| |  | | |  | | | On April 8 we witnessed a total eclipse of the sun, reminding us we are all part of something much larger than ourselves. On April 22 we will observe Earth Day, reminding us to care for our God given home. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9 AM for worship, as we celebrate God’s love and creation.
Sunday, April 14 “Agape Love” 1 John 4:7-21 In Christianity, the word “agape” describes the highest form of love, charity, and the love of God by humans and of humans by God.
Sunday, April 21 “A Special Responsibility” Genesis 1:28-31, Genesis 9:8-17 Though we are but one part of a vast creation, humanity has been given a special responsibility by God. As those created in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth that, in turns, sustains us.
Sunday, April 28 “Facing Creation’s Brokenness” Romans 8:19-25 Humanity’s sin and brokenness has had devastating effects on the world for which we are called to care. As earth’s stewards, living into our resurrection hope involves reckoning with our failures and working for the freedom of all creation – human and nonhuman alike.
Sunday, May 5 “A New Creation” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Through Jesus, God makes us a new creation – but not just us! God makes everything new and entrusts us to take action that it might be so.
Be a Blessing, Pastor Scott | | Watch Worship Online
We realize there are times people are unable to join us on Sunday mornings due to health, transportation, or work-related situations. For these people, we are now recording our worship services and posting the videos on YouTube. Each Sunday, the recording of the 9 AM worship service will be available for viewing anytime after 10:30 AM.
You may use the below link to view the worship service videos on YouTube. Once on the DeBows UMC YouTube channel, please subscribe, so you will receive future notifications when new live events or other videos are posted on the channel. Please remember to bookmark this link in your web browser. |  | | Calendar | Sunday, April 14 9 AM Worship Service
Tuesday, April 16 Band Practice - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, April 17 Think Energy Presentation 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 21 9 AM Worship Service
Monday, April 22 Earth Day (see article) Food Pantry Open - 6 PM --- By Appointment Only --- Call 848-373-8844
Tuesday, April 23 Band Practice - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, April 24 Next Newsletter Published
Sunday, April 28 Revival Sunday 9 AM Worship Service
Tuesday, April 30 Band Practice - 6:30 PM
Thursday, May 2 National Day of Prayer
Saturday, May 4 Church Flea Market (See article in this newsletter)
Sunday, May 5 Communion 9 AM Worship Service
NOTE: Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information. | | Fellowship Time | Next Fellowship Time Sunday, April 14
On the second Sunday of each month, we have Fellowship Time immediately after the 9 AM Worship Service. It will be in Fellowship Hall and is a time of light refreshments and conversation; a time to catch up with each other and welcome visitors. Please join us!
Fellowship Time is volunteer driven. There is a sign-up sheet outside of Fellowship Hall. Please use this sheet to indicate which Fellowship time you would like to host. Instructions are found on the sign-up sheet. "Thank You" to those who have already volunteered. The next date that needs a volunteer host is May 12. | |  | On April 22 we will observe Earth Day, reminding us to care for God’s creation and our home. Click HERE for more information and to view a video created by United Methodist Communications": 10 ways to take care of God's creation. | | Think Energy Informational Meeting | SAVE ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL!
DeBows will host a informational meeting presented by Think Energy on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will explain how you can save on your electric bill by leveraging NJ state sponsored solar farms. There is no cost to you, and you do not need to install solar panels on your property. It involves simply selecting a different energy provider. JCP&L or PSE&G will still manage and maintain the infrastructure.
This meeting will take place in Fellowship Hall and light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there to learn about a easy way to reduce your electric bill.
IMPORTANT: For planning purposes, please RSVP to Sue if you plan to attend. 609-603-4306 or sueh7773@outlook.com. | | Worship Through Giving | We are thankful for your faithful support. Your generous giving has been vital in maintaining our ability to cover expenses and share God’s love via our church ministries. You may continue giving in-person during the Sunday morning worship service, 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. If so inspired, you may make an online donation now by clicking HERE. | | Prayer Ministry | Please keep the following people in your prayers ...
The Family of Rudolph (Rudy) Iannacone - Rudy, age 87, passed away on Monday, April 1. Please keep his wife, Jean, and the entire family in your prayers during this difficult time. Bob Raymond (Guy’s cousin) and his wife Sharon, who has cancer. Prayers for Sharon and Bob as care giver. Continued prayer for home-bound church members: Jean Iannacone; Dottie Weeks
| NOTE: Please let Pastor Scott know of any additions, removals, or status updates to this prayer list. Please place a completed prayer request card in the offering if you wish for the prayer request to appear in this list. Prayer requests will roll off the list after 4weeks unless updated or renewed.
| Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is a year-round mission activity. Shawls are made by members & friends of our congregation. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is only made possible due to their talent and concern for others and the sharing of their gifts is a true blessing to our church.
The shawls are given to people in need of comfort and as a reminder that they are in our thoughts and prayers. The person receiving a shawl does not have to be a member of our church. We share our shawls just as we share our prayers.
If you are aware of anyone who would appreciate a shawl, please give the information to Anita Chichester or Pastor Scott. Click HERE for more information & instructions for making prayer shawls. | | Food Pantry Ministry | Next distribution is April 22
The DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2nd & 4th Monday each month, 6-8pm. DeBows uses an "Appointment Only" system to distribute the food. To make an appointment, call 848-373-8844.
Please note: participants need to call for an appointment by 5pm on the Saturday prior to the scheduled food pantry day. This gives the Food Pantry volunteers time to prepare the food for distribution. "Thank You" for your cooperation.
NOTE: The Food Pantry Ministry is growing and now is serving about 40 families (116 people) every two weeks. As the community need increases, so does the need for helping hands. Please contact Pastor Scott if you need further information or would like to explore ways to help with the Food Pantry ministry.
| | Music Ministry | DeBows is blessed with talented people who love to praise God and newcomers are always welcome to join our music ministry. Please contact Grayce by email at music@debowsumc.org for any questions or to discuss opportunities to participate in our music ministry.
Chime Choir Rehearses Sunday morning 8:30 to 8:45 AM and rings the introit to worship on Sunday morning, except on Revival Sunday. New members are always welcome. Ability to sight read music and prior experience not necessary. Ability to be present and have fun very important!
Praise Band Rehearses Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM and plays a five-song set once a month for Revival Sunday, usually the last Sunday of the month. Check email and church calendar for exceptions. All instruments welcome. | *** More information about the DeBows music ministry can be viewed HERE. Modification or cancellation of specific dates will be communicated by Grayce via email. Please check email for any cancellations before coming out. | | DeBows in Mission | For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in. – Matthew 25:35
This passage from Matthew reflects DeBows commitment to extend God’s love beyond our own sanctuary and to meet the needs of our neighbors. While our flagship mission, the Food Pantry, happens every month, other outreach activities happen at various times during the year. Below is a list of proposed mission activities for 2024.
NOTE: Future newsletters will contain more detailed information about each activity as we get closer to their respective dates.
*** “Thank You” to the people who made donations in support of UMCOR.
>>> April
Special recognition of our shawl makers that support our Prayer Shawl Ministry. See more details above as part of the Prayer Ministry information.
>>> May The Maker’s Place in Trenton is a faith-based nonprofit organization. They are sponsored by United Methodists of Greater New Jersey, and are members of the National Diaper Bank Network. They need diapers, any size, any kind, along with wipes. This is a most deserving organization, and like the food pantry ministry has continuous need. We can collect diapers for them year-round. You may leave your donations on the table outside of Fellowship Hall.
>>> June & July
Hurricane season will be starting and we will collect items needed to build Hygiene Kits for UMCOR. The kits will be sent to UMCOR for distribution to those most in need. You can get a head start by viewing more about the the hygiene kit program and the items needed by clicking here. You can watch for sales between now and June and drop items off in the box located outside of Fellowship Hall.
>>> August
Back-to-School —- In preparation for the start of school in September, we will collect school supplies to share with children in our area.
>>> September
We will focus again on support of our Food Pantry ministry.
Many of the food items distributed are obtained through our affiliation with the Fulfill Foods Bank program. However, some items we could use from other sources include peanut butter, pasta, beans (not green beans), canned goods, and brownie & cake mixes. If you would like to donate any of these items, please bring them to the church and place them on the table outside of Fellowship Hall. Please check the expiration dates on anything you donate, as we cannot distribute expired food items.
>>> October & November
Going into the holiday season, we will organize support for 4 mission activities:
Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes – due mid-November Special Food Pantry Distribution of Thanksgiving meals Collecting gifts for Trenton Children's Home Society – due the1st week of December (New for 2024) EPA’s Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Team will be seeking unused and unsigned Christmas cards to be donated to people who are incarcerated so that they can send cards to their loved ones. Rev. Marilyn Schneider, team coordinator, says they have received requests for 4,900 cards to support two or three facilities. There will be more information later in the year, but you could look for half-price cards to donate now.
>>> December
Deliver collected gifts to the Children's Home Society Focus on the Season of Advent, culminating with our Christ Child Gift offering at Christmas
As always, your faithful support of our church ministries is greatly appreciated. —- THANK YOU
| | Bible Study at DeBows | Every Tuesday 10:30 - Noon in Fellowship Hall
The study group is taking a short break. The start date for the next bible study will be announced soon.
The next bible study will be “The Bait of Satan”, based on the book by John Bevere. Books are available at Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, and Ebay.
For more information, contact:
Anita at 848-373-9304 or
Christine at 609-847-6421
Everyone is welcome to attend. Please note this is an "in person only" bible study. We look forward to gathering for study & fellowship and hope to see you there. | | Church Flea Market |  | DeBows will host a Flea Market on Saturday, Saturday, May 4 from 8 AM to 2 PM. Table space (no table) for vendors is $15. Please contact Sue Hayward to reserve a space or for more information.
Volunteers will be needed for setup (beginning at 7am) and breakdown at 2pm. Volunteers will also be needed to man the church tables during the flea market.
Please contact Sue if you are available to help.
NOTE: Rain date is May 18.
| | Connect & Stay Informed | 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 www.debowsumc.org.
If you are reading this newsletter from the church website, and would like to receive it directly in your email, we encourage you to subscribe now. Just visit the church website and use the subscription form in the bottom right-hand corner of the homepage.
Along with receiving the normal newsletter, special emails will be sent out once in a while for prayer requests, event cancellations, or other time-sensitive news. All church communication emails are based on the newsletter subscription list.
As always, your feed back to our newsletter is welcome and appreciated. You may reply to the newsletter email or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website to provide your input.
The next newsletter will be published on
Wednesday, April 24 | | Rev. Scott Clifton, Pastor
pastor@debowsumc.org
or 732-928-4475 | If you need to speak to Pastor Scott, please contact him directly using the above information. You may connect with DeBows using the following social links. | | | | |
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