CELEBRATING
It is hard to believe that over 150 years ago, Methodist on the Dover Road area had a dream that they should build a church for them to be able to worship God and to give thanks for the blessings that God had bestowed upon them. These people had the vision and the ministry that this sa- cred place of worship would become a beacon of God’s light to the neighboring com- munity. And it happened.
The Civil War, which had torn the nation apart had just fin- ished and the lingering fears and mistrust still were still smoldering. Yet the Methodist Episcopal church was built and it continues with 150 years of uninterrupted worship.
Think back over what has happened during these years. Multiple wars, recessions and depressions have come and gone. Yet the people remained faithful to God messages to share the good news of Jesus Christ to the community and the world.
So here we are in 2018, the benefactors of multiple gener- ations of faithful dedication of time, talent and financial re- sources to the glory of God. We are so fortunate to be beneficiaries of God’s grace as shown to the countless mem- bers of Pleasant Grove UMC.
It is our responsibility to be certain that future generations also have the benefit to wor- ship at Pleasant Grove UMC. We must persevere in this dedication to the future.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, plans to giver you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12.
The key word here is PRAY. So, I ask you PRAY for your church and the future direc- tion and let us continue to be in a listening mode. God will speak to us!
– Dick
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
June 24, 2018 – Memorial Brick Dedication
This is the day that we celebrate and remember members and friends of PGUMC who have died. After worship at 10:30 AM, we will dedicate special bricks that have been engraved with the person’s name. When the dedication is over, we will return to the Tracey Building for a light lunch and a chance to recon- nect with our friends.
July 22, 2018 – Worship at Emory Grove.
Worship at 10AM, Picnic at 11:30AM
Pleasant Grove UMC has been invited to join Reisterstown UMC for worship and picnic at Emory Grove in Glyndon. Emory Grove has provided its summer residents with spiritual inspi- ration and respite from Baltimore City’s summer heat for over
145 years. Originally founded in 1868 as a Methodist camp meeting site during the religious reawakening that swept the nation in the aftermath of the Civil War, the Grove now wel- comes worshipers of any denomination. The picnic will be held in the Emory Grove Hotel, built in 1887, is a stately Victorian structure on the National Register of Historic Places. At the center of the Grove is an open-air tabernacle that is the heart of the community. Religious services are held weekly.
August 26, 2018 – Bluegrass Sunday 10:30AM
The Sounds of Victory will return this Sunday for their inspira- tional bluegrass Gospel music. Last year they visited us, and we found that their music was an excellent combination of old time religion music and contemporary bluegrass. The event will be held in the Social Hall and afterwards we will have grilled hamburgers and hotdogs along with a simple lunch.
October 14, 2018 – Homecoming Service 10:30AM
This will be the cumulation of the celebration of the 150th An- niversary. We will invite all the past members and their friends to come to the service and luncheon.
November 11, 2018
After worship, we will rebury the time capsule to be reopened in 2068.
December 23, 2018 – Christmas Eve Eve 7PM
Once again the Puppeteers of Grannies of Carroll Vista will be with us with their Christmas puppet show. This has been a very successful family worship service.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 27 –29—9:00AM-NOON
This year’s VBS theme will be “Fill the Ark!” We will be part- nering with Heifer International to work as a group to fill an entire Ark! For 4 weeks we will be working on collecting funds. Everyone in the congregation will be receiving a bank and a giving calendar. Each day, in this journey, you will be provided a different emphasis and lesson. I encourage every- one to set aside a time to read each day’s lesson.
During VBS our students will learn about Jesus, participate in games, make crafts, have snacks (of course) and even get a little first hand look at some of the same type of animals we will be purchasing for the “Ark”. Students will also be intro- duced to other cultures and how these animals impact the lives of many people. Anyone who is interested in helping, either during the program or behind the scenes, is encouraged to let Jennifer know.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
- June 5th —Evening out at J&P’s inHampstead, 6pm
- July 3rd —Day meeting at Hosted by Margarete
THE MILLER FAMILY
WE ARE PURSUING GOD’S CALL OVERSEAS!
For two years now, Alyssa and I have been serving with the YouthHOPE team, learning more about global youth ministry and how we can have a significant impact on the lives of young people around the world. Many of you have been along for this journey, and we are overjoyed to share this exciting news with you!
For quite some time, we have been praying about where God may be calling us to serve, whether it would be here in the states or overseas. A few months ago, I (Luke) had an opportunity to visit Prosperous Youth Foundation, a m inistry located in Chiang Mai, Thailand that works alongside a large network of youth homes providing discipleship, training, and care.
As we learned more about the ministry Alyssa and I couldn’t help but think that this ministry would be a great fit for both of us for several reasons:
- We love working with youth and continue to feel called to youth ministry.
- We want to work in a country that is highly unreached, and in need of the
- We desire to minister together, without one of us needing to travel throughout the
- We want to take our previous work and experience, as well as our time withYouthHOPE and apply it to direct, hands-on youth ministry.
After much prayer and thought, Alyssa and I have decided to transition from the YouthHOPE team to pursue a full time field placement. W e w ill continue our affiliation w ith New Mission Systems International, and work directly under the interna- tional operations department.
Alyssa and I will be taking a vision trip to Chiang Mai, Thai- land May 21-31 of this year. W e are excited to m eet w ith the Prosperous Youth Foundation team, spend time ministering to youth, and experience Thailand together. We are praying that this trip will confirm our call to serve in Thailand.
Please continue to lift us up in your prayers. We are excited about this transition, but transition isn’t always easy. We are so thankful for your love and support during this time. We are looking forward to meeting with you soon to share more about what God is doing in our lives.
Grace and Peace,
Luke, Alyssa, Psalm, Shepherd
THE DISABILITY EXPRESS GROUP
The Disability Express Group is a group for teens and young adults from 12 years old and up with any disability who want to have fun in the community through various social and recreational activities. The Disability Express Group provides a welcoming envi- ronment for individuals with disabilities and encourages participation in social activi- ties, developing friendships and giving back to the com- munity with service pro- jects.
Five years ago Brian No- bles realized there was a need for a network for teens and young adults with disabilities to feel welcome and accepted. With this thought in mind Brian, his twin brother, Bob Nobles, III, Sarah Schriefer, and Tim Harvey met to start The Disability Express Group. Since that time the Group has gone from four members to well over seventy members, providing social activities, community service, and promoting anti-bullying education in Carroll Coun- ty Public Schools.
As our Group has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to find appropriate meet- ing locations. We are so thankful to Pleas- ant Grove United
Methodist Church for offering their facilities for meetings and so- cial events in the fu- ture. This will allow The Disability Express Group to continue to grow and reach out to people with disabilities by providing a home base. We will be able to help more families and individuals that would otherwise re- main isolated. The Disability Express Group will be able to continue with monthly activities such as dances, movie nights, Friendsgiving, game nights, craft days, ice cream socials and many more activities.
The Disability Express Group looks forward to its partnership with Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in working together to make sure all people feel included and wel- come.
SERMON SERIES
BIBLE STORIES WE DON’T TELL OUR CHILDREN
June 3—Sodom and Gomorrah
June 17—The Assassination of King Eglon
July 8—Elisha and the Bears
SEASHORE STORIES FOR SUMMER
July 29—Life is Better at the Beach
TRUSTEES REPORT
Members of the Trustees remain committed to maintaining the buildings and grounds of Pleasant Grove UMC. We meet each month to discuss any issues which may arise and also to pursue any major projects that will need to be bid out.
The steeple bell is once again ringing each Sunday morning prior to and after each service.
A spring workday was held in March to clean off the cemetery grounds, as well as picking up sticks and removing leaves. There is another workday scheduled for June 9, 2018.
Current projects scheduled are: The repair and replacement of cemetery stones which is scheduled for June 2018; the painting of the black trim on the Tracey Building; and, also in the area of the Tracey Building is the painting and refinishing of the wooden playground equipment and picnic tables. This work project has begun. New mulch will also be placed in the playground area.
Trustees meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Tracey Educational Building. All meetings are open and all are welcome to attend.
Margarete Arnold
Committee Chairperson