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THE CHRONICLE – DECEMBER 13, 2018 Page 1 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JOEL DECEMBER 13, 2018 Dear Friends in Christ, Last year, in the middle of Advent, I made a decision that I was positive I would stick to twelve months later. I decided that the sermon I would preach at 8 o’clock on Christmas Eve would explore the next to the last sentence in Luke’s Christmas story: “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (2:19). It would be a quiet sermon, I promised myself. It would be a sermon inviting us all to follow the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, especially when we come face to face with the holiest mysteries in life. It would be a sermon encouraging all of us to stop talking and to start reflecting more deeply on God’s will and God’s ways. To be honest with you, when the time came a few weeks ago to choose a sermon text and title from Luke, chapter 2, for Christmas Eve 2018, I remembered the promise I made a whole year ago and then I decided to focus on something completely different. “The people of our church,” I said to myself, “do not need a lecture from the pulpit about zipping their lips and quieting their hearts in the presence of God’s greatest gift.” I don’t recall asking myself why Mary needed to ponder what the shepherds said about the birth announcement they had just heard and the Savior they had just been promised by choirs of angels. Did I imagine, for some reason, that you and I are more spiritually tuned into God than Mary was? If I did, the noise and needless commotion during last Sunday’s prelude pricked my conscience and nudged me to find a way to reopen the conversation I was planning to have with you. If Mary had to ponder what a bunch of shepherds said then they barged into the stable where she had just given birth buzzing with sound bites broadcast in the highest heavens, emulating her silence seems like a good plan for us too. Every Sunday, when it’s time for worship to begin, I have noticed that many of us struggle to settle down and quiet ourselves in God’s presence. At Sudbury UMC, this is a perennial discussion that almost always resolves in an unresolvable stalemate. “When the prelude signals the beginning of worship,” some say, “it is time to zip our lips and show our respect to God by entering into silent prayer.” “Maybe so,” others reply. “But isn’t it also a good thing to give latecomers a heartfelt welcome after the prelude begins even if the pastor has just asked us to be still and tune into God’s presence?” Both questions represent ways of asking a more fundamental question: What kind of church do we want to be? Do we want to be a church where hospitality is first and foremost? Or do we want to be known as a church where God’s presence is revered by worshipers like Mary who welcome God’s nearness by treasuring and pondering another opportunity to worship and tune into the holiness all around us? Please notice that my invitation to treasure and ponder God’s presence has nothing to do with respecting church musicians and the time they invest in practicing the prelude, the anthem, and other choral and instrumental parts of our worship. That is a completely different conversation – and it might be a discussion we also need to have. But remember: today I am asking you to imitate Mary. When the stable where her baby was swaddled filled with babbling shepherds singing songs they had learned from an angel chorus, Mary fell silent. She “treasured these words,” Luke tells us, “and pondered them in her heart.” Hospitality is important in our church. There is definitely a time for saying hello and good-bye. But just as important – and maybe even more important – is saying hello and good-bye to God by pondering God’s presence. In that way, we remind our guests and each other that in our house God always comes first. See you in church! Pastor Joel
Transcript of The Weekly Chronicle - sudbury-umc.orgsudbury-umc.org/documents/Chronicle/Chronicle12.13.18.pdf ·...
THE CHRONICLE – DECEMBER 13, 2018
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A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JOEL DECEMBER 13, 2018
Dear Friends in Christ,
Last year, in the middle of Advent, I made a decision that I was positive I would stick to twelve months later. I decided that the sermon I would preach at 8 o’clock on Christmas Eve would explore the next to the last sentence in Luke’s Christmas story: “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (2:19). It would be a quiet sermon, I promised myself. It would be a sermon inviting us all to follow the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, especially when we come face to face with the holiest mysteries in life. It would be a sermon encouraging all of us to stop talking and to start reflecting more deeply on God’s will and God’s ways.
To be honest with you, when the time came a few weeks ago to choose a sermon text and title from Luke, chapter 2, for Christmas Eve 2018, I remembered the promise I made a whole year ago and then I decided to focus on something completely different. “The people of our church,” I said to myself, “do not need a lecture from the pulpit about zipping their lips and quieting their hearts in the presence of God’s greatest gift.” I don’t recall asking myself why Mary needed to ponder what the shepherds said about the birth announcement they had just heard and the Savior they had just been promised by choirs of angels. Did I imagine, for some reason, that you and I are more spiritually tuned into God than Mary was?
If I did, the noise and needless commotion during last Sunday’s prelude pricked my conscience and nudged me to find a way to reopen the conversation I was planning to have with you. If Mary had to ponder what a bunch of shepherds said then they barged into the stable where she had just given birth buzzing with sound bites broadcast in the highest heavens, emulating her silence seems like a good plan for us too.
Every Sunday, when it’s time for worship to begin, I have noticed that many of us struggle to settle down and quiet ourselves in God’s presence. At Sudbury UMC, this is a perennial discussion that almost always resolves in an unresolvable stalemate. “When the prelude signals the beginning of worship,” some say, “it is time to zip our lips and show our respect to God by entering into silent prayer.” “Maybe so,” others reply. “But isn’t it also a good thing to give latecomers a heartfelt welcome after the prelude begins even if the pastor has just asked us to be still and tune into God’s presence?”
Both questions represent ways of asking a more fundamental question: What kind of church do we want to be? Do we want to be a church where hospitality is first and foremost? Or do we want to be known as a church where God’s presence is revered by worshipers like Mary who welcome God’s nearness by treasuring and pondering another opportunity to worship and tune into the holiness all around us?
Please notice that my invitation to treasure and ponder God’s presence has nothing to do with respecting church musicians and the time they invest in practicing the prelude, the anthem, and other choral and instrumental parts of our worship. That is a completely different conversation – and it might be a discussion we also need to have. But remember: today I am asking you to imitate Mary. When the stable where her baby was swaddled filled with babbling shepherds singing songs they had learned from an angel chorus, Mary fell silent. She “treasured these words,” Luke tells us, “and pondered them in her heart.”
Hospitality is important in our church. There is definitely a time for saying hello and good-bye. But just as important – and maybe even more important – is saying hello and good-bye to God by pondering God’s presence. In that way, we remind our guests and each other that in our house God always comes first.
See you in church!
Pastor Joel
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wanted: Interim Director of Christian Education
Are you a teacher, retired or active? Have you taught Sunday School classes at our church or at others? Would you like to help Sudbury UMC bridge the gap from the start of the coming New Year till the end of the current school year? If your answer to any of those questions is Yes, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee would like to talk with you! Due to the resignation of Eric Magnuson as DCE, the SPRC, working with the Christian Education Commission, is searching for an interim director. This half-time position includes organizing the curriculum for Church School classes, recruiting volunteers to those classes, and keeping weekly records. If you have five months to give to Sudbury UMC, please contact Sherry Stonebraker no later than December 14 at [email protected] or 978-568-1596.
Two Sundays ago, it was announced by SPRC that December 23rd will be Eric Magnuson’s last Sunday as our Director of Christian Education. Since this fall, he has been doing full-time daycare for his grandchildren as well as continuing with Christian Education here at Sudbury United Methodist Church. Eric will be greatly missed. There will be a basket in the narthex for cards and thank you notes.
2019 Pledges Due
Pledge cards were mailed early this month! If you have not yet received yours, please let Nancy Hammerton know via email at: [email protected]
Please pledge generously to fully support the great ministries of our church that we know and love:
exciting worship and preaching which challenges us to live as Jesus wants us to — beautiful music and opportunities for everyone to participate as singers and instrumentalists — loving pastoral care and lay ministries for all who suffer the distress of illness, unemployment, bereavement — a talented, dedicated staff, doing so much to help us we sometimes forget that except for Pastor Joel, Zack, and Joe, the rest work part-time hours!
outreach to help those who need our helping hands — think Habitat homes and local food pantries — social justice to inspire us to stand with others and lobby our representatives to do what is right — mission shares, 49% for conference administration and 51% to missions here and around the world
Giving to the operating budget is exciting and inspirational! It’s a lot more than snow plowing and electric bills — although it’s nice to be safe and warm!
PLEASE PLEDGE WITH YOUR HEART - GIVE GENEROUSLY
Nancy Hammerton, Stewardship Chair
DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
➢ December 15 and 22: Pageant Rehearsals ➢ December 19: Final Advent Soup Supper and
Programming ➢ December 16: Peanut Butter Tree Gifts Drop Off ➢ December 19: Health Ministries Cancer Support Group ➢ December 23: Fourth Sunday in Advent Service at 9:30 a.m. in Davison Chapel
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➢ December 23: Sunday School Christmas Pageant at 10:30 a.m.in Sanctuary ➢ December 24: Christmas Eve Lovefeast at 6:00 p.m. followed by Word and Table Worship at 8:00 p.m. ➢ December 25: Merry Christmas – Office Closed
CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS
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LEARN
Final Advent Soup Supper and Programming on December 19
On Wednesday, December 19, come to Hawes Hall at 6:00 p.m. for a simple meal of soup, bread, and veggies hosted by the Membership and Community Life Commission. After supper, Advent worship will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Davison Chapel. Also available will be classes for children, teens, and adults. Here are the choices:
• “Advent Conspiracy” – led by Pastor Cho-Kim in the O’Reilly Room, this class will dig into the last of the weekly themes of the Advent Conspiracy: Give More; Generous Giving for Mission. The Advent Conspiracy redirects the time and effort we put into Christmas on Jesus.
• “Advent Contemplation” – Pastor Joel, Kevin Murphy, and Rob Hammerton will lead worship in Davison Chapel that includes lighting the Advent candles and singing Advent chants and hymns from monastic traditions in Salisbury, England, and Taizé, France. After the week’s scripture reading, participants may reflect while seated in silence or while walking the labyrinth in candlelight! Give it a try!
• “Advent Candle Themes” – Zack Moser will lead teens in the Youth Room. Videos from “The Bible Project” will explore key words in biblical Greek and Hebrew to find layers of meaning often lost by Bible translations. Videos correspond to the prior Sunday’s Advent candle: December 19: “Love” and “Hope” (Agape and Yakhal). After class, teens will compete in a Carpetball Tournament.
• “Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam” – for kids in grades five and younger, Wendy Guillemette will introduce the givers who lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born: December 19: The Baker. The story comes
alive as children learn about the job each giver did in the village and how that job gave back to the wider community.
Join the Advent Suppers Support Team!
If you were not present at the first Advent Soup Supper on December 5, you missed tremendous soups, mac and cheese and other food offerings. The delicious soups (chili, split pea and ham, gluten-free and vegetarian/gluten-free) were made by Jen Benson, Carolyn Colby, Sophia Harrell and Kerry Healy. Very tasty bread was provided by Michelle Cobb and John Iberg. The delicious mac and cheese was presented by Ellen Fraize. Set-up and/or clean-up was effectively accomplished by Phil Lenentine, Dave D’Orlando, Linda Moros and other persons.
Many thanks for your magnificent efforts in making this a wonderful evening for the 52 persons in attendance.
You have one more opportunity (December 19) to share in the Advent Soup Suppers and Services. Please contact Oscar Harrell at 978-443-3821 or [email protected] if you’re able to help out.
The Upper Room
The newest Upper Room booklets are available in the narthex. Help yourself to a free copy for your daily devotional readings. Or access it online by clicking here: https://www.upperroom.org/
The Magnuson Moment
What do Ebenezer Scrooge and Professor Hinkle have in common? To test your Christmas story trivia, both are fictitious characters that have encounters, and as a result, dramatically change their course of behavior.
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Ebenezer Scrooge encounters three spirits and decides to become radically generous and giving. Professor Hinkle is confronted by Santa Claus and needs to pay the consequences for his wrongdoing against Frosty the Snowman. Professor Hinkle declares, “I’ve got to get busy, busy, busy!” During this busy Advent season, as we spend time praising God through our carol singing and thinking more about his special gift for us, may our business involve doing His work in our world.
This week in Sunday School, for ages 3 through Grade 3, the children will be busy making Christmas presents for their parents and the special caregivers in their lives.
(Shh! Don’t tell the grown-ups…it’s a secret!)
Greetings from the SUMC Youth!
As a young child, the Advent Wreath is a significant symbol. While adults and youth might feel like December goes quickly because the calendar and to-do list are both packed and there simply isn’t enough time to fit it all in, the month crawls by at a snail’s pace for children. It seems as though Christmas is never actually going to arrive. Then Sunday comes, and you see that there is, in fact, one more candle lit on the Advent Wreath than there was last Sunday. Time is passing! The visual proof of this provides HOPE and assurance that Christmas is really coming. This knowledge makes the worry and despair fade, giving way to a feeling of PEACE. When the third candle is lit, it produces a comforting feeling because you can see that it is well past halfway through the season; a comfort
and warmth comparable to knowing that we are LOVED. The fourth candle means that Christmas is less than a week away (in this year’s case, just a couple of days), and there is unmistakable and unbridled JOY!
As we grow, these feelings can be easily diluted by the aforementioned calendars and to-do lists, but we can learn a lot from our youngest members. The coming of Christmas, the coming of Christ means the promise of hope, of peace, of love, and of joy. Our role in this is to take the time to open our hearts to this eternal truth and what it means for the world and for our lives. As John 1:4-5 tells us “in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” There is no greater summary of the message of Advent than those two verses.
Keep the Faith
Oh yeah! Also, come to the last Advent dinner on Wednesday, when the youth will dive deeper in the scriptural meanings of LOVE and JOY, and when we will finish our Advent Carpetball tournament and officially name the Sudbury UMC Supreme Carpetball Champion! So much is at stake this Wednesday!
CONNECT
Can Christmas still change the world?
The Christmas story is a story of love, hope, redemption and relationship. So, what happened? How did it turn into stuff, stress and debt? Somehow, we’ve traded the best story in the world for the story of what’s on sale. We Americans spend $450 billion on Christmas….every year. Yet it would only take $10 billion to make clean, safe water available to everyone in the world. God gave us the perfect gift at Christmas – his presence through his only son. God’s Christmas list included everyone. Expand your Christmas list this year to include those who really need our presence. Join us as we party with children and sing with seniors. See
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the options below for this week’s opportunities to give your presence this Advent season. Don’t hesitate to contact Brad Stayton (617-460-3816 or [email protected]) if you have questions.
Come join the Conspiracy – let’s take back Christmas. Advent Conspiracy opportunities 2018
Saturday, Dec. 15: Christmas Party at Musketahquid Village (3:00-4:30pm). Meet us at Musketahquid (55 Hudson Rd. Sudbury – just down the street from church) to share tasty treats, play Christmas trivia, and visit with friends we have made over the years. Members of the choir will lead festive songs. (contact: Brad Stayton 617-460-3816)
Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Party at Home Suites Family Shelter (1:00-3:00pm). Meet us at Home Suites (455 Totten Pond Rd. Waltham) to bring Christmas cheer to around 90 families (and 100+ kids). Christmas card crafts (with tons of glitter), cookie decorating and festive seasonal tattoo artist with lots of cider and treats. (contact: Jeannette D’Alessandro 617-462-4343)
Tuesday, Dec. 18: Caroling at Open Table (5:30-6:30pm). Meet us at Open Table (33 Main St. Maynard – the old Aubuchon Hardware store) to sing carols to the guests while they share a meal. (contact: Brad Stayton 617-460-3816 or Patty Helsingius)
Saturday, Dec. 22: Christmas Caroling Flash Mob at Sudbury Farms (4:00-5:00pm). Meet us in front of Sudbury Farms (439 Boston Post Rd) to sing carols. Dress festively! We invite folks from other churches in town and always get a few shoppers to join in! What a great way to share our praise of the new-born King with our community! (contact: Brad Stayton 617-460-3816)
Sunday, Dec. 23: Caroling at Deaconess Abundant Life Center (12:00-1:15pm). Bring a bag lunch or have a slice of pizza (provided). We will carpool to Deaconess (80 Deaconess Rd. Concord) to sing carols for several retired members and friends at Rivercrest, then make our way to the nursing home and those in the memory unit. Lots of old friends! (contact: Brad Stayton 617-460-3816)
Christmas Eve Lovefeast Service at 6 p.m.
Are you interested in a service that is traditional yet unique? This year at 6:00 pm on Monday, December 24, Sudbury UMC is offering its seventh annual Christmas Eve Lovefeast to celebrate the birth of Christ. A Lovefeast service includes prayer, brief reflections of hope and singing of familiar carols. The sharing of a simple meal of cider and cookies fosters a spirit of fellowship. The service concludes with the sanctuary illuminated by beautifully decorated beeswax candles as the congregation sings “Joy to the World.”
The Lovefeast is a great service for out of town guests and children of all ages. It’s family oriented and a meaningful way for kids, parents and grandparents to welcome the Christ Child. The service tends to be less crowded and less formal. If you are looking for an uplifting, joyous service that emphasizes faith and fellowship then please consider coming to this year’s Lovefeast Service at 6 pm.
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Save the Date: Monday January 21, 2019
Please consider joining in the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday on Monday, January 21st. There are a number of celebrations scheduled; you may wish to consider one of the following. Following editions of The Chronicle will provide information on tickets and carpooling.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast - Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St. Boston
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast – The Verve Crowne Plaza Hotel, Natick
GIVE
Calling All Christmas Instrumentalists and Musicians As any member of the Wesley Winds, String Ensemble, Guitar Summit and Ukulele Band knows, Rob and Kevin have been urging everyone to sign up to play for Advent/Christmas music. Did we miss you? Are you a hidden talent, waiting for that moment to make your move? Is there an instrument hiding in your closet or under your bed that really should get dusted off and played? Is there a young player in your family who might be able to join us?
There are four opportunities for SUMC wind, brass, percussion and string players to get involved during Advent/Christmas 2018. Time is almost up for signing up to play, so check these dates out:
23 December at 10:30AM: Pageant Band
24 December at 05:30PM: Terrace Brass
24 December at 06:00PM: the Moravian Love Feast
24 December at 08:00PM: String Ensemble for Candlelight and Communion (bowed strings only)
The Terrace Brass gather 30 minutes before the Love Feast, make sure there is not a blizzard outside the door, and then play carols on the front terrace OUTSIDE until the Love Feast begins. Cold, but a lot of fun! Metal, weather-resistant instruments only for that event, due to the challenging winter weather. And, yes, if the weather is unfavorable, we might have to scrub. We have gathered for each of the last two Christmases, however, and it was lots of fun!
Rehearsals for these events will be:
15 December 11:30AM till 01:00PM: Pageant band pit rehearsal
16 December 11:15AM till 12:00PM: Moravian Love Feast band rehearsal
23 December 12:00PM till 01:00PM: Moravian Love Feast band rehearsal
23 December 01:00PM till 01:30PM: Terrace Brass rehearsal String Ensemble rehearsal is TBD
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If you are unfamiliar with any other of these events and wish to know more, send Rob or Kevin a note or find us at coffee hour Sunday and we'll fill you in. The most important thing you can do if you wish to join us is contact us immediately so we can point you towards the online sign-up sheets. The sheets are very important, as they go a long way towards keeping your music directors organized and almost sane.
The hard and fast deadline for sign ups is Monday 17 December at 9AM… we're gonna need some time to set this all up! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Peanut Butter Tree Wraps Up This Sunday, December 16
Thank you to everyone participating in this year’s Peanut Butter Giving Tree.
Reminder: Unwrapped gifts with the tag number displayed to identify the recipient should be returned to SUMC on or before Sunday, December 16th. Gift receipts are welcome and may be included on the gift or in an envelope. Please remove any identifying information (your name, contact information, etc.) from anything you submit. If possible, please include wrapping paper, boxes, or gift bags with the unwrapped gifts.
Please reach out to Karen Monteiro at [email protected] or leave a message/send a text to her cell phone at 781-760-6796 if you have any questions.
Show Your Thankfulness – Donate to the Staff Christmas Gift
We at SUMC have so much to be thankful for this holiday season......especially our staff! What are you most thankful for? Music programs, youth ministry, Sunday school, Magic Years; building maintenance, financial management, spiritual leadership. The Staff Parish Relations Committee invites you to show your thanks to the staff at this time of year. Checks may be made out to SUMC with Staff Gift in the memo line.
Year End Donations
As we approach the end of the calendar year, the Stewardship and Finance Committee reminds SUMC members who make contributions (for either their Annual Pledge or Pave-the-Way) through donations of appreciated stock, life insurance cash-outs, distributions from IRAs, or Donor Advised Funds, to please notify SUMC of the amount of donation; form of donation; who it might be coming from (e.g., the name of the broker/dealer; bank; insurance company, mutual fund company, etc.). This information will enable us to apply the contribution to the donor (You!) and to the correct account (Annual Pledge or PTW). You may do this by speaking with Mike Greb (Business Manager) at the office (978-443-4351); Ken Mackenzie (Treasurer); Jim Bennett or John Antes (Financial Secretaries) or George Gorman (Chair of S&F), or by putting a note with the pertinent information into the plate. Please email Mike Greb at: [email protected].
Also, as we approach the end of the calendar year, please remember that all 2018 Annual Fund and PTW donations must be received by December 31, 2018, in order for you to take your tax deduction in 2018, if you itemize your deductions.
Do You Need a Christmas Present for Someone Who’s Hard to Shop For?
The Stewardship and Finance Commission would like to encourage everyone to consider the photos on display in the hallway between the kitchen and Davison Chapel as great Christmas gifts. The pictures were taken by our very own Bob Cooke during his travels over the years. Landscapes, animals and people are the subjects. If you appreciate one (or more!), just make a suitable donation to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund and take the photo with you to give as a present.
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The discretionary fund allows the pastor to assist people trying to cope with a sudden crisis, illness or other dire situations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
WORSHIP
Christmas Services at Sudbury United Methodist Church
Sunday, December 23
9:30 a.m. - Fourth Sunday of Advent – Davison Chapel
After lighting the fourth candle in the Advent wreath, Pastor Cho-Kim will preach “Welcoming the Upside-Down Kingdom of God.”
10:30 a.m. - Children’s Pageant - Sanctuary
The excitement of children combines with the exuberance of parents and grandparents to make this annual tradition beloved by young, old, and in-between.
This year’s pageant blends the story of Jesus’ birth with carols, dance, and surprises—both intentional and whimsical!
Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
6:00 p.m. – Moravian Lovefeast - Sanctuary
Since New Testament times, Christians have shared agape meals. Three centuries ago, Moravian Christians revived the Lovefeast, a simple meal shared in God’s presence with singing, prayer, and words of exhortation. At 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, our multi-generational Lovefeast will include sugar cookies and cider, carols, and the lighting of beeswax candles trimmed with red frills.
8:00 p.m. - Service of Carols and Candles, Word and Table - Sanctuary
Worshipers who attend our second Christmas Eve service will sing beloved seasonal carols, enjoy special choral and instrumental music, hear Pastor Joel’s holiday sermon, “It’s Jesus’ Birthday but the Gift Is for You,” celebrate Holy Communion, and take part in this year’s traditional candlelight rendition of “Silent Night.”
Join the Thursday Bible Study
Sudbury UMC’s Thursday Bible study group always welcomes new participants. Meetings take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Panera Bread located at 21 Andrew Avenue in Wayland’s Town Center, just two miles from Sudbury UMC!
Each week’s focus text is the next Sunday’s preaching passage. Remember to bring your Bible and a few bucks for something warm or cool to sip.
We will look ahead to the passages being preached during worship on:
Dec. 16: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Dec. 23: Micah 5:2-5a
Dec. 30: Colossians 3:12-17
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Stephen Ministers Offer a Listening Ear
Sudbury UMC has thirteen active Stephen Ministers (caregivers). Ten are currently available to offer their support. They can walk with those needing kindness, a listening ear and distinctively Christian care-giving.
If you know a friend – including yourself – who might benefit from a caring relationship, you can speak to Pastor Joel, Lori Granger or Richard Smith. And every Sunday morning, one Stephen Minister is available after worship in the O’Reilly room. They are there to listen to your concerns and pray with you.
Dec. 16: Linda Lombardo
Dec. 23: Gail Smith
Dec. 30: Richard Smith
School Is in Session – Sudbury UMC Is a Nut Free and Sesame Free Zone!
Please be aware that a number of preschoolers, staff, and guest users have serious allergies to nut products and coconut oil. It is important to keep food and products containing tree nuts out of the church building and to be mindful of coconut oil in non-food related items like soaps and lotions. Please also avoid sesame oil and seeds which can be found in crackers and breads. Thank you for ensuring the safety of all!
COMMUNITY
Drivers Needed for Meals on Wheels
Our drivers deliver 3,000 healthy meals, every weekday, to elders and adults living with disabilities. They may deliver the only meal of the day to homebound clients while providing critical social contact a safety check.
Today additional drivers are needed to meet the increasing demand for home delivered meals in our service are that includes 11 cities and towns. If you are
interested in giving back to your community through this part-time job, apply today! Please call Sara at 781-324-7705 ext. 689 or visit our website www.mves.org/join-us/.
Household Goods Needs
Important items are in short supply; Can you Help? We are so thankful for all the wonderful goods donations we receive, but unfortunately, we are running very short on certain high demand items:
• Pots and Pans
• Kitchen Utensils and silverware
• Queen size bedding (mattress pads, sheets, blankets, and comforters)
Bring us items during our regular drop off hours (Tues., Thurs, Sat 9-noon)
Host a drive to make kitchen starter sets. Contact Sharon Martens for more information.
Having a party? Tell your guests you'd like some of these items in lieu of hostess gifts!
Choose items from our Amazon Wish List. It always has links to great deals on our current needs.
Shopping on Amazon? Please go to Smile.Amazon.com and designate Household Goods to donate a portion of what you spend through the Amazon Smile Program.
Have other ideas? Let us know
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Sudbury United Methodist Church 251 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 Phones: (978) 443-4351 or (978) 443-6785 Fax: (978) 443-3052
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Church Office: [email protected] Website: http://www.sudbury-umc.org
Church Staff Lead Pastor: The Rev. Joel Guillemette [email protected] Director of Adult Formation: The Rev. Dr. H. Cho-Kim [email protected] Christian Education Director: Eric Magnuson [email protected] Youth Ministries Director: Zachary Moser [email protected] Music Director/Organist: Kevin Murphy, AAGO [email protected] Sanctuary Choir Director: Rob Hammerton [email protected] Business Manager: Michael Greb [email protected] Office Administrator: Shetal Kaye [email protected] Sexton: Joe Picorelli [email protected]
We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation
We are a Reconciling and Welcoming Congregation
