Epworth - August 2007 Newsletter #2 Musings         Greetings Masks         Special Events  Who's Ushering         Birthdays & Anniversaries  Calendar      Epworth's Health Thoughts      Newsletter Archive Musings  From The  Pastor If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:2  This is one of those verses that one wishes was not in the Bible, or at least that it were back in the Hebrew Scripture. For you see we would feel a little better about saying let us not put too much importance on a word such as that! Next we can say this scripture is not written for today's people! Yet here it is directly in front of us. We have nowhere to go; we must face these issues head on. If I want to claim the name Christian we are required to control the smallest members of our body. The tongue, this little thing can summon up the defenses as well cause issues, it can build up as well as tear down, this thing called the tongue. Why do we have such trouble controlling it? My take is it is a heart issue: when we get our heart right, then we can do a better job with our tongue! The heart issue is insufficiency in the love genes.  Do we need a transplant?  Ezekiel 18:31   Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?  You can not love without the spirit of love being in you. For this is the thing that Jesus calls us to; in Matthew 22 He says it this way: 37 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  Let us always show love! ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++  Greetings from the New Assistant Pastor: I officially became the newest member of the ministry team at Epworth Church at the end of August. I have been welcomed warmly and I am very excited about working with the members at Epworth. My primary area of ministry is youth and children. As such, one of the first goals I plan to accomplish is establishing a weekly meeting for the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF). Also, I am working with Assistant Pastor Jeff Kanost to establish a Sunday school class for the Youth and the children. Currently, we are in the process of choosing a curriculum to use for the classes. We hope to begin these classes by the end of September. In addition, I have planned to hold a “Kick-off” for the Youth group on September 16, 2007 at Epworth. It will be held at 5:00 in the evening. We will have a meal together and we will talk about our goals and plans for the year.                - Assistant Pastor Anna Mandelstamm African Masks on Display Several Masks made by South African youth aged 9-15 will be on display for the month of September at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Montview is located at Montview Boulevard and Dahlia, Denver. Ronald Wooding, Assistant Pastor at Epworth United Methodist Church was inspired to start “The Mask Project” in efforts to bring more attention and support to the South African Agape Child Care Center, an orphanage which houses children who have lost their parents due to the AIDS/HIV pandemic.  In 2001 Pastor Wooding began traveling to South Africa to work with the Agape Center. He had led several mission groups to work and visit the area over the past 7 years. In 2005, 18 students from East High school went to Durban and had the opportunity to visit the Agape Center with Pastor Wooding. In 2006 he started “The Mask Project” by purchasing the masks, paint, and other materials that paved the way for the young people to create their own designs. Last year Pastor Wooding had the mask collection transported to Colorado where they were displayed, in December, at the majority of the art galleries located in the Santa Fe Art District. Earlier this year the Mask Project was on display at the Denver Public Schools Administration building and this summer at Blackberries Coffee & Ice Cream Lounge at 26th and Welton. The exhibit is scheduled to move to Detroit, Michigan at the beginning of 2008. Also on display will be the signature logo print by Georgia Amir, the owner of the Habitat Gallery on Santa Fe. This is the official Logo of the “Agape Project.” The prints of the original are made available to anyone who makes a donation of $500.00 or more to the Agape Project. Pastor Wooding will be available to share his experiences of working with the Agape Child Care Center, September 23rd in the Westminster Commons after the 11:00 service. All donations to the project should be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church for (The Agape Project). For additional information, please email rwooding@eumcdenver.org or call 720-319-1491.              ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++    Special Events & Outreach Ministries Epworth as a church closed out the summer doing a number of fun and exciting things. ·          Our Vacation Bible School & Talent Camp last month was very successful; Jacqueline Withers and her staff did an excellent job. They entertained over 150 children during that week. ·         The August 12th Sunday at Fuller Park was amazing. We probably touched over 300 people. The service was good, the Spirit was high, and many people became connected to Eplworth. Over 200 people received clothing distributed  by the Family-to-Family staff. ·         On August 25th, forty one Youth and the young-at-heart went on a fishing trip to Lake Lehow. They were able to participate in the “Environmental Learning for Kids” program sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. As participants in this program, the youth were able to recive a first-hand class from Ranger Scott Gilmore on the proper way to fish, and they received fishing gear to keep for the future. Many caught fish for the first time in their lives. Thanks to Jesse Melson, all fish caught was cleaned and cooked on the lake bank.  This trip was made possible by Kala Butler.  ·         On August 24th the Epworth Foundation Golf Tournament had 105 players and raised about $40,000.00 once all the collection have been made and expenses paid. ·         The youth are back in school. We purchased school supplies for about 150 students this year. ·         Epworth’s Food Bank served 77 families or 277 individuals during the month of August 2007. ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++    Who’s  Ushering  In  September? ·         September 16th: Sister Vera Castille & Sister Sharon Davis. ·         September 23rd: Sister Grace Stiles & Brother Clarence Williams. ·         September 30th: Youth Sunday. ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++    Epworth’s Birthdays  &  Anniversaries   for Sept ·         Grace Stiles        09/13 ·         Jeneice Jones    09/25 ·         Joy Harris          09/26 ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++  Epworth’s Calendar ·         Morning Prayer Services. Rev. King Harris is conducting Morning Prayer services – M – F starting at 6 a.m. in the Sanctuary.  Morning Prayer Services on Sunday starts at 8 a.m. ·         Adult Sunday school class. The teacher is Brother Ron. Class starts at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall next to the coffee and donuts. ·         Adult Bible Study and meal every Wednesday evening starting at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  All activities end at 7:30 p.m. ·         Epworth’s Hispanic Worship Service every Sun. at 6 p.m. Services conducted by Assistant Pastor Marvin Lazo. ·         Sept.22nd – Planning retreat in Denver. ·         Sept. 30th – Youth Sunday. ·         Oct. 10th-14th – Holy Hook-Up Revival and Dance.   ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++    Holy  Hook-Up  Revival Wallace Yvonne Tollette invites you to the 2007, 4th Annual Holy Hook-Up Revival, “Joy Comes in the Morning.” All activities will be at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, 119 Park Ave. West, Denver, CO. On Wednesday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. Rev. John Thompson, of Park Hill UMC will deliver the message. On Thursday, October 11th at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Jim Cowell, UM Evangelist will give the message. Friday and Saturday, October 12th and 13th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 14th at 2 p.m. the Winifred R. Harris “Between Lines Dance Company” of Los Angeles, California performs “Joy Comes in the Morning.” Talk Back immediately following with dancers, facilitated by Ms. Carnita Groves, Consultant/Counselor. How to blend Church and Dance and How to find a balance between speakers and dance. Free will offerings will be taken on Wednesday and Thursday, October 10th and 11th following the message. Tickets will be available for each dance performance and are $15.00 and $30.00 each. Everyone please plan on selling at least 10 tickets.  See or call Wallace Yvonne Tollette at Epworth for more information.   ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++                  Epworth’s  Health… “Oh  Lord  Hear  Our  Prayer” ·         Health – Brother Chris Davis. ·         Health – Brother Thom Foster. ·         Comfort & Care – Charles & LaSandra Rollins. ·         Comfort & Care – Rev. Hugh & Hazel Harris ·         Encouragement – Jose Orlando and Yolanda Rivera Argentina (Missionaries). ·         Protection – For our Armed Forces serving in distant lands. ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++  Gentle  Thoughts for  Today ·         The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. ·         The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends. ·         He who hesitates is probably right. ·         The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. ·         The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble. ++++++++++      [Return to Top]   [Return to Epworth home page]     ++++++++++