The Beacon Newsletter September 2024

Wednesday Night Dinners will resume this month on September 11.

Bible Study for all ages will start on Wednesday September 11 for Kids, Youth, Men and Women. See details below.

Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting on Sunday September 22 after worship.

Youth Fall Kick Off - Sundae Night September 8 at 5:00pm. See details below.

Trunk-R-Treat / Fall Festival is Saturday October 26 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm

A Word from Rev. Snell

Dear Cedar Grove friends:

It looks like it’s going to be a good season.  

For my alma mater’s football team, that is. Along with Peggy L’Hommedieu and Matt Parks, I am a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. When I was an engineering student there back in the 1980s, the school’s football program was mediocre. However, since I left the Hokies have had some impressive years, winning several conference championships. They haven’t been great of late, but those who follow our team closely indicate that the stars are aligning and it may be a good year for the team.  

I don’t follow football as closely as I should, but I am keeping a close eye on the team we have here at Cedar Grove. And I think this coming season could be something special in our church.

First of all, we had a great training camp this summer. Literally. In addition to a very successful Vacation Bible School, our children’s ministry program had four other camps in July and August. Between Dance Camp, Sports Camp, Pre-K Camp, and End of Summer Camp, this place was filled with happy children all summer long. I was blessed to watch the next generation of disciples be “trained up in they way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6) by all the staff and volunteers who made this summer at Cedar Grove so joyous. Thank you to all who helped make it special.

This fall season will be just as full and just as joyous. Youth Group begins September 8, Martha Lydia Circle has its first meeting of the season on September 9, and Wednesday Night Dinners resume on September 11. Like last season, we will offer Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies after dinner on Wednesday nights. New this season at the same hour on Wednesdays will be offerings for children (Cedar Grove Kids) and youth (Youth Bible Study). Tuesday Bible Study (10:00 am) and Adult Sunday School (9:00 am) also continue to bless those who faithfully dig more deeply into God’s Word.

After a brief summer respite, the committees of the church will also begin their regular routine of meetings this fall. I’m so impressed with how efficiently and smoothly our church leaders run our meetings, and I am grateful for the cooperative spirit that everyone exhibits when we gather to do the church’s business. A list of our current committee structure and leadership is located on the board to the left of the entrance to the Sanctuary. If anyone is feeling led to serve on a committee in 2025, please let me know. The Nominating Committee will meet in September and will prayerfully consider who God might be calling to leadership in the year ahead.

Another promising sign of a good season ahead is the vitality I see in Cedar Grove’s worship life. Our Praise Team has tirelessly led us in praise all summer long, and 26 people have made or renewed a commitment to the discipleship journey through the Vows of Professing Membership. On August 25, Berlin D. was the fifth person baptized at Cedar Grove this year; on Sunday, September 22, Eloisa D. will be the sixth. Given how God is stirring the waters here in Deale, she likely will not be the last.  

It’s going to be a good season, friends. I don’t know how my football team will do this year, but I’ll put our church team’s record of success up against Virginia Tech’s anytime. See you soon at Cedar Grove.  

Peace,

A.B. Snell  

Announcements

Pie with the Pastors — All who are interested in exploring membership or making a renewed profession of faith at Cedar Grove are invited to join the pastors for pie and conversation on the second Saturday of each month. Sign up on the clipboard in the lobby. The next date will be September 14. See one of the pastors for details. 

Women's Ministry

Save the Date – After a summer break, all women are invited to the first meeting of the Martha Lydia Circle on Monday, September 9 at 10:00 am. We welcome you to join us in serving our church together.  Marjorie Johnson will share her thoughts on our theme for the year, which is the Creation of this beautiful world God has given to us. Hope you can attend. We meet in the church Parlor. 

Tote Bags for Sale – Holidays are right around the corner and the Martha Lydia Circle has just the thing that would make a beautiful gift for your family and friends. We will be selling our tote bags on September 8 after worship. Get them before they are gone! Great for groceries!

Sunday Scripture Schedule - Reverend Snell Preaching

Sunday, September 1 - Song of Sol. 2:8-13; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Sunday, September 8 - James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-27

Sunday, September 15 - James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Sunday, September 22 - James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37

Sunday, September 29 - James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Wednesday Night Dinners —Starting on September 11

Join us at 5:30 pm on Wednesday nights to fellowship and break bread together. 

Bible Studies for all ages (Men, Women, Youth and Children) are open to all after the meal. 

There are open dates in September and October for those willing to provide the meal. Please see the signup sheet in the Lobby. Contact Pam Morton with questions. Thank you!

MISSION CORNER - Good News Prison Ministry

Thank you to everyone who has kept Trish in prayer for healing from her broken ankle. After the full month of June in an inflatable boot and the full month of July in a lace up and velcro ankle brace she is well on the road to recovery. We had our final visit with the orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday August 7th and was informed she is mending very well and will not require any surgery or further visits with them. Trish has already completed her physical therapy treatments and is fully recovered. God is so good!! 

Chaplain Alisa DePriest continues to recover from her recent surgery for breast cancer.

Her latest update:

"Not uncommon to most patients, the biopsy site (nodal site underarm) became infected. I’m on a course of antibiotics. Pray they work and I’m able to begin my radiation. I’m grateful for all the doctors and technologies. But I am most grateful for your prayers. Continue praying for a full recovery so that I can get back to ministering to women at ORCC/JRDC. Be blessed. Alisa”

Please continue to keep Chaplains Brit, Alisa, me and our local jail ministry in both the Jennifer and Ordnance Road facilities in your prayers. During the month of July 450 inmates attended 81 religious group programs led by the chaplains and volunteers and 48 inmates received religious counseling from the chaplains and mentors. We also had over 112 individual Bible lessons completed. 

In His service with you,

Chase Wood

Children & Youth Update by Pastor Faith Wilkerson

WINTER MELTDOWN - 2025 Youth Winter Retreat: Ok, maybe it's hard to imagine playing in the snow right now. But we are planning for the Winter Meltdown. Middle and high schoolers should sign up soon for this action-packed Winter Retreat at River Valley Ranch. For grades 6 - 12 this is a two night experience that helps us focus on God and build meaningful relationships. Space is limited! Please tell Pastor Faith before Nov. 1 and place a deposit of $50 before Dec 1. Cost per participant is $190 which includes overnight accommodation, meals and transportation. Fundraiser events will be held to offset the cost of the retreat.

End of Summer Camp: Thanks for Your Support

End of Summer Camp

Youth Helpers: 

Amber

Baylee M. 

Bryce M. 

Berlin D.

Emily M. 

Ethan M. 

Sarah

Sophia L.

Adult Helpers: 

Heather Parks

Sharon Guest

Kathy Mitchell

Marilyn Randall

Lexia Kortie

Thanks for the many donations of cardboard, fabric, ribbons, buttons, doll house furniture, and art supplies! We are always in need of these items and the children enjoyed it immensely!

Thank you to the volunteers and participants who made our End of Summer Camp a success. We had a roster of 25 children and youth from ages 2 - 12. Our middle and high school teens led campers in dance, rock painting, Gaga ball and outdoor sports, edible crafts, and simply being a friend!

The Beacon Newsletter is a monthly publication of Cedar Grove Methodist Church in Deale, Maryland.