Salem U

nited Methodist C

hurch2057 Salem

Road

Virginia Beach, VA

23456

Salem Scriptures Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.

Perhaps you’ve been there. You visit a church, join and get involved in its ministries, both

as a participant and a volunteer. Then something happens: schedule changes, transportation issues, family crises, new leadership that views the world differently than you do, bruised egos, hurt feelings.

Suddenly, you find reasons to skip Sunday worship and weeknight programs. You beg off ... giving yourself every excuse in the book except the real reason that you are sneaking out the back door.

The Bothell United Methodist Church in Washington discovered an answer to the lost sheep dilemma through a simple ministry. Program minister Celeste Deveney explains.

“We had a list – a very old one – of people who had been active or were members who had simply stopped attending. This was our starting point. We then asked the congregation to clean out their closets and attics and give us any bud vases they weren’t using. Finally, we set up a different protocol for the flower chart (people who donate Sunday floral arrangements) and included a box to check to indicate that the flowers were to be given to the bud vase ministry following Sunday services.”

Volunteers were asked to drop in on the “lost sheep” and deliver the flowers, to let them know the church was still thinking about them. ...continued on page 6

Church Life Returning lost sheep – or letting them go with love – Barbara Dunlap-Berg

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Vol. 5, Issue 8

Jesus tells the parable of a shepherd who persistently searches for one lost sheep.

“When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’”

– Luke 15:5-6 (NRSV) Photo: Creative Commons/Wikimedia

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Salem UMC August EventsAugust 1: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 2: Girl Scouts @ 6 p.m.August 3: Quilting @ 10 a.m.; Boy Scouts from 6 - 9 p.m.August 4: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 6: UMM Breakfast @ 8 a.m.August 7: Sunday School @ 9 a.m.; Worship @ 10 a.m.; Eagle Scout Ceremony from noon - 5 p.m.; Scouts S’mores Night at the church from 7 - 9:30 p.m.August 8: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 9: Girl Scouts @ 6 p.m.August 10: Quilting @ 10 a.m.; Boy Scouts from 6 - 9 p.m.August 11: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.; Finance Mtg. @ 6:30 p.m.August 14: Sunday School @ 9 a.m.; Worship @ 10 a.m.; Youth Group @ 11 a.m.August 15: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.; Church Council @ 6:30 p.m.August 16: Girl Scouts @ 6 p.m.August 17: Quilting @ 10 a.m.; Boy Scouts from 6 - 9 p.m.August 18: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 21: Sunday School @ 9 a.m.; Worship @ 10 a.m.; UMW Meeting @ 11 a.m.August 22: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 23: Girl Scouts @ 6 p.m.August 24: Quilting @ 10 a.m.; Boy Scouts from 6 - 9 p.m.August 25: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 26-28: Scout Family Camp OutAugust 28: Sunday School @ 9 a.m.; Worship @ 10 a.m.; Youth Group @ 11 a.m.August 29: Karate from 5 - 8 p.m.August 30: Girl Scouts @ 6 p.m.August 31: Quilting @ 10 a.m.; Boy Scouts from 6 - 9 p.m.

For all newsletter submissions, email: SalemScriptures@gmail.comDeadline for September submissions is August 15th!

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The shortest verse in the Bible, in the King James Version at least, is just two words, “Jesus wept” ( John 11:35). Though only 10 characters, that verse has tremendous significance, especially when we are struggling to find hope.

Jesus weeps in the midst of comforting his friends Mary and Martha who are grieving the death of their brother Lazarus. Yes, that Lazarus. The one famous for being raised by Jesus.

Jesus is out of town when he hears of Lazarus’ illness. Rather than adjusting his plans to go visit this friend whom he loves ( John 11:3), Jesus instead decides to stay where he is for a couple of days. He tells the disciples Lazarus’ illness will somehow serve the glory of God, and that God’s Son will be glorified through it ( John 11:4).

By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead four days. Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters, are understandably upset at the lack of urgency Jesus showed. In their own way, each of them expresses their frustration with him. They are convinced their brother would not have died if Jesus had come when he was first summoned ( John 11:21, 32).

There, watching the grief of this family and community, Jesus begins to cry. There is debate as to why, but many believe it is out of empathy for the pain of those he loves. In that moment, Jesus was feeling Mary and Martha’s grief, their sense of hopelessness, their pain and loss. So he cries.

There is comfort in knowing we don’t worship a stoic God. The God we know in Jesus Christ feels our pain and knows our loss. He weeps with us.

We also worship a God who can take our frustration. Mary and Martha vent, and so can we. As it is in any healthy relationship, we need to be open and honest with those we love, even when we are angry with them. If anyone can take it, certainly Jesus can.

It is also a comforting reminder that even while we are going through our pain, and Jesus feels far from us, it is not because he doesn’t love us. He loved Lazarus, the Bible tells us, even while not taking his illness from him.

Lazarus’ story does not end with his death. At his tomb, Jesus calls his name and the crowds watch in disbelief as Lazarus emerges ... alive. While Mary and Martha thought Jesus had come too late to help, we learn there is never a “too late” with God.

We may believe our situation is hopeless. We may not see a solution. We may not have a clue how to get out of the mess in which we find ourselves, but in Jesus, there is always hope. ...continued on page 6

Jesus Wept Finding God’s comfort when times are bad – UMC.org

Photo: Ronny Perry/United Methodist Communications

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“It was surprisingly easy to recruit eight people to do the visits,” she said. “We work in pairs, and everyone has their assigned week. On Monday mornings, we break down the Sunday arrangement (or buy a bouquet) and prepare at least three bud vases of fresh flowers.”

The results have been eye-opening, Deveney admits.

“While the flowers are appreciated, it’s the visit that is treasured. Some of the people we visit are dealing with loneliness, depression and isolation. While the visits are brief, it breaks up their day and certainly gives them something pretty and fresh for their room.”

Sometimes, the “lost sheep” return to the fold.

“We noticed that one woman hadn’t come to worship in months,” Deveney recalls, “so someone called her to see how she was doing. It turned out that she was studying for a pharmacological degree, facing her last major exam and had been studying hard for months. We dropped a bud vase by her house with a note that we would be praying for her as she took her exam. She came

to church the next week, and her daughter reconnected, too, and went on the summer youth mission trip.”

No one likes to be ignored. People return to church because someone contacts them personally, tells them they are valued, shows the church is there for them – and nurtures them back into the fold.

“Those of us involved in this ministry feel blessed to be able to do it,” Deveney said.

Church Life Continued from page 1...

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Each year, the Salem United Methodist Women (UMW) collect school supplies from the congregation. The request is during the time of year when school supplies are plentiful and costs are lower. The school supply box is available now until school begins. As you shop, please consider picking up an item or two as you see them on sale. Don’t forget “Tax Free Weekend” is coming up in August.

The United Methodist Committee On Relief has requested that school supplies not contain business advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols. However, appropriate cartoon characters are acceptable.

Supplies Needed:✓ Blunt scissors – rounded tip only

✓ Paper – spiral or top bound pads, or packs of 150 sheets wide loose-leaf paper (No

Composition Books) (WE NEED LOTS OF PAPER – 3 PACKS PER SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT)

✓ Handheld pencil sharpeners – must be at least 1” long at a minimum

✓ Rulers – 30 centimeter, hard or flexible – without advertisements

✓ 24 Count box of crayons – Crayola Crayons brand requested

If you prefer to make a donation to the UMW for a school kit, the average cost for one kit is $11. Please give your check to Blenda Brush. Thank You!!

SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS NEEDED Photo: Kathleen Barry/UMC Interpreter

A blooming bud-vase lets formerly active members know they are missed.

There is always the possibility of new life, not just some day in the great by-and-by, but here in this life. This is the whole point of Jesus’ resurrection – new life today, and a new life to come.

In the many tragedies we have seen in the news recently, you may be feeling as Mary and Martha did

losing Lazarus, and be left with many unanswered questions. It’s hard believe such evils exist in the world. You may be feeling a sense of hopelessness and wonder how God could allow us to suffer, grieve, and struggle? While we may not receive all the answers we want, we can find solace in knowing Jesus weeps with us.

Jesus Wept Continued from page 2...

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Church News ANNUAL CHURCH BAZAAR

Our annual Bazaar will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please start to look through your closets, garages, and attics to find treasures you don’t need any longer and save them for our Bazaar. Sign-ups will begin on Sunday, August 7. We will need everyone’s

help to make this year’s event a big success! – Carol Higgins

SUMMER LAWN CAREThe church still needs your help to keep the church grounds beautiful this Summer. The more helpers we can schedule, the faster the work will go. Please sign-up online at the link below http://bit.ly/28RI5b2.

UMW PANCAKE BRUNCHThe United Methodist Women (UMW) invite you to join them for an All-You-Can-Eat pancake brunch (served with bacon or sausage) on August 21 in the Social Hall immediately following worship service. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 9 years old and under. All funds will

be used by the UMW for missions in our local community. For more details, please call Beth Gibson at (757) 646-2192); Blenda Brush at (864) 617-3378); or Deb Grabeel at (757) 647-0711.

S’MORES NIGHT Join the Scouts for a S’mores Night at the church, August 7 from 7 - 9:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for a great evening of fellowships, songs, skits and more. Additional baked goods and S’mores fixin’s are welcomed. Call

Cubmaster Michael Myers (757) 323-2292 for more details.

GOT CHURCH NEWS?Send us an email at SalemScriptures@gmail.com

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Aug. 1: Rita WaldeckAug. 14: Dan SpagoneAug. 17: Kacie VazquezAug. 27: Beth GibsonAug. 30: Carol Tabor

NOTE: If you have additions or corrections for the birthday list for any month, please email SalemScriptures@gmail.com

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Copyright Karl A. Zorowski

Salem UMC’s Recipe of the Month

Ingredients:3 cup zucchini, sliced1 small onion, chopped1 cup Bisquick4 eggs½ cup oil½ cup parmesan cheese½ tsp. marjoram1 tsp. parsley flakes¼ tsp. salt½ tsp. pepper

Steps:1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir with rubber spatula until well blended.

2. Pour into a deep, buttered 12-inch pie plate.

3. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes until golden brown.

Servings: 6-8 slices

Zucchini Pie