News & Notes 8/19/2010
Hello Folks,
Vacation Bible School has been taking place at St. John’s all week long. They’ve had a terrific crowd - have had a wonderful stockpile of resources that many of you have donated, and have had a great crew of leaders (coordinated by Wendy Kettlewood). It seems to me the kids - some from our congregation and others from the community – have had a great time! Right now we’re eating “dirt cups!” Hey, we’ve been talking about caring for God’s creation all week - why not partake of it? . . . actually it’s Oreo cookies, chocolate pudding, marshmallows and gummy worms! Praise God!
And remember that the kids and leaders of VBS would love to have you join them for the closing program tomorrow, August 16th at 11:30 AM!! It’s a brief program - and we hope you can come!!
We received word this morning that Chester Rines died yesterday. He was married to a member of St. John’s Church, Marjorie. They live on Portland Avenue in Rollinsford, and have not been able to be active in the life of the church over the last several years. Please hold Marjorie, who has dementia, and their extended family in your prayers. The funeral will be at Wiggin/Purdy/McCooey/Dion Funeral Home on Tuesday at 11 AM.
This seems to be the week for invitations:
Trinity United Parish in Seabrook invites us to a concert on Saturday, August 21st, at 7 PM. It’ll be present by the Glorification Singers, a Christian music ministry group based out of the Westhampton UMC.
St. Mark’s would like to invite you and your friends to the following: On August 22nd, we are having a picnic at noon; please bring your chairs.
Concert at 3:00 p.m. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (60 Government Street, Kittery ME 03904, 207-439-9686) is hosting MiXed Company (husband and wife duo Bill Humphrey/Jessica Rechner) in a contemporary sacred music concert on Sunday, August 22 at 3:00 p.m. Jessica is a classically trained vocalist from Queens College (New York); Bill is a professional jazz musician (alto saxophone) with a Master’s degree from Queens College/B.A. Music UNH. They are an active part of the music ministry in their church in New York City and have recordings that can be sampled at cdbaby.com, ITunes and Facebook.
Mike Effenberger (piano), Jim Rudolf (drums) and Nate Therrien (bass) will be accompanists.
Then from our friends at Wentworth Home: You and your family are invited to a concert on the lawn of the Wentworth Home (next to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital) on Sunday afternoon, August 22nd, from 2-3:30 PM. Featured groups are the “Sounds of the Seacoast,” an internationally recognized group of women who sing close harmony, and the “Silver Strummers,” an 18 member Ukulele band who will play old favorites and sing-alongs. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and join the fun.
Finally, our Adult Choir and I would invite you to join us at the Vesper Service at Vincent Rock, at Hedding Campground, on Sunday evening, beginning at 5 PM. This begins the closing exercises for Camp Meeting week at Hedding. (Services continue tonight and tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM.) To get to Vincent Rock, simply turn onto the campground road and drive straight as far as you can. Vincent Rock is at the top of the hill.
No one has signed up for Coffee Fellowship for the next couple of weeks. When that happens, it falls on members of the Hospitality Committee to do a very basic set up. But we know there are lots of folks who might like to respond if they knew the need. Would you do Coffee Fellowship for us one of the next two weeks? Grab a friend to help you out and share the task. There’s a written set of instructions - just email me and I’ll send them to you. And please - if you’re going to do this - please let MaryAnne MacKenzie know so she’ll know things are covered. Thanks!!
This is “Cents Makes Sense” Sunday - a time when we’re all encouraged/invited to place our loose change in the bucket on the “skinny table” in the narthex. Our change goes to undergird mission projects designated by the Outreach Committee. Won’t you clean off your dresser and bring your extra loose change this week?
This has also been a week for “workers” around the church. Gorham Rowell constructed the new ramp into the storage shed outside. The old ramp was destroyed by the snowplow last winter! He’s also begun installing shelving in the new storage room (aka the former library hallway). Thanks Gorham! And Judy Strate and Karen Schutt have been painting classroom number five (5) - below the sanctuary! It’s bright yellow - there’ll be no sleeping kids in that classroom anymore!! Our thanks to Karen and Judy.
On August 29th, members of the Outreach Committee will stand in the narthex after church for the purpose of receiving your donations toward our expenses at the Dover Friendly Kitchen. The proverbial “monetary cupboards” are bare for that ministry, and we’ll be serving our neighbors once again in September. Your gifts help make this ministry possible - that we might be the hands and feet of Jesus for many of our neighbors. Thanks.
Two things to look forward to - you can read about them in “The Bell-Wether” that arrives at your home soon. But let me mention them briefly here: On the second Sunday of September, we will have a “blessing of the children” - and so the whole congregation can experience this, the Worship Committee has decided to extend our “summer” worship schedule one more week, and have just one worship service on that day - September 12th.
And our Youth Groups will start up their formal programs for the fall on September 12th, at 4 PM - with parents and kids both coming on the first night. Following the informational session, I understand there’ll be a parents vs. kids competition! Check it out!
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother’ s house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away. ‘Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.’ said his mother. ‘I don’t need to,’ the boy replied. ‘Of course, you do.’ his mother insisted. ‘We always say a prayer before eating at our house.’ ‘That’s at our house.’ Johnny explained. ‘But this is Grandma’s house and she knows how to cook!
That’s all the news that’s fit to print today. Look for God’s hand at work in your life today, and be thankful for every incident that you see!! See you in church. Peace, Mark