October 4, 2019
"For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints- and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us." Second Corinthians 8:3-5
When it comes to Christian stewardship to whom or to what do you give? When you write out your check or give electronically or put your cash in the offering plate, to whom are you giving your contribution? My hope is that each of us takes to heart the words of the apostle Paul which he spoke to the Christians in Corinth. In this passage Paul is using the example of the Christians in Macedonia to inspire and motivate the Corinthians in their own giving. The Macedonian Christians gave both according to their means and even above their means because they first gave themselves to God and with the understanding that they were giving to God first and foremost.
Although the Main Street UMC has numerous financial obligations and therefore creates a budget to insure that these commitments are met, when it comes to our giving through the church we need to give ourselves first and then, our gifts to God rather than to the church budget. We too need to follow the example of the Macedonian Christians. When we are conscious of the decision to give first to God and only secondarily to the needs of the church our focus is in the right place- that of acknowledging that all that we have and all that we are is God's gift to us.
As you prayerfully consider filling out a pledge card for the year 2020 I would invite you to spend some time reflecting on God's many blessings in your life and determine that you will give accordingly- both of yourself and your time and talents, and of your financial resources. May your decision be grounded in prayer, motivated by faith, and an expression of love to God and to the world. Please come prepared to make your commitment at our Consecration Sunday worship services on Sunday, October 20th.
Stewards Together,
Pastor Rich
WORSHIP AHEAD
10/6 The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dave Svenson
Fall Stewardship Campaign Continues: Stewardship speakers- Bill Francis (8:15am) and The Swedish Chef (10:30am)
Choir singing
CONSECRATION SUNDAY REMINDER
By now you should have received an invitation from Elizabeth Wilds, our Stewardship chairperson, inviting you to fill out your pledge of support for the mission and ministry of the Main Street United Methodist Church for the year 2020. Please plan to be with us, pledge card in hand, on Sunday, October 20th. On this day we will consecrate all pledges of support to God. All pledges, no matter their size, are significant. We thank you in advance for your commitment to God and to the Main Street UMC. If you are unable to be present in worship on October 20th please be sure to mail in your pledge card in advance. If you, for some reason, did not receive Elizabeth's letter and the pledge card please call the church office and one will be mailed to you.
The church office number is 882-3361.
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.
At the most recent Church Council meeting the decision was made to begin to use our regular coffee cups during our fellowship time on Sunday morning instead of Styrofoam cups. This will require that they be washed afterwards using our commercial dishwasher. Needless to say, we are in need of a number of people who would be willing to learn to use the dishwasher. If interested please speak to Pastor Rich or Jerry Harrow. Thank you for your assistance in helping to remove hundreds or thousands of Styrofoam cups from our landfill during the years to come!
PASTOR'S VACATION PLANS
Pastor Rich will be on vacation beginning Tuesday, October 1st through Friday, October 11th. Rev. Dave Svenson will be our guest preacher for both the 8:15am and 10:30am services on Sunday, October 6th.
UP-COMING DISTRICT EVENTS
The next District Resource Day will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 9am-3pm at the Eliot, ME United Methodist Church. The focus of this day will be on a "How to Reach New People" and will be led by nationally known church consultant, Rev. Paul Nickerson.
CALLING ALL UNITED METHODIST MEN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST
We have begun our new program year at Main Street United Methodist and want to invite all to come and share our hot breakfast and program every month. Our events are held on the first Saturday of each month with the breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the program following at 9:00 a.m. Our goal is to arrange interesting programs with local community leaders who provide information to our attendees about those things going on in our community that we need to know about…political, economic, community non-profit, religious, and Nashua and the surrounding area activities that benefit our community. We also like to take recommendations for interesting topics to heart to ensure that your personal requests for special meetings get arranged.
The next Men's Breakfast will be on Saturday, October 5th at 8:30am. Mark your calendar and plan to attend! All men and friends are welcome!
HAM AND BEAN SUPPER!
We will hold our first Ham and Bean Supper of the fall on Saturday, October 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. As always, the meal features ham, two kinds of beans, coleslaw, potato salad, beverage, bread, and pie.
Adults: $10
Seniors: $9
Children 6 to 12: $4
Children 5 and under: Free!
Bring your friends and neighbors to this outreach, fellowship, and traditional food event!
Want to help a little bit more? Watch for the sign-up sheet and help in one of the following ways:
- Bake or buy a pie or two.
- Work as a waiter or waitress at tables on the day of the supper.
- Help with dishwashing or serving in the kitchen?
- Help with setup before the meal begins on Saturday?
See David Appler or contact him at pappler@earthlink.net if you have questions about these opportunities.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Join us for our 34th annual
Greater Nashua CROP Hunger Walk
The event begins and ends at:
Temple Beth Abraham
4 Raymond Street, Nashua
Registration: Noon to 1 p.m.
Opening Ceremony: 1 p.m.
Walk: 1:30 p.m.
followed by food, music, and celebration!
If you prefer to raise funds or donate online, go to
https://www.crophungerwalk.org/nashuanh/Static/Team-List and sign up or donate!
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