News & Notes 9/10/09
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
Good day to you, my friends! And a good day it is . . . in fact, it’s another wonderful day! We are blessed by this stretch of wonderful weather. And I’m blessed to be a part of this wonderful congregation - and hope you feel that way, too.
Our Sunday School ministry is about to start up once again for the fall - the first classes will be on September 20th. There has been a wonderful sense of “stepping up to the plate” by teachers. There is only one class remaining to find leadership - the 6th and 7th graders. Please hold this in prayers - and if you feel called to this ministry, please give Jinny Scott a call.
Speaking of the Sunday School, all the teachers are invited to come to church this Saturday, at 10:30 AM, to straighten things up in your classroom - pick up your curriculm - and get set for the first classes. If you can make it, please do!! And we’re all hoping that you’ll be here for the first service on Sunday - so your church family can dedicate you to this incredible ministry!!
This comes from our Youth Director, Brenda Borchers: Youth group begins in just 10 days, and sadly I have to report that I am still the lone youth leader. Obviously for many reasons, it is not possible to continue youth group with only one leader and if we don’t get at least three leaders, I will regretfully have to cancel the program until we do, BUT I am the eternal optimist, so I haven’t given up yet! Pastor Mark and I met yesterday and made a list of people we felt had the gifts to work with our youth. I will be calling these people and pray that they will prayerfully consider working with me this year. I am asking for everyone to join me in this prayer. I recently read a devotion that talked about the types of heroes children had years ago - political leaders, professional sports players, entertainers - and how society has changed in such a way that these same types of people may no longer be hero material for our youth. The devotion suggested that we need to be the heroes for our youth by sharing our faith with them, showing them our Christian way of living and supporting them in their lives. I know St. John’s is filled with heroes. J I just hope a few of you will recognize how much you are needed. Thanks for your support in helping to keep the youth program alive.
This Sunday we’ll experience a “Blessing of the Children” in both services. I hope everyone will do their best to make it to church.
The deadline for the October issue of “The Bell-Wether” is Monday, September 14. Please send all articles to Diana Schuman (deeschu [at] comcast [dot] net), who is filling in for Claire Bloom this month. .
CHERUB CHOIR will begin on Sunday 9/20! We will meet in the Pre-K classroom from 10:30 - 11:00 (right after Sunday School). We welcome any new little singers who want to join us. We have a great time singing, playing instruments, dancing and learning songs about God! It is also a great way for parents to go upstairs and enjoy coffee hour while the kids have “social time” of their own. Cherub choir is open to children age 4 - grade 2. Please contact Sue Williams with any questions. sdwilliams@metrocast.net or 664-7362.
If you weren’t in worship last Sunday morning you may not have heard that Jane Pomeroy’s Mom, Paulette Hilchie, has died. I’m sure the funeral has taken place by now, but I would encourage you to keep Jane, Dylan and Jodi in your prayers. I have also heard of the death of Jeanne Hausman’s Mom. Arrangements haven’t been made for a Memorial Service yet. And finally I would share that Joan Stevens has been moved from the Portsmouth Hospital to Brigham and Women’s in Boston. I haven’t been able to see here there, but understand that her condition is not improving. If she didn’t have the ventilator in her throat, I’m certain she would ask for our prayers.
Our Staff/Parish Relations Committee has been working very hard on behalf of our congregation. They have received numerous applications for the Music Director and Treasurer’s positions - reviewed the applications - and set interviews for three potential Music Directors and five Treasurers. Please hold the committee and the interviewees in your prayers.
It just occurred to me to mention once again that the Jubilations Service - that had been scheduled for this coming Sunday evening - has been postponed. A number of things worked together to require that we not present the dinner and worship service at this time. Stay tuned.
Next Sunday, September 20th, I will be joined in the leadership of worship by a retired pastor by the name of Terry Tomison. Terry is a member of the “Reconciling Retired Clergy of the New England Conference” (RRCNEC). His presence here is part of the RRCNEC’s “goal of making a conference-wide witness by preaching in 100 or more of our [conference’s] churches as to the nature and urgency of the civil and religious rights of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation. Please be assured that our purpose is not to be ‘flame throwers’ bringing dissention into our churches (which would be counter-productive) but rather to bear witness as to why we believe this issue exists profoundly at the heart of the Gospel.” Our Church Council will also take this opportunity to begin to address one of our new goals (which could take 11/2 to 2 years) of deciding whether or not to become a Reconciling Congregation.
Our Rummage Sale/Yard Sale is coming up pretty quickly - October 2 & 3. Have you been setting things aside to donate. Remember that if you price the Yard Sale items ahead of time it saves the set up crew a HUGE amount of work!!
With the news headlines in mind, Karen Schutt asked me what the difference is between Bird Flu and Swine Flu? When I couldn’t answer, she said for bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment.
On that note I’ll close. Enjoy the day. Be thankful for all that God is doing in your life. See you in church! Peace, Mark