Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

Footprints
Because possums are known for having trouble crossing the road, you might think the animals arent particularly bright. Yet theyre reportedly smart enough to enter a hole only if two sets of tracks lead in and out. If only one set of tracks exists, a possum wont enter. The grave was a hole with one set of tracks, and even the bravest souls feared to go in. But on Easter, Jesus came out of the grave, stripping it of its terror. We may approach death confidently, knowing that our Savior conquered it and provides a way out.

April 2012 Pastors the newsletter of Jarrettown United Methodist Church 1460 Limekiln Pike Dresher PA 19025-1116 (215) 646-4129 FAX (215) 646-6912 www.jarrettownchurch.org Email: jarrettownumc@comcast.net jarrettownumc@verizon.net 8:00 am: Classic Service 9:15 am: Contemporary Service 11:00 am: Classic Service Reflection

Why I Believe in the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

About ten years ago I was asked to teach a Sunday school class of senior adults because the regular teacher would be away. They were known as the deep thinking class and I was told that I really needed to be prepared. In the theme of (continued on page 2)

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Why I Believe in the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

(continued from page 1) where the topics were going, it seemed appropriate to teach on the resurrection and the prophecies pointing to the resurrection. Although I had done my homework well, and presented what I thought was all the evidence one needed to affirm this touchstone truth in our biblical witness, a couple raised their hand and the husband said, you assumed all along that we believe in the resurrection as you taught, but some of us dont believe in the resurrection. I asked him how long they had been coming to church, to which he responded, about 40 years. As the class emptied that one Sunday morning, I was left speechless. I had always assumed that every Christian on the planet believed in the resurrection. Then I remembered the Sadducees, the religious leaders, and although they were respected in their day as God-followers, they did not believe in the resurrection either and often confronted Jesus about that very topic (Luke 20:33; Acts 23:8). However, the message is clear throughout the NT preaching, and the Apostle Paul stated rather specifically, But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (I Cor. 15:12). The resurrection was the heart of the disciples preaching all through the Acts of the Apostles. The

disciples were persecuted for preaching Christ and the resurrection, unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today. (Acts 24:21). From the foundations of Christianity there has been enough recorded evidence for the validity and truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are the prophesies of a Messiah from the Old Testament (continued on page 3)

From the foundations of Christianity there has been recorded evidence for the validity and truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Why I Believe in the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

(continued from page 2) (Isaiah 53); living witnesses saw Jesus after he was crucified (during a period of 40 days more than 500 followers had reported to have seen him), these were eyewitness accounts and certainly if it had been a lie, someone would have confirmed this at the threat of death, rather the disciples were persecuted and murdered because they refused to recant what they knew and saw as true. The resurrection is a fact: Christ died, and rose again from the dead and lives to make intercession for us as we await our final destination in all of eternity. There are many important facts that point to the truth of resurrection (over 500 witnesses, grave clothes, the rolling of a large stone, Roman guards leaving their post, the empty tomb, women as first witnesses), however the most important evidence of the resurrection is that the people who knew him closely and those who ran away when Jesus was arrested, were dramatically changed by their experience of the

What happened to a bunch of people who denied and fled when Jesus was arrested, to suddenly
resurrection of Jesus Christ. What happened to a bunch of people who denied and fled when Jesus was arrested, to suddenly and dramatically turn their whole heart, lives, and possessions in to preach the gospel and plant house churches? If it had been a lie, surely at least one of them could not keep the secret when facing death. For the disciples to claim the truth of the resurrection, it meant that they would risk beatings, stoning, and torture, thrown to lions, crucified, and being hunted down and accused of treason. The historical evidence is overwhelming. Do you believe in the resurrection? The ultimate truth is in the lives they lived and the confidence they shared and in the power of the living Christ (continued on page 4)

and dramatically turn their whole heart, lives, and possessions in to preach the gospel and plant house churches?

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Because of the resurrection, you can have hope for renewal and change you can live a transformed life through Christs strength in you now

Why I Believe in the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

(continued from page 3) to see that the Church survived and thrived through the ages. Do believe? Is there enough evidence in your life that you do believe? Because of the resurrection, you can have hope for renewal and change. You can live a transformed life through Christs strength in you now. It is Jesus alone who offers forgiveness of all your sin and positions you in eternal relationship with God. If you trust Jesus Christ as your living savior, your life will never be the same. Please pray this prayer if youve never trusted Christ as your savior and if you have not known the resurrection power of Christ for you:

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to trust you as my Savior and LORD. Forgive me and help me from this day forth to live fully in you. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and creating in me a new heart, pure and forgiven. Please help me to fulfill your divine call for my life and become the person that you want me to be in this life. Since I am now raised up with Christ, I chose from this day forward to set my heart on things above. Amen
Please let someone know that you prayed this prayer. Rev. Dr. Sharon Barley (if you prayed that prayer, please come see me so I can get you started on living a resurrected life as a believer in the living Jesus Christ)

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Thrive Youth Mission Sunday!

Join us on Sunday, April 22 for YOUTH MISSION SUNDAY! Our students will be taking part in leading all three services as they hand out bulletins, greet guests, participate in worship, pray and share testimonies about their mission trip experiences. We will also have a segment where we advertise for our 2012 mission trips! We will also have a special oering envelope for the youth ministry mission trips. We encourage you to pray and, if you feel led, to help the youth ministry mission trips by supporting us with your oering on this day. All of your giving today will go to lower the cost of the trips for our students. After each service, students will be available in the narthex and in Friendship Center to discuss their mission trip experience and how they have been impacted by our past trips. This is a great opportunity to see what the youth ministry is doing and how the youth ministry is impacting the local church as well as communities across the country. Invite your friends and family to come out for this awesome morning!

BIG NEWS AND UPDATES:

# Youth Mission Sunday: Sunday, April 22 # Confirmation Sunday: Sunday, June 3 # SR High Mission Trip: North Topsail, NC (June 23 June 29) # JR High Mission Trip: Ocean Grove, NJ (July 22 July 25) Blessings! Nick Agazarian Youth Pastor jumcyouth@comcast.net 267 243 5490

We have been continuing in our youth ministry in the month of March as we have looked at what it means to have Moral Boundaries (1 Thessalonians 4:3 8). We have had ice cream nights and junk food nights, and we are prepping for many more awesome events during the remaining Spring months. The entire Spring 2012 schedule has been sent out in the mail, so check it out and get ready for awesome events! Contact me with any questions!

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S T. P H I L I P S C O M M U N I T Y M E A L AND FOOD CUPBOArD

September 2012 was our 12th year kicko for the Wednesday Community Meal. A poor economy coupled with high unemployment has increased the number of persons we are feeding by 25%. We serve many ethic groups (Latino, black Asian) in the kensington community. Our government food source for part of the food supply was significantly reduced. However, with the support we receive from JUMC both spiritually and financially enable us to continue the programs. Praise God for JUMC support. This year one of our goals was to establish a food cupboard at St Philips. We provide a bag of dry groceries to the poor and homeless of kensington. JUMC, January Mission of the Month supplied groceries to start this program and a food supply to maintain the cupboard. Because the food need is so great for feeding the needy in kensington we will extend our Wednesday community meal into the summer months making it a year round food program. Also, Wednesdays Community Lunch now has two other program components - each week there is a bible study and a devotions period during lunch. We are very appreciative and thankful for the financial support from JUMC and other church member for this program. Prayer is an important part of your support. However, JUMC continued financial support is important for maintaining the meal and food cupboard programs.

MENS DEvOTIONS
Saturday Mornings
Please join our mens group for fellowship and reflection as we discuss Pauls writings and their relevance to men today. Our schedule continues April 7th and April 21st, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. in the Friendship Center. This is a BYOC event (Bring Your Own Coee). No prior reading is required. If you have any questions, contact Dave Filer at 215-887-2018.

O U r D A I LY B r E A D COOkBOOk
Are you looking for something to serve your family on Easter? How about Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms or Crme Brulee French Toast; French Toast Casserole or a Seafood Quiche for brunch? How about Easter dinner? Wouldnt some Baked Pineapple or Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping be good accompaniments to your Easter ham? Followed by a slice of Peaches N Cream Cake? You can get recipes for each of these yummy-sounding dishes in Jarrettowns cookbook, Our Daily Bread. Look for your chance to purchase one of these cookbooks in the narthex between services starting on Sunday, March 18. It might even be a nice addition to somebodys Easter basket!!

My family and I would like to thank those who prayed for my daughters recovery. We saw Gods hand performing more than one miracle in her life. Thanks for Gods blessings. Marian Rising

MArCH 6 BLOOD DrIvE

The red cross collected 74 units of blood at our church, and it is being processed into more than 200 units of blood products for our local hospitals. Thanks to all who donated blood and supported this drive. The next drive will be at St Alphonsus on Thursday May 10th. Please plan to donate there if you are able.

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Jarrettown Church Brunch

All ages are invited for good food and fellowship on

Palm Sunday April 1st 12:00 noon

Sign up in the lobby!

BUS MINISTrY
Drivers for the month of April are as follows:

Community Egg Hunt

April 1st 1:00 pm (following the brunch)
Help is needed with the tasks below: Donate plastic eggs and/or wrapped candy to be put inside eggs and place them in the collection boxes in the lobby starting March 11th Help greet and run the hunt on April 1st Help clean up following the hunt Thanks in advance for your generous support!

4/1 4/8 4/15 4/22 4/29

Bob Ewart Craig Fernsler Burt Jones Dave Heacock Stu Gentry

If there is a need to get a hold of any driver, the phone numbers are as below: Craig Fernsler . 215-816-5835 Bob Ewart . . . . . 267-240-6399 Ron Smith . . . . 215-205-2377 Burt Jones . . . . 267-475-2874 Dave Heacock . 267-303-2261 Stu Gentry . . . . 215-659-6059 If anyone else is interested in being a driver of the Church bus, please contact Craig Fernsler. (We need more drivers). You must have a Pennsylvania CDL (Commercial Drivers License). If you cant drive during the regular Sunday 11:00 service, we also need drivers for other special occasions as they occur. Please call Craig Fernsler cell (215-816-5835) to arrange for the use of our church bus for any church related function, or email address: cferns@aol.com. Craig Fernsler Bus Coordinator

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Focus

on

Missions
and homeless in kensington. Because of your gifts the cupboard was stocked and enabled St. Philips to decide to extend the Wednesday community meal into the summer months making it a year-round program. This ministry also has two other components a weekly Bible study and a devotions program during lunch. You can continue to assist George and Elaine in their commitment to this program gifts of foodstus and/or cash will go a long way to relieving hunger in that neighborhood. Jean Graber led the February mission One House at a Time (OHAAT). A presentation by Brad Pennington told the story of how the mission got started and what its present goals are Beds for kids. Sheets, pillows and bedspreads will cover the mattresses donated by a local manufacturer but bed frames are still a need. No-Sew blankets have become a year-long project taken on by our womens groups on March 30 a group met to put together a stack of these colorful and fun blankets for kids. The Ambler Food Cupboard is our most local hunger outreach. Most of the year we are asked for laundry soap, toilet paper, etc., but in March Bette Derr collected canned fruits and vegetables as well as boxed dry goods as a special eort to help feed our neighbors. Since the gifts are still coming in, we dont have a total yet, but be sure that Bette will have a tally for us soon. This month we are asking you to think about your gardens!! Order forms for bedding plants and beautiful hanging baskets are

Last month we told you about our plans for 2012. Were only in early spring and already your gifts have made a significant impact on others. George and Elaine Cahlink reported on our January eorts on behalf of St. Philips church. Their goal for 2012 was to establish a food cupboard to replace some of the aid supplied by government food programs that had been reduced. The cupboard provides a bag of dry groceries to the poor

available now. The proceeds are going to Carson-Simpson Farm to sponsor scholarships for inner-city youth to attend camp this summer. Please include your friends and neighbors in this eort after all, they have gardens, too!! We are still discussing a Mission Trip to Habitat for Humanity in September. Fundraising will start soon be on the lookout for those Soups On Sundays and Pancake Breakfasts. If you would like some info on just what a Mission Trip is and does, see one of the Mission Team members Steve Hamilton, Michele Scholtz or maybe even Burt Jones all veterans of last years trip.

JUMC Young Adult Ministry College and Career

HELP NEEDED!
As we seek to kick o the young adult ministry, we are continuing in our tradition of sending care packages to our college age students. In April, we will be sending these packages to our students in college to encourage them and help them relax and get through their finals. We need your help in two ways: 1. If you are a college student, please send us your updated college mailing address. If you are a parent who has a college student, please send us their updated college mailing address. 2. We will need financial contributions to purchase supplies for these boxes. They include candy and other snacks. We also need finances to purchase the boxes and to buy the postage. Please pray and consider helping us with this ministry. Blessings, Nick Agazarian Youth & Young Adult Pastor jumcyouth@comcast.net Liz Bratton Young Adult Leader jonesy2345@comcast.net Thank you for your help in advance! It is always a blessing when our college age students know that they are loved and cared for by our church community!

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Childrens Ministry
Activity Bags Activity bags are available for use during services. Look for the rack next to the Welcome Center in the lobby or ask an usher. Each bag contains stories, crayons, games, puzzles with scriptures, etc, to help children who attend the service.

S U N DAY S C H O O L 9:15AM
If you have questions about Sunday morning classes and/or which class is best for your child, please contact Jean Graber.

EXPLOrErS
# We continue to collect socks for homeless. There is a collection bin in the hallway by the restrooms. Facebook pages to check out Socks for Shelters and Welcome Church

F U N F r I DAYS
Themed events for children in 1st 4th grade take place monthly on Friday nights from Oct through May. Contact Jean Graber for more information or for currently scheduled events.

Preschool Class
Leaders: Marjie Scott & Debbie Ackerman For Preschoolers who are about 2 and ready to participate in a class (preferably potty-trained). If you are unsure if your child is ready, talk to the nursery staff or one of the preschool teachers.

CHILDrEN ON A MISSION!
# The Sunday School is sponsoring Madina through Compassion International. Your childs Sunday School offering will go towards our $38 a month commitment. # We continue to collect socks for homeless. # Explorers volunteered at Manna on Main Street in February. # Welcome Church service in Logan Circle on March 25th.

Kindergarten Class
Leaders: Dr. & Mrs. Almond, Norma Coupe, Robin Michener Children in Pre-K and Kindergarten will feel loved while learning about Jesus love and the wonderful world God has created for us.

NUrSErY CArE
Nursery Care is available for infants through 2 during the 9:15 Sunday worship service. There is also a Sunday School class for preschoolers at 9:15 SeptJune. If you require nursery care during the 11am Sunday Service please contact the church office by the previous Friday and we will be happy to provide a qualified nursery staff person. Nursery care is also available for special worship services (holiday services, etc.) Stop in the nursery for a brochure with nursery information and policies. If you are interested in volunteering in the nursery contact Jean Graber.

1st -4th Grade Class

Leaders: Christine Kratz, Shawn Petroff & Carol Moffatt Meet in the 1st & 2nd grade classroom (Childrens wing).

5th & 6th Grade Class

Leaders: Ken Popp & Donna Gastner Meet in the 5th & 6th grade classroom (hallway under sanctuary).

THANkS TO:
# Becky Conrad for helping with Fun Fridays in January and February # March MOPS volunteers: Maxine Tyree, Maria Lein, Aleen Kradzinski & Sherrie Irwin

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April 2012
A = am P = pm

Jarrettown United Methodist Church

Thursday
4
8a Mens Bkfst 8a Sat Sanctuary 9a Pray-4-U Walk

Sunday
2 3 5 6 7a Mens Dev.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday
7

*Sunday Schedule

1 OFFICE CLOSED
12p Staff Meeting 12n Good Friday Service 7:15p Mid-Wk. Service 7:15p Susannahs Sisters 7p Holy Thursday Service

10:47a Confirmation 12p Easter Brunch-FH 1p Easter Egg Hunt 5:30p Youth Group 7p Indep. Sinfonia 7:30p Praise Band

7p Choir

8
11:30a Priscilla Cr-FC.

10

11

12

13
Confirmation Retreat 8a Sat. Sanctuary 9a Pray-4-U Walk

14

EASTER SUNDAY

OFFICE CLOSED

9a Easter Choir Brunch FH

Jarrettown United Methodist Church

7p Choir

7p Church Council-FC 7:30p Praise Band

7p Womens Group L 7:15p MW Service 7:15p Susannahs Sisters-BRC 7:30p Genesis Study BRC 6p Girl Scouts-L

7p Fun Friday-FH

15
9:15a MOPS-FC

16

17

18

19

20
7a Mens Dev. 8a Sat. Sanctuary 9a Pray-4-U Walk

21

*Sunday Schedule

OFFICE CLOSED

5:30p Youth Group 7p Indep. Sinfonia-FC

7p Marthas Circle-FC 7p Choir

5:30p AFF Cooking 7p SPRC-FC 7:30p Praise Band 7:15p Susannahs Sisters-BRC 7:15p Mid-Week

7:30p Genesis Study BRC

22
PRIMARY ELECTION

23

24

25

26

27
8a Sat. Sanctuary 9a Pray 4 U Walk 11a Weddin9

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*Sunday Schedule

OFFICE CLOSED

10:47a Confirmation-FH

5:30p Youth Group 7p Indep. Sinfonia

7p Choir

5p Philabundance 7:30p Praise Band

7:15p MW Service 7:15p Susannahs Sisters-BRC

7:30p Genesis Study BRC 6p Girl Scouts-L

7:30p Indep. SinfoniaSanctuary

29

30

1 May

2 May

3 May

4 May
7a Mens Devotions 8a Mens Bkft 8a Sat. Sanctuary 9a Pray-4-U Walk 9:30a Volunteer at Manna/Main St. 7:15p MW Svc.-FC 7:15p Susannahs SistersBRC 7:30p Genesis Study BRC

5 May

*Sunday Schedule

OFFICE CLOSED

10:47a Confirmation-FH

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5:30p Youth Group 7p Indep. Sinfonia

7p Choir 7p Trustees-FC

7:30p Praise Band

FOOTPRINTS
the newsletter of Jarrettown United Methodist Church 1460 Limekiln Pike Dresher PA 19025-1116 (215) 646-4129 FAX (215) 646-6912 www.jarrettownchurch.org Email: jarrettownumc@comcast.net

Rev. Dr. Sharon Barley - Sr. Pastor (Interim) Walt Unterberger - Assoc. Pastor/Christian Growth Jean Graber - Director of Childrens Ministry Nick Agazarian - Youth Pastor Sheri Melcher - Organist/Choir Director Kathy Tavani - Administrative Assistant Bill Conard - Custodian Rev. Jane McCarthy - Deacon Office Hours: Tuesday Friday 9 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
All materials submitted for publication in Footprints MUST be received by noon on the 7th day of the previous month. Materials received after that time will not be included, but will be considered for future publication. Making Disciples Relieving Suffering Glorifying God

Jarrettown United Methodist Church 1460 Limekiln Pike Dresher, PA 19025-1116

(Address Service Requested)