January 29, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
What kind of weather will this weekend bring? Depending on when or who you ask we could get a very little or a whole lot of snow and wind. Probably by the time you read this, you’ll know the answer.
What does that mean for worship on Sunday? Here’s the plan. If we have electricity and the roads are clear, we will gather at 10:30 am to Livestream our worship. We will not gather at 8:30 am. We encourage you to stay home, cozy and warm and worship with us from the safety, and warmth of your home.
If the electricity goes out, I will send out a notification to all Tidings Subscribers at 7 am, via email and text, to let you know we will not be gathering for worship, or offering Livestream on Sunday. Should that happen, please help us spread the word, and use it as an opportunity to check in on others. If you need help getting warm, or dealing with other challenges the storm brings, please call me directly, at 774.994.3645. Whatever comes, a dusting, a flurry, or a blizzard, 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 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 30: We strongly encourage you to join our Livestream at 10:30 am.
Joining us online? Please register here and receive a copy of the order of worship.
- No 8:30 outdoor worship this Sunday.
- 10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary (masks required)
- 10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
- We also offer FM transmission to your car radio in our parking lot. Tune to 91
- 3:30 pm: Esprit
- 4:00 pm: Youth Group via zoom
Monday, January 31:
- 9:00 am Lend-a-Hand
- 7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, February 1:
- 12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
- 7:00 pm: Nurture Team Meeting
Wednesday, February 2:
- 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, February 3:
- 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, February 4:
- 10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, February 5:
Sunday, February 6:
- Please register here for Worship in February
- 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
**In the midst of the current COVID-19 surge, our leadership team strongly encourages everyone who can stay home and join our Livestream. 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.
Our COVID-19 Leadership Team found this graphic helpful as we consider our response to COVID-19 and our mitigation strategies. We share it with you as you consider our personal and shared responsibilities in protecting and caring for one another.
Together in Christ—We Pray
Please pray for all who live or work outdoors in the cold, and this weekend in a potential storm.
Please pray for the people of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, and Tunisia.
-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 online giving portal? No need to worry about finding stamps or forgetting your checkbook. 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 for homeownership to families who live and work on Cape Cod and have a willingness to partner with Habitat in the construction of their homes. 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—Change your light bulb to eco-friendly types
CFL and LED bulbs can emit 25-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, plus they last longer! Consider this greener alternative when it comes time to replenish those bulbs.
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.
JAN & FEB 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.
Rainbow’s End, our church thrift boutique, is open 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.
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 January Worship
Please register here for February 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
Passcode: 312727
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89016033879#,,,,*312727#
Nurture Team Meeting
February 1, 7 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83445466618?pwd=ekNlSnRiYUNQMCtkU2VMTnBwSFF3dz09
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83445466618#,*422146# US (New York)
+13017158592,,83445466618#,*422146# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146