Beautiful Beloveds
With Ash Wednesday behind us, we enter the season of Lent. We try on new or bring out familiar spiritual practices. And, we enter a new worship series: Holy Vessels. This year, we remember we are all created in the image of God as “Holy Vessels” of love. And, we remember that in so many ways, the last year has been shattering body, mind and soul. We’ll spend the next six weeks exploring all the ways Jesus offers healing: physical, mental, intellectual, community, economic and more. What kind of healing do you need?
As we explore the varieties of ways God meets us where we are, we’ll be blessed by a variety of voices in our virtual worship. You’ll hear scripture read by different person each week, who has moved away from our community. You’ll hear music lifted by voices from within and beyond our community. And you’ll hear sermons by different preachers from our United Methodist connection. During our parking lot worship, I’ll offer another take on the same text. So many voices, each calling us to explore the healing power of God.
I hope you’ll take these healing themes beyond our worship, and into your week. Check out one of our special lent offerings: movie fest, weekly walks, vespers. May God’s healing power move from our ears, to our hearts and souls, and touch our whole being.
Peace, Heather
Do you or someone you know need some help getting the COVID-19 Vaccine? Please call the church office, 508.428.2811 or call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645. Let’s help one another stay healthy.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, February 21: First Sunday of Lent (Treasure: Physical Health & Healing
5:30am Worship available on our YouTube channel
8:30 am: Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7: 00 pm: Youth Group via Zoom
Monday, February 22
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, February 23:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” our midweek mailing
7:00 pm: Lent Movie Fest
Wednesday, February 24:
12:00 pm: Deadline for Saturday Tidings Submissions
1:00 pm: Lenten Walk with MaryAnne Farley and Lev Malakhoff
6:30 pm: Weekly Worshipful Sweet Spot: Lenten Vespers (Zoom link below)
7:00 pm: Church Council Meeting (Zoom Link Below)
Thursday, February 25:
10:00 am: Zoom Bible Study—Join us as we explore the gospel of Matthew, Zoom Link below.
Friday, February 26:
Saturday, February 27:
Sunday, February 28: Second Sunday of Lent (Safe Keeping: Community & Economic Health)
5:30am Worship available on our YouTube channel
8:30 am: Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group meets via Zoom (link below)
Looking Further Ahead:
Welcoming and Community Meeting, 4pm, March 2
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
Lent 2021: Holy Vessels
Our Virtual Worship will feature a variety of voices, both familiar and new to us, as we encounter the healing stories of Jesus. Pastor Heather will lead our virtual worship, and guest preachers will provide sermons. Pastor Heather will be preaching weekly in our worship in the parking lot.
Lent Film Fest Begins February 23, 7pm via Zoom (Link below)
During Advent a film series based on our worship series was offered. Several members enjoyed watching, gathering and discussing the films. We will try a similar format for Lent. All are welcome to join in whenever they are available or when a film piques their interest. Discussion will be led by Wendy Lithwin.
The first film for the series will be Molokai: The Story of Father Damien. Based on a true story, this drama focuses on Father Damien (David Wenham), a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium who takes up a post at a Hawaiian leprosy settlement. Appalled by the conditions that he finds the lepers living in, Damien works tirelessly to aid the stricken people. In addition to making the colony more habitable, Damien tries to act as a spiritual guide for the beleaguered islanders, always selflessly putting the well-being of others first.
The first discussion group will be Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00PM via Zoom. Hope you can come.
Mother Nature Heals!
Ash Wednesday’s bright sun made our first Lenten Healing hike a success. My eyes were awakened to the wonderful trails and vistas within our town boundaries.
Join us next Wednesday, February 24 at 1 PM at the Hathaway’s Pond parking lot on Phinney’s Lane (between Attucks Way and Route 6). Bringing a walking stick ensures sure footing with walking shoes or boots. It’s just over a mile to circle the North pond. But, wait, there’s more for the adventurous! There’s a terrific guide at https://www.capecodbikeguide.com/pdf/cape-cod-hathaways-pond-trail-guide.pdf
Please call or text MaryAnne Farley at 774 4870719, so we’ll know you’ll be there.
Wear a mask, hiking shoes or boots, warm clothing, layering if possible. As long as the weather is fine, we’ll walk up to an hour.
Every Wednesday at 1PM during Lent we’ll have a walk to center us in our Lenten journey. If Lev is leading, you know it’s going to be interesting, and fun!
Weekly Wednesday Worshipful Sweet Spot
Wednesdays 6:30-7:00 pm: A Worshipful Zoom gathering with scripture, prayer, music and God sightings. Where are you seeing God in your life, our community, and the world around us?
Man, of the Year—A Homily by John Greene
There is an annual designation of the person who in the past year has influenced the country, even the world, in such a way that we take notice. In this past year of illness, of fear, of social upheaval we look for assurance that it will pass, that our familiar times will return. We look to hear someone tell us that our patience will be rewarded.
In their times of trouble and stress, in the moments when they were scared and confused, in the days when they feared for the future, the people of Israel heard the voice of the prophet Isaiah. Yes, he came bearing words of accusation, words of warning, but he also came to give the people hope, to show them a future that would bring them back to God. He came to give them words of assurance and love and to remind them that God had not deserted them no matter what unknown troubles were ahead.
As we enter this second year of the pandemic and our unknown path ahead, we can look to Isaiah for a voice of hope. Listen to the words he gave to the people of Israel about God’s love:
“He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary and the young will fall exhausted. But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
Why not choose Isaiah as the Man of the Year? In our time of uncertainty, his words of hope and assurance give us the spiritual strength we so need. His words will remind us that God does not desert us. We must have faith and patience that our strength will be renewed and we will run once again.
John Greene
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Food for Thought: Explore Race and Racism as part of your Lenten Practice
- Consider reading, I’m Black, I’m Christian, I’m Methodist and journaling with God about your self-discovery related to race and racism. You’ll find prompts for uncovering white privilege here.
February 20: Go Green for Lent
- Consider a Carbon Fast, focusing your attention on stewardship of the earth’s resources.
Learn more here.
What about pledge cards and envelopes? Envelopes and paper pledge cards will be available on Sunday or contact Jane to pick them up during the week. If you haven’t yet, please fill out your pledge/estimate of giving here or contact Jane Gray 508.428.2811 or office@umcchurches.org.
FEBRUARY Collection for Local Food Pantries: Thank you Matthew 25: 40 Church Family for your donations last month of breakfast foods and socks for our homeless neighbors! “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This month we are collecting new individual travel sizes of personal items such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, shower gel, soft toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, band aids, first aid ointments, feminine hygiene items, men’s shaving cream, combs, brushes, Kleenex, etc. Thank you for putting your donated items in the large black labeled container to the right of the church front door.
Zoom Links
Lent Movie Fest
Time: Tuesdays, 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82952225426?pwd=elVkK1NaMFh0a2J5c1hmRStiTER5QT09
Meeting ID: 829 5222 5426
Passcode: 002218
One tap mobile
+13126266799,82952225426#,*002218# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,82952225426#,*002218# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 829 5222 5426
Passcode: 002218
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kZqWJMFx
Weekly Worshipful Sweet Spot: Lenten Vespers
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89033447499?pwd=SWJ3Z3owamRKSjBJemxES3BuWUFvZz09
Meeting ID: 890 3344 7499
Passcode: 358594
One tap mobile
+13017158592,89033447499#,*358594# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,89033447499#,*358594# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 890 3344 7499
Passcode: 358594
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbMpf7lmiD
Church Council, January 24, 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83445466618?pwd=ekNlSnRiYUNQMCtkU2VMTnBwSFF3dz09
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83445466618#,,,,*422146# US (New York)
+13017158592,,83445466618#,,,,*422146# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kEqLX5zrX
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Time: Thursday mornings, 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83958360902?pwd=K2Q1enBPQWJ4cGJLamI2UXJWVzhEZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
Youth Group
Time: 7pm Sundays
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89016033879?pwd=bnpjYUVqc1Rkc0RRRWtjeG0yTXV2Zz09
Meeting ID: 890 1603 3879
Passcode: 312727
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89016033879#,,,,*312727# US (Washington DC)