Easter is that much more joyous when we remember the events that led up to it.

Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities offered to get closer to Jesus

as you remember both his death and resurrection.

March 20, 2008

HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE

7:00 PM in the Linwood Sanctuary

Communion / Stripping of the Altar

March 21, 2008

GOOD FRIDAY JOURNEY: Walking With Jesus

There will be no formal services in the Linwood Sanctuary. Instead, come to the Sanctuary

anytime between 12:00 Noon and 9:00 PM and take your own walk with Jesus,

much as his followers did. Follow a path of scripture reading and guided meditation and prayer,

at your own pace. This event was provided for the first time last year and was very moving and powerful.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES

12:00 Noon & 7:00 PM at Mt. Carmel Chapel

“Words of Wonder” - Rev. Carol Pazdersky

March 23, 2008

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES

8:00, 9:20 & 11:00 AM Worship/Communion Services in Linwood Sanctuary

“The Hunt of Easter” (John 20:1-18) - Rev. Barry Hidey

9:00 AM Worship Service at Mt. Carmel Chapel

“Surprise!!” – Rev. Peggy Groseclose

9:20 AM Ignite Worship Service in McComas Hall

“Crime Scene: Resurrection” – Tom Hodges

There will be no Morning Fellowship and no Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel on Easter Sunday.

GOOD NEWS… About Off-Site Ministry

This is the announcement made to the congregation on Sunday, February 10, 2008:

Jane Russell: The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is responsible for personnel concerns and joys within the congregation. I do have some good news to share with you relating to our Off-Site Ministry, but first I would like to introduce Jay Wohnlich, who will refresh your memory about the Off-Site Ministry project that has been in the planning stages for some time now.

Jay Wohnlich: Over the past two years, the Off-Site Ministry (OSM) Team has been praying, planning, and studying. What we have found is a large population in Harford County in need of a church community. We also discovered that the culture has changed and, in order to reach these people, we must go out into the community where they live. We need to take what Christ has told us in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment and begin to build relationships and meet the needs of the unchurched. The next step for the OSM is to enlarge our group with people to share our passion and desire to show the people of Abingdon who Christ is. Secondly, thanks to the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church investing $95,000 in our vision, we will be ready when the right spiritual leader comes along.

Jane Russell: So now it is my joy to share with you today that Bishop John R. Schol has appointed Rev. Stan Cardwell as the Launch Pastor of our Off-Site Ministry. Pastor Stan feels that he is answering a call from God to lead this endeavor. His responsibilities will begin on July 1, 2008. As a United Methodist Church, we are a part of an appointment system. Our congregation’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee has met with the District Superintendent to identify our congregation’s needs and the needed skills in a pastor for OSM. We have also met with Pastor Stan to better get to know him and to ask questions.

Pastor Stan comes from 15 years of ministry experience in two churches, having most recently served for 9 years at First Saints Community United Methodist Church in Leonardtown, Maryland, a multi-campus church of three, soon to be four, locations. Stan is a graduate of West Virginia University (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1984) and of Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1992). He and his wife, Michelle, have three children – Rachel (15), Becca (13), and Daniel (12). (A profile of information on Stan Cardwell is available via e-mail from info@baumc.com or in printed form at the Welcome Center.)

Rev. Barry Hidey: I want you to know that I am very excited that Bel Air United Methodist Church is able to have someone of Stan’s experience and passion for our Off-Site Ministry. OSM is our most ambitious effort to date, to reach out to the unchurched families in our region. I would ask that you keep Stan and his family in your prayers as he prepares to sell his home in Lexington Park, Maryland, and relocate to the Abingdon area.

For more information about the Off-Site Ministry, please contact Jay Wohnlich at wohnlichjl@comcast.net or

call 410-420-2623.

Stan Cardwell shares his Ministry Mission:

To live out God’s call on my life by...

► being a faithful and effective servant-leader in Christ’s Church, specifically the

“UMC vineyard.”

► reaching our community and world with the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

► “equipping God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of

Christ… that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the

full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4).

► engaging in the ongoing Reformation that empowers and equips all Christ-

followers for significant and relevant ministry in the Kingdom of God.

BEL AIR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Scholarship Application Guidelines

Bel Air United Methodist Church offers scholarships to high school seniors who are members of the church and who will be entering their first year of college in the fall. This program is administered by the BAUMC Scholarship Team under the area of Christian Education. Application forms are available at the Welcome Center. All required information must be submitted to the Church Office by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16. Questions may be addressed to Connie Schepers, 410-838-3151. Scholarship recipients will be announced during Graduate Recognition on Sunday, May 18.

Support the Scholarship Fund

♦ Two opportunities for DINING OUT to support the BAUMC Scholarship Fund are being held:

Tuesday, March 18 – All Day – Applebee’s (1225 Churchville Road, Bel Air)

Applebee’s will donate 10% of your food and beverage purchase, eat in or carry out.

Flyer required! (Flyers are available at the Welcome Center.)

Thursday, April 3 – 4:00-8:00 PM – Baja Fresh (Tollgate Mall, 615 Bel Air Road, Bel Air)

Baja Fresh will donate 15% of proceeds, dine in or take out.

Flyer required! (Flyers are available at the Welcome Center.)

♦ There will also be a special offering envelope on Graduate Recognition Sunday, May 18, to support the BAUMC Scholarship Fund.

Friendly’s

EXIT412 Student Ministries

of the Bel Air United Methodist Church

Every 3rd Thursday ● 5:00-9:00 PM

Starting March 20

Bel Air Location - 353 S. Main Street

Come for a meal, or ice cream, or both!

Eat in or carry out! Floodgate Café &

Student Ministries earns 10% of all sales!

Cactus Willies

in Harford Mall

Every 2nd Monday ● All Day

Simply mention that you want to support

the Bel Air UMC Youth Ministry at the register,

and we receive 15% of the proceeds for Youth Missions.

UPCOMING MISSION DINNERS:

Wednesday, March 26 ● 5:00-7:00 PM

Chicken Dinner to benefit Youth Missions

Wednesday, April 16 ● 5:00-7:00 PM

Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Boy Scout Troop 777

ServeFest 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008

A Multi-Church Outreach Event

ServeFest is an opportunity to join with other Harford County churches to show Christ’s love in our community. Many of you participated in Bel Air UMC’s event, Sowing Seeds: Serving by Grace on November 10, 2007. Now we want to go further by uniting with over 1,200 other Christians to meet needs and touch lives for Jesus.

Families, home groups, ministry groups, and classes can serve together, just as you did last fall. You’ll soon be hearing more about ServeFest and how to participate. Meanwhile, we’d like to know if you have a project in mind, and if you’re willing to serve as a project coordinator. For more information, contact the Church Office.

Three Steps to Membership

At Bel Air United Methodist Church, our commitment to you begins on the day of your first visit. We aspire to help you grow in discipleship, and to be there for you in the joys and sorrows of life. Membership is about your commitment. It is where you confirm your faith in Christ, and your partnership in the mission and ministry of our church. If you would like to become a member, the steps to membership are easy and can be completed in any order. We’ve outlined them below so you can decide what your next step will be.

1. Attend a Discovery Luncheon. We invite you to join us for an informal lunch with our pastors. Whether you are a newcomer or a regular attender, Discovery is a unique opportunity to hear our pastors tell their story, and learn more about our church. The next Discovery Luncheon is Sunday, April 13, 12:30-2:00 PM. Sign up for Discovery by contacting Lisa Wong Wolf at 410-838-5181, ext. 17, or wolfl@baumc.com.

2. Get connected. Join a home fellowship group, an adult class, or an on-going ministry in our church that puts you in connection with other members. We believe the church is made of people, growing and serving together to reflect Christ’s love in the world. To learn more about ways to serve and grow with us, check out our website at www.baumc.com, or call the Church Office.

Come to our 2-session Membership Class. You’ll get an overview of what it means to be called United Methodist, and how you can continue to grow and serve at Bel Air UMC according to your unique, God-given design. You’ll also make some new friends! Our next Membership Class will be held in April, and we receive people into membership about twice a year. Please register in advance by completing the New Member Profile, or by contacting Lisa Wong Wolf.

Vacation Bible School 2008

Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 27

9:00 AM-Noon

Ages 3 – Grade 5

$20.00 per child

Registration Deadline: Friday, May 30 ≈ 4:00 PM

Limited space available in Preschool Classes…

Preschool Classes close as they are filled without notification!

Registration forms available at the Welcome Center, the Children

& Family Ministry Bulletin Board, and classroom entrances.

TINY TOTS SCHOOL NEWS

from Joan Elloff, Director

This is a busy month at Tiny Tots. We will be continuing our alphabet book by adding the letters P through U, and we will be learning about odd and even numbers. We have quite a large list of sight words already, but we will be adding “go, in, and out” to them. Our religious lesson will be on Jonah and the Whale, reinforcing “trying to do the right thing.” Mexico is our unit in social studies. We will also learn about Dr. Seuss, St. Patrick’s Day, Maryland Day, and Easter. Our month is definitely packed with fun!

Christian Camp for Deaf Blind Adults

Now in its 10th year of service, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Deaf Blind Camp remains the only camp which continues to disciple and encourage deaf blind adults on the journey of life. Their journey is often one of isolation, and we count it a privilege to be in ministry with this gifted community, who not only are recipients of ministry but are teachers who give us the meaning of faith and tenacity. The 2008 camp will be at West River Camping Center on June 15-20. The camp is already full with 40 campers and 80 support service providers to assist in this camping adventure. The cost of each camper is $375, and each support service provider is provided with room and board costing $175. Sponsors are needed to help with these costs. If you are interested in providing a full or partial sponsorship, please make your check payable to Bel Air UMC and mark it for Deaf Blind Camp. Questions can be directed to Rev. Peggy Johnson of Christ UMC of the Deaf (RevPink@aol.com).

BLOOD DRIVE NEWS

♥ January and March Totals… On January 14, a total of 63 willing donors came to our Blood Drive, with 51 units of blood collected. At our March 10 Blood Drive, there were 55 donors and 45 units of blood collected. We give our sincere gratitude to everyone who donated.

♥ Wanted: Willing Donors… In recent years, the number of blood donors has decreased, while the demand for blood has increased. Only 5% of the eligible population actually donates! If you know someone who is not a donor, who is at least 16 years of age, weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in good health, please encourage them to donate. Blood is truly the gift of life and, despite the many great advances in modern technology, there is still only one source – donations. (Note: The State of Maryland allows 16 year olds to donate with written parental permission.)

♥ Wanted: Blood Drive Coordinator… A volunteer is needed to serve as a Blood Drive Coordinator, along with Pat Potter and Peg Schumann. Alice Humphrey will be “retiring” after the May 12 drive. Please consider serving the church and community in this capacity. Call Pat Potter at 410-399-4214 for details.

♥ Next Blood Drive: Monday, May 12, 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The appointment signup sheet is located across from the Church Office. Please consider donating – and bring a friend!

SAVE THIS DATE! Peggy’s Party will be held on Saturday, June 14, starting at 5:00 PM.

Details will follow about this special evening of celebration for the ministry of Rev. Peggy Groseclose.

Join us as we extend our best wishes to Peggy and Bill as they begin the adventure of retirement!

THE BOARD OF CHILD CARE AUXILIARY

The Board of Child Care is a multi-service agency of The United Methodist Church which gives physical, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual support to nearly 1,700 children, youth, and families through emergency shelter care, residential care, on-site schools, transitional living for young adults, mental health clinics, day care centers, and foster care and adoption services.

The Board of Child Care Auxiliary supports the children with birthday and holiday celebrations, and has helped furnish the campus chapels. The collection of Campbell’s soup labels for the Board of Child Care helps with educational supplies, equipment, and computers. Another big part of the Auxiliary is the Arts & Leisure Program, which sponsors an annual roller skating party and special trips to shows, museums, balls games, etc.

Our annual Membership Drive will be held during the month of April. Dues are $1 per person ($2 for couples) and gifts above that amount are most welcome. Please use one of the special envelopes provided in the pew racks, and be sure to write your name and address on the envelope. The Baltimore-Harford District has also been asked to provide cookies for the residents. Cookies will be collected on Sunday, April 6. Cookies should be in freezer-ready containers and can be dropped off at the Welcome Center on that day. For more information, contact our church’s BCC Auxiliary Key Person, Sandy Millner, at 443-299-6039 or e-mail sandymillner@comcast.net.

The Examiner

Even when you can’t see them, the homeless are there…

BALTIMORE – The slob sitting on one side of the corner booth dives straight into the cheeseburger, but Marie Nave pauses to mutter a small grace over her bowl of tomato soup. She is thankful for all blessings. She is gray-haired and 62 years old, and she gets about with a cane, and on this raw, overcast day on Belair Road, she is now three months homeless.

For the moment, she’s living at the Welcome One Fellowship Center in Belcamp in Harford County. There are 22 men and six women at the shelter. They are part of that ghostly brigade that isn’t supposed to exist in green and pleasant suburbia. “Yes, we’ve all heard that,” says Judy Merritt, executive director of Welcome One. “We don’t have numbers like Baltimore, but of course there’s homelessness here.”

Two years ago, when the state issued its Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, it listed 769 people living in Harford County shelters – 250 of them children – and noted that the numbers were growing. “So many people in the suburbs, in places like Harford County, don’t realize what the problem’s really like,” says Susan Graper, manager of Welcome One. “They don’t see people on street corners, so they think homelessness doesn’t exist.”

Marie Nave knows otherwise. She was a working woman and a wife, and she has a daughter and three grandchildren, and she sits here at this Denny’s on Belair Road and says,” If you had told me 10 years ago that I’d wind up like this, I’d have laughed at you.” She describes kidney problems that led to botched surgery and permanent nerve damage. She talks about the husband who left her. She hands over business cards, one listing her ministry in the Central Christian Church, another listing a business she’s starting in reflexology and acupressure. She wants to assure you, she is a person of substance with a family still counting on her, and she will come out of this awful time and take care of them all once again.

Bel Air United Methodist Church serves at the Welcome One Fellowship Center in Belcamp on the 27th day of each month. For more information about volunteering for this ministry, contact Libby Horn at 443-417-3660.

Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United, Inc.

We are extremely grateful to you and your congregation for generously agreeing to be Founders of the Welcome One Emergency Shelter and the Welcome One Fellowship Center. Your decision to donate $10,000 over the next five years clearly demonstrates not only your generosity but also your commitment to reach out to those who are in desperate need right here in Harford County.

From 1999 until 2006 the rotating shelter provided the growing homeless population with night shelter for six months of the year. Now, the Welcome One Emergency Shelter, located in Riverside, will not only provide the homeless with the shelter year round, it will also provide them with some much needed stability. Now, they will have access to showers and laundry facilities as well as lockers for their belongings; they will have transportation to take them to the Welcome One Fellowship Center in Edgewood, where they will have the opportunity to benefit from many programs established to help them build new lives for themselves – all within a Christ-centered environment. We urge you to visit the new emergency shelter as well as the fellowship center. In both places you will witness our Lord at work in the lives of our clients. Volunteer opportunities abound at both the shelter and the center. We ask that you and members of your congregation consider joining us in these volunteer efforts. You will find it a rewarding and gratifying experience.

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you also did for me.”

When the faith community, caring citizens, and civic agencies work together, they can and will make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. Once again, we thank you and look forward to working with you in this our special partnership.

Yours in Christ,

Pat Eiler

President, Board of Directors

NEWS FROM THE LIGHTNER LIBRARY…

This is a list of the selected readings for Easter which can be found in the Lightner Library. Stop by and check out our “features” table display. There are also two DVD copies of “Passion of the Christ” available for checkout.

Six Hours One Friday, by Max Lucado

Behold the Man!, by Charles Swindoll

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, by Max Lucado

Why the Resurrection?, by Greg Laurie

Were You There? Find Yourself with Jesus,

by Ron DiCianni & Neil Wilson

And the Angels Were Silent, by Max Lucado

The First Easter, by Peter Marshall

Children’s Books

The Very First Easter, by Paul Maier

The Easter Story, by Heather Amery

The Easter Story, by Carol Heyer

The Story of Easter, by Alice Davidson

The Pail of Nails, by Savitz & Syring

The Parable of the Lily, by Liz Curtis Higgs

The Artistry of God Through Nature is a new rotating display of photographs in the Narthex, presented in honor of Rev. Peggy Groseclose. Have you taken a photo of a nature scene that shows the beauty of God’s creation? You can submit an 8x10 borderless photograph to the Church Office. For more information, contact Alan Anderson at 410-838-0929 or e-mail aande10617@aol.com. (We are looking for nature scenes only, not people photographs.)

Harford Habitat for Humanity

We appreciate your recent 2007 donation of $490 to Harford Habitat for Humanity. Thank you for your generous contribution and your support of affordable housing in Harford County.

Together, we are building stronger families and stronger communities, one house at a time. This year, Harford Habitat is embarking on our most ambitious schedule with the anticipated construction of six Habitat homes in our county. Your donation makes the dream of homeownership a reality.

Thank you again for your contribution. Your support motivates us to continue our mission of serving our community and witnessing God’s faith in action. If you would like additional information about Harford Habitat, please contact our office at 410-638-4434.

Sincerely,

Joann Blewett, Executive Director

Feinstein Foundation - Again this year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among agencies fighting hunger. For every dollar we raise during March and April, we get additional funds from his agency. Donations can be in the form of cash or food items. Food items will count as $1 per item or pound. The more donations we receive, the bigger share we will get of the million dollars. This is a great opportunity for us to raise money for feeding the hungry in our community.

New Hope Christian Fellowship United Methodist Church

Once again, we here at New Hope Christian Fellowship give our thanks to you and the Bel Air United Methodist congregation for your continued support of the ministries here in Eddgewood. As you know, many have counted the Edgewood community out, however we here at New Hope continue to offer hope to those who feel they are in a hopeless situation.

Our attendance has been growing at a steady pace and on any given Sunday our sanctuary is full to capacity. We started with 7 members; today our worship service is up to 50 each Sunday. We are also moving forward with adding an extension to the building that will give us seating for 170 worshippers.

When we think where we started, to where God has moved us, we can only thank and praise God for the blessings he has placed on this ministry. We thank you for all you have done for the New Hope Christian family and the Edgewood community. Continue to pray for us, as we continue to help more people become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Your Brother in Christ,

Mark A. Groover, Pastor

Bel Air United Methodist Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 AM (Communion), 9:20 & 11:00 AM in Linwood Sanctuary

9:20 AM Ignite Youth Worship in McComas Hall

7:00 PM Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel

MORNING FELLOWSHIP in McComas Hall – 8:45-9:15 AM and 10:30-11:15 AM