The Outreach The newsletter of the Milford United Methodist Church January 2015 Milford, NH Celebrating the Season MUMC s Christmas Fair was the kick-off to a wonderful holiday season! Thanks to the many volunteers that made it such a success. We couldn t do it without each and every one of you! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Message from Pastor Wes 2 Estimate of Giving Cards 3 Offering Envelopes 3 SHARE Collection 5 January Calendar 7
A Message From Pastor Wes Dear friends, The New Year is a time when we think about new beginnings. In my life and yours that is particularly true at this juncture, as we prepare for the ending of my ministry here at MUMC and the new beginnings that will follow. On Sunday, November 30 th, I announced that I have been named the new Executive Director of the Preacher s Aid Society of New England. I will begin that work in March of 2015. My last Sunday as pastor in Milford will be March 1 st. My tenure as Pastor here in Milford will be unusually short at less than 2 years. Leaving the people of this church is the hardest part of accepting this new opportunity. Lucy and I have spent many months discerning whether this was the right choice for us. God made it abundantly clear that my skills and gifts are the perfect match for the work with the Preacher s Aid Society. The Society seeks to support retired and active United Methodist Clergy through a variety of programs including affordable retirement housing, financial support in difficult times, supporting retirement health care through large contributions to underwrite the Conference s costs and many other programs. and we will be living in Berwick, Maine. The facility is called Wesley By The Sea, so I like to think that the sign is even more appropriate as I begin my work. The Staff Parish Relations Committee has already begun their work with our District Superintendent to choose the next appointed pastor. There will be an interim pastor from March through June and then the newly appointed Pastor will arrive to begin on July 1 st. Lucy and I just want to thank all of you for the way in which you have welcomed and cared for us in our time with you. I also want to thank you for your congratulations on my new position. I will ask that you continue to hold us in prayer through the coming months and Lucy and I will do the same for you. I am still your Pastor until the first of March and we still have many things to accomplish before I leave. If you need to talk about this transition or need to speak with me about anything, please don t hesitate to contact me at the office. In Christ s Love, The Society just moved their offices to a new facility in Wells, Maine in the last few months. I will be working from that office Outreach Page 2
Estimate of Giving Cards From Pastor Wes Thank you to all those who have returned their 2015 Estimate of Giving cards. We have seen close to a 7% increase in the amount pledged over the current year. That is a very positive change and a great sign as we move forward into another year of ministry together. We hope to move that number even further ahead by receiving more gifts for 2015. If you have not yet returned your Estimate of Giving for 2015, you can still mail them to the church or place them in the offering plate on Sunday morning. Additional cards are available in the narthex at the church. Offering Envelopes From Natalie Parker Envelopes are now available and are on the Welcome Table in the narthex. Be sure to pick up your box. If you currently do not use envelopes and would like them in the new year, please add your name to the list also found on the Welcome Table. Christian Aftercare Ministry From Margie Frank Donations of winter clothing, footwear, coats, hats and gloves are again requested and will be received gladly by the men released almost daily from prison. CAM continues to need new or gently used vacuum cleaners, towels, dishes, knives, forks and spoons, etc. Any and all items needed for housekeeping are enthusiastically received as God's provision. Please put items in the CAM box in the church foyer. Receipts available upon request. Call Margie Frank - 465-7752 or Bob Sermons and Scripture Readings for January January 4 Epiphany, Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 January 11 Baptism of the Lord, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 January 18 Time to Listen, I Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51 January 25 Time to Answer, Psalm 62:5-12, Mark 1: 14-20 Outreach Page 3
Bits & Pieces Donate Bread Loaves on Communion Sunday, January 4. Please remember to bring a loaf of bread (plain or wheat, no specialty breads) to be placed in the basket at the altar. The bread loaves will be delivered to SHARE, the local food pantry, on Monday morning. Do You Have a Name Badge? Help Our Youth Mission Team Name badges can be printed up anytime by either signing up on the clipboard at the information booth in the foyer, or by e-mailing your information to Diane at djaquith2@gmail.com. Please write out exactly how you would like your name printed and whether you prefer a pin rather than clip on. When the badge is ready, it will be added to one of the clotheslines located by the windows in the foyer. Clean out those old CDs, DVDs, video games - including Wii, Nintendo, XBox, etc and help the Youth Mission Trip! This does not include VCR tapes. And you need to have the original box that your old CD, DVD, or game came in. Then bring it to the church and put it in the bin under the coat rack. Liane Wright will take care of the rest. Those old dust collectors can bring a lot of money for our Youth Mission Trip. Thanks! Outreach Page 4
Bits & Pieces Donation of Altar Flowers Would you like to honor or remember a special person in your life or celebrate a special occasion? Please consider signing up to purchase altar flowers. The flower chart is posted on the wall across from the church office. Contact and payment instructions are on the flower chart. Standard arrangements are $35. Thanks for helping to beautify the altar and sanctuary for Sunday worship. Have you visited a Home Group? Our Home Groups are a wonderful way to get to know people in our church, share our faith and build connections. You are welcome to join us anytime! Tuesday s at 7 p.m. @ The Lawler s home, call 673-7513 Thursday s at 7 p.m. @ The Rafter s home, call 673-4516 Friday s at 6 p.m.@ The Hopkins home, call 673-3257 A Noise Offering Following each service on the second Sunday of the month we will have a Noise Offering. This donation of your spare change will benefit the Wanakee Scholarship Fund that helps youth to participate in our United Methodist summer camp located in Meredith, NH. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to MUMC with the note Wanakee Scholarships in the memo space. Outreach For the month of January we are collecting canned fruit, apple juice, condiments, cooking sauces & seasonings, cooking oils. Page 5
Committee & Group Contacts Birthdays: Don Gutterson Jan. 8 Harry Tong Jan. 10 Callie McMahon Jan. 11 Stephanie Kimner Jan. 13 Anita Merrill Jan. 14 Marian Kopp Jan. 18 Gerrie Hopkins Jan. 21 Luke Betelak Jan. 26 No Anniversaries this month! If you would like to be included in the birthday and anniversary list, please e-mail Wendy in the office at office@milfordumc.org. Thanks! If you are interested in becoming involved with, or learning more about, a committee or group on the calendar, here s who to talk to. Bell : Mary Tyler-Wall Chancel : Sally Landis Church Council: Callie McMahon Home Groups: Pastor Wes Lamplighters: Elaine Driscoll and Carol Rowlette Outreach: Pat Rafter & Paul Berkebile Praise : Michele Bossie Sacred Dance: Rebecca Hart Staff Parish Relations: Bruce Houston Stephen Ministry: Callie McMahon Sunday School: Kim Pfiel Trustees: Steve Rafter White Tops: Everett Gale Worship: John Millhouse Youth Group: Tom Knapp, Kerri-Lynn Kimner Any questions? Please call our office during office hours, listed below. Church E-mail Pastor Wesley Palmer: pastor@milfordumc.org Wendy Ayotte, Office Manager: office@milfordumc.org Office Hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 2 p.m.-6 p.m. At times, our hours may vary slightly. If you need to be sure someone is here, please call ahead. Outreach Page 6
2015 Sunday Services: 8:30-Spirit Celebration 10:45-Traditional Worship Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 New Year s Day 4 Communion Sunday 5 7 Outreach Committee 7 Trustee s Committee 6 Epiphany 7 8 White Tops 1 Lamplighter s 7 Worship Committee 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 8 White Tops 15 16 17 1 Lamplighter s 7 Finance Committee 7 Stephen Ministry Supervision 18 19 MLK Jr. Day 20 21 8 White Tops 1 Lamplighter s 22 23 24 7 Ad Council 25 26 27 28 8 White Tops 29 30 31 1 Lamplighter s Outreach Page 7 7 Stephen Ministry Supervision
Milford United Methodist Church 327 No. River Rd PO Box 476 Milford, NH 03055 (603) 673-2669 www.milfordumc.org Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Milford, NH 03055 Permit No. 17 January, 2015 Sunday Worship Times: 8:30 Contemporary Worship* 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Traditional Worship* *Free childcare Change Service Requested Our Vision: Milford United Methodist Church Our Mission: The Milford United Methodist Church exists to help people discover the joy of knowing and serving Jesus Christ. We will help people discover the joy of knowing and serving Jesus Christ by: Providing joyful and meaningful worship experiences. Establishing and encouraging small groups for study, support, prayer, fellowship and service. Empowering people to discover, develop, and deploy their gifts for ministry. Reaching out beyond our congregation in Christian love and service. Discover the Joy! Our Values: We commit ourselves to: Know scripture and live it. Act with integrity. Be faithful to Jesus Christ, our families, and our church family. Strive for excellence in all we do for the Lord. Celebrate the ministry of all Christians, lay and ordained. Treat all people with respect and sensitivity. Encourage people to grow in Christ. Care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of all people.