THE CLOCK A publication of

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1 February 2016 THE CLOCK A publication of OXFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 465 Main Street, Oxford MA Rev. Wanda Santos-Perez, Pastor Grow in Christ Share Our Faith Web Site - OxfordUMC.net Dear Family & Friends of Oxford UMC, Recently, I found a description for Lent that was succinct and on point. I prepare for Lent every year and yet these words spoke to me anew. The quote, which I share below, got me thinking. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ- his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. Lent has to be the most significant season of the Christian Calendar. I know it is for me. It is a time that invites me to stop and remember the price my God, my savior paid for me. It is a time when I am reminded of what I am worth to God. In Lent I am reminded that love is a verb. That God is love. Reflection in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds me I am loved. It reminds me I am forgiven. And that God is doing a new thing in my life. The same holds true for you! Just this morning, I received a call from the office. Apparently, someone was having a crisis and was looking specifically for me. The woman was one I knew from before. I had done a memorial service for her friend in her back yard one year. When her father passed away last year, she reached out to me to do a gravesite service for him. After trying to assess her state of mind over the phone and failing, I decide to make my way to Oxford. When I get to her home, she is apologetic for having me come out but is still in tears. I soon learn that she is now beginning to grieve her father. There were too many things to take care of after his passing which did not allow her to properly grieve him then. Now that those things are over she realizes the void he has left in her life. She feels empty and alone. Then she tells me why she wanted me, needed me, to come to her home immediately. By now, I am standing in the middle of her kitchen when she asks me, Can you give me a hug? Can you hold me? I am not going to lie. Initially, I was uncomfortable with her request. She was still a stranger to me. I could go on and on about what her request was doing to me in the inside. Finally, I looked into her teary eyes, I saw pain there but I also saw a precious daughter of the living God. I walked over to her and she came right into my arms and cried her heart out. After, we talked a bit. She shared some memories and pictures and allowed me to pray for her. When she expressed that she was now comforted and made me promise to send her the prayer I prayed over her, I left. How many people are there in our communities that need a hug? That are desperate for someone to hold them, someone to listen to them, for someone to care? Reflecting on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus invites me to not only remember God s love for me. For us. But to reach out to those who may or may not have the courage, like this woman, to reach out and tell someone she needed a hug. Every year, on this time of Lent God stretches me beyond my comfort zone. God leads me to people or places I may not have chosen for myself. God shows me that God is there too. In those places. Among people that will never enter a church building. God is there loving and waiting for God s children, God s Church, to show up. Have a blessed and profound Lenten season. With anticipation & Joy, Pastor Wanda

2 February 2016 Page 2 of 11 FEBRUARY SCRIPTURE READINGS February 7 Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY Please Pray: Please pray for the sick, those caring for the sick, those in recovery, shutins and those in mourning. Please pray for healing, recovery, comfort, peace & grace for: February 14 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 February 21 Genesis 15:1-12, Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 February 28 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT Sally Johnson, June Lewis, Alma Morrow, Jim Nitti, Nippy Norcross, Bob Parmenter, Hazel Prouty, Judy Pytko, Malcolm Scales, Our Church Family Church members, friends and family who are shut-ins, including: Pat & Frank Baril, Harriet Brunnett, Pansy Kennedy, Helen LaFontaine, Doris Norcross, Nippy Norcross, Eva Porter, Hazel Prouty. Please pray for our nation and for all of God s children around the world. Please pray for our dear sister, Polly Davis who has moved to Florida this week and will be admitted to a nursing home. BRUNCH THIS WEEK! Join us for food and fellowship, Sunday, January 31 th, for our 5 th Sunday Potluck Brunch following our Worship service. In order to have a variety of food options, we will continue to go by last name: A G Breakfast Casserole H P Fruits, Yogurt, Juices Q Z Breakfast Pastry Any questions, please contact me at: Nancy Bouchard In Christ s name we pray. Amen.?? Bible Study?? If you are interested in taking part in a Bible Study based on the readings for each upcoming Sunday, with no advanced preparation and no homework, led by Bruce Denson on Sunday nights, please speak to Bruce or Cindy Denson ( ).

3 February 2016 Page 3 of 11 From the Worship Committee For your information and planning *Sunday January 31 st - Fifth Sunday Potluck Brunch after Worship bring a dish to share. *Tuesday, Feb 2 nd & Thursday, Feb 4 th Small groups will begin a new 6 week Lenten Study entitled Final Words from the Cross by Adam Hamilton. Meeting times will be Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. Each session is approximately one hour. Please join us for this time of sharing, discussion and fellowship. All are welcome. Ask Rev Wanda, Steve or Brenda Gabel for more information and/or to order the book. *Sunday, Feb 7 th Annual Souper Bowl Sunday lunch. Soup & bread following worship. Sign-up sheet for donations will be in the Narthex. Free will offering will go to Ecumenical Food Shelf *Wednesday, February 10 th Ash Wednesday - Service of Ashes & Reflection at 7:00 pm. Our brothers and sisters from Quinsigamond UMC are invited to join us. Please welcome them! At this service, which marks the beginning of Lent, we will privately write on slips of paper our own Lenten journey s intentions, sacrifices and reflections. They will be placed in a sealed jar on the altar and remain there until they are burned at the Good Friday service. * Sunday, February 14 th - First Sunday in Lent. (See separate article for Rev Wanda s 2016 Lenten Sermon series) *Sunday, March 20 th - Palm Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m. with palms and HOSANNAS *Thursday, March 24 th - Maundy Thursday We are invited to share a Last Supper meal and Holy Communion at Quinsigamond UMC at 7:00 pm. The church is located at 9 Stebbins St, Worcester, MA *Friday, March 25 th Good Friday - Worship service at 7:00 p.m. We hear reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ and burn the Lenten offerings that were gathered on Ash Wednesday. Our brothers and sisters from Quinsigamond UMC are invited to join us. Please welcome them. *Prayer Vigil begins after worship service on Good Friday. The church will remain open through Saturday, March 26 th for prayer and reflection. Come and walk The Stations of the Cross. Materials for reading and reflection will be available. Sign-up sheet in the Narthex will be available in March. *March 27 th - EASTER SUNDAY!! Sunrise Service at Quinsigamond UMC at 6:00 a.m. Worship at OUMC at 9:00 a.m. Worship at Quinsigamond at 11:00 a.m.! He is Risen Indeed!! Missions Committee Update Thank you for your donations to the homeless people of Worcester Fellowship. You donated 39 warm hats, 12 pairs of mittens, 37 pairs of gloves, 1 winter headband, 3 scarves and 9 blankets. These were delivered by Bill & Sheri Abrahamson to Worcester Fellowship on Sunday, January 24 th, along with 100 pairs of socks and the lunches that were assembled that day.

4 February 2016 Page 4 of 11 SMALL GROUP BEGINS A LENTEN STUDY Small groups will begin a new series for Lent on Tuesday, February 2 nd at 7:00 p.m. OR Thursday, February 4 th at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor. The 6 week study will be The Final Words from the Cross by Adam Hamilton. Steve & Brenda Gabel will facilitate the Tuesday group and Rev. Wanda will facilitate the Thursday group. Each session will be approximately one hour and will run until Tuesday, March 8 th /Thursday, March 10 th (or until the 15 th /17 th accounting for snow). To order the book, please tell Rev. Wanda as soon as possible. The cost will be around $ New participants are welcome and may attend either or both classes. For more information see The Gabels or Rev. Wanda. Sermon Series for the Sundays of Lent Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten which means spring. The season is a time of preparation before the celebration of Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians. [Paraphrased from the BOW #320] On the Sundays in Lent 2016, we will address some essential questions that will help us examine our lives and reflect on God s Word. May this be a season of deeper reflection and transformation. Join us and remember the greatest gift, the greatest sacrifice God has made for us, His Son, Jesus. *Sunday, February 14 th, Who Is Jesus? Matthew 16: Every person needs to grapple with Jesus question to his disciples. Who do you say that I am? *Sunday, February 21 st, What Brings Fulfillment? John 13:1-5, Preacher: Mr. Bruce Denson for Pastor Wanda who is away. *Sunday, February 28 th, What Matters Most? Mark 12: Relationships, with God and others, matter most. *Sunday, March 6 th, Am I Accepted? John 8:1-11. beloved children of God. Even with our flaws, Jesus loves and accepts us as *Sunday, March 13 th, Where Is God? John 1:1-5, 14. *Palm/Passion Sunday, March 20 th, What about Suffering? Matthew 27: *Easter Sunday, March 27 th, 2016 Is There Hope? Matthew 28:1-7.

5 February 2016 Page 5 of 11 WORCESTER FELLOWSHIP UPDATE Our gifts continue to make a difference. We are one of 25 churches in the area actively supporting the Worcester Fellowship Ministry. A portion of the administrative costs of this ministry is provided through government grants. Unfortunately, these grants have become increasingly difficult to obtain. This situation was explained in a letter we received from the Fellowship s executive director, Father Warren Hicks. To off-set their projected shortfall, Father Hicks has asked all particpating churches for a $10 per week pledge of financial support for This request was discussed by the Administrative Council at our January meeting and was approved by unanimous consent. Our church has been blessed with many contributors who have supported this ministry through donations of socks, money, DunkinDonuts gift cards and food supplies for the monthly sandwich-making. Please help keep this ministry well-supported and consider an additional financial gift. Designate your contribution by writing Worcester Fellowship on the donation envelope or in the memo line of your check. Thanks! THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONALS The Upper Room daily devotional for January/February 2016 is available on a table in the Narthex. OXFORD ECUMENICAL FOOD SHELF On the Sunday, February 7 th, please bring: Mac n Cheese to be placed in the food collection basket when you come forward to receive Communion. The items we will be looking for in March are: Condiments: Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Salad Dressing, BBQ Sauce, Pickles, Olives Many families coming to us have members with "diabetes" and "gluten allergies". Low sugar, sugar free, and gluten free items are always in need. A N N O U C I N G A F U N D R A I S E R F O R N E W C H O I R R O B E S The robes the choir is currently wearing were purchased in December 1984! They are 31 years old and are showing their age. It has been decided that it is time for new robes. You can help by going out to dinner. That s right, if you eat at Papa Gino s at 128 E. Main Street, Webster, on Tuesday, February 16 th, between 4 PM and 9PM, and bring a copy of the certificate that was ed along with this edition of The Clock, Papa Gino s will donate 20% of the total pre-tax sale to OUMC. This is valid on all dine-in and carry-out orders. So either print the attachment, or pick-up a certificate at church and help us start saving for new choir robes while you eat. (Not valid on delivery orders and cannot use coupons). ANNUAL SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7 TH Join us on Sunday, February 7 th, right after worship, For Home-made soup, bread and fellowship!! There will be a free-will offering taken to benefit the Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf. Have a great lunch before the Big Game SUPER BOWL 50!!

6 February 2016 Page 6 of 11 Happy Birthday February 2 nd : Carolyn Adams February 5 th : Iver Peterson, Jr. February 19 th : Lenka Drahoradova February 20 th : John Adams Thank you for all your contributions of prayer bears. The mission still continues so don't go away. You see the bear sitting in your pew? Please pick it up and say a prayer with it, sending your prayers to the next person in need of them. GOD BLESS YOU ALL February 21 st : Robert Parmenter Andrew Naim From the Financial Secretary It s that time again! Please let me know if you would like a Giving Report for 2015 for your tax preparation purposes. You may contact me via palsigel@yahoo.com OR by phone at Brenda Gabel I would 21 also like to remind you that if you would 28. Maggie like a box Azu14 of Offering Brenda Envelopes, Gabel please 21 let me or one of the Counters know. 28. Maggie Two Counters Azu are in the office after services. The only way we can keep track of your donations to the Church is by your use of Offering Envelopes. February 7 February 14 February 21 February 28 February Lay Readers Sue Stone Brenda Gabel TBA Maggie Azu February Altar Flowers February 7 February 14 February 21 February 28 open Latham open open Thank you, and may you have a blessed Pam Sigel A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: The next edition of The Clock will be for March The deadline for submitting articles for the March 2016 edition is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 23 rd. Oxford United Methodist Church Sunday Morning Schedule Serving the Church 8:00 AM Choir rehearsal Ministers All members of the congregation 8:00 AM Sunday School Classes Pastor Rev. Wanda Santos-Perez 9:00 AM Morning Worship Service Organist/Choir Director Lenka Drahorádová-Naim (child care available during Sunday activities and service) Nursery Care Melanay Michel & Denise LeBlanc Church Church Secretary Melanay Michel Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Church Custodian Don Parker Rev. Wanda Santos-Perez is available on Thursday, 9:00 to 12:00, or by appointment.

7 February 2016 SUNDAY MO NDAY TUES DAY WEDNESDAY THURS DAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 Finance 7:00 PM Choir 8:00 7 Sunday School 8:00 WORSHIP 9:00 Souper Bowl Sunday Lunch After Service Choir 8:00 14 Sunday School 8: Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 PM WORSHIP 9:00 Fellowship Following Service Choir 8:00 21 Sunday School 8:00 WORSHIP 9:00 Fellowship Following Service Choir 8: CLOCK DEADLINE 5:00 PM CLOCK MAILED Spiritual Leadership: Resource Day 8:30 3:30 Sudbury Sunday School 8:00 WORSHIP 9:00 Sandwich Making Fellowship Following Service If you do not wish to receive OUMC newsletter, The Clock, reply to this with unsubscribe in the subject line or speak with Cindy ( ).

8 February 2016 Page 8 of 11 Fuel the Fire By Rene Perez I was taken aback when my last church asked me what my vision for the church was. I did not know what to say. I was ready to start my new appointment but had only been there for two months. As everyone chimed in around one of the small groups that had gathered to meet the pastor, I kept thinking that it was neither realistic nor fair for them to ask me that question when I didn t even know who they were. My answer reflected my thinking. Believe it or not, that wasn t the last time someone in that church asked me that same question. In fact, I heard different people asked that same question several times in several creative ways during my time there, but it wasn t until the very last year I was appointed there that I shared God s vision for the church. By then, it was too late, I was out the door with a vision that may or may not happen. My story is not unique. You may not agree with what I am about to say, but I will stand by it nonetheless. I have heard many churches in the district tell me the same thing about their own experiences. They keep waiting for God s vision for their church and community. They are looking for a fading dream that may or may not come alive during the tenure of their next appointment. They continue to hope for a dream. After all, if there is no hope what is there to live for? In his record of proverbs (29:18 MSG), David affirms the importance of a vision saying If people can t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Up until recently I was confident that I had given my church the right answer. I told them the immediate truth. I didn t have a vision. I didn t know them. It wasn t an excuse or a lack of trying to write things down. I honestly didn t know. What I shared with them, however, only reflected my poor understanding of God. But. God is not bound by time or space. God is not bound by people or their capacity to understand. God s vision for us is not bound by what we know about one another, for God knows us fully and eternally. Even when I didn t know, God knew. The only thing I needed to do was ask. So I asked. Perhaps the right question eludes us. The church wasn t asking me what MY vision for the church was. What they were really asking me was, have you asked God to reveal His vision for us and what did God say? In other words, is your connection with God strong enough to set your ego aside and hear God s will for us? Unfortunately, many of us think that it is all about us. My dream. My vision. My plan. My hopes. My church. My ministry. It is no wonder that it often feels like a ship without a sail. We are lost at sea because we haven t talked to God. But it is simple. If we want to be found, call God s name out! Visions only come through the labor pains of prayer. We can spend a significant amount of time discussing what we prefer for our church. We can plan endless meetings filled with posted notes where we write who we ought to be and what we ought to do, but without prayer the effect of those meetings bears no long-term fruit. I have seen many of these plans stocked up in church library shelves because no one had the passion or the desire to follow through. What is of God no one can stop. If a vision comes from God it is unstoppable because it is fueled by the fire of the Holy Spirit. It isn t that God doesn t have a vision for the church, God does, but we have to ask. I didn t know the vision because I had not asked God to share that vision with me. God wants us to ask. God wants us to pray. If the church is to recover its vision for a transformed world it must get on its knees and pray hard and long. If we hope to bring new life to many of our dying churches we need to pray, boldly. If we are really serious about reaching the lost and the least for Christ, it must all start with faith communities wholeheartedly committed to a life of prayer. We must learn to believe in the power found in prayer once again. We cannot continue our claim to be the church if we don t pray. Prayer really changes people. Prayer really changes our circumstances. Prayer is really powerful. To thrive in the 21 st century, the church must learn to fuel the fire of the Holy Spirit through prayer. Jesus said Pray without ceasing. Amen.

9 February 2016 Page 9 of 11 SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: Resource Day February 27, :30am 3:30pm Sudbury United Methodist Church 251 Old Sudbury Rd, Sudbury, MA This year s focus will be Spiritual Leadership. Spiritual leaders connect the church to become stronger and influence the world to impact our community. Spiritual Leaders must develop a spiritual routine that will meet both our own needs and the needs of those we lead. These workshops will restore your soul, direct your thoughts and work, connect you with ideas and inspiration. GUEST SPEAKER / LEADER: Bishop Grant Hagiya- author of the book Spiritual Kaizen: how to become a better church leader. WORKSHOPS A Fun Children s Ministry The importance of Evangelism & Outreach Faith Journey: Spiritual Formation Role of Lay Leadership / Servant The Work of Pastor Parish Relations Church Council as a visionary agent Spiritual Leadership in the 21 st Century Developing Disciples and Influencing Others Walking the Walk to Emmaus Rekindling Radical Hospitality What are Transforming Missions? The Dynamics of Small Groups Living our Faith through Spiritual Disciplines/prayer The work of Trustees Understanding Finance and Stewardship Thrive Communities To register, please visit Preaching To the Unchurched Stereotypes and Assumptions By the Rocket Company If we re going to lead people who are far from God towards Jesus, we have to bust their stereotypes. This begins with understanding their outlook. Do you know what an unchurched non-christian thinks of you, pastor? You re out of touch You re judgmental You have a political agenda

10 February 2016 Page 10 of 11 You believe in fairy tales: the world was created in seven days, a boat saved all the animals from a flood, a whale swallowed a prophet, a talking donkey, and guys who walked on water You re just out to convert me and get my money You don t view yourself this way because you know yourself. But you probably have specific types of people that you view through a stereotypical lens. That s how unchurched unbelievers view you. So how do you build a bridge from you to them a bridge that they will actually walk across? If you want to give them truth and lead them to Jesus, you have to bust their stereotypes. Be Yourself Let me make sure you realize this: If an unchurched person shows up at your church, and you stand up to preach, he or she is NOT thinking, Oh good, here s the dispenser of Bible truth. I hope he or she is a good expositor of the Word! Nope. They re thinking, Who is this person? Do I like him or her? Could I hang out with them? Those are the first questions you want to answer. If they answer with a YES, then they ll open up to you, and that will give you an opportunity to dispense Bible truth to them. That will give you lots of opportunities to teach them the Word. So be yourself. Talk like you talk. Use normal words. Use Humor Using humor is another way you can bust stereotypes. You may not be a funny person, but you can always Show a funny video or picture Brainstorm humor with a funny friend before you speak Interview a funny person Make fun of yourself When you incorporate humor, unchurched people think, He or she is a real person. I could hang out with them. It s especially important at the top of your sermon. This is when unchurched people still have their arms crossed.

11 February 2016 Page 11 of Start with a story or a joke. If you re preaching on marriage, start with a funny marriage joke. Or read the difference between what you found when you Googled questions for married couples and questions for a first date. You could do the same thing to highlight the difference between men and women. Better yet, start with an embarrassing story from your own marriage (get your spouse s permission ahead of time, please). 2. Let the Bible bring humor. If you re reading a Bible passage and there s something funny in it, let it be funny. For example, if you re reading the story of Samson in Judges and you come across this passage in chapter 16, So Delilah said to Samson, Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued. Samson answered her, If anyone ties me with seven fresh thongs Yep, you can just pause there. You don t even have to say a word. Try it and let me know about it