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S U N D A Y . F E B R U A R Y 2 8 . 2 0 2 1
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Join us for worship Sunday mornings at 10am. We are live streaming on YouTube. Click the YouTube icon to find the link.
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As Christians, we use Lent as a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church Lent was observed through periods of fasting and penance (confession of sins). While fasting and penance are still part of Lent, modern-day Christians focus on their personal relationship with God and stretching their spiritual lives as disciples. People often use Lent as a time to give up something or to give something of themselves to others.
We want to offer ways to participate in the tenets of Lent while keeping gatherings to a minimum. We invite our church and surrounding community to be part of several outreach opportunities as well as ways to practice disciplines that help us focus on God.
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"The Giving Tree" is a place to donate items like gloves, hats, coats and blankets. They are available to anyone who needs them; no strings attached. The Giving Tree is located at the front entrance beside our Shop & Share food pantry.
This ministry is sponsored by the Flock Preschool and Learning Center.
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Shop & Share began as a response to the pandemic last winter and continues to gain momentum. It is a place where folks can take the food they need, whenever they need it. Items are re-stocked daily and we rely on your kindness and donations to keep the shelves full.
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Stained Glass Prayers is an invitation to offer up prayers, penance, thanks and reflection. We'll have colored paper available at the front entrance. You're encouraged to write your prayers, thoughts, Lent reflections as often as you'd like. Leave your prayers in the prayer lantern located at the front entrance any time during Lent. We'll add them to our windows to create a stained glass window of our collective prayers.
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Pack the Pew is a call for massive food donations to fight food insecurity in our community. After the holidays food pantries typically see a lull in donations and giving. During Lent, we want to beef up those food pantry shelves and we need you to help us Pack the Pew! Come by with your donations and drop them inside our front entrance or just outside the entrance. We'll take it from there. We encourage multiple donations during Lent to help restock shelves in our community. Donations will be split among CCM and our Shop & Share food pantry.
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Providing Dinner at Night Shelter - Epworth has been assigned the week of Sunday, March 28 - Saturday, April 3 to provide evening meals to guests of the night shelter. This happens to be Holy Week and a wonderful opportunity to reach beyond ourselves. Contact Pastor Sonny or the church office if you're interested in volunteering.
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Available Dates for Night Shelter
Sun. March 28 DUH!SCIPLES
Mon. March 29 UMW . Women of Purpose
Tues. March 30
Wed. March 31
Thurs. April 1
Fri. April 2 Children & Family Ministries
Sat. April 3
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If there are hesitations about serving, it's perfectly fine to drop the food off. We just need to make sure all evenings are covered. Groups, families, friends .... any combination that ensures we feed our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
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In addition to the above outreach initiatives, we also want to encourage time set aside each day to practice a discipline that helps you focus on God. The three groups focusing on different disciplines are:
As these groups develop, we hope you'll use each other for resources, support and share your experiences along the way. New ideas and methods are always welcome!
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Moderated by Jen Hedrick
Our "40 Days" group is hopping (and hiking, and walking, and cycling) ... we're being intentional about moving our bodies and aligning our minds during Lent.
We have 42 members on our "40 Days" Facebook page and we'd love for you to check it out. This isn't an Iron Man competition or about who can do the most the fastest. It's a way to share our personal Lenten journey among friends.
Our Facebook link is below and I hope you'll check it out. If you're not on Facebook - let me know the best way to reach out to you and get you involved. Call/text me at 704.932.9328.
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By Linda Hunley
I'm not sure if it is age related, but I have developed a habit of looking down when I walk, lest I trip on uneven pavement or stumble on something. Recently, I caught a glimpse of my shadow and I was reminded of the bent over woman in Luke 13:10. I've never heard many sermons about her, but, strangely, I felt an affinity with her that day.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! She must have felt like a freshman wallflower who tried to fade into the woodwork when the senior captain of the football team asked her for the first dance at the prom! This woman in Luke was marginalized in more ways than one. She was a woman, she had no name, and she was a cripple. For eighteen years her view was only of the ground and people's feet. Those who bothered to notice her never looked at her face and probably stared with disdain as she crouched in the corner seeking anonymity.
Jesus' popularity was growing, so word had spread that he was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem and would be teaching in a synagogue along the way. Without any expectations, the bent over woman made her way to see this man and his miracles. Jesus was already teaching when she arrived and she tried to slip in unnoticed, but Jesus stopped in mid sentence and called her over. "Woman, you are set free of your ailment." He laid his hands on her. Just like that, without asking anything for herself, she was healed. Talk about a show stopper!!
Not unlike countless other times, the big cheese in the synagogue challenged Jesus for healing on the sabbath. Jesus countered with the ox in the ditch as usual, but this time Jesus explained by calling her "a daughter of Abraham." Hear that? She was given a name and the distinction of being the only person in the whole Bible who was ever called that: a daughter of Abraham. She was one of those stars in the night that God pointed out to Abraham when he spoke of his descendants. She was God's child, thus a part of the plan for the blessing of the world. That, alone, would have been enough, but the real beauty of the story is found in the amazing moment when she slowly straightened her long bent spine and, lifting her chin, gazed into the tender, loving face of Jesus.
"O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the savior and life
more abundant and free."
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SUNDAY . MARCH 28
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. It is the day we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to shouts of Hosanna!
"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:8-11)
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THURSDAY . APRIL 1
Maundy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus celebrating Passover with his disciples. This would become the Last Supper and the origin of communion for Christians. Jesus
washed his disciples feet and implored them to humble themselves. It was at the Passover feast he issued a new commandment ...
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).
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FRIDAY . APRIL 2
Good Friday is the day we recognize the crucifixion; the day Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Matthew 27:45-50)
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SUNDAY . APRIL 4
Three days have passed since Jesus died on the cross and was laid in a tomb. Easter is the day we celebrate his resurrection and victory over sin and death.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (Luke 24:1-9)
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The SMILE Project has been incredibly successful and continues to grow. Our card makers are from the Flock preschool, the Learning Center and one of our church families. We have 45 recipients on our list and are happy to take on more. Make-at-Home card kits have everything you need to make and mail cards. Kits will be available for pick up beginning Friday, March 12 throughout the week. You can also drop by on Sunday, March 14 between 9:30am-11:30am. Please use the link below to sign up for a kit and indicate the number of cards you'd like to make.
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March Messy Church asks "Who is Jesus?" We'll use our hands-on, messy activities to learn about Lent and who Jesus was. Here's a few hints about how you'll get messy - boats, beads, yeast and FIRE! (with adult supervision of course).
Our younger Messy Churchers will read a wonderful rhyming book titled "Who is Jesus?" by Kathleen Long Bostrom and have some activities tailored just for them.
To help us with our supply list, please sign up by Sunday, March 14. Messy Church in a Bag will be available for pick up on Friday, March 19. Bags can also be picked up Sunday, March 21 between 9:30am-11:30am.
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With fingers crossed, we have scheduled a week for day camp at Mount Shepherd - June 14-18. As long as everything is safe by June, we'll move forward with our planning. This week is for students K-6th grade (we've added 6th graders for those who missed out last summer). Day campers will meet at Epworth daily at 7am, head to Mount Shepherd on the church bus and return by 4pm each afternoon.
Cost is $150 for the week and includes all meals. Donations to cover fuel costs are much-appreciated.
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Plans for Camp Epworth 2021 are in the works! We will offer 9 weeks of day camp for pre-school aged children and 8 weeks of camp for elementary children. Download overview and registration forms below.
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We'll be hosting an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, April 3 from 11am-1pm. Easter Egg hunters will use clues to find lots of goody-filled eggs. This is a great event for families to experience together and leave with reminders of what Easter is all about. Sign up link is below. Let us know how many in your Egg Hunt Crew!
Donations of candy and trinkets are needed for our Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. We'll fill plastic eggs with things like candy, stickers, erasers, bracelets, etc. Oriental Trading and the Dollar Tree are great places for small, inexpensive favors. Financial support is also welcomed. Contact Teresa Gray for info!
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"The Sorrowful Way" - Good Friday Worship
We will be putting together a worship service that will be aired on Good Friday (April 2). Rather than livestreaming, we'll pre-record the segments. Be on the lookout for information coming about shooting schedules and content. Your ideas and input are always welcome.
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CAROLINA CROSS CONNECTION COASTAL HOME REPAIR (Manteo, NC)
SUN. JUNE 20 - SAT. JUNE 26
There are 2 spots open for Coastal. You can arm wrestle for it or send Jen a $100 deposit.
2021 BACKYARD MISSION CAMP
SUN. JULY 18 - FRI. JULY 23
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Special thanks to Scott Randolph for passing along a few stories about encounters he's had with folks who have stopped by Epworth's Shop & Share. We'll share them with you on a weekly basis.
For I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you
gave me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave me a room.
I had no clothes and you gave me clothes to wear.
I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you came to see me.’
- Matthew 25:35-36
Folks are always asking what they can get for the food shelves and I usually give a generic list but I got to realizing there are certain items I buy every week no matter if folks donate some of that item. My every week items are:
- Cereal at least 15 boxes (the healthy stuff does not go fast, sweet flies off the shelf. I try to mix it up with honey nut cheerios and crunchy honey oat along with fruit loops, cinnamon crunch like Cereal)
- Canned fruit at least 12 cans (fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges are favorites, I try to avoid the heavy suryp. this is actually one of the more expensive things in the pantry)
- Canned pasta 12+ cans of any variety. (this is one thing that folks donate but I still buy every week)
- Soup 12 cans of either tomato or chicken noodle (seems like I get one or the other every week) really any soup is great.
- Canned chili 6 with beans, 6 no beans
- Peanut butter 10 mostly creamy
- Jelly 6-10 grape
I get all these items at Aldi or Walmart brands for the best prices. Items I don't buy but that are extremely popular when I have them are:
- snacks of any kind
- cookies
- Pop Tarts
- pudding cups
- fruit cups
- chips
- snack bars
With a lot of food coming in for the Lent food drive these items will still be in demand after it is done.
Thanks to everyone for there support for both Shop & Share and Pack the Pew.
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 COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
FOOD PANTRY UPDATE
I’m looking out on a sunny day at our drive-through pantry for the first time in about a week! Praise the Lord! We also are praising the Lord for a marvelous response to the annual Scouting for Food drive earlier this month. I know many of your congregations sponsor Boy Scout troops. So far they have collected and brought in a record-smashing 14,000 lbs.! And it’s still coming in. Much of that already has been shared with our satellite pantries scattered around the county.
Our current big needs continue to be:
Our current big needs are:
- Cereal
- Peanut Butter
- Soup
- Canned carrots, peas, potatoes and mixed veggies
- Canned fruit
- Any dried beans
- Pasta Sauce
- Toilet Paper
As always, we especially seek low sodium items, no-added-sugar items, and whole grain items.
Right now, we have plenty of the following:
- Canned chicken and tuna
- Canned green beans and corn
- Canned Pinto Beans
- Spaghetti noodles
- Macaroni & Cheese
Thank you for the continued support from our church partners. Our Crisis Center at 246 Country Club Drive NE in Concord serves as the warehouse for most of the food.
- We will gladly accept all donations at that site from 10am - 1pm Monday through Friday.
- Bethel Baptist Helping Hands Food Pantry, located at 1209 1/4 Opal Street in Kannapolis, will gladly accept donations from 9 am to 1 pm on Monday and Thursday.
- The food pantry located at Westford UMC on Highway 49 and the Kannapolis Food Pantry at West Point Baptist Church can accept donations on Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
- The Feeding Our Souls Food Pantry at Bethel UMC in Midland, and North Kannapolis Baptist Church Food Pantry will accept donations by calling the church in advance.
- The pantry at New Life Baptist Church is temporarily closed.
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You can give to a specific ministry or direct your gifts to be
used where they are most-needed.
Set up automatic giving or opt for a one-time gift.
Thank you for your financial support of Epworth's ministries.
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Contact Sis Mills with your prayer requests and be sure to let her know how prayers have been answered along the way. Sis can be reached at epworthnurse@epworthnc.com
FOR OUR MILITARY MEMBERS:
Mary Elise Capron
Will Capron
Zachary Capron
Ben Carruth
Brandon Carson
Brandon Cook
Caleb Odom
Ryan Tennis
OUR BELOVED MEMBERS:
Prayers for health concerns
Joyce Baucom
Mike Bodenheimer
Judy Bonkowski
Tiffany Carter
Rose Emerson
Linda Widenhouse Fink
Nancy Fisher
Noah Goertzen
Carol Goodrich
Max Hedrick
Becky Holshouser
Hannah Hughes
Sarah Hughes
Georgianne Jenkins
Martha Kimes
Bob Lentz
Jake McClamrock
Debby Myers
Shirley Nichols
Ed Nimmo
Neva Jo Roberts
Elizabeth Schavillie
Charlie Sehorn
Joanne Shepherd
Betty Towell
Betty Wagner
John Watson
Carolyn Williams
OUR BELOVED MEMBERS:
Prayers for continued recovering
Wanda Bodenheimer
Peggy Caton
FOR OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES:
Prayers for health concerns
Parents .......................Rebekah Brooks (Flock Preschool teacher)
Jade & mother ..............Flock Preschool student / parent
Pam & Doug Adams ......... Daughter/son-in-law of Marylyn Smith
Rob & Mae Aldrons .......... Friends of Epworth Hot Dog Ministry
Ed Anderson ..................Cousin of Wayne Reid
Morris Anderson ............. Friend of Betsy Graham
Alex Barnhardt .............. Cousin of Wayne Reid
Jay Bethea ................... Friend of Sis Mills
Paula Beyer .................. Daughter of Ed & Bonnie Nimmo
Lisa Blackburn................Teacher at Flock Preschool
Wendy Blake .................Friend of Betsy Graham
Kenny & Douglas Buckwell ....Friends of Carol Blackwelder
Jo Anne Bullins .............. Mother of Patty Randolph
Gary Burris ....................Brother of Carolyn Williams
Cindi ............................Friend of Glenda Baker
Ricky Clatterbuck ............Friend of Tiffany Carter
Kyle Cooper ...................Husband of Carolyn Williams niece, Susan
Debby & Michelle Cox ....... Friends of Betty Wagner
Brenda Craven ................Friend of Jane Hinson
Elizabeth .......................Co-worker of Bob Carruth
Friend ...........................Kathy Taylor
Friend ...........................Connie Williams (Betty Wagner’s daughter)
Dave Goff ......................Father of son-in-law - Gaye Seifel
Karen Hopson ................. Niece of Betty Wagner
Chris Hopson .................. Great nephew of Betty Wagner
Dee Hutcherson ...............Friend of Nancy Fisher
Bill Jackson .................... Uncle of Kathy Taylor
Vicky Jackson.................. Aunt of Kathy Taylor (caretaker of Bill Jackson)
Ken & Holly .................... Friends of Karen Kaser-Odor
Charlotte Kiefer ...............Friend of Jane Hinson
Arden Lewis ................... Friend of Jenny Bodenheimer
Nancy Matthews .............. Husband Jake is employed by IKE'S Construction
Josh McGough .................Husband of grand-niece to Betty Wagner
Emily McGuire .................Cousin of Betsy Graham
Charlie Mullis ..................Brother of Carol Blackwelder
Shantelle Muntiah ............Great niece of Jean Lamb
MaryAnn Neilson ..............Former Epworth secretary
Mike Nimmo ....................Son of Ed and Bonnie Nimmo
Precious .......................Grand-daughter of Betsy Graham
Karen Rowland ................Friend of Betsy Graham
Precious .......................Grand-daughter of Betsy Graham
Edna Shefield ..................Friend of Jane Hinson
Sybil Nichols Sheltuk .........Sister-in-law of Shirley Nichols
Debbie Sides ..................Friend of Betsy Graham
Frances Steedley ..............Mother of Lydia Carruth
Darren Thompson..............Friend of Carol Blackwelder
Shirley Thompson .............Friend of Carol Blackwelder
Robby Tucker .................Brother of Rick Tucker
Sherry Turner...................Mother of Bethany Bostic
Wayne Wagoner ..............Friend of Betsy Graham
 Dear Members and Friends,
Thank all of you for the lovely peace lily for Fred’s service. It is a very large plant and we would like it to be placed in the church for all to enjoy it.
It needs a place where it can spread its leaves.
Thank you all for the prayers, cards and loving thoughts.
Sincerely,
Martha and family
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FOR THOSE ON THE FRONTLINES ...
OUR PRAYERS AND GRATITUDE
Ashley Bornstein MOA
Stephanie Canipe DNP
Jenna Carson MOA
Will Carter LINEMAN
Jessica Christy POLICE
Dr. Clifford Compton DENTIST
Teresa Compton DENTAL ASST.
Dr. Amanda Cook MD
Linda Cranford PHARM TECH
Karen Elledge RN
Jim Emerson EMS
Dr. Kayla Garcia MD
Dennis Gray SHERIFF DEPT
Dr. Tony Hinson MD
Tim Hoagland RN
Eli Kaser-Odor TREE LINEMAN
Rev. Karen Kaser-Odor HOSPICE CHAPLAIN
Carlos Kelly LINEMAN
Dr. Kristina Kelly MD
Dr. Patrick Kelly MD
Beth Lott RN
Rhonda Milward PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Joanne Neubauer RN
Robert Neubauer LPN
Rick Odor RN
Dr. Geoffrey Rackoff MD
Judy Talley NURSING HOME WORKER
Julie Tennis RN
Patrick Tennis HEART CATH TECH
Bruce Wall HOSPITAL IT SUPPORT
Sandra Wall RN
Angela Watson RN
Dr. James Wheless MD
Mail carriers and workers in transportation industry who deliver products to stock our stores.
Teachers, students, school administrators and parents.
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