May 14, 2022
Beautiful Beloveds,
Have you ever stood outside and gazed at the stars and considered the infinitely expanding universe? Have you seen the sunrise over the water or the Grand Canyon? Have you stopped and stared at a newborn baby? Have you sat with someone at the moment of their death?
There are moments in our lives when we experience awe and wonder, and they make all the difference. I’m struck every time a scientific study comes out to tell us awe and wonder are good for us. The writer of the psalms knew this a long, long time ago. Awe and wonder reset our place and perspective in the world. They fuel our curiosity and quiet our anxiety. They remind us deeply, intimately of who and whose we are, and where we belong. Join us tomorrow as our series, “God is Holding Your Life,” continues with an exploration of awe and wonder. Tim Cline will be with us to share a new song. 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 14:
10:00 am: Yoga
Sunday, May 15:
Please register here for Worship in May
8:30 am: Drive-in/Outdoor Worship
Bring your own chair, or we can provide one.
Or if the weather is iffy, 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
3:.30 pm: Esprit
4:00 pm: Faith Family Fun
Monday, May 16:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
6:15 pm: Esprit
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, May 17:
9:00 am: Yoga
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
12:00 pm: Prayer Group
Wednesday, May 18:
10:30 am: Rainbow’s End Opens (Donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
Thursday, May 19:
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
6:30 pm: COVID-19 Leadership Task Force
Friday, May 20:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, May 21:
10:00 am: Yoga
10:30 am – 3pm: Rainbow’s End Open
Sunday, May 22:
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
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 the 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, and you’re welcome to sing 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 Worship
Mark your Calendars: June 12, 19, 26, and July 3, one worship is offered at 9:30 am.
June 12: Pride Sunday and Pastor Heather’s last Sunday. Weather permitting, we will gather outdoors, in front of the church. Wear your rainbows!! Bring your comfy chair or blanket to sit on. We’ll also have chairs available. And of course, you can stay in your car with your radio tuned to 91.5. We will also offer live-streamed worship on our YouTube Channel.
June 19 and 26: Rev. Ed Farrell-Starbuck will be preaching
July 3: Rev. John Taylor’s first Sunday
FYI: The outdoor chapel is currently unsafe and not fully accessible for worship, particularly to anyone with mobility challenges. Our trustees and the Lend-a-Hands are aware of this and working on improvements so that it can be used safely by all.
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 Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal-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!
4-5 pm, 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 from 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
The Assembly 2022 for United Methodist Women will be in Orlando, Florida, May 20-22. Last week we in Osterville UMW shared that the theme is ‘TURN IT UP” emphasizing the strengths and challenges we will face. New ways to make a difference in our communities, nationally and in the world will move us forward. Right now, we will TURN IT UP! For spiritual healing and renewal, for rebirth, times, for women leaders, and for justice for women, children, and youth. Care for your spirit, worship with your sisters, celebrate the impact women create in this world. Assembly 2022.ORG or United Methodist Women.ORG
Bishop Devadhar’s Day on the District–Tomorrow
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!
May 2022 Collection for UMCO Pantry ~ 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!
Spring Plant Sale – Still 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
Thank you to all who brought in shoes. We still need more to reach our goal. If you have not cleaned that closet, checked with family members or asked your neighbors, please consider doing so now. All footwear in gently used condition is accepted.
Your shoes share the 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.
Rainbow’s End, our church-owned, and operated Thrift Boutique is Open. You can shop Wednesday and Thursdays 10:30 am-3 pm
You can also support the shop by donating items Wednesday and Thursday 11 am – to 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 the store manager, Pamela Turner, at 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.
Care for Creation
Green Tip: Read the clothing labels. Avoid fossil-fuel-based synthetics (polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex, lycra). Choose items made of natural fibers (organic cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp), recycled materials and fibers (including polyester), or sustainable plant-based Tencel.
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 not to register online, please leave a message at the church at 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, at 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. Currently, 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 also give through our online giving portal.
- 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.