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Guilford College United Methodist Church Non-Profit Org.
1205 Fleming Road US POSTAGE PAID Greensboro, NC 27410 Permit #146 (336) 292-5833 Greensboro, NC Return Service Requested
The Church Office will be open from 9:00 am-2:00 pm,
Monday-Thursday, and will be closed on Easter Monday, April 13.
If you are not receiving e-mails from the church, please notify the church office. Check your suspect, spam or junk mail boxes to see if messages are going there.
This will be our primary method of communication with the congregation for an extended period of time.
Also, if you would like to have a DVD of Sunday sermons and have the
equipment on which to view it, please let the church office know and we will make arrangements to get one to you. The church has a few DVD players available to
loan if you don’t have one.
Guilford College United Methodist Church
strives to be a vibrant Christian community
that transforms lives, strengthens believers,
and equips disciples to live beyond ourselves
in the light of Jesus Christ.
Guilford College UMC
Living Beyond Ourselves
CROW’S NEST Vol. XX, No. 7 www.guilfordcollegeumc.org April 1, 2020
Pastor’s Note
Our Bishop, Paul Leeland, has requested that we continue to follow the advice of state and local authorities and medical professionals and not gather in person for meetings or worship until further notice. While it’s a disappointment to not be together in person, we have been delighted at how many of you have made the pivot to gathering through online means in so short a time. To be in my 40s, I am perhaps surprisingly not an uncritical consumer of technology. At the risk of sounding like the late Andy Rooney, I didn’t answer God’s call to be a televangelist. I usually feel better, more focused, more connected to God and others the further away I am from my phone and computer. And yet, even I have to admit that many of the conversations I’ve had and the sharing I’ve heard online over the past few weeks have been authentically Godly. If we can’t get together in our committees, small groups, and for worship, gathering online has turned out to be the next best thing. And in what’s a surprise to me, our Sunday morning sermons have been received by audiences far larger than the number of people if we were meeting in person. I wonder if all this technology is just giving us the means to continue to follow the advice of Hebrews 10:23-25:
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Each Sunday we’ve offered prayers, music and a sermon from Pastor Jeremy’s new series, “Versus vs. The Virus.” This past Sunday, we added announcements, a children’s message and a testimony. Last Wednesday, we added a midweek reflection on scripture from a member of church staff. I took the first week and Mark Christy will offer this week’s. The link to these videos is embedded in a midweek email that Jeremy plans to send with the latest church updates. We continue to refine our approach to giving you the tools to keep yourself close to God and close to the church even as we maintain our physical distance. If you aren’t receiving these emails from the church and want them, please check your junk folder. If the emails can’t be found there, reach out to Carol Ingram at [email protected] or 336 292-5833 to make sure we add you to the list. If you missed any of these videos, you may find them on YouTube by searching for “Guilford College United Methodist Church.” For the full worship resources for these weeks, follow these links or type them in your internet browser:
Sunday, March 15: https://conta.cc/2WgrAOe Sunday, March 22: https://conta.cc/2QBgoIC Sunday, March 29: https://conta.cc/2xyohaK
As you’ll see on the enclosed flyer, we are offering a myriad of ways to draw closer to Jesus from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through his passion and sacrificial death, to his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. While it won’t be the same as being together, we hope these experiences will be nonetheless powerful.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Matt
Prayer Concerns: George Meister, Helen Blyshak, Jackie
Dougherty, Pat Gunn, Scott Allen, Jackie Firebaugh, Janet Green, Steve Carney, Martha Stone, Su Frady, Russ Branch, Corey Marion, Tony Jones, Logan Woodrum, families facing storms in life, the leaders of our nation and world; those serving in the military; our sister church in Kinanduba, Kenya, the United Methodist Church, our nation and world.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to Mike and Kirsten
Corcoran and family, in the death of Mike’s father, Jack Corcoran; to Helen Phillips, in the death of her niece, Maria Horton; to H’Ne Enuol and family in the death of her cousin in Vietnam, Blessed are they who die in Christ to live again.
Caring
Prayer Concerns – Extended Family: Chris Blyshak, son of Bill & Helen Blyshak; Michael Eagle; Bud Alligood, Brian Alligood’s father; Barbara Price’s sister, Lucille Furr; Wayne Leadbetter; Mary Lehman, Dave &
Mary Lehman’s daughter; Brenda Frazier’s cousin Christie Clayton; David Carney, Steve Carney’s brother; Steve Carbone; Jay Yow, Denisa LeHeup’s brother; Dale Austin, Melanie Crump’s father; Kristi Owens, friend of Vita Alligood; Mary Ann Stone, Annette Lasley’s mother; Sandra Pearman’s parents, Harold & Nancy Williams; Tommiann Hill, Lavonne James’ friend; Tripp Townsend, Carol & Mark Townsend’s grandson; Richard Krepps, Pat Gunn’s brother; Mildred Mallard’s son, David; Helen Palmer.
Members In Home and Senior Living Facilities: Brighton Gardens – Becky Patterson, George Holmes; Kay Rankin; Carolina Estates: John Hanner; Carriage House – Anne Mullis; Friends Home Guilford – Pat Kittrell, Florence Hardison, Blanche Rogers, Claudette Kayler; Friends Home West – Betty Kirkman, Barbara Jones; Walter & Esther Jones; Pennybyrn – Pat Francisco, Roland Sasseville; Guilford House – Mary Kelly; Richland Place – Martha Stone Abbottswood – Dot Brogan, Cletis Richard, Jim Wilson; Heritage Green – Gay Fischer; Brookdale, High Point – Jean Wilson; Well Spring – Barbara Ebert; Whitestone – Russ Hudson, Laura Tew; In Home – Terri
Hastings, Barbara Leadbetter
Many area churches are hosting emergency blood
drives in partnership with the American Red Cross. The Red Cross has found ways to provide maximal physical distance, enhanced sanitation, and the ability to work with minimal volunteer assistance. These measures are important since many churches felt the need to cancel their drives due to corona virus fears and the need for blood is as great as ever. We are endeavoring to host a blood drive with them at GCUMC in the very near future. We’ll let you know just as soon as that date is set. [email protected] [email protected]
PAPER SHREDDING
FUNDRAISER
The paper shredding event which was scheduled for Sat., April 18th,
has been postponed until a later date.
Ways Your Church is Here
to Meet Material Needs
As many of you know, our church maintains a generous Pastor’s Discretionary Fund that helps
meet the needs of our members and other neighbors. If you or someone you know has a bill for rent, utilities or medical expenses that you’re unable to pay, please reach out to Pastor Matt Smith at [email protected] or 336-292-5833. We are thankful to those who have recently made additional gifts to help the PDF respond to the great needs people are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. Our church leadership is also considering re-allocating funds to provide for an additional Community Response Fund that could help with unmet needs of families referred to us through trusted partners at the GCUMC Preschool, Jefferson and Guilford Elementary Schools. While we cannot meet all the enormous needs of our community in this time of medical and economic crisis, we are aiming to prioritize giving help where we have the greatest hope of strengthening our relationships with the younger and more diverse neighbors served by these schools.
Thank You Notes Dear Church, Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, and concerns for our family during my father’s (father-in-law, grandfather) illness and death. We are so thankful to be part of such a wonderful and loving church family. Tommy Howard was a home-grown, lifelong Methodist and would be grateful also. Love, Mike, Jeannie, Haley and Kristen
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I wish to express my gratitude and thanks for all the prayers and cards I have received and continue to receive in the past few weeks. They have meant so much to me. Hopefully I will be able to go home soon. My prayers are with everyone during this time. Please keep safe. Your friend in Christ, Jackie Firebaugh
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I would like to thank everyone involved for the beautiful and worshipful on-line service today. Even if he is my son-in-law I must thank Clint for the uplifting solo and Jacqueline for the pix. Thank you to everyone for the cards they sent to us locked in people in response to Mark Christy’s plea. It is quite lonesome being “locked in” with no visitors allowed. I don’t even see anyone out in the living room or common areas here when I take my daily walk through the buildings. It is quite weird, almost eerie. Thank you for remembering us. Claudette Kayler
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Dear Friends of GCUMC, Thank you for all the cards I received for my 90th birthday. I miss seeing you all at church. Thanks also for all the calls checking on Helen & I. In Christian Love, Austin Phillips
Connecting
YOUTH NEWS
While our young people are doing a good job of physical distancing, they are grateful that this is not the same thing as social distancing. A great number of our young people (in 7-12th grade) and their adult leaders are connecting through Zoom video conference calls, group texts and social media. All youth are invited to our weekly Zoom meeting on Sunday nights from 5:30-6:30 pm to share games, Bible study, discussion and prayers. Most of our youth small groups, which are divided by age and gender, are also meeting via Zoom midweek on a schedule worked out by their adult leaders. If you would like to join us for the Sunday night large group and/or the midweek small groups, please reach out to Pastor Matt at [email protected]. Regrettably, we had to cancel our Spring Break Mission Trip to West Virginia. We are talking with our ministry partners this week about whether it’s possible to continue with our planned trips to Lake Junaluska in June or Montana in July.
Our Preschool teachers are busy connecting with their students and families through various online platforms.
Teachers and parents alike, are sharing in the lesson plans, learning points and activities. For example, nature walks to look for signs of Spring.; also, activity-related ideas through Cosmic Yoga for Kids online! In addition, parents are sharing their activities and hands on work through our GCUMC Facebook page, classrooms group text and Zoom. Like our Facebook page and see the sweet pictures. Kids in action! Although we are closed through May 15, in accordance with the Governor’s order & following Guilford County Schools, the fun continues through the faithful steps of our teachers, in conjunction with our wonderful parent helpers!
Easter Mission Offering
We are always grateful for our dear friends at Greensboro Urban Ministry who stand at the forefront
of our churches’ response to hunger and poverty. GUM is keeping its doors open to help meet the needs for food, shelter and other emergency assistance in these trying times. Even with reductions in staff and volunteers, GUM is keeping its Emergency Food Pantry open from 9:30 am-3:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. As we have in years past, our church is having an Easter Mission Offering to help stock the shelves of Urban Ministry’s Food Pantry. Monetary gifts help GUM buy the items they need most, often at a reduced price. These gifts will be especially welcome this year. Not only is the demand for food greater due to the high number of recent layoffs, but the Spring food drive that was supposed to take place later in April has now been cancelled. To celebrate Christ’s resurrection by giving to the Easter Mission Offering, please select that option from the church’s online giving page (found through www.guilfordcollegeumc.org) or write “EMO” in the memo line of your check. Other gifts that come into the church at Easter will go to support the general budget.
“Here is a new refrigerator that Urban Ministry purchased with part of last year’s Easter Mission Offering.”
Connecting
ELEMENTARY DAY CAMP AT CAMP GUILROCK July 13-17, 2020
Rising 1st through 4th Graders Registrations now being accepted until May 31. Contact Donna Ford for more information on this AWESOME day camp!
2020 Vacation Bible School Dates are
June 21-25 – Vacation Bible School, evenings
OUR GIVING
2020 Budget……………………………..$ 1,025,517.42 Needed each week …………………….. 19,721.50 Needed YTD…………………………….. 256,379.50 Amount received through 3/29/20…….. 253,138.17 Difference YTD…………………………. ($ 3,241.33)
MEMORIALS
In Memory of Suzanne Lund
J.M. Lee
Wayne and Cathy Miller
In Memory of H’Juan Mlo’s father
Mike and Donna Garcia
Due to the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and federal, state and local government and health authorities, LifeWay’s “Going Beyond Live” event with Pricilla Shirer in Daytona Beach FL. on April 25, 2020, has been cancelled. “Live Stream with Priscilla” – Lifeway is currently planning to stream live with Priscilla Shirer and Anthony Evans from Dallas, TX, while abiding by the recommendations and restrictions that have been set by the CDC as well as federal, state, and local governments. This proposed Simulcast event is designed to be viewed virtually, allowing for social distancing. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we study God’s Word and pray as we look to the Lord for hope during this time. If you desire to watch this Simulcast safely at home, you may register with Lifeway at this address: https://www.lifeway.com/en/events/going-beyond-simulcast/going-beyond-simulcast-with-priscilla-shirer-2020-individuals. Individual cost is $20.
SCHOLARSHIPS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN Please consider donating to the Education scholarship fund. Our scholarship funds allow children the opportunity to attend camps and other trips which they otherwise would not experience without this financial support. Registrations are underway now for summer camps; therefore, the need is great now to know how many children can be supported. Donations may be directed to the church office. Please indicate the intent of your donation to the Education Scholarship Fund. Thank you for supporting children!!
Palm Sunday, April 5
Join us as we mark Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem. Sermon and other worship
resources available on YouTube and the church website by Saturday night. Take a
picture of yourself waving a branch and email it to us.
Wednesday, April 8 Pastor Jeremy’s weekly E-pistle to be emailed. Mid-week devotion available
via YouTube and the church website.
Maundy Thursday, April 9
We remember the last meal Jesus shared with his friends. Devotional readings for private
or family use at your dining room table to be emailed. Reflection from Pastor Matt
available via YouTube and the church website. Take a picture from your dining room table
and email it to us.
Good Friday, April 10 We’ll extinguish candles as we remember Jesus’ passion and sacrificial death on the cross.
Worship with us via Zoom livestream at 12 noon. Look for the invitation in your email. Live
music and sermon from Pastor Jeremy. Recording will be available later on YouTube and the
church website. Take a picture of you extinguishing candles and email it to us.
Easter Sunday, April 12 An Easter Sunrise message will be available from Pastor Jeremy by 6:30 AM Easter
Sunday. Worship with us via YouTube Live with special music and a different sermon from
Pastor Jeremy at 11 AM. Recordings of the message and special worship videos will be
available later on YouTube and the church website.
Send all your pictures no later than Saturday morning to
[email protected] for a special Easter surprise. Ma
rk H
oly
Week &
Easte
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ith
GC
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