Church Activities & Announcements
Bible Study
The Winter/Spring Bible Study is in progress. We meet either on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. or Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. We are continuing the study of the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This will be an open-ended Bible Study, finishing sometime early Spring.
Inquirer's Class
The next Inquirer's Class for those who are interested in becoming a member at Graceham Moravian is scheduled for Sunday evening, April 18th, May 2nd and May 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Those people interested in learning more about the Moravian Church in general and more specifically about the Graceham Moravian Church are invited to attend all three sessions.
We will be receiving new members on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd during the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Service. Please contact Pastor Gehris if you are planning to attend.
Relief Work in Haiti
We are beginning to do our part to help those who are suffering in Haiti. The first Sunday of Lent opened an opportunity for us to begin participating in a "Joyful Noise Offering." Each week throughout the Lenten season and ending on Easter Sunday, we will take a "Joyful Noise Offering" during worship.
The second opportunity is collecting items for Hygiene Kits and Baby Kits. Items collected will be given to Church World Service. Some of the funds from the Joyful Noise Offering will be used to complete the kits. Assist us in filling the needs of others by donating generously.
Soup-er Bowl of Caring
Our soup-er bowl of caring got off to a rough start this year. The snow storm on soup-er bowl Sunday found us canceling our 8 a.m. service and having our 10:30 a.m. service with very low attendance. Therefore, we extended our soup-er bowl of caring into the second Sunday in February so those who were unable to attend the first Sunday in February could donate towards our soup-er bowl of caring. We received and gave to the Thurmont Food Bank $251.93. Thank you for your generous gift.
Attention Women of the Church
Please join us for our first Women's Craft Day on Saturday, March 20th, 2010! All women of the church are invited to come and make crafts to be sold at the Turkey and Oyster Dinner. We will be enjoying a time of crafting, fellowship, and of course food! We will start at 9:00 AM. But feel free to join us anytime after that. Ladies of all ages are invited. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the vestibule to help us plan ahead!
If you have an idea please feel free to bring it and the supplies. If you don't have an idea, we have plenty! A few of the ideas we have are hand stamped coasters, decorated notebooks and clipboards, hand-stamped cards, and more!
If you have any craft supplies that you would like to donate, please place them in the box in the vestibule marked Women's Craft Day by Sunday, March 14th! We could use any of the following:
- Ribbon (all sizes)
- Small Memo Pads (Spiral bound)
- Clipboards (any size)
- Scrapbooking Paper
- Fabric Stamps
- Sponge Brushes
- Picture Frames (any size)
- Mod Podge Glue
- Cork or felt backing
If you have any questions, contact Laura Keilholtz, 301-271-7647 or LEK94811@verizon.net
Turkey and Oyster Dinner — Spring 2010
Friday, March 26th, starting at 3:00 P.M. and Saturday, March 27th, starting at 1:00 P.M. are this Spring's dates for the Turkey and Oyster Supper! Crafts, fudge and other items are also needed for this event. As always, we look forward to the fun and fellowship of working and eating together, and raising some needed funds to support the ministry of our church. We need your help and support. The fellowship is just as good as the food! Help is always needed during the week of the suppers. Choose a time and come out to help.
- Tues. Mar 23rd — 9:00 — 11:00 A.M. Prep 7 turkeys
- Tues. Mar 23rd — 5:30 — 8:00 P.M. pick 7 turkeys, prep 7 turkeys & stock groceries -
- Wed. Mar 24th — 9:00 — 11:00 A.M. pick 7 turkeys & prep 7 turkeys
- Wed. Mar 24th — 5:30 — 8:00 P.M. Pick 7 turkeys & prep 7 turkeys/grind cabbage
- Thurs. Mar 25th — 9:00 — 11:00 A.M. pick 7 turkeys & prep 7 turkeys
- Thurs. Mar 25th — 5:30 — 8:00 P.M. Pick 7 turkeys/make stuffing/dining room setup
- Fri. Mar 26th — 11:00 A.M. Prepare food to serve at 3:00 P.M.
- Sat. Mar 27th — 10:00 A.M. — Prepare food to serve buses at 12:00 Noon and the public at 1:00 P.M.
Sign-up sheets are in the pews and on the bulletin board in the vestibule. Many jobs are available including clean-up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Lenten Services
The Community Lenten Services are held at 7:00 p.m. each Monday night during Lent. Locations and dates are listed below.
March 1st — Thurmont Church of the Brethren 14 Altamont Avenue
March 8th — Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church
March 15th — Trinity United Church of Christ 101 E. Main Street
March 22nd — Harriet Chapel, Catoctin Parish 12625 Catoctin Furnace Road
Bring along a non-perishable food item as part of your offering. Non-perishable food items will be donated to the Thurmont Food Bank. The plate offering received each evening will be donated to the Thurmont Ministerium.
Men's Breakfast
The Men's Breakfast will be held at Mountain Gate Family Restaurant on Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 a.m. Remember, a sign-up sheet no longer exists … so mark your calendar and join us for breakfast. Spouses are invited as well.
First Sunday Service
The "Youth for Christ - First Sunday Service will be held at the Evangelical Bible Church on Sunday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. Both youth and adults are invited to attend.
E-Mail Addresses
We have received some e-mail addresses, but still need many more. We would like to start sending newsletters by e-mail in April. You will receive the newsletter information much quicker and we can save expenses for postage, paper, printing, etc. by e-mailing the newsletter. If you prefer to receive the newsletter through the U.S. Post Office, but have an e-mail address, let us have that information. If we have your e-mail address, we can send other information to you quicker.
You can provide your e-mail address by e-mailing your reply to Mary Fran at maryfran@gracehammoravian.org.
If a member of your family lives outside the area and would like to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter and they have an e-mail address, please provide us with their address.
Thurmont Food Bank Offering Sunday, March 14th
Place your non-perishable food items in the basket setting in front of the Communion Table in the Sanctuary. Frozen or refrigerated items may be placed in the freezer or refrigerator in the Equipment Room in the Basement. Please mark items placed in the freezer or refrigerator and inform Pastor Jeff or Ms. Joanne Fuss about those items.
Donated items that are in need:
- canned fruit
- canned vegetables
- spaghetti
- spaghetti sauce
- Ramen Noodles
- cereal
- peanut butter
- jelly
- pasta
- rice
- toilet tissue
- paper towels
Other donated items suggested:
- soup
- fresh produce
- frozen and canned meat
- eggs
- cheese
- ½ gallons of milk
- hamburger helper
- tea
- coffee
- sugar
- laundry detergent
- dish soap
- shampoo
- snacks for the children
The Food Bank hours are 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each Friday. Donations may be dropped off ½ hour before regular food bank hours. We are seeing an increase in those receiving assistance from the Food Bank because of unemployment or under-employment.
Missions
From Kim Bartholomew at the Board of World Missions:
Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit be free to empower those working so hard to proclaim Christ's kingdom in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania in the villages of Mwanza and Magu. Talks and negotiations continue in that region and it has become evident that the Holy Spirit is ever present, paving the way for us to follow.
From Rev. Sally Joyner-Giffin, Rector, Harriet Chapel:
The Diocese of Maryland will be sponsoring a youth mission trip to Honduras. Pastor Sally will be leading one of the teams and was wondering if anyone in our community would like to go on the mission trip. The cost will be about $1,000.00 per person and will include airfare, most food, hotel, and a trip to the Copan Mayan Ruins. You can call Pastor Sally about details at 301-271-1090.
Frederick County Faith-Based Hunger Summit
The Governor's Partnership to end Childhood Hunger in Maryland is presenting a free Faith-based Hunger Summit on Friday, April 16th from 8:45 a.m. unto 2:00 p.m. at Frederick Community College. This will be an opportunity for those in attendance to learn how child care and after-school programs provided through your organization may be eligible to receive federal reimbursement for meals and snacks that are already being received. For more information or to RSVP, contact Valerie Woodward, Governor's Office for Children - 410-767-2547 or at woodward@goc.state.md.us
Did You Know…The Department Of Social Services Comes To Emmitsburg!
The Frederick Department of Social Services comes to the CASS Office in the Emmitsburg Community Center, 300 S Seton Avenue on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday's from 9 a.m. to 12 noon every month. Citizens of Thurmont and Emmitsburg no longer need drive to Frederick to apply for:
- Housing Assistance
- Medical Assistance
- Energy Assistance
- Cash Assistance
- Food Stamps
- Purchase of Care
The 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, no appointments necessary!!! For more information call 301-600-2450.
Help Is Available To Pay Your Electric Bill
Allegheny Power sponsors three programs to help low income families pay their electric bills.
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) is available to income eligible people to help reduce the amount of future bills, reduce the amount of past due balances and assist with home weatherization programs.
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) is available to income eligible customers and may provide a one-time grant to help reduce past due balances.
Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) protects low-income families from termination of service and allows MEAP-eligible participants to enter into a year-round average monthly program. If you qualify for MEAP, you may be eligible for USPP.Where do I go to apply for any of the three programs?
If you live in Carroll County - Human Services Program of Carroll County
10 Distillery Drive
Westminster, MD 21157-5021
410-857-2999
If you live in Frederick County - Frederick County Department of Social Services
100 East All-Saints Street
Frederick, MD 21701-6557
301-600-4555
If you live in Washington County - Washington County Community Action Council
101 Summit Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740-5508
301-797-4161
Don't forget the Prayer Wall …
Pray for those churches in the Eastern District who are in search of pastoral leadership. We continue to pray for the churches located in the Northern Province. Pray for the following churches this month located in Canada:
- Bruderheim
- Calgary, Christ
- Calgary, Good Shepherd
- Edmonton
- Edmonton, Millwoods
- Edmonton, Rio Terrace
- Sherwood Park, Good News
- S. Edmonton, Heimtal
Pray for the 20/20 program of the Moravian Church and for the Pastors who are serving new church starts in the Northern Province. Pray also for lay-leaders to rise up and assist their pastors as together they spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Starting twenty new churches by the year 2020
March Meetings
- Board of Elders — Tuesday, the 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
- Caring Team — Tuesday, the 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
- Women's Fellowship — Friday, the 5th at 6:30 p.m. at Jean Harding's Home
- Leadership & Publications — Sunday, the 7th at 5:00 p.m.
- Board of Trustees — Tuesday, the 9th at 7:00 p.m.
- CEC — Tuesday, the 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Emmy Baltic's Blog
Are you following the adventures of Emmy as she trains to become a missionary? You can get on-line and follow Emmy at … emmybaltic.blogspot.com
Her 'face book' address is www.myspace.com/emmybalticmusic
To My Friends at Graceham,
Aloha from Maui! I just wanted to say "mahalo" (which means thank you) for the generous donations you blessed me with for my mission trip. I'm having a wonderful time here and I'm learning so much. God has been so faithful and I'm so excited to share some stories with you all when I come home. I really appreciated the money and prayers you've given me; without them I wouldn't be here, so THANK YOU!
In Him,
Emmy Baltic
P.S.: I miss you all but I am not missing all the snow you are getting!