Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Dear Friends,

I first want to apologize for not having sent out weekly emails for the past few weeks.  Our email service at the church was not working properly, and thus I was not able send anything out.   We are back up and running (thanks, Scott!) so hopefully that means I will be able to get back in the practice of sending out these weekly updates on our life here at Milford UMC.

As we look forward to this weekend, I want to encourage you to prepare for worship by reading Mark 1:14-20. Remember that we are looking at the intentional ways in which Jesus is being presented at the very beginning of his public ministry. We are trying to understand those themes that are introduced right at the beginning and that run throughout the rest of Jesus’ life.  What is he saying about what is most important as he begins to let his Light shine into the world?

I also wanted to mention that we had a very successful launch of our new Broken Bread Cafe this past Saturday night.  It was a great beginning for what I am hoping will become an important part of MUMC’s ministry as we move into the future.  If you would like to know more about this new and different way of worship,  feel free to check out the Broken Bread Cafe blog.   Also, for those of you who do not read the Milford Cabinet, here is an article about Broken Bread from the most recent edition.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

Timely Reminders

Support our Sunday School Mission Project

This semester’s Sunday School mission project  is to collect monetary funds for the children of The Bethany Christian Project, an organization that helps find children foster care, as well as adoptive parents. Please help us help these kids enjoy lessons for dance, cooking, art, soccer, horse-back riding and others fun activities that they would not normally be able to enjoy.  For more info, contact Shelly Frost (jstfrost.frosty@myfairpoint.net) or Shannon Gutterson (dsgutterson@myfairpoint.net). 

Super Super Bowl Pizzas now on sale

Orders for Super Bowl Pizzas are being taken through January 29, and will be available on Super Bowl weekend, February 4-5.  These delicious, handmade pizzas are perfect for your Super Bowl gathering, or for any occasion.  

All proceeds go to support MUMC’s mission teams. Orders will be taken after each worship service.  For more information or to place an order, contact Lisa Payne at lpayne@xrsolutions.com.

Christmas Happenings

Dear Friends,

I know everyone is busy, so just a few reminders.

1. Christmas Eve
We are offering 3 worship services this Saturday evening
5:00 Family Service
7:00 Traditional Candles and Carols
11:00 Communion Service

All three services conclude with a traditional candlelighting. Invite your friends!

2. Christmas Day
We will be offering one service at 10:45. Come join us for a laid back Christmas celebration with an opportunity to share your favorite Christmas memory, the story behind your favorite nativity set (feel free to bring it with you if you would like!) and your favorite Christmas carols.

3. Salvation Army Bell ringing–Liane reports that we have the following opening for Saturday:

9-10 @ Shaws
10-12 @ Stop and Shop
10-11 @ Market Basket
If you can spare an hour or two, contact Liane at tessaliane@yahoo.com

4. Bone Marrow Donor Drive
Don’t forget that this Friday is the Bone Marrow Donor Drive sponsored by the daugthers of Julie Spicer, a friend of MUMC who is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer and needs a bone marrow transplant in order to survive. Please consider coming out Friday to be registered as a potential donor. We are praying that a match for Julie will be found.
Here are the times and locations for those who are able to participate.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 2200 Southwood Drive, Nashua, N.H.
3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Elm Street Middle School, 117 Elm St., Nashua N.H.
3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Milford High School, 100 West St., Milford, N.H.

Read more: http://www.wmur.com/health/30005986/detail.html#ixzz1hKvYA2KT

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tom

War on Christmas?

Dear Friends,

I hope all of you are experiencing a joyous Advent season as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas in just a few days. Of course, to do so, we have to overcome a whole lot distractions. From my perspective, one of those distractions is the energy that some of us are tempted to expend worrying about the so-called “war on Christmas.” We are told that we should be offended that some businesses or individuals greet people with the words “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Jim Wallis, author and editor of Sojourner’s Magazine offers a different take on this issue that I found thought provoking–check it out at http://sojo.net/blogs/2011/12/15/real-war-christmas-fox-news#.TuqcvqAgsaU.facebook. I would have preferred for Wallis to have left out what seems to me to be some gratuitous shots at Fox News, but otherwise I think he gives us some powerful food for thought.

This Sunday at MUMC, we come closer to drawing Jesus’ family circle to a close as we turn our attention to Mary–faithful, brave, and courageous Mary. We will be turning to Luke 1:26-37 for insight into the heart and mind of this amazing hero of our faith. Take a look at this passage before Sunday morning to enrich your worship experience. Also, don’t forget that as part of our church’s participation in the Advent Conspiracy, we’ve been encouraging our members and friends to spend less on gifts, and to take some of the money they haven’t spent and give it to the poor. This effort will culminate this Sunday as we will be taking a special offering during both services. This year, we are giving you the opportunity to give to two different ministries that are helping the poor, one of them local (SHARE Outreach of Milford) and the other global (Living Water International). You will be able to decide how you want your gift to be allocated–you can give it all to one or the other ministry, or split your gift between the two in whatever way you would like. You can learn more about SHARE at http://www.water.cc/. Please pray about what you are being called to do in response to this opportunity to celebrate Jesus’ birthday by reaching out to the people that Jesus spent so much of his time when he was here on earth.

I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

TIMELY REMINDERS

CHRISTMAS CONCERT this Sunday, 7:00 p.m.
One of the highlights of the year is MUMC’s annual Christmas Concert. You already know that there is a whole lot of musical talent at our church, so you can imagine what its like when all of our talented musicians (and dancers!) come together to sing and play and dance their hearts out in celebration of Christmas. Don’t miss this Christmas extravaganza, and don’t forget to invite your family, friends, and neighbors!

BLUE CHRISTMAS service this Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so we are told. But for many people, Christmas is not so merry. If you or someone you know is having a difficult time during this holiday season, whether because of the loss of a loved one, being out of work, or just feeling down, this service is especially created for you. Come join us for a time of quiet reflection and healing.

BONE MARROW DRIVE Many of us have been praying for Julie Spicer, a friend of MUMC who is battling an aggressive form of cancer. Doctors have informed her that her survival depends on a bone marrow transplant. Her daughters have organized a bone marrow drive in hopes of finding a match. All that is needed is for folks to show up at one of three locations on Saturday, December 23, and get a cheek swab done to determine if you are a possible match. Please continue to pray for Julie and her family, but it would be great if a whole bunch of MUMC folks showed up to support her by registering as a potential donor; who knows, you may be giving her the gift of life this Christmas! Specific details are available at http://www.wmur.com/health/30005986/detail.html

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING As of yesterday, there were still a few slots available this weekend for those who might be able to ring the bells for the Salvation Army at area grocery stores. The available times are
Saturday
Shaws 3-4 p.m.
Market Basket 3-4 p.m.

Sunday
Shaws 2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.
Market Basket 3-4 p.m.
Stop & Shop 12-1 p.m. and 1-2p.m.

If you are available and willing, please contact Liane Wright

Advent

Dear Friends,

First of all, a big THANK YOU to all the folks who helped out with our Christmas fair. It was a great day for our church. The setup was beautiful (one person said to me, “I go to all the fairs in town, but I like this one best–it always looks like a gift shop!”) the crafts and cookies and fudge and other goodies were of high quality and fairly priced, and the food from the cafe was delicious. The live music showcased the numerous gifted musicians our church is blessed with, and added a festive air to the atmosphere. And oh, by the way, it looks like when all is said and done, the total raised on that day will be over $5,500! To all who were involved in any way, great job!

We enter another busy weekend, and so I want to remind you of some of the things that are going on here at church.

1. On Saturday morning, all men are strongly encouraged to attend the delicious men’s breakfast, starting at 8:00. We will be treated to a talk from guest speaker Paul Tripp. Hope to see you there.

2. As for Sunday services, as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, we will turn our attention to Joseph, the quiet but faithful husband of Mary who raised Jesus as his own son. The message will focus on Matthew 1:18-24, which tells the story of how Joseph received that news that his then-fiance Mary was expecting a child. We don’t know a whole lot about Joseph, but what we do know tells us he was a true man of faith and honor. Along the way, we’ll be receiving new members, two of whom will be baptized!

3. Finally, I hope you will be able to attend our Advent Event, which promises to be meaningful time of fellowship and quiet inspiration. We’ll begin with a potluck supperat 5:00, followed by an opportunity for you and your family to visit a number of prayer stations that will be located throughout the sanctuary and several of our classrooms. Participants will be invited to move from station to station. Parents are encouraged to guide their younger children through each activity. Middle school and high school youth, along with adults, will be their own guides as we seek to center our hearts on God and on preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus come Christmas.

I know that this is a busy time for all of us, but I do hope that you will take advantage of these opportunities that remind us that Jesus is, indeed, the reason for the season.

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

Shepherds

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday I introduced a new Advent sermon series called “Waiting on Tiptoe.” During the four Sundays of Advent, this series will be looking at Advent and the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the characters we typically find gathered around the baby Jesus in the nativity many of us have in our homes during the holiday season. Last week, I invited us to look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the animals who tradition tells us were present in the stable that first Christmas night. This Sunday, we will turn to some of the other characters who appear in our nativity sets–the shepherds. Please take a look at Luke 2:8-12 before Sunday, and get ready to hear about how a group of hardworking and isolated shepherds had their world turned upside down one lonely night.

See you on Sunday!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

TIMELY REMINDERS

MUMC Christmas Fair this Saturday, December 3, at the church from 9:00-2:00
Of course, you are invited to come and do your Christmas shopping at our wonderful fair. But even better, if you able and willing to help out, we still have a a few ways you can do so.
1. We can always use folks to bake cookies and other baked goods for the fair. You can bring by your cookies or baked goods any time during the day on Friday, or by the start of the fair on Saturday (someone will be there by 8:00 a.m.).
2. We are looking for a few folks who can be servers for breakfast and lunch, as well as folks who can work in the kitchen.
3. Last but not least, we need folks to come by the church at 2:15 to help with clean up and with getting the sanctuary set up for worship on Sunday.

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed Please sign up to volunteer to ring bells at local supermarkets for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Collection. The sign up sheet is in the foyer. Please note that we have an immediate need for someone to ring the bells at Market Basket in Milford between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. this Saturday. Please call Liane Wright if you are able to help. Her phone number is 672-6851.

Please Join Your Church Family for a Special Advent Event on Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 The event will begin with a potluck supper (don’t forget to bring a dish to share!), followed by Advent Prayer Stations designed for all ages. This promises to be a special time of fellowship, fun, and spiritual preparation for Christmas.

New Members will be received during worship on Sunday, December 11. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, or if you have questions about church members, the United Methodist Church, or the Christian faith, please feel free to speak with Pastor Tom.

Veteran’s Day

Dear Friends,

Just wanted to offer some reminders for upcoming events this weekend.

First, I hope to see many of you men at the Men’s Breakfast this Saturday morning at 8:00.   Come enjoy some great food, good fellowship, and a special guest speaker.

While the men are enjoying their time together,  the rest of you are invited to the craft workshop, happening at the church
from 9:00-12:00.   This workshop is an opportunity to help get ready for our Christmas fair, to be held on December 4.   No crafting experience necessary–just show up and the leaders will be glad to give you instructions.

Finally, at 11:00 we will have our Church Conference, which is our church’s annual meeting.  All members and friends of the church are invited to this important meeting, which will be presided over by our District Superintendent Jan Davis.  In addition to voting on several important matters,  there will be an opportunity to hear a presentation by Jan as well as a time of discussion with her.

Moving on to Sunday, during our services, I will be continuing my series on poverty which I began last week.   The passage for my sermon will be Matthew 25:31-40, which I encourage you to read ahead of coming to worship.  The bell choir will be playing at the second service, and we will also be showing a special video tribute for our congregation’s veterans in observance of Veteran’s Day during both services.   And as I mentioned last Sunday, we will be receiving a special offering in support of the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, which is used to assist needy persons and has been greatly reduced as more and more people come to the church for help during these difficult economic times.   I hope you will give generously to this important fund.

I look forward to seeing you for our Saturday events, as well as during worship on Sunday!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

The right words

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful 5th anniversary celebration we had last Sunday! We had great music, a great slide show with many wonderful pictures of our building in various stages of construction, and scrumptious cake and other goodies at the reception. And wasn’t it great to see some of our former members who returned home to celebrate with us? I know that between the long weekend and the fact that it was Pumpkin Festival weekend, some of you were not able to make it to church, and you were indeed missed. But even so, it was a great way to mark our 5 years in our new facility.

As for this Sunday, I will be basing my message on Matthew 22:15-22, in which Jesus once again faces a challenge from the Pharisees, and once again confounds them with just the right words. Take a look at the passage before coming to worship, and see what you think. Oh, and by the way, for those of you who are planning to attend the 10:45 services, there will also be a special musical offering from one of our newest choir members–I won’t tell you who it is so that it will be a surprise.

Hope to see you then!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

TIMELY REMINDERS

Two events are happening at the church this Saturday

1. Men’s Breakfast at 8:00
All men (and boys!) are invited to share a hearty breakfast and good fellowship at our monthly men’s breakfast. This month’s speaker is Eric Shelberg, director of the Milford Ambulance Service.

2. Christmas Fair Craft Workshop from 9:00-12:00 noon. All are welcome–we’ll be working on items for our upcoming Christmas Fair. All hands are needed, since the Fair is only 2 months away. Come for the whole workshop, or for as much time as you can spare.

Go and Do

Greetings everyone:

I am eager to tell you I am thrilled about the coming weeks. This week we have our first guest speaker, Dan Randall, the Mission Interpreter in Residence for the Northeaster Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. He will be speaking about the call from God to “go and do” and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say. Here locally, we will hear about the opportunity to go on the Adult Mission Trip, get a chance to meet a great children’s book author in Sheryl Stewart, hear the call to join in on what is shaping up to be a great Vacation Bible School, and many more as we worship together on a wonderful July day. Please make time to join the rest of us this Sunday, it is going to be great.

There is plenty happening this summer, but one thing I wanted to bring special attention to is the Video/Slide Workshop this Sunday afternoon from 1pm-4pm. There is quite a bit involved in developing the slide shows that accompany our Sunday morning worship, and with Pastor Tom away we are looking for more hands to help build those displays. We will be looking at how to work in Media Shout (the software for the video system) to both build and operate the slide shows for worship. We will also be talking about the basic elements of design used to build attractive, not distractive, slides and presentations. There is no cost for the workshop, just your time and willingness to learn and perhaps help us in the future. Feel free to just show up, as we will make room for everyone.

When you do attend, please take note of the myriad opportunities in the bulletin. There is a great deal going on, and many new things on the calendar. You don’t want to miss what is happening here at MUMC!

Peace and Blessings,
Leslie Coates
Ministry Director, MUMC

Commitment Sunday

Dear Friends,

I am excited about our services this Sunday, when our members and friends will be given the opportunity to put some of what I hope they have learned over the past three weeks about financial stewardship into practice as we celebrate our Commitment Sunday. As part of our worship services, all of us will be invited to fill out an Estimate of Giving Card, in which you can let us know what you are planning to give to the general fund of the church starting in July and continuing through the following 12 months. There will also be a place on the card for you to indicate your giving to our Mortgage Fund that will allow us to continue to pay our monthly mortgage payments.

As you know, I really believe that giving is one of life’s greatest joys. As we pray and prepare for our Commitment Sunday, I wanted to share a story that I just today came across. It is about a United Methodist pastor who really demonstrates the sort of generous spirit I think many of would like to be. This pastor was a contestant on the German version of the television game show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and wound up winning the equivalent of $180,000. But what really stood out was the fact that this fellow announced at the end of the show that he was giving $160,000 of his winnings to a friend who was having some financial difficulties, and that this had been his plan all along. What a wonderful witness and what a wonderful expression of self-giving and sacrificial love. You can read the full story at

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=10711365

In that same spirit, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to reiterate my hope that you will prayerfully accept the challenge that I laid out during last Sunday’s sermon–to commit to tithing (giving 10% of your income) to God through the church for the next three months. As I have said, I deeply believe that no one who decides to commit to tithing will wind up regretting that decision, but if for some reason you come to the end of September and you feel like tithing has not been a positive experience for you, I would expect you to stop tithing and go back to giving what you would otherwise be giving. If you have ever felt a leading to tithe but have shied away from doing so, this is the perfect time for you to try tithing out for size. So, go ahead, and as it says in Malachi 3:10, put God to the test and see what happens!

See you in church!

Still discovering the joy,

Pastor Tom

TIMELY REMINDERS

The Dinner Theater performance of THE CUPCAKE CAPER is set for this Friday and Saturday nights from 7-9. Come enjoy a delicious lasagna dinner, along with a fun-filled performance of this interactive mystery. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 10 years old and under, and will be available at the door. For a special treat, there will be a fabulous cupcake bar where you can decorate your own cupcakes!
Those who have volunteer to bring lasagnas need to have them cooked and dropped off to the church by 5PM on the night of the show. Also, folks making cupcakes should bring them “un-frosted” but include a zip-lock bag of frosting with them. Topping will be provided. Cupcakes will also need to be dropped off at the church by 5PM.

This Sunday is LEVI SUNDAY. That means you can come to church in your jeans and workclothes, and stay an hour after church to help out with a variety of different projects around our property. Projects will be available for willing workers after the conclusion of both services this Sunday.

Lenten Journey Together

Friends,

A few things to mention:

This Sunday begins our Lenten Sermon Series on Jesus and Job.   As part of our Lenten journey together, we are inviting our members and friends to read the book of Job together this Lent.  I have attached a reading plan for you to follow.  If you follow the plan as printed, you will not only be reading the same material as others in your church family, but you will have completed reading the entire book by April 9, which happens to be the date of the staged reading of the “J.B.”, the Pulitzer prize-winning play based on Job.    You’ll have to do a little catching up since the scheduled readings began on Thursday of this week, but if you get going right away, it shouldn’t be too hard to catch up.   I hope and trust that if you take this challenge on, it will make both the sermon series and the play all the more meaningful, as well as adding to your Lenten devotions.

In concert with the reading plan,  I am planning to hold a weekly gathering during which we will be discussing the readings that were completed during the previous week.   Because of my irregular schedule,  I haven’t been able to find a weekly meeting time where I can be consistently available.    Consequently, these gatherings will happen at different times each week.   I will be scheduling these meeting times a few weeks in advance.   Since there are no books to order, and no curriculum other than to discuss the previous week’s readings, you are welcome to come when you can as often as you want to come.  Just bring your questions, comments, and concerns as together we delve into this challenging book of Scripture. This upcoming meeting we will meet at 6:00 on Wednesday,  March 16.   Since this is at the dinner hour, feel free to bring a meal to eat while we talk.   The following week, we will meet on Thursday, March 24, also at 6:00. Keep your eyes open for further meetings.

In light of the terrible earthquake and resulting tsunami,  this Sunday we will be taking a special offering to support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in responding to this tragedy.  Please pray about making a donation in response to this disaster. Checks can be made out to MUMC, but please include the words “UMCOR” on the memo.

Finally, don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed on Saturday–I’d hate for anyone to be late to worship! .

Still discovering the joy,
Pastor Tom