August 2007

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

7:00 PM

in the Linwood Sanctuary

Are you a student or a parent of one?

A grandparent or a teacher/administrator?

A Sunday School teacher?

Have you ever been a student?

If so, you need to attend our annual Back to School Prayer Service. This is the time that we celebrate and lift up our students and teachers, that God will bless their academic year.

Many of us remember years ago when God was called upon each morning to guide the school day. This no longer happens. It is up to the Body of Christ to be in prayer for these young people and their teachers. Please set aside the time and join us in celebration and prayer.

Set Sail With Jesus On The Journey

Christian Learning at Bel Air UMC is designed for all ages, as we share in The Journey of faith. We provide numerous opportunities for you and your family to grow into faithful disciples through the study of God’s Word.

We set sail on a new year of Christian Learning on Sunday, August 26, 2007. Registration for children and youth participation in Sunday School and Nursery is necessary. Please complete the enclosed 2007-2008 Children and Youth Christian Learning Registration form and return it to the Church Office by August 22.

The enclosed brochure describes our Discipleship Adventures for Adults. There are classes offered on Sunday mornings, mid-week Bible studies, an introduction to Christian faith called Beginnings, DISCIPLE Bible Studies, the return of Experiencing God, and the new class called “The Truth Project.” Join us as we Set Sail with Jesus!

We want to know where your college student will be this fall! If this is their first year or their last,

the same or a new address, away or at home, please call the Church Office, 410-838-5181, ext. 10,

and give us their mailing address and their e-mail address. We want to keep in touch!

The Young Adult Ministry is in search of leaders who have a heart to serve the young adults of our church. Our hope is to have a Bible Study/Sunday School and fellowship time for this age group to attend. We are looking to put together a team that can work together and think of ways we can reach college students and young adults. Please contact Tom Hodges at 410-838-5181, ext. 16, or e-mail hodgest@baumc.com for more information.

BEYOND BIBLE STUDY TO HOME GROUP CONNECTION…

Is the “group thing” happening for you?

At Bel Air UMC, we believe we’re created for community. What a great gift it is to connect with others for a better, stronger, less lonely, more fun way to confront the challenges of life. You’ll notice that we’ve included a full menu of adult classes designed for digging deep into God’s word. Home Groups are a little different. They do light Bible study, mission, ministry, and outreach. They care for each other. They do life together. Unlike most of the classes at the church, home groups reach beyond our congregation to include our neighbors and friends in our life-changing journey toward Christ. We currently have about 30 home groups meeting throughout the week in people’s homes, and we continually strive to provide more groups that will meet a variety of needs.

Have you found your niche in a home group? If not, we’d like to help you get connected. You can try one of our existing home groups, or we’ll help you build a group of your own, designed for you and the neighbors and friends you want to reach. We have a wide variety of user-friendly, DVD curriculum for short-term studies (so you’re not committed beyond the 6 weeks or so), and we offer basic and on-going training to build your group leadership skills.

Contact Cindy Caldwell at 410-838-5181, ext. 13, or e-mail caldwellc@baumc.com if you would like to (1) join one of our many existing home groups, (2) start a new group of your own this fall, or (3) let our church know what kind of group YOU would rearrange your schedule to attend.

Mt. Carmel Chapel

of Bel Air United Methodist Church

“The Little Country Church with Large Church Opportunities”

If your work or vacation schedule prevents you from worshipping at Bel Air UMC on Sunday morning, why not join us at Mt. Carmel Chapel on Sunday evenings? This small but caring congregation welcomes visitors and friends alike. Conveniently located at the corner of Wheel Road and Route 924/Emmorton Road (right behind the Festival Shopping Center), services take place at 7:00 PM on Sunday evenings.

Upcoming highlights include:

September 2 NO evening service on Labor Day Weekend

Please worship in the morning or wherever you are traveling.

September 9 Dan Pazdersky, Certified Lay Speaker, preaching

Rev. Carol Pazdersky will celebrate Holy Communion

October 21 Rev. Peggy Groseclose will honor our church’s 50+ year members

November 11 Worshippers will decorate a Mission & Ministry Tree

December 2 Our traditional “Hanging of the Greens” service to prepare for the Advent and

Christmas seasons

The Exit412 Student Ministry will be holding

a Car Wash on Saturday, September 1

from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Linwood Circle.

Donations will be accepted.

BIG WEEK: August 20-25, 2007

BIG WEEK is the official kick-off of the Student Ministry year, when we welcome those who are entering 9th Grade into the High School ministry. It gives the new students an opportunity to meet the present members, as well as invite some of their friends to see what the Exit412 Student Ministry is all about. There’s an activity every day for the entire week, ending with the Back to School Extravaganza. If you have any questions about these programs or any other area of Student Ministry, contact Tom Hodges at (church) 410-838-5181, ext. 16, (cell) 443-617-2842, or e-mail him at hodgest@baumc.com. You can also check out our Student Ministry website at www.exitstatusquo.com.

Monday, August 20 & Tuesday, August 21 – Whitewater Rafting & Camping Trip

We plan to leave from the church at 8:30 AM on Monday morning. Camping will be at Ohiopyle State Park. There are lots of great activities at the park, such as natural waterslides and hiking paths. On Tuesday, we’ll be rafting down the Youghiogheny River near Ohiopyle, which includes 7.5 miles of river and over 22 Class 3 rapids! We should return to the church by 9:00 PM on Tuesday evening. Registration for this event is closed.

Wednesday, August 22 – Prayer Walk Around the Schools & Back to School Prayer Service

We’ll meet at the church at 3:00 PM and then go to local schools to do Prayer Walks around them to ask God to bless those schools, staffs, and students in the upcoming year. Then we’ll come back to the church to attend the annual Back to School Prayer Service in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM. After the Prayer Service, we’ll return to the Youth Center for ice cream or Rita’s ice.

Thursday, August 23 – Destination: Unknown!

Can’t tell you much – just look at the name of this event! Here’s a clue: Ahoy, Matey! There’s a $15 cost for this event, which you should bring with you. Departure time from the church will be 4:00 PM, with return to the church around 9:00 PM.

Friday, August 24 – Scavenger Hunt & Karaoke

We’ll meet in the Youth Center at 6:00 PM and then head out on a Scavenger Hunt. Following the hunt, we’ll return to the Youth Center and have a good time laughing at each other singing and doing some great karaoke. Pizza will be provided; you’ll have to pay for the drinks. The evening will end around 11:00 PM.

Saturday, August 25 – 5:00-9:00 PM – BACK TO SCHOOL EXTRAVAGANZA!

Come and enjoy a 24-foot tall climbing wall that up to four people at a time can climb! “Bash” your friends in an inflatable jousting game! There will be pizza, snowballs, and cotton candy! Then there’s the music! Starting at 7:00 PM, Kingdom Affect will take the stage in McComas Hall to help us “rock” in the new school year! After that, Faith Under Fire will take it to a new level. Everything in this event is FREE! All students in Middle School and High School are invited! Bring as many friends as possible! This is an event for the whole community!

EXIT412 STUDENT MINISTRY

TNT for High School Youth – Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM

FUEL! for Middle School Youth – Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 PM

Floodgate Café – Reopens on Tuesday, August 28

The Floodgate Café will only be open on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 6:30 PM until the end of September. Wednesday afternoons will continue to be movie days with free popcorn. The pinball machine will be available and only costs 25¢ to play. Snacks are available every day at no cost and 32 oz. sodas are 75¢ each (still way better than any convenience store!). Water and PowerAde are available for $1. Snowballs are only 50¢ (or 75¢ with marshmallow).

Confirmation 2008

Registration is underway for the Confirmation Class of 2008. There will be two orientation meetings to choose from: the first will be on Sunday, August 26, and the second will be on Sunday, September 9. Confirmation classes begin on Sunday, September 23. Registration packets are available at the Welcome Center and in the Youth Center.

GriefShare

If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend, you are facing many deep emotions. Grief is not an enemy or sign of weakness. It is a sign of being human. It is the cost of loving someone. Grief recovery is the ability to find joy in life again. It is to treasure the memory of loved ones, to miss them, and to live better because of time spent with them.

If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a family member or friend, we invite you to join us for a 13-week video seminar series that features some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery topics as seen from a biblical perspective. The video seminars are combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video. Child care is provided.

GriefShare begins on Tuesday, September 11, 7:00-9:00 PM, in Room 115. The registration fee of $10 includes a workbook.

Prayer Concerns:

The Lord will lead people to our group.

Group members will find healing.

They will grow closer to the Lord through their experience with loss.

People who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will be

open to a relationship with Him.

The Lord will protect and guide the facilitators.

BLOOD DRIVE

Did you know?

♥ 1 Unit of Whole Blood Could Save Up to 3 Lives

♥ We serve the blood needs of more than 65 hospitals, including 10 trauma centers across the region.

♥ It only takes about an hour to donate whole blood.

♥ Only 5% of eligible donors give blood, yet 95% of them will need blood or know someone who will in their lifetime.

♥ Know Us Before You Need Us.

♥ Every 2 seconds a patient needs blood.

♥ One trauma victim can use up to 100 units of blood during the course of emergency treatment.

Next Blood Drive:

Monday, September 10 – 9:30 AM-8:00 PM

in McComas Hall

Beds for Babies Needed…

Cribs and bassinets (unbroken with all parts) are needed by Alpha’s Glory Crisis Pregnancy Center, 106 N. Philadelphia Boulevard, Aberdeen, Maryland. Alpha’s Glory is a life affirming mission to help those experiencing a pregnancy related crisis. Alpha’s Glory offers an “Earn While You Learn” program that helps meet the needs of expectant mothers by requiring her to EARN what she needs through weekly hour-long mentoring sessions. Expectant mothers who earn ten $5 vouchers may “buy” a crib. But, we need cribs available to give to the moms who have qualified.

When you have a safe crib or bassinet to donate, please call Joe & Mary Schruefer, our Furniture Ministry Coordinators, at 410-638-1434 for (Friday only) pickup from your home. Or, you may deliver the bed to the second alcove on the left just inside the McComas Hall entrance at the church.

Questions? Call Karen Wilson, Director of Alpha’s Glory Crisis Pregnancy Center, at 410-272-4711 (Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM). This is one way to serve our God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40)

SOWING SEEDS: SERVING BY GRACE

Save Saturday, November 10 as a day for “Sowing Seeds of Grace.” Bel Air United Methodist Church is planning a day to show the love of Christ to our community. We are planning to team up with area organizations that need help in multiple ways. Tasks will include cleaning, raking leaves, repairing and restoring structures, and serving others in whatever ways we can. In addition, “A Family Affair” will occur at the church, where families can come anytime during the day on Saturday, November 10 to serve at different stations. These stations will be setup to serve some need that has been identified.

The event, Sowing Seeds: Serving by Grace, will need volunteers. We anticipate needing 700 members and friends. We plan to provide the labor, mostly unskilled labor, and the area organizations will supply the tools and whatever else is needed to accomplish the job or task. We will need you to volunteer for a block of time (to be detailed later).

Remember that others may want your time on November 10, but we – BAUMC – will need you, because you are the body of our church. Without your presence, skills, abilities, personality, and love, this Day of Sowing Seeds will not be possible.

Dear Church Family,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given me in this first year of seminary. It has been challenging to keep up with school, work, and family, but folks have been gracious, and God has provided in some amazing ways.

The journey toward ordination continues as I continue to work with the District Committee and my candidacy mentor. After one year, I have completed 24 of the 90 credits required for a Master of Divinity Degree at Wesley, so I am a bit ahead of my 5-year plan. I keep on praying that the time I spend studying will not detract from, but enhance, my ability to serve in our church’s discipleship ministries. I know this is possible because God is faithful.

Thank you for the financial help you are providing through the Seminary Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your many words of affirmation and the many prayers you pray to strengthen my family and me. Most of all, I thank you for helping me to follow Jesus in a way that would not have been possible without you.

Your Sister in Christ,

Cindy Caldwell

Cub Scouting with Pack 777

Parents of young boys face a lot of choices in after-school activities. Boys want to have

fun, while parents want them to learn positive values and skills that will last a lifetime.

If your boy is about to enter 1st through 5th Grade, Cub Scouting may be exactly what

you are both looking for. BAUMC is the Charter Organization of Cub Pack 777. We

meet several times a month, usually here at the church. Boys can join Cub Scouts at

any time. Activities include fitness and physical activities, family activities, community

service projects, outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fun competitions such as

the Pinewood Derby and annual Pack Fishing Derby, and visits to interesting places like

our overnight on the USS Constellation. We would love to have you join us. For

information about Cub Scout Pack 777, please contact Joel Caudill (410-638-1538),

Ted Whittock (410-420-2594), or Julie Ann Craft (410-569-0998).

HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Office of Government and Community Relations

MENTORS NEEDED!

Bel Air, MD – August 6, 2007

Can you serve as a wise and trusted friend to someone in need? Have you ever wanted to be a source of encouragement, a positive role model and help someone develop their talents? Become a mentor!

Currently, two Harford County schools – Edgewood Middle School and C. Milton Wright High School – have a great need for mentors. The need for a mentor is based on an individual’s grades, behavior, and family situations, among other factors. These students have a significant need for the guidance and support of a trusted mentor, to help them realize their true potential. You don’t need any special skills to become a mentor; you just need to care and be there – if only for just 1 hour a week. Kids C.A.N. (Caring Adult Network) is sponsored by Harford County Government in cooperation with the Harford County Board of Education.

The program began in September 1997 to promote mentoring in Harford County and to identify and provide opportunities for caring adults to help young people succeed in life. Kids C.A.N. recruits mentors, provides training and screening, and matches them to a young person. The volunteers are connected with one of the mentoring programs that best suit their interests, time, and talents. Kids C.A.N. coordinates opportunities for mentors to network, learn new skills, celebrate with their mentees, and be recognized for their valuable service to the community.

The Kids C.A.N. program is an initiative of the Office of Drug Control Policy, within the Harford County Department of Community Services. Mentoring is a proven program that helps youth stay away from drugs, crime, and gangs. For more information about Kids C.A.N. or on how to become a mentor, contact the Kids C.A.N. Coordinator, Barbara Mason, at 410-638-3381.

Bel Air United Methodist Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 a.m. (Communion), 9:20 & 11:00 a.m. in Linwood Sanctuary

9:20 a.m. Ignite Youth Worship in Youth Center

7:00 p.m. Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel

MORNING FELLOWSHIP in McComas Hall – 9:00-11:15 a.m.

SPIRE SCHEDULE:

Deadline

September/October 2007 Sunday, September 9

November 2007 Sunday, October 21

December 2007 Sunday, November 18

SPIRE Editor - Alice Archer

SPIRE Mailing - Sandy and Palmer Paules

SPIRE Circulation - Bruce Allen, Margaret Browning, Audrey Tolston Coale,

Shirley Cooney, Elaine Crowe, Lloyd and Kathleen Fry, Sue and Bob Gillette,

Nellie Graybeal, Betty Hartsock, Jean Henderson, Garner Jones, Elsie Kaste,

LeRoy Knepper, Jane Knode, Auleen and Ed Leister, Irene Littleton,

Shirley MacLean, Wayne and Jane Mason, Jean Moore, Dorothy Panowitz,

Nancy Paris, Shirley and John Renshaw, Doris Scholl, Ruth Smithson, Bette Stancill,

Carole Vangrin, Linda Vinciguerra, Marguerite Ward

BAUMC ON-LINE... The SPIRE is posted on our webpage at www.baumc.com.

The e-Spire, a weekly update of information, devotions, upcoming events and activities, and a printout of the previous week’s sermon, is distributed via e-mail (usually on Fridays). If you would like to receive the e-Spire, please send your e-mail address to info@baumc.com. If you do not have e-mail and would like to read the e-Spire, copies are available at the Welcome Center.

Here are the e-mail addresses for the church staff. Please use these addresses for information, announcements, prayer concerns, etc. Use e-mail for any questions you have or to sign up for any church activities.

Archer, Alice archera@baumc.com

Behrendt, Joni behrendtj@baumc.com

Caldwell, Cindy caldwellc@baumc.com

Firth, Cheryl firthc@baumc.com

Groseclose, Bill grosecloseb@baumc.com

Groseclose, Rev. Peggy groseclosep@baumc.com

Hidey, Rev. Barry hideyb@baumc.com

Hodges, Tom hodgest@baumc.com

Hollida, Rev. Doug hollidad@baumc.com

Jones, Judy jonesj@baumc.com

Pazdersky, Rev. Carol pazderskyc@baumc.com

Schepers, Jim schepersj@baumc.com

Wolf, Lisa Wong wolfl@baumc.com

Children’s Christian Center ccc@baumc.com

Tiny Tots School tinytots@baumc.com