This Week at Myers Park United Methodist Church | March 8-March 14

THIS WEEK M A R C H 8 | 2020

CHRIST AND NICODEMUS by James Tissot

www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207

704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org

8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 8:45 a.m. Church In The Round 9:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship

WE LCO M E To O u r C h u rc h !

We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.

Our Deepest Sympathy Eula Mae Hargett Lyons, mother of Alice Rothrock, and grandmother of Leeland Rothrock and Whitney Wellborn, who died February 26. Eula was 104 years old.

In Celebration

TODAY The Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Receiving the sacrament of Baptism at the 11:00 a.m. service is Margaret Fletcher Self, daughter of Virginia and Blake Self.

The Flowers on the Altar are given to the glory of God and in honor of Margaret Fletcher Self on the day of her Baptism.

Easter Lilies, now-April 1: Purchase an Easter lily in honor or memory of a loved one at www.myersparkumc.org/easter-lilies-3/ or send a check for $15 per lily to the church along with the name of the person you are honoring/remembering. Dedications will be shared in the Easter Sunday worship bulletins.

Discover Myers Park, today, 11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: Come learn about our church and the beliefs and practices of our denomination. There is no obligation to join and child care for children ages 8-weeks-old through not yet in kindergarten is available. Details: Jeanne Poole at jpoole@mpumc.org.

Lilian Elizabeth Lockaby, daughter of Malone and Rafe Lockaby, granddaughter of Susan Wade, niece of Carney Wade, Quinn and John Yi, and cousin of Elli, Winsley, and Adaline Yi, who was born on February 26.

Youth Sunday Night and Confirmation, tonight, 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us Sunday night for fellowship and fun. Dinner is Domino’s Pizza, salad, and dessert for $8.

Campbell William Scott, son of Ashley and Austin Scott, who was born on February 24.

Stephen Ministry Awareness, today, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Lobby: Learn about our congregation’s Stephen Ministry, meet our lay caregivers, and learn how a Stephen Minister can be a helpful companion during times of grief and difficult life challenges.

Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one care on a completely confidential basis. Details: Rev. Bill Roth at broth@mpumc.org.

LE NTE N CO M M ITM E NTS Lenten Devotional, Our Stephen Ministers provide an annual Lenten devotional booklet for us, which is free of charge. They are available for pick up today and include essays from church members, clergy, and staff.

Lenten Small Groups, Come and discover God’s love for you and for our community.

There is still room for you to join a shortterm group starting next week. View the schedule and register at www.myersparkumc.org/small-groups.

Senior Sunday registration, opens today, 4:00 pm: We have a tradition of honoring our high school seniors. This year, Senior Sunday is May 3 during all services with a luncheon following at 12:15 p.m. in Jubilee Hall. There are a limited number of spots at each service.

Details and registration: www.mpumcyouth.org/upcoming-events.

UPCOM ING Yoga + Prayer Sundays, 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m., and Mondays, 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Francis Chapel: All ages and abilities welcome. We ask for a $5 donation, and we have mats available for your use. Details: Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org.

Mindful Mondays, tomorrow and April 20, 10:30 a.m., room 106: Join Bill Roth and Lauren Smith for an opportunity to establish and deepen your mindfulness practice. Details: Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org.

Centering Prayer, Mondays, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., room 024 or Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: Come as you are to learn and practice a form of wordless prayer alongside others. Details: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@myersparkumc.org.

Labyrinth, Spend time on the Labyrinth with God. Hours are posted online at www.myersparkumc.org/contemplative.

H.O.T. Wednesday, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday. This week’s menu is hamburgers and hot dogs with fixings, potato salad or chips, baked beans, desserts, and ice cream. Register by calling 704-376-5520 no later than Tuesday at noon or in Realm by Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Prayer Wall, In this season of Lent we hope you will participate by offering your prayers to our church-wide prayer wall, located in the lobby and outside the hallway near the Sanctuary.

Walk the Labyrinth, March 9-15, Francis Chapel: Spend time on the labyrinth with God. Hours are posted online at www.myersparkumc.org/contemplative and subject to change as needed during this week, call 704-376-8584 to verify.

ArtsCharlotte Gallery Exhibit, Now through Easter in the second floor lobby, we are hosting an exhibit of fine art, entitled “Beauty from Brokenness” from March 1-April 12. Be sure to visit, and bring a friend!

The Way of Grace Small Group, Mondays, March 16-May 18, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., room 103: Encounter Jesus in a study of eight characters from the Bible while opening yourself to deeper knowledge of grace. Details and registration: Mary Katherine Vass at mvass1@carolina.rr.com.

In God’s Image, March 10, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., room 105: Join us for a discussion and discovery meeting as we continue to explore ways to welcome and support our LGBTQ+ community within and beyond our church.

Parenting Through the Phases, March 22, 10:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for a monthly series of coffee and conversation that will focus on different developmental phases in a child’s life. This month’s session: 2nd & 3rd Grades. A panel of experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.

UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Family Worship Day, March 29: There will be no Sunday School for children. Nursery and worship care will be available for children 8-weeks-old through those not yet in kindergarten. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.

The Beauty of the Gospel of Peace in a Fractured Society Featuring Dr. Gary Mason, Sunday, March 29, 9:45 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Dr. Gary Mason is a Methodist minister, and holds a PhD from the School of Psychology at the University of Ulster in Ireland. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Divinity for his role in peace building in Ireland, from Florida Southern College. Join us in welcoming our guest as he leads us in a church-wide Sunday school on The Beauty of the Gospel.

Register Now for Dwelling in God, Saturday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Parish Life Building: Women of the church are invited to breakfast and a choice of one session designed to inspire and encourage you to dwell with God in prayer. Choices include prayer: with our bodies, with art, with music, or with scripture. Sponsored by the UMW, the cost is $10. To reserve child care, email Lisa Ross-Smit at lrsmit@mpumc.org by April 1.

Details and registration by April 1: myersparkumc.org/women.

Book-a-palooza, now through March 13: Women’s Ministries is collecting gently used and new books for children at Marie G. Davis K-8 School. Donations may be dropped at the collection bin in the front lobby. You may also purchase books and send directly to the church, using the Amazon Wish list entitled “MPUMC Bookapalooza.”

+ MARCH COLLECTION, now-March 31, collection bin in Lobby: Our neighbors struggling to find and keep jobs find that transportation is one of their greatest obstacles. Help ease that burden by donating Uber gift cards or bus passes.

Uber gift cards can be found at many retailers, including Walgreens and Walmart and bus passes can be found at the service desk at many Harris Teeter locations.

Details: Britt Yett at byett@mpumc.org.

ArtsCharlotte Gallery Exhibit, now through April 12, second floor Lobby: We are hosting an exhibit of fine art, entitled “Beauty from Brokenness” during the month of Lent. Be sure to visit.

Young Adult News: Events and groups are updated regularly and posted to the website at myersparkumc.org/young-adults. Check it often or contact Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org to be added to the email distribution.

E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S Missions Travel Opportunities, April, May, July, and September: View our world through a lens of fellowship, love, and service. Join us for our upcoming mission trips to Kenya, Armenia, and Malawi. For information about each trip, visit www. myersparkumc.org/beyond-the-walls. Details: Britt Yett at byett@mpumc.org.

Youth Chicago Mission Trip, July 12-17: We have one spot open for our summer middle school mission trip to Chicago. We still need one male chaperone for this trip. Cost is $800. Details: www.mpumcyouth.org.

Serving Our Neighbors, ongoing: Ready to join established MPUMC teams already engaging with local organizations? We have member teams regularly serving Loaves & Fishes, Men’s Shelter, Marie G. Davis, and Salvation Army Center of Hope. You can plug in wherever you feel called! Details and sign-ups at myersparkumc.org/beyond-the-walls.

JOIN CHURCH FRIENDS: Join this new visitation ministry with our homebound. If you would like to serve as a Church Friend or would like more details, contact Lauren Smith, Parish Nurse, at lsmith@mpumc.org.

VITAL H E ALTH IN FOR MATIO N

Given the widespread flu activity at this time along with the developing concerns regarding the Coronavirus, we are taking precautions to protect one another. We will refrain from handshakes and direct contact as we “Pass the Peace” and greet one another in our Sunday services. Please share your expressions of peace to one another instead through words of kindness during this season of illness. Our staff and administration team will continue to evaluate the situation and recommendations made by the CDC as we assess our community’s health. Please remember that we have wall hand sanitizer stations at both of the main Narthex entrances. Thorough hand washing during this time is also a CDC recommendation to reduce the spread and risk of illness.

For more info on effective handwashing practices, please review the information at cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html. Questions? Contact Lauren Smith, Parish Nurse at 704-295-4826 or lsmith@mpumc.org.

PASTORS’ BIBLE STUDY, Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Join us weekly for a time of Bible Study led by our pastors. To reserve child care, email Lisa Ross-Smit at lrsmit@mpumc.org.

CO N N E C T WITH US !

F o l l ow u s o n s o c ia l m e d ia @ my e r sp a r k u m c

BRINGING AWARENESS TO THE STEPHEN MINISTRY

by Martha Lambie

V i s i t o u r we b s i te w w w. mye r s p a rk u m c .o r g to find small groups, ways to serve and engage, how to give, and plug in with other members of our church!

Stephen Ministers are lay people - Christian men and women - trained to provide one-toone care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment.

Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life. Their commonality? A passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE THERE:

OUR CLE RGY

• after the phone call you hoped you’d never get. . . .

Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor

• after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement

• after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life.

Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement Rev. Uiyeon Kim Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Bill Roth Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Nancy Watson Executive Pastor

TALK WITH A PASTOR A pastor on staff stands ready to respond to your question or concern. Those needing immediate pastoral help should call 704-376-8584 and follow the prompts to the pastor on call.

• after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”

• after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”

• after the gavel comes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

• after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.

• after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

• after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

• after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.

Today, in the lobby, stop by to meet some of our Stephen Ministers. They’re available all morning to answer questions and provide an opportunity for you to learn how a Stephen Minister can be a helpful companion during times of grief and difficult life challenges. Stephen Ministers provide oneto-one care on a completely confidential basis. If you could benefit from being connected with a Stephen Minister or want to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Bill Roth at broth@mpumc.org.