News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

easter lily

April 21, 2011

Greetings!

A Word from the Pastor

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people .... I will build you, and you shall be built; you shall take your tambourines and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. (Jeremiah 31:1, 3)

Every year we approach the Easter Celebration of resurrection and joy through the consolation of Holy Thursday and the desolation of Good Friday. These experiences ... consolation and desolation, death and resurrection ... are intimately entwined with one another. Even the prophet Jeremiah knows this as he speaks the word of promise to the people in the midst of exile. And the promise is the promise of dancing in God's presence even in suffering and then beyond.

Last year on Easter Sunday in Budapest, Hungary hundreds gathered to dance the Resurrection Sunday Dance. You can see it on youtube .... Resurrection Sunday Dance
This year on Easter Sunday, in public squares around the globe, many more will join that dance. It is a dance of joy ... of friendship, of energy, of hope, of love. Just so, we at Kingswood will gather to "dance" and praise God for the gift of God's presence in all of life ... in the moments of desolation, and when we are comforted; in the moments of sorrow and in the moments of joy.

Don't be afraid.
Come and see ... the angel said to the women;
go and tell the others that he is alive and has gone ahead of you into the Galilee.
You will see him there.

Matthew 28:6-7

Rev. Margaret Gramley

Holy Thursday -
A Feast of Remembrance

Holy Thursday service begins tonight at 7pm. Service will in the activity center where we will participate in fellowship to remember how Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate the passover.

Good Friday and the Celebration of Easter Services

On Good Friday, April 22, at 7p.m., join us for worship in the sanctuary and hear the story of Jesus' trial and death by crucifixion.

Easter morning there are three Celebrations of Easter:

7a.m. - Lake Arlington (2201 N. Windsor Ave., Arlington Heights) - a Sunrise Service planned and led by the youth of Kingswood.

altar 3

9 & 10:30 a.m Celebration in the sanctuary led by Chancel and Bell Choirs and Puppet Team.

And remember, the Mens' Club will be fixing breakfast all morning!!!

"Be Cool" Get your picture taken on Easter Sunday

Before the 9 am and the 10:30 am services on Easter Sunday get your family's picture taken. Pictures will be printed and availble for pick up on May 1. Easter pictures provided by the Welcoming Committee.

Men's Club Pancake Breakfast

Share in fellowship on Easter morning

while enjoying pancakes!

The Men's Club is hosting a pancake breakfast

from 8am until noon on Easter morning

in the activity center.

Prize winning Kingswood Creative Ministries Puppet Team

Glory Fingers Creative Ministry Team presents

17th Annual Spring Musical

The Narrow Brick Road is a story based on the Wizard of OZ. Our message comes from Luke 24:13-32, The Road to Emmaus story which reminds us that Jesus is always with us. There will be blacklight puppets, Hand Mime, Dowel Rods, Interpretive signing and dance, fun new characters, a special surprise and an encore presentation of our Platinum award winning song East to West by Casting Crowns!

We hope you can attend and bring friends on Saturday April 30th at 4pm and 7pm in the sanctuary!

Admission is free and non-perishable donations to the food pantry are always welcome.

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

Senior High Mission Trip

The Senior High Work Camp has been announced! The trip is to Galveston, Texas from July 31 to August 6, to work on homes devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008. They will be working with One Mission Initiative. The youth will be chaperoned by Ruth Anderson, Norm Belew, Jeff Johnson, Krist Neumann, Harry Brubeck and Sheri Brubeck.
You can sponsor a youth using the donation link in the right hand column. Select "Youth Mission Trip", and please add the youth participant's name where designated.

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

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.

labrynth

Prayer Labyrinth Project at Kingswood

In June, Tommy Gates will lead a group of Scouts in building an outdoor prayer labyrinth on the western edge of the Kingswood property. This is his Eagle project and he has been working for several months making plans, getting approval and learning about prayer labyrinths. In the next few weeks you'll see him in the Fireside Room with a display showing his plan and receiving any encouragement and financial support you may want to offer.

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.

News Flash -
Kingswood Preschool to offer Summer Camp

This 6 week summer program will be offered 3 days a week (Tues.-Thurs.) June 14th -July 21st from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Our program is designed to offer your preschool child

the perfect summer camp experience. All children 3-5 years of age are welcome.

Crafts, recreational activities, music, and plenty of outdoor fun will help create a positive experience for your child. Fun and educational themes will be highlighted as well as weekly special events.

For more information please contact Laura Kopka, Director of Kingswood Preschool @ 847-666-4092. Or email preschool@kingswoodumc.com

In This Issue