April 24, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
Tomorrow, we’ll observe Earth Day, a celebration of God’s handiwork of creation. Our virtual worship will feature voices from across our United Methodist Connection. And in our drive-in worship, the dance will continue as we explore the call of God to care for one another and all creation.
Peace,
Heather
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, April 25:
5:30am Worship available on our YouTube channel
8:30 am: Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: “Drive-In” style worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
While Barnstable remains in the Red, we ask everyone to remain in your cars, before, during and after our worship. If you need something, flash your lights and we will come to you.
7:00 pm: Youth Group (Zoom link below)
Monday, April 26:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, April 27:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, April 28:
6:30 pm Anti-Racism Conversation
Thursday, April 29:
10:00 am: Zoom Bible Study—Join us as we explore the gospel of Matthew, Zoom Link below.
6:30 pm COVID-19 Leadership Task Force
Friday, April 30:
Saturday, May 1:
Sunday, May 2:
5:30am Worship available on our YouTube channel
8:30 am: Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: Drive in style worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group meets via Zoom (link below)
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
Who Is Graduating This Year? Please contact Jane Gray, office@umcchurches.org, or 508.428.2811 to to let us know if someone in your family is graduating from High School, Trade School, or College this year. Please tell us the name of your student, and any details you care to share. From where are they graduating, are they receiving any special honors, and do they know what’s next in their journey.
Dance
A Homily by John Greene
When you look out the window watching the dark cloudy skies and you remind yourself that this is the fourth day in a row without seeing the sun you might feel a little down. It could also be that you feel stuck in your house yearning for a chance to go out and you just want to move your feet and feel the sun on your face. So do like the Israelites did and dance.
They stood on the shore of the Red Sea tired from the climb up the slope of the beach. Behind them the waves covered up their pursuers. Their escape had been close and now they were safe. So what did they do? Miriam, Moses’ sister, took up her tambourine, gathered the women together and they danced. They danced in celebration, they danced in thanks, they danced simply because they were alive.
So put on your favorite music whether it be rhythm and blues, a little Sinatra, or a show tune; whatever makes your feet move. Get your children to dance with you, grab a partner, or just dance by yourself across the kitchen floor. Dance for exercise, dance for fun, dance because today you are alive.
Exodus 15:20-21“Then the prophet, Miriam, took up a tambourine on her hand; and all the women went out after her with their tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.’ “
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Food for Thought: Thank you and an Invitation from the Barnstable Ally Group
First, we want to thank all of the allies near and far who contributed to our highly successful Book Drive! We originally thought that asking for 200 books in 20 days was a lofty goal but WOW did you all come through! With backordered books still arriving, we believe we will reach over 600 BOOKS!! We are absolutely amazed by the generosity of the community members, organizations, churches and allies from our community. With about 600 books and 104 different titles, every child at Hyannis West Elementary will receive a book. We’ve also donated dozens of books to the Barnstable Community Innovation School and started a collection for the Hyannis Community Center. We are truly stunned and humbled by your generosity.
Community Book Club!
The Barnstable Ally Group is proud to announce the next installment of our Community Book Club! We will be reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, a novel about a young Black girl growing up in Ohio during the Great Depression.
We will meet to discuss the book Thursday, May 27 at 7:00pm via Zoom. To sign up for the book club, please complete the Google Form below.
Please consider getting your copy from either Titcomb’s Bookshop in Sandwich or Frugal Bookstore, a black-owned business in Boston. We look forward to seeing you at the discussion! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at barnstableally@gmail.com.
Green Tips: Celebrate Earth Day
Notice the beauty of creation! Remember the reason behind our ecological stewardship. The earth is the Lord’s and we are God’s stewards. Notice the gift we have been given to care for and tend. How will you recommit yourself to care for creation?
Generations of Hope Virtual Silent Auction
A Benefit for the Cape Cod Council of Churches
Click here to view all auction items and place your bid online!
Online bidding opens at 9:00 am EDT on Saturday, May 1, 2021
and closes at 5:00 pm EDT on Saturday, May 8, 2021
During the week…bid often, have fun and help our neighbors in need!
Support the Cape Cod Council of Churches while having a chance to win wonderful items. Categories include:
A Benefit for the Cape Cod Council of Churches
Click here to view all auction items and place your bid online!
Do you shop at Amazon? Sign up for AmazonSmile and fund mission and ministry at UMC, Osterville
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select “Osterville United Methodist Church” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They’ll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
3. Select “Osterville United Methodist Church” as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
United Methodist News
Enter the 2021 Laity Address Challenge
The Conference Board of Laity is pleased to invite all laypersons in the New England Annual Conference to enter the Laity Address Challenge to have an opportunity to give the Laity Address at the 2021 Annual Conference. The 2021 Annual Conference will be held online June 10-12. The Laity Address will be pre-recorded. The specific date/time of the Laity Address broadcast has not been set.
Our Annual Conference theme is “Building Beloved Community.” Our guiding scripture Psalm 137:4 NIV: “How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?” The address must use those as its theme. The address should be 15-20 minutes long. Entrants must submit a written copy of their entire proposed address along with a video of themselves delivering the first five minutes of the address. The deadline to submit your proposed address and video is May 7, 2021.
For more information on how to submit your entry or to ask any questions about entering the challenge, please email Co-Associate Conference Lay Leader Joan Farrar at cw.dll.acll@gmail.com or call 978.582.467
Need Prayer?
Please submit prayer requests here or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
April Collection for Local Food Pantries: Many thanks Church Family for your donations last month of Spring Cleaning Supplies! For April we are collecting Protein and Ponchos: canned chicken, tuna packed in water in cans or pouches, canned ham, canned beans, lentils, protein bars, nuts and seeds, quinoa, oats, peanut butter, and for April Showers, adult ponchos. Please put your non-perishable donations in the large “trash can” outside the church front door.
Zoom Links
Youth Group—Sundays at 7pm
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)
Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Anti Racism Conversation
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84787569440?pwd=L0M2bHNtMlYxQmRFU1pBcXFwbjBGdz09
Meeting ID: 847 8756 9440
Passcode: 508605
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,84787569440#,,,,*508605# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,84787569440#,,,,*508605# US (New York)
Or Call:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 847 8756 9440
Passcode: 508605\
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