Our website name reveals something about who we are, a congregation full of life. Our purpose in existing is simple: to help each other to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. We come close to God in worship, prayer, study, outreach, mutual support and having fun. Epworth is a diverse congregation and proud of it. We are old and young, long-time and new Christians, and those just exploring the faith. We come in all sizes and colors. What binds us together is a common faith in God, a desire to grow in that faith, and an excitement about sharing that faith with others.
We invite you to explore our web site. Check out the navigation bar at the top of the screen with the different categories such as the calendar and the various leaders and ministries. Epworth is Alive!
This is a photo/video montage of Epworth Youth Ministry's trip to ROCK Retreat 2010, held over January 22-24, in Ocean City, MD. The two songs you hear were heavily played by the bands featured during the weekend.
This is an example of Parable Time for children at Epworth UMC. The children of the church are invited to the front for a lesson by Audra Mulder, the director of children ministry. This Parable Time was on the first Sunday of Advent. Afterwards, the children went downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for the Advent Workshop.
due to the snow and dangerous driving conditions, but Pastor Kim and music director Joe Ayala have prepared this special "online" service. Even if you can't come to church, your church is bringing you music, prayer, and God's Word.
Worship schedule: 9:15 am and 11 am worship services at Epworth UMC
Epworth Upcoming Events:
Offering envelopes for 2010 -- have arrived! Check in the Narthex for your envelopes.
Wednesdays- 6:00pm-8:00 pm - Youth "The Good Talk" Study - a study exploring the Christian perspective on relationships for grades 6 through 12 - in the Epworth Catacombs (carriage house first floor), led by Pastor Bill Jones. epworthynya@verizon.net
Feb. 8 - Empty Bowls Painting -- 6:30pm- 8pm -- in the Fellowship Hall. This is a fundraiser activity to raise money for the hungry. We paint plain white bowls which are then "fired" and sold at a later meal at Notre Dame High School. $10 per bowl. This is the first of three opportunities to paint bowls.
Feb. 12-20, 2010 -- Tour Israel - Rev. David Cooney (Towson UMC) is leading a tour of Israel. Contact Accent on Travel at 410-296-8330 now to make arrangements to participate.
Feb. 13 - Film (Video) Team meeting -- 10am -- Church Parlor -- Want to express the "Cecille B. DeMille" aspect of your personality? Want to learn? Join this ministry when they meet on Saturday.
Feb. 14 - Renew Your Vows - This Valentine's Day is an opportunity to renew your wedding vows. See Rev. Hall for arrangements during the services.
Feb. 14 - Winter Olympics - “With Glowing Hearts” is the theme for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games (Feb. 12-28) and I think that Epworth’s Fellowship Hall is a prime location for some winter gaming of our own.So let’s get together on Valentine’s Day…from 12:30pm-3pm…to energize with lunch, discover our inner competitors, and reward ourselves with chocolate.Activities and treats will be for children of all ages (that means that youth and adults will be playing as well!)Stop by the Children’s Ministry office to sign up to help or email Audra @ myepworthkids@gmail.com.
Feb. 16 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Fundraiser Supper -- at the Cranbrook McDonald's from 5pm to 7pm. This is a unique Epworth fundraiser that dates back to the time when the Epworth Children's Center was located in the Fellowship Hall and the local owner of the McDonald's offered the use of his facility for our pancake dinner. See John Turner if you want to be a volunteer to help prepare the food or sign up on the Adult Ministries Board. $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Feb. 21 - Newcomers Dinner -- 4:30pm -- Are you new to Epworth? Trying to learn more about the church or meet the people? This casual dinner is for you! Enjoy a great meal. Learn about the various ministries. Contact the church office to let us know you are coming: epworthoffice@verizon.net.
Feb. 23 - Empty Bowls Painting--6:30pm - 8pm -- in the Fellowship Hall. This is a fundraiser activity to raise money for the hungry. We paint plain white bowls which are then "fired" and sold at a later meal at Notre Dame High School. $10 per bowl. This is the second of three opportunities to paint bowls.
Feb. 26 - Family Game Night -- 7-9pm - Come join in the fun playing games with all ages in the church Fellowship Hall (downstairs)! The Epworth Everybody Else active adults group hosts the event which is intended to reach out to the entire church and community.
Feb. 28 - Empty Bowls Painting--noon - 2pm -- in the Fellowship Hall. This is a fundraiser activity to raise money for the hungry. We paint plain white bowls which are then "fired" and sold at a later meal at Notre Dame High School. $10 per bowl. This is the third of three opportunities to paint bowls.
Ministry Opportunities
If you are looking for ways to serve or provide ministry, there are many opportunities at Epworth UMC:
Food Certification Class - we are in need of Certified Food Handlers especially for large events where food is being served or sold. Currently, we have two Certified Food Handlers and we need more. The next class will be Saturday, Feb. 20 8:30am-4:30pm at St. Agnes Church. For more information, including future dates/locations, see http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/environment/environmentalhealth/food%20program/food_managers.html. Please contact Rev. Kim if you are interested.
Assistant Treasurer - Do you have an interest in maintaining a budget, keeping records of financial transactions, and other items pertaining to the church. You will be trained and guided under the direction of our longtme treasurer, Wayne Sutter. It you are intersted, contact Pastor Kim or Wayne Sutter (wayne.sutter@verizon.net).
Church Office Helpers - Here is another way you can serve. The church office needs dedicated persons willing to provide assistance in helping to fold weekly worship bulletins and occasional help with special mailings.
Altar Hoppers - This ministry is designed for those who like to help and have an interest in working with the team in preparing Epworth's sanctuary for worship. Some of the duties include decorating the altar table and sanctuary with paraments and other visual displays for worship and setting up for Communion.
Parable Teachers - We are looking for two willing hearts who would teach a lesson to our children during the 11 am worship service. Lessons and training provided. Contact Audra Mulder @ myepworthkids@gmail.com
PowerPoint Ministry - Visual communication is an important part of Epworth UMC and we are looking for helpers who would be willing to run the PowerPoint presentation each Sunday morning either at the 9:15am service or the 11 am worship service. You just need to "click". Contact the church office.
Coffee Hour Helper - The fellowship time between services is an important part of our church life to allow our 9:15 and 11 am congregations to mix and mingle and linger a few minutes before or after worship. We are looking for a volunteer to prepare the light refreshments. Contact Pat Patrict by e-mail at dpatrick@capid.net.
Epworth UMC History
The Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church was begun with a faith meeting in 1893. Early services were held in the Odd Fellows Hall under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Wood, senior pastor of the Hereford Circuit. A lot was purchased on Beaver Dam Road and on September 12, the cornerstone was laid. The building was completed in the spring of 1894 and was built of the white marble from the Beaver Dam Quarries in Cockeysville. The church was named after the town in England where John Wesley was born.
In its early years, Epworth UMC was part of a group of churches served by one pastor, but in 1956 Rev. Ernest Bortner Jr. became the fulltime pastor for Epworth as Cockeysville was preparing for major growth with new housing complexes and the development of Hunt Valley. In February, 1972, the congregation took the first steps toward relocating to a new and larger building. The final service in the old church was held on January 23, 1977. Groundbreaking for the Warren Road sanctuary was held September 24, 1978 and the cornerstone was laid in May, 1979. The Warren Road building was expanded in 1998 to accomodate the Epworth Children's Center and several changes have been made in recent years to accomodate more parking, renovation of the old carriage house for additional classrooms, and a new Thrifty Penny building.
Longtime members report that despite the numerous challenges over the years and the risks taken by the congregation to meet those challenges, Epworth has always had a personality of a friendly and mission-driven church.
top