Our Christmas celebration begins Christmas Eve with a family service at 7 p.m. in our main sanctuary followed by a warm and intimate candlelight service at 11:30 p.m. in historic Perkins Chapel, which is just past the main church up Springfield Road.

Our Christmas  Sunday service will take place at 10:30 a.m. in our main sanctuary.

We hope you, your friends, and your family make Glenn Dale United Methodist Church your Christmas destination.

The day will begin with music and movement where children and brave adults will participate in high energy exercises and games. After our “workout,” the children will transition to activities like holiday ornament design, milk carton gingerbread houses, to decorating sugar cookies.

All potty-trained children in the community are invited. The event is free, but children are to bring their own lunch. Parents do not have to stay and can take the opportunity to Christmas shop! Please call the church at 301-262-2299 to RSVP.

The half-hour candlelight services will start at 7 p.m. They will include Christmas carrols and a short sermon by the Rev. John M. Blanchard, Jr.

A nursery will not be provided, but children are welcome.

A candlelight Christmas Eve Service will also take place at Perkins Chapel at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2011.

Dine on delicious turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked ham, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, corn, sauerkraut and kielbasa, green beans, creative casseroles, assorted vegetable, fruit and Jello salads, candied pecans, rolls and beverages, homemade desserts, and much more.

During the Smorgasbord, the church will hold a White Elephant Sale with old and new items as well as handmade Christmas ornaments. They also will sell fresh Georgia pecans and Heritage T-shirts.

Proceeds will benefit the church’s general fund.

If so, consider joining Glenn Dale United Methodist Church’s parishioners and friends in celebrating the church’s heritage on Sunday, Sept. 18, during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at historic Perkins Chapel, located a quarter mile north of the church.

Glenn Dale United Methodist Church’s rich history began 196 years ago at the Pleasant Grove Meeting House (1815-1916). During the Civil War, the congregation separated with some worshippers starting Perkins Chapel (1861-1965). Others remained at Pleasant Grove until it closed in 1916 when some of its members transferred to Ross Memorial Methodist Church in Bowie and later to Bowie United Methodist Church. Glenn Dale United Methodist Church was formed in 1971 when Dorsey Chapel (1880-1971), also an Historic Methodist Chapel, joined the Perkins Memorial congregation at the present church building, which opened in 1965.

The Heritage Day service will celebrate our Methodist traditions in worship and song. Soloist Rosemary Haft will end the service with her original tribute to Perkins Chapel, “The Little White Chapel.”

Following the worship service, an informal reception will take place in the main church building. All are welcome to share in this Methodist heritage fellowship.

One great thing about the Family Picnic is that everyone is relaxed, and it is a great time just to enjoy one another. Their is food and fellowship and many conversations going on at the same time. There are “people watchers” and “busy bees.” You will be glad you came.

Everyone is invited to Glenn Dale United Methodist Church’s Flea Market Fun Fest on Saturday, May 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a day of exciting family activities and bargain hunting.

The Flea Market Fun Fest celebration includes free live music and entertainment, door prizes, moon bounce, face painting, clowns, balloons, popcorn, and other surprises. So, bring the whole family – young and old! There is something for everyone.

Join the fun and sell your own treasures at the Flea Market Fun Fest. To reserve space, table, and chairs for a mere $15.00, please call 301-390-6640 and send your pre-payment to Joy Pierson, c/o Glenn Dale United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 187, Glenn Dale, MD 20769. Crafters are welcome. Items for sale at this annual event are handmade crafts, plants, knickknacks, household items, toys, books, homemade baked goods, Glenn Dale UMC Heritage T-shirts, and much, much more.

The church will be selling doughnuts, muffins, and coffee for early shoppers; and an old-fashioned lunch featuring a fish fry, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, and sodas beginning around noon. Proceeds will benefit the church’s general fund.

Last year, Glenn Dale United Methodist Church had 12 walkers and raised $1,700 in the 2009 CROP Walk. The annual event is organized by Hyattsville First United Methodist Church.

Twenty-five percent of the money raised goes to Help By Phone, which is a local food pantry in Prince Georges County. The CROP Walk also supports Church World Service’s international and local relief efforts.

Let’s see if we can increase the number of walkers from our church and raise more money for this worthy cause. Please see Teresa Hill for more information.

Our Easter celebration begins Palm Sunday, April 17, with a “Parade of the Palms” at 10:10 a.m. from historic Perkins Chapel to Glenn Dale United Methodist Church before our 10:30 a.m. service.

It continues Thursday, April 21, with an Agape meal, service, and communion at 6 p.m. On Friday, we will observe Good Friday with a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. prayer vigil.

On Easter Sunday, April 24,we will have an Easter Egg hunt for our little ones at noon on the lawn next to the church. We will also have two services to rejoice and celebrate the resurrection:

• A sunrise service (about 6:30 a.m.) at historic Perkins Chapel next to Glenn Dale United Methodist Church. Child care will not be provided, but children are welcome.
• A 10:30 a.m. traditional services in the main sanctuary. Children who attend can help ring the church bells and sit with their parents for the first part of the service. After the Children’s Moment at the steps of the alter, they can go with nursery volunteers to a classroom for Bible study and Easter crafts, followed by playtime in the nursery.

We hope you, your friends, and your family make Glenn Dale United Methodist Church your Easter destination.

Everyone is invited to the free event, which will take place on the church lawn following the 10:30 a.m. workship service.  There will be plenty of space for young and old to run in the spring sunshine.

We look forward to seeing you there!