December 18, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
How do you know you’re home? It’s more than an address, and for some may have little to do with biology or genealogy. It is a feeling of belonging, of safety, and security to be exactly who and whose you are. For some those feeling are evoked by a song, certain smells, or a touch. “Silent Night,” hamburger and onions cooking, coffee brewing, a hug, dancing in the kitchen, all cues that I’m home, I’m loved, I’m held. When have you felt truly at home: in our world, in your body, in your soul?
Tomorrow, we come to the last Sunday of Advent, lighting the candle of love, and together we explore what it means to Seek Sanctuary, to long for a place, a moment, a feeling of home. We gather in our sanctuary, or the sanctuary of our cars or homes, to hear Mary’s song of praise. We light the candles of Advent, praying for the hope, peace, joy, and love of this season to be made real in our lives and world. As we wait together for the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, we remain, Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace, Heather
**As COVID-19 rates continue to climb on Cape, our leadership team strongly encourages all who attend our indoor worship and other activities to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, we encourage you to participate in our drive-in worship and tune into 91.5 to hear either service on your car radio. Or join our live stream on YouTube from home. Let’s continue to work together to keep one another healthy. Let’s show our love for one another by continuing to practice distancing, wearing our masks, and staying home when unwell.
**I will be taking some sabbath time with my family, December 26- January 2. If you need pastoral care, please call MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719, and she will put you in touch with Rev. John Mueller who will be providing emergency pastoral coverage. John is the pastor at the South Yarmouth United Methodist Church.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, December 19: Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30 am: Drive-in Worship
Sit on the lawn around the flagpole, or stay in your warm car and tune in to 91.5.
10:30 am Worship in our sanctuary (masks required). Please register here
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
4:00 pm: Youth Group Leads Advent Family Fun Please register here
Monday, December 20:
9:00 am Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, December 21:
9:00 am: Yoga
10:00 am Advent Bible Study on Zoom
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, December 22:
10:00 am Bright Promises Yoga
10:30 am Chair Yoga
10:30 am – 3:00 pm Rainbow’s End Open (Donations accepted 11 am-2 pm)
Thursday, December 23:
9:00 am: Yoga
10:30 am – 3:00 pm Rainbow’s End Open (Donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship in our sanctuary.**Register for Worship Here
Saturday, December 25: Merry Christmas
Sunday, December 26:
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary—Wendy Lithwin leads worship
Together in Christ—We Tend the Spirit
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Possibilities
Youth-Led Advent Family Fun—4pm, December 19
This time our youth will lead the children in acting out the Christmas story. Please sign up here!
Weekly Bible Study via Zoom, Tuesday, December 21 at 10 am
Join us as we read Luke 2 together.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, December 24, 5 pm
We will gather in our sanctuary, as well as transmit to your radio if you prefer to stay in your car and live streaming for those who wish to join us from off-campus or off the cape. The recording will also be available so you can also watch it later at your convenience. Register Here
December 26: First Sunday of Christmas (One Service only at 10:30)
Wendy Lithwin leading worship Register Here
10:30 Worship in our Sanctuary (Masks required) Worship is also available via the radio in our parking.
January 2: Second Sunday of Christmas (One Service only at 10:30)
Allen Morell leading worship. Register here.
If you cannot join us in person, we will not be offering Livestream on December 26 or January 2. We recommend checking our YouTube channel or checking out Harvard-Epworth UMC, Cambridge, MA, Sunday, 11 a.m. Or Union in Boston, at 11:15 am. Or if you’re looking for something different, check out the Church of the Resurrection YouTube Channel or worship with New City in Minneapolis, MN at 9:30 CST.
Worship with Us Outside, Inside, and Online: For the health and safety of us all, please follow our safety guidelines, listed at the end of this email. This may be subject to change as our leadership team reviews this every week. If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home and join us online.
Together in Christ—We Pray
Please pray for all who are affected by the tornadoes. We pray for all who are homeless, remembering especially all who have died in the last year.
Please submit prayer requests here or call MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719 or Pastor Heather, (774) 994-3645.
Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 5:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Hyannis
486 Main St
This service, held on the winter solstice, is a remembrance of all who have lost their lives over the past year who have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Please join us…
Together in Christ—Our United Methodist Connection
Our church is one of 84 United Methodist Churches in the Seacoast District, which includes Western Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. The Seacoast District is led by our District Superintendent, David Calhoun. Our District is one of seven districts (574 churches), spread over 6 states making up the New England Conference. Our Conference is led by our Bishop, Sudarshana Devadhar.
United Methodist Women
For more than 35 years, Methodist women have given to the World Thank Offering through United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations. The World Thank Offering is an opportunity to respond to God’s abundant grace in the midst of change. When we share our gifts and they are combined with the gifts of others, our contributions support work in your neighborhood and around the world to meet the physical and social needs of women, children and youth.
Our UMW here at UMC Osterville will be sharing more about World Thank Offering in some unusual ways! Want to be part of that?
Committed to Serve—We Give to Bless Others
During this Advent season out Outreach Group would like to offer the following gift-giving opportunities. Safe Harbor for women and children who need protection and assistance.
CHAMP Homes provide transitional housing to homeless adults on the Cape.
Gifts to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund and to Sierra Leone.
A Gift of gloves or mittens to our Miracle Kitchen guests.
December Food Collection for Local Food Pantries.
You can contribute to any of these causes through our online giving portal. f you have any questions, please call Jane Gray at 508-428-2811.
2022 Calendars are on Sale this Sunday. Order blanks are available or you can call in your order (508-428-2811) or send us an email at office@umcchurches.org. They come in small ($8.95) Large ($12.95) Small frames ($5.00) Large Frames ($9.00.) You may pick up your calendars and any other of a few Christmas treasures that are on display in the Solarium on Sunday or on Monday through Thursday between 9 am and 1 pm.
Christmas Poinsettias:
Joanne Bodley In Honor of her Family
Trace and Jackie Schrafft In Loving Memory of our Parents
Doris & Arthur Schrafft
Newell & Evelyn Wagoner
Patty Kilmain In Honor of Claire for all she gives to everyone around her and to Patty’s
Mom, Angelina Salvo
Dave & Kathy Sandell In Loving Memory of our Parents
Alice & Mike Murphy In Loving Memory of Richard J. Murphy
Wendy Lithwin In Honor of those that have led the way.
Lois Taylor In Loving Memory of Blaine E. Taylor
In Loving Memory of Warren J. Field
Sharon Kaczmarczyk In Loving Memory of my Husband David
Rainbow’s End, our church thrift boutique, is open Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30-3 pm. Stop by to shop and/or donate goods, particularly, Fall and Winter Clothes. Bring them in on Wednesday and Thursday between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Thanks so much.
To volunteer, donate or consign items, or find out other ways to support our store, please call shop manager, Pamela Turner, at 508-548-2245.
A Few Tax Savings Ideas from the New England United Methodist Foundation.
- Direct Charitable gifts from your IRA will not be taxed. The distribution will be tax-free if you are over 70 ½ years old.
- No Capital Gains Tax will be due if you give stocks or mutual funds to the Foundation. They will forward the sale proceeds to your church.
Learn more about charitable giving and the work of the Foundation, at their website umfne.org.
Give online. Visit our online giving portal, to set up your pledge, make a one-time gift for a special project, support the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, make memorial contributions, and more. You can use your credit card, bank card, or set up an electronic funds transfer.
We’re here to help. Give Jane Gray, financial secretary, a call at 508.428.2811 if you need help navigating the online giving portal.
Worship with Us
Outside, inside, or online
If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Please register here for December Worship
If you prefer not to register online,
please leave a message at the church at 508.428.2811
or text Pastor Heather, 774.994.3645.
8:30 am Gather On the Green (Outdoor Worship):
- We are now inviting congregational singing outdoors.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Masks are optional. Please honor the choices that others have made to mask or not.
- Please continue to practice risk-reducing distancing, staying about 6 feet apart.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
- Worship will feature pre-recorded music, and we encourage you to stay in your cars when it is wet and/or cold.
10:30 am In Our Sanctuary
- We strongly encourage all who attend indoor worship and activities at our church to be fully vaccinated.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal, and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Please wear a mask. If you forget, we’ll have plenty available.
- Sanctuary Shepherds will be there to greet and guide you, as you enter and exit our building
- Please enter through the main sanctuary doors, where you will be “checked-in,” and invited to use hand sanitizer. Communion Elements, in pre-packaged containers, will be available. You can also grab a mask if you need one, and pick up a Bible if you choose. At this time we will not be using hymnals or paper bulletins.
- After you are “checked in” you will be led to a seat by a sanctuary shepherd. We will be seating individuals and families at least six feet apart from one another from the front of the sanctuary to the back. Please sit as close to the colorful dot as possible.
- We will have one or two singers, but not congregational singing at this time.
- The ionizers will be on, and at least one window will have a fan running, and other windows will be open. Additionally, all doors will be open. Please dress warmly and feel free to bring a lap blanket.
- Please exit through our solarium as directed by our shepherds.
- An offering plate will be available as you enter, as we will not be “passing the plate.” Don’t worry if you forget, or are moved to give more, there will be another place to give on your way out.
- We will be live streaming our sanctuary worship, so you catch it on YouTube, or if we need more seating at the church, in Fred Curtis Hall.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
**Our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force is watching the rates of COVID-19 on Cape Cod. We will gather in our sanctuary on Sunday and will decide week by week if we will continue to do so. If a change is needed we will communicate quickly, clearly, and in a variety of media.
Zoom Links:
Tuesday Morning Advent Bible Study, 10 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88206195080?pwd=MU05U3Z1VUtKbW93MjFsUWxrYzRaUT09
Meeting ID: 882 0619 5080
Passcode: 103388
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,88206195080#,,,,*103388#
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 882 0619 5080
Passcode: 103388