Dear Members and Friends,
I once heard the following story about a Jewish ghetto in east
Europe. It seems that the people had available to them all of the business
and crafts customary for that day. That is, everything except a
watchmaker. People’s clocks and watches played out for want of
attention. The rabbi kept insisting that the members of his congregation
wind their watches and keep them running, even thought they were
frequently inaccurate. One day a watchmaker arrived from another
community. Everyone rushed to him to get their respective timepieces
repaired. Alas, the only ones he could repair were those which had been
kept running. The abandoned clocks and watches had grown too rusty to
be saved.
Whether the preceding story is fictional or non-fictional is not
information to which I am privy. Nevertheless, within the story we find an
important metaphor of truth in regard to our Christian faith and
discipleship. Here is that element of truth spelled out: To neglect
consideration of the passion of Christ is to collect rust in our own Christian
works!
Living a Christian life is certainly not as easy as winding one’s
timepiece. By all means, a Christian lifestyle is something which we
cannot take lightly. Lent is something of a blessing then, because we are
called to focus upon the passion of Christ and the ramifications of what it
means to accept Christ as Lord and Master: Savior. Receive Lent as a gift
through which we remember and once more prepare ourselves for God’s
might acts of salvation.
Your Pastor,
Timothy J. Allen
Lent is the period of forty days which precedes Easter. This
period of forty days was originally a time of preparation for those to
be baptized at Easter. Later it would become a time of penitence
for all Christians. Hence, Christians often fast or give up various
things during Lent to remind themselves of Christ’s sacrifice and to
overcome destructive habits. Lent begins every year on Ash
Wednesday, The liturgical color for Lent is purple.
SHROVE TUESDAY
Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash
Wednesday, has been observed with much celebration and feasting
– the “last hurrah” before the beginning Lenten fast. In keeping
with this tradition, you are invited to join the church for a Shrove
Tuesday Pancake Dinner on Tuesday, 4 March, from 5:0 to 7:00
p.m. We will be serving pancakes accompanied by bacon and/or
sausage. A freewill offering will be accepted to help defray
expenses. Please make plans not to join us as we begin our special
journey through the Lenten season.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday opens the forty day period of Lent which
immediately precedes Easter. The name is derived from the
imposition of ashes as a Christian act of penitence. This practice
was common among the ancient Hebrews (see Jonah 3:6, for
example) and also in the New Testament times (Saint Matthew
11:21). The use of ashes as a symbol by Christians as a symbol of
penitence dates back to at least the second century. The ashes
remind us of our own mortality and set the believer on a sobering
time of self examination and repentance. The more traditional
source of the ashes involves burning the leftover palm branches
from the previous Palm Sunday. First Church will observe a
service of the Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday,
5 March.
LENT
The Saints Go ‘MARCH’ ing In
The month of March boasts several ‘saint days,’ but two of particular
note: Saint David (2 March), patron saint of Wales and Saint Patrick (17
March), patron saint of Ireland.
Much of Patrick’s life is shrouded in history. He was probably born
around 380 in Scotland or Wales. His real name was believed to be
Maeywn Succat and his parents were Romans living in Britain, in charge
of the colonies. He took the name of Patrick after he became a priest.
After being kidnapped as a child, spending six years as a slave, a
dream from God and a daring escape; he went to France where he studied
for the priesthood. It is believed Patrick was sent to Ireland as a bishop to
replace saint Pallidius who died in 431.
Despite constant threats to his life, Patrick traveled widely through
Ireland, baptizing, confirming, and preaching. He converted thousands
and began building churches, monasteries, and schools all over the
country. It is said that he and his disciples converted almost all the
population of Ireland.
Many mystical tales and legends are attributed to Patrick. For
example, Patrick is credited with banishing all the snakes from Ireland.
This is probably a metaphor for his driving the pagans from Ireland, as
snakes were often associated with pagan worship. Another well known
legend has Patrick using the shamrock to explain the Trinity as the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much
suffering, he died 17 March 461. He died at Saul, where he built the first
church and is reputedly buried at nearby Downpatrick.
Few details of David’s life can be asserted with certainty. He was
probably born early in the sixth century, and was the son of a Welsh
chieftain named Sant. David studied under Saint Illtyd, was ordained,
and the spent ten years with a Welsh saint named Paulinus. It is said
that Paulinus became blind, and that David touched him and restored his
sight. Eventually, following the guidance of an angel, David founded a
monastery at Mynyw (now Saint David’s) in south-west Wales.
In another legend David splashed water at his baptism, curing a
bishop’s blindness. David was consecrated a bishop, one legend
suggesting this occurred during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He is credited
with founding ten monasteries, among them Glastonbury. David’s
eloquence was such that he was pressed to become primate of the Welsh
Church.
There are many other legends about David. One is that an angel
appeared to his father, foretelling the saint’s birth and instructing Sant to
prepare gifts of a stag, a fish and a honeycomb. The honeycomb
symbolized his honeyed wisdom, the fish his simple life of bread and
water, and the stag his power to stamp on “serpents” such as the Pelegian
heresy. It is even said that Saint Patrick thought of settling near Mynyw,
until a voice told him the valley was reserved for a child yet unborn
(David).
When David died at Mynyw in 589, it is said that Saint Kentigern
was at Llanelwy and saw his soul being borne to Heaven by angels.
HYMN OF SAINT PATRICK
Christ, as a light,
Illumine and guide me!
Christ as a shield,
O’ershadow and cover me!
Christ, be under me!
Christ, be over me!
Christ, be beside me,
on my left hand and right!
Christ, this day be within and without me!
Christ, the lowly and meek,
Christ, the all powerful,
be in the heart of each to whom I speak,
in the mouth of each who speaks to me.
In all who draw near me,
or see me, or hear me!
BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH
23467910 11 14 16 18 19 21 24 25 26 29 -
Amy Dalton
Sean Clifton
Michael Dalton
Carla Glover
Richard Holdsworth, Ricky Everhart,
Michael Glover II
Richard Riopelle
Barbara Lewark, Amanda Miller
Michele Dennis, Cory Moore
Thomas Banketas
David Nixon, Bill Shipe
Francesca Clements
Bette Compton, Christopher Veltri
Lori Veltri
Ketina Montgomery, Nancy Edwards
Frank Goresh
Anthony Starko
Robert Conrad, Anthony Laurine
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
NEWS
Our United Methodist Women was hostess to
the Church Women United Executive Board
meeting on February 7th. Our next meeting will
be on February 25 at 1 PM. The program will be
on Prayer and Self Denial.
The United Methodist Women and church
members will be making homemade Easter
Eggs. Price of the eggs:






Fruit & Nut
Maple Nut
Cherry Nut
Peanut Butter
Solid Chocolate Pecan
Coconut Cream
$ 8.95
$ 8.95
$ 8.95
$ 9.50
$10.50
$ 8.50
There will be order forms available in the church
office and narthex. Order deadline is April 2,
2003.
OUR SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy and prayers for our
members and their families in the death of their
loved ones:
Delores Wolfe in the death of her husband and
Mary Hannah Finton in the death of her father,
Harold Wolfe.
Rhonda Banfield in the death of her mother,
Barbara Bryan.
Eva Smearman in the death of her sister, Mary
Alvey.
Music News
On Sunday, May 4, at 6:00 PM, the Chancel
Choir will present Bill and Gloria Gaither’s “Then
Came the Morning”, a resurrection musical of
hope for believers and doubters. All singers in
the congregation are invited to join the choir for
this presentation. Regular choir practice is
Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM. Cantata practice
begins at 8:00 PM. We look forward to seeing
you then.
Speaking of special music, don’t forget to mark
Mother’s Day, May 11 on your calendars. The
Youth Chorale will be presenting a “Salute to
America.” Younger singers – we would like you
to join us. We meet Sunday evenings at 6:00
PM.
And, as Columbo would say, “one more thing.”
Spaghetti and Song II. Coming, Monday, May
19th. This will be the choir’s annual fundraiser
for Conference Apportionment.
-Lucille Gress, Music Director
-Carol Kennedy, UMW President
NURTURE MINISTRY NEWS
The Nurture Ministry is alive and doing well at First United Methodist Church. At a recent meeting with
committee chairpersons, new ideas and ongoing projects were discussed.
SHUT-IN MINISTRY – is an updated and expanded ministry from what First Church has been using.
Sally Starko, chairperson, reported that a workshop held in February was well attended and good ideas
abounded. Dr. Allen gave the group an outline of the criteria to be used when visiting the shut-ins and
hospitalized members. He gave ideas on ways to contact the hospitalized and shut-in members, being
aware of their concerns, and bringing back a report to the office for the minister’s review. All church
family members are asked to keep the office informed as to hospitalized members, and shut-in members.
New ideas were presented on how to stay in contact with our hospitalized and shut in members through
personal contact, telephone calls, cards and visits.
ACOLYTE/CROSS BEARER MINISTRY – Bringing God’s light into the sanctuary and the cross of Jesus
is a most important part of our worship service. God comes into our midst through these symbols.
Perhaps you have noticed that during the month of February the Fields family has served as acolytes
and cross bearer. We are encouraging families, youth, and Sunday School classes to take a month to
serve in this ministry. Contact Carolyn if you are interested and please say yes when she calls you.
USHER/GREETER MINISTRY – We would like to remind all volunteers in this area to remember if you
cannot serve on a given Sunday during your month of service, you are responsible for getting a
replacement. Inez Manini will remind you of this when she calls you to serve, but it is your responsibility
to remember to get your substitute. There will be a workshop in the near future for this area of ministry.
When Inez contacts you to be a “First Church Ambassador”, please be willing to serve. If you would like
to be a part of this ministry, contact Inez, Jackie Nixon or the minister.
WORSHIP – Lucille Gress has the music organized through May. She and Tom Dohnal work hand in
hand with the minister to keep the continuity working. There are special events scheduled for the Lenten
Season. It will be an exciting time at First Church.
COMMUNION – Bertha Zerkle has this ministry well in hand. If you have noticed members of the
congregation are assisting with communion each Sunday. When you are asked to participate, give
Bertha your enthusiastic yes and serve.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY – This is a new ministry in the baby stages. It is such a worthwhile ministry,
we are making sure we have all our T’s crossed and our I’s dotted before we present it to the church
family. If you have any suggestions or would like to help in this area, please let the minister or me know
of your wishes.
BANNERS – I asked for ideas and help with the Banner Ministry in last month’s LINK. A new idea for
Lent has been brought to my attention and as we speak it is in the planning stages. Thanks for the
response. Your creativity will keep this ministry alive.
I want to thank first Church for being receptive to this new ministry and our new way of keeping the
church running smoothly. With this new concept we will try to keep the congregation focused on our
forward progress. That forward progress can only happen if we work together. GOD…..YOU…..AND ME!
Respectfully submitted,
Jackie Nixon, Nurture Chairperson
First UMC of Weirton
is on
the World Wide Web!
Check out the revised website at
www.firstumcweirton.org.
If you have access to the Internet, we are now
only a click (or two) away. You can see pictures
of past events and see what you missed. You
can keep updated on coming events so you
don’t miss them. You can read the Newsletter or
Articles from the Pastor. You can also visit the
sites under “Links of Interest” and explore some
of the many facets or the United Methodist
Connection.
Watch for updates as the site is still undergoing
changes.
Three cheers for our Webmaster, Angie
Underwood.
If you have any suggestions for information to be
listed on the website, please contact Angie
through the website or by phone at 748-4560 or
KellyAnn Allen by phone 723-2189 or by e-mail
kellyann@1st.net.
“WEDDING GOWN ALERT!!!”
In June, ALF (Age Level/Family) will be
sponsoring a Bridal Tea. We will invite our
congregation, Christ United and Pleasant Valley
to join us. This Bridal Tea will be a fashion show
of bridal dresses down thru our church lifetime.
If you have your wedding gown, your Mother’s
wedding gown, your daughter’s wedding gown,
or a relative’s, would you let us borrow them for
a few days for our “Brides thru the Ages” fashion
show. Please let Jackie Nixon or Susie
Dalrymple know.
This should be a lot of fun but we need your
help. This is a gathering mission to get as many
gowns as possible. If you can still get into your
wedding gown you can model it for us, if you
can’t maybe your daughter or niece would like to
help out. We’ll find a model to wear it if you just
get us the gown. So go up into the attic and dig
out that treasure and share it with us. If it needs
cleaning, we would ask that you get it cleaned
for us so it will make a spectacular showing.
This could be a great time and good fellowship.
If you have any ideas for the tea, let Jackie or
Susie know. We have three months to get ready
for our “Brides thru the Ages.” Thank for any
help you can give us.
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
LUNCHEONS TO BE HELD
Ash Wednesday, March 5, is the start of a series
of Lenten Devotional Luncheons to be held
every Wednesday until April 16 from 12:10 PM
until 12:50 PM. The following ministers will be
the speakers for the various dates:
 March 5 – Rev. Bill Brown, Pastor of
Follansbee UMC
 March 12 – Rev. Timothy Allen, Pastor of
First UMC
 March 19 – Rev. Julia Morrison, Pastor of
Christ UMC
 March 26 – Dr. Thomas Bickerton, Northern
District Superintendent
 April 2 – Rev. Patty Beagle, Pastor of
Pleasant Valley UMC
 April 9 – Rev. Carl Tribbet, Pastor of Colliers
UMC
 April 16 – Dr. Frank Shaffer, Retired
Jane McCoy and Bertha Zerkle are in charge of
the lunch preparations. These sessions are
open to everyone. This is a wonderful way to
prepare for Easter.