THE BEACON OCTOBER 2014

Transcription

1 A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR NOVEMBER 2014 I m sitting here in a lovely country home surrounded by woods on three sides and the Wild Ammonoosuc River across the road (which at this point is a small river with stones as its bed). Every window I look out smacks of the artistry of God. The birch trees, now naked, which once were lovely with their leaves decorating them, stand out the best in the woods. Funny how God gives everything a time to shine. I can also see the mountains as I look out of our friends kitchen window. Everything is a welldesigned landscape. All of this God has loaned to us to care for, to cherish, to enjoy and to be grateful for. This caring is called STEWARDSHIP, my friends. It pains me to see how negligent we all are in caring for God s gifts to us, and please notice that I said we. Although Vern and I try our best, we could do better. Stewardship goes much further than caring for nature. Stewardship is caring for one another, caring for the structure God has allowed us to use for God s worship, and caring for and about the programs God places on our hearts to offer to others. November is an extremely busy month in the church. We begin with a delectable Turkey Supper on November 1st at 5 p.m. followed by All Saints Sunday on November 2nd, a time when we remember and thank God for those who have faithfully been in good stewardship not only in the life of our church, but in our personal lives. November 6th at 7:00 p.m. is the date and time set aside by our District Superintendent, Rev. Jim McPhee, to hold our Annual Church Conference. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee will meet with Jim at 6:00 p.m. THE BEACON OCTOBER 2014 On November 9th we will celebrate Consecration Sunday with our guest preacher, Rev. Charles (Chuck) Hartman. This is the day we will pledge our gifts to God, not only of money, but of time and ministry. A pot luck lunch will follow worship. Wait! There is more! The Bell Bazaar occurs on November 15th. Talk it up! It is a wonderful fundraising event and an excellent time of being in fellowship and meeting our community! THE BEACON NOVEMBER 2014 Perhaps the highlight of the month will be our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held at the Temple Israel (our old church building) at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24th! Come and give thanks to God with a grateful heart...and at the same time get to sit in the pews once occupied by former First UMC members! November 29th is the day to decorate the church and Sunday, November 30th kicks off the Season of Advent! Told you November is a busy month...and the theme of stewardship is reflected in every event I ve mentioned. Let s all get better at Stewardship, especially the part about caring for one another! Blessings, Pastor Sue First United Methodist Church 129 Miller Avenue Portsmouth, N.H First United Methodist Church 129 Miller Avenue Portsmouth, NH office@fumcportsmouth.net

2 TURKEY SUPPER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 SERVING AT 5:00 PM Adults $9.00 Children $5.00 Children Under 5 Free BACKPACK MINISTRY/END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER This ministry provides (7) simple meals in a bag each Friday to children in need to all 6 Portsmouth schools. Last school year we averaged 100 bags a week. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me directly at Jennifer_lynn1@comcast.net or Blessings, Jen Berry, Backpack Ministry Coordinator SEACOAST FAMILY PROMISE Ou rotation for this program is the week of 11/30/14 to 12//7 Our Church (Charge) Conference lead by Rev. James McPhee, our District Superintendent, will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 PM. SPRC will meet with Rev. McPhee at 6:00 PM. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 POT LUCH LUNCH Guest Preacher, Rev. Charles Hartman Please sign up on the sheet posted in Sanborn Hall to provide an appetizer, entree or dessert. Beverage will be provided. BELL BAZAAR SATURDAY, NOV. 15 9:00-2:00 Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Lunch Available Bid Table, Needlework Decorations, Crafts Much, Much More! See Dianne Crisp for information These families truly need our love and support at this time in their lives. Our job when they are here in our church (5 6 times per year) is not only to house and feed them for the week, but also to make them feel welcome and feel the presence of the Lord thru the love and concern that we share while they are visiting our church. The volunteers from Temple Israel that help us with this program are amazing people as well, and it is a pleasure working with them. We can always use new volunteers, so if you are interested in helping, please contact me at or jennifer_lynn1@comcast.net. SFP Promises to Keep 10 th Annual Fall Fundraising Auction Friday, November 7, 2014 The Jarvis Center, Portsmouth 6:00 to 9:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm) Tickets $40 in advance - $50 at the door Limited Heavy h ordeuvres Cash bar Blessings, Jen Berry. SFP Coordinato AN ENDURING THERAPY Many have discovered helping others to be the most enduring therapy, for it's the burdens you help another to bear that make your own seem light. -Albert Schweitzer Taken from The Newsletter, Newsletter

3 CHURCH CONFERENCE Thursday, November 6-7:00 PM Be sure to attend our Annual Church Conference led by our District Superintendent, Rev. James McPhee. Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet with Rev. McPhee at 6:00 PM v v OUR NEW MEMBERS Gilbert & Marilyn Stebbins Received into Full Membership from Affiliate Membership Allison Paige Hovey By Profession of Faith Barbara Sylvester By Transfer from St. John s UMC, Dover, N.H. CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO.... Veronica Bennett and Scott Nasino who were united in marriage on October 11th. Veronica is the daughter of Jessie & George Bennett and Scott is the son of Marietta Sharkey. Pastor Sue and Rev. Dr. David Kerr officiated. RECOGNITION OF LAY SERVANTS Certified Lay Servants- David Richards, Art Munson, Janice Bakula, Dennis Veilleux Local Lay Servants Sue Sarosiek, Karen Sarosiek, Jennifer Berry, David Gleason, Steve Walker, Allison Paige Hovey CONSECRATION SUNDAY November 9th with a Pot Luck following Worship. Guest preacher will be Rev. Charles (Chuck) Hartman New Commitment cards will be given out on Sunday, November 2 for the congregation to take home with them so that you might have a week to pray about your commitments. You should bring your card back on November 9th all filled out and prayed over! Note from Linda Reiber, Chp of Finance & Church Treasurer: Sunday November 9th has been designated at Consecration Sunday for First United Methodist Church. Consecration Sunday will be a special worship service with an opportunity for all of us to open our hearts to God's call. Members will be asked to make a pledge not just monetary, but of their time and talents which are as important. Please prayerfully consider what your gifts to First United Methodist Church will be for the coming year and join us on this special day. A potluck will follow the service. FROM SUE RICHARDS, PUMPKIN PATCH, COORDINATOR The Patch is over and we will end up keeping 35% of the $20,000+ in sales, plus our Food/Craft Sales! A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of you who helped in the Sales Booth, helped during our Unloading Parties, baked on the Pie Team or at home, removed rotten pumpkins and neatened them up, etc! It takes a lot of people to make this work! Patch Clean Up will be today after church. We need to take everything down and put it away. Thanks for another successful event! November 1 - Turkey Dinner November 6 - Annual Church Conference November 9 - Consecration Sunday, Rev. Charles Hartman, Guest Speaker, Potluck November 15 - Bell Bazaar November 23 - Thanksgiving Service at Temple Isreal December 13 - Women s Tea December 19 & 20 - Seacoast Santa December 31 - Portsmouth First Night - Sell refreshments

4 2014 BELL BAZAAR SAT., NOVEMBER 15 9:00 to 2:00 PM THREE WEEKS TO GO!!!!! With the Pumpkin Patch over,hopefully you are working on crafts! Craft away Craft away Craft away ALL! Please contact Dianne Crisp ( ) Things to be done? Please contact Dianne Crisp ( ) if you answer Yes / Maybe / Possibly to any of the following questions 1. Do you want to become involved in the Bell Bazaar? 2. Do you wish to becoming more involved? 3. Can you painting fine details? (ie: faces on glass) 4. Do you like to craft if it s all planned and supplied? 5. Do you like to sew? (fabric squares, etc) 6. Do you like felt and embroidery crafts? 7. Do you like to repurpose items? (blue jeans) 8. Do you like to work with wood? (wine rack, carts) 9. How about corks for crafts of a bazillion ideas? 10. Do you like to make greeting cards with crafty stuff? 11. Do you like to repurpose sweaters? (hats, mittens It s time to start planning what to make for the food table too. 1. Bake breads, bars, cookies, sweets of any kind. 2. Fancy stuff, plain stuff, seasonal stuff. 3. Freezer food for a serving of 2 sells the best. Remember, there is always something for someone to do during the week of the fair. Check with Dianne if you are free during the week of November to help out. Remember to keep working on what you enjoy doing! Much is needed for the tables to be full! ANYONE and EVERYONE who likes crafting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, beading, etc. is more than welcome to make something for the Fair. OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a church of faith and service with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors that by God s grace, seeks to be like Jesus in his love for all God s Children GREETERS Nov 2 Jenya Westbtook Nov 9 - Yvonne Griffin Nov 16 - Evelyn New Nov 23 - Al & Jan Cansdale Nov 30 - John & Cathy VanReenen Every Sunday - Marilyn Stebbins at Front Entrance ALTAR FLOWERS Nov 2 - Linda Meadows Nov 9 - Martin McGough Nov 16 - Evelyn Laux Nov 23 - Barbara Millar Nov 30 - PennySue Orr OUR PRAYER LIST PRAYERS, CARDS AND VISITS ARE ALL WELCOME! Please let the church office know when someone should be removed from the prayer list. PEACE CIRCLE November 11-9:30 am Home of Barbara Millar SOUP KITCHEN November 13- Team I Salvation Army SERMON TITLES Nov 2 - Wade in the Water Nov 9 - Guest Preacher - Rev. Chas. Hartman Nov 16 - What if...? Nov 23 - Not Gobble Gobble, but Grumble Grumble! Nov 30 - Will He Find Us Ready? LITURGISTS Nov 2 - Yvonne Griffin Nov 9 - Rosie Buswell Nov 16 - Marilyn Stebbins Nov 23 - David Richards Nov 30 - Jen Berry NOVEMBER BEACON SPONSOR Jane Richards Our Church & Church Family Barbara Slater Rev. Bill & Gayle Gardei Beverly Frasier Betty Taper Mary Merrill Shirley Pappa Brian Thompson FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 129 MILLER AVENUE PORTSMOUTH, NH Office Phone PASTOR SUSAN ELLERY Home Phone: susanbellery@gmail.com Check out our website at

5 NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 4 Ken Westbrook 6 Scot Newbury 6 Rose Arsenault 12 Marion Collishaw 12 Dorothy Fillmore 12 Mike Coffey 16 Evelyn Laux 16 Betty Mattson 17 Debbie Woods 19 Shawn Buswell 20 Sylvia Bartlett 21 Fred Pettigrew 22 Katherine Moulton 23 Pamela Smith 26 Georgia Varrell 30 Elmer Sewell 20 Scot & Darlene Newbury HONOR OUR VETERANS Veterans Day, which is November 11 each year, is a holiday to honor America s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for our nation s common good. Christians follow the Prince of Peace, so war is a dilemma that often challenges people of faith. Some Christians are pacifists, while others believe in a just war. Many believe that the goals of freedom, justice, equality and democracy are worth the cost required. Whatever individual Christians decide about any given conflict, most Christians believe that men and women who strive to make this world free of tyrants are to be respected. As Winston Churchill said, Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. Thank you to all the men and women who served or are now serving our country. -Taken from the Newsletter, Newsletter THANKSGIVING: THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM HOLIDAY As we think of the Pilgrims who established the first Thanksgiving Day, we need to recall the reason they left the land of their birth and came to the New World. The Puritan separatists were not allowed to worship freely in England according to the dictates of their hearts and minds. In August of 1620, they boarded two small ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower, in search of religious freedom in undeveloped America. The Speedwell soon sprung leaks and most of the crew and passengers transferred to the Mayflower before the Speedwell turned back. There were 102 Pilgrims who suffered the 67 days of rough sailing before they finally landed in Plymouth Bay in November, Their troubles were just beginning. No housing awaited them. No reception group. No physicians or medical facilities. There were no stores. A cold winter lay ahead with sickness for most of them. At one point, only six people were well enough to help the sick and the dying. By March 1621, not even a year after arriving, only 51 of the original 102 remained alive. It would be another two years before a ship arrived carrying supplies to help them. They were compelled to live off the land in whatever way they could. Fortunately, some Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn, how to fish the waters, how to find game, how to live without the comforts of England or Holland. The newcomers built houses. They farmed. They fished. They filled a storehouse with corn and other foods. At the end of the first harvest, they decided to hold a feast of celebration and have a time of thanksgiving to God for their freedom to worship as their hearts desired. They invited their Native American friends to enjoy the occasion with them. Ninety came and stayed for three days. They must have enjoyed the worship, feasting and merrymaking. The main point to remember is that the Puritans were willing to pay an enormous price for the privilege of freedom of worship. They were profoundly grateful to God! Here, in America, no established church harassed them, no government agency restricted them, and no one ridiculed them. They were free to worship in the manner they chose. And they did just that! On Thanksgiving Day we will be grateful for our abundance, thankful for our manifold blessings. Let us also be profoundly appreciative of our freedom to worship according to our hearts and minds. -Taken from the Newsletter, Newsletter

6 Turkey Supper 5:00 PM All Saints Sunday 11:00 Fellowship 11:15 Trustees 10:00 Great Bay Bridge 12:30 NAMI 5:30 & 7:00 PPM 7:30 NA 6:00 SPRC 7:00 Church Conference 7:30 AA 8:00 AA Consecration Sunday 11:00 Fellowship & Pot Luck Lunch 10:00 Great Bay Bridge 9:30 Peace Circle 4:00 Soup Kitchen Tm 3 6:00 Worship Com 7: 00 Choir Reh 7:30 AA 8:00 AA Bell Bazaar 9:00-2:00 11:15 Fellowship 10:00 Great Bay Bridge 12:30 NAMI 7:00 PPM 7:30 NA 6:00 Finance Com 7:00 Choir Reh 7:30 AA 8:00 AA Thanksgiving Sunday 11:00 Fellowship 10:00 Great Bay Bridge 7:00 PM Thanks - giving Service at Temple Israel 12:30 NAMI 7:00 PPM 7:30 NA 8:00 AAt Office Closed 11:15 Fellowship Host Week for Family Promise November 30 - December 7