January 22, 2021

Beautiful Beloveds,

Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.  Our church mission reminds us of our purpose in our community and beyond.  It begins in our connection to one another and to Christ.  In the last two years, we have really strengthened our flexibility, creativity, and adaptability muscles, and have found new and old ways to stay connected, Together in Christ.  We’ve learned new practices like Zoom, Livestream, and drive in worship, communion, even pastoral care.  And, we returned to older, familiar practices like phone trees, worshiping and meeting outdoors, and walking together.  And don’t forget drive-by parties and driveway caroling. 

We have been consistently creative in finding ways to stay connected because it’s important to us, and it’s part of the way we were created.  We were created to connect, heart to heart, hand to hand.  And we were created to build up the body, as our unique selves.  Each one matters. 

This Sunday, as our worship series, “For Sake of Life” continues, we explore the importance of doing this work together.  No one person alone can be a church.  Rather it is the connection of disciples to one another and the holy that becomes the Body of Christ, the church.  We continue to find creative ways to stay connected.   Whether we gather on Zoom, in our parking lot, in our homes, or in our sanctuary, we remain Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.

Peace,

Heather

While the number of cases is in decline, the COVID-19 risk is still severe. Please, if you can,  join us via Livestream on Sunday, and stay home and worship from there.  Or consider joining our “Drive-In Worship” at 8:30 in the church parking lot.  You stay in your car, with your radio tuned to 91.5. 

PPS.  You can find the COVID-19 statistics our leadership team tracking here.

Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, January 23: 

We strongly encourage you to attend our outdoor, drive-in worship at 8:30 am, or join our Livestream at 10:30 am.

Joining us in your car, or online?  Please register here and receive a copy of the order of worship.

                        8:30 am Drive-in Worship   Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5.  

                        10:30 am:   Worship in our sanctuary (masks required)

                        10:30 am:   Livestream available on our YouTube channel

                        4:00 pm: Youth Group via zoom

Monday, January 24:

                        9:00 am      Lend-a-Hand

                        7:00 pm:    Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)

Tuesday, January 25:

                        12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings                    

Wednesday, January 26:

                        10:00 am   Bright Promises Yoga

                        10:30 am   Chair Yoga

                        10:30 am Rainbow’s End Opens (Donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)                      

Thursday, January 27: 

                        10:30 am Rainbow’s End Open (donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)

                        5:00 PM Big Book Step Group

                        6:30 pm:  COVID-19 Leadership Team Meeting via Zoom

Friday, January 28:

                        10:00 am:  Al-anon Meeting

Saturday, January 29:                      

Sunday, January 30:     

                        Please register here for January Worship

                        8:30 am Drive-in Worship   Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5. 

                        10:30 am:   Worship in our sanctuary (masks required.)

                        10:30 am:   Livestream available on our YouTube channel

                        3:30 pm Espirit

                        4:00 pm: Youth Group via Zoom

**In the midst of the current COVID-19 surge, our leadership team strongly encourages everyone who can to stay home and join our livestream or join worship from your car during our “Drive In worship.”  All who attend our indoor worship and other activities should be fully vaccinated.  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 we can, and particularly when unwell. 

Together in Christ—We Pray

Please pray for all victims of gun violence and those who legislate gun control. 

Please pray for the people of Cypress, Greece, and Turkey.

            -From the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.  Learn more here.

Please submit prayer requests here or call Pastor Heather, (774) 994-3645 or MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719.

Committed to Serve—You are Making a Difference!

We again extend our congratulations to Patty Morell!  If you would like to see the Church Women United/Women of Faith Human Rights Celebration, you can find it here.  You can see Lois Taylor’s introduction of Patty, at 22.40 and then hear Patty’s acceptance speech, “It’s up to You in 22!!” 

https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.lariviere/videos/1626236451048472 

Gifts

Did you know you can set up regular (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, semi-monthly) payments through our on-line giving portal?  No need to worry about finding stamps or forgetting your check book.  You can set up electronic fund transfers directly from your bank or set up a regular payment on a credit card.  Need help getting started?  Call Jane Gray, our financial secretary today 508.428.2811.    

Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod Announcement: 9 Affordable Homes Available to Purchase – This is an opportunity of homeownership to families who live and work on Cape Cod and have a willingness to partner with Habitat in the construction of their home.  The deadline for applying for consideration is February 1, 2022.  There are Virtual workshops and In-Person workshops during January 2022 which would be helpful for families who want to be considered for this opportunity for homeownership.  Habitat can be reached at 508-363-3559 and their website address is www.habitatcapecod.org.  An information sheet is included below if you desire more information immediately.

Care for Creation

Green Tip—Green your laundry routine

• Use cold water when washing clothes to reduce energy use.  Energy is needed to heat water. You can also opt for a shorter wash cycle.
• Only do laundry when the load is full. Not only does this save water and electricity but it also saves you money and time.
• Avoid using energy to dry your laundry by hanging a laundry line or using a drying rack. This cuts down on your electricity bill as well!

www.creationjustice.org Twitter, Instagram, Facebook: @CreationJustice

Our Congregation’s December Donation:

• The congregation was given an invitation – “Committed to Serve.”  They heard the invitation and responded.
• The need in our community was clear, understood, believable, and applicable to our mission and their values – food and clothing needed, food and clothing provided.
• What our congregation members do base on their faith and church leadership continues to be a generous surprise for those in greatest need. 
• So, as the year ended, the members of UMCO continued to provide hope to others.  They continued to be the hands and feet of Christ reaching into their stewarded resources to help – they have saved the best till now.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2022 Collection for Food Pantry ~ Many thanks Generous Church Family for Blessing our local neighbors with Winter Foods plus new underwear and socks.  The deliveries were made to the Salvation Army and The Cape & Islands Veterans’ Outreach Center.  These organizations are extremely grateful for your donations!  

For the remainder of January and all of February, we are requesting donations of Breakfast Foods and Individual Toiletries.  Here are some suggestions:  cereal, pancake mix, pancake syrup, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit; shampoo, soap bars, soft toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, band-aids, first aid ointment, pads & tampons, and Kleenex. 

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. 

News From Rainbow’s End!

Our church thrift boutique is opening this week. The picture you see here is part of our new look for 2022. Come in this week and take advantage of our sale on winter sweaters, coats, and jackets at 50% off.
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.

 

 

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 January Worship

If you prefer not to register online, please leave a message at the church at 508.428.2811

8:30 am Drive-in Worship (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, at 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, at 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:

Youth Group–Sunday, 4 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89016033879?pwd=bnpjYUVqc1Rkc0RRRWtjeG0yTXV2Zz09

Meeting ID: 890 1603 3879