Please visit our website and calendar at No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here1

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1 The Messenger September 2018 The First Church of Monson, Congregational/UCC 5 High Street, Monson MA office@firstchurchmonson.org The Church Office is usually open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 AM to 1 PM. Pastor Peter will be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM to 3 PM, or by appointment. Please visit our website and calendar at No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here1 The Mission of the First Church of Monson is to praise God through prayer, to share the Word and love of God by promoting fellowship in the community, and to serve as stewards of God s creation all in a manner that glorifies God and emulates Christ.

2 Living the Fruit of the Spirit By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5: Dear Friends, Perhaps your understanding of summer at the church is that it s a hot, worship optional, time to rest up for the fall type of church. That s what I expected when I got here, but, in fact, First Church has turned out to be a very busy place this summer. In addition to some old and new events, such as SummerFest, the Carnival, the fireworks, and the Townwide Tag Sale, great things are happening in and around the church. Thank you to Ted Sisley for arranging the purchase of new office technology new computers, phones, copier, and security camera have been installed in the church offices. Thank you to the Trustees for a fresh coat of paint on our spiritual home. Thank you to Christian Education for our Family Fun Sunday, August 12. Thank you to the Music Committee for finding us a new Director of Music Ministries. And welcome to Kiel Krommer. The Fruit of the Spirit is the theme for Rally Day. It comes from the apostle Paul s letter to the Galatians. The Fruit of the Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, and I think that the fruits are a good way forward in our shared ministry. Faithfully, Pastor Peter Johnston

3 Rally Sunday, September 9, 2018 Sign up for Sunday School classes. Meet your teachers. Enjoy a special fellowship time after class. Children ages 4 to 9 will be working with Carolann and Mallory, starting the year with the theme Fruit of the Spirit. When we see someone filled with the fruit of the Spirit, what do we see in that person? A person filled with apples? Oranges? Tomatoes? No! Please read Pastor Peter s message for more information and the biblical passage. Youth ages 10 to 15 will be working with Lisa; theirs will be a mission-based program. A nursery care provider (or providers) is needed for the third Sunday of the month. A CORI check is required. Please contact Sunday School Superintendent Carolann or the Church Office at if interested.

4 Let s Eat Sunday Breakfast is Back! Rally Sunday September 9, 2018 Every Sunday - FREE hot breakfast buffet - 8-9:45 a.m. All Are Welcome! Each week will have scrambled eggs, First Church home fries, bacon, our Quiche of the Week, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea & 100% juice Each week will feature additional items like French toast, kielbasa, cinnamon buns, sausage gravy & biscuits, or corned beef hash Donations are appreciated! If you would like to volunteer and help in the kitchen, please contact Lisa through the Church Office. Interested in becoming a member of First Church? Want to know more about who we are and what we're about? We would like to meet with you so you can get to know the church a little better. Please see Pastor Peter if you'd like more information.

5 Mumble, Grumble, Stumble, and Fall Thanks to everyone who planned, supervised, and attended our family-friendly service on August 12. Moses (Pastor Peter) parted the Red Sea and led our Israelites (children) into the desert (Fellowship Hall). There they heard the story (Exodus 16), made clothespin figures for a desert scene, and baked manna (biscuits). The freshly baked manna with honey was served for fellowship. We would to thank everyone who supported the Loaves and Fishes program this past year. Once a month the First Church of Monson prepares and serves a meal in Springfield for those in need. We average about 110 people each month. In addition to preparing the casseroles, individuals also donate salad fixings in the summer months and cooked carrots in the winter months. Peace. John and Chris, Loaves and Fishes Co-coordinators First Church of Monson is hosting the Monson Town-wide Tag Sale on Saturday, September 1, 2018 beginning at 8 a.m. Stop by the church for a barbeque lunch, co-sponsored by our partners at Adams IGA Hometown Market. Enjoy a baked treat from the Hearts Willing Club s Bake Sale. Browse the vendor booths located in our High Street parking lot. Purchase a map of registered vendors. Your SUPPORT is needed and much appreciated Help make this event a huge success for First Church!

6 Welcome to Kiel Krommer, new Director of Music Ministry at First Church The Music Committee of First Church of Monson is so very pleased to announce that Kiel Krommer has accepted the position of Director of Music Ministry. His first Sunday at the organ will be September 2. The Music Committee will be hosting a reception for Kiel on Sunday, September 16 after the worship service in fellowship hall. Kiel is a graduate of Anna Maria College with a BFA, concentrating in piano and organ. He has studied organ with William Ness, Ian Watson, and piano and organ with Elizabeth Noone. While in college, Kiel was a member of the Anna Maria Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and assumed the responsibility for tenor sectional rehearsals. Since 2008, Kiel has served as Music Director and Organist at Sacred Heart Church in Webster MA, St. Patrick s Parish in Whitinsville MA, and St. Michael s Parish in Hudson MA. Kiel has been active in local choral groups, directing the Overlook Community Chorus, accompanying the Tantasqua High School Choir as well as choruses at the R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts. Kiel involved himself in community theater as the Music Director of the Gateway Players in Southwick from Kiel is a member of the National Pastoral Musicians, American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, and the Music Education National Conference. In August, Kiel attended a Gregorian Chant Retreat at the Community of Jesus in Orleans MA. Kiel has expressed that he is really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started on his new adventure at First Church. He has said, I will meet the choir where they are. I am open to new ideas. First Church considers itself very fortunate to have Kiel on staff sharing his talents and faith.

7 Invitation to Join the First Church Choir If you like to sing, come and join the First Church Choir as we begin on Thursday, September 6 from 6:30-8:30. No auditions will be necessary, just a love of singing and praising the Lord. Our new Director of Music Ministry, Kiel Krommer, has already begun choosing music for the choir and is very much looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started on rehearsing for Sunday worship. He has spent time at the church perusing the music files and enjoying the historic Johnson organ and Yamaha piano. All are welcome and needed for this very important and meaningful ministry of music. Jazz Bones Coming to First Church September 29, Saturday-- David Neill will be bringing Jazz Bones to First Church of Monson on Saturday, September 29 at 7 PM. Jazz Bones is a unique trombone ensemble playing music arranged for five part harmony in a repertoire consisting of swing, jazz standards, blues, rock, Latin, and funk. The ensemble is backed by a first class rhythm section-a real crowd pleaser. This concert is underwritten by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Music Committee is planning a dinner before the concert at 6 PM. The menu will be meatball grinders, salad, and brownie sundaes for dessert. For reservations, call the Church Office at or office@firstchurchmonson.org. The concert is free and open to the public. Cost for the dinner is $12.00; proceeds will be for the benefit of the music program at First Church. Please mark your calendar and enjoy this wonderful community event.

8 Big E Ticket Blood Drive Sponsored by Outreach Friday, September 21, to 6 p.m. Each eligible donor will receive a FREE ticket to the Big E, while supplies last. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or contact the Church Office. Walk-ins are always welcome! Baystate Health Blood Donor Program Make a difference. Save a life. Hearts Willing Club--- All ladies of the church are welcome to join in the meeting of the Hearts Willing Club on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m., in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our Program Committee and to learn about our plans for the upcoming program year! We look forward to seeing all our friends and meeting new, as we join our Hearts in Willing service to our church, as we have for more than 50 years.

9 Church Kitchen Safety and Etiquette The refrigerator and freezer in the church kitchen are used by many groups. To ensure food safety and consideration for all, please do the following: 1. Clearly label and date all food left in the refrigerator and freezer. Masking tape and markers are located on the counter to the left of the refrigerator. For health and safety reasons, all undated food will be discarded. Better yet, do not leave open containers of leftover food if YOU will not be using the food within a week s time. Take the leftovers home or discard them so someone else doesn t have to do it! 2. If you spill anything, please wipe it up! Plain water with a little baking soda will easily clean up most spills. The pilot on the gas stove and/or oven must be lit before use. If you have not been trained to do this, please contact someone who works on the Let s Eat Breakfast program well before you need to use the stove or oven. The daily lectionary Scripture readings for September 2018 can be found

10 Once again the Summerfest and fireworks booths proved to be successful fundraisers for First Church. Kate added a new product, popcorn, which sold very well at the fireworks. She and Cat made over $400 selling popcorn and water. Steve, Doug and Suzanne, and Ted set up the booth prior to the event. The Summerfest booth sold the traditional strawberry shortcake plus lemonade, soda, water, and popcorn. Joseph and helpers prepared the delicious strawberry syrup. The Hearts Willing Club, assisted by Pastor Peter Johnston baked fabulous biscuits. In fact, they made so many that Suzanne sold them for two Sundays after church, raising $155! Jeanne, Doug and Suzanne, Bill, Ted, and Chris set up the booth in the morning. Kate, Gary, Carolyn and Sprout, Pastor Peter, Crystal, Anne, Janice, Judie, and Victoria manned the booth throughout the day. At the end of the day, Roy and the workers at the final shift dismantled the booth for Ted to take away and store. Back at church, Carolyn and Crystal helped Doug and Suzanne repackage the leftovers and clean everything. The booth made $625. A major source of revenue for the church was the parking lot. Ted and Joseph raised $605 in donations in two hours from people who parked in the church lot and walked to Summerfest. In all, $1810 was raised. This included donations from Florence, Linda, Jean, and Lyle who provided money to purchase supplies. Adams donated the makings for the lemonade and also the whipped cream. An anonymous donor donated the popcorn. Thanks to all who helped to make this fundraiser a success and a good community outreach. Suzanne, Summerfest Coordinator Please note: On Sunday mornings, the parking lot next to the church s ramp entrance is designated for those with handicap parking permits, except the one space for Pastor Peter. As we start up a new program year, please use those spaces only if you a permit. Thank you!

11 Our Staff and Other Contacts Pastor The Reverend Peter Johnston Emergency # Church Administrator Lee Brahen office@firsrtchurchmonson.org Sunday School Superintendent Carolann Smart Director of Music Keil Krommer Church Custodian Linda Whippie Kitchen Manager Joseph Wholley Jr. Church Treasurer Ted Sisley treasurer@firstchurchmonson.org Loaves & Fishes Co-ordinators John Plaster & Christine Sterritt