SQUARE TIMES
Inside this issue:
Pastor Vicky letter, the
Church looks to grow 1-2
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS 3 Children’s Ministries,
UMW
4
Birthdays, Anniversaries 5
Chalfont Hoagie Sale 6
BIBLE STUDIES 7
Confirmation and New
Member Classes 8
KID’S PAGE 9 Prayer 10
By Pastor Vicky Allen
April 2021
Dear Friends,
Easter Sunday is April 4th. Afterwards we will continue to spend
time getting to know Christ as our personal Savior in preparation for Pentecost Sunday. At MSQ we will add at least eight families to our rolls. At Chalfont we will add at least three families. As of today, these families have already confirmed that they plan to reinstate their membership, transfer their membership to one of our congregations, or just simply join the church. But that is not all! My prayer is that others will also step forward. By now you are aware of the new member class and confirmation class that is being encouraged and offered. However, please also note that I will continue to offer class for anyone who is interested but does not make it to the class on Holy week.
The plan to conduct class during Holy week is intentional. Seems like the perfect time to learn how the activity of Christ during Holy week fits together in our understanding of salvation offered to us through the grace of God. During Holy week Jesus presents Himself as the sacrificial lamb and servant. He gives His disciples final instructions before the hour of His sacrifice, He is illegally arrested, tried, and executed. God, however, resurrects him from the dead after he spends three full days in the tomb. After the resurrection, Jesus walked the earth and appeared eight times, in human form, to various sets of people before the birth of the New Testament church occurred on Pentecost.
Christ appeared to those who believed, those who doubted and all those in between. Do you have a favorite story that describes Jesus’s appearances during that period of forty days? I certainly have my favorite. It is not His appearance to two men
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expressing their disbelief as they walk to Emmaus. At first, they do not even recognize Him! It is not the story of His appearance to Mary Magdalene. At first, she thought he was the gardener! It is not the first time Jesus shows himself alive to those who participated in his last Passover meal. His miraculous manifestation occurs while the disciples are behind closed doors in fear of the Jewish leaders. For reasons unknown, the disciple named Thomas was not with the group at this time. When he is told about the Lord’s appearance he responds, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger into the nail marks, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe at all". My favorite story did not happen during those forty days after resurrection. But my favorite story took place many centuries later. Not on a Sunday either! Not in a church either. But on one ordinary day, in an ordinary setting, Jesus revealed Himself to me! After years of doubting Him, after years of running away from Him, after years of learning of Him from the testimony of other, and even after joining the church and committing my life to His service, I now know Jesus Christ for myself!
Today, Jesus still chooses to reveal Himself. I am a witness! Do you know Him for yourself? Has his truth been revealed to you? Do you understand how through the work of providing a sinless sacrifice, our reconciliation to God is complete? Come to class or arrange for a private class. Everyone is invited! I certainly have a story to share! My soul has been anchored! Jesus Christ lives!
Love Always,
Pastor Vicky
(Continued from page 1)
Montgomery Square is marching forward in faith! The Church Council is looking into the possible purchase of a LED electronic outdoor sign. The zoning ordinances of Montgomery borough are very restricting. The cost of the sign and permits will exceed $20,000. The investment will help us to communicate and reach the broader community.
Memorial Funds left in honor of Bill I. Carling will be used to purchase playground equipment. Our Trustee chair, Bill E. Carling is currently looking into the purchase and placement of this equipment. The playground equipment will be a welcome addition to our property as we strive to attract and maintain younger members into our fold.
Volume 42, Issue 3 THE SQUARE TIMES PAGE 3
Dear Friends,
Our youth ministry kicked off to a fabulous start! We are having a blast! Please note that all church members are always welcome to drop in to observe and see this wonderful ministry in action. Most recently the members at Chalfont installed a router to allow clear internet access in the basement where the youth meet. They also installed a full theatre system with access to Amazon Prime, Netflix, YouTube, the internet and much more. The kids are now beginning to experiment with the
instruments there during their free time. I want to tell you about their talent but all I hear so far is noise!
I am actually secretly contemplating hiding the drumsticks from them!
Activities for April include:
4/4 Easter Sunday, NO YOUTH MEETING
4/11 “Movie with a friend” Night. This night will be hosted at MSQ (aka campus 2) 4/18 Project SLY “Building Better Communities Together”
This night is set aside to address any observable issues going on in the group itself or in greater society. It will occur every so often. Topics will range from gun violence, hatred, drug abuse and bullying to protecting the natural environment or caring for the elderly, the homeless and those in need or people with disabilities. The goal is to teach tolerance, increased understanding and overall practices of good citizenship and Christianity. On occasion we will invite guest speakers.
4/25 - Moving Outdoors for cookout and game night
May’s activities will focus much attention on our special plans for Mother’s Day. Fun and recognition of youth accomplishments will follow in June as we begin to wrap up for the summer. Don’t worry… we will resume in the Fall with a new schedule of events and well rested youth leaders!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETS IN-PERSON
Sunday School class at 11:15 am-church end. All who are interested please ....
1. Wash hands before entering classroom.
2. Wear a mask the entire time while in the building. 3. If your child is not feeling well or sneezing a lot ( due to allergies) please skip Church and Sunday School.
4. We will social distance.
5. I will text families of children attending the lesson/topic we discussed in class.
6.There will be no snack time.
7. When class is over I will have the children sanitize their hands. 8. Changes will be made if necessary.
Smiles, Ms.Colleen
SUPPORT UMW AND MISSIONS:
The following are available every week at the
women’s table as well as from your home by
calling Shirley Damm (215-368-6082). Safe
arrangements can be made.
GIANT gift cards at face value. UMW earns 5 %.
SHOP-RITE gift cards at face value. UMW earns
5%.
ANNIVERSARY & BIRTHDAY INFORMATION NEEDED. IF YOU DON’T SEE YOUR NAME,
WE NEED YOUR INFORMATION.
EMAIL CHURCH OFFICE:
[email protected]
Volume 42, Issue 3 THE SQUARE TIMES PAGE 5
April 1 Wendy Carling Brown April 2 Ashley Travis
April 3 Bill E Carling April 4 Carley Bell
April 4 Russell Closs III April 4 Todd Davenport April 7 Alyce Brady April 10 Fred Peters April 10 Izzy Rudnick
April 17 Kelly Carling-Quigel April 23 Rich Joyce
April 24 Logan Visavati April 28 Tiffany Smith April 30 Betsy Carling
April 5 Wendy & Chris Brown
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HOAGIE SALE—APRIL 10,
9 AM—12 NOON
The men of Chalfont hosts
a Hoagie sale. Please come
out and enjoy a delicious
sandwich for a great
cause! See the order form
for all the details.
Volume 42, Issue 3 THE SQUARE TIMES PAGE 7
ON-LINE GIVING
For those interested in on-line giving, you can go
to our website for a direct link.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY With Pastor Max has
resumed. Alternating Saturdays, 10 AM, at one
of two locations: Chalfont and Montgomery
Square.
Join with men seeking to learn more about the
scriptures. Future dates include:
April 3
Chalfont
April 17
Montgomery Square
THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY with Pastor Vicky
continues.
Pastor Vicky teaches a Thursday night Bible Study,
available to anyone from Chalfont and Montgomery
Square. Held on line using Zoom, it begins at 7:00
PM. You can use a computer, tablet or smart
phone using:
Meeting ID: 875 9012 2415
Please consider accepting the right
hand of fellowship here at
Montgomery Square UMC.
Confirmation for teens and adult
new member classes offered
beginning the first week of April!
See Pastor Vicky to let her know of
your interest.
PAGE 8 THE SQUARE TIMES Volume 42, Issue 2
KID’S PAGE
LILY—The lily that blooms around Easter is a
PASTOR’S
PRAYER
REQUEST BOX
A prayer box is
now available in
the sanctuary for
those who do not
want to share joys and concerns openly
during service. Prayers may be shared
anonymously or you may leave your name.
Pastor Vicky will collect the concerns at
the end of Sunday service then pray in
private for each concern on your behalf.
Please note that you may also contact her
directly for prayer concerns anytime!
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Montgomery Square United Methodist Church
1900 County Line Road North Wales, PA 19454 Church Phone: 215-996-0640 Email: [email protected] Website:
montgomerysquareumc.org
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Fridays, 9:30—3:30 PM PASTOR: Vicky Allen
SECRETARY: Ginny Craig Deadlines:
—Bulletin announcements, by Thursdays, 12:00 PM —Square Times submissions for next issue due 15th of month
Praising God, Making Disciples, Caring For All
Ap r il 2 0 21 Ed ition
Volume 42, Issue 3
