October 28, 2018 Mainstreeter Online

October 28, 2018  A Word from the Pastor   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive." Howard Thurman   Today we observed Reformation Sunday in our worship services. On this day we specifically remember the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, who on October 31, 1517 tacked his "95 theses" to the door of his parish church in Wittenberg, Germany. This simple act put in motion events that would reform both church and state in Germany and eventually all of Europe. It seems to me that the quote above from Howard Thurman defines just what a reformer is all about. They are individuals who have done that which has made them "come alive" and in turn brought life to all around them.  Throughout history reformers, religious, political, educational, and in virtually every area of life, have given in to that which has made them come alive and in doing so have transformed institutions, nations, and the world. Jesus was the most significant reformer in the Judeo-Christian realm transforming, through his emphasis on love and compassion for all God's children, the practice of Judaism in his day and inaugurating a new way of living that we know as Christianity. The Buddha did the same for Hinduism and Mahatma Gandhi did the same for the practice of religion and state in India in the last century. Martin Luther's namesake, Martin Luther King Jr. likewise brought about the reformation and transformation of our nation through his teaching, practice, and ultimately his life. What is it that makes you come alive? You may not be called to be a reformer but your passions in life can be equally life giving as those of the reformers whose lives and work we celebrate today. Give in to your passion and "go do it" because that is indeed what the world needs today. Announcements Calendar Worship Ahead 11/4         All Saints' Sunday                 Holy Communion                 The Dedication of Annabelle Weir                 Scripture:  Mark 12:28-34 Theme: "Love Trumps All"- According to Jesus, loving God and loving neighbor puts one "not far from the kingdom of God". This is because love trumps everything else--hate, fear, division, and conflict. Love "covers a multitude of sins".   Stewardship Reminder   Many thanks to everyone who has filled out their pledge card in support of the mission and ministry of the church in 2019. Today we dedicated them to God during our Consecration Sunday worship service. Your generous commitment for the programs of the church is greatly appreciated. It is not too late (and never is) to make your pledge if you have not done so as yet. Extra pledge cards can be found at the rear of the sanctuary or can be sent to you if you request one from the church office. The office phone number is 882-3361 or e-mail at office@mainstreet-umc.org  Thank you in advance for your attention to this reminder. Volunteers Needed for Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Holiday Stroll   We will be hosting the Nashua Area Interfaith Council's annual Thanksgiving Service which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 20th at 7:00pm in our sanctuary. We are in need of individuals to be greeters in the lobby; ushers; and to provide refreshments as well as others to serve the refreshments following the service. If you are interested in helping please sign up on the sign up sheet that is located in the lobby.   We are also one of the sites for the Holiday Stroll on Saturday, Nov. 24th from 4pm-8pm and likewise need greeters who can direct people in the lobby, at the bottom of the stairs going up to the sanctuary and on the second floor of the lobby.  We also need some volunteers to help with the clean up at 8:00pm as well. We need many people to make this work so please sign up and plan to join us for an hour, a couple of hours, or all night!  The sign up sheet is located in the lobby.   St. Joseph's Mobile Health Unit Comes to Cafe Agape This past Wednesday, the Mobile Health Unit from St. Joseph's Hospital came to Cafe Agape for what we hope will be a weekly event. They offer accessible and FREE, awareness and health education services, including free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI). No insurance required and no identification required! Anyone and everyone is welcome to take advantage of their services. They will be in the parking lot behind Main St. UMC again next Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 12:30. Come check them out and let them check you out! -submitted by Mary Marchese Letter from Nancy Winsor Nancy Winsor, who was the organist and choir director at Main Street UMC from 1964 to 1970, wrote this letter to Pastor Rich after attending the 150th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, September 30.   Oct. 1, 2018 Dear Pastor Cullen, What a joy yesterday was! I was so happy to be with you folks. I felt so honored when you mentioned 1965! I loved my work at Main St. Methodist. Ernie Drake was the pastor and we worked together so well. His wife sang in the choir. When everyone was there, we'd have 24 in the adult choir—6 on each part. We made beautiful music together. And that organ is a joy to play! The 4 choirs—very young, children, teen, and adult, kept me busy, but I loved it.   My husband, Gordon, grew up singing in a boys' choir, so he has always been so supportive of all my activities. All the changes and the new building and all the changes in the old are so impressive and beautiful. That took a lot of thought and planning. Congratulations to everyone!   The one thing that impressed me the most in yesterday's service was the focus was not on the building, but on the people.   Thank you for all of your hard work. You must have been so pleased with yesterday's activities.   We moved up to Jefferson 48 years ago! I've made lots of music up here and I still teach piano and organ in my studio. We've had a happy life. All these years I've kept in touch with Sally Curtis.   May your life be filled with joy helping and inspiring people!   Nancy Winsor Latest on UMCOR Disaster Relief In case you want an update on what UMCOR is doing to help with disasters, here it is!   https://www.neumc.org/disasterresponsenews   Thanks for your gifts.   -submitted by Phyllis Appler National Animal Hospice Day is Saturday, November 3rd   National Animal Hospice Day offers pet caregivers an opportunity to learn more about hospice and palliative care for four-legged family members in order to better understand the options and resources available when they reach the end of their lives.   MSUMC makes animal hospice and palliative care available through the Creature Prayer Chain, visits, and loving support for both pets and their caretakers.   Options for the comfort and care of pets who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, debilitating condition or are nearing the end of their lives can be explored as caretakers process their grief and spiritually prepare for the loss of their beloved companion.   For more information about animal hospice at MSUMC, please contact Carolyn Ekle at thepowerofpoodle@aol.com, 603-888-8058, or Pastor Rich.   For additional information about the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care: https://www.iaahpc.org. What Do You Know? How good are you with important facts? For example, which of the recent four former pastors of MSUMC stayed the longest in consecutive years? Rev. Ralph Bruce Rev. Dave Svenson Rev. Lauren Sue Job Rev. Gwen Purushotham Click below for the answer.  Outline History of MSUMC Historic Tidbit With this year being our 150th Anniversary, 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.        Twenty-one:   "The new year of 1957 was one of change, and Reverend Edward Milley succeeded Reverend Barrett. It was during Reverend Milley's pastorate that the excavation beneath the church, a new church office and ladies parlor were finally initiated, carried forward, and completed…The project was divided into three phases: Part One was to be excavation; Part Two vestry renovation; Part Three the new cloakroom, office and pastor's study."   "The excavation under the church was accomplished by digging below the foundation; in the driveway between the church and the Salvation Army [15 Temple St. at that time] A small tractor with backhoe and bucket went under the building and brought out the dirt and deposited it in hauling trucks. This was a rather detailed responsibility – steel plates were fastened to supporting timbers, together with supporting lally columns, giving no appreciable building cracks or other concerns during the projects." Copyright © 2018 Mainstreet Online, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. 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.

October 21, 2018 Mainstreeter Online

October 21, 2018  A Word from the Pastor   "O, taste and see that the Lord is Good" Psalm 34:8   Having grown up in a home where spices were rarely if ever used in cooking, I have been a very late bloomer when it comes to eating and enjoying spicy food. In fact, it wasn't until I was in my 60's that I began to use even so basic a spice as black pepper. Prior to that time I would have said that I just didn't like it. At some point though I decided to use pepper on something that I was eating and lo and behold, I discovered that it tasted really good!  What a surprise? Why had I waited so long to make this discovery? The Psalmist reminds us that this same reality is true when it comes to the spiritual life. Sometimes we just have to step out on a limb and "taste and see" what there is to offer in the world of spiritual spices. Have you convinced yourself that reading the sacred scriptures is beyond your capability? Taste and see. Have you been reluctant to experiment with forms of prayer other than what you have grown up with? Taste and see. Have you thought about incorporating meditation into your life but have been hesitant to do so? Taste and see. Have you heard about that "chair" yoga class here at church and thought that's not for me? Taste and see.  There is a saying that goes like this, "variety is the spice of life". As we think about the spiritual life to which we have all been called variety is also of great value. You may discover that there are spiritual practices that enable you to experience God in ways you could not have imagined before. So, taste and see what might heighten your awareness of the divine presence in your life and yes, spice things up! Announcements Calendar Worship Ahead 10/28     The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost               Reformation Sunday               Scripture:  Psalm 34:1-8; Mark 10:46-52 Theme: "Seeing and Following Jesus"- There are many ways of seeing. The Psalmist declares, "O taste and see that the Lord is good" reminding us that it takes all of our senses to truly experience the divine presence in our lives. Likewise, Jesus heals the blind Bartimaeus so that seeing, he may also "follow Jesus on the way." How is your sight these days? Are you seeing clear enough to likewise follow Jesus? Stewardship Reminder   Many thanks to everyone who has filled out their pledge card in support of the mission and ministry of the church in 2019. Today we dedicated them to God during our Consecration Sunday worship service. Your generous commitment for the programs of the church is greatly appreciated. It is not too late (and never is) to make your pledge if you have not done so as yet. Extra pledge cards can be found at the rear of the sanctuary or can be sent to you if you request one from the church office. The office phone number is 882-3361 or e-mail at office@mainstreet-umc.org  Thank you in advance for your attention to this reminder. F Troop Pumpkin Festival Saturday October 27, 2018 6:00pm Church Vestry                 Pumpkins and pumpkin treats will abound at the F Troop Pumpkin Festival!               The  F Troop is our over 40 fellowship group here at Main Street and we               invite you to join us for a potluck dinner featuring pumpkin pies and               breads, and whatever pumpkin treats our members would like to bring.                (If you don't like pumpkin there will be plenty of other good things to               eat as well.)  It will also be a GAME NIGHT, so bring your favorite               party  game and be prepared for a howling good time (I had to put in a               nod to Halloween somewhere!) A sign up sheet will be posted on the               bulletin board under the clock in the vestry-we hope to see you there.              -submitted by Mavis Pyle CROP Hunger Walk    In this 34th year of the CROP Hunger Walk in Nashua, we will step out from Temple Beth Abraham at 1:30 on Sunday, October 28 to fight hunger in Nashua and beyond. The missions committee will provide a lunch for walkers, so just come to church ready to walk!  If you haven't signed up yet, you can still do it on Sunday, October 28, and walk with our Main Street group. You can raise money for CROP online by going to http://nashuacropwalk.blogspot.com and clicking on the CROP stop sign, then find the Main Street UMC team! Add yourself if you want to walk, supporting the whole team! If you signed up to sponsor our CROP walk team, give your check to Nonny by October 28 since it must be turned in that day. If it's too late to do that, please support us online. -submitted by Phyllis Applier  Update on the Spirituality Group The Spirituality Group meeting (SGM) has come to stay. It is one of the outcomes of our active participation, as church, in addressing the issues that continue to impact the total well-being of our present-day community; the Cafe Agape being one of such avenues for daily interaction. The total registration is now eleven people, who currently show up at the weekly meetings, at their own pace, subject to the flexibility of each one's schedule. Members are always meeting with the conviviality that is expected of the group.  Blessings! 🙏💒🙏 Nonny Egbuonu Craft Workshop for Fair Friday, Oct. 26 10-2:00 church vestry   Join us as we gather to make decorated candles, fall arrangements and wreaths. Materials will be supplied but bring favorite scissors, tweezers, glue gun, thick tacky glue if you have them. Drop in as you are able or bring your lunch and stay the full time. Contact Pam Breniser at pjbreniser@gmail.com with any questions. What do you know? How good are you with important facts? For example, when was lexan (a polycarbonate sheet) installed to cover and protect our beautiful stained glass windows? 1959 1962 1975 1981 Click below for the answer.  Outline History of MSUMC Historic Tidbit With this year being our 150th Anniversary, 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.        Twenty:   [Sometime around 1956] "a committee had been formed to explore the propriety of locating at another site. Several sites were considered but eventually refused as not completely fulfilling all the anticipated needs such as we had at Main Street…In desperation, and the need of additional classroom space, it was finally agreed that a new effort should be directed to make "soundings" to determine the extent to which excavation could be accomplished. The Fortescue Construction Company completed the research and to the surprise of all, no rock or ledge existed beneath the church."   "Again the advisability of spending additional money at the Main Street site with all its 'ills' was paramount. The cost of a new church would have been over $300,000.00 as a minimum Tracy and Hildreth, architects, were authorized to make 'plan' drawings of the proposed alterations. These were photographed on slides and later projected on the screen so all could see and discuss the pros and cons at our meetings." Copyright © 2018 Mainstreet Online, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. 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.