May 2013 Newsletter. Rockland Congregational Church. Called Out. Dear Congregation of God,

Transcription

1 Rockland Congregational Church May 2013 Newsletter Called Out Dear Congregation of God, Rockland Congregational Church P.O. Box Limerock Street Rockland, ME Tel: (207) congregationalchurch.org Worship at 10 a.m. Member NACCC & CCCME ********** Pastor Rev. Seth D. Jones Office Administrator Liz Glover Minister of Music Richard Einsel Parish Nurse Nancy Lewis Maintenance George Manson Rick Grimes It seems spring may finally be here. Back in our hometown of Minneapolis, they just got another 5 inches of snow. The weather is weird everywhere, but spring calls us out of our homes and into our yard work, out into nature and, it seems, back into our lives again. The person we were in winter transforms into the person we are in the spring and the person we will be until winter comes again. The Resurrection, which we celebrated a month ago, calls us out as well. Back in the early years of the Christian church, Easter was always tied into the new life of spring. The church calendar was intended to remind us always of our living and our dying in the life of Christ. We follow Him to the Cross; and we follow Him into Resurrection. We are called out of ourselves into Christ when we are attentive to the changes in the church year and in the seasons as a gift from God. Being called out is not always comfortable. I think about the times when I was younger that people would call me out on particular actions. Or perhaps some of you have sat across from a counselor or trusted friend who called you out on an addictive behavior or something you did. We all grow from those experiences which expose our deeper self to the realities of the world, even if they are painful. The moment such an exposure occurs feels raw and unknown, but I also think it is supposed to. An apostle means one who is called and the time of Easter and the time of Pentecost (May 19 th ) are times in the church calendar where we learn from God what being called out really means. Sharing God s love with the world means we are always confronting that raw edge of the unknown and our deeper self. It is the place where you, Christ and life are coming together to see what God will do next in the lives of others and in all of creation. For the disciples, being called out meant leaving fishing nets on the shore (Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John), tax booths empty (Matthew), fig trees abandoned (Nathaniel) and, instead, following Jesus.

2 They followed Jesus to healings, to exorcisms, to the freeing of people from lives of misery, to teachings and to new life. I am sure it was challenging for all the disciples, just as it is for us. We have talked a fair amount about our mission as a church. We have heard from our new missionaries, the Perry family, and how they are being called out into India. We have seen how our fellow congregants have been called out to help one another in times of need. We, as a church, have been called out many times to help the community. As surely as spring arrives once again, calling us out from our comfortable houses, so also is Jesus calling us out into lives which intersect with God s world, where we can share the love of God with others and with each another. This spring listen for where you are being called out to live out God s love through Jesus Christ. And let us find ways to share with one another the stories of our calling. The Peace of Christ be with you all! Pastor Seth *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Ladies Guild will be gathering for the May meeting Wednesday, 15th at 11:30 at the Landings Restaurant on the Rockland waterfront. We will be calling you to see if you are going and if you need a ride. If you don t receive a call by the 12th please call Martha Bouchard at All ladies of the church are invited to become members of the Ladies Guild and help us as we work in fellowship to enrich our church life. WE RECYCLE AT RCC!! Cell phones, ink cartridges, eye glasses, pull-tabs, and bottles and cans. Please call the church office for details MANAGING GOD S RESOURCES IS A HIGH, HOLY, AND SIGNIFICANT CALLING. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). *Reminder: The Spring Rummage Sale May 11th Page 2

3 Thank You to EVERYONE for participating in the pot-luck for our Missionaries Joshua, Ruth and Isaiah Perry, from set-up to clean-up and all the fine food! Remember to bring your recipes for the Church Cook Book!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCRAPBOOKING Group will meet Saturday May 18th from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Summer is almost here, bring your funshine spirit and join in!! Feast, Faith & Film Bruce Almighty on 5/19 Pentecost! You are invited to the September Feast, Faith & Film to enjoy a delicious lunch, followed by viewing the movie Bruce Almighty Sponsored by CSRYG, Christian Growth and the Council of RCC Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street Please join us for a Delicious Feast at 11:30 am, followed by Bruce Almighty. A free will donation of vegetables, dessert or $1.00 is welcome to defer the cost of food. Please call / For More Info. Page 3

4 Please remember that a purchase order for any time church funds are used is required. In addition, expenses above $500, other than normal recurring expenses, need to be brought to the Council to keep the Council informed. Finally, all uses of church funds must be in the budget either through a ministry team or general budget item. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Save The Date November 9, 2013 The Ladies Guild Fall Harvest Fair ********************** Ladies Guild Spring Rummage Sale May 11. Bring in your donations starting Monday May 6. Page 4 A Reminder from Membership, Fellowship & Hospitality Coffee hours can be as simple as just Coffee and Tea. The joy of companionship is truly the pleasure of those gathered.

5 NEWS FROM THE Parish Nurse Our Healthy Living Group has resumed on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. This group is for both women AND men! Joining this get-together is a great way to find out what foods are good for you, exercise tips, ideas to stay healthy, and answers to your health questions. Finding a healthy approach to life is important, so join Nurse Nancy on Thursday mornings! IMPORTANT DATES May 4, 11 & 18 New Member Class 9:30 am May 4: Music Rehearsal 2-5pm, Good Turn Dinner 5-9pm May 5: Amy Gardner s Music Class Recital 1:30-5pm May 7, 14, 21, 28: Balance Class 9am May 16: ACLS 7 am 5pm 5:00 Make-A-Wish May 17: ACLS 7 am 5pm May 18: Scrapbook Group 8:30 am May 19: AIO Sunday Feast, Faith & Film 11:30 May 26: New Member Sunday Birthdays May 2: Annette Brooks May 7: Bill Nickel, Woodbury Post May 11: Audrey Payson May 13: Doris Norton May 14: Judy Waterman May 18: Ted Antoniou May 22 Madelyn Drinkwater May 23: Signe Mather May 24: Emma Mason May 26: Maizie Newcomb May 30:Erleen Martin Anniversaries May 2: Brian & Marilyn Trask May 5: David & Nancy Vanorse May 8: Kan & Mary Ellen Wilson May 20: Vance Williams & Carol Luchetti May 22: Phil & Barbara Anderson May 29: Mark & Kelly Richardson May 31: Russell & Cathy Lawrence Page 5

6 Hello, AIO members. Working together the eleven faith communities comprising Area Interfaith Outreach offer essential help for our neighbors in times of hardship and crisis. Here s what you accomplished in service to Knox county residents last month (March 2013). The number of families served is down from both January and February, but is still higher than December. We like to read good news into declining numbers, but downward trends don t seem to last. Families served: Feb March 313 Persons in families: Feb 702 March 675 March vouchers: Heating oil $ families Propane families Kerosene family Housing families Water family Gasoline families Car repair families TOTAL amount for vouchers $5691. Pantry needs continue to include pasta sauce, canned beans, peanut butter, and whatever else occurs to you (except instant oatmeal. We have lots of that.) We no longer need plastic grocery bags or egg cartons, currently being supplied. Page 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13