Beautiful Beloveds,
This week, we wrap up our series, “Imagine the People of God.” We’ll consider what it might look like if we our dreams began to bear fruit.
Then in November, I need your voices. As the election draws ever closer, the media, our social feeds, our neighbors’ yard signs point out the differences between us. How do people of faith practice love of neighbor, at such a time as this? I would argue we practice just as Jesus taught, so long ago. We turn to prayer, scripture, praise and we tell stories of who and whose we are. At such a time of this, remembering the foundations of our faith becomes so very important. Let’s practice building bridges and crafting worship, together. Let’s tell the stories, and share the songs of our faith.
Here’s the invitation:
Prayerfully consider the following questions:
- What scripture passage helps you find clarity and/or comfort?
- What person, living or dead, in your life has shaped your practice of faith, or find clarity or comfort? (Who is one of the Saints of your life?)
- What is a song or hymn that you turn to for clarity or comfort?
- What is a spiritual practice that has sustained you in times of difficulty or when you had a decision to make?
Share your answer
- In writing: send me an email, detailing your answer, that I can read on your behalf as part of our worship
- Recorded (video or audio only): Share your story, or sing your answer.
- Give me a call, and we’ll talk through these questions, and I’ll take notes to share (I’ll ask you before sharing)
- Send me a picture that conveys your answer
- Some creative idea I haven’t even imagined yet.
Your stories, scriptures, and songs, will help to craft our worship November 1 and 8, a reminder that no matter what November 3 brings, we are connected on a much deeper level than partisan politics. We are connected by our faith in the one who made us all, who calls us to build beloved community, the kingdom of God here and now, among us.
Technical help: You can record on your cell phone, using a voice recorder app, or with your built in camera. Email the recording to me. Record in a “soft space,” sitting on your couch or bed, or even sitting in a closet. Leave 5 seconds of silence at the beginning and end of your recording. Feel free to call, text or email for technical help or to talk through what you want to do. I’d love to help.
Deadline: October 29, 5pm.
Peace,
Heather
As United Methodists we promise to support the church, the body of Christ, with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Here are some ways you can live into those promises, this week:
Prayers:
Please pray for all those who are infected or affected by the Corona Virus. Pray for all who are working for a vaccine. Please pray for all who are waiting at home for relief, answers, for relief from symptoms, anxiety, and grief.
Please submit prayer requests to Pastor Heather, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
A Notice…..
Happy Birthday to Stella May on October 25. Stella is a long-time member of UMC Osterville and a dedicated supporter of all that the church does. She is living now with her daughter in North Carolina. Our best wishes for her can be sent to Leslie Brown, 152 Purdie Hall Rd., Tar Heel, NC 28392. May she enjoy God’s many blessings and our love every day.
Presence
| Wednesday, October 21 | |
| Virtual—All Links at end of Email | In Person |
| 5:00 Bible Study: register here | |
| 5:30 Vespers— register here | |
| 7pm Youth Group | |
| Thursday, October 22 | |
| Virtual | In Person |
| 10am Bible Study—New Zoom link
4pm Deadline for Tidings Submissions |
10am-3pm Rainbow’s End is Open! Volunteers needed! |
| 7 pm Nominations and Leadership Development | |
| Sunday, October 25 | |
| Virtual | In Person |
| 8:30 am Worship Premiere on Facebook | |
| 11am Worshipful Engagement continues at the church (Register here. You can now register for the whole month.) | |
Looking Ahead
November 2, 7pm Church Conference (via Zoom)–This is the annual meeting of our church.
Gifts
October 23-30 On-line Church Auction Preview the Online Auction right now! Go to https://ostervillechurch.com/future-auctions/
Please make sure you share it with friends and relatives. You can also like and share our Facebook post to increase its visibility here https://fb.watch/1g0KUrtjPM/
We also have a new online shop! Check out our items HERE
Please continue to submit pledges via our online giving portal, and through the mail. Your generosity is supporting meaningful mission and ministry in our community!
Service and Witness
Our Church Conference will be November 2 via Zoom. As a body of people, the Church Conference serves as the connecting link between the local church and the general Church. Church Conferences can be convened to approve applying for a loan, buying or selling property, change in pastoral leadership, or other pressing concerns. Our last Church Conference was to approve applying for and using PPPL monies.
The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church. (Book of Discipline) The District Superintendent (DS), or an ordained elder selected by the DS will preside at Church Conference.
Food Collection: During the month of October Thanksgiving Foods will be collected such as canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, canned corn, canned pumpkin, canned ham, canned olives, rice, canned gravy, nuts, instant potatoes, and bread mixes. Please do not donate any perishable food including bread products. For right now we would also prefer not to receive anything packaged in glass. You may put your items up at church inside the trash can out front marked, “Non-Perishable Food Donations.”
“Sweatshirts and Blankets for our Homeless Neighbors.”
The Outreach Committee is partnering with South Congregational Church in collecting specific items for at least 40 people who will be sleeping outdoors in tents over the winter. What is most needed are men’s sweatshirts in size medium and large, women’s sweatshirts in size medium, as well as blankets. Items can be gently used (and cleaned) or new. Please leave them in the trash can in the front of the church marked, “Sweatshirts and Blankets for our Homeless Neighbors.”
Influenza Vaccination Clinics
November 4, 2020 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Drive-thru Only at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Route 28, Centerville
These clinics are open to Town of Barnstable residents only (open to Centerville, Osterville, Hyannis, West Barnstable, Cotuit, Marstons Mills, and Barnstable Village residents) .
Please print-out and complete the consent form before arriving to reduce waiting times.
For More Information: Call the Town of Barnstable Public Health Division at (508) 862-4644.
Zoom Links:
Thursday Morning Bible Study– 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83958360902?pwd=K2Q1enBPQWJ4cGJLamI2UXJWVzhEZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83958360902#,,,,,,0#,,477955# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955