Events and Activities

Whether in-person or virtual, our goal is to engage with each other and God. We typically have events throughout the year including Easter egg hunts, Trick or Treating, Rummage Sales, and the Christmas play, in partnership with our drama club. The Christmas Bazaar also has a dedicated room full of crafts and cookies for the kids to make and decorate. We are looking forward to continuing these events and connecting with each other and God. You can also keep up with the church events and meetings using our calendar view.

On this Page:          Upcoming and Current          Recurring          Past
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Upcoming and Current

You can view our weekly announcements, events, and ongoing ways to be of service (food drives, volunteer opportunities in the church, etc.) in our Spirit Newsletter.

Sundays: July 16 & 30, August 13 & 27 @ 9:45am: Kids’ Fun Time 

Outside as weather permits – Various activities, depending on the week, that could include crafts, coloring, music, snacks, and playground time!

August 6th – Church Picnic

One church service @11am followed by Picnic and Activities. Outside as weather permits.

August 19th 2pm – Tie-Dye Event – Bring white t-shirt

September 10th 9:45am – Adult and Children’s Sunday School Classes Resume

Recurring

Seekers Class – Adult Bible Studies – Classes meet between services (9:45 – 10:45am) in the Conference Room. Please join us, bring your coffee, and attend as often as you can! Check our Spirit newsletter or our Learning Page for summer and winter break periods.

Children’s Christian Education Classes – Children from 2 years to high school age enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere. Children actively participate in learning about Christianity interactively with messages, Bible games, and songs. From 9:45AM to 10:45AM.

Children’s Plays/Skits – Regularly scheduled children’s events especially at Easter and Christmas where children of all ages perform, recite, and sing the glory of God’s Word.

Country Christmas Bazaar – Fall and Christmas crafts sold along with food. Craft vendors display their handiwork also. Lots of fun for the entire family — including pictures with Santa and children’s Christmas gift buying room. Free admission and church crafts are tax-free.

Fall Fest/Trunk-or Treat – Family fun day full of activities for kids and adults alike along with a truck-or-treat. 

Flea Market/Yard Sale – Held on the lawns of the church in the spring. Tables are available for anyone who wishes to participate. Breakfast, lunch, and bake table are available.

Rummage Sale – Held every year in October. The congregation gets a chance to clean out their closets and donate treasures to the church to sell. There is glassware, holiday decorations, dishes, clothes, etc., etc., — anything goes. Delicious homemade soups and sweets are sold for lunch.

Pastor’s Weekly Study – Weekly Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1:00pm

Praise & Play Drama Group – Meets as needed for planning and rehearsals. We praise the Lord with skits, both humorous and serious. No experience necessary! For more information or to join contact Joy Grimm: joyg1@comcast.net. Check out our past events for some of the fun we have!

Vacation Bible School – Children from pre-school to 12 years learn about special topics each year. Children go from one creative center to the next – Bible lesson, storytelling, music, arts and crafts, snacks, outside activities — each activity follows the theme of that year.

 

Past

2023 Events (Click to expand)
Presentation of the Bibles to 3rd Graders  – June 4th (during both church services)
Graduate Recognition and Congratulations – June 18th (during both church services)
Farewell Pastor John
Sunday June 11th, a farewell celebration was held for Pastor John whose last Sunday with DPUMC is June 18th, before retirement.
Happy Trails Pastor John!

Sunday June 25th – Kids from VBS sing at 11am Service

Welcome Pastor Jean Lee, Sunday, July 2nd!

Raised in Cupertino, California, Pastor Jean came to Maryland with her family in June 2008. Pastor Jean received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis in the late 1980’s. She experienced a call to ordained ministry in 2006. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2016. She served as a lead pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Laytonsville, Maryland from 2016-2020 and at Back River United Methodist Church in Essex, Maryland from 2020-2023. Pastor Jean’s passion is to help people connect to God through Sunday worship service and Bible study, while at the same time connecting all of God’s people together through community and service.

Pastor Jean is married to Jay, and they have three children, Lauren, Hannah, and Matthew, who are an amazing blessing from God. Lauren is married to David (he goes by JD), and they have an adorable, adventurous son, Isaiah who is two years old. Hannah lives in California working at Whiting Turner as an Assistant Project Manager, and Matthew is in his fourth year at American University. In Pastor Jean’s spare time, she likes to read, walk, and meditate and she is in the process of improving her golf. She loves to watch sports, mostly football, and her favorite team is the San Francisco 49ers.

Saturday July 8th 8pm – Outdoor Movie Night

  with Popcorn Provided! Snacks and Drinks available for purchase.

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH US

Palm Sunday 4/2 8:30am and 11:00am in the sanctuary. Easter flowers with eggsThe Praise & Play Drama Group will be presenting a short skit with the Children’s Sunday School
Holy Thursday 4/6 7pm
Good Friday 4/7 7pm
Easter Celebrations 4/9
6:30am Sunrise service in the Deer Park Church Pavilion with Trinity Lutheran, includes Holy Communion (bring a flashlight).
8:30am and 11:00am services in the sanctuary

Easter Egg Hunt 2023 (open to all) 4/9, 9:45am
Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt, open to the community, at 9:45 am on Easter Sunday, April 9th.  We will be starting in the sanctuary with a quick Easter Video while the bunnies hide the eggs outside (or inside if needed due to weather).  After the hunt hang out with crafts, coloring, and the playground until the 11am service.

SOUPerBowl – January 22 through February 12th

“SOUPER” BOWL XIII – final: “Organ” side: 646 / “Screen” side: 671

What an exciting quarter, the “Screen” side took back the lead in the final quarter that produced a total of 440 containers of soup. The Soup just kept “pouring in” all morning. It was an exciting game with outstanding efforts from players on both sides. Although we did not break the all-time high of “Souper” Bowl IX, 1580 containers of soup set in 2019, the combined total of 1317 containers of soup makes “Souper” Bowl XIII the fourth highest scoring game.

There is no way to pick an MVP for this game as all players put in exceptional efforts. A special “thank you” goes to Lions: Ron Kafchinski, Norman Ravenscroft and Dave Hopkins for loading and delivering all the soup to Carroll County Food Sunday.

All players are reminded that they cannot rest on their “SOUPER” Bowl achievements and should begin practicing right away for next year’s SOUPER Bowl XIV by bringing non-perishable food items to the narthex each Sunday for the Carroll County Food Sunday program. Here is a special exercise to help keep you in shape – Carroll County Food Sunday would like to have Pancake mixes (complete) and Syrup in time to give out for Shrove Tuesday (February 21). Pancake mixes and Syrup are some of the items they do not get very often.

Before signing off we have a message from the folks at Carroll County Food Sunday who say “THANK YOU” and they can’t wait for next year’s game.

This final report brought to you by Deer Park Soup Central – see you next year for “SOUPER” BOWL XVI.

3rd Quarter Score: “Organ” Side: 467 “Screen” Side: 410
Today is the final quarter and the “Organ” side has taken back the lead, but it’s still anyone’s game. Check back here next Sunday to find out which side brought the most soup. If you forgot your soup today it can still be dropped off tomorrow. Remember every bowl of soup counts. Of course, the real winner is CARROLL COUNTY FOOD SUNDAY
where all the donations go, to help provide warm food for our neighbors in need.

2nd Quarter Score Update: “Organ” Side: 202 “Screen” Side: 268
We begin the 3rd quarter with the “Screen” side leading. Both sides are urged to go for
a TOUCHDOWN by putting “SOUPER” BOWL on your shopping lists and bringing in soup (can or dry) and placing it on your side of the altar to help your team win! Remember every bowl of soup counts. All contributions go to CARROLL COUNTY FOOD SUNDAY to help provide warm food for our neighbors in need.

 1st Quarter Update

At the end of the 1st quarter, the score is “Organ” side: 116 / “Screen” side: 79. A pretty good start to our game. The “Organ” may have the early lead, but it’s only the  1st quarter and there’s still lots of game left. The “players” on both sides will need to really “bring the soup” this week to put their team on top. This reporter expects to see an even higher score by the end of the 2nd quarter. Each team member is urged to go for a TOUCHDOWN by putting “SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY on your shopping list and bringing in as much soup (can or dry) as you can. Tune in Sunday, January 29 for continuing coverage of the 2nd quarter of SOUPER BOWL XIII. At this point, it’s definitely anyone’s game.

This update brought to you by Deer Park Soup Central. (Reminder: All contributions go to Carroll County Food Sunday)

Westminster Rescue Mission – Food Giveaway on 2/16, 3/16, and 4/20.  See flyer for compete details and dates.

Trinity Lutheran Community Education – Heart Health Lunch N’ Learn 2/22.  See flyer for compete details and dates.

2022 Events (Click to expand)

Wreaths Across America – December 17th, Noon

Wreath sponsors needed for this year’s ceremony. Sponsor a wreath today for a chance at great prizes. Use the website, https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/43676/Overview/?relatedid=0, select MENU, look for Deer Park United Methodist Cemetery in participating locations. Order forms are also on the table in the narthex. wreaths are $15 each for this event.

Fundraiser

 

Cindy Saylor at csaylor@dpumc.net or Mel Blizzard mblizzardjr@outlook.com.

Praise and Play Drama Group, Adult and Children’s Choir

“What is Christmas?” by Faith Schott – December 18th, 2022.  See full production.

 

Christmas Bazaar – December 3rd, 8am-1pm, See a Quick Video

 

 

Salem Bottom Boys – November 13th, 10AM Church Service 

 

Fall Fest and Truck-or-Treat – October 30th, Noon-2

Family fun day full of activities for kids and adults alike along with a truck-or-treat. Open to the community.

Blessing of the Animals – October 9th, 8:30 Service

All creatures great and small — furry, finned, scaled, or shelled! The service will be in the pavilion.  Bring your pet for a hands-on, personal blessing or a picture of the pet if he/she does not travel well.

 

Blessing of the Back Packs – September 11th, Both Church Services

Wishing the children well as they head back to school.  Bring your backpack for a special blessing.

Speaker Barbara Zeigler Markland “Tell Me About the Cross”

The DPUMC sisterhood is happy to present noted Christian author and teacher on Saturday, September 24, 8:30AM until 2:30PM. The cost is $10 which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Reservations need to be made by September 18. Please make your check payable to the Deer Park Sisterhood, Any questions, see Helen Redding or email the church.

Vacation Bible School – June 20-24th, 6-8:15pm

VBS is back in-person this year.  For details on the theme, mission each day, free dinner beforehand, and more see the VBS page and welcome letter.  The theme will be knights of the North Castle.

Pictures on the VBS page and our closing performance.

knights of north castle

Easter 2022 (Click to expand)

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH US

Palm Sunday 4/10 8:30am and 11:00am in the sanctuaryEaster flowers with eggs
Holy Thursday 4/14 7pm
Good Friday 4/15 7pm
Easter Celebrations 4/17
6am Sunrise service in the outside pavilion
8:30am and 11:00am services in the sanctuary

Easter Egg Hunt 2022 (open to all)
Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt, open to the community, at 9:45 am on Easter Sunday, April 17th.  We will be starting in the sanctuary with a quick Easter Quiz while the bunnies hide the eggs outside (or inside if needed due to weather).  You can donate individually wrapped Easter Candy to stuff the eggs with in the box in the Narthex.

DPUMC “Souper” Bowl XII (1/23-2/13) (Click to expand)
Final: “Organ” side: 726 / “Screen” side: 707

Our 12th annual “Souper” Bowl starts Sunday, January 23 and runs through Super Bowl Sunday, February 13. This friendly competition is between the “Screen” side and the “Organ” side to see which side can bring in the most soup for the needy by Super Bowl Sunday. So please bring soup (canned or dry) each week and place it at the altar rail on “your” side to help your team win! All contributions go to Carroll County Food Sunday.

help us help others, food drive

Game Update brought to you by Deer Park Soup Central 2/13/22:

What a quarter, the “Organ” side held on to the lead in the 4th quarter that produced a total of 455 containers of soup. The Soup just kept “pouring in” all morning. It was an exciting game with outstanding efforts from players on both sides. Although we did not break the all-time high of “Souper” Bowl IX, 1580 containers of soup, the combined total of 1433 containers of soup makes “Souper” Bowl XII the second highest scoring game, especially considering the circumstances.

There is a 3-way tie for the MVP for the game: Keith Bryan, Gary Saylor and Pastor John share the honor for loading and delivering all the soup to Carroll County Food Sunday.

All players are reminded that they cannot rest on their “SOUPER” Bowl achievements and should begin practicing right away for next year’s SOUPER Bowl XIII by bringing non-perishable food items to the narthex each Sunday for the Carroll County Food Sunday program. Here is a special exercise to help keep you in shape – Carroll County Food Sunday would like to have Pancake mixes (complete) and Syrup in time to give out for Shrove Tuesday (March 1). Pancake mixes and Syrup are some of the items they do not get very often.

Before signing off we have a message from the folks at Carroll County Food Sunday who say “THANK YOU” and they can’t wait for next year’s game.

Soup will be taken to CCFS on Tuesday 2/15.

 2021 Christmas Bazaar (Click to expand)
Saturday, December 4  8AM – 1PM
Christmas Bazaar 2021 Flier, Dec 4, 8-1pm
2021 Wreaths Across America (Click to expand)
Saturday, December 18, 2021
2021 Trunk or Treat (Click to expand)
Children’s Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 31  9:45AM – 10:45AM

different carton jack-o-lantern pumpkins with various religious messages, such as shine God's lightSunday, October 31 instead of Sunday school kids are invited to dress up and come to the parking lot (social hall in case of rain) to enjoy decorations, treats, crafts, and fun! 

 

Other Children’s Events (Click to expand)

 

Grand re-welcoming service, September 12th, 2021:

Blessing of the Backpacks, Children’s Message, and Children’s Worship Song

Last voyage of the S.S. Gigantic – 2018 (Click to expand)

Trunk or Treat 2018 – 2018 (Click to expand)

Advent Drama “A Gift for the Lord – 2018 (Click to expand)

presented by The Praise and Play Drama Group on December 16, 2018

 

DON’T MISS THE BOAT – 2017(Click to expand)

The story of Noah, short version, presented at 10:00AM, Sunday, April 30, 2017

For video click this link:  “Don’t Miss the Boat”

Christmas in the Toy Shop – 2016(Click to expand)

Presented at DPUMC Sunday, December 12, 2016