THE BEACON - Brookstown United Methodist Church
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THE BEACON
Brookstown
United Methodist Church
Rev. James T. (Chip) Webb, Jr.
March 2023
A Message from Pastor Chip
“Creasy” Greens- From the Soil
My best friend reminds me to eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and berries for my brain. Those
closest to me might be observing some mental decline, as well as my inclination to choose high-fat,
nutrient-poor, great-tasting food, quickly, from one of my favorite dining establishments on Reynolda
Road under the golden arches.
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all
the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast
of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth,
everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was
evening and there was morning, the sixth day. -Genesis 1: 29-30
An important reminder: God’s FIRST plan, which was very good, was that we, people and animals,
would just eat vegetables and fruit. I ‘reckon’ that after lots of complaining, the Almighty relented at
some point and allowed us to start eating animals.
One Sunday afternoon, I visited the remains of the church garden to pluck some fresh kale leaves
from those tough plants which are ‘hold-overs’ from last summer. [Note: I steam the leaves and
combine them with an apple, banana, avocado, blueberries, strawberries, muscadine juice, elderberry
juice, and a few walnuts in my Nutri-Bullet to make a WONDERFUL smoothie, not too green. The
avocado and walnuts provide some fatty protein to facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the green
leafy vegetable and fruit.]
But, the greenest leafy plant in the garden was a volunteer “CREASY” green, my favorite! So, I
plucked up the whole plant and quickly made my way home. After a quick wash and rinse, I steamed
the leaves and sampled one little bite. Change of plan! Instead of blending the leaves, I decided to just
eat them. Wow! Delicious! Amazing! Thank you, God!
For the nutritionists out there, watercress provides potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A,
vitamin K, and folate, along with trace amounts of several other micronutrients. My steamed cupful
provided vitamin A, with 54.4 micrograms of retinol equivalents. Of particular note is the high level of
two specific carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are known to accumulate in the retina. These
antioxidants help protect against age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of vision loss. I
also got a full day's value of vitamin K, leading to better bone density while thinning my blood at the
same time. There is not enough space to list the nutrients and minerals contained in all of that fruit and
juice! Muscadines and elderberries would blow your mind! Simply, from the soil, produce supplies
the perfect blend of minerals and nutrients for life and health!
(continued on next page)
A Message from Pastor Chip (continued)
Eating creasy greens reminds me from whence I come. No, I’m not talking Tyro here.
…until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust
you shall return.” -Genesis 3:19
The days of Lent begin with Ash Wednesday- the point of which is to put us in touch with our
mortality and motivate us to focus on that which leads to fullness of life.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you. -John 6:27
Modern religious folk tend to view a human being as a three-component entity: body, spirit, and
soul; and we want to separate the components, doing what we want while hoping that we can maintain
the purity of our soul. But old religious folk believed that the human being is really a two-component
entity: a molded lump of clay into which the Almighty ‘breathes’ the breath of life, producing a living
soul. When the breath departs, we go back to clay.
Maybe, we are not just what we eat, but clearly our near and long-term futures depend on what we
eat. Lent reminds us to go for the food that endures!
Looking inward and upward, I’ll see you in the garden!
As we progress in our journey through Lent, Dear Savior, help us remember that we don’t
live by bread alone but by every word that comes from You (Matthew 4:4).
A Prayer for Lenten Grace Lenten Luncheon Series
Wednesdays, February 22 – March 29
Loving God, during the sacred season 12:00 in the Fellowship Hall
of Lent, bring me closer to You. Our Lent 2023 Lunch and Study will be held
Prepare a place in my home and heart each Wednesday during the Lenten season.
for silence and solitude, We will have opportunities for fellowship, a
so that I may rediscover the grace common meal, prayer and a study by Adam
of a prayer-full life. Hamilton, entitled Creed: What Christians
Believe and Why. How do we discover and
Help me to fast from those things that examine the truths that give meaning and
threaten the well-being of purpose to life? In this six-week study, Hamilton
body and soul, and remind me considers important questions of life, reality,
of the grace of simplicity. and truth. He explores not only what Christians
Enlarge my heart so that I give to those believe, but also why they believe it and why it
matters. Hamilton believes that some powerful
in need and, in so doing,
answers are contained in the Apostles’ Creed,
rediscover the grace of gratitude an early statement of foundational Christian
and generosity. beliefs.
May this season be a grace-filled time You are invited to join us! It is a great
to rekindle my love and faith in You. opportunity to renew and build new
Amen. relationships within our congregation at
Brookstown Church. ~ Pastor Chip
“Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him,
and say that we love Him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen;
open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.”
(Robert Cull, 1976)
EASTER LILY SALE
Brookstown’s children and youth are selling lilies to place in the sanctuary for Easter. They
are $10 each (wrapped, no bow). You may designate them “in memory” or “in honor” of
someone. Please place your order and payment with the offering on Sundays, or mail it to the
church. Make checks payable to Brookstown UMC. Please note on your check it is for an
Easter Lily(s). Deadline to order is Palm Sunday, April 5.
Your Name: ________________________________________________________________
Number of Lilies:_____________________________________________________________
In memory of:_______________________________________________________________
In honor of:_________________________________________________________________
Thank you for making our sanctuary beautiful for Easter Sunday
and for supporting our Brookstown Youth.
________________________________________
Meals on Wheels Fellowship Meal
The Brookstown route for March 15 at 6pm
Meals On Wheels is looking We will enjoy a March
for volunteers to deliver a hot Fellowship Meal on the 15th.
meal to homebound seniors. Plans are still in the making,
There are openings the and details about the menu
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday, and and hosts will be published in
the 4th Thursday of each the bulletin.
month. Mark your calendar now,
Call Kay Lasley at 336- and start inviting friends and
817-2238 if interested. You'll neighbors for a fun evening of
be glad you did! fellowship and delicious food!
Renewal
Shamrock Lent is like a long “retreat”
St. Patrick used the shamrock during which we can turn back
to teach people about the Lent is a good time to into ourselves and listen to the
Godhead. Holding up a recall these words of voice of God, using the arms of
shamrock, he asked, “Is this one Jesus: “If any want to faith: prayer, listening to the
leaf, or three?” People replied become My followers, word of God, and penance. In
that it was both. St. Patrick this way we will be able to
let them deny themselves celebrate Easter in truth, ready
made an analogy to the Holy
Trinity: one God in three and take up their cross to renew the promises.
Persons. and follow Me”. ~ Pope Benedict XVI
Matthew 16:24
2023 Community Festival Help Needed
Saturday, September 9, 9am – 2pm Bob & Dauna Scofield need a dog sitter
Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7. They live in
September 9, the day of our annual Clemmons near West Forsyth High School. It
Community Festival! We’re already receiving will involve letting 5 dogs out about every 4
vendor applications, as people in the hours and staying the night. If interested, call
community are looking forward to another Lavonda in the church office for the Scofields’
successful event. Vendor forms are available phone number.
from the office if anyone needs one. The
Festival Committee will meet soon for
planning; come and share your ideas! Fast and feast
Arthur Lichtenberg, a former bishop
Lent is a time for both walking of the Episcopal Church, quoted
with Jesus toward the cross this Lenten advice:
and being strengthened in our • Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
faith and knowledge of God. • Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.
• Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
Indulge for Lent? • Fast from resentment, and feast on
Rather than sacrificing something for Lent
contentment.
— especially something easy and spiritually • Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
insignificant, such as chocolate — Patty Kirk, • Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
in Guideposts magazine, suggests finding • Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
new ways to indulge in God’s presence. Kirk • Fast from fear, and feast on faith.
offers these ideas:
~ From The Source Book of Wit and Wisdom
Spend time outdoors, sensing God’s
magnificence.
Spend time with others, extending
generosity and compassion. Remember
Jesus’ promise in Matthew 25:31-46 that
when you care for others, you care for
Him.
Pray for the “little things,” coming before
God in childlike trust and feeling peace.
Watch attentively for God’s answers to
prayer, and receive them as reminders of
His presence.
Turn anxiety into prayer. As you frame
concerns as prayers and entrust them to “My whole family’s giving up something
God, you “sacrifice” the tendency to for Lent. Mom’s giving up cookies, Dad’s
wallow in worry. giving up cake, and I’m giving up squash.”
Lenten Living
During Lent, some Christians give up something that hinders their relationship
with God. Others do something extra for their spiritual growth or make a special
sacrifice. The key is to make Lent a memorable season of sincere spiritual growth —
a time that can set the tone for the rest of the year.
Relentless Prayers
Are you reluctant to take the same prayers to your heavenly Father over and over?
Maybe you don’t want to trouble God; after all, He already knows what you’re going to say.
If those thoughts surround you, think about St. Patrick. When he was dragged from his home to
be a slave at 16, he tended sheep in the cold. Hungry and miserable, he begged God for mercy
and deliverance. In his Confessio, Patrick recalls praying “a hundred times in the day and almost
as many at night.” Without ceasing, he told God of his needs, wants, thanksgiving and confession.
And God heard his prayers. Pray relentlessly. God is always listening! ~ MaryAnn Sundby
“Prayer should be the key of the day
The Brookstown Express
and the lock of the night.”
Lots of ideas for children’s activities are
~ George Herbert
taking shape for the upcoming weeks as we
prepare for Easter and Spring. Details will be
Daylight Savings Time published in the weekly bulletin as they come
Sunday, March 12, 2am together. If you have any ideas for child-friendly
activities, please let me know. We’re always
We lose an hour this month, as Daylight
open to suggestions.
Savings Time begins. Be sure to “Spring
Be sure to invite the children in your family
forward” an hour Saturday night, March 11,
and neighborhood for these special events. We
before you go to bed, so you won’t be late for
have a lot of fun, while also learning about God’s
church Sunday morning!
love, and how we can live our lives to show His
love every day! ~ Marsha Campbell
Lent is an occasion for us to journey with Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Christ … into tomorrow. For you never walk
with Christ long but what the dawn breaks,
the sun shines, and hope breaks through. UMCOR Sunday
~ C. Neil Straight March 19
“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
“The Hunger Challenge” I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Crisis Control Ministries
Matthew 25:35 (NRSV)
Monetary gifts received by CCM between
UMCOR Sunday calls the church to share the
March 1 – April 30, designated for
goodness of life with those who hurt. UMCOR
“The Hunger Challenge” reaches children, families and communities who
are eligible for matching funds! have experienced devastation in the wake
Secure donations can be made online at of disaster. Your contribution ensures UMCOR’s
www.crisiscontrol.org response in times of crisis. The UMCOR Sunday
offering restores and rebuilds lives around the
CCM Gift for March: Canned Fruit
world.
Thought for Lent
God gave us life that we might be born into His eternity.
God gave us prayer that we might know the way in which our souls should grow.
God gave us Christ that we might see invisible reality.
~ Jeanne Birrell
Tony & Audrey Apperson “May your troubles be less 7
10 Abby Jameson
Charlie & Sherrill Sharpe and your blessings be more, Tyler Warlow 7
28
and nothing but happiness Audrey Apperson 13
If your birthday or anniversary come through your door.” Henry Jackson 13
needs to be added, Jon Gray Quiros 15
please let me know.
~ Irish Blessing
Sean Quiros 22
Lavonda Jeff Thomas 23
Will Douglas 26
Rowena Gilstrap 27
Conner Warlow 30
Highway Cleanup Pam Steppe 31
Volunteers are still
needed for the Adopt-a-
Highway program. Let
Susan Hughes know if
you would like to help.
Church Contact Information
336-945-3029
6274 Yadkinville Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
brookstown@triad.twcbc.com
Flowers for March brookstown.umcchurches.com Flower Chart
Worship Services Like us on Facebook Thanks to everyone who has
5 – Charlie & Sherrill Sharpe signed up for dates on the 2023
12 – Ronnie & Noreen Brickey Flower Chart!
19 – Karen Powers There are still several dates
26 – Tim & Roberta Lasley available, if you would like to
help.
Brookstown United Methodist Church
6274 Yadkinville Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer. Amen.
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