The Linden Letter

The Linden Letter Psalm 126 A song of ascents. 1 [a] When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. [b] 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, [c] O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. September, 2009 In this psalm, the theological theme of restoration is woven together with the theme of rejoicing. The product is one of the grandest, most eloquent lyrical prayers in the Psalter. Throughout the Biblical narratives, we encounter men, women and even entire nations who have had their lives restored by Jehovah. The restoration of Sarah to Abraham, the restoration of Joseph to Jacob and his brothers, the restoration of the people to the land after the Exodus, the restoration of the ark to the people after the Philistines captured it, the birth of the Messiah; the restoration of Jesus to his parents, the healing miracles and the resurrection are but a few examples of restoration. “Put back something that was once but is no longer there” is one definition of “restoration.” Another is, “to return something to its proper owner or place.” Many of you know what it means to have a home restored, a car restored or perhaps even a marriage or life restored. A lot of hard work was involved but, in the end, the final product was better than anything that you could have imagined and definitely worth the wait. Jesus was a man who spoke a word of hope to a woman beside a well and restored her stolen identity. Jesus tells us that the unclean, the outcast and those marginalized by society will be given a “flash pass” to the head of the line as they enter the Kingdom of God. As the outer manifestation of the body of Christ the church must be in the “restoration business.” The sinner must be offered mercy, the physically and mentally broken must be offered hope, the spiritually wounded must be shown the path of love that leads to Jesus. The dead must be raised. Helping to restore homes through Habitat for Humanity, serving dinner to the homeless, singing to the shut-ins, teaching Sunday School, praying for one another and showing mercy and compassion to all are but a few of the ways that God can use us to help others come to know the width and depth of God’s love. Being the conduit by which God brings forth restoration in another’s life is truly an awesome experience: whether restoring a broken identity or restoring a broken home, God can use our hearts and our hands to “return something to its proper owner or place.” As your time of summer restoration ends, I hope that you will return to Linden Heights with a song in your heart so that we may proclaim with one voice … “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” In God’s peace, Karen September Highlights Thursday, September 10 6:30PM 8:00 PM 9:15 AM Bell Choir Rehearsal Begins Chancel Choir Rehearsals Begin Sunday School Begins – meet in the Sanctuary Dedication of Sunday School Teachers Choir Retreat Prayer Vigil Visioning Dinner and Planning Sunday, September 13 (Balloon Sunday) 9:15 & 11:00 AM Saturday, September 19 Friday, September 25 Sunday, September 27 9:00 AM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM Fall Worship Schedule Starting September 13, 2009 Sunday school 9:15 AM Informal service 9:15 AM Traditional service 11:00 AM Flea Market We are having a flea market on Saturday, October 3rd. Spaces, 10’ x 10’ will be sold for $10.00 each. You must provide your own table. There will be a Linden Heights church table, so if you want to donate any sellable items to the church, please call Jim Hedgespeth at 410-493-7569, email jim@hedgespeth.net, or call the church office, 410-668-6181. They must be received by the church on September 27th to allow time for pricing. Shirts will be sold to raise funds for various mission activities by the church. Pit beef, hotdogs, and drinks will be served, so tell your friends to drop by, pick up a pit beef or hotdog and do some shopping. our webpage was redesigned that features something new and exciting each month. They are included in the Hotspots page if you missed it or want to revisit it later on. New pictures have been added to the Photo Album. - Jim Hedgespeth Cecil County Homeless We are planning on fixing a meal for the homeless in Cecil County. This is a big problem in Cecil County that is largely ignored by the government of Cecil County. There are churches in the area that are helping out, but they could also use our help. The Mission’s Committee would like to prepare a meal and serve the homeless on th September 20 . Please sign the signup sheet in the narthex if you would like to participate. If you have any questions, please call Jim Hedgespeth at 410-4937569. Baltimore County Christian Workcamp Vincent Ingalla and Jim Hedgespeth participated in the 2009 Baltimore County th Christian Workcamp July 19 – 24 . Volunteering in this organization is very rewarding. We had a lot of fun working side by side with other volunteers helping renovate homes for people that can’t afford to make necessary repairs to their homes. To find out more about the 2009 Baltimore County Christian Workcamp, go to the Linden Heights website, www.lindenheights.org. Click on BCCW. - Jim Hedgespeth Food Box The food box continues to be an enormous success. Check out the chart on the Missions Corner on bulletin board in the narthex. It shows that we have delivered 308 pounds of food so far. The Parkville/Carney Community Assistance Network has all the food they need for now. There are still other agencies and areas that still need our help. The larger #10 cans are especially desired because it is much easier to feed a large group of people with one can instead of fixing many different items for a large group. Linden Height’s webpage – www.lindenheights.org There are some new updates to the Linden Heights webpage. There is a new Policies and Forms page where you can download the Linden Heights Safe Sanctuary Policies and Forms. The Hot Spot of the Month is a feature requested by Jeff Lawrence when Baltimore County Diapers (size 2 and 4) Baby food and cereal Corner Mission’s Wish List We discover many needs during our mission activities. The following is a list of some of those needs. If you can help with any new or used items below, please call Jim Hedgespeth at 410-493-7569 or email jim@hedgespeth.net. You can also place them in or next to the food box. Nehemiah Homeless Shelter used lawn mower weed wacker non-perishable food (large size cans desired) outdoor extension cord (at least 50 feet) Cecil County Homeless New (unused) Underwear Men’s Clothing Boots Coats Rain Gear Tents Air Mattresses Tarps Blankets Socks Travel Sized Toiletries Wash Cloths/Towels Winter Hats/Gloves Sunscreen START-UP September 13, 2009 will be the first Sunday of our fall/winter schedule. Our Sunday School will have classes for ages three through adult. Sunday School will begin at 9:15 AM. We invite all of the children and parents to gather in the sanctuary at 9:15 AM for the first 20 minutes of the informal service. We will enjoy a portion of the service together and then the children will move to their new classrooms. The Sunday school children will be attending the informal service on the first Sunday of each month. Please come and spend this time of worship with your children. A new adult Sunday school class is staring this year. They will meet in the library in the fellowship hall at 9:15 AM. This will be a time for some of us to share God’s Word and to seek His purposes for us. Class members will select what they want to study. Roger Lukens will be leading this class. Charge Conference Family First Sunday October 4 As we return to our regular church schedule, I want to thank everyone who made our Family First coffee hours possible. It takes many people to make this event come together. From perking the coffee so it is ready on time, setting up tables and chairs, and setting up for both services as well as putting items away in between. A special thank you to those dear people who stay to help us clean-up. The members of the committee also bring treats each month. Thank you to each and every one of you! I want to thank everyone who contributed snacks and sweets. Your contributions made each gathering a mouth watering surprise. We appreciate you. Please mark your calendar for this year’s dates: October 4 November 1 December 6 January 3 February 7 March 7 April 4 May 2 June 6 Our Charge Conference for this year is scheduled for Monday, October 5 at Linden Heights. Charge Conference is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM. Come learn about the mission and ministry of Linden Heights United Methodist Church. All members of the Church Council are expected to attend but all members and friends of the church are welcome to participate. If you are a committee chairperson, budgets for 2010 are due by September 3 so the budget can be finalized before Charge Conference. Thank you. “Operation Christmas Child” Once again this year, through the Franklin Graham ministries, we will be participating in Operation Christmas Child. “It is a unique project of Samaritan’s Purse that enables caring people to share God’s love with hurting boys and girls in the far corners of the globe.” We are asking for donations of new gifts for boys and girls ages 2-14 that will fit into an ordinary shoe box. The Sunday school children/youth will be wrapping and packing these boxes as part of their mission project for this year. If you would prefer to make a cash donation to help with the shipping costs or to purchase additional gifts that would be greatly appreciated. The last day to bring items will be Sunday, October 18. If you would like to help with packing the We look forward to your contributions and the fellowship we all share. boxes, please contact Ruth Snyder, 410592-8417. Suggested Gifts: Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make a noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc. School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons, markers, stamps coloring books only, writing pads or paper. Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloths. Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, ball caps, socks, toy jewelry, hair clips. Shoe Boxes are also needed. Please place them in the donation box in the narthex. Please DO NOT include the following: Use or damaged items, war related items: guns, knives, military figures, chocolate or food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items: snow globes, glass containers, aerosol cans. “This is an extraordinary gift for a child in need of joy and hope. Most important of all, these shoe boxes provide wonderful opportunities to tell children and their families about the greatest gift of allJesus Christ! Remember to pray especially for the children who will receive these shoe boxes. Through Operation Christmas Child, you can make a world of difference.” Dear Linden Heights, Thank you so much for the scholarship gift. It as already helped with the purchase of two books. Once again, thank you very much. Sincerely, Cody Masters Dear Linden Heights, It’s just a little message, but in you will find, a great big “thanks” for being so thoughtful and so kind! Thank you for your kindness & thoughtfulness. Margaret & Steward Hollingshead To the Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund, Thank you so much for the scholarship you awarded to me for college. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this very thoughtful gift from my church. It is being used expressly for the purchase of my first semester books, which are quite expensive as I begin my studies at Johns Hopkins University with a major in Materials Science Engineering. I am touched by your faith in me, and appreciate your blessings and prayers as I embark upon this new journey in my life. Linden Heights has been a second home to me since I attended the preschool there at the age of four, ever since then my church family has surrounded me with love and guidance, the quality of which is beyond measure. Again, thank you for this very kind and generous gift! Love and blessings to all, Shea Lawson school children. All of the children will be notified by a letter of invitation. Sunday school will remain from 9:15 – 10:15 AM. A potluck luncheon will follow the service in the fellowship hall. New to the Church Jennifer Gangi joined our church family on July 26, 2009. Jennifer’s address is 2930 Summit Avenue Parkville, MD 21234. Her phone number is 410-812-7641. Please take a moment to welcome Jennifer to our church. Doris Bernhardt Entered in our church fellowship March 16, 1986 Entered into the church triumphant June, 2009 Donald Mealy Entered in our church fellowship April 22, 1966 Entered into the church triumphant August 2, 2009 Our deepest sympathy to their families. Finances for June & July: For June: Operating Expenses: Income Expenses Loss Building Fund Income Mortgage Net $10,567.13 19,145.11 (8,577.75) All Saints Sunday/ Bible Presentations On Sunday, November 1 there will be a combined service held at 10:30 AM. We will celebrate all Saint’s Sunday and bibles will be given to our third grade Sunday $2,646.50 2,314.89 331.61 Mortgage as of 6/30/09 $22,225.72 For July: Operating Expenses: Income Expenses Net $11,532.50 9,743.21 1,789.29 Building Fund Income Mortgage Net Mortgage as of 7/31/09 $3,316.00 2,314.89 1,001.11 $19,998.81 Welcome New Accompanist! -Gary Van Essen I am pleased to announce that, after a careful interview process, the SPRC has hired Heather Traxler as our new choir accompanist. Heather is a music teacher in Baltimore County who has taught at the elementary and high school levels. She currently is teaching at Towson High School. Heather has an undergraduate degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in music education and is currently pursuing her Master's degree at Towson. She is looking forward to making Linden Heights her church home. Please welcome Heather to Linden Heights. Linden Bridge Nursery School will once again be alive with children starting on Tuesday, September 8. Returning this year is Debbie Roberg, our director, Nancy Webster, our full time teacher and Roseanne Ruppersberger, our aide on Tuesday & Thursday mornings. As always, we have one fundraiser, Innisbrook Wrapping Paper, running from September 8 through October 2. Anyone from the church is welcome to take part in this endeavor. There will be a sample of products set up in the walkway one Sunday in September along with order forms. It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas. This year the nursery school has an ID number with Office Depot. By giving Office Depot our ID when purchasing items, the school is given points that we can use to purchase school supplies. Our number is 70209308. If you are shopping at Office Depot, please take a moment to tell them you want your purchase to be used for the nursery school. Thank you. Community News The Parkville Senior Center, 8601 Harford Road will offer a course ”Archaeology and the Bible” on Tuesdays from September 29 to December 1 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. There are no tests or homework. Instructor is Bob Owen. Cost of the course is $27.00 for seniors. For further information, or to register, please call Parkville senior center at 410-887-5338. Dates For Your Calendar Sunday School Hayride Christmas Concert Saturday, 11/7, 8:00 Sunday, 12/13, 2:30 at Arnolia UMC Christmas Eve Services 4:00 PM, 6:00 or 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM (Confirmation of times will be in next Linden Letter)