Holy Holy Holy Week!

Every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, but we are coming again to the time of year when we remember the detailed story of the last week of the Word as Flesh. Palm Sunday, we celebrate the triumphant entry of the King into Jerusalem and how quickly the people once again decided they wanted to be their own king. Thursday night we will by having a remembrance of the Last Supper by holding a Jewish Passover or Seder Meal. We will have the chance to experience this great remembrance of the Exodus story and how Jesus changed it forever. Friday will begin with a prayer vigil and include a noon service at Thornton Heights UMC to focus on the cross and Jesus' Death.

The celebration of the Resurrection begins Saturday night, 7pm at Clark UMC with an Easter Vigil service to see how this great work of God fits into the entire salvation history of the Bible. Sunday morning begins early at 6:15am at Fisherman's Point for our Easter Sunrise Service followed at about 7am with breakfast back at the Church.

The celebration continues with our Easter celebration in the Sanctuary at 10:30am. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! Come and share the solemnity, the joy and the excitement of this greatest of good news.

Holy Week Schedule at a Glance:
Thursday March 20 Passover Meal 6:30pm Peoples UMC
Friday March 21 Good Friday Noon Thornton Heights UMC
Saturday March 22 Easter Vigil 7:00pm Clark Memorial UMC
Sunday March 23 Easter Sunrise 6:15am Fisherman's Point, Willard Beach
Easter Breakfast 7:00am Peoples UMC
Easter Egg Hunt 10:00am Peoples UMC
Easter Worship 10:30am Peoples UMC

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil was the first service of Easter in the ancient church, and was a time when Christians gathered to tell the greatest stories of the faith, incorporate new Christians through baptism, and share in the feast of Holy Communion. What does that have to do with me, you ask? At Clark Memorial UMC on Saturday March 22, at 6:30pm, there will be a Vigil in the United Methodist tradition for anyone in the Portland area who wants to experience what this "Feast of Feasts" can be. Please join us to celebrate the Resurrection, and worship the Lord together.
by Rev. Kate Nicol

Can you wait with me in prayer for 1 hour?

How about a half an hour? Good Friday is an excellent time to set aside a block of time for prayer. Betty Splettstoesser is organizing a prayer vigil from Friday morning until Friday evening with a break for the Good Friday service at Thornton Heights UMC. You can sign up for a half-hour or longer. You can pray for our church, the world, your faith, the ministry of the global church or just wait silently for what God brings you. We will have devotional materials set out for you to help focus your thoughts if you wish. There is room for everyone. If the existing schedule fills up, we will extend the time as needed. The cross is at the center of our thoughts on Good Friday and it simply is too hard to approach or understand without God's presence. Come live the day in the presence of God in prayer. Contact Betty at 799-5475 or sign up in the back of the Sanctuary.

Open Choir

We don't have a regular choir for the time being, but rather have a pickup music group called the Open Choir. You can bring any joys you have in singing or playing instruments and share them in worship.

We choose the music based on the gifts of those who come on Thursdays at 7pm in the Vestry, so come and share your joy. Come early for Bible study beginning at 6pm in the parlor. I hope we see a lot of new people participating.

Hunger for the Word

All Christians need to be in the Word of God. If you have not been reading lately, come and join us and read together. If you read every day, but have not studied together lately, come and read together. Almost all of the writings of the Bible were intended to be read and understood together as groups. It does not matter if you know the Bible fully or are brand new to it, when we get together to read, everyone can add to our group understanding and everyone can learn a little more. When we get together, we can even support one another in living what we learn. This is the real goal of the Bible to transform us together into the presence of God's Kingdom in this world.

If you are feeling at all hungry, it may mean you are not getting enough of God's word. Come study in the parlor on Thursday nights from 6pm to 7pm. We are currently beginning the book of John. You can join any time. You will both be blessed by coming and be a blessing to others with your presence. Grab a quick bite and come or hold off dinner until afterward. We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that flows from the mouth of God. (Deut 8:3, Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4).

Churches Worshipping Together

Each season of Lent, the United Methodist Churches in this area (called the Casco Bay Cluster), plan and facilitate worship together each week. Worship services are held Wednesday evenings at 7pm. This year, the churches have used "grace" as a theme, and the ways we receive God's grace according to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism: prayer, fasting, Bible study, fasting, conferencing (small groups), and the sacraments of communion and baptism.

The Casco Bay Cluster Churches are:
South Portland: Peoples UMC, Elm Street UMC, First UMC, and Thornton Heights UMC
Cape Elizabeth UMC
West Scarborough UMC
Buxton UMC

The churches will also host a Good Friday worship service at noon on March 21. This will be held at the Thornton Heights UMC.

It's been a blessing to see Peoples people at each of these worship services, and to experience our connection as Methodists in the area. We are one in Christ!

Awesome Learning Opportunities!!!

Basic Lay Speaking Course March 8 and March 29 8am-3pm
Clark Memorial UMC Portland, ME $20

Basic Lay Speaking Course: April 19 and May 3 9am-4pm
First UMC Portsmouth, NH $20

Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Lead Small Groups
April 5, 12 and 19 9:30am-1:30pm West Baldwin UMC $30

Advanced Course: A Ministry of Caring
April 5, 12, 19 9am-1pm Goodwin Mills UMC $20

Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Tell Stories
April 12 and May 13 9am-4pm Tuttle Road UMC $30

Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Lead in Worship
April 19 and May 3 9am-4pm First UMC Portsmouth $35

These classes are open to anyone but in order to be certified as a Lay Speaker you must have taken the Basic Course. Books and first homework assignment will be mailed to you when your registration form and fee payment are received. More information is on brochure on the tables in the back of the church.

Make check payable to New England Annual Conference and include with application. Write “Tri-State Lay Speaking” on the memo line. Mail to Roy T. Bruton, 54 Woodside Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7349 Phone: 207-985-8019 Email: rtbruton@roadrunner.com

Take a chance on God.

March 30 we will celebrate Tithing Sunday. What would it mean to set aside a full ten percent of your income as Tithe to the church? It could mean taking a big risk that there may not be enough. It could mean trusting in God's provision. It could mean risking that the church will use the money well. It could mean having to sacrifice some luxury or even perhaps some necessity. It could mean that the church would have more than it would need for current ministry and have to find new ways to open up, grow and share God's resources. It may feel that it would require reducing giving to some other charity. It may feel legalistic, manipulative or unnecessary. It may lead you to bring more than 10%.

The bottom line, though is that the only way to find out what bringing a full Tithe would mean is to try it. Approaching any difficult or unattractive prospect requires taking the first step, the first bite, the first try. We have been setting aside each 5th Sunday to make a special place available to take this risk. This is not a time to give what is left over at the end of the month, but perhaps a thought towards giving the first 10% of the week to come.

In the end, Tithing is not a financial practice or for Christians a legal requirement; it is a spiritual practice that is just a starting point for a whole life of stewardship. Pray about God's leading of your life of stewardship and consider risking a Tithe for the fifth Sunday of the month. I am confident that God will provide what you need and blessings beyond. It may become part of your life that you cannot do without.

Newsletter Angels

Each month at Peoples, there are two or three ladies who have taken it upon themselves to help get the paper version of Peoples News out to folks without email. They include Polly Morrill, Ruth McLellan and Pat Kaiser most frequently. The pastors copy all of the articles posted on the blog for the month since the last newsletter into a Microsoft Word document, update the calendars and outside return mailing page, print about 100 collated copies, staple and fold. Then Polly, Ruth and/or Pat stick computer address labels, stamps and mailing adhesives onto the newsletters, sort them by category and deliver to the post office those to be mailed. Please say a thank you sometime to these three newsletter angels!

If you are receiving one of these paper versions and would be willing to view your newsletter online instead, please email the pastors. You can view the latest on Peoples News at peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com

District Superintendent Visits Peoples

Conversation with District Superintendent Mike
On Sunday, February 10 District Superintendent Mike Davis spent a few hours at Peoples. During the church service in the sanctuary he and Jamie shared the service. Mike’s message in the sermon illustrated a number of the jobs and duties that he and his wife Jan perform in the role of District Superintendent of the Tri-state District. He also mentioned the various connections of the United Methodist Church locally, within a cluster, at the district level and conference level and finally at the international level. This was helpful for members and friends of the congregation to know since many who are contemplating joining the United Methodist church find, perhaps, the churches they have been associated with in the past did not have the same degree of connectionalism.
Mike also talked about the value of supporting Mission Shares and then stressed the real importance of United Methodist supported camps such as Mechuana located in Winthrop, Maine. He recalled his experiences at counseling at Mechuana and told the story of Tim, a young attendee, who found that someone really loved and cared for him in this world through the experiences he was provided on Lake Narrows. There are many of us who have had the experience of sharing at that camp that have come to love the Lord and others in very meaningful ways by our participation at Camp Mechuana as children and as adults.
After church service several of the membership and some friends trekked next door to Ellis Hall to share a meal with Mike and to have a conversation with him about some of the questions that have been raised within the operation of the church.
One of the questions was concerned with the feeling that the local church doesn’t feel its own input in the church’s annual meeting with the District Superintendent. Mike said that the District Superintendent has always determined the annual meeting’s business. He also said that to expedite the meeting within a respectable period of time it is necessary to cut down the time of meetings that sometimes become to lengthy. He did approve of how we handled the meeting this year and also that we were able to gather in January for the celebration phase of what use to be part of the Annual Meeting.
A question about co-pastoring led Mike to spend some time on how he and his wife, Jan, have over the years developed into what he feels is an effective working relationship. He did say that every co-pastoring couple has to develop their own systems. Nothing was mentioned in how that relationship includes advice, give and take, with/from lay members of the church. He did mention that each church with co-pastoring usually gets more in the way of work from two pastors than they would from one. He did mention that he figured that he and Jan often would work about 60 hours apiece.
Several significant questions were not answered due to the time. Relatively few folks were present for this get together with District Superintendent Mike, but those present found it valuable.

Saturday Niters

You Missed It If You Weren’t There
On February 2 a small group of folks gathered for the first Saturday Niters get together in several years. Originally this group was formed as the Kouples Klub back in the 1950’s. Later the name was changed to Saturday Niters to encourage any adult members of the church to get together for socializing. On this rebirth night a pot luck supper was shared and those who were present chose teams, male and female in this instance and played a game of Trivial Pursuit. Those in attendance were: Dan and Ruth Doughty, Sally and

Betty Smith, Art and Marlene Tordoff, Jamie Arrison and Betty Lane. While it was only a few of many everyone in attendance had a good time Dan and Rosemary Herd were the planners for this occasion and promise that there will be more Saturday Niter episodes planned in the near future. We will have to say that while the game was a tight one it was the outnumbered side that filled their wheel first. Anyone having a suggestion on what to plan might want to get the word to Dan and/or Rosemary.
Maybe next time the weather will be better and people will have fewer things planned or the winter flu and cold season will have passed.

Inquirer's Classes

Betty Splettstoesser, Glory Dunn and Karen Jennings have been attending the Spring Inquirer's Classes, which are intended to facilitate meaningful membership for folks interested in joining Peoples. Darryll Rideout also attended the first two classes, which are required for baptism. See Baptism article below.

We have also encouraged those who are already members to consider attending these classes, to brush up on some of the basics of Christianity and Methodism, as well as to support and connect with the newcomers. Wealthy Harvey, a long time member, has attended these classes as well.

The classes include Bible 101 (basics of what the Bible is, how it has come to us, how to use the Bible, etc.); What We Believe (basic Christian beliefs); Why I'm a United Methodist (what makes Methodism different from other denominations such as Catholic, UCC, Presbyterian, and Baptist, what is the history of the Methodist Church, what is the relationship between Peoples and the Methodist denomination); What is My S.H.A.P.E. for Ministry (what are my Spiritual gifts, Heart for ministry, Abilities, Personality type and Experiences ... which form who I am and impact what kinds of ministries would best suit me and how I can best receive spiritual nourishment); and Why Membership (what is the advantage of joining the church rather than just attending, what is expected of members).

There is no pressure for anyone attending these classes to join, but those who do decide to join will be welcomed into Peoples UMC on March 2. New members sign a covenant statement which summarize the vows they will take from the United Methodist Hymnal during worship. These vows include a profession of their faith in Christ, and expectation of the church to provide means for them to grow in their faith, affirming the denomination's mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and an agreement to share in the responsibility for the church family with their prayers, presence, gifts and service.

Why all this to join the church? For membership to have any meaning, either for the member or for the church, there needs to be an ongoing relationship and connection with the church, both in terms of receiving spiritual nourishment, and in terms of serving and reaching out to others. Churches that take membership seriously will gain members who likewise take membership seriously. Even those transferring from another United Methodist Church take these classes and sign the membership covenant. We have also encouraged current members who are in leadership positions to sign this membership covenant, thus renewing their vows.

If you are interested in attending the next Inquirer's Classes, please contact the pastors. And please come out March 2 and show your support and encouragement to our newest members!

HEARTS FOR HEALING PILLOWS

The Prayer Shawl Ministry celebrated Valentine’s Day making Hearts for Healing Pillows for breast cancer surgical patients. Helping to cut, sew, iron and stuff the pillows were Susan Angell, Janice Huelin, Betty Lane, Betty Smith, Claralee Street, Marlene Tordoff and a surprise guest, Bethany Aelmore. Bethany is a student at SMCC.

The Arts & Crafts Ministry was represented by Kathy Brann, who made some beautiful, handcrafted cards. Some of the cards will be donated to Susan Angell for her Card Ministry.

After we enjoyed fun, fellowship and food, Kathy Brann offered a prayer as we laid hands on the 12 pillows that were made. Susan Angell delivered them to Mercy Hospital the next day where they were well received.

Submitted by Marlene Tordoff

Baptized into New Life in Christ

On February 3, 2008, the Peoples family gathered to witness the baptism of Darryll George Rideout, Jr. Darryll is Earle and Wealthy’s grandson-in-law who will also be served as his baptism sponsors. Other family members attending included Darryll’s spouse, Rachel Harvey Rideout; children, Jonathan Locke (age 9) and Julia Rideout (age 3); and niece, Bryanna Hanscomb (age 11). Darryll was sworn into the US Army that evening to begin several months of training in New Mexico and Missouri. He's a new believer and loves Peoples Church just in the short time he's been with us. Although he's not going to join Peoples as he doesn't know where he may end up relocating in a few months, we ask all to keep Darryll and his family in prayer. He would love to hear from folks, and you can get contact information from Rachel or the pastors.

Super Bowl XLII

Although it had a sad ending, the Peoples Super Bowl party on February 3 was an evening of fun, food and fellowship. The sofas and chairs were pulled out into Ellis Hall, and the game projected on the wall. Just wait until next year!

Holy Hospitality

Leviticus 19:33-34 Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. 34 Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Law after law of the Old Testament gives foreigners the same protections reserved for the Israelites. Often, these come with the reminder that they too were once foreigners. This is the command of hospitality that applies every bit as much to us today. Each of us had the day as an infant, a child or an adult when we first came to church. What we have as a church family and facility is a pure gift from God and we cannot properly say that it belongs to us any more than the next stranger who walks in the door.

Our concerns for worship and the care and signage for the facility should be oriented around what would best serve tomorrows guests at least as much as our longest members. This means every questions of food in worship, style of worship, schedule of worship and sharing decision making should be considered in the light of what would be the most welcoming and loving. Even in those areas we disagree on the most loving way we need to be loving and hospitible in our disagreements.

We have made improvements to Ellis Hall, the Sunday School rooms and the nursury. More improvements are on their way. We ask for your feedback and ideas on how to best be welcoming in all aspects of our facility and worship.

We Need Your Music

Come join us Thursdays at 6:30 as we put together a variety of contemporary and classical choir anthems and / or special music. All intstruments, singers and skill levels welcome. We do have the ability to include more organ music again, but we don't want to lose any of the variety that has been appreciated these last months. Come add your notes to our worship!

Time to Join a Small Group Study

A number of small group opportunities are continuing or beginning at Peoples. Contact the pastors with questions about any of the groups. You are welcome to join.

9am Tuesday morning at RosemaryHerd's there is an open Bible study. Art Tordoff is continuing to lead the adult Sunday School at 9am Sundays. Monday night is the book study Velvet Elvis.

There is an Inquirer’s Class Series 2:30pm at the church for folks inquiring about membership or members wanting to brush up any one or all of the topics.
February 4 “Why I’m a United Methodist”
February 6 “Finding our S.H.A.P.E. for Ministry”
February 27 “Why Membership?”

Lenten Study –You are invited to a 6-week devotional study during Lent on Mondays 2-3pm beginning February 11 at the home of Ruth McLellan. We are using a text entitled, “Devotional Classics” from Renovaré.

New groups are forming. Please let us know if you would like to have a group in your home or appartment or if there is a special time or topic you are interested in.

Lenten and Holy Week Services

Ash Wednesday Service February 6 7pm at Thornton Heights UMC. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, which is the time of year the Church reflects on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ and on our own faithfulness as disciples who follow Jesus. Weekly Lenten services are sponsored by our cluster (other United Methodist Churches in our area). Peoples will be hosting on February 20th and we will be responsible for food after that worship service – if you can help out please contact Chris Ward. The following is the schedule:

Feb 6 What is Grace? Thornton Heights UMC
Feb 13 Fasting Elm Street UMC
Feb 20 Prayer Peoples UMC
Feb 27 Holy Conferencing First UMC
Mar 5 Scripture West Scarborough UMC
Mar 12 Sacraments Cape Elizabeth UMC
Mar 20 Passover Meal Peoples UMC
Mar 21 Good Friday Thornton Heights UMC
Mar 22 Easter Vigil Clark Memorial UMC

The Maundy Thursday service on March 20th will include a Seder or Passover meal. This is a special opportunity to both remember the saving work of God in the Exodus story as well as better understand the setting for the Last Supper. Come and invite a friend. Children are particularly encouraged to come.