Top 5 @ SPUMC

Whether or not you go to church, you've probably heard of or labeled someone a "Doubting Thomas." While it is true that Thomas misses out on the first resurrection appearance to the disciples and asks for (OK, demands) his own encounter with the living Jesus, that is only part of the story. In his sermon on Sunday, "Faith Through Doubt," Rev. Ron tried to paint a fuller picture of the much maligned disciple reminding us that it was only Thomas willing to go die with Jesus when he wanted to return to his friend Lazarus (John 11:7-16) and Thomas, during Jesus' famous farewell discourse, who was intent on following Jesus no matter where he went (John 14:1-7). In the end, our honest questions and doubts are not the opposite of faith but can be a desire and pathway toward a deeper faith. After all, it was Thomas who came through with the strongest profession of faith in the end: "My Lord and my God!" A deep longing for personal engagement with Jesus and God is not a bad thing.

Our Spring Missions Garage Sale is THIS Saturday, May 3, 8:30am-1pm. We need hundreds of volunteers April 30 - May 2 to help receive, sort and price donations and on the day of the sale, as well. Donations can be dropped off beginning April 30, 5-8pm; May 1, 8am-8pm; and May 2, 8am-2pm. The proceeds from the sale support the outreach work of Volunteers in Mission (VIM) and the United Women in Faith (UWF). Sign up to help and find out more here. 

THE 8th ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS took place this past Sunday, April 27  in our Memorial Garden. This is always a fun afternoon as people get to show off their furry, feathery or scaly friends to one another. This year we had our best turnout ever with over 55 people and about 20 pets in attendance including many dogs (5 Berna-doodles!), a bearded dragon, hermit crab, and pictures of cats and pigs (who thought it better to stay home!).  What a great way to celebrate Earth Day weekend and revel in the wonder of God's creation!

Our Easter EGGstravaganza was a huge success as kids played games, made crafts, munched on donuts holes and found the thousands of eggs that had been scattered outside (in about 3 1/2 minutes). Over 200 people of all generations filled Fellowship Hall for this annual fun-fest. Special thanks to Erica Benjamin and her team for such a great event for our families!

Holy Week was full of sacred moments, some planned and others totally unscripted. Our Maundy Thursday crockPOTluck meal provided an array of delicious culinary options and the service that followed didn't disappoint, either. The children delighted us with their impromptu dance party in the back and serving one another communion around our tables was a fitting remembrance of the Last Supper. On Good Friday, we had a beautiful afternoon to solemnly process through the Stations of the Cross along the banks of the Severn River with Christians from many area churches. And then the haunting and poignant music of the cello (Ty Young), the choir (under the direction of wife, Laura Young) along with Rev. Byron's sermon ("There Was Only Silence") drew us into the drama and pathos of Jesus' crucifixion at our evening service in the Sanctuary.  

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, 
now scornfully surrounded with thorns, thine only crown...