Holy Week Schedule - March 2008

Easter time is here and once again we have additional services for everyone to take advantage of. The week of March 16 - March

Palm Sunday - Worship at 8 & 10 AM
Monday - Day of Fasting
Tuesday - Day of Prayer
Wednesday - Worship at 3 PM - Centenary Chapel*
Maundy Thursday - Worship at 7 PM - Centenary Chapel*
Good Friday - Worship at 7 PM
Saturday - Easter Egg Hunt (12:45 PM see below!)
Easter Sunday - Worship at 8 & 10 AM

* Pastor Kathleen will be leading services at our sister church, Centenary UMC. All are welcome at all services at either location.

Preschool Trivia Night - Saturday March 29

If you’re a resident of the Square who has young children, you may already be aware of LPUMC’s preschool, a cooperative effort between teacher Edna Coleman and the parents of her students. (If you’re not familiar with the program, and would like more information, you may leave a message for Edna at 771-9214, ext. 15 or contact her via email at (lppreschool@sbcglobal.net.) And if you’ve lived on or around the Square for a while, you may also be familiar with the school’s primary fundraiser: Preschool Trivia Night! Game night this year is Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the gym at the back of the church on the first floor. (Enter through the red door on the west side of the building.) In addition to the chance to compete with your friends and neighbors for the winner of the night’s trivia challenge, you’ll also have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items in the silent auction. Table reservations will be taken starting Sunday, March 3, so get the gang together, brush up on your trivia and come on over. For ticket information and to reserve space, contact Edna at the above phone number or email address.

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday March 22

On Saturday, March 22, Lafayette Park UMC is excited to welcome The Easter Bunny, who will be hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The festivities kick off at 12:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall from which Mr. Bunny will lead the party to the park. Children will be divided into groups according to age for the hunt, which will start at 1:00. Afterwards, guests will follow the Bunny Trail back to the church for photos with the Easter Bunny, games, snacks and special treats. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to all. For more information, please email heartreach@gmail.com.

Follow-up: For photos of the 2008 Easter Egg Hunt follow this link to our Flikr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lpumc/sets/72157604236058362/

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner - Saturday March 15th

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. On March 15, from noon to 7:00 p.m., the United Methodist Women—with a little help from their friends—will be serving up your choice of corned beef or roast beef plus vegetables, bread and butter, dessert and a drink for just $6.00 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

Join us in Fellowship Hall on the lower level of the church. You may enter through the door under the blue awning on the north side of the church or through the red door that faces the parking lot on the west side. If you’re short on time, call ahead for carry-out: 773-1246. Whether you dine at our house or yours, this is one meal you don’t want to miss!

Free Music Concert March 1st: Shawn Thomas

LPUMC will be hosting a free concert by Christian Recording Artist, Shawn Thomas. Shawn is an "out and affirming" contemporary Christian artist whose musical background is as varied as his spiritual journey. He grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and now incorporates traditional with non-traditional spiritual experiences believing that practices of faith and grace are never in conflict. He uses music as an expression of his faith including styles of music ranging from praise/worship, to pop/dance, to country/folk to rock/soul. Shawn visits churches, groups, and events sharing in concerts, workshops, and spoken message.

We are thrilled to be hosting Shawn's St. Louis concert.

When: Saturday evening March 1st, 7:30 PM
Where: Lafayette Park UMC - 2300 Lafayette Ave. 63104
Reception immediately following in Fellowship Hall


For more information on Shawn visit these links:
Shawn Website
Live Concert Footage at God Tube
Faith Unashamed (music video - YouTube)

Biggest Loser - Jan 24th-May 23rd

LPUMC will have its very own version of the Biggest Loser. If you are above your ideal weight for your height and age, have been feeling slow and sluggish and without energy to do the things you want to do with your children, grandchildren, or spouse THEN this is the program for you. Here is how we vision it working:

1. Program to begin on Thursday, January 24th, with a weigh-in at church and will conclude on May 23rd.


2. Entry donation of $25.00 due at time of weigh-in. ½ of the total amount received to be donated toward a 2008 apportionment, to be determined by the participants. The more participants, the greater the donation!


3. Only YOU and one other person will know your weights


4. All participants will receive an assigned “code” at the time of the weigh-in


5. Weekly weigh-ins will occur each Thursday evening beginning February 7th between 5:30 and 7:00pm down in the Fellowship Hall.


6. All participants will have their beginning and weekly weights posted by their assigned “code”.


7. The participant with the greatest percentage of weight loss at the end of this 16 week period will be awarded the remainder of the entrance fees to either keep or donate, their choice.


8. At each Thursday’s weigh-in there will be an opportunity to join in a stretching and walking exercise and enjoy a brown-bag dinner with the other contestants. It would be appropriate to share any success stories you have at that time.

NOTE: If you should decide not to complete the program in its’ entirety your entry donation will be forfeited.

If interested, please let us know you will be participating. You may notify Sheryl Smothers either by phone (583-4914) or e-mail no later than January 27, 2008. Wouldn’t it be great to have a new spring in your step and loads of energy?

Pumpkin Patch - October 15-31

Oct 14 - Pumpkins arrive and help is needed to unload.

Oct 14 - Blessings of the Pets 3:00 pm. Bring your pet in “animal” or even a picture. All pets will be blessed in the Pumpkin Patch.

Oct 21 - Family Fest, 10:00 - 5:00. Make it a day of FUN with the entire family. Enjoy face painting, games, Cotton Candy, etc.

Pumpkin Patch is open October 15-31:

• Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm,
• Sundays: Noon - 5:00 pm

Don’t forget to remind everyone and yourself, to visit the patch.


How do you mend a broken Jack-o-lantern?

Annual Charge Conference - Oct 29th

The Charge Conference is the Church's Annual Meeting for business and ministry. All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend. Elections take place and “State of the Church” is announced. This meeting will take place at 1:30pm on Sunday, October 29.

Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication - Nov 18th

Please mark your calendars (even if you didn't have the opportunity to work) for the dedication of the homes in the JVL build for this year. It will be Saturday, November 18th at 10:30 a.m. at Columbia Elementary School. This school is the one which is directly across the street from the Turner home. The address is 3120 St. Louis Ave. / 63108.

After the dedication we are invited to go to the Turner home for a celebration. We would love to give Toni and her family a house-warming gift but you'll hear more on that as the time gets closer to the date of dedication.

Reserve the date. A plan to car-pool from the church parking lot is a possibility.