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DeBows UMC Newsletter
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Welcome
“Be still and know that I am God”
~ Psalm 46:10 ~

Effective immediately, physical worship services and other activities using the church building are suspended until further notice.  The exception to this will be the Food Pantry Ministry. See separate article in this newsletter concerning the food pantry.

As we suspend physical activity at the church, the life of the church continues and this includes paying our bills and supporting our ministries.  We are thankful for your faithful giving and encourage you to continue to do so during these difficult times.  You may continue your giving by sending your offering check directly to the church or by using the church online giving feature found in the footer of the church website.  It is easy, secure, and appreciated.

We are actively exploring ways to stay connected as a church family and developing methods to present online worship.  Watch for more information in the near future.


Reminders:

  1. Along with the normal bi-weekly church newsletter, we will continue to send out special emails as needed to keep you informed.
  2. The special information emails go out to the people on the newsletter distribution list.  If you are not already on the distribution list, you can subscribe to the DeBows newsletter using the subscription form found in the footer of the church website.
  3. A special COVID-19 information page has been created on the DeBows website.  It will contain a chronological summary list of released information, church decisions impacting the life of our church, and links to other information.  Click HERE to access this page.  Please bookmark it and check it often, along with the church calendar for the latest information.
  4. For our members who do not have email or internet access we will communicate updates and information by phone.

God bless, 

Pastor Denise

pastor@debowsumc.org

848-667-3631
Friday, March 20
First Day of Spring

Monday, March 23
Food Pantry Open - 6:00 PM

Holy Week

Sunday, April 5
Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 9
Maundy Thursday

Friday , April 10
Good Friday

Sunday, April 12
Easter
 
NOTE: Obviously the calendar reflects reduced activity due to the COVID-19 situation.  Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information.
In Our Prayers

--- Week of 3/15 ---

Mike Palmer (Jill's husband) - heart surgery was cancelled. Prayers as he waits for the surgery to be rescheduled.

Mike Pollaro (Santillo friend) - recovering nicely from surgery that removed a cancerous kidney.

Guy's friend Jimmy - PTL he is doing well.  Prayers for his mother, Eleanor who is in the hospital with pneumonia.  She is in her 80's.

Wayne's dad  - is in the hospital with heart issues and not allowed visitors.  Prayers for the family.
 
Karlyn Hayward  (Mark's mother) - and all those in assisted living that are not allowed visitors due to the COVID-19 situation.
 
Robert Taylor - who's back surgery has been postponed due to health crisis.

Sierra Palmer - is looking to move to North Carolina in the near future.

Laurie Weinstein (Christine Raymond's friend) - PTL that her kidneys have been healed!

--- Week of 3/8 ---

Paul Bartek - Fell recently and broke his hip and arm.  Prayers for healing and God's comfort and peace.

Steve Wesolovski - PTL for healing and good test results.

Tom Hornak's Son-in-law's family - comfort and God's presence at his mother's passing.

Newborn baby, Ben - he has been put on hospice.  Prayers for God's comfort & peace for the family.

Eileen Schuck (Ervin friend) - for her bladder cancer.

--- Week of 3/1 ---

Jerry Shafran (Ervin in-law) - struggling with bladder cancer and is close to going home to be with God.  Prayers for his family during this very difficult time.

Family and friends of Georgia Mandrik - at her passing on 3/1.

Donna Ridge and Family - doing well after surgery and has found a new apartment.  Prayers for continued good recovery.

Jim Prusarczyk (Sue Hayward’s brother-in-law) - undergoing treatment for prostrate cancer.

Valerie Hill - (co-worker of Guy) her mother, Barbara, had a stroke and fell and broke a rib


--- Week of 2/23 ---

Nancy - (Guy's friend from work) - prayers for healing from atrial fibrillation.


--- Continued prayer for home-bound church members ---

Rudy Iannacone; Ann Giarratano; Paul Bartek; Cheryl Barrentine;
Zach Cregle (serving in Afghanistan)


Please help us keep this prayer list up-to-date.  To add or remove names from this list, please contact Pastor Denise at pastor@debowsumc.org.  All prayer requests go directly to the pastor.

Worship Information

Remaining March Sermons
in the "Called to More" Series
 

3/22
There is More
Mark 1:35-39, Philippians 3:12-16

When life gets challenging, we have a choice to either fall back into the sin that is so enticing and easy for us, or to persevere and trust that when we follow Christ, we will live into even more than we have ever imagined.
 
3/29
The Gods We Make
Exodus 32:1-14

Sometimes we allow things in our lives to become more important to us than God, distract us from God, and even come between us and God. These are the gods we make.

Looking ahead to April & May

In light of our current situation, as we have moved to "church at home" - I felt it was important to focus on the Hope that we have in God, the hope that Jesus brings.  Our hope in Jesus is everything.  I believe that God wants us to use this time of "rest" to draw close to the hope our faith brings us.

I am also convinced that, even though for a period of time we will not see each other face to face, we will grow closer to each other through this season.  

Romans 8:38-39 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Let's stay committed to love each other during this time.  We will stay committed to encouraging one another other and praying with each other.  We will stay committed to talking and listening to each other.  It's the hope we have in Christ that defines who we are, and how we love each other.  

Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let's lean into the great hope we have in Jesus.  This is a hope that will sustain us now, and a hope that we cling to as we wait on the Lord to see us through this season.


Upcoming Sermons

4/5 - Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11

4/9 - Maundy Thursday
John 13:1-17; 31-35

4/12 - Easter
Matthew 28:1-10

4/19 - How Can I Hope?
Romans 15:1-13

4/26 - Our Hope
Romans 8:18-30

5/3 - Hope Brings Joy
Romans 12:9-21

5/10 - Women Who Hoped in God
Luke 10: 38-42

5/17 - Hope Brings Love
Colossians 1:1-8

5/24 - Hope Brings Boldness
2 Corinthians 3:1-18

5/31 - Hope Brings Endurance
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Our music program is led by our Minister of Music, Grayce Armstrong, a Sacred Music graduate of Westminster Choir College.  You may contact Grayce by email at music@debowsumc.org.  DeBows UMC is blessed with talented people who love to praise God.  We pray for each other and give back to the Lord the blessings we’ve received.  We welcome newcomers to join our music ministry and share and grow their talent for God’s glory.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation has our church looking for new ways to stay connected and to continue to worship.  The music program is especially affected due to the traditional need for group rehearsals.  Grayce is working with choir & band members remotely to explore options to continue to prepare and present music for either online or physical worship.  We will continue to worship, virtually if need be, and music will be part of that.

*Note - Please monitor the church website and calendar for the most current information concerning music related activities.  More information about the DeBows music program can be viewed HERE.

A Time of Reflection

During these times of uncertainty, we continue to look for ways to stay connected as a church and share the Love of Christ and the Hope of the Gospel with each other.  As we journey though Lent, especially this Lenten season, we will be creating a special page on the church website to share your reflections.

On this page we will display short devotions you may have written, a favorite scripture passage, or perhaps just a message you would like to share with your church family.  Please send what you would like to share to Pastor Denise at pastor@debowsumc.org

Also, please remember to continue to submit your prayer requests to Pastor Denise.  These requests will be shared with the church if so desired.
Bible Study

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the 11:30 AM Wednesday Bible Study has been suspended until further notice.  Watch for information concerning when the bible study will resume.  Ways to conduct a virtual bible study are being investigated.

2nd & 4th
Monday Each Month

The next Food Pantry distribution is
Monday, March 23
The DeBows Food Pantry will continue to remain open on the 2nd & 4th Monday each month from 6:00-8:00pm.  Due to the COVID-19 situation, a new distribution process will be implemented so we can maintain this important ministry.

Until further notice, we will be distributing pre-packaged bags of food to our clients and will be placing them in the trunk of their cars. The building will not be open to clients at this time.  Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

The new distribution process will begin on Monday, March 23.  2 additional people are needed to pack food on Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 PM and 2 additional people are needed for distribution on Monday, March 23 at 5:00 PM.

If you wish to volunteer, please contact Deb Cregle.

Rise Against Hunger
Campaign

 

This GNJ food packing event, originally scheduled for 3/21/2020, has been postponed due to Coronavirus concerns.  It will be rescheduled sometime in the future.  Watch for more details.

Grocery Shopping Cards

The opportunity to purchase grocery store shopping cards for either ShopRite or Stop & Shop has been temporarily suspended so we can evaluate the distribution process in light of the COVID-19 situation.  Please watch for updates and you can contact Sue Hayward for more information.

A bulk Scrip Gift Card order will still be placed soon. Please contact Sue Hayward for more information or to place orders directly with her.
Feedback Welcome
As always, your feed back to our bi-weekly newsletter is welcome and appreciated.  You may reply to this newsletter to provide your input, or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website.  For the most up-to-date information concerning church activities, event schedules, general church information, or to view recent newsletters, you may visit the church website anytime at debowsumc.org.
 
The next newsletter will be published on
Wednesday, April 1
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DeBows UMC Online
Rev. Denise Tiedemann, Pastor
pastor@debowsumc.org or
732-928-4475


The church office is closed due to the COVID-19 situation.

If you need to speak to Pastor Denise, please contact her directly using the above information.
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