Thursday, October 30, 2008
Time Change November 2
New Music Director
Debbie and David Cole
22 Colonial Road Portland, ME 04102
(207) 797-9618
Consecration Sunday November 23
If you consider Peoples your church family, we hope you will seriously and prayerfully consider continuing or beginning "percentage giving" and to indicate your pledge to give for 2009. Why? Most importantly for our own faith. Our level of financial giving is a direct indication of how much we trust God, and how close a relationship we have with the body of Christ, which is the Church. When we decide to give a percentage of our income to our church family up front, we step out in faith that God will provide for us the rest of the week or month. On the other hand, when we give at the end of the week or month whatever we happen to have left over, or throw in the plate whatever we happen to have in our wallet, we are walking by "sight" rather than by "faith."
Pledging is also an indication of our level of faith. Some folks are only comfortable in giving what they can afford to give each week rather than making a promise to God and the Church what they will give for the coming year. When we budget out our giving ahead of time, we are walking by faith rather than by sight.
All of us (no exceptions) have room to grow in this area of stewardship of our finances. Even folks who are currently giving at 10% or more of their income can grow in what it means to give sacrificially. And we also have room to grow in other areas of stewardship; as we have been learning in Living For Giving, stewardship does have to do with money but is much bigger than money alone. We are in fact stewards of the manifold grace of God!
On Laity Sunday November 23, when the lay folks of the church lead worship, there will also be an opportunity to offer your pledge cards in response to God's grace in your life. This is called Consecration Sunday, as we will together bless the pledges of the church family. So offer your pledge with joy and gratitude for the manifold grace of God.
Fall Cleanup Day
Variety Show
Want to Walk on Water?
Fall Mystery Ride November 2
Church Conference
Wayside Ministry Going Strong
Why not try this exciting ministry? You will be very blessed. Next time we're scheduled is December 31, New Years Eve. What better way to usher in the new year than to serve those in need? Helpers can arrive between 5-6pm, and the doors open at 6pm, with clean up generally done by 7:30pm. If you have any questions or need a ride, please contact Tom Nelson.
A very HAPPY Halloween
Please stop by Ellis Hall and see the bulletin board display. Also, for more information on UNICEF, please see www.unicef.org
Bible Politics Forum
Stewardship Preaching Series
We are in the midst of a stewardship preaching series through mid-November, “Living for Giving” which coincides with the 5-week small group studies that began the end of October. Stewardship is about a lot more than “giving money to the church.” It’s about God’s grace. Come and find out more! It’s not too late to join a group – please see Earle Harvey or the pastors for more information.
* Monday 7pm at the Dunns home
* Tuesdays 9am at Rosemary’s home
* Wednesdays 7pm in the Church Parlor (off Ellis Hall)
* Virtual Group by Email
In addition, the Finance Committee is scheduling special speakers throughout November to talk about the joy of stewardship personally to them.
For more information on this, please see the Stewardship article from last month's newsletter.
Pie Bake Fundraiser
Is there any interest in having a little time out of the kitchen during the holidays? How about your favorite pies being baked for you? What I am proposing is a fundraiser to help the church and you as well. The pies will be baked and either delivered to you or they can be piced up the day before Thanksgiving at the church. Unless specified, each pie will be 9" apple, pumpkin, squash, pecan and others on request. The cost would be $10-$15 depending on the pie. If interested, please contact Rosemary Herd 799-2392 or Chris Ward 767-2516. If it turns out well, we can repeat for Christmas, adding cookies to the mix.
Changes in Finance
Kathy Brann has felt led to step in as acting Financial Secretary, and will be officially brought in when Church Council votes on the entire slate of leaders for 2009 in December. Kathy brings years of accounting experience, and has been serving as Finance Chair this year. Kathy also brings some innovative ideas, which will be brought to Church Council in November.
Please keep all of these folks in your prayers, and support them in any way you can. Thank you again to Keith and Becky, and to Kathy for stepping up to the plate!
Golf Scramble
The Peoples Wild Golf Scramble was held on October 18 at the South Portland Municipal Golf Course. The event was jointly sponsored by the Methodist Men under Merrill Kaiser with support by Nurture Chairperson, Rosemary Herd who furnished the food.
Twenty-four members and friend participated for various prizes. The winning team was Tom Nelson, Captain. The longest drive for women was Barbara Nelson. The closest to the pin for the men was Mark Tordoff. The closest to the pin for the women was Cynthia Beddie.
Prizes were donated by Dicks Sporting Goods and South Portland Municipal Golf Course.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Second Saturday Mornings
Annual Auction Filled With Spirit
Shortly before 7 PM Harold Sutherland, the famous auctioneer, came through the door to Ellis Hall and proceeded to look over the merchandise and renew friendships with Doreen and many others who had frequented his many auctions both at Peoples and elsewhere. Doreen welcomed the gathering of peoples there for an evening of entertainment and bargains. This was followed by a prayer offered by Pastor Jamie and then it was time for Harold to go to work.
It is rather interesting that some items of what might be considered of great worth seemed to go for very low bids while other items that one would not expect would bring in as much went for a rather tidy sum. The bidding certainly showed the tight financial times that we seem to be in at present. Some folks did walk away with some outstanding bargains. For the most part the attenders had a very good time and a goodly sum of money was again raised for the benefit of the church.
We certainly thank Doreen for all of the effort that she put in to the arrangements and Sue Angell, Marlene Tordoff and Betsy Morrison for their cool calculations of sales and money. Amy Wellington was helpful in assisting with the merchandise and Samantha Foote, Nathan and Isaac Dunn for their willingness to serve as runners.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Stewardship Study for the Whole Church
WOW Satellite Opportunity in Belfast!
However, it's just come to our attention that a satellite version of this same conference is being offered in Maine!
Saturday November 8 at 9am-12:30pm in Belfast, Maine
Don't miss this opportunity!
The School of Congregational Development for the United Methodist Church in New England
For the first time, we’re thrilled to offer a shorter taste of the WOW event to those who can’t make it to the main campus in Bloomfield CT. Bring yourself, your church leadership team, or your entire congregation on Saturday, November 8th.
It’s close. It’s brief. It’s convenient. So plan to join us right now!
Keynote Speaker: Paul Nixon
We’ll rebroadcast Paul Nixon’s plenary presentation from the main campus. Paul is a pastor, church planter, coach, consultant, and the author of several books including “I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church.”
Location:
Belfast United Methodist Church
23 Mill Lane Belfast, ME
Schedule:
9:00 Opening Worship
9:30 Workshop Session #1:
A. From Fist to Fingers
B. Growing Healthy Churches
10:30 Keynote Broadcast: Paul Nixon
11:30 Workshop Session #2:
A. No More Boring Worship
B. Tuning In
12:30 Depart
Childcare will be provided.
Register Now!
Click here to download the flyer and registration: WOW Satellite