Worship Schedule

May 4
Ascension Sunday
Holy Communion
Waiting in Faith
Acts 1:1-11 

May 11
Pentecost Sunday
Festival of the Christian Home/Mother's Day
STEWARDSHIP OF PRESENCE 1
Many Gifts, One Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 

May 18
Trinity Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday
STEWARDSHIP OF PRESENCE 2
Speaking of God
Matthew 28:16-20 

May 25
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
God Rules!
Matthew 6:24-34

As (the disciples) were watching, (Jesus) was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.  They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking….?”                                                                                                                                                                   Acts 1:9-11a

  How often do we find ourselves just standing and looking?

  In this season of Easter we experience the meaning and power of the resurrection in significant ways.  We are invited to follow with his disciples in waiting for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  We celebrate the birth of the church and take up our calling to be the Body of Christ in the world.

  As we consider the gift given to us and the challenge of ministry before us we sometimes find our confidence waning and our energy exhausted.  The challenge is just too great.  Our experience is not unlike that of the disciples as Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving them (and us) to carry on his ministry.  We long for purpose, direction, and power.  With the disciples, we just stand there, looking.

  The Easter season is not only the story of our Lord resurrected.  It is also the story of our Lord present with us giving us purpose, guiding our direction, and granting the power we so long for.

  As we celebrate his Ascension (May 4), Pentecost (May 11), and prepare for our Stewardship of Presence emphasis and “University of Faith” learning opportunity, we are called to focus our gaze upon the mission Jesus has called and empowered us to serve. 

  Shall we go forth with joy or just stand there, looking?

ROANOKE VALLEY DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FIRST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

CIRCLE NEWS

The Dottie Walker Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 13, at 10:30 a.m. in the Wimmer Classroom.

The Upper Room Circle will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, for a walk on the Roanoke River Greenway and lunch afterward.  We will meet on May 20, to wrap up discussion of our current book.  We plan to gather once or twice during the summer for fellowship before beginning another study in the fall.  For more information, please contact Dawn Long, 989-2837.

FOOD COLLECTIONS

BLOOD DRIVE

MISSION TEAM TO MISSISSIPPI

Local Missions
Habitat for Humanity
Pastoral Counseling Center
Roanoke Area Ministries
Roanoke Rescue Mission
West End Center
CHIP
Red Cross of Roanoke Valley
 
National Missions
Volunteers in Mission Team
 
United Methodist Special Offerings
Human Relations Day
Heart Havens

One Great Hour of Sharing
Native American Awareness Sunday
Samaritan Fund
Peace with Justice Sunday
Christian Education Sunday
Industrial & Commercial Ministries
VA Conference/Bishop’s Offering

 
Special Requests for Additional Funds from “Community Needs Response”
Trinity UMC C.O.P. School Supplies
Trinity Afterschool Program
Community College Campus Ministries

“University of Faith”
WED. NIGHT SUPPER AND SMALL GROUPS
four-week series
May 14-June 4, 2008

             5:30—6:30 pm    Simple meal continuously served
             6:30—7:30 pm    Small Groups

Participants choose one of the following offerings: 
Covenant Discipleship Group
led by Bill Davidson

Members of this small group are guided by a “covenant” that they themselves have written.  Shaped by John Wesley’s “General Rules of the Church” (Do no harm; Do all the good you can,; Attend to the ordinances of God), the covenant agreement is the guide for the group meeting  designed to help each participant grow in discipleship.

Men’s Bible Study
led by Bruce Muncy

As men we all strive to be better leaders in faith for our families and communities.  By understanding the Bible, we can understand God's plan for men and live lives of integrity through the examples of men in the Bible.

Nursery provided
Cost of meal each week:
$3.50/person, $2.50/child, $10/family
(money is placed in the “honor” basket at the food table)

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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
DEADLINE MAY 11 

Name__________________________________________

email ____________________      phone ______________

Session preferences (indicate number attending):
             ___ Covenant Discipleship Group
             ___ Men’s Bible Study
             ___

Number and ages of children attending ____________

CONGRATULATIONS
2007-2008
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!  

Salina Davidson--$681.50
Katherine Witt--$681.50
Timothy Oshida--$1000.00
Walker Adkins--$1000.00

______________________________________

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
 the week of May 25-31 
Our church the host church and we are responsible for SUNDAY, MAY 25:
        Preparing the Youth House on Sunday afternoon
MON., TUES., WED., MAY 26-28:
        Meals, evening hosts, and overnight hosts
 SATURDAY, MAY 31
      Packing up the Youth  House.
If you can help please call the church office. (344-4437)

______________________________________

PART-TIME DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

 (10 hrs/wk) This immediate opening for Director of Children’s Education serves as primary staff for children’s Sunday school and the church’s Vacation Bible School and assists with children’s weekday programs. Job description is posted on the the church's web site: www.srumc.com. Email resume, three references, and salary requirements to PennyHayns@aol.com or mail to 2330 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24014 attn: Director of Children’s Education Search Committee.

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NEEDED: NEW FACES IN THE NURSERY!

¨ Newsletter schedule:  The deadline for articles for the June issue of the Tower Times is May 15. Send articles to Kate Garrett or email to kgarrett@benefitsmanagement.com.  Articles can be sent at anytime prior to the deadline.

¨ The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  If you would like more information regarding our Social Club please call bonnie dayton (981-0237

¨  The Church Office will be closed on Monday May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

THE DEADLINE for articles for the June issue of the Tower Times is May 15. Send articles to Kate Garrett or email to kgarrett@benefitsmanagement.com. Articles can be sent at any time prior to the deadline. 

AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX: The January/February Upper Room, large print United Methodist Hymnals, individual hearing enhancement equipment, and children’s bulletins (ages 3-12). Please ask an usher to assist you. 

PLAN TO JOIN THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP for a tour of some of the historical stone churches in Patrick County (with a stop at Nancy’s Candy Co.) on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Cost will be $4.00 plus lunch.

DETAILS AND SIGN-UP SHEETS are on the bulletin board by the 24th Street entrance. Departure time from Stanley Avenue will be 9:00 a.m. and return time will be approximately 4:30 p.m. Deadline to sign-up is Sunday, May 11. 

WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF PRAYER AND PRAISE 6:30 P.M. began April 2 for six weeks and will be an informal time of worship in the sanctuary with contemporary music, prayer, and testimony by church members. Join us! This week’s speaker will be Bruce and Laura Long. 

NEXT SUNDAY will be the first Sunday of the month. This means BRING YOUR NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS to church to help feed the hungry in the Roanoke Valley.

BYRON RAGLAND’S ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS: City of Oaks Health and Rehab Center; 3609 Bond Street; Raleigh, NC 27604; (919) 231-8144; cell phone (919) 812-2156. 

BLOOD DRIVE— May 27! Here in our Fellowship Hall. If you would like to help by preparing some sandwiches, or baking some cookies, please call Terry Wilkinson,
772-0490. 

VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TRIP to Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina Relief has been postponed until the fall. 

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED will meet for May Friendship Day on Friday, May 2 at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church. Registration begins at 9:30 followed by Bible study, business meeting, program and lunch. Call 774-0066, Ext. 10 to make your reservation. 

PENNY HAYNES WILL BE on vacation this week. Volunteers will be staffing the church office in her absence. 

PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE. Nine hundred ninety-two delegates meet April 23-May 2 in Forth Worth, TX for this quadrennial meeting of the United Methodist Church. Our Virginia Conference sends thirty delegates to this Conference this year to revise the Book of Discipline and set policies regarding church membership, ordination, administration, property, and judicial procedures of the church. 

PART-TIME DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S EDUCATION (10 hrs/wk) This immediate opening for Director of Children’s Education serves as primary staff for children’s Sunday school and the church’s Vacation Bible School and assists with children’s weekday programs. Job description is posted on www.srumc.com. Email resume, three references, and salary requirements to PennyHayns@aol.com or mail to 2330 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24014 Attn: Director of Children’s Education Search Committee. 

PARENTS MEETING: There will be a youth parents’ meeting to discuss summer missions and Junaluska at 5:00 p.m. on May 4. 

THANK YOU to all of those who helped cover children and youth programs during my recent vacation. It was a much needed rest and I appreciate your help in allowing me to get away. Thank you   -Paula 

YOUTH FOR HIRE: It is time to call the youth for those spring cleaning projects. We will work on weekends through June 30th. Please call 344-4437 ext. 16 to reserve a time. 

GOD’S PROMISES - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
AT SOUTH ROANOKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: 

Sunday, July 6--Thursday, July 10; 5:30-8:00 p.m. for children PreK-5th grade. A study of our covenant relationship with God and how it evolved through the Old Testament and changed in the New Testament as signaled by Jeremiah. We’ll need lots of help from youth, parents, grandparents, and other adults interested in helping with this awesome ministry. Start praying now!!!
                                  Sign-up at the children’s church door!

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 JOIN OR VISIT AN ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS!
Wimmer Class (Senior Adult) - The International Lesson Series in the Wimmer Room.
Wesley Class (All Ages) - Study and Fellowship—”Faith Sharing” led by Rev. Bill Davidson (Wesley Room).
Aldersgate Class (Middle Adult) is reading and discussing A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. Anyone is welcome to join.
Pathfinders Class (Young Adult) is currently discussion Christian Relationship as our topic of study. This course of study will continue through February. The areas of focus include: communication, healthy conflict, respect and overall influences of religion on relationships. The Pathfinders are also focusing on increasing attendance to Sunday School for good discussions and fellowship. 

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CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

Children’s Choirs meet on Sundays at the start of Sunday school. The Cherub and Hosanna Choirs meet every Sunday morning from September-June. Cherub Choir is for children ages 3 years to 5 years old and Hosanna is for K-5th grade. The next time the children will sing for Sunday worship service is February 17th at 10:30 a.m. Mark your calendars now for Children’s Sunday on April 29th.The children will lead worship that day.