May 8, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
Tomorrow, the dance continues as we celebrate love. We give thanks for the love of God, the love Jesus commands us to share with the world, and the love of the women who have mothered us.
Mother’s Day is one of those days. A day of rich celebration and affirmation for some. A day of heartache and grief for others. May we be gentle with one another, recognizing each of our journeys is different. May we offer comfort to those whose hearts are hurting, and offer space for joyful celebration for others. In all that we do, may we offer one another love.
Peace,
Heather
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, May 9: Happy Mother’s Day!
5:30 am 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 (Zoom link below)
Monday, May 10:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, May 11:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, May 12:
1:00 pm Lenten Walk (Not a typo…we’re still going!)
6:30 pm Anti-Racism Conversation (Join us! Link below)
Thursday, May 13:
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, May 14:
Saturday, May 15:
Sunday, May 16:
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
Barnstable is now “in the yellow.” How does that affect Drive-in Style Worship?
We now invite you to bring your chairs to be seated outside, or to remain in your cars throughout worship. People are available to collect or bring you anything you need including communion elements, The Upper Room, or collect your offering if needed. Please wear masks for the safety of others, especially those who may not have been vaccinated. Remember, the building remains closed so bathrooms will be unavailable. Please plan accordingly.
Please register here and let us know something that has been meaningful during our drive-in style worship, as well as something we might do to improve the experience.
Our leadership team continues to look ahead to when we’re in the green. As a next step, we hope to open our sanctuary as a prayer chapel by appointment. Stay tuned for more details. We’re also looking at moving our Drive-In Worship to outdoors on the front lawn, by the flag pole and red cross.
Last call for Graduates!! If you know someone who is graduating this year, please let us know.
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.
Kathy and Dave Sandell send a huge thanks to everyone who sent cards, called and brought such wonderful meals to them after Kathy’s fall. What a blessing it has been.
One of our best kept church secrets is that the Wednesday Lenten walks continue…
Every other Wednesday our faithful band is still hiking. We have walked at the Skunknet River and the Ashumet Holly Farm since Easter. The next walk will be of a different sort. MaryAnne will lead us in a secret Hyannis Port tour to include the vicinity of Hyannis Port Pier and Yacht Club, the Kennedy Compound, along the Squaw Island beaches and back via the highest point in Hyannis Port, Sunset Hill. This is definitely a fair weather hike, with some possibilities that you might get your feet wet, so walking shoes that are water friendly will be a good idea. Please register to hike, as we need to limit our number to 10 for this trip. Please RSVP to MaryAnne at booklover126@comcast.net to join. This will be a 2.5 – 3 mile hike, starting at 1 PM on Wednesday, May 12 at 197 Marston Ave. Hyannis Port. Let’s get our feet wet!
Dancing for Justice
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the right of the poor and
needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
The Bible gives many verses that implore us to take care of those in need; the poor, the needy, the sick, the lonely, and for those who have no voice. These are not people who can’t speak, but are those who have no one to speak for them, no one who can demand justice for all who petition equality under the law, no one who can defend their rights.
Throughout history churches have been called upon to “speak for the
mute.” Unfortunately throughout history many churches have shied away from fulfilling this role. The message of Jesus asks us to do more than feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick. Again and again we are asked to recognize that the last will come first in His kingdom on earth.
In a blog, Sliding Down the Stairs, the church is challenged:
“All the happy, happy singing in the Church doesn’t amount to anything and is arguably harmful, if our joyful worship doesn’t spill
over into everyday actions of justice. Just as the song says, let’s make our voices of worship be heard by singing it with our love.”
The song referenced here is Do You Feel the Mountain Tremble
by Chris Tomlin and this verse calls us to move our feet:
“Open the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope and
Songs that bring your joy,
Dancers who dance upon injustice.”
So put your feet in motion along with your voice.
Dance like David celebrating God’s guidance
Dance like Miriam celebrating deliverance
Dance as Jeremiah proclaims a rebirth
Dance because as Ecclesiastes states, there is a time to dance.
Dance because this is a time to dance upon injustice.
John Greene
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Food for Thought: Look Around
When you’re with other people, virtually or in real life, in both formal and informal gatherings, take an intentional look around. Notice age, gender, color, ability, and more. Really pay attention to who is present. Who looks like you? Who does not? Are you in the majority or minority? How does that make you feel? How might others be feeling? Look around. Can you see the face of Christ in each and every person around you?
Rolling Ridge launches online series ‘Voices and Stories’
Rolling Ridge is launching “Voices and Stories,” a new online series that uses historical education and contemplative listening to open hearts and minds to the events that have shaped American society today.
Signed into law on May 6, 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act remains the only law ever enacted to prevent all members of a specific ethnic/national group from immigrating to the United States.
Join us to learn about the history of anti-Chinese sentiment in the U.S. as we consider the implications on anti-Asian hate today and what we need to do to build bridges of understanding and to take a stand for justice. Facilitator is Lawrence Jay, Rolling Ridge director, who will share how his great grandparents’ story intersects with this historic event.
Upcoming events in the “Voices and Stories” series:
- Juneteenth, Tuesday, June 14
- The 1982 Murder of Vincent Chin, Wednesday, June 23
Green Tips: Spend time with your Mother
Remember the joy of a handful of dandelions delivered with a heart felt, “I love you!” Get outside and celebrate your mother with mother nature! Enjoy one of the many beautiful places to hike, picnic, or simply be outside. Give thanks to God for the gift of creation.
Volunteers Needed:
Help is needed with the gleaning on Fridays at the Marston’s Mills Stop & Shop (3900 Falmouth Road) between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on Fridays. After the food is picked up it needs to be delivered to Faith Family Kitchen, which is located in the Faith Assembly of God Church at 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis. Regular volunteers are needed as well as folks willing to substitute. Please call Allen Morell, 703-725-2772, for more information and/or to sign up.
May Collection for A Baby Center ~ Many thanks Church Family for your donations last month of protein rich foods! In honor of Mother’s Day for the month of May we are collecting items for A Baby Center in Hyannis: baby formula (Similac or Enfamil in PLAIN flavor), disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, gently used books, toys, and baby gear, as well as new layette items including infant wash cloths, receiving blankets, socks, baby lotion and baby wash. Please put your items in the large “trash can” outside the church front door, unless they are large things like car seats, strollers, etc. Please contact Patty Morell (703-725-2773) about any large items. Happy Mother’s Day from the Outreach Committee to all women who love children as well as to single dads!
Need Prayer?
Please submit prayer requests here or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
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)
Anti-Racism Conversation, May 12, 6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84787569440?pwd=L0M2bHNtMlYxQmRFU1pBcXFwbjBGdz09
Meeting ID: 847 8756 9440
Passcode: 508605
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,84787569440#,,,,*508605# 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