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Volume 46, Issue 3
ContactMarch 2017
North Bethesda
United Methodist Church
Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras! A wild time of celebration before Lent! But this holiday has pagan roots, going back to the Roman Saturnalia (a time of feasting, partying, and
fertility rites) and pre-Roman/possibly Greek Lupercalia (a festival for purification and ridding the city of evil spirits, usually during February.) In the third century AD, Emperor Aurelius set December 25 as the winter solstice and the birthday of the Invincible Sun, a time of celebration
and merriment.
The early religious leaders, presumably to inspire converts, incorporated Christianity into the
pagan celebrations, from “Christ mass” to the time between Epiphany and Lent. From Rome, the celebrations spread over Europe and eventually into the New World. Pope Gregory XIII
created Mardi Gras as a holy day in 1582.
Mardi Gras arrived in the colonies on March 3, 1699, with the French explorer, Iberville, who landed in an area of Louisiana near the present day New Orleans. After
giving thanks to God, he and his men celebrated and named the area, Point du Mardi Gras. As the French settled the area, they celebrated the holiday with parades, parties,
and dinners.
When the Spanish defeated the French, Mardi Gras was abolished. When the Spanish, in turn, were defeated, the holiday returned. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal
holiday.
“Mardi Gras” or “Fat Tuesday” is said to derive from the ancient rite of leading a fat ox through the streets in preparation for a feast. Other sources cite that people used up their fatty foods
(eggs, meat, rich oils) before Lent and fasting arrive. The term “Shrove Tuesday” is from the three days preceding Lent when one confessed and was shriven of one’s sins. And “Carnival,”
otherwise known as that period between Epiphany and Lent, comes from the
medieval Latin, “carnelevarium,” meaning to “take away or remove meat.”
The king cake is originally from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of
Russia visited New Orleans. A special cake was made in his honor from brioche dough with cinnamon and then braided. Gold,
purple, and green sugars are glazed over the
top.
The Grand Duke also picked the colors of Mardi Gras: purple
for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. He would give the beads to people who represented those particular
character traits.
Come celebrate Mardi Gras with beads and pancakes! Come perform or listen to others share their talents! Shrove
Tuesday, February 28, Johnson Hall, 6 PM!!
Valerie Blane
Page 2 March2017 Contact
North Bethesda United Methodist Church
10100 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda MD 20814
Phone: (301) 530–4342
E–mail: [email protected]
Website: www.NorthBethesdaUMC.org
Office Manager: Chris Lee
Office Hours: Tuesday -Thursday 8:30AM– 3:00PM
Pastor: Pastor Jeff Jones cell: (240) 994-1505
Minister of Visitation: Linda Thompson
Music Director: Tony Ashur
Coordinator of Education: Vicki Morrison
Contact Newsletter Editor: Valerie Blane
Contact Newsletter Publisher: Chris Lee
2 Karen Nogues
5 Marvin Burt
13 Michael Donigian
15 Dominique Kaul
15 Linda Thompson
15 Allison Ghaman
15 Diane Tabatabai
20 Kwame Amoa-Awua
28 Susan Silk
28 Dinah Taylor
29 A.J. Ow
30 John Michael Replogle
31 Jennifer Fellows
If you have additions or corrections you can
contact Diane Tabatabai at 301-983-6878
Brief Editorial: Black History Month
It is good to celebrate Black History Month, to acknowledge the many
ways in which Black people have contributed to, influenced,
challenged, and improved the medical, educational, scientific,
mathematical, technological, musical, architectural, fashion, and more,
life of this country. It would be even better to show tangible proof to
the community that this church supports racial equality. I suggest a
large sign stating that Black Lives Matter, not just for a month, but for
every day, of every month, of every year.
Valerie Blane
Volume 46, Issue 3 Page 3
Preacher Feature
I think I like the Lenten season because it includes the idea of growth
and blooming, becoming more fully developed as a follower of Jesus Christ. I like the idea of getting better at what I do. I hope you like the
idea of getting better in your spiritual life. More love, more spirit within you, more
confidence for your prayer life: these are the elements we can develop, work on, reflect, and experience in a typical Lenten Season.
Our Scripture lessons through March look at Jesus through Luke’s Gospel. Luke was
a doctor, a physician born and raised a Gentile. St. Paul converted him in one of his missionary journeys. Luke became a helper to St. Paul and traveled with him. Luke
met all of the original disciples, and he heard the stories from Mary and Jesus’ brothers. He was an inquisitive soul, who investigated the story before presenting it
in a Gospel form. This makes him a perfect presenter to our 21st century minds.
Some historians doubted some of Luke’s references at first, but every single town, governor, or other historical figure Luke mentions has been found in archaeology.
This means we can look more closely at the story and learn more about Jesus because Luke was so thorough.
Let me recommend some reading or research sources for you in your Lenten
Journey. Try loading the App, “You Version,” into your iPad or phone. The Bible resources there are first rate, phenomenal. Another reading plan could be the Bible
Project, “theBibleProject.com”. It has a reading plan with many short videos to explain what you’ve been reading based on a section of the Bible or on a theme you
might want to explore. It, too, has an app version you can down load.
Blessings on your Spiritual Journey.
Pastor Jeff
Lenten Study This year, we are using Rev. Adam Hamilton’s devotional
book The Way for our Lenten Study. We did use it three years ago, but we are bringing it back by popular
demand.
The Way: Walking in the footsteps of Jesus is a chance to travel with Jesus through his ministry. We will have a
video introduction that will provide archaeological data and historic information along with stories of faith, as told
by one of United Methodist’s most famous pastors.
The OAKS will follow the study on Wednesday mornings. You can also join a group on Thursday nights at 7 pm to reflect on your own growing faith under the
influence of Jesus and his ministry. Please indicate your interest in the bulletin, so we can have copies of the book for you.
Pastor Jeff
Page 4 March2017 Contact
The Lenten season begins on March 1 this year. It moves around to match
the first full moon of spring. We begin with an Ash Wednesday remembrance service of the forgiveness of God, symbolized by the
imposition of ashes, an ancient sign of sorrow for our misdeeds and our humility before God, as we receive God’s grace. There will be a noontime
service and an evening service for Ash Wednesday at 7 pm.
3/1 Luke 9:51-62 Jesus moves toward Jerusalem. Ashes from the
previous Palm Sunday.
3/5 Lent 1 Luke 10: 25-42 The Good Samaritan How we treat people in need
Service with Holy Communion
3/12 Lent 2 Luke 13: 1-9, 31-35 Lament over Jerusalem When what
we hoped has not occurred
3/19 Lent 3 Luke 15: 1-32 The Lost Sheep, Coin & Son God wants the lost to be found
3/26 Lent 4 Luke 16: 19-31 The Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus Ignoring those in need
4/2 Lent 5 Luke 18:31- 19:10 Zacchaeus,
First Person Character An encounter can change anything Service with Holy
Communion
Don’t forget Wednesday nights AWE service at
7 pm in Benedict Parlor. It’s informal, participatory, prayer-oriented, providing
another look at what God is doing in our church. If you are busy on Sunday, away for
the weekend, or just need a touch of God in your hectic week, join us for this most
refreshing hour of the week.
Pastor Jeff
The Lectionary March 5th
Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Ps. 32 or UMH 766
Rom. 5:12-19
Matt. 4:1-11
March 12th
Gen. 12:1-4a
Ps. 121 or UMH 844
Rom. 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17 or Matt. 17:1-9
March 19th
Exod. 17:1-7
Ps. 95 or UMH 814
Rom. 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
March 26th
1 Sam. 16:1-13
Ps. 23 or UMH 754 or UMH 137
Eph. 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
Worship Themes
Volume 46, Issue 3 Page 5
When in our Music God is Glorified Our Methodist heritage is based on a great singing history. Martin Luther began the reformation with the power of music that could reach new generations. Chuck Smith in California in the late 60s knew the power of music to reach a new generation. Listening to our new organ being
tuned and connected to our speakers and our specific space can be very inspiring.
This leads me to share the ins and outs of the hymns we sing on Sunday. Charles Wesley knew that the best way to teach the scriptures was to find a way to connect it to the hymns the early
members sang. I took a course on Wesley’s hymn writing in seminary and was in awe of how every verse connected to a passage of scripture to nurture our faith. And that’s the reason we
sing the hymns we do. Hymns are a part of the message we are trying to get across and need to relate as closely as possible to the theme of the day. Dr. Don Saliers, my worship professor,
wrote about the importance of using the hymns as a part of the message in his text books.
I will keep the right to choose the hymns because they are an echo or restatement of the message. I look over dozens of hymns trying to find the right ones to sing. They are chosen for a very specific purpose. I wish that every hymn fit as a favorite, but that isn’t the point. As the
psalm indicates, they who sing, pray twice. Singing is that important. The Bible, which is our guide for our life as a community of faith, has 133 verses that proclaim we should sing a new
song. God intends that we stretch our faith experience with new music. If the hymn is unfamiliar to you, it’s a way for you to say we are doing what God asks of us, learning a new
song for the Lord.
Most hymns have been written by men. To provide balance to the male hymn writers, I try to choose a female writer as often as possible because I believe we can learn just as much, if not
more about God from female authors. Carolyn W. Gillette has been blessed with a gift of hymn writing. She purposefully writes hymns related to scriptures that don’t have much of a hymn selection behind it. She is an ordained pastor and knows congregations need a familiar tune to
go with the new words, so she, just like Charles Wesley, uses tunes we already know. Some feel I chose her music too often, and that’s because the scriptures the lectionary uses don’t
have that many songs written about them.
We can find dozens of hymns for Christmas and several for Jesus on the cross. There are many hymns written to encourage people to come forward to make a commitment to Christ from the
revival period. But we don’t talk every week about trying to turn from bad and seek the good by giving your life to Christ. We are working at developing our life of faith beyond the first
steps. That takes hymns that invite us to grow spiritually.
Many of our hymns use words that are no longer used in anyone’s vocabulary. Choosing more recent hymns is likely to connect with current thought and language. Even Dr. Larry Stookey, whom many of you knew, had to upgrade hymns to have them make more sense in changing
times like ours.
Hymns play an important part of our worship. They are sources for our theology, for our practice of the faith, and for challenging us to expand our reflection on the world. The act of
singing provides a way for us to draw closer together and to do the work of worship, a service
to God, for God is the audience for our efforts when we gather in God’s house.
Our congregation is blessed with fives. We have five generations, we have at least five cultures.
We have five economic levels. There are several ways of learning, aural, visual, experiential, kinetic, left brain, right brain, etc. All of us relate to music and hymns differently. There isn’t a
perfectly happy medium. We can agree that as we are challenged with new songs, we will let
their value expand our faith and learn to connect to others and be a blessing in disguise.
Pastor Jeff
Page 6 March2017 Contact
Gratitude All Year Long The Lenten season is a time when people of faith reflect on their progress as a follower
of Jesus Christ. Lent, like spring training in baseball, can get us back in shape, ready to develop and share the Kingdom of God or the way God would like our world to go.
A part of that evaluation, preparation, and renewal includes a step of faith in the
financial support of the church and its work. Lent and alms giving have been closely
tied for nearly two thousand years. Giving supports the service to those who are less fortunate and makes the work and provision for a place to grow in faith possible.
At North Bethesda, we appreciate your support. But we want to grow and improve and
reach out to others with the blessings, hope, and transforming power of God’s love. Unfortunately, all of the resources we use cost more than they did before. Insurance
costs go up. Improving our resources, such as the new carpet, fresh paint, new organ,
goes up, too. You may not have been able to contribute to the organ fund, but you can contribute to the keeping of it by supporting the ministry of the church.
We face the same costs you do at your home or apartment, including fuel prices and
other services. We, too, face those challenges. Your giving even a few dollars more a week will make a great difference for us all.
We have arranged with Amazon.com to receive a donation from every purchase if you sign in to smile.amazon.com and register North Bethesda United Methodist Church as
the charity you support. Log in with smile.amazon.com before each purchase, and
Amazon will send us a check. Thank you.
Pastor Jeff
Books to Look At
Lee Stroble’s, A Case for Christ, is a terrific book to review the historic
authenticity of Jesus and will soon be a motion picture for release later
this year.
Read The Shack, by William Paul Young. This is a New York Times bestseller from a couple of years ago. It comes out as a major motion
picture this spring. We will have a chance to go see it and form a discussion group about the movie, because it has some fantastic
theological dimensions to explore and to challenge and deepen our faith.
Bad Habits of Jesus, by Len Sweet, talks about Jesus’ going
outside the lines and getting under the skin of the Pharisees.
It’s a great way to rediscover Jesus and what he was really like, especially needed for a fresh perspective on following him.
Chase The Lion, by Mark Batterson, a Washington DC pastor. This will push you to think about a deeper faith.
Pastor Jeff
Volume 46, Issue 3 Page 7
We anticipate that our church building will be closed on March 3, 2017, for pre-construction activities to include testing and sampling in preparation for
the upcoming fire alarm project.
ABSOLUTELY NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUILDING
ON FRIDAY,MARCH 3, 2017, AND POSSIBLY MARCH 4, 2017. We will keep you informed of any changes in this schedule as time grows closer.
Thank you from
Your NBUMC Trustee Committee
Our New Organ!!!
...arrived on Wednesday,February 8, 2017. Jack Enders, Raj Ghaman,Pastor Jeff, and
others welcomed it to its new berth! YAY!!!
Page 8 March2017 Contact
The Annual Spring Rummage Sale is rapidly approaching! As you start your
spring cleaning, please remember to save items for this major NBUMC Missions fund-raiser. We welcome donations (clean and in good working
order, please) of furniture, household items, books, DVDs, clothing (new or gently used), toys, collectibles, jewelry, dishes, artwork, tools, electronics, but
please, NO computers, printers, monitors, TVs or phones, and also NO beds, mattresses, curtains, curtain rods, baby car seats or prams.
Remember, through your donations you:
raise money for local, national, and global charities
provide help to many in our community who desperately need good items
and clothing at prices they can afford
clear your attic and basement of unneeded clutter, and you can get a tax
deduction
100% of proceeds will benefit NBUMC Missions.
Gordon Cragg
Spring Rummage Sale!!
June 3, 8am – 2pm
Sign Language Corner: Refugee Signs Valerie Blane
Sanctuary: “holy” “place:” Left B,
palm up. Right H hand slides off from heel to finger tips. Both hands
P, palm in, touch middle fingers, inscribe half a circle coming inward,
touching middle finger tips again.
Shelter/hide: Right A hand, thumb at
lips, hides under left bent B hand.
Refugee: S hands crossed in front of chest,
move slightly out. Change to B hands, pinky down, facing each other, drop down, as if
inscribing a person.
Volume 46, Issue 3 Page 9
Help spread the word:
Let’s invite the community to join us!
Copy the message below and send it to your neighborhood and club listservs – everyone you know. Once more we’ll be blessed with the Glory of Music at NBUMC,
and it’s a beautiful way to reach out to neighbors and friends.
World Premiere Concert: Anam Cara, Music of Ireland
Tony Ashur, M.P., M.M., traveled to Ireland in 2016 to fulfill
a dream, studying the sacred and secular music of this
beautiful country. He will be presenting his original
arrangements, to be published as a CD called Anam Cara
(“Soul Friend”), in a community concert on Sunday, March
12, at 2pm. We’ll hear Londonderry Air, Arran Boat Song,
The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby, The Parting Glass, Danny Boy,
and Down by the Salley Gardens, among others. Free-will
offering, reception, and CD sales after the concert. North Bethesda United Methodist
Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 530-4342.
Dayna Fellows
The Glory of
Music
at NBUMC
Page 10 March2017 Contact
The Story Behind “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”
This hymn has a fine pedigree. Its words are from a long medieval poem in Latin,
attributed to either Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 20 August 1153) or Arnulf of Leuven (1200 – 1250), and its music is from Hans Hassler. Bernard founded the Cistercians
and Trappist monks, dotting 163 monasteries over Europe. Pope Alexander III canonized him in 1174. Dante also made Bernard his last guide in his Divine Comedy.
Arnulf has the better claim. He did write a poetic cycle called “Membra Jesu Nostri”
also known as “Salve Mundi Salutare,” which were seven poems, each of which was devoted to a wound on Christ’s feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and face.
Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) translated the poem into German. It was translated several times into English, the best known by James Waddel Alexander (1804-1859.)
His began, “O sacred head, now wounded.” The Methodist Church uses this version. In 1899, Robert Bridges created another translation into English, which is used by the
Church of England.
The prolific German composer, Hans Hassler, wrote the music for a love song, “Mein G’mut ist mir verwirret in 1600. Johann Cruger took the music and applied it to
Gerhardt’s translation. Johann Sebastian Bach arranged it for chorus in the “St. Matthew Passion.” It is also used for Paul Simon’s “American Tune” and for Peter,
Paul, and Mary’s “Because All Men are Brothers.”
Hassler studied with his father, a famous organist. He learned polychoral style while
studying in Italy. In addition, he was an organist and a consultant to organ builders. He was often asked to examine new instruments. He developed a clockwork organ
which was eventually sold to Emperor Rudolf II.
Although he was a Protestant, Hassler’s compositions reflect both Protestant and Catholic styles of the times, including many masses.
In summary, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” is a fulfillment of a poet’s love for God and several musicians’ desire to perfect a beautiful hymn. I urge you to google these
incredible, inspiring people.
Valerie Blane
