Dear Friends in Faith,
Last Sunday afternoon we had a great time at the Church Picnic. Many thanks to Tim for coordinating it and preparing hot dogs! Fellowship events are a great way to get to know each other better and strengthen our faith community. Jesus said that when, “…two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” I’m sure that applies to church picnics, too!
Below I’ve included a prayer for confidence that we may ever more be who God created us to be. Please scroll down to read the announcements about events and opportunities in our church and community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
Grant us the confidence, Lord
to step out in faith and become
the people we are meant to be,
unapologetic in our love for you,
wanting to be change-makers,
bringers of hope, love and grace
into an unbelieving world
that has no faith but in itself,
is almost blind and cannot see
that all it seeks is found in you.
Grant us the confidence, Lord
to step out in faith and become
the people we are meant to be.
~ Faith and Worship
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule and Office Hours Week of July 30-August 5
(Schedule may change as visitation needs and other pressing matters arise.)
Sunday: Worship 9:30am, Leave for Vacation
Monday: Vacation
Tuesday: Vacation
Wednesday: Vacation
Thursday: Office 10am-2pm, Barnes & Noble Open Hours 3:30pm-5:30pm
Friday: Office 8am-10am, Memorial Service 11am
Saturday: Pastor’s Sabbath
If you have a pastoral emergency while Pastor Kristabeth is away please call the church office (863-6764) between 9am-1pm or, if it is after office hours, call Kristabeth on her cell phone (825-8141). There will be no Faith UMC Update next week.
Worship Sunday, July 30 – Family Stories
Theme: The Next Generation
Scripture: Genesis 29: 15-28, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Sermon: “Marriage, Children and Reconciliation”
Worship will include a “Story Time” for you to tell a family story of your own!
Worship Sunday, August 6
Theme: God’s Ever Present Love
Scripture: Romans 8:26-39
Sermon: “Inseparable”
We will share Holy Communion.
Lake Monster’s Game with Fireworks Saturday, August 19
Ticket Prices: $6.00 – Adults and Children under 12, $4.00 Seniors and Children under 12
Deadline for Sign Up: August 1 (Sign-up sheet on kiosk)
See Tim Hess with any questions.
Children’s Table in Sanctuary
For those children who are too old for the nursery, but too young to be expected to sit quietly for an hour, we have set up an activity table in the sanctuary. Children are not required to be at the table. They are welcome to play at the table for part or all of worship, as they would like. There are coloring sheets, books, and games available. If you have an older child who would like to sit at the table and engage with the younger ones as a helper, that would be great too! We hope this creates a space in which parents can worship and children feel welcome and included. Children are a blessing to our church and our worship experience, with all the joy and enthusiasm they bring!
Nursery Care Volunteer Needed First Sunday of the Month
Our dedicated Nursery Care Provider, Sharon, takes the first Sunday of the month off so she can attend worship. If you would like to volunteer to provide nursery coverage on the first Sundays of the month please speak with Pastor Kristabeth. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Those under 18 may serve as nursery assistants under an adult’s supervision.
Donate to the Food Shelf: With children home from school for the summer break, need continues to be great. Place your donation in the shopping cart in the Gathering Space.
Donations of disposable razors and tooth brushes are needed for JUMP (Joint Urban Ministry Project).
Weekday Bible Study
For the past several years we have held a weekday Bible Study during the school year (September –June). At various times we’ve met weekly or every other week, in the morning or in the afternoon. In order to determine the best time for the study I’ve created a poll. Participation in the poll does not obligate you to attend! Please give your feedback as to what days and times would work best for you if you were to attend a weekday study: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C5P9SWR
(This study is for those available during the day. We will continue to have Sunday and evening studies for those who are occupied during the weekdays.) Thanks!
Ministry Circles on the Web!
As our circle ministry plan continues to evolve –
so does our website.
If you haven’t been there in a while –
take it for a spin!
https://faithsbvt.org/our-ministries/
Hymn Sunday: September 3
On Sunday, September 3rd we will sing all our favorite hymns – or as many as we can squeeze into our worship time! Sign up on the kiosk to sing your favorite hymn and indicate the hymn name, number in the hymnal, and which two verse you would like to sing. Then warm up your vocal chords for a Sunday morning filled with song. We will not have communion September 3. Communion will be shared September 10.
Holy Humor Sunday: August 20
Do you have a joke you want to share? Do you have a crazy hat you can’t wait to wear? Bring both to Holy Humor Sunday on August 20! The theme for Holy Humor Sunday is “He Who Laughs Last….”
Circle Sunday August 20 following Worship (Note Change of Date)
Sunday, August 20 will be our quarterly Circle Sunday! On Circle Sundays the Ministry Circles of Compassion, Encouragement and Inspiration meet. Ministries of Compassion are ministries that show concern or care for the experiences of others. Ministries of Encouragement are ministries that support others in their spiritual growth. Ministries of Inspiration are ministries that move us closer to God. Please bring a simple pot luck dish to share. A collaborative meeting of all Circle Ministry Teams will gather from 12-1pm.
There’s a Circle for Everyone! Families, singles, children, elders, youth….. everyone has a place in the Circle! Plan to stay for Circle Sunday and discover where your gifts can be used in the work of the church!
