Beautiful Beloveds,
As we enter the third week of our stewardship series, we invite you to re-imagine. Reimagine your relationship to money. Reimagine the ways you support our church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Just one of the ways we support the church is with our financial resources. To make it as easy as possible for you, and give our finance team the information they need, we’ve created an on-line pledge form. You can fill out your pledge card here. Only Jane Gray, our financial secretary will see your pledge card (estimate of giving). The total of all gifts pledged will be shared with the Finance Team and Church Council for planning purposes.
Why pledge? Your pledge is an estimate of your giving for the year, and a commitment to God to support the church with your financial resources. It is a reminder that we are all together in our commitment to support the missions and ministries of the church. It is a reminder that your giving matters and makes a difference in our church and community. Your gift will be used to fund ministries of nurture (Bible Studies, Youth and Children’s ministries, Hospitality and more) outreach (mission and mercy ministries, invitational events and more) and witness (congregational care, worship, music ministries, publicity, and more). Your gift will fund staff and resources to support ministries. Your gift will support our United Methodist connection throughout New England, the US, and around the world.
Remember, we are more than an institution, more than walls and a building. We are people who care for one another, who show up for one another, and who support one another in a variety of ways. Our building is closed, but we are open to the spirit and deployed for ministry.
Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace, Heather
**We have edited our worship registration form to better accommodate the varied needs of varied worshipers. We realize not everyone is able to help, and some weeks we just need to be in worship, rather than do anything else. Our intention was to highlight the many ways people can still participate in and help with the creation and experience of worship. If we caused any negative feelings or harm, we ask your forgiveness.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, January 24: Third Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 am : Virtual Worship premier on Facebook (also available on YouTube after 5:30am)
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group, via Zoom
Monday, January 25:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hands
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, January 26:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” our midweek mailing
6:00 pm: Church Council Meeting (Zoom Link Below)
Wednesday, January 27:
12:00 pm: Deadline for Saturday Tidings Submissions
3:00 pm: Moment of Light-Prayer and Conversation (Zoom link below)
5:30 pm: SPRC Meeting (Contact Chair, MaryAnne Farley for Zoom Link)
7:00 pm: Moment of Light-Prayer and Conversation (Zoom link below)
Thursday, January 28:
10:00 am: Zoom Bible Study—Join us as we explore Matthew, chapter 8 Link below.
7:00 pm: Board of Trustees Meeting (Zoom Link Below)
Friday, January 29:
Saturday, January 30:
Sunday, January 31: Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 am : Virtual Worship premier on Facebook (also available on YouTube after 5:30am)
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group, via Zoom
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
John Greene may be far from Cape Cod, but he’s still writing!
Why Me Lord—A Homily by John Greene
In 1972 after a heartfelt experience in a small country church, Kris Kristofferson wrote the song “Why Me Lord.” Of all of his recordings this was his most personal. The lyrics relate his soul searching question of why the Lord had given him so much when he felt he was so undeserving. What had he done that was worth all the kindness of God’s love? In an epiphany he voices the plea that he has wasted so much of his time and if there is a way to repay for this love then maybe he can also help someone else to find their way back to God’s love.
Every day we can wake up feeling the same thought, “Why me Lord, What have I done to deserve this life, this blessing, this love?”
The answer is that God’s love is freely given, grace is freely given, the path to God is freely shown. All we have to do is to reach out and take God’s love into our hearts. Help is waiting just for the asking.
In this troubled world full of unanswered questions, we know who to turn to, we know who is looking out for us, we know who is ready to help us. Why me, Lord? Because you love me.
Psalms 86:10
“For thou art great, and do wonderous things; thou art God alone.”
John Greene
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known.
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you’ve shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I’ve needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there’s a way
I can try to repay
All I’ve taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I’ve been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that know that I’ve needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.
Kris Kristofferson
Love Fest—February 2021
Do you like to text? Do you enjoy selecting just the right emoji or meme to convey your thought, emotion, or wishes? Text Pastor Heather, 774.994.3645 to find out how you can use your texting mojo to spread love this February.
Moment of Light—Prayer and conversation via Zoom—3pm and 7pm Wednesdays in January
Let’s check in with one another. We’ll chat, share the highs and lows of the week, maybe even try a game or two, and end with prayer.
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Church Council 2021—An Invitation from Chair, Wendy Lithwin
January 17, 2021
Dear Church Family,
You may have heard I have accepted the position of Church Council Chair. I am hoping you will join us at the first meeting of the year on January 26 via Zoom from 6:00-7:00. Prior to this meeting I wanted to share a few thoughts. I am excited to lead the council. I know that Zoom is not the ideal way to gather but for the time being it does provide a way for many to participate.
Our first meeting this year will include a look at our finances and some decisions about how we want to allocate funds. I will be sharing a letter to the New Brackett Memorial Church in Peaks Island, ME. This church has recently left the denomination and my letter is extends our prayers to their congregation as they follow the path that they have been called to. We will also have a time of reflection and renewal.
This year I am hoping our church will become a greater witness of God’s love for everybody in the kindom. I expect we may have some challenging discussions (as we live in challenging times) and I am hopeful we will have increased participation by all our members. I firmly believe that the best decisions are made with multiple voices, and consensus is only consensus if everyone is involved in the discussion.
Please plan on attending. Your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness are needed.
Yours in service,
Wendy Lithwin
(Zoom Link is below)
Food for Thought
So many were moved by Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s poem for Inauguration. Here’s another poem she wrote for the pandemic, ‘The Miracle of Morning.” You can watch it here or read it here.
Green Tip: Live a Low-Waste Lifestyle
Check out this video by Isabelle Caplan on basic steps you can take towards reducing your waste, right here on Cape Cod.
What about pledge cards and envelopes?
You can fill out your pledge card here. And envelopes for weekly giving are in the church office. If you want yours sooner, rather than later, please contact Jane Gray in the office, 508.428.2811 or office@umcchurches.org to set up a time to pick yours up
CHANGE for Miracle Kitchen: The number of participants at Miracle kitchen for lunch has diminished. We will now be making sandwich lunches for only 40 people. Each volunteer will be making 16 sandwiches instead of the 20 made in the past. They should also include a beverage, dessert and fruit for 8 people. Thank you for your continued support and if you have any questions please call Gail Bennett at 508-420-7978.
January Food Collection for Local Food Pantries: We are collecting breakfast foods such as cereal, pancake mix, pancake syrup, oatmeal, pop tarts, jelly, peanut butter, canned fruit, etc. The homeless are also very much in need of new underwear and socks. Please put your non-perishable donated items in the large black labeled container to the right of the church front door.
A BIG THANK YOU Osterville Church Family for donating mittens and gloves (even in addition to the ones for the Miracle Kitchen Guests) and hanging them on the “Mitten Tree” last month. Thirty-two pairs were donated to the Hyannis Baptist Church Food Pantry for their clients. This pantry was truly overjoyed to receive and distribute them!
Zoom Links
Sunday Evening Youth Group
Time: Sunday, January 24, 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89016033879?pwd=bnpjYUVqc1Rkc0RRRWtjeG0yTXV2Zz09
Meeting ID: 890 1603 3879
Passcode: 312727
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89016033879#,,,,*312727# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,89016033879#,,,,*312727# US (Chicago)
Tuesday, Church Council Meeting, 6pm
Heather Bailes Baker is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Church Council–January 2021
Time: Jan 26, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85668212202?pwd=S01nYldXTkFwdzdMT2dEQ0E4RkovZz09
Meeting ID: 856 6821 2202
Passcode: 218939
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85668212202#,,,,*218939# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,85668212202#,,,,*218939# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 856 6821 2202
Passcode: 218939
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbg7cGMJse
Wednesday Moment of Light
Time: 3pm and 7pm Wednesdays in January
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82424932249?pwd=WmxjU29wMWM0RzNDMEZOMG9RclVQZz09
Meeting ID: 824 2493 2249
Passcode: 374395
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82424932249#,,,,*374395# US (New York)
+13017158592,,82424932249#,,,,*374395# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 824 2493 2249
Passcode: 374395
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/koAc6aovl
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Time: Thursday mornings, 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83958360902?pwd=K2Q1enBPQWJ4cGJLamI2UXJWVzhEZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
Thursday, January 28, Board of Trustees Meeting
Time: Jan 28, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86266622178?pwd=RjZDZHdtdE4reHR6eGFLamhIK2l1UT09
Meeting ID: 862 6662 2178
Passcode: 360102
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,86266622178#,,,,*360102# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,86266622178#,,,,*360102# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 862 6662 2178
Passcode: 360102
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbEWBmnPyX