Mainstreeter Online July 1, 2018

July 1, 2018   Word from the Pastor "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."   In just a few days, we as a nation, will pause to celebrate the 242nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thus the 242nd birthday as a nation. This declaration set forth a vision for this new nation that, it is safe to say, our forefathers were not quite ready to live into. Given that many of them were slave holders they were not quite ready to accept that the "all men" of the Declaration of Independence included their black slaves. It took nearly another century and a civil war to bring us to the point where we were willing to declare slavery illegal and another century before we were willing to allow blacks to vote, go to unsegregated schools and otherwise experience the realities of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  Needless to say, we are still trying to live up to the vision of this declaration but are still falling short. As we prepare to celebrate our nation's birthday this week, let us renew our commitment to insure that the ideals of the Declaration of Independence are extended to all people--people of color, asylum seekers, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and anyone else who we are struggling to accept as full citizens of this great nation because they are somehow different than ourselves. May we not rest on the laurels of the past but instead press forward in making our nation one in which the inalienable rights endowed by God are extended to one and all. Happy fourth of July!  Announcements Calendar Worship Ahead 7/8 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: Second Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 Theme: "Grace Happens" Grace, by its very definition, is not something we can earn or manufacture. It is a pure gift from God. It happens both when we least expect it and we when most expect it. Without grace we could not survive. The apostle Paul helps to explore this gift as he reflects on his own predicament struggling with a "thorn in the flesh". Throwback Worship Service   It was on Wednesday, July 22nd in the year 1868 that the newly built "Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church" was dedicated to the glory of God and the service of humankind. Given that July 22nd of this year is on a Sunday we will go back in time in our worship service and worship as though we were in the year 1868 (don't worry, we will still use the AC if it is too warm!). You can expect a visit from the Rev. George Bowler, who as pastor in that year presided over the dedication on that day. Stay tuned for more details as our worship design team comes up with some interesting and time tested ideas. July/August Debt Thermometer   Welcome to our finance column. Today I want to give an update on our renovation project financials. This has been one of the larger capital projects in our church's 150 year history. To date we've raised about $1.74 million through your generous HON (Heart of Nashua capital campaign) donations, but the project cost considerably more, a bit over $2 million. We borrowed from the United Methodist Foundation of New England to pay for the construction and other fees. We are using your continued HON pledges and donations to pay off this debt. One simple way to communicate our status is by a thermometer graph, such as the one shown here.   The thermometer graph has three components: Current debt is the top area of the thermometer graph (no mercury) Mercury (shaded) portion is the HON funds raised to date Optional Bulb graphic (below zero point) – only for illustration purpose Notice that the total (HON + Debt) is NOT a fixed number, as interest keeps accruing until we pay of the debt completely.   We will periodically update the HON and debt numbers, ideally after our treasurer makes each payment to the Foundation to give the most accurate representation. I would like to add a line to the bulletin that lists our remaining debt in addition to the generous HON monies raised.   Why is it important to pay off this debt? Just like owing on your credit cards or loan balance, debt requires monthly interest payments. Naturally we would like to have the debt behind us so we can concentrate on our ministries and missions. I have to add that we still have existing parsonage mortgage balance. We did have a steeple loan, but through your generosity, we were able to pay this off. As always I am open to your questions, comments, and prayers leading to improved ministries and missions for the next 150 years.    Thank you,  Joe Dechene   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 with each Mainstreeter Online.        Four: "Early commerce and industry grew where transportation supported the need.  The Merrimack Valley, favored by rails and water, soon became an industrial center for cotton and woolen mills.  With the industrial complex came the influx of workers to satisfy a need.  With this influx of people to the early township called Dunstable were found numerous persons who were of the Methodist belief."   "The founding date of Methodism in Nashua is generally accepted as the fall of 1831 when the Reverend Samuel Norris came to Dunstable and preached two sermons in the "schoolhouse" on the Indian Head Mills property." 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.

June 24 Mainstreeter Online

 

June 24, 2018

     

A Word from the Pastor

Beautiful God,

you fill the earth with beauty,

painting breathtaking sunsets and

splashing colors into bouquets of flowers.

Let me bloom this month.

Let my life bring light and

color into your world.

Let me shine for you,

play for you,

delight in you.

Open me to the miracles of summer,

the flowering of praise,

the sunshine of song. Amen.

Taken from Openings: A Daybook of Saints, Sages, Psalms and Prayer Practices,

by Rev. Larry J. Peacock,

2nd edition, Skylight Paths Publishing, 2014

By the time that you read this we will be a few days into that most wondrous of seasons--summer. I had the opportunity to enjoy the longest day of the year at our home in Maine. It is a wonderful place to be in the summer and provides me with the freedom to experience so much of what summer has to offer- fire flies, lazy days on the water in my kayak, sipping cool drinks on our deck, evenings watching the bats flitter above our lawn. There are indeed many miracles of summer to enjoy and I hope that you will take the opportunity to do so. Blessings on you whether you experience summer at home or away.

     

Worship Ahead

7/1   The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Theme: "The Ministry of Interruptions":  When Jesus was called upon to urgently attend to a young girl who was dying, he found himself somewhat rudely interrupted by a woman in need. For the most part no one likes to be interrupted when they are attending to what seems to be an important matter. What can we learn from Jesus that might help us to see interruptions as ministry in its own right?

7/8   The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Second Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

Theme: "Grace happens": Grace, by its very definition, is not something we can earn or manufacture. It is a pure gift from God. It happens both when we least expect it and we when most expect it. Without grace we could not survive. The apostle Paul helps to explore this gift as he reflects on his own predicament struggling with a "thorn in the flesh".

     

Announcements

Calendar for the Week of June 24

     

Throwback Worship Service

It was on Sunday, July 22nd in the year 1868 that the newly built "Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church" was dedicated to the glory of God and the service of humankind. Given that July 22nd of this year is on a Sunday, we will go back in time in our worship service and worship as though we were in the year 1868 (don't worry, we will still use the AC if it is too warm!) Stay tuned for more details as our worship design team comes up with some interesting and time tested ideas.

     

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.

     

Three:

"About the year of 1747 a Reverend Samuel Bird was called to settle here in what was then known as Dunstable. He belonged to another 'sect' called the 'New Lites', a branch of Methodism and followers of a Reverend George Whitfield. He accepted the position at that time as the church was neither Presbyterian or Congregational."

     

"At this time of events it was the town or village that supported the church and minister – those in disagreement simply refused to pay taxes or render religious support."

 

 

 

 

June 10, 2018 Mainstreet Online

 

June 10, 2018

     

Words from the Pastor

      Later this week Lisa Svenson and I will be attending the Annual Conference of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. This year's conference will once again be held in Manchester which is wonderful for both of us.  Lisa will go as the Lay Member to Annual Conference elected by you and representing the Main Street UMC. As pastor I am a member of the Annual Conference (rather than any individual local church) but nonetheless go representing you as well. The idea of an "annual" conference goes back to the earliest days of Methodism when John Wesley called together the leaders of the Methodist movement (all lay members in those days) for a time of "holy conferencing". It provided a time for leaders to gather for worship, to do the business of the church, and to hold each other accountable in the living out of their faith and ministry.

      Today's annual conferences would probably seem very strange to Wesley and the early Methodists but in most respects the focus is still the same. We will gather for moving and inspiring worship experiences with powerful preaching. We will do the business of the annual conference. We will reunite with other clergy and lay members who we may not have seen since last year's conference and hold each other accountable to the work that God has called us to. We will witness the ordination of new elders in the church and the consecration of deacons. We will eat together, laugh together, cry together, and at times complain together about the state of the church. While it is an exhausting few days it is also exhilarating to be together, nearly 1000 strong clergy and laity together.

      Since our annual conference is held in close proximity to Nashua, I hope that you might consider attending some of the sessions--they are open to everyone. If you can attend one of the worship experiences that would be even better--imagine nearly 1000 voices singing the great hymns of our faith--it would be well worth your while. For the annual conference schedule and information as to how you can "live stream" some of the events please visit the conference website at www.neumc.org and look for the annual conference section of the website. Personally, I'd love to see you there!

     

Worship Ahead

6/17 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Father's Day

Scripture: Second Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34

Theme: "New Creations from Small Seeds"

The apostle Paul speaks of there being a "new creation" in Christ Jesus and Jesus likens the kingdom of God to the smallest of seeds. We are reminded that God doesn't need much to work with in bringing about the new world that we all long for.

     

Announcements

Calendar for the Week of June 10

     

Summer Worship Schedule

Beginning on Sunday, June 17th we will move to having only one Sunday morning worship service and it will be held at 9:30am.  We will resume our usual schedule on Sunday, September 9th with Rally Day and our annual picnic!

     

Summer Sunday School Schedule

The last Sunday for both children's and adult classes will be Sunday, June 10th. Classes for both will resume on Rally Day, Sunday, September 9th at the usual 9:00am time.

     

Staff Summer Vacation Plans

Pastor Rich will be on vacation from Wednesday, June 20th through Friday, June 29th.  Our lay leaders, Mark Morrissey, Susan McDonald, and Sharon Schmidt will lead the service and preach on Sunday, June 24th.

     

Annual Conference Schedule

Our lay member to the Annual Conference of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, Lisa Svenson, and Pastor Rich will be attendance at the conference beginning Wednesday, June13th and concluding on Saturday, June 16th.  Once again this year's annual conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., Manchester, NH.  All sessions are open to visitors. The conference can be followed daily by going to the New England Conference web site: www.neumc.org

     

Heart of Nashua: Growing in Faith Campaign Update

      As we near the halfway point in this three year capital campaign there is reason to pause and celebrate the incredible generosity of the Main Street United Methodist Church members and friends. As you may recall this campaign, which began in December of 2016, had 73 pledges for approximately $797,000. Since that time approximately $650,000 has been received in pledged money leaving an outstanding balance of about $150,000. On top of the funds received from pledges we have also received approximately $150,000 in gifts to the campaign for a total of $800,000 received to date. This is amazing and as our capital campaign consultant, Tom Melzoni, pointed out when he was here for the dedication- a true miracle!

      This week we will pay the final invoices to Northpoint Construction and when all is said and done the construction project will have cost just over 2 million dollars (including the demolition and other work done in 2015). The difference between the cost and the money raised has been provided through a loan from the United Methodist Foundation of New England. Since the loan amount exceeds the outstanding balance of money expected from the outstanding pledges we still have some work to do in paying off our debt and putting ourselves into a positive financial situation moving forward.

      So, thank you once again for your generosity and faithfulness in funding this project that has already begun to bear fruit. If you have not as yet contributed to it please accept this as an invitation to join in along with the many others who have done so.

      In closing I want to share a story with you. On Sunday, June 3rd a couple returned to church whom we had not seen in nearly two years. Because one of these two individuals uses a motorized wheelchair to get around she had not been able to come to church because even our chair lift was inadequate to her needs. She expressed such great relief and gratitude that with the elevator she would now be able to come to church again. Her words made my day! Indeed, this, among many other reasons, is what the Heart of Nashua program is all about.

     

Children's Sunday

      Today as proud parents' and grandparents' phones flashed capturing the Children's Sunday highlights, the rest of the congregation was reminded once again about what a valuable commodity our young people are. Children participated in regular worship as well as in special activities, such as a beautifully performed liturgical dance that was a choreographed version of the Lord's Prayer, a skit that analyzed the Lord's Prayer phrase by phrase entitled The Lord's Prayer Dilemma, and a recitation of the books of the Bible.

      Mavis Pyle recounted highlights of the year and noted that many of the children started coming to church as babies to learn about God's love and service. This past year Sunday School participants served as acolytes, ushers, liturgists, and performed in the bell and chancel choirs, as well as helped to package health kits for UMCOR and assemble toiletry kits for the food pantry.

      As Sharon Schmidt said in a prayer, "our children love to learn and learn to love" here at the Main Street UMC. May we keep in mind that "it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs."

      -submitted by Mary Marchese

     

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 with each Mainstreeter Online.

     

Two:

"In the late 1750's and early 1760's Methodist Societies sprang up in New York, Philadelphia and Virginia. Early religious inspiration was nurtured by individuals called 'itinerants' who travelled from place to place on horseback, visiting several settlements or communities which were Identified as 'circuits'. Thus becoming known as 'circuit riders'."

"Records show that the First Eastern Conference of the Methodist Churches.  One of sufficient interest that became of historical importance was that of the welfare of the 'itinerant' or 'circuit rider'." Those who were served were responsible for providing a horse, "six pounds and a quarter, besides his travelling expenses." Further that at each Easter the circuit's collection should be made to relieve the Chapel debt and the itinerants' wants (the Pennsylvania pound was equivalent to $2.60)."