CHRISTMAS WEEK WORSHIP

Peoples UMC will be offering several opportunities to gather as we celebrate the coming of the Christ-child.  We hope you will join us at these special times.

SUNDAY--DECEMBER 18--10 AM
      We celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the Candle of Love.  Our puppet friends Harry and Humphrey will join us to help explain what Christmas is all about.

WEDNESDAY--DECEMBER 21--7 PM--BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE

     Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.
      The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone. 
Our spirits sink, as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
      For these reasons, Peoples United Methodist Church, will offer a special “Longest Night” service on Dec. 21 at 7 pm.

      Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle  - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

SATURDAY--DECEMBER 24--7 PM

      On Christmas Eve we gather for our annual candle light family service.  This year we will share in an interactive service featuring the Christmas Alphabet.  Don't forget to bring your bells as we ring in the birth of Jesus.

SUNDAY--DECEMBER 25--10 AM

     Christmas Day is indeed a joyous time and we will celebrate together with a special Christmas Carol Countdown.  Did your favorite make the Top Ten?  In what spot?  You may be surprised.

SUNDAY--JANUARY 1--10 AM

     Please join us for a traditional Wesleyan Covenant Renewal Service, as we welcome 2017 together.

SEE YOU IN WORSHIP!

Peoples United Methodist Church Christmas Fair

Christmas is behind these doors 

Behind this door is Rosemary

The 2016 Edition

Peoples United Methodist Church Fair

 

The morning was crisp and people were at the door long before the doors would open. The workers were still gathering and setting last minute items in place.

Let us pray before the day

Marlene and Amy in the Bakery

The baked goods and candy tables were filling up with goodies prepared by many of the cooks of our  church community and led by Amy and Marlene presiding over scones, whoopie pies, carrot cake, Christmas breads and cookies.

Becky and Jan in the Candy shop

First customers

Next door to the Bakery was the Candy table presided over by Janice and Becky S.  As children passed through with parents and grandparents this table had a special attraction for them. Fudge,needhams and penuche and so many more delectable attractions were ready for a busy morning of selling. We should not forget that the confections in chocolate in particular provide a lure for folks of all ages.

Dan at the Men's table

Some of the perishable goods on the United Methodist Men’s table were still coming in to join the hand made goods that had been set up the night before. On that table area you might find Dan, Art, Tom F and Tom N. Items for sale included cheese by the pound, green tomato relish, baked yellow- eye beans as well as breakfast mixes, candle rings, napkin rings, golf balls and wooden plaques.

Busy in the Book Bin

The book room was set. Becky was ready with a sizeable selection of hard covers, paperbacks, as well as CD’s, DVD’s and if you are old enough to remember, VHS tapes.

Betty is ready

Barbara, Betty, Jody and Pam B were perusing once more the trove of goods that would be purchased before the fair was over. One whole side of the room was the display area for Trash and Treasures that included a special section on Christmas baubles. You could also find anything from a camera to chairs, to luggage and doodads (whatever they might be).



Doreen and Sharon the Jewelry Queens

Doreen and Sharon as well as Pam D were ready to sell jewelry so nicely prepared and displayed after months of collecting, cleaning, sterilizing and carding. The tables and displays were festooned with holly and other items appropriate to a Winter Wonderland.



Mariah paints for your pleasure

There was Mariah at the back of the hall ready to sell her personalized Christmas decorations with a wonderful smile.

Carol and Kathy wait on customers

In the middle of the hall were tables that sold a variety of gifts from chinaware to games. Carol and Kathy and Aaron were engaged in this area.

Aaron and Kathy at work

Dick at the console

Jean, Marni and guest

At the front of the hall were the craft goods of varying types. Knits, toys and Christmas decorations could be found. Behind the tables with cheery faces were Rosemary, Sally, Dick M and his wife Jean.

Craft world

The kitchen crew

Meanwhile in the kitchen Brad, Dick S, Keith, Danielle and Chris were preparing everything from coffee and donuts to fish and corn chowder, hot dogs and chili, and chicken salad sandwiches. Visitors were already ordering some of those delicacies by 10:15!

Judy, Olivia, Susan and Jean

The Peabodys

The Christmas Fair at Peoples is always a draw for people who have had a long association with the church as well as newcomers and neighbors of some of those that were working on the fair. Some of the attendees are family members and others are curiosity seekers. All usually leave with more than they came with and vow to return next year.



Marita and Frank

Dawn, Betsy and Marlene

Marita, our oldest member

Pam and Barb in good spirits

Sharon, Doreen and friend

The Fair has always been a great community builder for folks that work on it.  We all learn from the experience and hope that we can improve and be even more welcoming to each other as well as to those who are new to our church community.

Play me another tune, Dick

 We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with the blessings of Jesus Christ upon us all!

'Twas The Night Before

‘Twas the day before the Christmas Fair

Rosemary

‘Twas the day before the Christmas Fair,

Shari, Dick and Rosemary

When all through Ellis Hall the buzzing of busy people permeated the air.

With Rosemary and Betty and Marlene and Carol running hither and thither,

banners and lights gave a glow to the activity on this winter’s eve.

Marlene, Janice and Becky

We might not have made it without the suggestions of Shari.

Janice and Becky with sweet candies in preparation were in their usual corner next to the kitchen.

There was Jeanne and Dick with piano and wooden ornaments, great smiles on their faces as they set the pace.

Doreen

Doreen and Sharon

All of a sudden through the door Doreen and Sharon came, with a thought to the decorations that would grace their baubles that were there.

Dick, Dan and Pastor Tom with a hand they did raise to help string the lights that John and Tom had already set in place.

Barbara, Dick, Shari and Pastor Tom

There were tables to move and chairs to place, so there was still plenty to do for all hands in the place.

Pam, Betty and Barbara

With decorations here and trash and treasure there the afternoon was at first a confusing mess.

But lo and behold as additional helpers appeared, there seemed to be a rhythm for all to share.

Marlene and Carol

At 5 there were many who were hungry at best, so Carol prepared sandwiches that set stomach’s to rest.

Pam

On into the evening more workers came, only to leave when they knew all was ready for the new day.

Questions persisted would people come; God only knew there would be more than a few.

Thank you to all who helped to set up, we couldn’t have done it without your step up; 1, 2, 3.

 

Peoples Annual Christmas Fair

New Name for Christmas Fair

Over several years the name given to the Peoples Annual Christmas Fair was a Victorian Christmas but beginning this year it will be known as the Peoples UMC
 Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair. The fair this year is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, from 9am to 2 pm in Ellis Hall at Peoples United Methodist Church, 310 Broadway, South Portland. Luncheon will be served from 11am to-1pm and includes the choices of chowder, chicken salad sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, etc. The tables will be loaded with Jewelry, Knits, Crafts, Homemade baked goods and candy, Books and Trash and treasure. This year there will also be a table operated by the United Methodist Men that will be set up like a country store featuring goods made by the men. For more detail the church can be reached at Telephone 799-1413.

Pictures below were taken at last year's fair. Come on down and join the fun this year!

Sally at the knit goods table

First customers at the Jewelry table

Rosemary Pam and Carol at Trinkets

Baked goods table with Marlene and Amy

Becky sets up the candy table with Jan

Marital Gould never misses the fair

Becky and Susan will greet you in the book room

Pam and granddaughter

Trash and treasure led by Betty and Barb

PUMC Cleanup Brings Together Many

Barb, Marlene and Doreen

Dick got the food out

Men have a chance to chat

Merrill and Art

On November 4 the sun came up on a cold but bright and sunny day. The United Methodist Men and a few women invitees arrived at Peoples for breakfast by 7:30 AM. With our regular chef unable to be there Dick Small with help from Tom Nelson got the meal out and with an opening prayer the day was underway. There were three women there for breakfast to meet with at least 20 men who were there for breakfast and the regular monthly meeting of UMM. The Trustees of the church had also planned a cleanup especially of the outside property of the church, Ellis Hall and the parsonage. While many were outside it should be noted that Chuck, Rob and Dick spent time taking care of electrical issues inside the properties.

The Line continues

Barb and Wes

Many Many leaves

As the meeting ended, many of the men adjourned to the outside with rakes, blowers, mowers and bags to pack up leaves and the like to dump into Walter’s truck and trailer that he would then take to a dump. All around the building you could find members and friends of the church working in the gardens, raking the leaves into big piles and then taking them to the dispensing area.

Jan and Ruth at the garden

Dan and his rake

John cleeans up at parsonage

A little time elapsed and then a sizeable contingent of Cub Scouts from Pack 22 and their families arrived in time to take care of picking up most of the leaves in back of the church.

Judy and Doreen

The leaders were amazed at the turnout which was great for community building and how much was accomplished in such a relatively short period of time. Thanks to all who participated.

Lin must be cold

 

Marlene rakes the walk

Pat and Tommy rake away

Cub Scouts and families

What's in my pile of leaves?

Scouts keep working

Discovery time