August 22 Online Mainstreeter

 

 August 22, 2019

  

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

REMIND US

 

God in whose love we are made,

when bread is before us

remind us of the hungry.

 

When our key is in our door

remind us of those who have no home.

 

When we enjoy the opportunities of money in our pockets

remind us of those who only know poverty.

 

When the laughter of friendship fills our hearing

remind us of those who know only loneliness.

 

When the love of our family keeps us safe

remind us of those whose family was the place of their pain,

 

When we wonder what it is we can do,

remind us that you said:

 

"Whenever you feed the hungry, clothe the naked,

welcome the stranger, visit the prisoner,

you do it to me."

 

Remind us

 

And lead us to do

as you call us to do.

 

Amen.

 

Ewan Aitken, Scotland

Taken from 50 New Prayers from the Iona Community

Selected by Neil Paynter, pp. 74, 75

 

 

    As the summer of 2019 draws to an end it is good for us to ask God to "remind us" what life has been like for those for whom summer does not represent much of a change from the rest of the seasons.  While many of us have been able to "get away" to distant places of interest, to summer homes on the lake, to exciting adventures that have provided us with opportunities for fun and relaxation, many in our community have continued the struggle that for them is what is normal. 

 

    I am grateful for the change of pace that summer brings to my life and grateful for the opportunities to do different things that allow me to feel renewed and refreshed.  This change brought on by summer is so needed in my life and I am sure in your life as well.  There are many people though- the elderly, the homeless, those struggling with illness (physical or mental), the under employed or the unemployed (yes, there are some!) for whom summer is not any different than any other time of the year.  We need to be reminded of what life is like for those less fortunate than ourselves and as we resume our more normal activities include in them times of service, of listening, of commitment to positive changes for the many and not just the few. 

 

    I hope that you are able to squeeze a few more interesting and renewing activities in before summer real does come to an end.  There are lots of opportunities that will await you to do the work of Christ in our community.  My prayer is that each one of us will be able to find that "right" place for us to serve others in gratitude for the renewal that we have experienced.

 

                                                                                                                                Renewed for the work ahead,

 

                                                                                                                                Pastor Rich

 

 

WORSHIP AHEAD

8/18       The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

                Special Music: Rev. Dr. Kwan Lee and Susan Laurence; Jesse Bedell and Irene Harris

Organist: John Pagett

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 13:10-17

Theme:  When the Rules are Just Wrong!- Jesus was often confronted by rules that he felt were contrary to what God desired in any given situation.  How did Jesus respond in such cases and how should we respond when faced with rules that are just wrong?

 

 

DEDICATION OF CHILDREN'S BACKPACKS

This coming Sunday during the Children's Time in worship we will offer a prayer of dedication for the backpacks and other bags that our children so depend upon as they begin a new school year.  Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks with them to worship.  See you on Sunday!

 

 

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

We are in need of a couple of individuals who can assist with the Opera Concert on Saturday night (see below).  We need someone to take the money and others to act as greeters.  If interested please let Pastor Rich know by e-mailing him at pastor@mainstreet-umc.org 

 

 

OPERA COMES TO MSUMC

During the months of July and August the Main Street UMC will be co-hosting two operatic concerts.  The first was held on Saturday, July 27^th and the second concert will be held on Saturday, August 24^th also at 7:00pm.  It is titled, "La Traviata in Concert" and features selections from La Traviata.  The cost for each concert is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children or seniors.  Our portion of the proceeds will go towards the church's organ fund.  Come enjoy an evening of beautiful music in air-conditioned comfort.

 

 

CAFÉ AGAPE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Café Agape, our outreach to our neighbors both homeless and those in vulnerable situations, has once again closed for the month of August but will re-open on Tuesday, September 3^rd.  Café Agape is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-10:00am and provides a safe place for our neighbors to gather for coffee, food, and conversation.  We are in need of more volunteers.  You can volunteer one day a month; one day a week; or however often you would like.  If interested please be in touch with either Pat Kerrigan or Shirley Michael.  Their e-mail addresses respectively are: pkerrigan27@comcast.net or smichael-1@comcast.net Thank you for your consideration!

 

 

BACKPACKS

Thank you for all of the backpacks and school supplies for the Nashua Soup Kitchen.  They will help many children get off to a good start this fall.

 

 

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS

·         August 28 Workshop - Please plan to come for a fun evening to put together easy projects for the Annual Yuletide Fair in November.  Bring your glue gun/glue sticks, Tacky glue, scissors.  Other supplies and materials provided.

 

·         Did you know that ALL women of the church are UMW members?

You are all welcome to attend the monthly meetings, September through June, usually held the third Wednesday of the month.  However, even if you do not come to the meetings, we still need your help!

 

We are asking each of you to provide 3 HANDMADE items to be sold at the Yuletide Fair.  These can be painted, knitted, glued or baked, etc.   In other words, anything goes, as long as YOU made it!

 

·         Yuletide Fair will be held on November 9 - We are hoping to have a successful Fair again this year, so that we can continue our mission donations. Co-chairs for this year's Fair:   Phyllis Appler and Sara Chambers

 

 

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August 15 Online Mainstreeter

  August 15, 2019

 

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

A Future Not Our Own (also known as 'The Long View')

Bishop Ken Untener, who included it in a reflection titled "The Mystery of the Romero Prayer."

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."

    I shared this prayer as a litany following my sermon this past Sunday.  Since it was only on the screen and not included in the hard copy of the order of worship I thought that I would include it here so that you might see it again and perhaps even save it for future use.  I first used this prayer in September of 2013 at the first Leadership Summit when we kicked off the Heart of Nashua capital campaign.  In many ways it served as a reminder to us that the process of becoming the church that we believe God is calling us to be is a long, sometimes slow, process that requires faith, determination, and perseverance.  Interestingly, when a small group of us participated in the Growing with Hope program in 2014 this same prayer was presented to us (framed) and it was requested that we hang it somewhere in the church.  Our framed copy hangs in the hallway outside the office (between the bulletin boards) on the far wall so please take a look the next time you are here.

                                                                                                                                Prophets of a Future Not Our Own,

                                                                                                                                Pastor Rich

 

 

WORSHIP AHEAD

8/18       The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

                Special Music: Kelly Brown, Dan McDonald, and Andrea Weir

Organist: John Pagett

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56

Theme:  Running with Perseverance- Having listed numerous Old Testament saints as part of the "cloud of witnesses" who cheer us on, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to "run the race with perseverance" with Jesus as our model and guide.  What might this race look like for each one of us?

 

 

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

Each week we will try to highlight a particular opportunity for you to serve in and through the Main Street UMC.

 

You are invited to help serve at the food pantry (Nashua Soup Kitchen) this coming Sunday from 1:30pm-4:00pm.  This is our once a month commitment to providing food on a weekend so that people who work during the week (but still need food) have the opportunity to get some.

 

 

OPERA COMES TO MSUMC

During the months of July and August the Main Street UMC will be co-hosting two operatic concerts.  The first was held on Saturday, July 27^th and the second concert will be held on Saturday, August 24^th also at 7:00pm.  It is titled, "La Traviata in Concert" and features selections from La Traviata.  The cost for each concert is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children or seniors.  Our portion of the proceeds will go towards the church's organ fund.  Come enjoy an evening of beautiful music in air conditioned comfort.

 

 

CAFÉ AGAPE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Café Agape, our outreach to our neighbors both homeless and those in vulnerable situations, has once again closed for the month of August but will re-open on Tuesday, September 3^rd.  Café Agape is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-10:00am and provides a safe place for our neighbors to gather for coffee, food, and conversation.  We are in need of some more volunteers.  You can volunteer one day a month; one day a week; or however often you would like.  If interested please be in touch with either Pat Kerrigan or Shirley Michael .  Their e-mail addresses respectively are: pkerrigan27@comcast.net or smichael-1@comcast.net Thank you for your consideration!

 

 

Trolling for Tuna Searching for Soup

Let's do this on August 18. That way we can take the soup and tuna with us on the third Sunday when we have our own food pantry! Leave your cans in the Food Pantry Bin in the lobby or vestry.

 

Thank you!   Missions Work Area

 

 

UMW Workshop Postponed

Due to vacation travels, the UMW Workshop scheduled for August 21 has been postponed to the following week, August 28.  It will be in the Vestry from 7-9pm.

 

 

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August 8 Online Mainstreeter

 

 August 8, 2019

  

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Luke 12:32

 

    Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer we repeat the words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  These words express a sentiment that people of faith have expressed since Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples nearly 2,000 years ago.  It reflects Jesus' own passion which was that the earth that we know and experience would come to reflect the will of God as evidenced in heaven.  Jesus longed for the day when the values of heaven would become the values of earth.  Jesus worked throughout his short life for the transformation of his society from one that valued money over people and power over peace.  To this end Jesus died at the hands of the powers that felt threatened by his efforts.

    The fact that we have been praying these words for nearly 2,000 years might lead us to believe that the triumph of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of this world is never going to happen.  Yet, Jesus assures his followers that "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom".  If this is the case, what is the hold up? Why are we still waiting?  Well, the answer lies in the way in which God has always chosen to bring about transformation in our world.  Rather than swooping in and setting things straight once and for all, God has always preferred to work through human beings like you and me.  We are partners in God's work of kingdom building.  We have to do our part!

    God is faithful and indeed has time and again worked through willing servants (Moses, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, etc.) to deliver the oppressed and to bring about a new world of peace and justice for many.  It is indeed God's good pleasure to establish a kingdom in which all human life is valued, in which the marginalized find their way to the center, and in which people see their connectedness to all people and to the creation itself.  It is up to each one of us to likewise be faithful in doing our part however small and seemingly irrelevant it may be so that the kingdom of God might become a reality now and for all time. 

                                                                                                                                                Partners with God

                                                                                                                                                Pastor Rich

 

 

WORSHIP AHEAD

8/11     The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

             Vacation Bible School Celebration

             Special Music: Rose/Sommer families

Organist: John Pagett

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40

Theme:  Kingdom Faith- What is the relationship between faith and the kingdom (kindom) of God? What does faith look like? How does it get manifested in the lives of saints who are working for the sake of the kingdom of God? 

 

 

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

Each week we will try to highlight a particular opportunity for you to serve in and through the Main Street UMC.

 

After the busy-ness of Vacation Bible School week we have a much needed lull in our church activities- enjoy it while you can! These weeks don't come often in the life of a busy church.

 

 

URGENT - VESTRY MONITORS NEEDED

The safety committee needs two volunteers to act as vestry monitors during Sunday church services for the month of Aug. If you can do a Sunday, please email Paul Pederzani at pped@comcast.net with your availability.

 

 

Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter's Backpack Drive

A bin is available in the lobby for donations to the Soup Kitchen's Backpack Drive. Fill it with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and the other things needed for back to school! Sales are on right now! Donations will be welcome Sunday, August 11. We appreciate ALL new donations!

 

 

Trolling for Tuna Searching for Soup

Let's do this on the Second and Third Sundays in August, August 11 and 18. That way we can take the soup and tuna with us on the third Sunday when we have our own food pantry! Leave your cans in the Food Pantry Bin in the lobby or vestry.

 

 

Announcements

Calendar

 

 

August 1 Online Mainstreeter

 

 August 1, 2019

 

 

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

"Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter,

find the frame where we are freed: Clear the chaos and the clutter,

clear our eyes that we can see all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be."

Verse one of "Come and Find the Quiet Center, TFWS, #2128

 

    Earlier this year I received the invitation to become a member of the Executive Board of the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center (see the Rolling Ridge article later in this issue of the Mainstreeter).  Rolling Ridge has been a part of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church for over 70 years now and I have had the opportunity to experience its many retreat offerings for nearly 35 years.  Given that the "Ridge" is less than an hour away in North Andover, MA I jumped at the opportunity to be more intimately involved in its mission as a retreat center. 

    That said, I would also like for you to experience Rolling Ridge and its many programs because I believe that the retreat experience, whether it be a day-long, weekend-long, or week-long retreat can have a significant impact on one's spiritual journey.  From time to time in the Mainstreeter I will highlight an up-coming program with the hope that you will get excited enough to sign up for it.  There is usually something for everyone and it is my expectation that one of the programs will prove to be just what you need in your life.

    Should you want to know more about Rolling Ridge I would love to speak with you about it.  In recent years the Ridge has seen many improvements and now is able to bill itself (honestly) as "New England's Premiere Christian Retreat Center".  The retreat house itself is 100 years old this year and was built as the home of Ethan Allen.  The grounds are beautiful and it sits on the shore of beautiful Lake Cochichewick which allows for canoeing and kayaking experiences.

    I hope that I am successful in whetting your appetite for some of the many opportunities that Rolling Ridge has to offer.  Be sure to check it out on-line for more information or check out the Summer/Fall Program booklet that can be found both in the lobby and in the vestry at church.

If you are feeling the need to "find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead" I can think of no better place to do so than at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center.

                                                                                                                Blessings on the remainder of your summer,

Pastor Rich

 

 

WORSHIP AHEAD

8/4         The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

                Guest Preacher: Rev. David Svenson

                Special Music: Lisa Svenson and Susan Joy

Organist: John Pagett

 

 

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

Each week we will try to highlight a particular opportunity for you to serve in and through the Main Street UMC.

 

This week's opportunity is to volunteer to assist with our Vacation Bible School program which will take place from Monday, August 5^th through Friday, August 9^th.  Please speak to either Susan Pederzani or Andrea Weir should you want to get involved.

 

 

URGENT - VESTRY MONITORS NEEDED

The safety committee needs two volunteers to act as vestry monitors during Sunday church services for the month of Aug. If you can do a Sunday, please email Paul Pederzani at pped@comcast.net with your availability.

 

 

PASTOR'S VACATION PLANS

Pastor Rich will be on vacation beginning Tuesday, July 30^th through Friday, August 9^th.  Our guest preacher next Sunday will be Rev. Dave Svenson.  Pastor Dave was pastor of the Main Street UMC from 1992-2000.  We are pleased that in retirement Pastor Dave and his wife, Linda, claim Nashua and the Main Street UMC as home.

 

 

ROLLING RIDGE: OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RETREAT CENTER!

Did you know that our Annual Conference owns and runs a retreat center for adults that is less than an hour away from Nashua? That's right, the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, located in North Andover, MA is our neighborhood retreat center and a place with which you will want to be acquainted if you are not already!  Here is how Rolling Ridge is described on its web site:

 

Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center is a peaceful, beautiful and historic place offering hospitality and programs for the renewal of spirit and transformation of the world.  Nestled on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Massachusetts, the 40 room Georgian estate on 38 acres of woods, rolling hills and lakefront is the perfect setting for retreats and conferences, day meetings, or personal retreats. Twenty two bedrooms accommodate 40 adults and special youth accommodations sleep 75. Chef prepared delicious meals in the lakeview dining room are sure to please groups and individuals. Two labyrinths, nature trails, a summer pool and the Ridge Wellness Center provide opportunity for relaxation, recreation and refreshment. Why not check out some of the week day and weekend programs that are available at Rolling Ridge by visiting their web site www.rollingridge.org  Or check out the flyer found on the bulletin board under the clock in the vestry and on the table in the lobby.  There is something for everyone at Rolling Ridge!

 

 

THIS MONTH'S ROLLING RIDGE OFFERING

I am aware that many MSUMC members received the daily e-mail from Richard Rohr and that these e-mails are a part of your regular spiritual discipline.  Well, I have good news for you!  Rolling Ridge has become home to a Richard Rohr community which meets on the second Sunday of every month and offers book studies and other programs from the Center for Action and Contemplation.  Here's what the Rolling Ridge web site has to say about this program:

 

Join the Rohr Action and Contemplation Small Group. Rolling Ridge Executive Director Lawrence Jay describes it as a drop-in group for anyone interested in Richard Rohr or in finding a community in this spiritual-but-not-religious context in which we live.

 

The group meets at 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month; sessions are about 90 minutes.

 

Do you receive the Daily Meditations sent by Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation?

Have you read a book by Richard Rohr?

Have you participated in the CONSPIRE conference hosted by CAC?

Are you a graduate of the CAC Living School?

Do you wonder where you fit into today's spiritual landscape?

Are you looking for community with others who have a unitive, non-dualistic, mystical heart?

 

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, we invite you to join us at our Richard Rohr Action and Contemplation small group.  We meet on the second Sundays of the month from 3:00-4:30 pm at the Rolling Ridge Center for Spirituality and Leadership (CSL).  Each month we begin with a contemplative practice and then engage in conversation that deepens our understanding and inspires our heart as we seek to integrate a Richard Rohr writing into our daily lives.  No registration is required to attend.  You are welcome to join us when you are able.  For more information on this monthly event or to be added to the distribution list regarding other upcoming Richard Rohr/Center for Action and Contemplation events, contact Rolling Ridge Executive Director, Lawrence Jay at lawrence.jay@rollingridge.org.

 

If you would be interested in attending the session on August 11^th please speak to Pastor Rich and we can arrange to go.  If not in August, let's plan to go on September 8^th.

 

 

Announcements

Calendar

 

 

Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter's Backpack Drive

A bin is available in the lobby for donations to the Soup Kitchen's Backpack Drive. Fill it with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and the other things needed for back to school! Sales are on right now! Donations will be welcome through the first two Sundays in August. We appreciate ALL new donations!

 

                 List of Supplies

 

Backpacks for Boys & Girls Grades Kindergarten – 12th

2" Three Ring Binders -- required in High School

Loose leaf filler paper

Tabbed Dividers

Spiral notebooks

#2 Pencils

Handheld Pencil Sharpener

Separate erasers

Pens

12" Rulers

Protractor or multi-piece Drafting package

Bottled glue

Glue sticks

Scotch tape

Staplers (mini or desk size)

Student Scissors (Safety scissors for younger students)

Dry-Erase Markers for all grades (when called up to the board)

Crayons (Boxes of 24)

Colored pencils (Bright or Bold)

Washable colored markers

Pencil boxes or Pouches for elementary school children

Lunch Boxes/Snack Bags for elementary school children

Calculators for High School students

Dictionary (one per family)

Index Cards

8GB (or larger) flash drive for High School students