Beautiful Beloveds,
This Sunday we wrap up our Beguiled by Beauty Worship Series. There’s a lot of news in today’s tidings, so I’ll keep it short with just a Howard Thurman quote. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
I’ll “see” you on Sunday, from my screen to yours.
Peace,
Heather
**Parents, this week’s item to find for our children’s time will be a homemade megaphone. I recommend a used paper towel roll.
Together In Christ
We Give Thanks for
The simple joys and rituals of the summer season: time with family, bird song, walks on the beach.
Please pray for
Paul Gannett and his family. Paul’s mother Carrie died Thursday morning.
Stella May as she returns to Tar Heel, N. C., with her daughter Leslie.
Andrew, 25 years old, severe kidney issues and facing housing insecurity
Please submit all prayer requests to pastorheather@umcchurches.org.
**If you’d like to receive the weekly prayers from our Conference, please subscribe to the UMCatalyst weekly e-newsletter and you’ll get the daily prayer as well. Subscribe
A Note from Bonnie Kerr Haase
Mom and Dad, Mary and Bill Kerr, children of God, have both gone to be with Jesus and each other. For those that knew them, you know they had a very strong faith in God and always loved to be engaged with their church family. They both made their family and God their priority from the time they met.
You may not be aware, but both my parents’ parents were opposed to their marriage. Dad’s mother sent them to her minister, hoping the Methodist minister at the time would dissuade them from marrying. You see, mom was born and raised Catholic, and was technically still Cathollic at that time.
But my mother had already been attending church services with my Dad while they were dating, and the Minister saw the love they had for each other and knew regardless of “her ways”, they loved God. The rest is history! But with her conversion, Mom also found a new deeper loving faith in the Methodist Church family.
God Bless you all,-and as Mom liked to – Peace, Love & Joy,
-Bonnie Kerr Haase
Before she died, Mary wrote a note to our congregation: “I wanted to thank you all for your continued support in prayers, cards and calls over the last months. I am blessed to have a wonderful church family. Peace and Love, Mary A. Kerr”
We Worship Together–Virtually
Worship with us: Worship with us on-line, on Sunday through our website and facebook. We premiere it on Facebook at 9:30 am, which allows us to watch together and greet one another, or you can watch it at your convenience.
Wednesday Gatherings (Two separate gatherings–Same Zoom link)
3pm Check In and Prayer (Conversation, sharing joys and concerns, prayer–30 minutes or less)
7pm Vespers (Conversation, Scripture, and Prayer–30 minutes or less)
Thursday, July 23-–Parking Lot Prayer and Visitation–4-7pm (By Appointment only)
Meet Pastor Heather at the church for conversation and prayer. You’ll stay in your car, she’ll be masked and keep distance from your car.
Text or call, 774.994.3645 or email pastorheather@umcchurches.org to set up an appointment.
Committed to Serve:
Miracle Kitchen: Next date, August 4–Six volunteers needed.
Each volunteer makes 10 bag lunches. 1 bag lunch= 2 sandwiches, juice box or something to drink, and fruit and/or dessert (brownies are very popular). Sandwiches must be wrapped individually. Please place in small paper bag and label the outside of the bag with the type of sandwich inside. Condiments are provided at the Salvation Army. If two people would like to partner and divide the task, that would be fine. Example: one makes the sandwiches and provides the napkin. The other prepares the dessert and/or fruit, plus drink. If two people partner, Gail would appreciate if the lunches were combined before she collects and distribute to the Salvation Army.
Please contact Gail Bennett to volunteer today: (508) 420-7978. Drop off Tuesday, August 4: UMC Osterville parking lot (not inside the church), 57 Pond St, 9:50-10:10am,or the Salvation Army no later than 10:30.
PS. Louise Toler has extra lunch bags if anyone needs them.
Join our Anti-racism Effort
A note from Wendy Lithwin:
Today, my son sent me a picture of the giant street mural being painted in Frisco, CO. Like many cities and small towns and individuals they are trying to make it clear that “Black Lives Matter.” Some of us in the congregation have been talking about what we might do to combat racism in ourselves and our community.
We are purchasing children’s books to help children learn history that is sometimes left unspoken. We have attended gatherings to hear stories of the negative impact of racism on individuals. You may have read MaryEllen Nelson’s story that was recently shared in Tidings. We are attempting to increase our own personal knowledge and understanding So we may be more sensitive to the needs of those around us.
Recently we found a 21 day challenge with suggested readings and activities and links to podcasts or talks. We thought we would select an activity and facilitate an online (Zoom) discussion of these activities. You are invited! Watch Tidings for a link. Prior to a gathering, you will be able to read or participate in the activity and when we gather we can discuss our feelings and how the information may have transformed our thoughts and action.
Church Council Meeting, 7pm, Tuesday, July 21
Tuesday’s Council meeting will focus on sharing the current financial realities for our church and looking ahead to next steps to meet the challenge before us. We’ll share the current forecast for both income and expense for the rest of the year. We’ll also begin to explore together creative ways to adapt to the challenge before us. All are welcome!
It’s particularly tempting, in these unusual days to focus on what we cannot do, and the obstacles before us, so I want to share some good news. Each week an average of 140 people are watching our worship on Facebook and YouTube. Last year, as of July 14, our Sunday average was 75. Our increase reflects a wider geographic pool (people are watching in California and Nevada) and the benefit of worship at your convenience (watch counts go up long after the Sunday morning premiere). We’re also seeing an increase in the use of VANCO, our online giving tool. Since we’ve moved from in-person to Zoom gatherings, we’re offering six different virtual gatherings each week including our youth group which meets every Sunday evening. While we’re not in the building our solar panels continue to turn the sun’s rays into energy, electricity and income for our church. In these adventurous days, we the people of the United Methodist Church are continuing to find ways to worship, pray, learn, and serve together. Together in Christ, our church is creative, resilient, and committed to serve.
New Holiday Fair Ideas
* 2020 Calendars
* Christmas Cards
We need artwork for these new products. Any form of drawing or painting, be it crayon, colored pencil, water color, oil, chaulk, is fine. Pictures of landscape, seascapes, gardens, homes, flowers, still lifes, fruits, vegetables, wildlife, pets, beaches, boats, or whatever you would like are great. And for Christmas Cards: trees, wreaths, creches, angels, stars, landscapes, again, anything that you love about Christmas.
We do not need originals – copies are fine. Email them to office@umcchurches.org, or mail them to UMC, 57 Pond Street, Osterville, MA 02655 or drop them off in our new mailbox next to the Solarium door. The more the better. All types of artwork count – kids drawings too. We can’t do this without you. Please send in your submissions. We hope this will be an exciting new project.
Jane Gray, Director of Ministerial Support
