Weekly Newsletter of

La Plata United Methodist Church

The Grapevine

March 5, 2020

In This Issue Let’s Stay Healthy! ASP/Mile of Pennies - 19% to Goal Soup, Stew and Chili Cook-Off & Live Dessert Auction Youth Head to Manidokan Lions Club Dinner Drop N Date is Back! Need Youth Group/Adult Helpers 40 Cans / 40 Days Challenge All New Community Bulletin Board Dramatic Arts Ministry to Present Courtroom Drama Spaghetti Dinner - Wanna Night Off Cooking? Interfaith Service, Luncheon, and Discussion Caring Hands Women of LPUMC - Come Join Us! Silent Auction Food Booth Fundraiser Let’s Celebrate! Let Us Pray The Lenten Season Facebook Find Holy Happenings

A Note from Pastor Susan Dear Ones, How in this Lent, are you? How is your resolve? Still denying yourself something in order to spend that money/time with God? How is your reflection? Are you seeking God through God's Word to be nourished and refreshed for strength in the journey? How are you drawing close to God? Through prayer? Service to others? Beloved, Lent is a season specific to who we are and where we are in our relationship with Christ. It will be different for everyone. This season should be a season that strengthens us and blesses us as we give thanks and remember Christ's offering to us, but it is not about rules and regulations. Yes, the disciplines we decide upon should be a priority in our lives, but to do so as a "check off" on the list we have made is to miss the point. Whatever you do to engage Lent will bless you. However you participate in the journey to the cross will bless you. Whenever you make time in your day to reflect on your relationship with Christ and how to re-commit your life to his Lordship and grace, you will be blessed. Put down your burdens, your baggage and your past. Journey this Lent to the cross, to Christ's sacrifice and to the open arms of the One who made you....and, in Christ, wants to make you new. His... and Yours, Pastor Susan

The Grapevine Editor: Sherri Hastings

Publisher: Karen Hamner Circulation: 750

Weekly deadline for submitting articles is

Wed. at 4pm. Submit articles to

news@laplataumc.org

ASP & Mile of Pennies - 19% to Goal The pennies/coins/cash continues to roll in . . . $321 so far. That puts us at .38 miles or 19% of our goal of two miles of pennies! Thank you.

Soup, Stew & Chili Cook-off & Live Dessert Auction Please join us on Sun, March 15 following the 11:00 service for the 3rd Annual Soup, Stew & Chili Cook-Off and live dessert auction to support your Appalachia Service Project (ASP) teams that will be traveling to TN & WV this summer to make several homes warmer, safer and drier. Everyone is invited to come and partake in the good food and fellowship. You do not have to bring soup, stew, or chili to participate. All are welcome. For those who want to enter the contest, you will be competing for the “Golden Ladle/Spatula” in one of three categories: - Chili - Soup/Stew - Cornbread You may enter as many categories as you wish. Everyone will get to sample all entries and will vote (via ballot) for their favorites. Votes will be tallied during the dessert auction with prizes awarded after the event. For the dessert auction, please make your best desserts and come and enjoy the spirited auction. For both the cook-off and desserts, we ask that you provide a basic list of ingredients so we can alert folks to any potential allergies. Please contact John Carns (carns@comcast.net or 301.848.0060 ok to text) with any questions.

Let’s Stay Healthy! As you know by now, the Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been found in multiple states around the country. Apparently, this new virus presents as a flu/cold with increasing respiratory complications. In the midst of media coverage, it is easy to become alarmed or think the worst, but we who follow Christ do not live in fear! We will not panic, but to honor the health of all those who enter our doors and any concerns they may have, we will take some common sense precautions against this virus and the other, more ordinary cold and flu viruses that are around us. You will begin to notice hand sanitizers at the entrances and exits of the church building. These are for your use if you so desire. During our Passing of the Peace, if you have a cold or you're just trying to stay healthy, it is fine to wish someone the peace of Christ with your smile and voice instead of your arms and a hug. We promise, we will not be offended. And, as with all germs, washing your hands thoroughly and often is always a great precaution. Dear Ones, we are a family and we will get through this like we always do....together.

3 Port Tobacco Road La Plata, MD 20646

301.934.2288 laplataumc.org

laplataumc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan E. Boehl

Sunday Worship Services:

8:30am Café Worship 11:00am Traditional Worship

350 259 269 292

Attendance Worship

$ $ $ $ $

$

14,026 10,979

8,233 10,250 12,911

8,779

Feb 9 Feb 16 Feb 23 Mar 1

Need/wk.

Dine Out Totals Since 2015

Church Income

This Past Week 124 148

20 292

146

127

8:30 11:00 Others Total

Facebook Views Preacher’s Pop Up Prayer

Fri, 3/13 at 4pm Sun 3/15 at 12pm Wed 3/25 4:30-7:30pm Sun, 4/5 at 8:30/11am Thurs, 4/9 at 7:30pm Fri, 4/10 at 7:30pm Sun, 4/12

Gatherings at a Glance Lions Club Dinner ASP Soup, Stew, Chili Lunch Eagle Scout Project Spaghetti Dinner Palm Sunday/Easter Cantata 11am Maundy Thursday Service Good Friday Service Easter Services

Drop N Date is Back! Parents, Drop N Date is back and scheduled for Fri, March 13 from 5-8pm. If interested, please contact Polly Boggs at pollyaboggs@gmail.com. You can find the applications out in the back of the Fellowship 2 for the 8:30 service and in the narthex for the 11:00 service. Completed applications can be dropped off in the envelopes located in the education wing.

Need Youth Group & Adult Helpers Calling all adults and youth (grades 6th thru 12th). We need you. The youth group will be conducting a Drop N Date event on Fri, Mar 13. If you are interested in helping, please contact Polly Boggs at pollyaboggs@gmail.com.

Lions Club Dinner The La Plata Lions Club will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner in our Fellowship Hall on Fri, March 13 from 4pm until 8pm. Tickets are available at the door; adults are $10.00, children 6-10 are $5.00 and children 5 and under are admitted free. This is a great meal with homemade spaghetti sauce and desserts! There will be door prizes, live entertainment, and all proceeds are used for local projects. Please consider joining the Lions for an enjoyable evening of food, fun, and fellowship.

Feb 9 Feb 16 Feb 23 Mar 1

Youth Head to Manidokan This weekend is the youth retreat at Manidokan. Twenty three youth and adults head out Friday and return Sunday for a weekend of spiritual renewal. Your support of the youth have helped make this retreat possible. The pancake supper profited $1127.04! Thank you for your generous donations, ongoing support and especially your prayers for this retreat.

https://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/73848263/event/267486029/2020-03-15

40 Cans 40 Days

Each day of Lent, make a STOP and donate a can (or box) to the Food Pantry at La Plata Church. It will bless you as you bless others. May it be a reminder of the penance we should be doing as we prepare for the Passion of our Lord. Items needed: canned vegetables, fruits, tuna, chicken, soup, Dinty Moore Beef Stew, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, juice boxes non refrigerated milk cartons, or dry fat milk, pancake mix, syrup, spaghetti, and mashed potato mix. The Food Pantry thanks you for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

All New Community Bulletin Board The New Testament continually reiterates how important it is to serve others. As the body of Christ, it is important that we serve each other to move forward and maintain our health. The goal of this ministry is twofold; service through ministry and service through professionalism. Do you offer a professional service? Do you have an upcoming event in the community? Please share it here with your church family. We are called to support and serve one another. CPU repair, baby sitting, accounting, you name it! Additionally, do you play on a sports team, part of a community choir, or give community presentations? WE WANT TO KNOW! WE WANT TO SUPPORT YOU! Please place your fliers or business information on the board located in front of Fellowship Hall 1. Any questions, please contact Logan Marsh at fastpastor@gmail.com.

Spaghetti Dinner - Wanna Night Off Cooking? Who doesn’t like a night off cooking and, at the same time, supporting the Charles County Fairgrounds Food Booth Remodeling Project? Joey Hastings is cooking a spaghetti dinner and inviting everyone! Joey is working to earn Eagle Scout in Troop 1321 and is fundraising for his project. The dinner is on Wed, March 25 from 4:30pm-7:30pm in Fellowship Hall 1 at LPUMC. He is making spaghetti, salad, bread, beverages, and desserts. The cost is simply a love offering. Invite your family, friends, co-workers, etc and enjoy fellowship with each other while supporting a great cause for our church and community.

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

All Dramatic Arts Ministry to Present Courtroom Drama La Plata UMC’s new Dramatic Arts Ministry will be presenting a powerful production on Good Friday, April 10, at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. The courtroom drama “Conspiracy of Betrayal” depicts the heavenly trial of Judas Iscariot who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Jesus of Nazareth. This unique drama has Satan as the skilled prosecutor of Judas. But who will defend Judas? The court is surprised when Jesus Himself steps forward to speak for the defendant. A jury, selected from those attending the performance, will decide the guilt or innocence of the accused. Directed by Pat Brennan, the drama is the work of Dixie C. Manning, and features a cast drawn from our own congregation. Judas will be portrayed by John Donaldson, Satan by Dan Brennan and Jesus is played by Adam Todd. Also appearing will be Tina McCormick as Mary, Nathan Daetwyler as John, Dave Bayles as Caiaphas, Cheryl Smith as the presiding judge (Gabriel), Kevin Robbins as the Bailiff, and Jean Earnshaw as the Court Reporter. The evening will include special music, is free and open to the community. It is a great opportunity to introduce your family, friends and neighbors to our church.

Food Booth Fundraiser - GoFundMe Page is Up! My name is Joey Hastings and I am a member of this church and a Boy Scout with Troop 1321. For my Eagle Scout project, I am remodeling the food booth, that our church uses, at the Charles County Fair. The food booth is one of our church’s largest fundraisers. I am hoping to increase the efficiency and work environment of the food booth by redesigning the layout of the workspace. Also, I will paint the ceiling and walls, replace the lighting and ceiling fans, replace the screens in the windows, resurface the countertops, and clean, repair and paint the floors. My GoFundMe page is https://www.gofundme.com/f/eagle-scout-project-repair-fairgrounds-food-booth. If you wish to donate via check (made out to BSA Troop 1321) or cash, you can give that to my parents, John & Sherri Hastings, or myself or email me at ccso355@gmail.com. All donations are tax deductible and a tax receipt will be provided. Any businesses wishing to donate materials, would be greatly appreciated. I will also need volunteers to help with the actual remodeling on future work days starting in late spring/early summer. More details to come. Stay tuned!

Interfaith Service, Luncheon, and Discussion Your clergy and congregants are invited to attend an interfaith prayer service, luncheon, and discussion titled “De-mystifying Judaism: An Outreach Program Designed to Bring People of Different Faiths Together.” It will be held Sat, March 14, 10am to 1pm at Congregation Sha’are Shalom, 18 Henry Ford Circle in Waldorf. We will have a Sabbath morning prayer service with an explanation of prayers and rituals, then continue with a complementary luncheon, presentation, and Q&A. The dress code is business casual, or whatever you normally wear to church. Capacity is limited. Please RSVP at https://shaareshalomsomd.org/stronger-together Please join us and help bring Southern Maryland communities of faith together to work toward a brighter future for us all. Please email shaareshalom@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We look forward to seeing you.

Caring Hands We ARE a FAMILY!! We are called by Christ to lift up, support, and bless one another. There are times in our life when we just need help. Through this ministry, help is offered to those who need it within our community. By completing a PROVIDER CARD, you are saying, “I want to help others. Let me know about people who have a need. Whenever possible, I am going to help as I can.” By completing a NEED CARD, you are saying, “I need some help.” By completing a NEED CARD, it will be given to the coordinator who will then match your need to the person who can fulfill that need. Everyone is qualified because everyone has important gifts for the body of Christ. There is no right or wrong way. PROVIDER and NEED cards can be found in the pews and placed in the offering plate. They can also be found on the Community Bulletin Board located in front of Fellowship Hall 1. Any questions, please contact Logan Marsh at fastpastor@gmail.com.

Silent Auction The 2020 LPUMC Silent Auction plans are underway and we need your support. This year our Silent Auction will be held on Sat, April 18. Make plans to come out to enjoy fun and fellowship while you bid on your favorite treasures. Please stop by the Silent Auction Table and see Louise Stine to pick up a few Solicitation letters to take to local businesses.

Women of LPUMC - Come Join Us! Women of LPUMC - you are always welcome to join in the work and fun going on with our United Methodist Women! I think what a member recently said to me, "you never need permission - just come" applies to all our UMW circles. On Mar 17 at 12pm, just come to our next General Membership Meeting, but bring your bag lunch because we meet with our mouths full. There are at least two exciting projects in progress. First, the Circuit Quilt Committee will update us on their plans for the signature quilt hanging in the sanctuary. Then, we want to review some cool ideas for the Spring Tea that Lesa Richardson and Debra Bowling are co-chairing. Oh, and I think there will be a little program too. Something short, sassy, but serious too. I'll get my Leprechauns right on that! If you have questions or ideas call me! Thank you and God's Blessings! Kathy Cox

For our friends and family who are living in nursing homes, and assisted living or home bound:

Tom Berry Wade Beswick Karyl Beverage Margaret Bowie Frank Brinson Patricia Buckler Sue Carns Jennifer Carpenter Jerome Church Cathy Compton Harolly Coombs Joyce Dean Sandra Fykes

Remy Zachary Gordon Carl Greene Peggy Hamilton Randy Hill Christina Kingsbury Francis Lewis Donna McKenzie Ed McKenzie Renee Nash Carl Occhipinti Frank Quinn Mary Beth Reckeweg Melissa Faith Rollins

Crystal Rupprecht Sunny Rupprecht Donna Sarnacki Tabitha Schneider Carol Sorenson Curt Snyder Don Stapleson Michael Stewart Brian Thomason Jeanette Tull Sandy Tull Linda Valente Mike Williams

Let Us Pray For our friends and family who have medical issues:

Ann Bergerstock Lennis Bridgett

Iris Dickerson Sharon Ferguson

Mike Merritt Helen Sullivan

Let’s Celebrate! Birthdays & Anniversaries

Friday, March 6 Amy Carney Steve Roberts Saturday, March 7 Linda Badgley Debbie Lucas Jason Risley-16 Dylan Tompkins-16 Sunday, March 8 Sylvia Hollar

Wednesday, March 11 Matt & Kim Williams-25 Krystene Burgess Thursday, March 12 Amy Knott Attie Ward Friday, March 13 Joyce Hilwig James Pester Barbara Rowe

Saturday, March 14 Rod Weiss Sunday, March 15 Staci Bowling Phyllis Coombs David St. Clair

Our church leadership, teams and congregation as we seek our way forward into ministry in the new year. The homeless during these cold winter months. That they might find adequate shelter from the cold. Our delegates to General Conference 2020 and the future of the United Methodist Church. Pastor Susan, our church, our denomination, our local, state and national leaders, our first responders, our armed forces and veterans.

Continue to pray for:

Facebook Find

Forty days has Lent each year, For the soul to God endear; Confess sins to God to hear; Live a life pure without fear!

Prayer is key primary;

Fasting cleanses mind, body; One does good deeds, charity;

Heart gets grace and purity.

Time to introspect divine; Reconcile with Christ, the Vine; Let remorse make heart to pine

For repentance that turns life fine.

Like Jesus, let's fight devil; Let us do no more evil;

Lent can heal the soul that's ill; We must take heaven's road well!

Lent is gift of God that's lent,

And for deeds goods is just meant; Soul must turn sinless and bent

Erasing stain and all dent!

The Lenten Season

By Dr John Celes

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 HOLY COMMUNION 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:30 AM Meals & Hope Food Prep 9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages 11:00 AM Tradition-al Service 12:00 PM Hospitality Committee Meeting 12:00 PM Youth Group

2 9:00 AM Meal & Hope Food Prep 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meeting 7:00 PM Drama Rehearsal 7:30 PM PMNS - Easter From The Backside 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

3 5:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 6:30 PM Country Clovers 4-H Club #1518 6:30 PM Mounted Wanderer's 4-H Club 7:00 PM Evening Circle

4 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 1:30 PM BLP Staff Meeting 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM Drama Rehersal 6:00 PM Horsemas-ters 4-H Club 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

5 9:00 AM BLP LIfe-touch Pictures 10:00 AM ABR Circle 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meet-ing 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Pray-er

6 World Day of Prayer Youth Group Manidokan Retreat 9:00 AM BLP LIfetouch Pictures 6:30 PM Girl Scout Troop 12046 Mtg.

7 Youth Group Manidokan Re-treat 8:30 AM Pastor's Prayer Partners 11:00 AM Birth-day Party

8 Daylight-Saving Time Begins Girl Scout Sunday Youth Group Manidokan Retreat 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages 11:00 AM Tradition-al Service 12:30 PM Alpha Class 1:30 PM Sagepoint Service

9 12:30 PM BLP 2's Team Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM BLP WCBA (Preschool Board) Meeting 6:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 1438 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meeting 7:00 PM Drama Rehearsal 7:30 PM PMNS - Easter From The Backside 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

10 10:00 AM UMW Book Club 6:00 PM Creative Circle 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 7:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting

11 9:30 AM Wednesday Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Se-renity Seekers 1:30 PM BLP 4's Team Meeting 2:30 PM FOOD PAN-TRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM BLP Literacy Night 6:00 PM Drama Rehersal 6:30 PM Southern Maryland Trail Riders Board Meeting 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

12 1:30 PM BLP 3's Team Meetings 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meet-ing 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Pray-er

13 4:00 PM Lion's Club Spaghetti Dinner 5:00 PM Drop N Date

14 2:00 PM Velocity Softball Team Paint Party

15 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages 11:00 AM Tradition-al Service 12:00 PM ASP Soup, Stew, Chili 12:30 PM Alpha Class

16 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meeting 7:00 PM Drama Rehearsal 7:30 PM PMNS - Easter From The Backside 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

17 St. Patrick's Day 12:00 PM UMW General Meeting 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 6:30 PM Girl Scout Sampler 7:30 PM Trustees Meeting

18 9:30 AM Wednes-day Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Serenity Seekers 2:30 PM FOOD PANTRY open from 2:30-4PM 6:00 PM Drama Rehersal 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

19 First Day of Spring 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 423 Den Meet-ing 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Pray-er 7:30 PM SPRC Meeting

20 6:30 PM Girl Scout Troop 12046 Mtg.

21 Silent Auction Storage 10:00 AM Con-nectors Meeting 5:00 PM Em-maus Gathering

22 Silent Auction Storage 8:30 AM Cafe Ser-vice 9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages 11:00 AM Tradition-al Service 12:00 PM Fellowship Ministries Meeting 12:30 PM Alpha Class 6:30 PM Youth Group

23 Silent Auction Stor-age 5:30 PM 12 Step Home Group - AA 6:00 PM Girl Scout Troop 1438 7:00 PM BSA Troop 1814 Meeting 7:00 PM Drama Rehearsal 7:30 PM PMNS - Easter From The Backside 8:00 PM AA Mtg - Warner Group

24 Silent Auction Stor-age 10:00 AM UMW Book Club 6:00 PM Creative Circle 6:00 PM Men's Emmaus Reunion Group 6:00 PM Women's Emmaus Group 6:30 PM Girl Scout Sampler 7:30 PM Adminis-trative Council

25 Silent Auction Storage 9:30 AM Wednesday Morning Bible Study 12:00 PM AA - Se-renity Seekers 2:30 PM FOOD PAN-TRY open from 2:30-4PM 4:30 PM Spaghetti Dinner / Joey Has-tings Eagle Project Fundraiser 6:00 PM Drama Rehersal 7:00 PM Cherub Choir & Crimson Angels Practice 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice

26 Silent Auction Stor-age 6:00 PM Carillon Choir (Handbell Choir) Rehearsal 7:00 PM Preach-ers Pop Up Pray-er

27 Silent Auction Storage 6:00 PM Scouts Pinewood Derby Check In

28 Silent Auction Storage 9:00 AM Scout Pinewood Derby

Holy Happenings