Please refer to your church directory for the contact person's phone number or call the church office.
The Altar Flower sign up sheet is now up on the north wall by the kitchen. Pick a date you would like to have flowers on the altar. Sign your name on the chart and fill out a pink sheet and return it to the office with your check made out to the church and put in the memo line for Altar Flowers.
A Real Need—Very Real Impact. In the Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 25, Christ urges us to visit those in prison. Over 100 people in prison— men and women — have requested a volunteer to visit them as some have not had visit in 8-10 years. Amicus provides training for those who volunteer. If you have an interest, call Pete Pedersen at 651-426-4126.
On May 9-12 visit your nearest Linder’s Flower Mart or the main Linder’s store on Larpenteur Avenue. Tell them you are from WBL United Methodist Church. Our ASP group will receive 15% of the pre-tax total from the weekend sales. Questions? Contact Denise Kerr or Nancy Rausch.
Baby Recognition Sunday will be May 11 at the 9 a.m. service. Letters have been sent to nine families whose babies were born late 2006, 2007 and through March 2008. A monetary Gift to Missions will be given by the UMW, in each child's name. If anyone thinks their baby was missed, please call Gail Stucky.
Celebrate Mother's Day by wearing a hat on Mother’s Day. What better way to feel special and pretty than by wearing a hat. Let’s all get in the mood of spring!
Mark your with the dates of the next Common Hope vision trip: they are September 15 through 24, 2009. Additional information will appear in the Announcer to remind of this opportunity. Pre trip activity by the vision team will not begin until April 2009. Contact Larry or Cecile Cozad.
The Sunday Bulletin Information is due to the church office no later then Thursday noon; send info to communications@wblumc.org.
The Announcer has a deadline of the Monday prior printing. The deadline for March ’s newsletter is May 18th. Please send all info to communications@wblumc.org.
A special congratulations to this year’s energetic confirmands and their tireless mentors!
Confirmands Mentors
Mollie Burns Jeanine Olson
Laura Church Wendy Plauda
Sean Crompton Bill Hullsiek
Nora Johnson Kristin Arnt
Shelby Klemann Amanda Lindner
Chelsey Knutson Julie Jacot
Jacob Merkle Scott Dixon
Danielle Mitchell Joy Ballou
Alisha Olson Becky Sass
Samuel Pearson Al Rausch
Logan Pedersen Bill Johnson
Karlee Schert Nan Rausch
Kathryn Schert Nan Rausch
Kathryn Schlafke Morgan Hesler
Anna Waller Jodie Randall
Sally Zinke Mary Sullivan
Emma Norton Services is having a FREE fundraising luncheon on Tuesday, May 6 from 12:00-1:00 PM at the Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Their guests will enjoy a delicious lunch and learn more about Emma Norton Services through an inspiring and informative program. The entire event is one hour long. There will be free parking and exhibit passes will be provided to every guest to thank them for joining them. This is a major fundraising event for Emma Norton Services, which serves women in transition and families needing housing. For more information and to make reservations, contact Diana Hanson at 651-484-0069.
WBLUMC will be hosting a documentary film entitled Footsteps: A Journey in Faith. A group of 12 religious leaders from Minneapolis, representing each of the three religious traditions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, traveled to Israel and Palestine. Their trip was not just about seeing Holy sites, but rather opening a dialogue; discussing the similarities across their many faiths, while looking honestly at the differences that stand to divide our world today. The showing of this documentary film will be on Sunday, May 18. It will begin at 6:30 PM with music by film scorer, composer, and talented pianist, Phil Thompson. At 7:00 PM will be the 60 minute documentary, followed by a question and answer session with Joseph Garven, Executive Producer, and Phil Thompson. Footsteps is a unique and enriching experience. This documentary received nominations at the Trenton International Film Festival and the Twin Cities International Film Festival.
Please join us for the next Gardenkeepers meeting on Monday, May 12 at 7:00 PM. We’ll finalize our plans for the May 18 Perennial Plant Sale and plan our next outing. All are welcome, especially beginning gardeners and new members. For more information, contact Bonnie Greenleaf.
Gardenkeepers Perennial Plant Sale will be held on Sunday, May 18. Mark your calendars for this great opportunity to buy hardy, thriving plants that will come back every year. If you’re a gardener, we’d love your donations as you split your perennials this spring. For more information, contact Bonnie Greenleaf.
We now have a permanent deposit site in the closet on the S.E. corner of the Narthex. Spring and summer clothing is accepted now, and other acceptable items are listed on the door. As you switch to your warm weather clothing, set aside those unwanted, good quality and clean items and bring them in.
Featured author for May: C. S. Lewis. Many are eagerly awaiting the May 16 release of the film Prince Caspian, the sequel to the popular 2005 Disney film, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Both films are based on a series of young adult books, The Chronicles of Narnia, written by C.S. Lewis between 1949 and 1954. C. S. Lewis was a prolific and greatly respected author, not only of fantasy tales for children and young adults, but of adult fiction, poetry, and many works on Christian thought. In the library you will find all of the Chronicles of Narnia titles as well as the movie version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We also have Lewis’ other well-known fantasy series, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. There is a good selection of Lewis’ nonfiction works, including Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain. We also have an excellent biography of C. S. Lewis, called Jack: C. S. Lewis and His Time, authored by George Sayer. You will find it on our “Featured Author” display during the month of May; all are available to be checked out.
Books mentioned by our pastors: Bryce and Donna often refer to books, films, or poems in their sermons. The Librarian has tracked these items down and these materials are in a special tabletop display in the Library labeled “Recently Mentioned by Our Pastors.” You know Donna and Bryce would never quote junk in their sermons, so these books have to be good!
Other new library items of note: Are you interested in being more involved in our library ministry? The Library Committee is being revitalized, and we have a need for two, or three more people to be part of it. The Library Committee provides input to the librarian on library directions, collections, and the library space. In addition, the members may assist a couple hours per month with some library maintenance. I am planning a mid-May meeting for this group. For more information, contact Karen Flynn.
Each May the Minnesota Annual Conference churches take a “Love
Offering” for missions. The 2008 “Love Offering” will benefit mission projects that help to develop leadership. Some of the state projects receiving this offering are: Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) in Duluth; Emma Norton Services in Maplewood; and the Department of Indian Work in
St. Paul. Ten percent of the offering will benefit Volunteers in Mission Scholarships. Last year the churches in Minnesota contributed almost $100,000.00 to the “Love Offering.” We hope you will give generously to this “Love Offering” on May 18 (write the check out to the church and in the memo line write “Love Offering”).
This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity that can be done over your lunch hour! The White Bear Area Senior Program Meals on Wheels Program has a place for you. They need volunteers to deliver meals once a week, every other week, once a month, or on an on-call basis. These hot, nutritious meals are delivered to people who are isolated and have difficulty preparing their own meals. If you have 1-1/2 hours during the weekday lunch hour, please give Debbie Walker call at 651-653-3123. Take an hour of your time and make the day special for someone.
Men’s White Bear Lake Church Softball League Games are held Wednesday evenings and are played at Lakewood Hills Park. The season begins in early May and runs through late July. Start times vary ranging from 6:15 to 9:15 PM. For more information, contact Dan Kremer.
Come and join the celebration of the Metro East District as we look towards the future for our churches moving into the Big Waters, Twin Cities, and River Valley Districts. A worship service begins at 3 PM followed by a fellowship time to celebrate the successes of the district, express appreciation to District Superintendent Cindy Gregorson, and to hear stories from former District Superintendents. We hope you can join the celebration on Sunday, June 8th at Woodbury UMC is at 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury.
So many times community members come to WBLUMC for a much needed handout of food or gas cards. For the month of May the Mighty Mission’s are asking that you put your money where your mouth is and bring in one, or more, of the following items: Peanut butter, complete boxed dinners, soups of all kinds, hearty crackers, canned vegetables and fruits, vouchers for milk. The Children’s Mighty Team will put together 20 bags of groceries to hand out as needed. Thank you in advance for your help. Please bring in items on or before May 7th at 5:00pm.
Simpson's Mission
"To provide free shelter and affordable housing with support services to homeless men, women and children, to assist individuals and families in their efforts to improve their life situations and to advocate for their human and civil rights."
Most familiar to our church members is the emergency housing shelter located at Simpson United Methodist Church in South Minneapolis where we have been serving hot meals to individuals at the facility many times a year for the past several years. Our youth (in particular) and parents, have been involved in serving and preparing food for the homeless there. In addition to serving meals, we have sent 100—200 sandwiches (made during One Great Day of Service) for the past three years; we have collected personal care items; and have supported them with money from special offerings, including $1,175 from a portion of our 2007 Christmas offering.
We are joined in our volunteer efforts there by many other churches and our United Methodist Annual Conference. As Bryce said in his sermon on April 6, “It is more than just serving a meal. It is making a connection as we go out representing Christ's body and blood.”
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.—Hebrews
Donna will be ordained into full membership as a United Methodist pastor on Thursday, May 29, in St. Cloud. She will join four others to be ordained as Elders in the Church during the Minnesota Annual Conference. The ordination will be held in the St. Cloud Civic Center. The ordination service, always a highlight of Annual Conference begins at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
Another mission trip is in the works for this summer to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. One of two weeks will be chosen... either June 8-14 or June 15-21. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the south door of the Fellowship Hall. Please consider serving these people who are very much in need. Anyone 6 years old and older are welcome. Contact Marcia Lantto.
Eight hardy souls from WBLUMC will venture to St. Petersburg and Moscow this June to build relationships, see the sites, and help out where needed. This trip is part of our Minnesota Annual Conference initiative to support the United Methodist Church in Russia. We’ve just learned that we will be visiting— and possibly working with—Pastor Rauza Landsdorf, who runs a center for children at risk and does an incredible job for them. One of her wishes is to have a sewing machine at the center. If you’d be willing to contribute funds to give to her for a sewing machine, please write a check out to WBLUMC; label it “Russia Initiative.”
You can learn more about Pastor Rauza’ “Methodist Children’s Center” named Spring at www.springcenter.org.
June 25th- Zoo Mobile is back! Join us for a potluck starting at 6:00 pm and then at 7:00 pm the folks from the Minnesota Zoo will have a new presentation with live animals. This is a church wide event and all ages are welcome.
July 11th- Retired pastor and storyteller, Bill Eisenmann, will return for a storytelling presentation created for our younger students. At 10:00 am, Bill will present: “Generosity and Sharing” to our preschool – 2nd graders and their parents. After the presentation, we’ll “share” some pot-luck lunch at 11:30.
August 8th-10th- Young Family Camp. This is a great first camping experience for the whole family. Decision Hills Camp is located in Spicer, MN on Lake George. It’s a great shallow lake with kayaks, canoes, and water toys. Families stay in cabins and kid-friendly food is prepared by staff. Babysitters take over childcare in the evening.
August 12th -14th- Beach Party V.B.S.! Join us for a sea and sand themed bible study. This year, we’ll meet the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We’ll have plenty of games, crafts, and other activities for our preschool through 5th graders. Let Beth Smith know if you’d like to sign up your student or if you’re available to help.
Dorcas Circle
Meeting: May 14, 9:45 am
Topic: “Summer Trip to Sweden”
Leader: Cheryl Larsen
Hostess: Cheryl Larsen
Devotions: Trudy Bombardier
Sarah Circle
Meeting: UMW Unit Meeting
Topic: “Palestine: Problems & Possibilities”
Hostesses: Sarah Circle
Speakers: Dwight and Debra Haberman
Ruth Circle
Meeting: May 21, 1:00 pm
Topic: My Mission at Pine Ridge
Leaders: Char Schwarzkopf & Mary Cripe
Hostesses: Val Ackerman
Upper Room Devotionals for May/June are now available on the Welcome Center table and by the church office.
Vacation Bible School will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, August 12-14, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 PM. All children aged 3 through the 5th grade are welcome. The theme for this year’s VBS is Beach Party: Surfing through the Scriptures! We will be having a short meeting on Sunday, May 18 from 10:00-10:30 AM in the library for all adults and youth who are interested in volunteering for this exciting summer activity. Please join in the fun! There are also VBS sign-up sheets for child participants and adult/youth volunteers on the Children’s Ministries’ bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. If you have questions about VBS, please contact Beth Smith, VBS Coordinator, or Joan Hartman, Children’s Ministries Director.
Many homes in the flood damaged area of S.E. Minnesota are still in need of repair. If you are interested in helping out with framing and sheet rocking (no experience necessary), a group will be traveling there on Saturday, April 26 for one day of work. Contact Marcia Lantto for more information.
The Worship Committee encourages all people to wear red next Sunday, May 11, to celebrate Pentecost. Red is a reminder of the fire of the Holy Spirit. You will hear the story of Pentecost and experience the word of God in different languages.
Would you open your heart to a 10 or 11 year old from Ireland this summer from June 26 and August 4, 2008? Over 4,000 Catholic and Protestant, boys and girls from, and around Belfast, will be enjoying the hospitality of folks like you for the 35th year. For information: 651.405.1108, or www.cpni.org
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