News & Notes 5/28/09
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
This week our congregation will host the “United Methodist Action Read-out Mission by Youth” - a service group. You can read more of the details on the June “Bell-Wether.” They’ll be arriving Sunday afternoon/evening, and leaving next Saturday. While they’re here, they’ll be working on homes of folks in town who can’t afford some of the simple repairs that these young people will undertake. It’s a great mission outreach. If you should happen to see any of the youth or their leaders, please be sure to extend a welcome to them!!
While they are here, they have extended an invitation to us: United Methodist ARMY (Action Reach-out Mission by Youth) will be having a dinner (they usually serve spaghetti) on Thursday, June 4th, at St. John’s (we don’t know the exact time yet). The supper is to bring together the work team and their clients and the congregation of St. John’s. If you would like to learn more about this Youth Mission Team please plan to join them. There is a sign up sheet in Hartford Hall so they will know how many will be attending. Please plan to join them for dinner!!
In the meantime, this Saturday we’ll have our next Public Supper - turkey with all the fixin’s! These are our most popular suppers, so I hope we’ll have a great turn-out to make our guests feel welcome. From the sign-up sheets, it looks like we could use more help: a host/hostess, 2 PM kitchen crew, kitchen helpers during the supper, and clean-up. Any takers? I hope so!
Saturday is also the final class for the Confirmation Class. All eight class members have chosen to take the important step of committing their lives to Christ and joining the church! Praise God. Then on Sunday morning they’ll be confirmed, and help to lead the worship service. I hope you’ll plan to be there to love and support these kids in this huge step they’re taking!
Speaking of being there, let me remind folks that we won’t have Sunday School this week, so all the children and youth, as well as the teachers, parents and other adults, can attend worship on this special Sunday!! And when you come, please remember to wear something red to worship - to reflect the fires of Pentecost.
Going back to Saturday, I noticed a poster on our bulletin board, about a concert by the “Sounds of the Seacoast” plus several “chapter quartets. This is the group that our own Karen Schutt sing in! The concert will be at 7 PM, at the First Congregational Church in Farmington. Admission is free . . . what a deal!!
Also next Sunday, at 5 PM, “Rock My Soul” gospel concert choir - with Tina Weinberger - will sing at The Pearl, 45 Pearl Street, Portsmouth. Advance tickets are $12 ($10 for seniors) — $15 at the door - kids 12 & under free. This is a special concert to celebrate the release of their new CD. Speak to Tina if you have questions.
Here’s an interesting thought I’d like to share with you: “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George Lorimer
You may have heard that Rev. David Slater, the Senior Pastor of First Parish Church in Dover, is retiring. He has been at First Parish Church for over 21 years!! Special events to recognize his ministry are happening at the church over the next few weeks - both Saturdays, June 6 & 13, at 5 PM, at their Saturday worship services; and Friday, June 12, from 3-5 PM, an informal Open House for David. If you know David, and wish to offer him your good wishes, feel free to take part in any of these events.
I seem to be bouncing all over the calendar with comments. This week we finished the “formal” picture taking times for our new Church Directory. It was great to have so many folks come for pictures. If you weren’t able to fit in a time to come, or missed the time that you were scheduled for, we would still love to have your picture in the directory. Please bring a picture of everyone in your household to church with you, and we can include it in the “not available for photo” section (or whatever they call it these days). Please!!
These next two events will take place at Rolling Ridge, our Conference’s Retreat Center in Andover, Mass.: On Tuesday, June 2, join retreat leader Paul Millin for WALK WITH JOY! A Labyrinth Experience from 9:30am-3:30pm. What experiences evoke joy? How can joy transform living? Invite the Spirit to accompany you on the labyrinth in a Walk with Joy. Registration: $55.
On Monday, June 8, join retreat leader Nicolette Wellington for “BREATHE”, a Rolling Ridge Day Apart from 9:30am-3:30pm. Explore the art of Sabbath time, a time to relax into God. Begin and end the day with prayer, song, and silence. Leave refreshed as you return to your daily lives! Early Registration: $48. After 6/1/09: $55
There was a young couple who invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having. “Goat,” the little boy replied. “Goat?” replied the startled man of the cloth, “Are you sure about that?” “Yep,” said the youngster. “I heard Dad say to Mom, ‘Today is just as good as any to have the old goat for dinner.’”
That’s it for today. See you soon . . . in worship, I hope. How ’bout inviting a friend to join you this Sunday? Grace & peace, Mark
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