Beechfield United Methodist Church Baltimore, MD
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • LEADERSHIP
    • OUR HISTORY
  • MINISTRIES
  • PRESCHOOL
  • NEWS
  • PHOTO ALBUM
    • Grill and Greet
    • Holy Communion
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT US

Good News - Week of 9/25/2016

9/27/2016

0 Comments

 
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Today, God, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task. On this World Communion Sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of Christians everywhere. Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences. Give us a heart big enough to love your children everywhere. 
We thank you for setting a table with space enough for us all! Amen.
​

PictureAltar decoration for World Communion Sunday AVONDALE PATTILLO UMC
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
This coming Sunday, October 2 is World Communion Sunday. 
World Communion Sunday was begun among several U.S. Protestant denominations in the 1940s as a way of recognizing and celebrating that we celebrate Communion with Christians of many theologies and denominations all over the world. At that time, many Protestant denominations in the U.S. celebrated Communion very infrequently. Quarterly celebration was often the norm, and it was rarely coordinated across denominations or even within them. Setting the first Sunday of October as World Communion Sunday through the Federal Council of Churches became one way to ensure that at least once per year, many American Protestants, and their related missionary churches outside the U.S., might celebrate at the same time.

Since the 1940s, when World Communion Sunday was founded, nearly all Protestant denominations in the U.S., including United Methodists, have significantly increased the frequency of celebrating Holy Communion. Weekly celebration is a common stated norm. Celebration at least monthly is the most commonly practiced norm, including the first Sunday of each month and other Holy Days, such as Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Transfiguration, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Easter, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, World Communion Sunday, All Saints, and Christ the King. Today, then, many more U.S. Protestants celebrate Holy Communion on the same Sundays many times every year. So now, World Communion Sunday brings special emphasis to that part of our ecumenically shared Communion ritual where we join the songs and prayers of all the saints on earth and all the saints and creatures of heaven around the Lord’s Table. May your celebration be filled with the praises of our Holy, Holy, Holy Triune God this day!
​

William Wetmore Store, 1894 Angel of Grief, from Art in the Christian Tradition,  a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.PictureAngel of Grief
NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURE
Lamentations 1:1-6 - The destruction prophesied has come. Jerusalem and the temple are in ruins. Exile from Jerusalem and Judah has begun. The prophet gives voice to the people’s lament: "Her foes have become her masters… because the Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions."

Psalm 137 - This psalm was written in the time when the Israelites were being exiled from their land and taken into Babylonia. These soldiers were attempting to strip God's people of their familiar land, familiar life, and familiar praise. In fact, these soldiers taunted the Israelites, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion" as they marched in incredible numbers out of their land. Feeling completely stripped of their lives, they replied, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in this strange land?"  (A Strange Land)

2 Timothy 1:1-14 - Paul's greeting and opening exhortation in the second letter: Remember who you are, rekindle the gift in you, don't be afraid. There is no shame in suffering when it comes from trusting and obeying the Lord.

Luke 17:5-10 - Jesus teaches on faith and status. The disciples ask for more faith; Jesus says they need a different kind. They appear to want to be treated as equals of powerful persons; Jesus tells them to regard themselves as slaves who can’t be sold for profit. Their one task is obedience. 


Except where noted prayers, scripture notes and World Communion notes are from Discipleship Ministries
0 Comments

Good News - Week of 9/18/2016

9/18/2016

0 Comments

 
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Jesus, don’t give up on me when I fall short of having the same mind as you. Forgive me, correct me, and challenge me to strive to have the same mind as you. Amen.
(adapted from BWC Adventure Guide, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012)
​
rich and lazarus - through the keyhole, anonymous, public domainRich man and Lazarus - through the keyhole
NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 - Jeremiah buys land in Jerusalem during the siege while he was imprisoned. This was a pledge and prophetic sign that "houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land."

​Psalm 91:9-16 - This psalm offers the reader a straightforward and thorough expression of trust in the providence and protection of God, even and especially under trying or dangerous conditions, and does so using as rich and powerful a set of images as are found anywhere in the Bible. (Matthew Smith)
​
1 Timothy 6:6-19 - Paul calls on Timothy not to pursue riches but to be content with the abundant grace and supply of God, whatever that may be. What he should pursue is "righteousness, godliness, endurance, faith, love and gentleness," and to teach the rich in the Christian communities around Ephesus to do likewise.
​
Luke 16:19-31 -  Jesus tells the story of a nameless rich man and beggar named Lazarus.


SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING - WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, October 1, 2016
This offering supports World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program; in calling the church to be universal and inclusive. Envelopes are available in the church entryway. Remember: We are blessed to be a blessing. Please give generously.
Free to use and share
World Communion Sunday
0 Comments

Good News - Week of 9/11/2016

9/11/2016

0 Comments

 
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
​
Your will be done in my life and church, O God. Amen.
(adapted from BWC Adventure Guide, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012)

bible-glasses-notepad Creative Commons LicenseBible study
BIBLE STUDY STARTS AGAIN
The weekly bible starts again this Wednesday, 9/14/2016. There are two sessions you can attend; 12:00 noon and 7:15 PM. Feel free to bring your lunch to the noon session. Need prayer? Come to the sanctuary for the 6:00 PM service.

Shrewd manager - Luke 16:1-13 http://www.pericope.org/buls-notes/images/shrewd_manager.jpgShrewd manager - Luke 16:1-13
NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES
Speaking of bible study, here are some short notes on this week's scriptures.

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 - Jeremiah cries out and weeps for the pain and destruction of his people as the siege of Jerusalem begins. 
​
Psalm 79:1-9 - This psalm is a communal lament over the destruction of Jerusalem.

1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Paul provides direction for what should be included in the “prayers of the people” and in what order. The people's ministry of prayer joins the ongoing priestly ministry of Jesus as mediator and participates in the will of God that all should be saved.


Luke 16:1-13 - Jesus praises a shrewd steward and commends his disciples to follow his example. 



PictureOld City Garage
BRIDGE MARYLAND
​BRIDGE Maryland is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use intentional relationship building, organizing and intensive leadership development to strengthen congregations and faith leaders  to demonstrate and advance justice in the world. Currently BRIDGE has three initiatives:
  • ​The H.O.M.E Act - Lets families with housing vouchers find housing in Areas of Opportunity
  • WESA (Women's Economic Security Agenda) - putting forth several pieces of legislation to help working families
  • The Port Covington Development
For more detailed information go to the website at www.bridgemd.org.

0 Comments

Good News - Week of 9/4/2016

9/6/2016

0 Comments

 
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
​
Jesus, let me do more unbinding than binding. Become greater in my life so that I will be an encourager for others.  Amen.
(adapted from BWC Adventure Guide, Sept. 2011-Aug. 2012)

Picture
REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
A Prayer for the Anniversary of 9/11
by the Rev. Jeremy Pridgeon

O God, our hope and refuge,
in our distress we come quickly to you.
Shock and horror of that tragic day have subsided,
replaced now with an emptiness,
a longing for an innocence lost.

We come remembering those who lost their lives
in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.


We are mindful of the sacrifice of public servants
who demonstrated the greatest love of all
by laying down their lives for friends.
We commit their souls to your eternal care
and celebrate their gifts to a fallen humanity.


We come remembering
and we come in hope,
not in ourselves, but in you.


As foundations we once thought secure have been shaken,
we are reminded of the illusion of security.


In commemorating this tragedy,
we give you thanks for your presence
in our time of need
and we seek to worship you in Spirit and in truth,
our guide and our guardian. Amen.


from Discipleship Ministries

​

https://creativecommons.org/A lost sheep, found behind rosemary plants. Catalonia. Public Domain.
NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURES
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 - The coming conquest of Judah by Babylon will be like powerful hot wind that destroys everything in its path.


Psalm 14 -  This psalm was not addressing atheism, which would have been anon sequitur in the ancient world, but rather anti-Yahwism. The first line can be more accurately translated "Fools say in their hearts, 'There is nothing to [your] God.'"  Or even, “Your God is nothing!” It is an example of “trash talk” by an invading army. 


1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by identifying himself — and all followers of Jesus — as recipients of incredible mercy to show that God in Christ is out to save sinners.


Luke 15:1-10 - Lost sheep, lost coins, and celebration over one sinner who repents — Jesus' stories in response to criticism that he receives "sinners" and shares meals with them.

(From Discipleship Ministry)


PictureSunday School
SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS AGAIN
Our Sunday School is starting again, beginning Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 9:15 AM. Come, share and learn more about the bible.



PictureThanksgiving dinner
TURKEYS FOR THE HOLIDAY BASKETS
Help Beechfield UMC reach the goal of $400 to purchase 40 turkeys at $10 each for our Holiday Baskets to Feed the Hungry. Make checks payable to Beechfield UMC (put turkey on the memo line) or place cash in the pew envelope (write your name, amount and ‘turkey’ on the envelope).
Thanks in advance for your willingness to give!

0 Comments

    Archives

    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Communion
    Disaster Aid
    Holiday Baskets
    Holy Communion
    Preschool
    Psalm 137
    Psalms
    Remembering 9-11
    Scripture Notes
    UMCOR
    World Communion

541 S. Beechfield Avenue, Baltimore, MD  21229 - Tel: 410-644-7640 - beechfieldumc@yahoo.com 
​​​(c)  2016 Beechfield United Methodist Church
Website Manager: beechfieldumcwebmaster@gmail.com