News & Notes 1/3/08
A Happy and Faith-Full New Year to you, my Friends!!
What wonders the new year has brought to me, already! I hope that’s true for you as well. New Year’s Day was glorious for me, and I was continually reminded of God’s wonder. Our dog, Oliver, loves to play with his tennis ball - which we try to keep outdoors! His ball is in the play-yard, which is obviously covered with snow. But somehow in God’s creation, Oliver has the ability to find that ball - no matter how much snow is on the ground. It’s amazing to watch him close-in on his “target.” Then later that morning I watched the Tournament of Roses parade. It makes no difference how many times I’ve seen those floats in the past, I am still amazed at the wonder of God’s creation in the color and the creativity that are displayed. Then later that evening, at the conclusion of the snowstorm, I was outside looking at the new-fallen snow - under our parking lot lights - covering bare branches and green bows alike. It was magical. How fortunate I am - indeed WE are - to be able to witness God’s handiwork in many and various ways!! May some of them become evident to you today!
I saw Deb Kelly at New England Rehab (Portland) yesterday. She gave me permission to share with you that she is continuing to improve - but has “miles to go.” Those caring for her are talking about her moving to her home in Somersworth around the end of the month. While that’s great news, it’s also a bit frightening and intimidating to her. Her paralysis (from Guillome Beret [sp?]) began about 61/2 months, and she is still not able to feed or clothe herself. Please continue to hold her in prayer.
I’ve heard good things about the worship service that our youth lead this past Sunday!! Thanks be to God for their faith - and their witness. And thanks to all the adult leaders who direct their paths!!
The United Methodist Men (who sang wonderfully, by the way, at the 6:30 PM Christmas Eve Service!! Thanks) will gather for our next regular, monthly breakfast meeting this Sunday morning, at 7:30 AM!! We’d love to have more guys join us!! See you there.
Sunday School begins once again this week. I hope that all of our parents will help make Sunday School a priority in the lives of their/our children. It is so vital that we continue to share our witness of faith with our kids, to reinforce the Biblical message with them, and to equip them for lives of faith. I know how difficult it is to compete with the other “stuff” of our lives - good things included! But may we all work to nurture one another in faith!!
Our worship services this Sunday will be “Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Services.” It is an all-together appropriate way for us to begin the new year - renewing our covenant of faithfulness with God. The service is more liturgical than we are accustomed, but the message is rich and powerful. I hope you’ll look forward, with me, to this experience. I’ll see you in church.
After the service the Church Council is sponsoring our annual “calendaring meeting” - where we (tentatively) set events/dates on the calendar for the coming year. While the chairpeople of the various committees are the principle workers at this event, anyone is welcome to attend - to expand the input. Please join us!!
Next Tuesday St. John’s will be serving supper at Dover Friendly Kitchen. Speak to Bob Willome if you’d like to help out. And I’m sure he’ll be asking for desserts to be donated (please bring them to the church by Tuesday at . . . is it 3 PM?
Next Thursday evening (Jan. 10) there’s an important event happening - and we need your help!! . . Really! It’s time to take the Advent/Christmas decorations down, preparing them for storage, and putting them away - a big job. The Worship Committee would love to have a small army of folks come help out. In some respects it’s a more difficult job than taking everything out of storage and setting it up. If you can help, please come to the church at 6 PM!! The goal, I think, is to be finished in an hour. That can happen only if lots of folks show up! How ’bout you?
The next Red Cross Blood drive will be a week from tomorrow. On Friday, January 11th, the Red Cross crew will be here from 2 till 7 PM to accept your donations!! As always, Jinny Scott will be the chief cook and bottle washer for the St. John’s crew. Speak to her if you have questions.
A sad day for St. John’s: as many know Jim & Rita Vatter moved to Maine a month or so ago, and Rita has asked that her Church Membership be transferred. She has found a new church home at the Clark Memorial UMC, in Portland. She was pleased when she found out that some folks there knew some St. John’s Church folks - it seemed to make some connections. God bless the Vatters in this change!! . . . but come back to visit often!!
I share with you words of profound thanks for all who helped to make our Advent and Christmas seasons so wonderful - the Advent study leaders and participants, the Worship Committee, those who helped with Hanging the Greens, the choirs, soloists and musicians (for Cantata and Sunday worship and Christmas Eve worship), for organists and pianists, for the 9 PM Christmas Eve preacher, for greeters and ushers and communion stewards & servers, for liturgists and Advent Candle lighting “actors”, and for our custodian who maintains it all. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone. Please forgive me. But know, each one of you, that you have been a blessing to our church family!!
Finally, let me say “thank you” for my whole family - to whom you have given wonderful greetings and gifts - but most importantly, love. This, our third Advent and Christmas season among you has been most blessed.
See you in church! Peace, Mark