May 15, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
Thursday evening our leadership team met. Among other things we would consider the CDC announcement that those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask. After much conversation, we decided we will continue to ask that whenever on church grounds, inside or out, that everyone please continue to wear a mask. Why? I’m so glad you asked.
We ask you to wear a mask because not everyone in our community has been vaccinated. We ask you to wear a mask because not everyone in our community can be vaccinated. We ask you to wear a mask, because sometimes, we want to be so near to one another, we stand closer than we should. We ask you to wear a mask, because being together is worth it. Keeping one another healthy is worth it. For your friends, for your siblings in Christ, for your neighbors, when you’re on church property, please wear a mask. We remain, Together in Christ….Committed to serve.
Peace,
Heather
Our leadership team would love to hear from you. Reach out and ask questions, share your concerns, or your ideas. Join me in saying thank you for their hard work, time and effort given. Team members: Dave Eaton, Carole Eichner, MaryAnne Farley, Paul Gannett, Misti Hedges, Donna Kahelin, Wendy Lithwin, Allen and Patty Morell.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, May 16:
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 17:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, May 18:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, May 19:
6:30 pm Justice Team/Anti-Racism Conversation
Thursday, May 20:
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 21:
Saturday, May 22:
Sunday, May 23: Pentecost
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?
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.
Our next Church Council Meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00 pm. Please join us to catch up on all that is happening and plans for the future.
Money Management from a Wesleyan Perspective
Those who give generously receive more,
but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy.
Generous persons will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
– Proverbs 11:24-25 CEB –
Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being provides the inspiration you need to address your saving, earning, giving, and spending practices combined with helpful strategies and tools for achieving a sustainable financial life.
Tom Berlin and Anna Guillozet host these six sessions and interview other financial experts and faith leaders to help participants gain financial freedom. WATCH NOW>>>
The first episode of Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being is available to watch for free through Amplify Media’s First Look program.
Dancing for Love
A Homily by John Greene
Our feet want to move to music. Even the most stationary of us feel the beat and sway our bodies. From the beginning we dance. We stand on the feet of a parent and move with them to music. We watch our children pirouette across the stage as snowflakes or sugar plum fairies. We remember tentative steps on the dance floor at our first real school dance. We dance to celebrate the union of two people, who holding each other, invite us to join them on the floor. We dance with the ones we love; we dance for the ones we love.
The Bible has numerous verses depicting dancing; dancing for joy and in celebration, dancing to praise God and dancing in gratitude for God’s love. Miriam leads the Israelite women in dance thankful for God’s deliverance, David dances before God in thanks, the psalmist implores us to praise God’s name in dance, in the book of Job little children are sent out to dance in love of God, and Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time to dance. Isn’t every day a time to dance?
Leonard Cohen’s song, Dance Me to the End of Love, celebrates the bonds of human love; that when we fall in love, we hope to dance together all our lives, dancing until the end of love. Our love for each other doesn’t cease when the loved one is gone; we love on. God’s love doesn’t cease. It will keep us dancing not just for the time on Earth, but will keep us in his love, dancing in love, until the end of time.
John Greene
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Food for Thought:
CCORR responds to killing of Andrew Brown
The New England Conference Commission on Religion and Race responds to the killing of a Black man, Mr. Andrew Brown, by police. CCORR writes “We will not become immune to these actions due to the tragic number nor will we allow our own fatigue and sorrow hinder us from making our Church aware of the tragedies that are taking place in our nation.”
Read CCORR’s letter
Find anti-racism resources on the CCORR page
No-No Boy Virtual Concert to benefit NEJFON
Join New England Justice For Our Neighbors (NEJFON) for a No-No Boy virtual concert at 7 pm on June 5, 2021 to support immigrants and refugees worldwide and in our neighborhoods.
“No-No Boy is an immersive multimedia work that blends original folk songs, storytelling, and projected archival images to illuminate hidden American histories.”
Learn more about it or go directly to the registration page
Green Tips: Buy in Bulk
Buy nonperishables like rice, pasta, beans, oats, and coffee in bulk to minimize the use of plastic packaging.
We all know plastic pollution is bad, but we might not know that plastics are created by refining fossil fuels. This week, we are opening our eyes to the ubiquity of plastic in our everyday lives, and taking steps to fast from single-use plastics that harm creation and perpetuate a throw-away culture.
Brittany Michalski | Climate Caretakers <brittany@climatecaretakers.org>
Volunteers Needed
Help is needed with the gleaning on Fridays at the Marstons 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)
Justice Team/Anti-Racism Conversation
6:30 pm Wednesday, May 19
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84787569440?pwd=L0M2bHNtMlYxQmRFU1pBcXFwbjBGdz09
Meeting ID: 847 8756 9440
Passcode: 508605
One tap mobile
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 847 8756 9440
Passcode: 508605
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kCrzpoTT6
Thursday Morning Bible Study
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)
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: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kCrzpoTT6