Sudlersville United Methodist Charge

Plowshares March 2019

Relationship Rather Than Religion

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

In the book of Genesis we can see that from the beginning God has desired an intimate
relationship with his creation. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. It is the very
reason God created humanity - to love and be loved.
I’m reminded that John Wesley became an Anglican priest in 1725 but it wasn’t until 1738
that he had a profound conversion experience where he described his heart being strangely
warmed. That means he worked as a pastor for 13 years before he came into a personal
relationship with Jesus. That moment changed his ministry from being focused on his head
knowledge to being focused on his deep and abiding love for God. Similarly, I was a believer in
Christ for all my childhood but it wasn’t until a conversion experience as a sophomore in high
school that I felt in my heart that I had a true relationship with Jesus and experienced the full
breadth of his love for me.
In John 15:15 Jesus says this to his disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a
servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends.” I want to
challenge you to consider your relationship with God. I know my sister struggles when she is
apart from her two-year old son, Russel. She loves him so much and their bond is so strong. Is
that what it’s like for you in your everyday life with God? Do you wake up in the morning and
desire to spend time with God in prayer or as you read the scriptures? Do you wish to hear the
Lord speak to you and fill you with his Holy Spirit and experience his divine presence? Do you
long to worship God because your heart is filled with love for him – your heart sings out to God
because you can’t contain your joy and hope in him?
If you have not experienced that kind of love for God, it will be very challenging to have
profound love, concern, and a sense of urgency for your neighbors, coworkers, and family
members to know God. It will be challenging to be united in faith with fellow believers in your
church. It will be challenging to be led by the Holy Spirit. I dare say you may find yourself
religious but not a true disciple of Jesus Christ. An authentic faith is marked by a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ and a longing to be in the presence of our almighty God.

-Pastor Eric Warner

 SHROVE TUESDAY

Calvary– Asbury UMC Can You Help?

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Potato peeling in
preparation for
4:30 pm—6:30 pm the
Menu: Shrove Tuesday
dinner will be at
Pancakes, Sausage, Sausage Gravy, 1:00 pm on
Biscuits, Eggs, Fried Potatoes, Orange Juice, & Coffee March 4th
at
Calvary-Asbury.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Ash Wednesday Service will be held
at Calvary-Asbury.
The service will begin at 7:00 pm

St. Paul’s will host a

Lenten Bible Study
March 13,2019 -
April 17, 2019
Wednesdays at
7:00 pm and
Thursdays at Noon

SPLASH
The March SPLASH meeting will be held on the 11th at 7:00 pm.
Kate Brown will host the group.

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 CAMP PECOMETH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

A project years in the making for us here at Pecometh, we are ready

to Raise the Roof! on the Fellowship Hall located down at our iconic
waterfront area March 22nd-24th. We are looking for volunteers to
help replace the old roof with a brand new one to ensure campers
and guests are able to use the facility for years to come.

Volunteers will work under the direction of a local contractor to

strip the existing roof, then lay the new tar-paper and shingles.
Persons with prior experience in roofing/construction are preferred,
however there are plenty of tasks for able bodied volunteers-must be For more
at least 18 years of age. information, and to
register, visit our
Overnight lodging in an on-site bunk style temperature controlled
website
facility (separate men’s & women’s sleeping areas) and meals are
at
provided for the weekend-lunch Friday through lunch on
http://
Sunday. Work will begin Friday morning at 8am for those who are
www.pecometh.org
available; everyone else should arrive ready to start work on Saturday
at 8am. Registration is required. /raise-the-roof-
weekend
or by calling
410-556-6900.

COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE & LUNCHEON

There will be a Sudlersville United Methodist Charge

worship service held on March 31, 2019 at
Calvary-Asbury.
The church service will begin at 10:30 am and be
followed by lunch. The meat will be provided. Please
contribute a side dish or dessert to share.

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UPDATE: SPECIAL SESSION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE 2019 CONCLUDES
The results of the Special Session of General Conference 2019 dealing with The
United Methodist Church’s stance on homosexuality has concluded. The Traditional
Plan, which was the more conservative plan and would create more accountability,
passed in a vote of 438 to 384. The One Church Plan, which was the more progressive
plan, would have changed the language in the UMC Book of Discipline and made a way
for conferences, churches, and pastors who so desired, to perform same-sex marriages
and ordain practicing gay clergy. It failed in a vote of 449 to 374.
What remains unclear is whether or not the Traditional Plan will survive review.
The United Methodist Church has its own constitution, and key parts of the Traditional
Plan had been declared unconstitutional by the UMC Judicial Council (the UMC version
of the Supreme Court) before General Conference. In the last day of General
Conference, the delegates worked to amend the Traditional Plan so it would be
constitutional. However, time ran out to amend some of the unconstitutional parts so in
a rushed vote the Traditional Plan was adopted even though parts were still
unconstitutional. We will know more after the Judicial Council meets again in April.
What doesn’t change is the position of the United Methodist Church that all people
are of sacred worth and welcome in membership and leadership in the church. What
doesn’t change is that each one of us is a sinner saved by the grace of God, called to show
the love of Christ to the world. I know many people whose hearts welcome the steps
taken General Conference. However, I also know many who grieve and are pained or are
conflicted and divided. I will continue to pray the prayer that Jesus prayed in John
17:20-21 that we will be one as Jesus and God the Father are one. I invite you to
constantly pray that prayer with me.
-Pastor Eric

SPECIAL OFFERING ON MARCH 31

For over 50 years, United Methodists have supported UMCOR by
giving towards their operational costs, ensuring that UMCOR can
give 100% of all designated gifts directly to those that need
it most.

On Sunday, March 31, support UMCOR so that

UMCOR can support others.

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 SPRING CHURCH SUPPER

CALVARY-ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

103 North Church St., Sudlersville, MD - 410-438-3816

Saturday, April 13, 2019

4 PM TO 7 PM (or until sold out)
Carry-outs 3 PM to 6 PM

ADULT EAT-IN & ALL CARRY-OUTS -$10.00

CHILDREN EAT-IN AGES 5 TO 12 -$5.00
CHILDREN UNDER AGE 5 EAT-IN FOR FREE

Purchasing your tickets ahead of time is advised.

Tickets are available at the church office. Stop by during office hours
(Mon-Thurs. 9am-1 pm) or call 410-438-3816 to purchase your tickets today!

OUR FAMILY STYLE MENU INCLUDES:

ROAST BEEF & GRAVY
PARSLEY POTATOES
HARVARD BEETS
GREEN BEANS
COLESLAW
APPLESAUCE
DINNER ROLLS
ASSORTED DESSERTS
WORSHIP SUDLERSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHARGE
WITH
US! PASTOR ERIC WARNER
Email: pastoreric@sudlersvilleumc.org
Phone: 937-681-1131

Calvary-Asbury United Methodist Church

103 North Church Street, Sudlersville, MD. 21668
Sunday School: 10:00 am
Worship Service: 11:00 am

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

251 St. Paul’s Rd., Ingleside, MD. 21644
Worship Service: 9:00 am
Sunday School: 10:00 am

Church Office:
PO Box 202
103 North Church Street
Sudlersville, MD 21668
Office Phone: 410-438-3816
PLOWSHARES
~A Journal for Office Hours:
Christian Liv- Monday-Thursday 9:00 am– 1:00 pm
ing in Mary- Email: office@sudlersvilleumc.org
land’s Upper Facebook.com/sudlersvilleumc
Queen Anne’s Website: www.sudlersvilleUMC.org

County
Sign up for Text Message Reminders:

For Calvary Asbury:

Text the message: @4cal To the number: 81010

For St. Paul’s:

Text the message: @4stp To the number: 81010