News & Notes 7/30/09
Greetings to you, my friends.
Let me begin with this great news from Maryland: “At 5:47 p.m. on July 27, Emily and I welcomed our beautiful daughter, Aurora June Beckman Ewalt, into the world. She weighed in at 8 pounds 9.5 ounces. Emily and Aurora are at home, and both are doing great. Thanks to all for your well wishes! Andy Ewalt”
Thought you might want to know … We are overjoyed. John & Ann
I want to rerun a note that was in last week’s “News & Notes”: With my encouragement, Brenda Borchers sends this note to you: With Angela Ferullo returning to school and getting married, Alan Eastman having moved away and Dave Lepine “retiring”, our youth group leadership is down to me, which obviously isn’t enough to keep the program going. I am hoping there are people out there feeling the tug I felt years ago because I have a prayer. I have a prayer that St. John’s youth will learn they can do things that seem impossible because of the One who makes all things possible. In my prayer, I have been asking God for leaders who have a heart for God and youth and some specific gifts: one with the gift of music to help the youth develop their already awesome talents, one with the gift of service to teach the youth to reach out to humanity in the name of Christ, one with the gift for sharing his/her faith to lead the youth in their own spiritual journeys, one with the gift of a listening ear and loving heart to provide our youth with the support they need to get through the teen years and one with the gift of laughter and play to keep our youth children for as long as we can. Tall order? Not for the God I know! If you’re feeling the call, make the call! You won’t regret it! Our youth are AWESOME and they need adults like YOU. Thanks, Brenda (534-7856 or Godcayers4uandme [at] yahoo [dot] com)
Have you turned your survey yet? The Finance Committee is asking you to participate in the survey that was included in the August issue of “The Bell-Wether.” They’re seeking input for Consecration Sunday - the culmination of our Stewardship Program - on November 15th. The collection box for the survey forms is on top of the two-drawer filing cabinet, just inside the door of Hartford Hall. Let’s hear what you have to say!!
Hi Mark….just to let you know, the (Sounds of the Seacoast) chorus is singing at the Cocheco Arts Festival (at the Rotary Arts Shell in downtown Dover) on Friday night this week……free! Just bring a chair….the chorus starts at 7:45, but there is another guy who starts the entertainment off before us…..I don’t know when he starts, though. Karen Schutt
On Sunday, August 9 at 7:00pm, York-Ogunquit UMC in York, Maine will host “Praise on the Seacoast,” a night of contemporary music. Featured at the concert will be Artie Sandoli and Friends. Artie is a multi-instrument recording artist who has performed with Tito Puente, Johnny Cash and Still Water Reunion. Among those joining him will be John Donahoe (who has worked with a variety of artists from Shawn Colvin to BB King), Ralph DiChiara, and Joe Rogers. Admission is free with a love offering being collected to help support the artists. You are invited to join York-Ogunquit as the congregation reaches out to the community in praise and celebration. For more information or directions, go to youmc.org or call 207-363-2749.
Vacation Bible School is coming up - a week from Monday. It’ll run from August 10-14 - from 9 till 11:30 AM - and we’ll be taking the Serengeti Trek!! By any chance would you be able to help out? Some helpers (adults and older youth) are still needed. Be in touch with Amie McGlauflin (841-5821) soon! It’s a free event - one to which we hope you invite neighbors and friends - for kids 4 y.o. (or is it 3?) to the fifth grade.
The Schuman’s spent part of last week on Cape Cod, and Diana brought back a gift for me! - a trash bag full of the pinecones that I use to decorate the Christmas wreaths that are sold at our Christmas Fair! How wonderful! But it also makes me think about the fair and the silent auction, and the fact that they’re only three months away!! Let me put out an appeal to those who sew - or knit - or crochet, to begin making things for this big event. How ’bout some of our woodworkers making some nice, small wooden items that would sell? And do we have any Christmas Tree ornament creators? It’s not too soon to begin planning, and if we all do something, no one will have to take on an excessive burden! . . . By the way, thanks for my pine cones, Diana!!
This Sunday is Communion Sunday - a time to experience the convicting, convincing, converting grace of God. As we do on most Communion Sundays, a special offering will be received for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund - and Healing Teams will be stationed at either end of the communion rail, for all who wish to receive the ministry of anointing with oil and laying on of hands. What a blessing God provides every time through these experiences!!
Have you given thought to subjects that I might tackle in a sermon series in the year ahead? I’ve heard from a number of folks, but would love to hear from more. Just write down your idea, and mail it to me, or give it to me on your way out of church!! Thanks.
Finally two stories from the opposite ends of the spectrum:
A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s word processor. She told him she was writing a story. “What’s it about?” he asked. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read.”
And then the older person who had a couple things to share said: “My memory’s not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory’s not as sharp as it used to be.”
If you’re at the beginning of that spectrum you’re probably not reading this issue of “News & Notes.” If you’re at the other end, you might want to read it again!
See you in church. Peace, Mark