April 2012 Metropolitan Messenger

 

April 2012, Volume 14, Issue 4
 
 

Holy Week Events
From the Senior Pastor
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
Mission and Community Outreach
Music and Fine Arts
Upcoming Opportunities

Welcome to the April 2012 edition of the Metropolitan Messenger, Metropolitan United Methodist Church of Detroit's monthly newsletter. This April, we celebrate Holy Week and Christ's resurrection. All around us are the buds of spring, blossoms on trees, colorful bushes, birds chirping happily, and grass coming back into full green. Spring is a time of renewal. How is God restoring things anew in your life? May this April offer you a fresh start and opportunity to delight in God's path.
 
 

Holy Week Schedule
 

Holy Week begins Sunday, April 1 and ends on Easter Sunday, April 8. We invite you to join us for worship and fellowship as we remember the last week of Jesus' life leading up to the resurrection.
 

Palm Sunday Worship Service
April 1, 11:00 AM, Sanctuary
 

Maundy Thursday Meal
April 5, 6:00 PM, Kresge Hall
 

Maundy Thursday Worship Service
April 5, 7:00 PM, Sanctuary
 

Good Friday Service
April 6, 7:00 PM, Sanctuary
 

Sonrise Service
Easter, April 8, 9:15 AM, Kresge Hall
 

Easter Breakfast
April 8, 9:45 - 10:45 AM
$6 for adults, free for children under 10
 

Easter Sunday Worship Service
April 8, 11:00 AM, Sanctuary
 

Children's Service
April 8, 11:30 AM (2nd half of the worship service)
For children in pre-k to 6th grade
 
 

From the Senior Pastor
 

In this month's Pastor's Ponderings, Rev. Dr. Ray McGee shares with us four goals for Metropolitan Church: 1) reach out to people, 2) encounter people where they are at, 3) train and develop people in faith, and 4) send people out into the world. Read the letter here.
 
 

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
 

Read this month's CJ's Communique, a monthly newsletter written by Rev. Cathee Miles, Metropolitan's Minister of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. The newsletter highlights upcoming opportunities to grow spiritually.

Easter celebrations are just around the corner and what a perfect time to share faith. We have the power of resurrection living in us and through us. As we say in our communion liturgy: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again— the gospel in a “nutshell.” Read more here.

 

Mission and Community Outreach
 

Read this month's United Methodist Women News for information about upcoming dates and events. All women of Metropolitan are members of Metropolitan's UMW. Many of the events listed are also open to anyone who desires to attend.
 

We are in need of shoppers to assist us in shopping for clothes and linens at the Charity Event at Birmingham First UMC on Thursday, April 26, 12:30 to 4:00 PM. If you like to power shop, this is the volunteer opportunity for you. Contact Vivien Green for details.
 

Please join Christmas in Action (CIA) to change the life of a low income senior. On Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 8:00 AM CIA will provide free home repairs to a senior homeowner in the North End. The North End Ministers Alliance is helping to coordinate Christmas in Action efforts in the North End. There is a job for everyone. Applications for volunteers are available in the church office. You can also fill out an application on the CIA website. Please see Rev. Mary LaVerne Jackson for further details.
 

Metropolitan Church will host the 5th Sunday North End Ministers Alliance worship service on Sunday, April 29 at 4:00 PM. Please come and support the North End faith community with your presence.
 

"Who is my neighbor?" is the theme of the Community BBQ. The BBQ is Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 12:30 PM in the Chandler Parking Lot.
 
 

Music and Fine Arts
 

The Metro Choir is always open to new members and anyone who is interested is encouraged to come and join us for a Thursday evening rehearsal. We meet at 7:00 PM in the choir room, until about 8:30 PM or a little after. Contact Marilyn Biery for the rehearsal schedule before you visit. Come and see if this is how you would like to participate in the vibrant life of Metropolitan United Methodist Church!
   - Marilyn Biery, Interim Minister of Music
 

All Handbell ensembles provided music for Sunday worship services during March. Youth Bells and Epworth Choir are preparing for the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter. Youth bells will ring for the early 9:15 AM service and Epworth for the 11:00 AM service.

The Handbell 101 class began on the first Wednesday in February and concluded on March 28. Four persons registered for and have been attending weekly sessions from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. learning theory of music and basic ringing techniques. Progress has been made by the registrants and they have been enjoying their introduction to handbells. A decision will be made at the final session as to whether to continue classes following the Easter recess.
    - Richard Eccles, Director of Handbell Choirs
 
 

Upcoming Opportunities
 

Each month, the Samaritan Counseling Center hosts a Lay Caregiver Series. The Samaritan Counseling Center’s Lay Caregiver Series topic this month is healthy marital relationships and how to reduce conflict in marriage. The workshop will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 2:30 - 4:30 PM at Nardin Park UMC, 29887 West Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48336. The cost of the workshop is $15. Call 248-474-4701 or visit http://samaritancounselingmichigan.com for more information. You must register by April 12.
 

Applications for the Centennial Scholarships (2012-2013) can be downloaded from Metropolitan's website at metroumc.org/scholarships. Completed applications must be received via U.S. Mail or hand delivered to the church no later than April 14, 2012. This deadline is strictly observed. Applications are not accepted via e-mail or fax.     - Centennial Scholarship Committee
 

Registration for the 2012 session of the Detroit Annual Conference is now open through the conference website. The conference will take place Thursday-Sunday, May 17-20, on the campus of Adrian College in Adrian, MI. The registration deadline is Friday, April 20. Those registering after the deadline will be subject to a $40 late fee.