Come shop...and bless Peoples UMC!!!

Kimberley's Travels is having a batik clothing warehouse sale on Thursday, August 4th from 3:00 to 7:00pm. Baby sized clothing all the way to women's XXL will be available! 10% OF ALL SALES ARE TITHED TO PEOPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH!! The sale will take place at the Kimberley's Travels warehouse at 58 Fore Street in the Portland Yacht Services Complex in Portland. Come shop...and bless Peoples UMC!! For more information, call 807-4960.

I once was lost, but now I'm found...

So, I’m driving around South Portland the other day, trying to find a specific place when I notice that I am lost. Not surprising with my sense of direction and not surprising that I left on this adventure without the new GPS device. What was surprising, though, is when I came upon a building I recognized.

You see, a few days earlier Tom Nelson was kind enough to give Kelly and me a tour of the area. There was a lot of ground covered and a lot of information shared. So much in fact that I was not sure how much of it I would actually remember.

But, here I was, hopelessly adrift, when I saw this building and all that Tom had said about it came flooding back and I was able to find my way again (for that trip anyway).

It’s funny how we never know what we will remember until the time comes when we do.

The Word is like that. We receive it, sometimes with deliberate intention, other times seemingly half listening. Sometimes we feel it doesn’t relate to us or we cannot fully grasp what is being offered and then something happens and it all comes flooding back to us with an understanding we may not have had before. It can be startling not only what we remember, but how we remember it.

We find that is true with the children. We often wonder just how much of a worship service, Sunday School class, youth group gathering, VBS week is actually sinking in and, more times than not, we are surprised days or weeks later when we hear words reflected back to us that shows not only remembering, but understanding.

It happens to us much the same way and why not—after all, we are all God’s children.

My prayer is we remain open to the Spirit, be patient with each other, and come to see and understand the blessings that are found in each opportunity.

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously". –Matthew 10:5-8 (The Message)

Shalom,

Tom

Parsonage phone is live!!

The parsonage phone number, 207-799-6814, is back in the parsonage. There is also voicemail available, so leave Pastor Tom a message if he does not answer.

You can also leave messages at the church at the regular church number, 207-799-1413.

A reminder that 207-619-1509 is no longer being used, since it cannot be changed over from Pastor Gwyneth.

Thanks so much. Blessings!

Phone number confusion?

In the interests of clarification, please note:

The only phone number where you can currently reach Pastor Tom is the church phone number, 799-1413. The answering machine will pick up and you can leave a message. Pastor Tom is checking it several times each day.

The phone number 619-1509 cannot be switched over from Pastor Gwynneth, and must be phased out. You cannot reach the church and/or Pastor Tom with that phone number.

The parsonage phone number 799-6814 will not be available until after July 13, when TimeWarner will be coming to change the number to a land line.

The best way to reach Pastor Tom is to send him an email at pastortom@peoplesumc.com or call the church.

We are sorry about the confusion. Thanks for your patience!

Videos from "Hype-it-Up" on the Mission Trip

First video is Carolyn leading kids in singing "Jesus' Love is Bubbling Over"



Second video is Pastor Gwyneth leading kids in "Toody Ta"

Days 5 and 6 Mission Trip

Today (Friday) we presented the poster that the Peoples Sunday School made. The kids loved hearing about some of the decorations which included moose, lobsters and blueberries. Yesterday, we chaperoned an awesome field trip to the Herr's Chip Factory. The favorite part for most of the kids was getting some chips off the conveyor, still hot! Our last day (Friday) our Maine team also led "hype-it-up" time which included songs, skits and games. Will post some videos! We closed the day by hosting a dinner for the Urban Promise staff which was much appreciated. A great week. The evening will be filled with packing and cleaning, and an early start for home Saturday morning. Hope you can join us for a welcome home party! Contact Betty Lane for the updated time; holiday traffic may hinder travels...