Weekly Tidings

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Sermon: In Need of Witnesses!

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Luke 24: 44-53

Confirmation: Ryan Hough, Jim Reed-Van Leeuwen, Connor Reid, Ryan Edwards, Jacob Allen

Submit Prayer Requests: Please submit prayer requests here or call Pastor John 508-451-5858 or MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719.

We Made a Difference!

Our Heifer collection to purchase a sheep has been “over the top” successful. We have raised $457. What an accomplishment!!!

Plant Sale Success! Thanks to everyone who made our Plant Sale a huge success. We have made nearly $3,000.00! More plants are available today.

“The Chosen Study Group” will start again on Thursday 6/1 at 5:30 pm.

The Church Book Group will meet on Tuesday, May 23 at 10:30 am in the solarium. The Storied life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin will be discussed. This novel has romance, suspense and love. If you are looking for something to read, books at no cost can be borrowed from Alice Murphy. Give her a call (508-420-0398) and she will take care of you.

A Bible Study continues on Thursday mornings at 10am in the solarium. We are studying the scripture that will be read the following Sunday.  Come when you can. Don’t worry about signing up. Don’t worry about having any experience studying the Word. Bring a friend. All are welcome.

Interested in joining the Choir? If you are interested in singing in our choir group, please call Daniel Shinabarger at 857-919-0238.

Attend the Joyful Gathering: Discovering Artful Spiritual Practices on Thursday, May 25, 2023, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover. Click HERE for more information.

Calling All Crafters! Craft Fair Saturday, July 22 If you know of crafters, let the office know 508-428-2811 office@umcchurches.org. or give Daren Eaton a call508-681-5420.

SIGN UP FOR THE CRAFT FAIR AT

Committed to Serve—You are Making a Difference

It’s Not Too Soon to Begin Finding Items for A Holiday Fair Gift Basket! You don’t have to fill a basket to contribute to this fun tradition. For years, our church has been known for having a fabulous array of baskets to sell at our fair. There are so many options! When you are shopping, if you see a sale on almost anything, it can go in a gift basket. Here are some ideas: lotions, powders, soaps, nail files, lip balm, essential oils, all kinds of fun-size snacks, Italian theme items, Cape Cod theme or beach theme, a Red Sox ball cap, Patriots theme items, Celtics, Bruins, gardening, movie night. Baskets can include themes of a baby shower, bridal shower, housewarming, kid’s birthday kid’s crafts. We’ve had donations of game tickets, theater tickets, use your imagination! There will be a large basket on the table in the solarium for you to donate items. Our dedicated team will fill and wrap the baskets from now until November at our Annex.

Outreach May Collection: Many thanks Church Family, for your generous donations of protein rich food in April!  In Honor of Mothers’ Day during the month of May we are collecting specific items for A Baby Center (ABC): Diapers, Sizes 4,5 & 6; Baby Wipes; New or Gently Used Kids’ Shoes, Sizes 4 through 10, & 13; New Items for Layette Kits (see list on poster above Food Pantry Cupboard); and for the moms – Tampons & Pantie Liners.  Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day from the Outreach Committee to all moms, single dads, grandparents, and to everyone who loves children!

Change for Change A glass bottle for your change is near the food table in the solarium. The United Women in Faith (UMW) have put it there to collect money to ultimately aid local women and children. UWF Treasurer, Donna Bodley will take care of this change bottle weekly and we thank you for your donations.

Yard Sales will begin again TODAY – Saturday, May 27 from 9 am till 2 pm.  Priscilla Tinsley will be taking over the lead from JoAnn Shrum who will stay in Florida. Marsha and Marla have been working tirelessly to get this started but WE NEED HELP the day of the sale to set up, work and to break down. Please call the office or Priscilla if you can join the team. If you have donations, bring them to the Annex on Tuesdays 9 am till 12 pm.  No large furniture, electronics or exercise equipment.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will be meeting in the parlor the 1st Sunday of each month between services from 9:30 – 10:00. The next date is Sunday June 4th.

Miracle Kitchen needs help in preparing sandwiches, salads and desserts for the luncheon we do each month. If you can help, please call Patty Kilmain 617-894-4858.

Mission Trips to Sierra Leone in 2023: Helping Children Worldwide has announced planned mission trips to Sierra Leone, West Africa for 2023.  The dates of the trips are:

• OCT 15-29 – Zoom Interest Meeting 5/14/23 @ 1 p.m., application deadline 5/21/23.
• DEC 26-JAN 3/2024 – Zoom Interest Meeting 7/23/23 @ 3:30 p.m., application deadline 7/30/23.
• For additional information, please contact Patty Morell at 703-725-2773

Seeking Greeters and Ushers: Anyone interested in speaking, greeting or ushering, please give Mary Ann Farley a call. (774) 487-0719.  If you are interested in singing in our choir group, please call Daniel Shinabarger at 857-919-023 

Rainbow’s End News: The Shop is looking for spring and summer clothes for men and women. You may drop off your donations Wednesday thru Friday 11 am till 2 pm. Come volunteer at the shop. Volunteers help customers find items, price clothing and items for sale, and get first pick of all the beautiful and unique things that are donated for sale. Speak to Pamela at the shop if you are interested or send an email to Jane in our church office.   office@umcchurches.org.

Upcoming Sundays 

On Sunday, June 11 at 1:00 pm there will be a Blessing of the Animals by Pastor John. Bring all of your pets over to the church for this wonderful experience.

On Sunday, June 18 after the 10 am service we will Welcome all newcomers to our church. Please join us at coffee to join in this welcoming.