May 7, 2022
Beautiful Beloveds,
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. For some it’s a day of beautiful flowers, delicious, shared meals, and words of appreciation. For others it’s a day of grief, missing what was, or what never was, or what might have been. Social Media will be flooded with pictures of mothers living and long gone. These will be spaced between statements of solidarity with those who find the day hurtful and alienating. And God will hold us all: the celebrating, angry, grieving, grateful, hurting and indifferent.
As our worship series, “God is Holding Your Life,” continues we’ll proclaim God’s constant presence in our lives. Psalm 139 assures us God has knit us together in our mother’s womb. Psalm 23 reminds us God is with us as we walk through the valley of death. From the birth to death, and everything in between, God is with us, holding, leading, stretching, comforting. In times of great gratitude and great grief, God is with us. Let’s remind one another of these promises, as we remain, Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace,
Heather
Shoe Fund Drive: Don’t forget to bring your gently used shoes to church tomorrow and help us meet our goal. More info below!
Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, May 7:
10:00 am: Yoga
3:30 pm: Esprit
Sunday, May 8: Happy Mother’s Day!
Please register here for Worship in May
8:30 am: Drive in/Outdoor Worship
Bring your own chair and or 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
We also offer FM transmission to your car radio in our parking lot. Tune to 91.5
Monday, May 9:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, May 10:
9:00 am: Yoga
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
12:00 pm: Prayer Group
7:00 pm: Trustee Meeting
Wednesday, May 11:
10:30 am: Rainbow’s End Opens (Donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
Thursday, May 12:
9:00 am: Yoga
10:30 am: Rainbow’s End Open (donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
2:00 pm: Chair Yoga (New participants welcome. Join us in the solarium.)
5:00 pm: Big Book Step Group
5:00 pm: Funding Team Meeting
Friday, May 13:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, May 14:
10:00 am: Yoga
10:30 am – 3pm: Rainbow’s End Open
Sunday, May 15:
Please register here for Worship in May
8:30 am: Outdoor/Drive in Worship
Bring your own chair, or 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: Esprit
4:00 pm: Faith Family Fun
COVID-19 Update: We are now in the red, or high-risk level.
That means:
Masks are required indoors.
All seating will be distanced seating.
There will be no congregational singing, or coffee hour.
All doors and at least two windows in sanctuary will be open.
Remember you can choose to join us for outdoor worship at 8:30, in your car or on the lawn. Masks are not required outdoors. Or join our livestream at 10:30am from the comfort of your home.
Please register here to worship with us in May.
Together in Christ—We Pray
In this time of transition, please pray for Rev. John Taylor, the people of the First United Methodist Church of Westborough, MA, our District Superintendent David Calhoun, our Bishop, Sudarsharna Devadhar, Pastor Heather and her family.
Please pray for the people of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan-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.
Together in Christ—We learn and play!
Family Fun Days!
4-5pm, May 15 and June 5
Our youth group invites children up to 5th grade to come learn and play together. Families are encouraged to stay and play. Our youth will offer a Bible story, fun and games, and different special activity each week (craft, drama, music, etc.). Our youth will provide guided activities 4:00-4:30, and then offer 30 minutes of supervised free play on our church playground (weather permitting).
Together in Christ—Our United Methodist Connection
United Methodist Women
Assembly 2022 for United Methodist Women is in Orlando, Florida, May 20-22. Thousands of women will gather to worship, learn and celebrate. The theme is ‘TURN IT UP” reflecting on today’s challenges, and together finding strength to move forward. We’ll build new ways for faith-filled women to make a difference in our communities and the world. We will recommit to our purpose, but also move, as we will TURN IT UP.
Watch for our UMW in Osterville to begin after this pandemic with gatherings, speakers, and social action. Find United Methodist Women online for more Assembly news.
Bishop Devadhar’s Day on the District
Monday May 16, 6pm to 8 pm
Calvary UMC (200 Turner Rd, Middletown, RI 02842
Bishop Devadhar will have a day on the district in May. It will not be hybrid. Clergy and Laity are encouraged to attend in person.
2022 Annual Conference
The 2022 Annual Conference session, June 9-11, will be a hybrid event; members will have the option to attend in person in Manchester, NH, or via Zoom. The theme for this year’s session is Envisioning the Beloved Community and our guiding scripture is Philippians 3:12-14, The Message.
Read more about the hybrid session from the Sessions Team
District Superintendent David Calhoun’s Farewell Gathering
Saturday, June 18, 6pm
Wesley UMC (55 Woodland ST., Lincoln, RI 02865
(More details to come).
Committed to Serve—You are Making a Difference!
Vaccination Clinic—May 11, 2022
Whole Health Pharmacy is holding a COVID Booster Vaccination Clinic, Wednesday, May 11th, 10:30 – 12:00 at St. Peter’s Church on Wianno Avenue in Osterville.
This is for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine.
If you are interested in either the first or second booster, please contact Judy at 508-362-4467 to make an appointment.
You will need to bring ID, your Medicare card, and your vaccination card.
This is a convenient way to get your booster.
Limited available, so call soon to make your appointment.
May 2022 Collection for UMCO Pantry ~ We are so appreciative of the protein rich foods you donated in April that are blessing our local neighbors! In honor of Mother’s Day and everyone who loves and supports children, we hope to flood A Baby Center with disposable diapers! Please leave your donations in the church solarium near the food pantry cupboard or put them in the Treasure Can outside the front door. If you are not able to get out and shop for diapers, you can make a check out to the church for any amount and in the memo, section please write “Diapers.” Diapers will be purchased for you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Care for Creation
Green Tip: Look at what you are wearing. Whose hands cut the fabric? Whose labor stitched the pieces? Were they safe in their working conditions? Were they paid a living wage? Pray and advocate for garment workers. When you dress, say a blessing for those who provide for you.
Spring Plant Sale – Thank you!
What a great day after the sun finally came out. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who helped and to Daren and Dave Eaton for all their super hard work. We have made over $1,600 for the church and still have more plants available. They are back by the Choir Room entrance and are available for $5 each. You may leave your payment in the church mailbox outside the Solarium doors or drop it by the office Mon. – Thurs. between 9 am and 1 pm. You can also use your credit card and give through our online giving portal.
Committed to Serve—Giving Generously
Shoe fund drive
We are a 1/4 of the way toward our goal. If you have not cleaned that closet or asked your neighbor, please consider doing so now. All footwear in gently used condition accepted.
Your shoes share love around the world. Container available outside solarium.
Do you shop at Amazon.com?
Sign up with smile.amazon.com and most purchases will support our church without costing you an extra cent. Be sure to go to smile.amazon.com, rather than just amazon.com, whenever you shop, so our church earns every time! So far, our church has earned $218.92 in this way. Sign up today and select Osterville United Methodist Church as the charity to support and help us earn more.
Craigville Beach Association is in search of a summer grill ‘person.’ Hours and days flexible June 24-Labor Day. For more information contact Joannehartunian@gmail.com
Rainbow’s End our church owned, and operated Thrift Boutique is Open. You can shop Wednesday and Thursdays 10:30am-3pm
You can also support the shop by donating items Wednesday and Thursday 11 am – 2 pm. Please do not leave any items in or outside the shop when our volunteers and employees are not there to receive them. They need to be able to sort and store the items carefully, sometimes in the annex. If you cannot donate during these specific hours, please contact store manager, Pamela Turner, 508.428.5304. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for supporting our staff, volunteers, and the missions and ministries of our church.
Worship with Us – Outside, inside, or online
If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Please register here to worship with us in May.
If you prefer to not to register online, please leave a message at the church 508.428.2811
See the statistics we’re tracking here.
8:30 am Drive In/Outdoor Worship, in our parking lot and on the front lawn
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, and our online-giving portal. 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.
- A bright green offering box will be available, as we will not be “passing the plate.” You can also give through our online giving portal.
- 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.
- Musical leadership will be provided by Daniel Shinabarger and other willing musicians. You are welcome to bring a chair and sit on the lawn or stay in your cars when it is wet and/or cold.
- You are welcome to sing!
10:30 am In Our Sanctuary
- We strongly encourage all who attend indoor worship and activities at our church and who are able and eligible to be fully vaccinated.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, and our online-giving portal. 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 required.
- There will be no congregational singing.
- 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. At this time, we are not using paper bulletins.
- After you are “checked in” you will be led to a seat by a sanctuary shepherd, and we are practicing distanced seating.
- The ionizers will be on, and two windows will be open with a fan running. 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. You can alsogive through our online giving portal.
- We will be livestreaming 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.