Mainstreeter Online for September 2, 2018

September 2, 2018   A Word from the Pastor I first shared the prayer below at the Leadership Summit held in September of 2013. At that time we could not even begin to see what these past five years would bring. Yet, like so many others who have gone before us, we planted seeds, watered them, and trusted God to bring about an impressive yield. Of course, our work is not yet done and never will be. We have built upon (quite literally) the efforts of those who have gone before us and others will build upon what we are doing today. May we continue to be faithful "prophets of a future not our own." A Future Not Our Own (also known as 'The Long View')  by Bishop Ken Untener   It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.   We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.   No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No programme accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.   This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.   We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.   We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own." Announcements Calendar Worship Ahead    9/9        The 16th Sunday after Pentecost                Rally Day                Tithe Sunday                Choir anthem                Scripture:  James 2:1-10; Mark 7:24-28 Theme: Jesus, the Church, and the Marginalized.  Even Jesus seems challenged by the demands of a Gentile woman who comes seeking his mercy for her daughter, but in the end Jesus shows compassion and mercy. Likewise, the church is not immune to the tendency to tribalism--caring for our own while ignoring others of God's children who are different than we are. The words of James, the brother of our Lord, challenge us to do otherwise. Rally Day Is Coming! Church School begins September 9, 2018. We have an exciting year planned with a  rotation style curriculum in our newly refurbished Wesley Education Center, with easy access to both floors from our spacious new lobby and elevator! Registration will take place on Sunday, September 9 in the Ladies' Parlor. If you have any questions, please see Mavis Pyle or Susan Pederzani, Christian Education co-chairs. Sunday School News Our new Sunday school year will begin with a perfect tie-in to our 150th anniversary celebration--a study of John Wesley and the history of Methodism, geared to young people.The kids will be learning about our founder and his life, the beginnings of the Methodist church, and will be doing some projects that will be on display during the celebration weekend. It should be a lot of fun!   -submitted by Mavis Pyle Poodle Power Flash News Alert! Announcing the coming arrival of a Poodle Support Dog to Carolyn Ekle! She will arrive by October 1 and be formally presented at the Blessing of the Creatures ceremony on October 7 at 3pm. She is a Moyen (miniature) Poodle specifically bred and in training as a support dog. She will be christened as Cherie de la Coeur --"Dear one of the Heart". The breeder's stated mission is "Emotional Healing". They select and breed moyen sized poodles with the temperament and trainability to be lifelong emotional support partners. The puppies are raised in a healthy, loving environment with socialization experiences from birth.They are well adapted for family life, the elderly, and people interested in visiting with their dog in schools, hospitals, rehab centers, retirement, and nursing homes. They excel in Children's Reading Programs.   An Emotional Support Animal provides therapeutic benefit to its caretaker through their companionship. The animal gives emotional support and comfort to individuals with psychiatric disabilities as well as other mental health needs.The puppies are socialized with people who struggle with, but are not defined by the following:  autism, anxiety, trauma and epilepsy. They will have extensive contact with the elderly. Their de-sensitization training begins with exposure to dogs, cats, cars, strangers to the home, being handled extensively, loud or unexpected sounds. On successful completion of training, the dog is Certified and Registered in the Emotional Support Dog Registry. For more information about this program, visit emotionalsupportpups.com. How can you help bring Cherie home? You can participate in Cherie's well-being and training simply by visualizing her held in the circle of God's Light and Love!    -submitted by Carolyn Ekle From the 150th Celebration Banquet Committee We still have dinner tickets available and are extending the deadline for purchases until September 9th. Dinner costs are $25/person, $15 for children 6-12 yrs old. Purchases can be made online through our website, mailed to the church office, or after church in the vestry from Jane Patterson. Come enjoy an evening of celebrating the life and missions of Main Street UMC! Also from the Banquet Committee: Advertising space is available in the program booklets for the organ concert and 150th Celebration dinner. The booklets will be printed in black and white and ad space costs are $100 for full page, $60 for a half page, and $40 for a business card ad. If you'd like to advertise your business or just want to include a personal congratulatory ad, please contact Jane Patterson at Jane@wwpat.us for more information before September 9th.  What do you know? How good are you with important dates? For example, when was the Arlington Street Church organized? 1898? 1903? 1927? 1944? Click below for the answer.  Outline History of MSUMC Historic Tidbit With the upcoming 150th Anniversary celebration in September, the Anniversary Committee has gathered historic quotes to share, taken from Methodism in Nashua, 1831-1982, by J. Lawrence Hall. We will include one with each Mainstreeter Online. Thirteen:   It seemed at one period that a new sexton [officer or employee who takes care of church property] was needed, and the Board voted to employ a person by the name of Joel Shed. He was to receive the total sum of $120.00 in cash and a $30.00 subscription for his services. At a following meeting, a motion was amended to read that Brother Shed be allowed for his services $120.00 in cash and Pew Rent, and to be credited $30.00 on the subscription. Not only was the motion intended to collect the Pew Rent in advance, but it also lowered the distinguished rank of Sexton to just plain Janitor.   Full church membership in those days was not granted until the member had served his time with patience and the Board approved.   Looking for Garden Flowers to Dry   If you have any of the flowers listed below in your yard, we could hang them to dry and use them in the Harvest Thyme area of the November fair.    Artemisia, cockscomb, delphinium, globe amaranth, hydrangeas (white or blue), lady's mantle, lamb's ear, larkspur, love-in-a-mist (flowers or seed pods), pearly everlasting (aka rabbit tobacco), poppy seedpods, statice, stock, straw flowers, sweet Annie, yarrow.   To share your abundance of flowers, please contact Pam Breniser at 603-566-2632 or pjbreniser@gmail.com. Thanks! Copyright © 2018 Mainstreet Online, All rights reserved. Going to the web site blog. Our mailing address is: Mainstreet Online 154 Main St Nashua, NH 03060-2731 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.