News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

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Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

April 7, 2011

Greetings!

A Word from the Pastor

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me . . .

The last verse of the 23rd Psalm is one of my favorite verses in the whole of scripture. It wasn't always so ... but when I learned that the Hebrew word that we translate "follow" is really something much stronger, like "pursue," I fell in love with the idea and have been much more aware of the experience.

God is always seeking the best for us ... and it is not a passive thing. You might even use the word aggressive ... God is in pursuit of us for love's sake, that we might be blessed and live in awareness of God's goodness and grace every moment of our days.

Surely ..... for sure, that is .... God's love is in and around and for us, just as it is for all of God's creation. That doesn't mean bad things don't happen. They most certainly do. But goodness is greater and is there for us to receive and share. And mercy is, well, a mercy! Better to live forgiven and forgiving than bound by guilt and fear.

This Sunday we complete our in-depth look at Psalm 23. I hope you've found it meaningful and that you've discovered that it is a Psalm full of grace, hope and assurance ... for all the days and hours and minutes of your life, now and forever.

Thanks to all who followed our travels in Israel. The experience of traveling across the landscape in that part of the world has given me new insights and awareness regarding Psalm 23 and others. Though beautiful in many ways, there is a starkness and barrenness in Israel and Jordan that make the idea of "green" pastures come alive ... for so many of the places we saw sheep grazing were just rocky hillsides with almost no green visible. I'm sure that in the weeks to come there will be even more ways that we begin to "get it" about certain phrases or images in scripture that have gone unnoticed until now. Stay tuned!!

Blessings and mercy ....

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Lenten Studies

Lenten Study led by Rev. Sang Hun Han

Tuesdays, March 15 through April 19 at 7pm in the Library

Thursdays, March 17 through April 21 at 10am in room 115

Walk with Jesus on his final day. Sit beside him at the Last Supper. Pray

with him in Gethsemane. Follow him to the cross. Desert him. Deny him.

Experience the Resurrection. This class is to help you better understand the

events that occurred during the last 24 hours of Jesus' life, see more

clearly the theological significance of Christ's suffering and death, and

reflect upon the meaning of these events for your life.

No single event in human history has received more attention than the

suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The book we'll study, 24

Hours That Changed the World, by Adam Hamilton, is designed to help you experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you never have before.

Whether you are a longtime Christian or simply curious about the story of

Christ's crucifixion, you are invited to join us on this inspiring journey.

Keeping the Faith -- Contemporary Spiritual Practices for Contemporary Christians

Beth Jayapalan will lead this lenten study on Sunday mornings at 9am. The study will be 4 weeks, Sunday March 27 through April 17.

Lenten Podcasts

Listen in to the fourth week of our Lenten podcast series. Over the six weeks, Kingswood staff is reflecting on Psalm 23. Today, Sheri Brubeck our Director of Creative Ministries, reflects on verse 6 which begins...Surely your goodness and love will follow me.

Click on one of three links below to listen:

Network Channel

Podcast Feed

Mobi URL

And speaking of Lent .... Holy Thursday will be here

before you know it. We'll need help setting up the Activity Center for the Holy Thursday observance. Please contact Anita Cannella if you'd like to help her set the tables for this meal of remembrance. anitasguesthouse@comcast.net.

Sponsor an Easter Lily

If you are interested in sponsoring an Easter Lily

there will be an inserts in the bulletin for the next

2 weeks or you can call the church office.

Don't Forget the Rummage Sale!

The Kingswood Annual Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 8am - 4pm. For those of you doing spring cleaning, please remember this great opportunity to donate your unwanted clothes, furniture, housewares, etc. to the rummage sale. Please remember donated items need to be in good, working condition.

No large applances will be accepted.

You can drop off your donations anytime after May 8 at the church.

If you have questions please contact Chris Spaeth at (847)520-5933

Scholarship Applications Available

Applications for the Dwight Hall and Judy Larkins Davis Memorial Scholarships are now available. Completed applications are due to the church office on May 9.

Please use the links below for more information and the application.

Dwight Hall

Judy Larkins Davis Memorial

Little Bee book

KUMC Book Club

The Book Club will meet on Friday, April 29 at 7pm. They will meet at Panera Bread in Strathmore Center, 1228 West Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. The group will discuss "Little Bees" by Chris Cleave.

For more information contact Karen Wernette, (224) 677-5277 or kmwernet@umich.edu.

Senior High Sunday School

No Senior High Sunday School this Sunday, April 10.

Join us on Sunday, April 17, at 9:00AM for another "Breakfast and a Movie". We will watch the movie Godspell.

Spring Clean Up - Inside and Outside

Calling All Gardeners!
Weed Folks is a gardening program at Kingswood where families can sponsor a particular area on church property to weed and take care of during spring and summer. If they would like, families can also plant flowers in their area. Spaces are going fast so if your family would like to sign up please come to the Weed Folks table between services.

Church Clean Up!

This year's spring cleaning will take place on April 30, from 8:30 to 11am. Please clear your calendar, we need as many volunteers as possible.

Questions? Contact Dennis Spaeth at (847)520-5933 or visit the Weed Folks table between services.

Is Your Child Gay?

PRN, Parents Reconciling Network is forming an Illinois Conference. Support education and advocacy by presenting a visible witness to end discriminatory policies in our denomination on Sunday, April 10 at 1:30 pm at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid, Oak Park. Convened by Blair Barbour, LCSW, MSW, parent, Clinical social Worker and Therapist.

In This Issue

Lenten Studies

Lenten Podcasts

Easter Lillies

Rummage Sale

Scholarship Applications

Book Club

Senior High Sunday School

Spring Clean Up

PRN Illinois Conference

This Sunday

Prayers & Joys

New Emails

This Sunday in Worship

5th Sunday in Lent

Scripture:

John 11:1-45

Psalm 23:6

Message:

Staking Your Life on God's Goodness

Music:

Children's Choir

Chancel Choir

(10:30am)

Sunday School

*Open House
April 10- 9am
1st & 2nd Grade

Senior High Sunday School

No Sunday School this week.

Lenten Midday Service

Tuesdays at Noon in the Sanctuary

Prayers, Joys & Concerns

Congratulations to the family of Isaiah Charles Neumann, son of Eric & Elise, grandson of June and Paul, nephew of Krist,

who was born on April 5 in New York.

Ric Sisi, who had successful back surgery this week.

Andrew Schroeder, wife, Theresa and infant son, Flynn. Dr. Andy is chiropractor to several in the congregation and has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

The family of Lynn Shepherd (Juelane & Charlie's Daughter) who passed away on Tuesday, March 29. The wake is at 1pm at Spaulding Funeral Home in Highland Park. The funeral service will follow.

The family of Dolly Grubb (Jane Grubb's mother-in-law), who passed away on Monday, March 28 in Indiana. She recently celebrated her 100 year birthday.

Karen Rogers (cousin of Sheri Miller) who is a teacher in Yamatsuri Fukushima, Japan. Thankfully she lives outside the evacuation zone.

Ann Metzel (Sheri Brubeck's mom) who is recovering from surgery to help eliminate her pain.

Forrest "Jim" Rogers (Sheri Miller's uncle) who is undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer.

Larry Isacson (a fellow Israel traveler) who suffered a TIA on the trip.

Congratulations to Anne Marie Gerhardt who has accepted the position of Director of Communications for the Northern Illinois Conference!!

Rebecca Berry who is home. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY: Rebecca is asking for persons who might be willing to drive her to appointments. She is not able to drive and needs help with transportation. If you would be willing to be on a list to be called, please contact the church office.

Ministry Quick Links