The Link: March 2017
1955 East Arizona Ave. Denver, CO 80210 303-777-3043
From Reverend Sandi Dillon

 

 (To be read in the Mission Commander's voice:)

"Good morning, Mr./Ms. (insert your name here). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves the observation of the ancient tradition of Lent. It is a season that has historically been a period of fasting, prayer, confession and preparation for the remembrance of Christ's life, ministry, death and resurrection at Easter. You may observe this season by adding a spiritual practice to your routine, such as a Wednesday or Thursday bible study, or attending the weekly contemplative Taize services on Wednesday evenings. You can attend worship each Sunday to hear a message of Jesus' undercover and subversive acts of faith and ministry. Or perhaps you prefer to take one of the Mission: Possible packets from Rev. Sandi and participate in various "secret acts of service" over the next few weeks."

"You may select any team members, like family or friends, to join you. You will have forty days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday, not
 including Sundays, to complete your mission. As always, should any member of your team be caught, the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of your actions. This message will self-destruct in five seconds."

(Cue puff of smoke and Mission: Impossible theme music)

Peace, 
March Worship
 
March 5 - COMMUNION/ LENT 1  Guest Preacher: Rev. Paul Kottke, Metro District Superintendent
 
March 12 - LENT 2  OPERATION: Resurrection -  "Your Mission, Should You Chose to Accept it. . . " ( Luke 5: 1-11)
                       
March 19 - LENT 3  OPERATION: Resurrection - Top Secret ( Mark 8: 27-30)
 
March 26 - LENT 4  OPERATION: Resurrection - Abort! Abort! ( Matthew 16: 21-23)
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March 1 - Ash Wednesday service in the Sanctuary at  6:30 pm. Pancake Supper beforehand in the South Parlor at  5:30 pm.

March 8 through April 5 (Wednesdays) - Taize Services in the Sanctuary on Wednesdays from  6:30 - 7:00 pm (3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, and 4/5). Taize is a form of contemplative worship that incorporates mystical practices and inter-spiritual beliefs. 

April 9 - Palm Sunday service (special music by kids) at  9:30 am.

April 13 - Maundy Thursday service at  6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Dinner beforehand in the South Parlor at  5:30 pm

April 16 - Easter Sunday services at   9:30 am & 11 am. Easter Egg Hunt will be held in between services around  10:40 am. All kids may participate. Please bring your own basket.

Lenten Study "Worship in Light of the Cross" by John Indermark
What difference does the cross make in our worship and discipleship? This 6-week study focuses on the cross, its imprint on how we worship as a community, and how it transforms our discipleship.
Wednesdays @  5:15 pm: 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12 (child care available)
Thursdays @  9:30 am: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13
News from the Congregation

Fran Benton joined in January. We would like to welcome her and her family. 
Youth Ministry Calendar

Lots is going on with the youth this month, between confirmation classes, the ski trip, making preparations for the summer mission trip and regular youth group gatherings.  If you have any questions, concerns, or want to help out with youth group, please contact Rev. Sandi at minister@washparkumc.org.
  • March 5 - No Youth Group (Ski Trip Weekend)
  • March 12 -Youth Group 11-12:30
  • March 19 - Youth Group 11-12:30 (meet in Tea Kitchen for Sandwiches & Socks)
  • March 26 - Youth Group Outing TBA
PreschoolPreschool

February at WPUMC Preschool was full of LOVE! The kids were busy learning all about Health and Nutrition, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day and Seasons. March is filled with fun themes which will include Literacy, Dr. Seuss, Art, St Patrick's Day and Easter.

Fall 2016-2017 School Year: Registration for next school year has been very successful and we are almost full in all of our classrooms. We do have space available in our Pre-K and Junior Kindergarten classes so if you would like more information on how to register your child please let us know.

Wee Worship: We are so blessed to have Rev. Sandi lead our kids in wee worship twice a month. This month wee worship will be on March 22 and 23 and the theme is Easter.

Annual Book Fair: The preschool will be holding our annual book fair March 5 - 10. The book fair will be open for all church members following service on March 5. Thank you in advance for supporting our program.

Father/Child Breakfast: We want to celebrate our Dads! We are having our annual Father/Child breakfast on Wednesday March 8 and Thursday March 9 from 8:30-9:30 am. 

Melinda Svenkerud, Director (preschooldirector@washparkumc.org)
Jessica Sipes, Assistant Director (preschool@washparkumc.org)
Missions

Mission: Possible
During Lent, you can participate in Mission: Possible. Secret Service Packets will be prepared and ready to take home on Sunday, March 5, the first Sunday of Lent. You can participate in as many as you would like. Pick up a packet, then you, or you and your family or friends, can partake in various missions. There are suggested ideas or you can participate in a mission of your own. 

Once the mission is completed, bring your Secret Service Packet back to church and you can move up in the ranks during the Sundays of Lent. This mission will conclude on Palm Sunday, April 9.

Inter-generational Mission Trip to UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City, UT
August 6 - 13, 2017
This trip will be suitable for most ages and abilities. Families and young children are welcome.
COST: $300-$350  (We will work out adjustments for families with small children/ max amount for families) 


Next steps:
  • Inform Rev. Sandi of your interest as soon as possible.
  • Sunday, March 26th - final reservations made with Rev. Sandi with $100 non-refundable deposit per person
Greetings from the Music Department

It seems amazing that the Lenten season is upon us! It feels like Advent was last week, but here we are preparing for an Ash Wednesday service, as well as weekly Taizé services. I certainly hope to see many people present to enjoy the music and meditations at the Taizé services. They are held every Wednesday of Lent from 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Come and sing simple and repetitive songs, and enjoy moments of silence. This is a very meaningful practice for many around the world and in our congregation, please consider yourself warmly invited to attend.

In other "news" in the WPUMC music world, I'd like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to anyone in the church who would be interested in joining either of our musical groups, the choir or the bell choir. Both groups are in need of extra members, so if you'd like to try something new, or maybe return to something you did at one point, please consider joining us! Lent is an excellent time to join the choir in particular as you get to learn the great music we will sing on Easter Sunday -  It is exciting to sing with the accompaniment of a brass quartet! During Lent we will meet from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Wednesday nights, immediately following the Taizé services. Choir and bell choir meet on opposite Wednesdays, so let me know which you're interested in and I'll be sure to get you the appropriate dates. Email me at music@WashParkUMC.org .

Also, last month I posted that we have a couple of extra pianos in the church in need of homes. That is still the case. The pianos are free to a good home, you would only be responsible for the cost of moving. Please let me know if you are (or you know someone who would be) interested!

Stephen Bondy, Music Director (music@washparkumc.org)
Learn more about Music at WPUMC
Children's Ministry ChildrensMinistry

In Sunday School we will prepare for Easter with a Palm Sunday parade of palms. I will be sending home a CD with the song the children will sing on April 9. We will also practice during Sunday School. 

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held between services on Easter
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 Sunday, April 16. The playground will be the designated area for children 4 and younger, the courtyard and courtyard sidewalk for those 5-7, and the front and side lawn for the older kids. Afterwards, we will have an "egg return station" so they can keep the goodies and we can reuse the plastic eggs. Any donations for eggs and surprises will be accepted!  

During every month that has a 5th Sunday, the Sunday School kids will be making Bags of Hope. Our next time for this is April 30. If anyone wants to donate small bottles of water, adult socks, or any small/travel size personal hygiene items, that would be awesome. If donating money would be easier for you, I will have "Snowflake", our dolphin donation bank to accept coins at Sunday School. Bills or checks notated "Missions" can be placed in the collection plate and we will use that for Bags of Hope. The children have fun decorating and filling the bags. 

Vacation Bible School registration will start March 1. Forms will be available outside the office and can be downloaded from the church website. VBS will be held June 26 - 30 from 9 am - 11:30 am. Our theme is "Passport to Peru". Please contact me with any questions or if you have any interest in working with the Sunday School, VBS, or volunteering from time to time with the children. 

Grow in Grace, 
Sheri Salis, Director of Children's Ministry (childrensministry@wpumc.org). Learn more about Children's Ministry.
Dear Family & Friends

I'm Kori Banbury, a Junior at Valor Christian High School. I am blessed with an incredible opportunity to return to Kenya this summer with a team of Valor students and faculty. Valor Discovery experiences help students understand God's heart and how to compassionately serve the poor, disadvantaged and helpless in the name of Jesus Christ.  Last summer, I traveled to Kenya for the first time and felt the incredible love and this year I felt led to return and continue the great work we started last year.

The Kenya experience will provide my group with a unique opportunity to learn some Swahili, encounter Masaai warriors, serve the least of these in Oldonyondoki, build a house, love and elevate HIV/AIDS-positive widows, and take an African safari.  Valor Discovery will partner with H.E.A.R.T Ministries to bring healing and bless the widows, orphans, and others impacted by poverty and HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our team will then humbly serve the poor in the slums of Nairobi and work in a rural village to build relationships as we build a home for a widow and her family. Finally, we will minister to orphaned children in Kenya with Children of Hope.

I hope that you would partner with me through your prayers for effectiveness, protection, and transformation in our lives. If you feel led, I also need financial support. We are working to raise $4,400 each to cover the expense of the airfare, food, lodging, and to give to local needs where we will serve. 
 
If you want to  support my trip you can donate directly using the link below:
 
Thank You!
Kori Banbury
CalendarCalendar

March 1 - Ash Wednesday. Pancake Supper in South Parlor at 5:30 pm, service in the Sanctuary at 6:30 pm

March 8 - Lenten Bible Study at 5:15 pm in the Library
- Taize Service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary

March 9 - Lenten Bible Study at 9:30 am in the Library

March 15 - Lenten Bible Study at 5:15 pm in the Library
- Taize Service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary

March 16 - Lenten Bible Study at 9:3 0am in the Library

March 19 - Assemble lunches in the Tea Kitchen for those experiencing homelessness

March 21 - Administrative Council at 5:30 pm in the South Parlor

March 22 - Lenten Bible Study at 5:15 pm in the Library
- Taize Service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary

March 23 - Lenten Bible Study at 9:30 am in the Library

March 25 - Distribute lunches in Civic Center Park at noon, to those experiencing homelessness 

March 29 - Lenten Bible Study at 5:15 pm in the Library
- Taize Service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary

March 30 - Lenten Bible Study at 9:30 am in the Library

For more information, see the WPUMC Calendar
Birthdays & Anniversaries BdaysAnniv
Birthdays:

3/01 Ben Clarke
3/01 Bob Walker
3/02 Matt Salis
3/02 Denise Weed
3/03 Kelli Strother
3/04 Carolyn Abman
3/05 Eric Eronimous
3/05 Stephanie Ruth
3/05 Jon Strother
3/07 Kirby Kimball
3/08 Jennifer Schmidt
3/08 Tyler Mengel
3/08 Adrienne Romer
3/09 Elisabeth Johnson
3/09 Christine Kortsch
3/10 Jeffrey Jones
3/10 Alex Fleming
3/10 Preston Quick
3/12 Mary Nell Warren
3/13 Menelik Marutle
3/13 Laura Quartarone
3/14 Mary Beth Carpenter
3/14 Katy Bloom
3/16 Jacqueline Mrzlikar
3/16 Cheryl Smith
3/17 Julie Caldwell
3/17 Jessica Quick
3/17 Eliza Garrett
3/18 Herbert Hoskins
3/18 Burke Johnson
3/18 Frankie Ernst
3/19 Davis Burckhardt
3/20 Quinn Nolan
3/21 Elizabeth Edgar
3/21 Lisa Deason
3/22 Leighton O'Shaughnessy
3/23 Conrad Sehl
3/24 Lynn Kimbrel
3/25 Thomas Nolan
3/25 Ashton Goering
3/26 Briclyn Percefull
3/27 Trip Carter
3/28 Refilwe Marutle
3/30 Reagan Burckhardt
3/31 Jackson Aden
3/31 Vaughn Miller
3/31 Beth Kapadia
Anniversaries:

3/6 - Lana & Bowen Banbury
3/12 - Jennifer & Joe Miklosi
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