Tuesday, March 31, 2020

March 31 Mainstreeter On-line Blast

 

 

 March 31, 2020

 

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

    It has now been a couple of weeks since we have been able to gather together for worship or other usual church activities although many groups have continued to meet "virtually" through ZOOM and Google or through the live streaming of our Sunday morning worship service.  Our current situation is forcing us to learn new ways to be church in the 21st century.  We are learning how to stay connected as members of the body of Christ when we cannot "see" each other in the normal way or "touch" each other with handshakes, hugs, and high fives.  While I regret all of this I am nonetheless grateful for the technology that is available to us today, but was not available all that long ago.  We have the ability to stay connected in meaningful ways because of this technology.  Thanks be to God for this incredible gift!

 

    Starting today we are moving from a weekly e-mail "blast" to a bi-weekly e-mail "blast" so that we can share with each other.  Besides hearing from me, I would love to hear from you as well.  If you have a prayer, short reading, or reflection that you would like to share with the wider community, please e-mail it to me and it will be added to the blast.  It would especially be good to hear how you are maintaining your own sense of equilibrium during a time when everything that we have normally depended on has been shifting day to day.  How are you caring for your soul? What is sustaining you?

 

    The New England Conference each day has been sharing a "prayer for the day" written by the bishop or one of the members of the extended cabinet.  If you would like to receive this daily e-mail  please sign up by going to the conference website neumc.org I would like to share with you one of the prayers from the past week that is based on the reading from the Hebrew for this past Sunday:

 

God of compassion,
as we stand alone on this vast plain
surrounded by dry bones 
we recall the prophecy:
"When I put breath in you, and you come to life,
you will know that I am the Lord."
Your breath brings life;
breathe on us so that we can
     wait out this season in hope, even as we struggle
     feel your presence, even in our fear
     open our hearts in love, even as our doors are closed
     hear your wisdom, even as so many voices surround us
     dance, even if it feels like our bones are dry and our souls are weary,

and be restored by the joy of your salvation. Amen

 

By Beth DiCocco, Conference Director of Communications
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

 

    I look forward to staying in touch with each of you during this time of "staying at home" and trust that we will each experience God's presence in new and unexpected ways as we are exiled from one another.

                                                                                                                                With Love and Affection,

 

                                                                                                                                Pastor Rich

 

Staying Connected

 

Phone callingVolunteers have been reaching out to our membership by making phone calls.  To date just about everyone whose last names begin with "A-P" have been called.  I am still looking for other volunteers so that everyone is called during this time.  We are finding though that so many of the land line numbers that we have in our church data base are no longer in use.  If you no longer have a land line but would still like your number to be in our data base please provide your cell phone number to our Administrative Assistant, Debra Zagaeski and she will add it.  Thank you for your assistance.

 

Pastoral Care NeedsWhile we are checking the church voice mail boxes daily please do not hesitate to call Pastor Rich on his cell phone if there is a need for pastoral care during this time.  His cell phone number is 207-577-7915.  

 

Worship Videos 

 

Wednesday live stream:  Beginning on Wednesday, April 1st Pastor Rich will be sharing a brief (20 minute) live streamed devotional.  It will be live at 10:30am but will also be posted to our facebook page and website home page for later viewing.

 

Sunday live stream:  Although we are no longer able to do the live streaming of our worship service from the sanctuary, Pastor Rich is live streaming a service from home which is available on-demand on Facebook shortly after the service. You can use the Facebook app on a smartphone, or a web browser on a computer. "Like" our page and you will be notified when we go live each Sunday.

 

If you choose to not use a Facebook login, you can still access the live stream during the service time from our web site home page by going to the box to the right (you may need to refresh the page if you arrive early). Previous worship services are available by scrolling down through the postings.

 

Giving During This Uncertain Time

 

Although we are scaling back most of our church activities which will reduce our expenses during this time, we still have staff who will be working- cleaning the church thoroughly; providing office assistance from home; offering music for our "virtual" worship services; providing pastoral care remotely, etc.- so  we will still be incurring expenses that will need to be covered as best we can.  To the extent that you are able please maintain your financial pledge or give regularly.  Contributions can either be mailed in to the church or you can utilize our on-line giving options by going to the following web address:

 

www.mainstreet-umc.org/giving

 

Thank you for your on-going support, for your prayers, and for your faithfulness to God and one another.

 

Announcements

 

Friday, March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020 Mainstreeter On-line

 

 

 March 27, 2020

 

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

By now you should have received the word that the CDC is recommending that there be no gatherings of ten or more people for the foreseeable future.  With that guidance and the recommendation of our Safety Committee we have decided to close the church to all public gatherings effective March 18, 2020 and until further notice.  Thankfully, since we have already been live streaming our worship services for some time now, we will be able to continue to bring worship to you wherever you are.  Please see elsewhere in this "blast" just what you need to do in order to access the live stream or to listen to it at a later time.

 

    Recently, Ken Sinclair shared with me the following poem by the Irish poet, theologian, and Catholic priest, Father John O'Donohue.  This poem was included in his book of poems, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.  Although written in 2007 the message of this poem could not be more important for us to hear than it is now.  May we find in these words a reminder of just how we need to live in this moment and may we know in our heart of hearts that "time will come good" again.

 

"This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning." 




WORSHIP AHEAD

 

3/29      The Fifth Sunday in Lent/ The Second Sunday in Exile

                Special Music: Emily Adams and Irene Harris

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45

Theme:  What Will Resurrection Look Like?- Beyond death there is always resurrection or new life.  In these scripture readings resurrection is promised both to the nation of Israel and to the family of Lazarus.  Jesus proclaims himself to be "the resurrection and the life".  What will resurrection look like for our nation and for ourselves when this crisis is over? 

 

 

 

Worship On-line

Video of the main Sunday Worship service is streamed live each week, and available on-demand on Facebook shortly after the service. You can use the Facebook app on a smartphone, or a web browser on a computer. "Like" our page and you will be notified when we go live each Sunday.

If you choose to not use a Facebook login, you can still access the live stream during the service time in the box to the right (you may need to refresh the page if you arrive early). Previous worship services are available by scrolling down through the postings.

 

Giving During This Uncertain Time

Although we are scaling back most of our church activities which will reduce our expenses during this time, we still have staff who will be working- cleaning the church thoroughly; providing office assistance from home; offering music for our "virtual" worship services; providing pastoral care remotely, etc.- so  we will still be incurring expenses that will need to be covered as best we can.  To the extent that you are able please maintain your financial pledge or give regularly.  Contributions can either be mailed in to the church or you can utilize our on-line giving options by going to the following web address:

www.mainstreet-umc.org/giving Easter Flowers

Easter Flowers

Due to the church being closed at this time, we will not be ordering Easter Plants.  If you have already placed an order, your money will be refunded.  Thank you for understanding and stay healthy.   The Worship Committee

 

 

F- Troop News

Due to the Corona Virus No F-Troop Events are scheduled at this time.

 

 

April Ham and Bean Supper

Due to the Corona Virus No Ham and Bean Supper in April

 

 

February 2020 Finance Snapshot

General Fund (GF)

Total GF Income Received as of 2/29/2020: $85,103.98*

Total GF Income Budgeted through 2/29/2020: $74,258

Total GF Expenses Paid through 2/29/2020: $73,699.94* **

Total GF Expenses Budgeted through 2/29/2020: $78,500.80

* Includes $14,789 for Heart of Nashua Continued

** A/C Expenses (Non Budgeted Gift) not included

Notes on General Fund

- Current on payments due to providers

- A portion of February's Ministerial Support paid; World and New England Missions unpaid except

for $25 each received as a donation. Thank you. These expenses can be paid later in the year.

- We are trying to keep back funds to pay for upcoming expenses which will have to be paid but

due to expenses, we have not been successful in doing so.

Heart of Nashua 1 & 2 (GiF) (Capital Campaign/Elevator, Connector, Renovations)

Balance Due on HON Loan as of 2/29/2020: Approx. $170,000

In February $5000 was paid on the principal plus the monthly payment of $1,769.53.

Total Received Heart of Nashua 1 & 2 (2013-12/31/19): $1,848,782.64

Total Paid Out Using HON 1& 2 Funds: (2013-1/31/20): $1,848,782.64

Loan Received in 2018 for HON Construction: $358,343.45

Funding for the Future, 100 for $150 (Endowment) – Received in February 29, 2020: $765.00

Our goal is to have 100 people or families give $150 each year to this fund to grow our endowment

for future generations of the church. Other amounts are gratefully accepted.

Thank You

- We continue to be grateful for the gift of snow plowing

- Heat and air conditioning of the vestry and kitchen was recently installed. Thank you for this

wonderfully generous gift.

- Thanks to all who volunteer. Your gifts are appreciated and necessary to our missions.

- Thank you for your gifts, presence, prayers.

Upcoming Expenses

- With COVID-19 we need your continued financial support if you are able. If you normally donate at

church, please continue to do so or checks may be mailed to the church, Attn.: Financial Secretary,

or donations may be made using PayPal or Vanco or direct deposit to our bank account.

- In early May we will have our annual financial audit which will be over $1000.

- In June our new pastor will be moving here and we will need to pay moving expenses. We do not

have any actual quotes, but we believe it could cost $5000.

- Installation of a phone jack for the receptionist will cost $500.

 

Sunday Worship

Announcements

 

Friday, March 20, 2020

March 20 Mainstreeter On-line :

 

 

 

March 20 AGAIN: Please accept my apologies for having to re-send this Blast.  Important On-line Worship Information was not included previously.  (please see information in body of Blast to access worship. 

 

 

 

 A Word from the Pastor

 

    By now you should have received the word that the CDC is recommending that there be no gatherings of ten or more people for the foreseeable future.  With that guidance and the recommendation of our Safety Committee we have decided to close the church to all public gatherings effective March 18, 2020 and until further notice.  Thankfully, since we have already been live streaming our worship services for some time now, we will be able to continue to bring worship to you wherever you are.  Please see elsewhere in this "blast" just what you need to do in order to access the live stream or to listen to it at a later time.

Pandemic  by Lynn Ungar

What if you thought of it

As the Jews consider the Sabbath-

The most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now,

On trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing, Pray, Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

 

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected

In ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

 

Know that our lives

are in one another's hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out with your hands.

Reach out your hearts.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch.

 

Promise this world your love-

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

 

    This wonderful poem by Lynn Unger was a real gift to me when I received it in an e-mail earlier this week.  It helps to put in perspective what is being asked of us as we experience "social distancing" during this epidemic.  In spite of the fact that we do not like being told that we cannot do so many things, the reality is that this demand is also a gift.  It is an opportunity to practice Sabbath, to let go of our need to be in control, and to reach out in new and different ways to one another.  My hope and prayer for each of us is that we will truly accept this experience as the gift it can be and be aware of the God who is present to us in so many ways during this time.

 

WORSHIP AHEAD

3/22      The Fourth Sunday in Lent

                Special Music: The Lyrical Levites (Emily Adams, Kelly Brown, Dan McDonald and Irene Harris)

Scripture: First Samuel 16:1-13; John 9:1-42

Theme:  Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart- There are many different ways to "see" and if we limit ourselves to using our eyes will miss much of what is real.  The prophet Samuel needed to learn this lesson as he attempted to anoint a new king of Israel and a "man born blind" served to challenge the seeing of the religious leaders.  What does it mean to see with the eyes of the heart?

 

Worship On-line

Video of the main Sunday Worship service is streamed live each week, and available on-demand on Facebook shortly after the service. You can use the Facebook app on a smartphone, or a web browser on a computer. "Like" our page and you will be notified when we go live each Sunday.

If you choose to not use a Facebook login, you can still access the live stream during the service time in the box to the right (you may need to refresh the page if you arrive early). Previous worship services are available by scrolling down through the postings.

 

Giving During This Uncertain Time

Although we are scaling back most of our church activities which will reduce our expenses during this time, we still have staff who will be working- cleaning the church thoroughly; providing office assistance from home; offering music for our "virtual" worship services; providing pastoral care remotely, etc.- so  we will still be incurring expenses that will need to be covered as best we can.  To the extent that you are able please maintain your financial pledge or give regularly.  Contributions can either be mailed in to the church or you can utilize our on-line giving options by going to the following web address:

www.mainstreet-umc.org/giving

 

 

Our Sympathies

Our love, prayers, and sympathy are Linda Noftle and family following the death of her mother, Dorothy (Dolly) Noftle on March 16th.  Dorothy had been a member of our congregation for many years and in recent years had lived at the Hunt Community.  A memorial service will be held sometime this summer.

 

 

MEETING OUR NEW PASTOR:  As of this writing, Pastor Kelly Turney and her husband, Steve Hilbun, are still planning to be in Nashua this weekend.  At this time it is planned that Pastor Kelly will be introduced to us via our live streamed worship service on Sunday morning at 10:30am.  We look forward to extending a warm welcome to Pastor Kelly and Steve even if it is happening in a way that we couldn't have conceived of even a couple of weeks ago.

 

 

INTRODUCING OUR NEW STAFF:

With the retirement of Pam Axtell, our Administrative Assistant for the last 12 years, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee proposed the creation of two new positions, that of an Administrative Assistant and that of a Receptionist.  We are pleased to say that after receiving hundreds of inquiries regarding these two positions and doing numerous interviews we were able to hire two extremely capable individuals to fill the positions.

 

Debra Zagaeski began as Administrative Assistant on Wednesday, February 19th and as of March 2nd she has been on her own in the office.  Debra has worked in various capacities in numerous churches over the years and brings a wealth of experience to the job.  Debra's hours are 10am-3pm, Monday-Friday. 

 

Tina Preston began as our receptionist on Monday, March 2nd.  Tina also brings a lot of church experience with her although hers has been mostly as a volunteer.  Tina will be in the 1st floor lobby from 9:00am-noon, Monday-Friday and will also answer the phone during these hours. 

 

Please be sure to extend a warm welcome to each of these individuals as they settle in as staff members.  We are thrilled to have them on board.

 

 

Speaking in Tongues

We are blessed here at MSUMC with members and guests from a wonderful variety of backgrounds and cultures. .With the goal of truly being a loving and welcoming community of faith in mind and heart, we'd like to create a database of members that have a fluency in other languages.  If you would be willing to share your gift with us please email Paul Pederzani at: pped@comcast.net and type MSUMC in the subject line. Thank you for your continued support of our church and church family.

 

 

Heifer Project Easter Tree of Life

Heifer International's mission is to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth using gifts of livestock, seeds, trees and training in sustainable agriculture community development projects to help millions of people become self-reliant. Since 1944, Heifer has helped transform the lives of more than 30 million families by giving them gifts of cows, goats and other livestock. Look for our Easter Tree of Life, and honor someone with the gift of an animal.  Fill up our tree!  We offer vegetarian options.

 

 

Classified

For Sale:  Retired Church tables 30" wide X 8 foot long.  $50 each or buy 2 get one free.

Contact Donna Swanson (603) 759-5088

 

Sunday Worship

 

Announcements