PrideFest 2009 - June 27 & 28

Once again, LPUMC will have a booth at the annual gay and lesbian PrideFest in Tower Grove Park. This is an outreach event for our congregation. We want the GLBT community to know:

As a people of faith, we recognize the diversity of people created in the image of God.
As a congregation, we welcome people of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, health status and any element of humanity created by God.

As usual there will be representatives of other churches near the park spreading a different message. We hope to be a positive force at PrideFest. We will be sharing information about the ministries we have here at LPUMC and inviting anyone who is interested to stop by for a visit.

If there is enough interest we will also walk in the “Grand Parade” on Sunday at noon. We would like everyone who can take a few hours on Sunday to join us for the walk down South Grand. It is important that we a good representation of our congregation to make sure the community understands that we really are a welcoming congregation.

What can you do?

• Volunteer to staff the booth in the park on Saturday or Sunday (11-7); 2 volunteers per shift, 2 hour shifts, starting at 11, 1, 3 and 5
• Walk in the Grand Parade on Sunday
• Drive a shuttle from or back to church to the Grand Parade for our walkers on Sunday morning.

We will have an orientation meeting on Sunday June 14 at 11:15 a.m. If you have not been part of PrideFest before or just want to encourage others, stop by for the latest information.

Look for sign-up sheets every Sunday in June and for updates on the Yahoo Group. If you have any questions or to volunteer, contact Chris Finley.

LYRA Russian Choral Ensemble Free Concert - May 30th

LYRA, a Russian Choral Ensemble and Lafayette Park United Methodist Church are proud to announce a concert featuring Russian Folk Music plus contemporary pieces from the 18th - 20th centuries.

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Lafayette Park United Methodist
This is a Free concert and all are welcome

LYRA is a community of professional musicians most of whom are students or graduates of the St. Petersburg Conservatory and sing in churches and musical theaters throughout that city. Though members of LYRA represent different musical professions: choral conductors, opera singers,instrumentalists, music teachers, it is their passion for ensemble singing that unites them.

The choral community LYRA includes 25 people, but due to the logistics of international touring, they perform in smaller groups of soloists. Their Spring 2009 Midwest Tour will bring an ensemble of 3 men and 2 women to 5 states - IL, WI, MN, IA, MO - where they will present over 30 concerts in April - early June.

LYRA's main goal is exploring and popularizing Russian choral music from the ancient songs of the Orthodox Church to works of little-known, but remarkable composers of the 18th-20th centuries. The well-known masters: Bortniansky, Tchesnokov, Gretchaninov and Tchaikovsky are well represented. Folk songs of lyric, dancing and ritual nature are performed not only in the composer's original arrangements, but those of LYRA's as well. Secular songs of Russian classical composers Taneev, Tchaikovsky, and Rakhmaninov represent yet another side of LYRA's creative activity.

LYRA first appeared in concert in I994. In recent years they have performed not only in Russia but regularly all around Western Europe, Scandinavian Countries and The United States. Through their tours, they introduce the enormous musical heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as traditions of Russian folk music to people having an interest in Russian history and culture. In 2001 LYRA was awarded the Montreux (Switzerland) International Choral Festival diploma. In 2005 the group was also a winner of Coleraine International Choral Festival (Northern Ireland).

In addition to stage performances LYRA have recorded several CDs. The CDs will be available after the performance.
http://www.lyra-online.org/

UMC Habitat for Humanity - Fall 2009

UMC Habitat for Humanity builds this summer

Lafayette Park UMC will partner with other United Methodist churches in St. Louis on a Habitat-build off North Grand. No particular expertise is required, but you must be 18 or older to participate. This will be a great opportunity to meet and work with other United Methodists in our city and to help someone build a new home for their family. The work day typically lasts from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

LPUMC is invited to bring 4-8 persons to each of these four dates:

• August 8th


• August 29th


• October 3rd


• October 17th

If you are interested in participating, please contact Chris Kinder or Pastor Sharon at or 566-0332 to sign up.

Hands in Mission - Summer 2009!

Something new is coming . . .

WHAT? Hands in Mission (H.I.M.) will provide teams of workers to be sent into our local mission field to serve local projects and further develop relationships with existing Methodist agencies. The purpose of these opportunities is to nurture personal relationships with staff, volunteers and clients, and to make a difference in our community by assisting with unbudgeted maintenance tasks.

Typically, we will form workgroups within our multi-aged project team and work side-by-side with other volunteers/staff to perform the tasks at hand. During our time at the worksite, we will tour the facility and learn about the services that our host provides.

WHEN? Hands In Mission will usually take place one Saturday morning a month from 8:00 until noon, or whatever part of the morning works into your schedule. We will do three H.I.M.’s this summer, from June through August.

WHY? Because as part of the body of Christ, we are invited to be Christ’s hands in our community, to do his work of building, healing, and loving.

Dates for upcoming H.I.M. Opportunities
Saturday, June 13th Centenary Cares
Saturday, July 25th Shalom House
Saturday, August 22nd TBA

Questions? Contact Jason Stokes, Chris Kinder, or Pastor Sharon

Vacation Bible School! - June 15-19

Join our Beach Party
Vacation Bible School!
June 15-19
from 6-8:30 p.m.

Children, youth, and adults are welcome!
New this year: Adult VBS group

Local Hands-on Mission: Solomon’s Project

May 30, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Find your work gloves and favorite ole’ t-shirt, and plan now to join a mission team from Lafayette Park UMC to work on a local building project through the Solomon Project.

Solomon Project is organized through our neighbors at North Grand Neighborhood Services (NGNS). They rehab older homes and buildings that have fallen into significant disrepair, and might even have been condemned. One by one by one, this organization, supported by corporate, non-for-profits, and private sponsors, has transformed derelict buildings into beautiful and affordable housing.

Depending on the team size, we may have smaller groups painting, cleaning up the worksite, dry-walling, etc, but there will be something for everyone to do.

Lunch will be provided on the worksite.

NGNS also welcomes financial support for their projects. Every penny received is passed on as savings to the prospective home owner.

Any questions? Contact Pastor Sharon at 566-0332 or Jason Stokes. For more information, you can also check out www.solomonproject.org.

Cajun Dinner - April 25

Our second annual Cajun Dinner to benefit Volunteers in Mission will be held on Saturday, April 25. The Chefs Merle and Heugatter will cover the cooking again!. Mark your calendars to come enjoy some incredible food. This is the best Cajun food north of New Orleans!

Earth Day Tree Planting - April 19

On Sunday morning April 19, LPUMC will be planting a tree between the 8 and 10 AM worship services. Bring you gloves and join us at 9:30 Sunday morning to plant a tree!

Annual Spring Book Fair - April 17 & 18th

On April 17 and 18, peruse the wide variety of titles at the United Methodist Women’s annual book sale. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the lower level of the church. Plan to arrive early for the best selection.

Holy Week Schedule - March 2009

Easter time is here and once again we have additional worship services for everyone to take advantage of.

The week of March 5 Special Worship Services:

• Palm Sunday - Worship at 8 & 10 AM


• Maundy Thursday - Worship at 7 PM - Centenary Chapel


• Good Friday - Worship at 7 PM


• Saturday - Easter Egg Hunt (10:30PM see below!)

Easter Sunday - Worship

• 8AM - Reflections on an Empty Tomb
  This service will offer a contemporary, contemplative experience at the end of the Easter Vigil. It will begin in darkness and grow into the resurrected light and life of Christ.


• 10 AM - An Easter Celebration
  This service will offer a traditional celebration of Easter just briefly reminding us of Good Friday and experiencing Resurrection as we worship.
  

Invitation Sunday - March 29

If you have felt a tug on your heart to go deeper in your relationship with God through Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, God may be calling you to become a member. On Sunday March 29 we will invite all those who are interested in membership to come forward together and be received as new members.

If you are interested, call Pastor Sharon at 566-0332 lpassociate@sbcglobal.net

Easter Egg Hunt and Party! - April 11

On Saturday, April 11, 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 Eric & Robin Merle at heartreach@gmail.com.

The Biggest Loser is back at LPUMC!

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 envision it working:

1. Program to begin on Thursday, March 19, with a weigh-in at church and will conclude on May 17.


2. Entry donation of $25 due at time of weigh-in. Half of the total amount received will be donated toward a 2009 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 March 26 between 5:30-7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.


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


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

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 at that time. NOTE: If you do not complete the program, your entry donation will be forfeited. If interested, please let us know. You may notify Sheryl Smothers either by phone (583-4914) or e-mail

MacMurry College Choir - March 8

The MacMurry College Chior under the direction of Terri Benz ('83) will perform during the 10 AM Worship Service on Sunday March 8th.

The chior performs sacred and secular works from Bach to Gershwin. It will be an exciting worship experience.

Fundraiser for Mozambique Initiative - Mar 14

As a part of the Mozambique Initiative Team for the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, Brenda Cook has an amazing opportunity to be part of the leadership delegation to Mozambique in August 2009. On March 14, 3:30-5:30, Brenda Cook will be hosting a “girls night out” at Looking Glass Designs located in the historic Lafayette Square area as a fundraiser for this ministry. You are invited to shop for beautiful boutique items, home decor and customized gifts. The Looking Glass Designs specializes in handbags and totes for adults and children. All of the guests will receive a special monogrammed attendance gift and 20% of the profit will be donated to my Mozambique mission trip.

Andrea Heugatter who is also a member of Lafayette Park UMC owns the Looking Glass Designs shop. The shop is located at 1410 S. 18th Street. Please join us and become a part of the Mozambique ministry. If you cannot attend but would like to assist in this mission, donations can be made through Lafayette Park UMC, attention Mozambique.

When: March 14, 3:30-5:30
Where: Looking Glass Designs - 1410 S. 18th Street

Please RSVP by March 6, 2009

For more on the Mozambique Initiative visit http://www.mozambiqueinitiative.org/

Shawn Thomas Concert - Feb 20 7 PM

"Aaron's Rainbow Project" (ARP) and Lafayette Park United Methodist Church are proud to announce contemporary Christian singer Shawn Thomas in concert.

He will be performing songs off his award winning recordings, as well as his newest praise and worship CD entitled "Worship & Desperation".

Date: Friday, February 20, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Lafayette Park United Methodist Church
2300 Lafayette AvenueSt Louis, MO 63104

This is a Free concert and all are welcome.

Shawn will also be part of the Sunday morning worship services at 8 AM and 10 AM on Sunday, February 22, 2009.

About Shawn Thomas

His 2003 CD, "Everything I Am", peaked online Top 40 and Top 20 charts for over 14 months, including the number one singles, "The Beat of the Lord" and "Starting Over Again".

The CD, "Changed", received a nomination for the 2006 OutMusic awards as Outstanding New Inspirational Recording, and features the driving title track and an upbeat cover of Amy Grant's "What About the Love".

"Faith Unashamed" (a double disc special edition release) received a nomination for 2007 Production/Producer of the year from the Pride in the Arts Awards. "Faith Unashamed" has stayed in the top ten CD/albums on the OutVoice.com Top 40 for over a year.

Awarded "Best Independent Songwriter" by the 2004 Indie Awards and labeled as "groovin'"..."wholesome"...and "inspirational" by Pride Christian Music, Shawn continues to develop his music career in a new direction of spirituality and ministry. "I actually resisted writing Contemporary Christian type music in the past because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to still perform the style of music that I enjoy." That style of music, as featured on Shawn's new CD, "Worship & Desperation", includes a wide variety from traditional ballads, to praise music, to pop/rock.

With a minister as his father and a very talented musician as his mother, Shawn's ministry through ARP is the natural combination of his musical and spiritual influences. Pursuing his talents in many directions including songwriting, production, dance and choreography, Shawn Thomas emerges not only as a competent performer and singer, but as a dynamic and versatile entertainer and presenter. His intention is to share the message of practicing the principles of Love and Grace in order to build unity, understanding, and acceptance.

"Everything I Am", "Changed", "Faith Unashamed", and "Worship & Desperation" are available for sale on popular internet sites including iTunes.com, Rhapsody.com, BestBuy.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, and CDBaby.com, and is distributed by Aaron's Rainbow Project and Shawn Thomas Studios, West Palm Beach, FL.

For more information on Shawn Thomas and his ministry, visit http://www.shawnthomasonline.com/ and http://www.aaronsrainbowproject.com/.

Christmas Eve Service Schedule

4:00 p.m. - Family Worship

This service will be an interactive family experience. It will include our Children and Youth Choir and will focus on the Journey to Find Jesus, inviting the children to travel around the Sanctuary in search of the baby Jesus. The children will again be invited to serve Holy Communion.

9:30 p.m. - Fellowship Gathering

A Christmas Eve Fellowship Gathering will begin at LPUMC. Bring your family and friends to meet your church family and share Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.

10:30 p.m. - Music Program

11:00 p.m. - Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship

This is our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship, rich with sacred music provided by the choir, and the sharing of Holy Communion. Worship will conclude at midnight as candlelight is passed to everyone, and the darkened sanctuary is illuminated.

Come join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Decorate the UMW Mitten Tree

The United Methodist Women invite you to bring in your new (all sizes) hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and thick socks to decorate the Mitten Tree in the Sanctuary this December. The clothing will be divided between Kingdom House and the children at Sigel Elementary School (Sigel asked for socks because there are many children who come to school without socks throughout the winter).

Invitation to Confirmation!

Many of us were baptized as babies. As part of the service, our parents made public professions of faith on our behalf. As young persons reaching the age of accountability, we are ready to take more responsibility for our own faith. Confirmation is a call to discipleship, a call to claim the name “Christian” for ourselves. It may also involve the Sacrament of Baptism for those who have yet to receive it.

Those persons currently enrolled in seventh through ninth grade (though those parameters are flexible) are invited to begin this Confirmation journey together. Through a series of 8 mid-week gatherings and some field trip experiences (yeah-Road Trip!), we will explore the Christian faith, United Methodism, and our own church, Lafayette Park UMC. We will foster our faith through sharing and learning together, the practice of spiritual disciplines, and participating in the wider community of faith.

If you are interested in taking the Confirmation journey this year, contact Pastor Sharon at 566-0332 or lpassociate@sbcglobal.net. We will begin in January.

Reference: United Methodist Church, Confirmation Overview

Coat Drive!

We are again collecting clean and repaired coats (for all ages) for those who are in need of a warm coat to wear during the winter months. If you have a coat to share, drop it in the box in Fellowship Hall downstairs. They will be shared with the guests at Cares Outreach, our United Methodist outreach to the homeless in our urban community.