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St. James United Methodist Church 646 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, NH 03054 Rev. Sharon Lovejoy, Pastor Phyllis Riviere, Office Admin. Contact Us: Office (603) 424-7459 Email: stjamesmrmk@gmail.com Website: www.stjames-umchurch.org

St. James United Methodist Church 646 Daniel Webster Highway

Merrimack, NH 03054 Rev. Lynne Mentzer, Pastor

Robin House, interimOffice Administrator

Contact Us: Office phone: (603)424-7459

Email: stjamesmrmk@gmail.com Stjames-umchurch.org

Facebook: St. James UMC Prayer Request email: sjprayerchain@gmail.com

Website: www.stjames-umchurch.org

Building Christian Community Within and Beyond the Church September - 2018

On the Inside Pastor’s Message Page 2

Worship Page 3

Christian Education Page 4

Outreach Missions Page 4

Fellowship & Community Page 5

Harvest Fair Information Page 6

Just for Kids ------------------------ Page 8

Calendar ----------------------------- Page 9

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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Though many consider the writer of Ecclesiastes to be a grumpy old man (“All is vanity … All things are wearisome; more than one can express … there is nothing new under the sun”), he’s downright encouraging when he writes “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” As summer comes to an end once more and autumn prepares to sweep in with blazing colors and crisp air, we are reminded of the cyclical, balanced, unrelenting nature of God’s timing. Despite our efforts to hurry or hold back time, Ecclesiastes insists that there is time enough for everything. What a relief! A time to go on vacation, and a time to return to our everyday lives – refreshed. A time to kick back, and a time to get back to school and work -- renewed. Here in the church, a time to worship, and a time to consider where God is calling us to go, grow and serve next – ready. Time may be cyclical, but it’s not simply going around in circles. Over and over, God grants us time and opportunities to be refreshed, renewed and ready for something new. What a blessing! And so, before the routines of autumn threaten to distract us from these blessings, let’s take time to consider for ourselves: what refreshed our spirits this summer? Let’s find ways to do more of that. What renewed our energy this summer? Let’s find ways to do more of that, too. And for what have we been made ready? Let’s pray together to discover the answer to that. Consider these things if you’re asked to serve on a committee or team, or if you’re wondering how best to use your spiritual gifts, or if you just want to be happy, for the writer of Ecclesiastes also said: “This is what I have seen to be good: all who accept their lives and find enjoyment in them. This is the gift of God.” May God’s gift of time this summer leave us refreshed, renewed and ready for all that will come next. Peace and Grace, Rev. Lynne Mentzer

Pastor’s Message

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Got Gifts?

Yes, you do! In I Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that God has given each one of us with specific spiritual gifts to be shared for the building up of God’s kingdom on earth. Like what? Like wisdom, faith, teaching, healing, speaking, helping, serving and leading. Like pastoral visiting, teaching bible study, offering hospitality, organizing a project, mentoring others. Spiritual gifts are more than talents or interests – they are gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to be used through the church to bless God’s people. As the Lay Leadership committee begins meeting this month to discern leaders and helpers for the coming year, please be in

prayer about how and where God is preparing you to answer the call and make a difference in the ministry of St. James.

Thanks, Kyle! Many thanks to Kyle Sanborn for helping out with sound and special music this summer! Kyle is a recent graduate of UNH (with honors!) who put his knowledge of audio technology to work for St. James from the console in the balcony, balancing microphones and speakers and adding special music each Sunday. As Kyle continues to seek a permanent position in his field, we pray that God will bless and guide him even as we are grateful for his help on Sunday mornings!

WORSHIP

Our St. James community mourns the loss of long time member, Gene Carolyn Tinglof, who passed away on August 17, 2018. A Service of remembrance was held here at St. James Church on August 24 officiated by Rev. Ed Claus, who was our pastor when Gene and her husband Dick joined the church. She is survived by her husband Dick, her sister, three daughters, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. In place of memorial donations, Gene’s wish would be to do something nice for someone else who needs it.

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Sunday School and Choir Resume on Sunday, September 16th Welcome back, students, teachers and choir members! We’re excited to start a new Sunday School year and pray for our children and teachers as they learn and share bible stories and faith formation together. And we’re looking forward to being inspired anew by the rested voices of our choir members and music director Darlene Skene. Many thanks to Darlene for arranging for special music and offering her beautiful solos during the summer months.

Buy a Bag To Support the Food Pantry The Hannaford Supermarket located at 4 Jenkins Road in Bedford has chosen St. James Community Food Pantry as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program. This means for the entire month of September, every time the Fight Hunger bag is purchased at the Jenkins Road Hannaford, our food pantry receives $1.00.

The Clothes Closet needs your help! On September 28 and 29 from 9am to noon, the clothes closet will

change their stock from spring and summer to fall and winter items. See Joyce Hawkins if you are able to help

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

OUTREACH MISSIONS

Our college students are back on campus! Make sure that Brenda DuLong has the current contact information for the college student in your family. Even if it is the same as last year, please let Brenda know.

New Members Class Forming Soon Have you felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit urging you to make a deeper commitment in your faith? Have you felt a desire to learn more about our denomination and your place in this community of faith? If so, there will be a membership class forming soon! Please contact Pastor Lynne at 424-7459 to share your interests, questions and availability

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The United Methodist Men will resume their men’s breakfast at 8:00am at Joey’s Diner on the first

Saturday of every month, beginning September 1. All men are welcome!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Pie Bakers Needed On September 22 from 8am to 1 pm, we will bake

apple pies. See Lesley Fallu or Lynn Kenson for details. If you would like to purchase a pie for $10, they will begin taking orders in September. In addition to apple, Lynn Kenson’s famous chicken pies will also be available. The cost of the chicken pies are $10 for large and $5 for small.

Church Council is organizing a Ham and Bean supper on Saturday, September 15 from 5:00 to 6:30. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children under 12. You may call the office to make reservations or sign up on the bulletin board. There is also a sign- up sheet if you would like to volunteer.

Flu season officially starts on October 1st. Walgreens will come to St. James for a Flu Shot clinic after worship on

Sunday, September 30. Bring your health insurance ID cards, as flu shots are covered by most insurance plans.

Merrimack Faith Communities will host a Blessing of the Animals on

Saturday, September 29 at 10:00 at Watson Park. Bring your pets so that they can receive a blessing.

Youth Group Kicks Off New Year with Pizza and Fun and Games The St. James Youth Group is preparing to kick off their new year in style – with a pizza party! All youth ages 10 and up are invited to come. We’ll regroup in the Youth Group room downstairs on Friday, September 7th from 6:30 to 8 PM. Bring your appetites and lots of ideas for fun and games, community missions, spiritual exploration and art projects. Questions? Call Pastor Lynne at the church office (424-7459). We’re all looking forward to a great new year!

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St. James Harvest Fair

Saturday, October 20, 2018 The Harvest Fair is literally around the corner. What a wonderful opportunity to build Christian community within and

beyond the church. Spread the word! We certainly need lots of help with publicity. Print the poster at the end of the

notice and hang it somewhere in town.

Jobs Available: We need you! Can you chair a room or table? Can you work for a few hours that day? Can you help set up on Friday evening?

Can you help clean up on Saturday evening or Sunday morning? Can you help get the word out? These are the rooms/tables we have so far:

Baked Goods and Candy

Crafts (sell homemade crafts)

Books, etc. (organize and sell used books, DVDs, CDs)

Jewelry

Flea Market

Silent Auction (monitor the bidding on a selection of donated items and baskets)

Breakfast (9:00 – 11:00) and Lunch (11:00 – 1:30) (work in the kitchen)

Supper (5:00 – 6:30; no explanation needed…everyone has done this before!)

Collections every Sunday, September 16 through October 14 in Fellowship Hall. Bring your books, CDs, and DVDs to church. Look through your jewelry. If there is any you no longer need, donate it to the jewelry table. Start your fall cleaning early and set aside items for the Flea Market. Large items can be delivered Friday, October

20. If you need help getting things to church, let Lesley or Brenda know. CRAFTS: Of course we assume everyone has been making crafts all year. Please bring crafts in whenever it is

convenient for you. The Silent Auction has been a very successful table for the past several years. Can you donate to this table? Gift

cards, themed baskets, other new items are all welcomed.

Bake! Bake! Bake! More than 50% of our profit will come from food. We will need candy, cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, breads,

fudge, and more. Jellies, jams and relishes are always welcomed. Annual Apple Pie Sale. The pies are on sale now for $10. We are selling them after church on Sundays, but any

remaining pies will be available at the fair. Lynn Kenson has made her world-famous chicken pies for the fair. Small chicken pies are $5 and large are $10.

They are on sale now after church on Sundays. If you are interested, call Lynn Kenson soon. They are selling quickly.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please call or email Lesley Fallu (497-4060; fallu@comcast.net)

or Brenda Dulong (493-5945; bsdulong@yahoo.com). We would love to hear your new ideas.

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Saturday, October 20, 2018

St. James United Methodist Church

9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.

Homemade Baked Goods and Candy

Handmade Crafts, Silent Auction, Jewelry

Flea Market, Books, DVDs, CDs, Games,

Train Display

Muffins, Scones, Cinnamon Buns for Breakfast

(9:00-11:00)

Corn Chowder and Hotdog Lunch

(11:00 – 1:30)

Roast Pork Dinner

(5:00 – 6:30) (mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pickled beets, apple sauce, rolls,

beverage and pumpkin trifle dessert)

$10 adults $8 seniors $6 children under 12

Macaroni and Cheese Kids Meal $6

Call the church office for information and dinner reservations. 646 Daniel Webster Highway

Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054 424-7459

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SMALL BLESSINGS

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September 2018

RC – Flying Eagle Remote Club FIN – Finance Committee CH Council – Church Council UMM – United Methodist Men ECOH – Eagle Court of Honor (Scouts)

GS – Girl Scouts BS – Boy Scouts CS – Cub Scouts

HHH – Home Health & Hospice SJH – St. Joseph’s Fitness Class YG – Youth Group

FH – Fellowship Hall CR – Conference Room S – Sanctuary P - Parlor UC – Undercroft CL - Classrooms