This Week’s Prayers: (Please submit to Church office or write on sheet in Narthex.)
For Hope and Healing: Bill Creswick, III & Bill Creswick, Sr.; Rick Sivers (back issues); Ildee Scarborough (health and employment); Janice Boehm (back issues); Bob MacCord (Janet Sadjian’s father, continued peace and healing); Joyce Daniel, Jeff DarDenne (friends of John Ekey) and his son Matt Ekey. Prayers for strength, comfort and acceptance, for Mike Hall (in hospice with brain cancer) and his wife and caregiver, Teresa Hall – Kathy Harrod’s brother-in-law and her sister in Oregan.
Prayers for the shooting victims and their families in both El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.
Messages of Gratitude:
- “All year I have the care of Pastor Lorelei and our “Church Family”, then at my birthday time to receive all your Best Wishes, I give thanks! Blessings and Love, Doris Hardcastle”
- “Dear WGUMC friends, Thank you for all of your love and support at this challenging time for me. All of your conversations with me and your cards mean a lot to me. I truly believe that God is with us every step of the way and your support makes things easier. Thank you! Karen Werthmann.”
Sunshine Member: Margaret Jerdan, Gwynedd Estates OBT 111, 301 Norristown Road, Ambler, PA 19002. A card is in the Narthex for all to sign.
This Week
Tuesday, August 20th
7:00 pm SPRC Meeting
Sunday, August 25th
10:30 am Worship (with Guest Speaker)
1:00 pm Sung Kwang Pres. Church
Announcements & Save the Dates
Sight and Sound Trip:
Thanks to Teri Soltis and the New Initiatives Task Force for organizing the Sight and Sound trip to see “Jesus”. Six members of WGUMC (Marilou Skilton, Jean Pugh, Charles and Barb Staley, Doris Hardcastle and Terri Soltis) along with 5 additional people went to see Jesus at Sight and Sound in Lancaster. We had a wonderful day. An air conditioned ride in a tour bus, lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord and a Matinee showing of Jesus. We may go back again in the Spring for Queen Esther. Talk to one of us to hear about our day.
Friendship Meal Update: Each month, WGUMC joins with the community and feeds 80-100 people. It is both a time of physical and spiritual nourishment, as well as community building. On Sunday, July 21st, approximately a dozen (12) volunteers gathered before, during, and after the Friendship Meal to set up, serve, offer hospitality, and clean up to the near 70 people that gathered. Due to the excessive heat thru that week, we also moved our morning 7/21/19 worship service downstairs and enjoyed a more informal and intimate worship experience. Sitting at the tables set up for the Friendship Meal, we embraced the different environment and allowed the Holy Spirit to touch and move us through the Word spoken and proclaimed and music offered by Kathy, Rich, and Teagan. Many of those that gathered later in the evening were very glad that we were still holding the meal despite the heat. Our next Friendship Meal is TODAY August 18th at 5 pm. Never been? Join us as we feature “Lazy Summer Days” foods. New volunteers are needed and always welcome. Assistance always welcome.
A Message from New Initiatives Task Force: We are sorry to announce that due to a lack of interest, the chili cook-off will not be taking place. Besides committee members, only four people signed up to cook chili, set up and clean up. The New Initiatives Committee was established to try and promote activities for the church and also to interact with the community. The tea party, Sight & Sound production of “Jesus”, and the chili cook-off were unsuccessful in gathering congregational support. It has become apparent we need to better understand what activities most interest you. We truly need your help. For our church to grow, we need to hear from you. Please think about what interests you. This is your church, your family. Reach out.
Upcoming Guest Preachers:
August 18th: Please welcome Pastor Susan Sciarratta, Pastoral Associate at Ann's Choice retirement community in Warminster, a campus of 2000 residents and 1000 employees. Her duties there include serving as Chaplain at their Rose Gardens continuing care facility. She is also a Christian counselor at Insight Counseling, located at Davisville Church, and a member of the Hatboro-Warminster Ministerium. Her home church is Woodside Presbyterian Church in Yardley, PA, where she is an ordained Elder, member of the praise band, and children/youth minister. Susan lives in Newtown with her husband and three children and their greyhound rescue.
August 25th: Please welcome to our pulpit, Rev. Dr. Donald J. Brash, regular attender at WGUMC and a gifted teacher in our midst. Rev. Brash currently serves at Palmer Theological Seminary as the Faculty Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Associate Professor of Historical Theology. A native of western Pennsylvania, Dr. Donald Brash is an ordained minister with an ecumenical history. He has extensive experience as a pastor of American Baptist churches, but now also finds his roles (as teacher) at Palmer to be " extraordinarily fulfilling because I love to learn.”
2nd Tuesdays Faith and Art Study Groups: Plans are in the works for a fall WGUMC Academy in which study and discussion groups will use classic works of art as a launching point. Each session will be offered at 10am and 7pm, beginning in September. The basic themes thus far are:
- September 10: Rembrandt's "Prodigal Son" (scripture discussion and how he painted it)
- October 8: The Language of Icons
- November 12: The Peaceable Kingdom
- December 10: The Nativity (who is portrayed at the Nativity and how it has been depicted through the ages in art, music and drama)
Pastor Vacation Information: Pastor Lorelei will be away beginning Tuesday, August 13th through Tuesday, August 27th. During Pastor Lorelei’s absence, pastoral care concerns should be directed to the church office or Marilu Skilton at 215-659-2405. Emergency issues will be forwarded to Rev. Jane McCarthy, who will address them appropriately and in conjunction with her full-time position at WEL (Upper Moreland).
Across the Eastern PA & UMC Connection
SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: Two incredible learning events are being sponsored by the East District and EPA Conference respectively. “Walking With: An African American Experience” to be held at Chalfont UMC and featuring the film “Stranger Fruit” with discussion and “Planting Seeds for Ministry Growth” with a specific focus on “Leadership in the Midst of Conflict” featuring special guest Jen Hatmaker of Austin, TX.
Domestic Violence event to focus on healing ‘toxic masculinity’: The Eastern PA Conference will offer an unusual focus at its second “Domestic Violence: The Church Responds” seminar on Saturday, September 28th, 9am-3pm at Simpson House (2101 Belmont Ave, Philadelphia, PA). Participants will focus on boys and men, and how to help them heal and unlearn socialized attitudes and behaviors that often contribute to intimate-partner abuse—otherwise known as toxic masculinity. The Rev. Rickie Houston, will keynote the seminar. Registration is $20 and will open June 1st. More info is available via the church office.
In The Community
Elvis Pretzel (John Ekey) will be performing again at Otto’s on Sunday, August 25th from 5pm to 7pm in the Beer Garden. The performance will include Little Benjamin and Ronny Fasano. There is no cover charge and performance will be held rain or shine.
Annual Senior Fair – Hosted by Representative Ben Sanchez on Wednesday, September 4th from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Rydal Park in Jenkintown. The fair is free and will include door prizes, lunch and useful information.
