PUMC Stages Variety Show

PUMC Variety Show: A Big Hit

On the evening of Saturday, November 14, 2015 the latest edition of Peoples infamous Variety Shows began at 7:00 PM in Ellis Hall. Two hours later the audience left with a chuckle or a tune to remember. Over 70 folks were in attendance. While there was no admission charge well over $300 was collected in either donations or in the purchase of goodies at the refreshment booth.

The MC for the evening was Dick Matthews who has served in that capacity now for several years. Introducing acts he has become a master at and his jokes, many related to his family or in his relationships with school age children regaled us with good wholesome humor.

The first act of both the first half of the show and the second half of the show featured “The Flukes” a locally based ukulele band of 13 or 14 members. The lead for the evening was our own Fred Wade. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was the first song on their agenda. Many in the audience were familiar with this tune and either sang along or hummed along with the band. The band later would sing and play John Denver’s “Country Road” with some of the band members switching to a Banjo Ukulele while others continued with the more familiar traditional Hawaiian style of instrument.

Following the Flukes was Marnie, known to most of us oldsters as Marilyn (Darling). She did a hilarious musical rendition of “Poor Tommy Toad” who unfortunately found his way to the middle of the road and alas his life came to an end.

It was then once again time for Sally Smith to take the staging area and give us her famous two-head piece rendition of Little Liza giving instructions to Henry. Her rendition was received with extended laughter from the audience as the story unfolded.

Merrill Kaiser with accompaniment of Debbie Cole on the piano sang two songs over the course of the two halves of the program. He brought a country-western flavor to the audience in both of his pieces. In the first act he sang “The Last Farewell” and in the second half he closed his contributions in song with, I Was Born under a Wandering Star”.

Chris Ward and Dan Doughty for several years have teamed up to sing together. In the first portion of the show they sang “Whispering Hope” with the accompaniment of Debbie. The also closed the show with the song, ”Let There Be Peace On Earth” to which they invited the audience to participate. The song was a fitting closing to the show especially since there seems to be a rash of terroristic experiences taking place in this World that can only bring fear into the lives of all.

Pat Kaiser read a piece, somewhat in poetic form, about a girl (woman) who thinks in church about people in one way and yet when she meets those same people on the way out of church speaks to and with them in an entirely different way. The story perhaps is more real than we would all like to admit. This piece was called, “The Frivolous Girl In Church”.

The youngest person in the show is the son of MC Dick. Aaron Matthews sang a popular number from years past, Games People Play” that would have been familiar to many of those attending this show. You could tell who was familiar with the number as many joined in with the “La de Dah” in the chorus.

Aaron was followed by Mariah Bowker who with great voice added much to the musical extravaganza. I am sorry that I have failed to find a way of transferring the picture that I took of Mariah. If I find a way I will edit it in later.

At the end of the first half and before intermission The Ushers took the staging area. There were 6 women and five men, all of whom have taken the role of Usher in church at some time. Many also have served in the choir. With the help of Wes Splettstoesser and others they were able to merge two songs, “Stand By Me” originally recorded by Ben E. King and “I’ll Stand By You “recorded by The Pretenders some years ago. The presentation began with the reading of Psalm 139:12 which set the stage for the two songs. After seeking someone to “Stand By Me” the response indicated that those responding said, “I’ll Stand By You”. Before they were finished the Ushers sang, “What A Wonderful World.” If folks will stand together was the thought then we would truly experience a wonderful world.

Following the Ushers a short intermission allowed those present to have refreshments that were served by Beck and Janice. Nourished, everyone was invited back to their seats, The second half opened with the Flukes again playing as mentioned above.

Marilyn teamed up with Chris and Rosemary for a number which in turn was followed by Betty Smith singing acapela the Christmas song, “Little Donkey”.

 

 

 

Christina Irace then took the stage to sing her rendition of “Halleluiah “. Christina was accompanied by her Dad on the guitar. Both her Mom and Dad are members of the Flukes.

 

 

Pastor Tom showed off his musical talent by singing a Broadway number and acting it out. One certainly felt the Broadway connection that he had in the past and, we might add, still does. His rendition of “I Love A Film Cliché” was a show stopper.

 

 

Rosemary and Marilyn followed and sang  “Try To Remember” which helped to show off their beautiful voices which also led many in the audience to remember innocent times past—or were they?

The evening of fun came to an end when Chris and Dan came forward for the closing number which was another song of complete appropriateness for this weekend when terrorist raids were taking place in Paris, in Beirut and elsewhere in the Middle East. “Let There Be Peace on Earth” while a popular song of the past was certainly a prayer that we could all share for the “Wonderful World” that God has created for us.

When the program was over many in the audience were willing to stay long enough to pick up chairs and tables and reset Ellis Hall for Sunday activities. Thanks to all of those folks that helped make this a great evening. It is amazing to see what can be done when everyone works together.

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS NEWS FROM PEOPLES

As you might expect, there is much in the works at Peoples as we celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas.  Our theme this year is "ANTICIPATION" and there is much to look forward to.

Throughout Advent we will be offering opportunities to reach out and benefit others.  These missions begin November 29.

PRAYER STARS

We will be increasing our involvement in assisting victims of human trafficking by collecting items to provide some basic needs.  Items being collected for the packages are:  bar of soap, wash cloth, small comb, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, socks, candy/gum, snacks, juice box or juice pouch.  We are also collecting financial donations which will be used to purchase the packing bags and any needed items.  Supporters will be offered a Prayer Star on which they can write a prayer.  The stars will be hung in the chancel.   A gathering will be held in January to put the packages together.  More information will come as the day approaches.   Of course, as always, we continue to collect Hannaford Gift Cards. 

ADVENT BOXES

Because you requested it, we bring back the Advent Boxes.  Designed to remind us of how many ways we are blessed, simply pick up a box, follow the directions, and return the box on Christmas Eve or December 27.  And, as we remember the blessings in our lives, we can share those blessings with a variety of missions throughout the world.  All donations received through the Advent Boxes will help support UMCOR first responders, UMC camp ministries, the World Service Fund (providing relief to over 100 third worls countries), and more. 

WORSHIP & EVENTS CALENDAR

 Nov. 29--First Sunday of Advent:  We gather at 10 am for our traditional Hanging of the Greens service.  Remember to bring an ornament to hang on the tree.  This is also the final day for collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Root Cellar Ministry.

Dec. 5--Victorian Christmas Fair:  Our annual fair begins at 9 am on Saturday.  Crafts, gifts, baked good, treasures, books and luncheon are featured.  

Dec. 6--Second Sunday of Advent:  Our Advent theme continues in worship at 10 am with the message "Stepping Out Of The Darkness."

Dec. 13--Third Sunday of Advent:  Peoples celebrates its new partnership with Spiral Arts with a Christmas card making workshop in the Vestry following worship.  Refreshments will be provided.  Our message in worship is "Priorities."  A Hymn Sing will begin in the Sanctuary at 9:45 am!

Dec. 20--Fourth Sunday of Advent:  Worship is at 10 am and our message will be "Great Expectations"

Dec. 21--Blue Christmas Service:  The Christmas season can be a difficult time for many.  It is hard to deal with loss and other challenges, especially during time of year.  This service acknowledges those struggles as we gather to offer support and comfort.  We gather at 7 pm on this, the longest night of the year.

Dec. 24--Christmas Eve:  Please join us at 7 PM for a candlelight service of Lessons and Carols.

Dec. 27--First Sunday After Christmas:  We continue celebrating the Christmas season in worship at 10 am with a Christmas Cantata.

Jan. 3--Epiphany Sunday:  We gather for a special service at 10 am, where we will take a musical journey through the liturgical year.

Please check our Facebook page and Sunday bulletins for more information and regular updates.  See you at PEOPLES during this most joyous season.

Fall Cleanup, Great Turnout

Fall Cleanup at Peoples

Arriving at Peoples UMC on Saturday, November 7 around 9 AM I was surprised to see an army of people of all ages working inside and outside of the church during the annual fall cleanup activity. There were many folks raking and bagging leaves on the parsonage lawn, the front lawns of the church and also on the Harriet Street side and around the back parking lot.

Another group of folks were working inside Ellis Hall cleaning tables and making them sparkle. Jim MacDonald and his crew had washed and waxed the floors throughout Ellis Hall and the vestry during the week and they just glistened.

Back outside a crew of men were working on repairs to the parsonage garage that included Dan and Brad. Look up to the gutters around Ellis Hall and one would see Tom H. cleaning the gutters and John with a bucket extended receiving the leaves that Tom was finding in the gutters.

Out front the flower beds were being cleaned and put to rest for the winter. There was Walter, Tom N. Doreen and Marlene clipping, trimming and moving plants and objects that need to be changed for winter storage. Everywhere one gathered you could see Troop 23 Scouts raking, bagging and trimming the lawn areas. A number of their parents were also in the clean-up crews.

Around the back parking lot and children’s play yard one would find Janice and Art and various other visitors over time raking, blowing, vacuuming and bagging leaves that had swirled into the yard and catching in the fencing that protects the yard from traffic.

The most unusual activity visible to those watching was one that involved Chuck and Pastor Tom primarily. For some months the church bell has not been rung because of some mystery. The only means of getting in to the bell tower is from the outside panel at the back of the tower. Fearless Chuck and Pastor Tom were elevated to that level via a motorized lift. Once the panel on the tower was opened Chuck was able to discern that the rope pull needed to be refastened to the bell apparatus. With the ringing of the bell half an hour later we observers could tell that the bell, originally purchased and barged to the Ferry Village Church back in the 1880’s from a closed Portland church, would ring again each Sunday here on Broadway where it had hung and was rung since 1948.

We are grateful for all the folks who were part of this day that showed the true spirit of what we as a church family can do together. Thanks to all for their help.