Office phone & fax (301)249-6411
Home phone (301)249-5885
Patty Keys, Editor
Church School 10:00 a.m.
Worship 11:00 a.m.
web page http://www.unitedparishbowie.org
| United Church of Christ | Presbyterian |
|---|---|
|
Office phone & fax (301)249-6411 Home phone (301)249-5885 Patty Keys, Editor |
| MITCHELLVILLE AND
MT. OAK ROADS Church School 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. |
email pastor@unitedparishbowie.org web page http://www.unitedparishbowie.org |
| Maundy Thursday Service | ||
| April 13, 2006 | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Come join us for a service of remembrance of the last evening and day of Jesus' life. Communion will be served and the story of Christ's passion will be told in story and song, with special music provided by the choir. | ||
Our 11:00 a.m. worship will be full of joyful music, celebrating the resurrection of Christ. There will be no Sunday school this day.
The Reverend Carl O. Bickel, Ph.D.
July 3, 1936 – February 11, 2006
Pastor of United Parish of Bowie
1973 – 2006
From the Editor:
I am dedicating this April Newsletter to our dear departed pastor, Carl O. Bickel. It seems so appropriate to do so at Easter Time. For the past two months we have been trying to adjust to losing our counselor, minister, father, husband, grandfather, and dear friend. During this time many have given their tributes to Carl in words, actions, song, music, prayer...there is just so much to be thankful for....and so much we will miss. I couldn't find the words during the services – or maybe it was the nerve to say them....but yet I could repeat every word that has been said as my own; we all feel the same loss.
Since so much has been said, I will share just one of my memories. I will always remember the first day I met Carl (September 22, 2002) and how moved I was by his sermon and his heartfelt welcome to me. I will never forget Carl keeping score on how many times I came to United Parish after that day. And when I didn't come – he noticed that too! His understanding and caring meant so much to me as I started a new life in Bowie. It was his encouragement and "attendance record" that brought me back to church again. I didn't want to miss a single Sunday—because I knew he would notice and my score card would have a zero on it!
I am sure that Carl is still watching over us and will always be with us in our hearts. And I am sure he has a computer with Windows 3.1 and WordPerfect for DOS just to keep "score" on how we are doing at United Parish!
Thank you Carl.
Dear Friends,
The United Parish of Bowie is truly a dedicated and caring fellowship. In the midst of many opportunities and challenges, Carl and I derived much satisfaction and joy as we raised our family while laboring with you to be the church since October, 1973.
I cannot thank you enough for all of your loving expressions (cards, letters, gifts, phone calls, food offerings) and prayers during Carl's ministry and especially during his failing health and battle for life these past months. You were immensely supportive and thoughtful. We were so fortunate to have your love for our children through the years (and later their families) as well as your persistent prayers, encouragement and kindnesses particularly when Carl's health became so fragile. During this roller coaster year and in the midst of much pain during his last hospitalization, I believe Carl felt very much loved by you as he made his transition to his eternal home. My family and I miss Carl greatly. Thank you, thank you for your ministry to all of us!
Laura Collins has been a wonderful pastor since she joined the staff, and I believe God will lead the United Parish as it seeks a more permanent pastor and plans its future ministry under a conscientious and competent Parish Board. There is a hurting and restless world beyond our doorstep. May God find each of us ready to walk through that door with renewed vision and commitment to perform whatever tasks God chooses for us as individuals and as a church family.
Love and prayers,
Shirley Bickel
Dear United Parish,
I write as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Easter Sunday is the heart and soul of the Christian faith, a reminder of our deep hope in God's love, which is stronger than death.
This congregation has had its share of death this year. Yet even before Easter arrives, I am a witness to your on-going love. Your kind embrace of me has been profoundly healing. I have been amazed at your commitment, your generosity and even your joy as you move through your grief and begin to chart the future course for your church.
Thanks to all of you for your continued presence and work in the congregation — in Sunday School, on the work-day, at Chat and Chew, through worship. Thanks to board members for long hours of meetings. Thanks to the new board officers for taking on extra responsibilities in this time of transition. And thanks again for the surprise birthday party last month.
It is such a joy for me to be part of this church family and an honor to walk with you through these difficult times. I look forward to sharing a few more months with you before your new interim pastor arrives. And based on my observance of your dedication and love these past few months, I have no doubt that you will be just fine. The future is in God's hands. And our God is the one whose love is stronger than death.
Peace and grace,
Laura
Webmaster's note: Rev. Bickel's obituary was made available to us courtesy of The Washington Times.
Two of my uncles from Detroit liked to practice their marksmanship, and so they sometimes traveled in the fall the ninety-some miles to our farm in November to hunt pheasants with my dad and brother. The men were pleased with themselves if they were successful in killing a pheasant or two and even more satisfied if that pheasant was dressed (dipped in boiling water so the feathers could be removed) and served at the next meal. It was a sport more than it was a necessity to put food on the table. I myself was taught by my brother to target shoot, but I never wanted to shoot a live bird or groundhog.
For the first sixteen years of my life I witnessed the death of animals as part of a family's routine although not a pleasant reality for me. Pigs were born to be fattened and sent to be butchered when the sows reached the right weight for juicy hams and tenderloin. Male calves were raised solely for the purpose of feeding them properly so they would produce tender steaks when they were later butchered. Except for my dad or mom killing a chicken with an ax, I did not usually see the animal or poultry go through the death process.
It seems that the animals and chickens, who were killed without warning for people's sustenance, had no fear of dying because they did not have our thought capabilities. Because we humans can only fantasize what it might be like to die, should we fear dying? Fortunately, I grew up in a family where participation in Sunday School and worship was also part of our routine. At church I learned that God has given us humans a very high place in his creation, and that a human's death is the passage into a life with God forever. In the sanctuary of this tiny country church which had no indoor bathrooms, there were various pictures of our Doorkeeper to heaven, Jesus. On the outside of a wooden door stood Jesus knocking and waiting for the inhabitant to invite Jesus inside. It was a compelling message portrayed. Who wouldn't want to welcome Jesus into his life? Life with Jesus could begin now and last for eternity. How appealing!
There is a possible stumbling block here, and that is we have to somehow navigate the channel of death in order to arrive in our heavenly home. How do we do this without living in dreadful fear of the dying process? Animals' deaths for human consumption are usually quick, not extended with blood transfusions or a schedule of pills and morphine. We humans do not know how we will die or when. We worry when we think we might have to face months or years of pain as well as the separation from loved ones.
A month ago my dear husband passed from this life into the life God has planned for him. Carl had suffered great pain, and yet his dying was peaceful and without fear. One of my sons held one of Carl's hands and I held the other hand while Carl made that transition. We sang, prayed and recited scripture as Carl's labored breaths became farther and farther apart. When I opened my eyes, Carl was gone. His spirit was already absent from the body. He did not even look like the same person to me. Thank you, God that it is the spirit, not the sick body, which you have invited to live with you in your heavenly realm.
I take comfort in Jesus' words as I think about the end of earthly life. Jesus told his disciples to meet him at the mountain for final instructions before departing — much like family gathering around a loved one to say goodbye before the dying person leaves. Jesus promised his followers—and us also—"I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus assures us he will be with us always until the end of history. Our friend Jesus, our Savior, our Master will be with us in this life and in the passage to the next life. We will not be alone if we open the doors of our hearts and minds to Jesus. Jesus not only died so that our sins might be forgiven, but He promised us a future where we can forever exist in God's family. Without death, there would be no Easter!
Shirley Klotz Bickel (© 2006)
The adult Education Committee is planning a 3-week course on Narnia and some of the ideas of C.S. Lewis. No book purchase is necessary. We will be watching a documentary and discussing the recent film adaptation of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, among other things. The class, led by Marian Coombs, will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 23rd and will conclude on Sunday, May 7th. Please sign up in the Narthex. If you would like additional information, please contact Marion Coombs.
Mark Your Calendar for Saturday April 29th!
If you're handy with a paint brush, hammer, or a rake please plan on joining others from UPB for our annual trek into PG County for a one day fix up of a needy home in the county. This has been an annual outreach event for our church for over ten years. Please plan on devoting your Saturday on April the 29th to help a fellow resident.
Herb Sheppard , Coordinator
If you have not picked up your copy of the New Directory — you can pick one up from the Narthex table or let me know and I will send you one.
Patty Keys
We are planning a YARD SALE at United Parish on May 20th. We need vendors, helpers, and most of all----MERCHANDISE!!! SO as you start your spring cleaning.....remember United Parish!
If you are interested in helping us with this project, please sign up in the Narthex or contact Diane Eades.
Contributions for 2005 were made to Doctors Without Borders, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Mary's Place.
The Parish Board has again allocated $1200 for 2006.
The committee also provided a dinner for the Warm Nights Program at Village Baptist Church.
Judy Farrell is coordinating the filling of Easter baskets for the Family Crisis shelter and our monthly dinner for the shelter is also on Easter.
We are trying to gather pictures of events in the life of the United Parish. I have started labeling and filing them so that we can have them to display in the library. Sometimes the names aren't on the pictures, so I am going to start sharing pictures and asking for help in identifying people.
| If you are new to the Bowie area, we invite you to worship with us at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. A nursery is provided. Christian education for children, youth and adults is Sunday at 10 a.m. We are affiliated with both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Church of Christ |
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