News & Notes 5/29/08
Hello St. John’s Church,
What a wonderful week we’ve experienced - days that were supposed to rain but didn’t (even though we really need the rain!), warm summer-like heat, and even days that were cool and autumn-like. The sun shone wonderfully on this part of God’s good creation, and I am thankful.
Speaking of “thankful,” have you noticed our freshly painted church kitchen? Last week Gorham Rowell volunteered his services, and donated the paint to renew that special room in our facility. Check it out! It looks great. Thanks very much, Gorham!!
Silvia Marshall has given me permission to share with you that she is still in the hospital - pneumonia continues to lessen its grip on her. But she has developed a hiatal (sp?) hernia; her throat has become smaller once again; and she will undergo a procedure to . . . re-install (I can’t think of the correct word) the feeding tube this afternoon. Once her body is “built up” with the nutrients through the feeding tube, she will return to the Dana Farber Center to undergo the procedure to widen her throat once again, so she can swallow food. Her husband, Carl, asked me to remind all of us “please, please, please keep praying!”
Since I wrote last, Chip Hanson’s Mom, Karen, passed away suddenly. May we all hold Chip and Natalie, their kids and the extended family and friends in our prayers.
We’ve also found out that Elmer Eldredge, a member of St. John’s Church since April of 1971, died last Sunday. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beulah M Eldredge of Dover; his two sons, Glen E Eldredge and his wife, Darlene of Gonic; Brian S Eldredge and his wife Ann of Reno, NV; his daughter Bonnie L Hatch and her husband, David of Rochester; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and his two sisters, Barbara Emery of Cape Porpoise, ME and Carol Kondell of Bluffton, SC and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be tonight from 5-8 PM, and the funeral will be tomorrow at 11 AM - all at Wiggin/Purdy/McCooey/Dion Funeral Home in Dover.
Then, let me share the good news that Lisa Perrine has found a consulting job with a small law firm in North Hampton (I think). Thanks be to God!! And congratulations, Lisa!
“I have a request and am not sure how to go about asking it… My sister, Ann
Walker….is in need of a stationery bike that she could borrow/use for about 3-
3 1/2 months, upon her return home from Georgia, where she had hip replacement
surgery. Ginny Dichard”
This Saturday we’ll have our next Public Supper. I noticed on the sign-up sheets that there’s still a need for help at 9 AM - to prepare the meal; and to pour drinks during the meal; kitchen help during the meal; and clean-up help after the meal. Can you help with any of those tasks? Just show up. They’ll put you to work!!
After the meal, there’s a terrific concert taking place at the First Parish Federated Church in So. Berwick - at 7 PM. It’s a “Rock My Soul Gospel Concert,” including our own Tina Weinberger. Tickets are $6 in advance, and $8 at the door - children 12 & under, free. Tickets can be purchase online at www [dot] gospelmusicproject [dot] com - or by calling Tina. These concerts are great fun, and really rock the house!!
The United Methodist Men will gather for our regular monthly meeting this Sunday morning, at 7:30 AM - for breakfast and fellowship. Under the heading of “Men’s Ministry,” there’ll also be a Conference UMM’s gathering at the Berwick UMC, on Saturday, June 7th. Look in the “Bell-Wether” that you just received to find all the details.
Our new Handbell Choir will present the Prelude at both services this Sunday. This group has been created and is directed by Lisa Perrine. It’ll be great to have the bells in worship once again. They have been missed!
The Youth Group is presenting our Coffee Fellowship this Sunday - and featuring the “Nothing But Nets” project - to raise money for mosquito nets to place around the beds of children in Africa, thereby avoiding malaria. There’ll be a free-throw shooting game which you can play for a modest sum. Come, support the kids and support the mission to eliminate malaria!!
Also during Coffee Fellowship we’ll have a Blood Pressure Clinic sponsored by our Care Team, and presented by Nancy Jo Johnson. So if you get frustrated by not making any baskets at the free-throwing competition, you can have your blood pressure checked to make sure it’s not too serious!! Seriously, though, this is a great ministry for our church. Hope you’ll participate - between 10 AM and 10:45 AM.
Next week there’ll be a District United Methodist Women’s meeting at the York/Ogunquit UMC. Look in the newly arrived “Bell-Wether” for the details.
SECOND SUNDAY CONCERT, June 8 at 3:30 pm, features Billy (sax) and Jessica (vocals) Humphrey introducing their new CD, MiXed Company “All of the Above.” They say, “It is a collection of hymns, spirituals, gospel songs, sacred songs, and a show tune re-imagined. Even though the songs come from diverse sources, we believe there is a thread that connects them all together, the same thread that connects the body of Christ. Though we are all made differently, we are all a reflection of God, as are these songs.” Billy grew up at St. John’s and attended UNH. He is the son of our own beloved Bill and Joan Humphrey. Come enjoy!
Last week, one of our Sunday School teachers was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, “My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving,” he announced triumphantly, “and she turned into a telephone pole!”
Have a great weekend. See you in church! Peace, Mark