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| United Church of Christ | Presbyterian |
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| Carl O. Bickel, Ph.D. Pastor Office phone & fax (301)249-6411 Home phone (301)249-5885 |
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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 |
| If you are new to the Bowie area, we invite you to worship with us at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. We are affiliated with both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). and the United Church of Christ. |
Is there a purpose in our suffering? Some commentators have claimed that the search for meaning is a distinguishing characteristic of human life in the modem age. This search can take many forms, including achievements and relationships. But the search may also involve suffering. Does our suffering have any meaning? What does human experience say about this question? How does the Christian faith address it?
In this discussion course, we will read Victor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, an account of his years as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, and consider the system of "logotherapy" devised by Frankl in response to this experience. We will also draw upon various media and read relevant passages from the Bible in exploring this topic together. The leader is Merrill Hathaway.
In this series we will study and discuss the story of the Christian church from its inception to the modern period. In the first part we will focus on the early church and the imperial church. We will discuss the formation of the church in the context of the times, the church's response to persecution, early attempts to articulate the faith in the midst of an unbelieving culture, and what happened when the church acquired political power. Carl Bickel is the leader.
Please sign up for one of these courses by phoning (301) 249-6411. Each of these series will meet six times, beginning Sunday, September 20, at 10 a.m. (For future classes, see our Adult Education page.)
"What This Church Believes" is the topic for discussion in a six-week course beginning Tuesday, October 20, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The course will cover our reformed heritage, core beliefs of this church, and a discussion of the history of this church, and directions for the future. While for everyone, it is especially for those who have recently joined the church, or for those who are considering joining in the future. Carl Bickel is the leader. Please sign up in the narthex.
GROUP FOR FELLOWSHIP AND CHRISTIAN GROWTH |
| One of the ways that our Christian faith is deepened is by participation in a Christian fellowship group. Would you be interested in being part of a new group which would meet about twice a month on a mutually agreeable night for fellowship, study, and discussion? If so, please let Pastor Carl Bickel know of your interest (301) 249-6411. |
A group of men meet the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP in Bowie for fellowship and informal conversation. We have no formal study, do no projects; we just meet for fellowship. All men are invited to join.
The Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesday, August 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. We will be singing a variety of music and are inviting anyone to join us in our ministry of music. For any questions, please phone Diane Eades (410) 798-6240.
On Sunday evening, September 20, at 7 p.m., after sharing in a time of dessert and informal conversation, Chad Bickel will talk about his experiences on his recent Christian mission trip to Moldova, a part of the former Soviet Union. Chad has some comments about how his trip this year compared to his first trip and about some of the challenges this trip presented to his Christian faith. Please, if convenient, bring a dessert to share. Please sign in the narthex to indicate you will be attending.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. As they lay down for the night, Holmes said: "Watson, look up into the sky and tell me what you see?"
Watson said, "I see millions of stars."
Watson: "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"
Holmes: "Somebody stole our tent."
Submitted by Lou Griner
It's time to start a new church school year. Church school starts Sunday, September 13, at 10 a.m. There will be a breakfast before at 9:30 for those who wish to have breakfast with us. We will also take class pictures that day. We have several exciting things planned for this church school year. We have some new teachers that will bring their energy and fresh ideas to our church school. Teacher Dedication will be on Sunday, September 13, during the worship service. The Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 13th, at 6 p.m. Parents should start seeing information about the Christmas Program in early November. We are also looking for people interested in helping and directing the Christmas Program.
A new program will be used during Activity Time this year. This program is Bible-based. Each time the children attend Activity Time they will receive a packet that contains a Bible story and activities that they will begin during Activity Time and finish at home. The program contains enough lessons to last 3 years. People volunteering to do Activity Time will receive an envelope containing the lesson for that week, so all they have to do is add any supplementary material that they wish to do. We are very excited about this program and would welcome input as the program proceeds.
There is also a Children's Retreat planned for the weekend of September 26th. This retreat is open to children in first grade and up. The youth of the church will be leading the activities during this retreat. Look for more information about this retreat on the table in the narthex. The children of the church should receive information sheets about this retreat during their church school classes.
Look for our church school class pictures during September on the hallway across from Carl's office. We will also post information on this bulletin board about what we are doing to show us growing and maturing as we expand our knowledge of God and his plan for us.
By Lisa Ferrer
Director, Christian Education
A man has betrayed his wife by having an affair. She finds out and is devastated. He admits to what he has done, but then quickly says that they must put this matter behind them and "move on". He says, "What good does it do to dwell on what I have done? You just need to forgive me and 'get over it'."
She, however, cannot just "get over it." The man is simply trying to escape the consequences of what he has done. One of the consequences is that he needs to live with and deal with a hurt, angry, and unhappy wife; to bear with and accept her pain for a prolonged period of time. Asking her to "move on" is a self-serving way of trying to change the subject.
When people face the sudden loss of a loved one, sometimes people say after only a few days, that the person must "move on". They may thus be seeking to deny the person his or her grief and to avoid the discomfort of dealing with a person in grief. Certainly the person experiencing the loss will have to move on, but not without a period, perhaps a long period, of profound pain. A well-known public figure who has done something wrong and then simply wants everyone to "move on" may simply be trying to change the subject.
The phrase "move on" is not a discussion stopper, but simply cover for shady motivation and painful feelings. Healing doesn't happen by avoidance; it happens slowly by experiencing the pain, hurt, and anger of betrayal, fully confessing, being repentant, making restitution where possible, and then after a period of time, maybe a long period of time, being offered and experiencing forgiveness.
"Moving on" is not a substitute for forgiveness. By itself "moving on" does not lead to healing. Only grief, repentance, confessing, restitution where possible, and then forgiveness leads to healing.
Carl Bickel
Pastor, United Parish of Bowie
Shirley's Reflections-Sept., 1998
Imagine this. Our sixteen year-old is leaving for a trip to Camden Yards. As a parent, I caution him--Don't drive too fast to beat the traffic. Be sure you park in an area where the car won't be towed. I'll be waiting up for you so come directly home after the game.
This overly-confident son, on his first drive to the Orioles' game without an adult in the car, feels he'll be able to handle this excursion with ease. Giving me a quick peck on the cheek, he hurries out the door with me anxiously following him--I know, Mom. I know. How many times have you told me the same things? Don't wait up for me. I'll be fine.
The van screeches down the driveway with the stereo blaring so loud it scares the cat into hiding under the picnic table. I fear for our son. He's pushing so hard for grown-up privileges. We've established principles that will protect him and yet allow him to mature. Why did he tear down the street so carelessly without regard for others he might harm?
His inflated sense of competence is most alarming. In my frustration I wash away some petunias with many buckets of water. It seems our son is rejecting our examples and what we taught him. Did he forget the rules for driving and coming home at the expected time? His cockiness is disappointing.
My thoughts turn to you, God, and I look for parallels between you and me, our son and me. Sometimes I do make excuses to do it "my way" rather than take the action I believe you expect. Why did you give me so much freedom if you didn't want me to use it? I really think I could manage without so many rules, God.
Yes, I know God. I'm being irresponsible if I screech my tires, pull away from you, and ignore your advice. But do you really expect me to keep the ten commandments in this survival-of-the-aggressive culture? Remember, God, it's just too scary and demanding if you expect me to love you as you loved us. My life is going quite well, God. Just stand by in case I need you later.
Shirley Klotz Bickel (c. 1998)
A while back I was reading about an expert on the subject of time management. One day this expert was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.
As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.
When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"
Everyone in the class said, "Yes."
Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.
Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.
He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in, and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"
"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!" Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!"
"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."
What are the 'big rocks' in your life?
A project that YOU want to accomplish?
Time with your loved ones?
Your faith, your education, your finances?
A cause?
Teaching or mentoring others?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.
So, tonight or in the morning when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life or business? Then, put those in your jar first.
Submitted by Robert Cozzoline
We will be having a weekend retreat for elementary age children led by the middle and high school students. There will be Olympic games, arts and crafts, and our worship theme will be "How to Pray." The retreat will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and end with worship Sunday morning and will be at the 4-H Center near Bowie. We are looking forward to a time of great Christian fellowship and fun. Registration forms are available at the church or please phone Brian Hunt.
| Beginning September 6 - Worship 11 a.m. Christian Education classes resume September 13 at 10 a.m. |
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