June 19, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
Today is Juneteenth, also know as Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, and Jubilee Day. Juneteenth celebrates and honors the day when enslaved African Americans were notified the Civil War had ended and that they were free. This happened two and half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
As we celebrate the end of slavery in our nation, may we also reflect on the cost of white supremacy and racism. May we recommit ourselves, daily to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves, including within ourselves. May we acknowledge the cost of justice delayed.
On Sunday, in both our virtual and in-person worship, we will celebrate the fathers and loving men who have shaped our lives. We will also remember the Father of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley. Let us give thanks for men who through history have faithfully proclaimed God’s grace and love. Let us give thanks for those prophets who have called out injustice and called us to a better way. Let us give thanks for those faithful witnesses who have told the stories of slavery and freedom, so that we might time and again, we might work to seek freedom for all God’s children.
Heather
I will taking some time off for rest and renewal and to be with my family, June 21-July 4.
While I am away:
- If you need prayer, please submit prayer requests here, call MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719. If needed she will connect you with Rev. Dr. Ed Deyton for pastoral Care.
- Virtual Worship will feature preaching by Rev. Dr. Hope Luckie, June 27 and Evan McElreath, July 4.
- “Gather on the Green,” will be led by preachers, Wendy Lithwin, June 27 and Allen Morell, July 4. Join us at 9:30am, on the front lawn of the church. Bring your own chair, or let us know we can provide from one for you and you may remain in your car if you are more comfortable. We will continue to practice physical distancing, and masks are optional. Please respect the choices that others make, so that all feel welcome! Feel free to “Bring Your Own Coffee Hour.” Bring your coffee or beverage of choice to enjoy before, during, or after worship.
9:30am Gather on the Green
- Like to plan ahead? Register for July here.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, June 20:
5:30 am Worship available on our YouTube channel and our Facebook Page
9:30 am: “Gather on the Green” In-person worship around the flagpole. Bring your own chair, use a church chair or remain in your car.
—Please register here **.
Our youth group will not meet until July 11.
Monday, June 21:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, June 22:
9:00 am Yoga in the Solarium
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, June 23
Thursday, June 24:
9:00 am Yoga in the Solarium
Friday, June 25:
10:00 am Al-anon Meeting in the Solarium
Saturday, June 26:
10:00 am Yoga in the Solarium
Sunday, June 27:
5:30am: Worship available on our YouTube channel and our Facebook Page
9:30 am: “Gather on the Green” Worship Please register here
If you prefer not to register on-line, contact the church office 508.428.2811 or office@umcchurches.org to let us know you’re coming. “This is Susanna Wesley, I’ll be attending worship every Sunday in June with all 17 of my children. We’ll bring our own chairs, and warmed hearts.”
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
An Update from our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force on Safety Protocols
As we continue our re-entry process, our building is now open to small groups of 12 or less in the Solarium. For the health and safety of everyone, please do not walk into the solarium while a group is meeting. Please call the church office to make an appointment 508.428.2811, rather than drop by. You can also check the church calendar, here, to know if groups are meeting.
As we Gather on the Green, Sundays at 9:30am, we invite you to bring your own coffee hour. Feel free to bring your own coffee or beverage to enjoy before, during, or after worship.
Next steps: Rainbow’s End will open during the last week in June! Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped get the store ready for the summer season. We would not be able to open without your wonderful assistance. If you would would like to help, or have items to donate, please call shop manager, Pamela Turner, at 508-548-2245. We will let you know what day the store will open during the last week of June.
Our funding team will meet later this month to explore the possibility of a summer yardsale.
Additionally, Wendy Lithwin is working to recruit and train a new team of Sanctuary Shepherds so that we can open our sanctuary as a prayer chapel, for individuals and families to pray. Stay tuned for days and times, and how to reserve your time for prayer.
God’s Time: A Homily by John Greene
We are obsessed with time. Rationally we know that time is not elastic even when it seems to pass slower. A month when we were six is the same thirty days as the month when we are seventy, but the month seems to pass quicker for the older person. It’s our perception that affects us. We label time as though it had a personality. We have a good time, a bad time, we are on time, this is our time, we run out of time, and we have good timing.
Throughout the Bible the Israelites found themselves asking God to hurry up. When will it be our time? When will we get out of the desert? When will we have a king? When will we return to our homeland after being held in Babylon? When will the long appointed Messiah finally come? How long, oh Lord? We too feel like the people of the Bible when we are impatient, when we ask over and over when will it be the right time, We need to remember that our perception of time is so human.
God asks us to hold on, to be patient. He has a plan but it may not be the plan we desire. Hold on and wait. We may not understand God‘s plan even as we ask for guidance. Hold on and wait. God‘s time may be different than our time. Our impatience skews our perception of time. So when things happen in your life, when you feel that you are running out of time, when you think your prayers have not been heard; remember that God listens and will answer in his time.
Psalms 36:45-46 “My times are in you hand, deliver me…save me in your steadfast love.”
Psalms 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”
John Greene
Miracle Sightings! A new feature in our Weekly Tidings
Last Sunday, June 13th, 57 people gathered for worship and to celebrate Pride. What a joy to see first time guests, familiar faces, and some we hadn’t seen in over a year!
Where are you seeing God at work in and through our church? Send us a story or a picture of “miracle sightings.” Let’s remind one another of the good in the midst of challenge.
Youth Group—Summer 2021—A new year begins!
July 11, we’ll gather at 7pm, at the church and welcome all youth entering 6-12th grades in the fall.
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
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.
June Collection for Food Pantry ~ Many thanks Church Family for Blessings Babies with your donations in May for A Baby Center! In the month of June we are collecting Individual Servings of Healthy Snacks including: raisins, cranraisins or other dried fruit; trail mix; granola bars; small cereal boxes or cereal bars; non-refrigerated pudding; applesauce; Fig Newtons; Skinny Pop popcorn; and 100 calorie canned fruit (e.g. peaches, pears, fruit cocktail). Please keep an eye out for those BOGO specials!
Calling all people who crochet:
The UCC Family Camp is in need of 5″ x 5″ crochet squares for Fence Art at the Craigville Retreat Center. All colors of squares are welcome except yellow. We will collect them through July 31, 2020. For more information on the squares for the Craigville fence art contact Rev. Joanne Hartunian, Chaplain, Craigville Tabernacle at Craigvilletabernacle251@gmail.com. Thank you! Joanne
Our artist in residence will be Naomi Lawrence, who together with her UCC pastor husband, Chris work in Harlem. To learn about the Lawrence’s and see her art check out https://iceastharlem.novo.org and https://naomirag.com
Food for Thought: Thoughts, Articles, Resources from your Justice Team
Juneteenth (June 19) marks the day in 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all African Americans were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Read more here.
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Need Prayer?
- Please submit prayer requests here, call MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719. If needed she will connect you with Rev. Dr. Ed Deyton for pastoral Care.