First United Methodist Church will host the congregation of First Baptist Church and invite all to join them for worship at 10:00 am in the sanctuary this week. Pastor Cheryl Meachen’s sermon,
entitled "God’s First Class" draws from the story of who to invite to the banquet and where to sit found in Luke 14. The message will focus on God’s love for the least, last and lost with encouragement for those of us with means to serve others. Pastor Suzanne Andrews will assist with liturgy and give the Children’s Message. Margaret Fogg, flutist and Timothy Fogg, guitarist will provide inspiring special music throughout the service and be joined by the two pastors in a contemporary praise set of songs at the beginning of the service. The liturgical billowers will do a form of sacred dance with long bands of colorful cloth to “Amazing Grace.” Tithes and pledges placed in the offering plate in one or the other of the churches’ envelopes will be allocated to that church and all loose offerings will be donated to the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center, a ministry in which we share as faith communities.
Week of August 29th – September 4th
SUN 10:00a Worship with First Baptist Church
MON 9:30a Exercise / Strength Training
4:30p Stewardship Meeting
5:30p Blueberry Debriefing
WED 9:30a Exercise / Strength Training
6:00p Family Game Night and Pizza
THU 10:30a Prayer Circle
5:30p SPRC (tentative)
A donation to “Nothing But Nets” is given by Grace Gunnip this week in memory of her brother Herb’s birthday, as evidenced by the wheat placed at the altar.
Kids of all ages are welcome to Family Game Night on Wednesday, September 1st from 6-8pm for board games, cribbage, Wii bowling and pizza, as well as some great conversation and fellowship.
Our United Methodist Membership vows demonstrate our covenant to share our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness in this church. What gifts do you have to share in service? Those that you have gained over years of experience as well as those lying dusty on the shelf of your imagination are welcome here! Please pray about what our church is and should be doing and how you are equipped to lead and participate in that endeavor, whether it is a named committee or a new ministry, we want you! Even if it appears to be running fine, your presence and ideas can infuse new life. The Lay Leadership Committee is accepting self-nominations to any committee, mission or ministry, existing or new. Please use one of the welcome cards in the pew to identify your gifts, ideas and willingness to serve!
The members of the Lay Visitation Ministry and Prayer Chain invite you to join us for a weekly prayer circle in the Pastor’s study on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am.
There will be a potluck picnic and meeting of UMW at Leslie Kramsky’s home on Tuesday, September 7th at 6:00 pm.
Join us here at the church on September 10th at 7pm for our monthly Sabbath Space, a wonderful opportunity to step out of the rigors and rituals of daily life and work and into a period of spirituality and Sabbath renewal. There are opportunities for prayer, candlelighting, reflective paint chip poetry, contemplative coloring of mandalas and a labyrinth walk.
Rev. Carrol Newquist and JoAnn Newquist are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with their children in Hawaii. Carrol was the pastor of First United Methodist Church here in Brattleboro from 1965-73. Their daughter Liz invites us to send cards for them to open in Hawaii at their celebration. You may send your card to: Liz Newquist, 3583 W. Greentree Circle Unit D, Anaheim CA 92804 and write "surprise" in lower left corner of envelope for delivery by 9/25/10.
An SPRC meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 2nd at 5:30pm. A regularly scheduled church council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15th at 6:00 pm and our District Superintendent has scheduled our annual Charge Conference for Wednesday, September 29th at 7:00 pm. Please plan to attend these open church meetings.
Acts of Hate and Bigotry in Windham County are Unacceptable! Let us be a community free of prejudice and unlawful discrimination. Everyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, skin tone, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic standing marital status, physical or mental abilities deserves to live or visit here without the fear of bullying, harassment, bigotry or violence.
Let’s give Jenny a hand for harvesting 358 pounds of produce from the Helping Hands Garden so far this season. Or better yet, let’s give Jenny a hand by picking a few items to help. You’ll be amazed at how many beans or tomatoes you can pick in just 20 minutes after church or on your way through town on a weekday and you won’t even get that dirty. Please do your part in this church-wide ministry to feed those in need.
Please touch base with Lucie Fortier or sign up in the fellowship hall if you are interested in volunteering in local schools as a "foster grandparent." You are heartily encouraged to connect with our community in this way to provide a strong Christian witness to our youth and so that their joyous spirit may warm your heart.
Betty Stacy's children invite us to celebrate her 80th birthday with an Open House celebration here at the church on Saturday, September 25 from 1-4pm. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.
Don’t miss the PEP. Get the bounce back in your step: Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am here at the church. Exercise and Strength Training, previously known as Strong Living by Tufts University. Call Phyllis Emery at 802-254-2543 for more information. Donation $2.00.
Please join us to debrief this year’s Blueberry Festival on Monday, August 30th at 5:30pm. Together we can celebrate our successes, discern ways to tweak things that could have gone better and vision new ways to invite the community to share in the blueberry harvest with us.
All are welcome to bring items from home to sell to the public at our Church Family Tag Sale to be held on Saturday, September 11th here at the church beginning at 8am. We welcome your tithe to the church from your sale proceeds in lieu of a table fee. For example, if you sell $100 worth of items, you would give $10 to the church for the general fund. A great opportunity for some fall cleaning!
The Men’s Group is planning a dinner and silent auction for Friday, September 17th as a fundraiser giving 75% to the church and 25% for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. The dinner will be with one seating, with auction items to be bid upon prior to, and during the meal. Your contribution of auction items is invited on the signup sheets on the table in the fellowship hall.
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. All are welcome.
Check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/First United Methodist
Church, Brattleboro VT and our blog at http://fumcobvt.blogspot.com/
If you use Twitter, you are heartily encouraged to tweet during
worship or anytime using our hashmark: #fumcob.
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