. We will also be working with Sunrise of Columbia.
Opportunities to Support AngelHouse/Tanzania Mission Trip. From
April 29 – May 11, Debby Klopp and Barb Jacques will be traveling to
Tanzania, Africa to support Matthew and Jenny (King) Wilke who are
serving as missionaries to the Angel House Orphanage and School.
Congregation members are invited to support this mission trip by
sponsoring the purchase of soccer balls ($10/ball), Double Dutch jump
ropes ($10/pair), or single jump ropes ($2/rope). Sponsorships may be
purchased in West Narthex/Fellowship Hall between services on the
following Sundays: 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, and 4/5. For more information,
contact Barb Jacques.
CAMP HOPE (June 28 - July 4) Christian Appalachian Mountain Project,
Helping Other People Enthusiastically. During the week, participants
perform renovation projects and home repairs in the surrounding
Appalachia area for homeowners needing financial or physical
assistance. Campers are housed at Frostburg State Univ. with other
churches throughout the Baltimore Conference. YOUTH SIGN-UPS will
be Sunday, March 15th and 22nd after the 9 am service in Fellowship
Hall. Eligible youth must be age 14 by June 28th. Scholarships are available
if needed. If you have questions regarding the Camp Hope program, please
contact Debby Klopp (Mt. Zion's Camp Hope Coordinator) via e-mail at
[email protected]. More information is available on the
website, www.camphopemission.com
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Other Events
The Monday Morning Bible Study Folks are once again sponsoring a
HeiferInternational Project for Lent!! Last year our Mt. Zion Family
donated enough funds to purchase 2 water buffalos, 3 goats,4 baskets of
chicks and rabbits,and 5 hives of honeybees to help folks feed their families,
share with neighbors, teach their children to care for these animals and how
to become self-sustaining by translating their gifts into healthy incomes and
growing economies. Donations marked Heifer Project are gratefully
accepted in the offering basket or in the church office. Learn more at
https://www.heifer.org/. Thank you in advance for “Touching Lives for
Jesus Christ!”
PRAY: From March 8th through March 29th, our 9:00 AM KidZone
ministry will be centered on the scouting PRAY program led by Chad
Hawthorne and JenMacomber. All elementary-age children are invited to
attend during the regularKidZone time at the early service and you do not
have to be in a scouting program to participate. KidZone for the 11:00 AM
worship time will be our regular ministry programming.
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will meet with the clergy and laity of the
Baltimore-Washington Conference in a Critical Conversation
concerning the upcoming United Methodist General
Conference. Bishop Easterling will give special attention to The Protocol
of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation (The Protocol).
This Critical Conversation will take place Saturday, March 21, from 9:30
a.m. to noon, at Harmony UMC, at 9455 Williamsport Pike in Falling
Waters, W.Va. The BWC conference is working on potential internet
streaming solutions for those unable to attend in person.
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