“If the dead don’t stay dead,
what can you count on?”
That’s really the question of Easter.

• Isaiah 65:17-25
• Luke 24:1-12

For more information, contact Pastor Alisa (pastor@chumc.net or 202-546-1000).

16 min

"Break the Yoke of Being Busy"

 Sermon from the 5th Sunday of Lent

This week, we focus on Isaiah 58:13-14. So much of our lives are defined by productivity. How often do we rush from one thing to another, finding less and less serenity as we progress? Saint Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee [God].” How can we consciously and continually find rest in God? Let us spend time pondering a few examples found in Scripture that provide guidance for discovering and embracing peace in our fast-paced world and freeing ourselves and others from the ultimately oppressive nature of limitless work.

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

Isaiah 58:13-14

13 If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; 14 then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (NRSV)

John 12:1-8

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." (NRSV)

Attention All Parents!

Needing some
alone time?

Needing some
couple time?

Needing to run some errands
without your little ones?

Wanting your kids to have fun with
other kids and adults?

Parent's Night Out is for YOU!

• Saturday, March 16, 2013
• 4:00-7:30pm
• Drop-off & Pick-up at CHUMC

Drop-off and pick-up is flexible within the time-frame. Children of all ages are welcome, and we will be excited to have the older kids come to help us adults play with the younger ones.

Please, RSVP (so we have enough care givers) to Ali DeLeo (alideleo@gmail.com or 202-744-6440). 

Day 29 of the Lenten EcoFast Calendar says:

"Watch a movie, film or documentary about faithful environmentalism and /or energy & climate change."

HERE'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY
TO DO JUST THAT!

Join TNT (Twenties 'n' Thirties group) and the EcoGreen Team joint outing to see Old Man and the Mooseas a part of the DC Environmental Film Festival:

• Sunday, March 17, 2013
• 5:30pm
• Carnegie Institute for Science
  1530 P St NW (near Dupont Circle) - click HERE for map
• Admission is FREE, and we will meet in front of the building.

This documentary follows an Estonian man who for 30 years has been studying moose and speaking their "language."  Learn more HERE!

Please RSVP to Liz Schmitt at Lizschmitt07@gmail.com or 607-738-9707.

19 min

"Break the Yoke of Being Right"

 Sermon from the 4th Sunday of Lent

This week, we feast on the imagery found in Isaiah 58:10-12.  The passage uses several vivid metaphors and similes to evoke a more rich and emotional understanding of the power that reconciliation has in the world.  The enduring promises of God and the life, death and resurrection of Christ are the greatest examples of this grace.  As you read this week, consider how grace and forgiveness might create a space for peace and serenity for you, our community, and our world.  

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

Isaiah 58:10-12

10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. 12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.  (NRSV)

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable:

11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.17 But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31 Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.' " (NRSV)

Did you know CHUMC is now accepting the following items for recycling?

• Cell / Smart Phones (working or not)
• Laptop Computers (working or not)
• Tablets (working or not)
• iPods (working or not)
• Digital Cameras & SLR Lenses (working or not)
• Ink Jet & Toner Cartridges

Just drop these items in the plastic box with the green lid across from the CHUMC Office (next to the blue recycle can) on Sunday mornings!  We will then "sell" them to support the various ministries at CHUMC while also helping the environment!

For more info about recycling and other EcoGreen Ministries at CHUMC, contact Liz Schmitt (lizschmitt07@gmail.com).

by Carol Anderson (Originally printed in the March 2013 edition of the Hill Rag)

What if these perks were brought to your workplace? Foot-stompin’ music. Your name in song. Handmade valentines. Mouth-watering food. Gag toys for a laugh. Prayers for your well being. And a HUGE thank you from the community.

Such are the gifts Capitol Hill police officers receive at the Annual Police Valentine Tribute. Organized each year by area United Methodist churches, the tribute has one simple goal: to thank neighborhood police for their dedicated service. And it succeeds. Now in it’s 14th year, the tribute is a favorite – and highly anticipated – tradition of the officers at the 5th and E St. stationhouse.

Church members from the Ebenezer Circuit – Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Ebenezer UMC, and Mt. Vernon UMC – arrived on a damp February Monday night to delight officers at the First District Sub-Station with valentines made by kids, massive platters of food, and songs to honor and inspire them. Quickly filling 1D1’s modest breakroom, the church folk broke into a group chant – “The Roll Call Cheer” – that applauded officers by name. Each name elicited hoots and howls from fellow officers.

“This faith community’s show of support each year for the First District’s team of officers truly inspires these men and women,” said Assistant Chief of Police Diane Groomes. “It touches all of our hearts to be appreciated in this way – and long after Valentine’s Day.” Groomes was joined by First District Commander Daniel Hickson and 1D1 station chief, Inspector Mario Patrizio. Standing in for Councilmember Tommy Wells was his chief of staff, Charles Allen.

Listening intently, front-line officers strained to hear their names in the group song, a highlight of the event. “Shields for the City” was the title of this year’s song, which was sung to the tune of “Eye of the Tiger” from the movie “Rocky.” A pulsating instrumental version backed up the throng of singers, and the audience of officers swayed and rocked to the beat. “Hey, that’s you!” exclaimed one officer upon hearing a fellow officer’s name in the lyrics.

An especially moving musical tribute was performed by the father-and-daughter team of Philip and Sophie Bender. “We’re glad for the opportunity to join our Capitol Hill UMC friends in showing gratitude to these hard-working men and women,” said Phil Bender. Six-year old Sophie played the violin while her father, a widely admired professional tenor, sang “Amazing Grace” and “Gospel Plow.” The ovation was robust. “I’ve been playing violin since I was four,” said the coolly nonchalant younger Bender.

Parents and kids from the TGIF after-school tutoring program also attended. Each year their executive director, Joanne Buford, makes homemade soup for the officers, and the kids deliver a special artistic creation that they’ve spent weeks creating. Likewise, Capitol Hill UMC’s Sunday School kids made a three-foot giant valentine as their “thank you” to the officers. “The soup, like the songs, are not optional,” says Lt. Diane Durbin. “Don’t come without the soup, and don’t come without the songs.”

Ashley Harris, who at 11 has attended these tributes since a toddler, gave each officer a stars-and-stripes pleated fan and set out plush bears holding valentines. Classmates Savanna Kelly-Scott and Quinn Stroud danced and gyrated to the songs and paid no heed when the music stopped.

The evening concluded with a “heartfelt” thanks for the police’s tireless service to citizens on the Hill and throughout the city, a wish for their continued safety, and a prayer that they would return to the streets knowing they have the grateful support of the communities they serve.

11 min

Sermon from the 3rd Sunday of Lent
by Dr. James C. Howell

This sermon is inspired by the following Scripture passages:

Isaiah 58:9

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am, if you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil. (NRSV)

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (NRSV)

We were pleased to welcome into the pulpit Dr. James Howell, a friend and mentor to Pastor Alisa, on Sunday March 3, 2013.  Not only did he preach, but he also baptized Chris and Alisa's youngest son, Andrew!

Dr. Howell has been Senior Pastor of the 4,000 member Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC since 2003, and he is a preaching professor at Duke Divinity School where he also received his M. Div and PhD in Old Testament.  Also a graduate of the University of South Carolina's Department of Religious Studies, he has written several books.  Pastor Alisa's personal favorite is The Beatitudes for Today.

Howell says, "I love to preach and try to think a lot about the intersection between God's story and what's going on in the lives of people and our community and world."

Passover is the eight-day Jewish religious festival that celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It is one of three pilgrim festivals in which Jews historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple of Jerusalem, as Jesus did when he entered Jerusalem on what Christians now call Palm Sunday. During Jesus’ final Passover festival, he shared the Seder with his disciples in the Upper Room. Christians now call that meal the "Last Supper.” 

Want to participate in a Seder and learn more about this important Jewish festival
and its significant influence on Christianity?

Come celebrate with other CHUMCers, eat new foods, and hear new prayers:

• Saturday, March 9, 2013
• 4:00pm
• In the Parlor
• This is open to ALL - to the youngest and oldest among us, but childcare is available if you prefer.

We will enjoy a traditional Seder meal together with Jared Gross of the CHUMC family leading us in the prayers and the symbolism of Passover.  All are welcome, so invite a friend!

Want to provide part of the meal? 
Contact Melanie (see below for contact info)!

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Melanie Lang at 410-913-8697 or email melanie361@hotmail.com.

Join us for our annual Easter Party with many formerly homeless families of Capitol Hill Group Ministry:

• Monday, March 18, 2013
• From 6:00- 7:30pm
• In the Fellowship Hall.

This is a fabulous opportunity for fellowship, fun, and service.  This year we have three ways to participate:

• Join the Pre-Party: Sunday, March 17th at 4pm, we will gather to assemble Easter Baskets, decorate the Fellowship Hall, hard boil eggs, bake cupcakes, and prepare food. Dinner will be provided.

• Help at the Easter Party: Assist at an activity station dyeing eggs, decorating cupcakes, or doing crafts. Help set-up/breakdown or simply join our families for dinner and a good time as the Easter Bunny makes an appearance to hand out baskets.

• Sponsor a Basket: Donate an Easter basket to a CHGM child who might not otherwise receive one. If you’d like to sponsor a basket for $20, please designate “CHGM Easter Basket” on your check, and place it in the offering plate. We have a goal to provide 36 baskets this year!

Simply contact Melanie Lang at 410-913-8697 or melanie361@hotmail.com with questions or to volunteer.