Advent Events Continued

27^th Year Celebration of Advent Meditations

This is the 27^th year for the publication of this annual event in the life of Peoples United Methodist Church. Initially the project was the idea of Dan Quieor the husband of Meg who just completed a number of years in the ministry. Among others who coordinated the project was Dave Hodgkins, the husband of Wanda Stahl who has served the New England United Methodist Church Conferenceand is presently on the teaching staff of Boston University School of Theology. Ellen Dunn was the third editor and most recently it has been Art Tordoff. We hope that all who have read and contribute to this annual publication have found inspiration in its pages.

The 2013 Children’s Sunday School Christmas Pageant

While delayed a week because of inclement weather was almost delayed again because of weather, but the show was destined to go on. While members of families that may have been travelling from a distance couldn’t be present because of the weather, it appeared that all of the cast, the directors and immediate family members were present as well as a sizeable congregation.

As part of the regular Sunday Service on December 22, the Pageant followed the regular program that included a number of Christmas carols, the lighting of the Advent candles by the Marston family and the sermon given by Pastor Tom Frey. The lay speaker for the month of December has been Kelly Frey.

Pastor Tom’s sermon was based on the moral of the story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. As anyone who has read or seen the story one knows that while the people of Whoville were relatively poor, they were also happy. Eventually the Grinch was convinced that one’s riches are not the key to happiness and that doing for others with love is the way the Lord would have us be.

The Pageant included some 25 or more young folks and was led by 5 or 6 adults. There were angels and shepherds, as well as Mary and Joseph and the baby. Three wise men appeared as well as a little drummer boy. Some of the children were attired in animal costumes and some of the older children served as the narrating team. Music and the Christmas story were second only to the actors themselves.

Thanks to Debbie Cole also for her leadership in the musical realm in the regular part of the service as well as the pageant.

 

 

 

Christmas Eve service                        December 24, 2013

Twas the night before Christmas when Peoples was filled.

The Bell Choir prepared for an inspirational evening, by playing together

spiritual rills of the season.

There were families upon families, who came to be near,

Near to the Crèche, to a neighbor, and to the Spirit, that all could share.

The Advent Wreath this evening was fully lighted by the Small family featuring the candles of Hope, Peace Joy and of Love.

Then came the larger candle, the one in the middle. The candle of Jesus Christ for whose birth we await!

The Pastor was preaching on a Charlie Brown Christmas, complete with a video

that was truly a treat.

He also brought his friends, Harry and Humphrey, puppets neat.

Children in the audience came forward, sat rapt at the rail,

while adults too were drawn into the message bewailed.

As the celebration continued we sang the message from Luke

That we hear every year.

Yet the story never too old, tried and true we listen.

And we leave each other by singing a Silent Night and a Joy for this World.

Ring out the bells in various sizes and to each do we say

 Merry Christmas to all and God speed through life.

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples UMC Advent Season 2013

Advent Season at Peoples UMC South Portland

Hanging of the Greens

Advent this year began on December 1, only a few days after a late Thanksgiving. The first service saw congregation members involved in the service in a number of ways. Pastor Tom followed a program that helped explain a number of the traditions that have become part of the Christmas season. While the choir sang the sanctuary became festooned with Evergreen wreaths and swags. Many members of the congregation, young and older, rose from their pews and picked up the greens. These were hung at the end of pews and from the beams of the church.

Pat and Merrill and their grandson, Christopher and his girl friend Bobbielynn came forward and lit the Candle of Hope in the Advent Wreath.

Pastor Tom added some understanding of what relationship the Poinsettia plant has to America as well as meaning to church life. This was followed by the decorating of the Christmas tree in the front of the church. Members were asked to bring meaningful decorations from home or from those that have been used on the tree for a number of years. Once the tree was decorated then the children brought forth toys and other gifts that would be placed beneath the tree and later distributed through the Root Cellar in Portland.

Later after the children had left for Pageant practice, Pastor Tom called adult volunteers to come forward and place Crèche figures in the Stable on top of the piano.

Since it was the first Sunday of the month it was also appropriate to include a communion service on this first Sunday in Advent.

Caroling rounded out some of the time throughout the service and a meaningful inspirational time was had by all.

It was announced that the Celebration of Advent 2013 Meditation Book was available for all members of the Congregation. There was also a Christmas Activity book for the children available that would have games and stories for elementary age children as well as colored paper dolls that could be cut out, placed on cardboard with the idea of making a Crèche scene with the help of adults.

 

 A Victorian Christmas Fair

While many may see a Christmas Fair as a means of making money for the church exclusively there is much more than that. There is no single event in the life of Peoples, other than church services, that call on more members to participate in its life. Mostly an event involving the women of the church, there are elements of the male world that call for participation also.

When one entered the front door of Ellis Hall on Saturday morning, December 7, the result of many hours of labor on the previous afternoon and evening could be realized. There is the craft table that was womanned primarily by Sally and Linda. Across the pathway is the Jewelry Table presided over by Doreen, Sharon and Pam. Further along one comes to the potpourri and rice warmers made, prepared and sold by Pipeline, the youth group led by adults Dick and many of the parents of upper elementary and middle school children. Further along the way Barbara, two Bettys,, Joanne, and Jody could be seen helping buyers sort through a myriad of treasures.

Into the breezeway the trail would go where one could find books, games and videos. Pam and Becky were the hostesses in this arena. Back into Ellis Hall one could round the bend to find Kathy holding forth with another table upon which one might find crafts and other donated treasures. In the middle of this area was young Aaron with his own candy creations available in pails, buckets and cups. Carol on yet another corner could be found with many things including a variety of glassware.

To the back of the hall was the baked foods table with Amy and Marlene along with a candy table presided over by Janice and another Becky. Many folks would find what they were looking for and have it gone before they left the hall. Many folks beyond the four women mentioned in this paragraph had helped supply the goodies for these tables.

Rosemary and Betsy took turns collecting money at the food counter first for coffee and donuts and later for fish and corn chowder/ Hot dogs and Chili which were also on the menu. Brad was the principal chef while he was ably assisted by others including Keith. Chris could be found moving around the Hall or seated in the kitchen.

Among the other men that helped set up and take down were Dick, Art, Braden and Fred could be seen in those back up roles.

I do recall coming into Ellis Hall in the morning and seeing Pastor Tom licking his fingers after frosting Whoopie Pies. Kelly could be seen throughout the hall sampling and chatting as she went the rounds.

As the season of Advent progresses and we celebrate and share our lives together we will add to this blog of activity.