News & Notes 11/12/09
Hi Folks,
I need to be quick today, so this is apt to be brief . . . I hope!!
Wow! What a wonderful event happened here at church last Saturday. You folks turned out in every respect!! There were plenty of workers - great donations of items to sell - an almost constant flow of “customers” - and the church was “put back together” in just about an hour. It’s incredible to see the transformation that takes place in an hour - from all the trappings of a Holiday Fair to the day-to-day ministries of our congregation. There’s probably a sermon in there someplace, and I’ll work on that. But for now, the end result of the fair was an impressive $5,000 income to undergird our congregation’s mission and ministry!! I’ll not attempt to thank individuals, ’cause I’ll surely miss some - plus I hope none of us did what we did for the recognition. But I DO want to thank our Office Manager, Sandy Dearborn, who, in the absence of a volunteer Chairperson, took the bull by the horns and started making calls. She accomplished a lot even while completing her work in the office!! Thanks Sandy!
On behalf of all of us, twelve folks from St. John’s hosted 59 of our neighbors at the Dover Friendly Kitchen on Tuesday. I went down just to get in the way . . . and was successful! It was great to experience the spirit that’s present in and through our folks. I know the guests sense it too!
I wish war never happened. But that’s pretty “pie-in-the-sky,” isn’t it? I wish that human beings could work out our differences in ways that didn’t include guns and bombs and destruction and death. But I supposed those things are prime examples of the sinfulness of humanity, aren’t they. And we know about sin - oh, we know about sin! So because there are wars, there are military people - people who sacrifice mightily. And yesterday we said “thanks.” I hope “thanks” is enough.
This Sunday (11/15) we will bring our fall stewardship emphasis to its highpoint, as we celebrate Consecration Sunday. Please remember that we’ll have just one worship service this Sunday - at 10 AM. If you happen to see or speak to any other folks from the church, could you remind them of that fact? A friend of mine, Jim McPhee, will be our guest preacher - and will lead us through our time of commitment in the service. At the conclusion of the service, we’ll share a catered meal (by the folks from Exeter UMC) of shepherd’s pie, salad and dessert. Whether you can stay for lunch or not, I surely hope that you’ll be in worship for this important day in the life of our congregation. In the meantime, would you be in prayer around the question: “What is you, oh God, calling me to give to Christ and his church during 2010?”
The Sunday School folks began distributing “feathers” this past Sunday - with suggested items written on them, for our Thanksgiving baskets. If you didn’t get any feathers last week, be sure to pick some up this week. Our donations are gratefully accepted to purchase the perishable items - including the turkeys. This is another one of those projects that will need everyone’s help!!
Our next “Healing Service” will take place next Wednesday, November 18th, at 7 PM, in our sanctuary. The format of this service will include more than the average amount of singing - of repetitive, meditative songs from the Taize Community (in France). It should be a powerful service. I invite you to tell friends or family members who might benefit from this service.
Sheryl Wentworth sent this note to me: Pastor Mark, Do you know of anyone who may have a studio or a one bedroom apartment (in Dover) for rent soon? I have to give up my car at the end of the month, and need to move into Dover. I will also need rides to worship, if there are any who might be able to do that for me. Thanks, Sheryl
When you come to church this week, you’ll notice something new. Near the yellow shed, our new garden is taking shape. The garden was rototilled (sp?) on Sunday; lime and winter rye seed were spread by Marcia Pelletier and Paige Gibson; and Gorham Rowell has been working on the fence (with some help from Jerry Small and Rolly Patch). It’s lookin’ good! Thanks folks!
Now that the Fair is over, I still need to “nag” for something. You may remember that our choir and new Brass Choir will be putting on a program at the Fox Run Mall on December 13th - and that we’d like to give cookies away to those who come by. If you can bake some cookies for us, would you please sign-up on the rolling bulletin boards? We anticipate needing as many as 250 dozen (to give out 1,000 packages of three cookies each). Pretty ambitious, eh? We can do this, I’m sure.
When looking ahead, there are some terrific things coming up.
*The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place on Sunday, November 22nd, at 7 PM, at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church - on the corner of Locust and Hale Streets in Dover. Our Choir and Sacred Dancers will be participating in the service.
*On Sunday, November 29th, we’ll have just one service again, and no Sunday School - because of the holiday weekend. BUT, to make things special, we’re offering our “Hanging of the Greens” service at 9:30 AM. This is a service for all ages, so please bring your kids! They’ll take part by helping to decorate the tree, and by creating the “Nativity Scene,” near the end of the service. So even though it’s a holiday weekend, we still hope everyone will be here!!
*Advent Studies will begin soon. Check out the rolling bulletin board for the sign-up sheets. I think there are three different times offered.
And let me end with my Henny Youngman impression:
*Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent.
*A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, “I’ll serve you, but don’t start anything.”
*A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says “A beer please, and one for the road.”
Yes, I’m ashamed of myself. But I still hope to see you in church!! Peace, Mark