A publication of

The First United Methodist Church

18 Wesley Way (Rt. 11A), PO Box 7408, Gilford, NH 03247

Pastoral Epistle

There’s an old joke that a woman hasn’t fully committed to attending an event until she’s decided what she’s going to wear to it.

Laugh if you want, but there’s a deeper message here: Showing up often involves a level of preplanning and dedication.

And that’s true on Sunday mornings as much as it is any other time of the week. So consider this: When it comes to attending church, is your assumption that you’ll be there every week, and everything else must work around that commitment? Or is your thought that you’ll go as long as you don’t have too much else to do? Readings in Treasures of the Transformed Life focus on presence, an important concept for any Christian.

To help explain why, let’s go over the Scripture verse, “Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (Rom. 12:5 NLT).

Notice the part that says, “each of us needs all the others.” It’s hoped that the next time you consider missing worship service, that phrase will stick in your mind. See, we need to be careful about the idea that we go to church just so we can get something out of it. Going to church also offers us an opportunity for us to give.

What kind of church would we be if every member—every single member—showed up on Sunday with the thought, Who can I bless today? or How can I serve?

No doubt, it would be a place where needs were met. It would be a place of joy, excitement, and selflessness. And it would be a place in which everyone felt that they fit. As journalist and author Jane Howard once said, “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

And it, apparently, needs you, too.

In Christ,

Rev. Victoria Wood Parrish

December newsletter information:

November 12

Chairpersons reports for the next Administrative Council meetings:

November 8

Bulletin Announcements:

Wednesday prior to the Sunday you want the announcement in.

Church office

(603) 524-3289

E-Mail

umclr@metrocast.net

Web Page

www.gbgm-umc.org/lakeschurch/

Staff

Pastor

Rev. Dr. Victoria Wood Parrish

Secretary

Joyce Keyser

Choir Director

Karen Jordan

Organist

Betty Welch

Asst. Organist

Kelly Cleveland

Treasurer

Shelli Boucher

Sexton

Peter Ayer

Office News

Thank you to the terrific group of helpers who have done the newsletter assembly most recently: Dorothy Hetherington, Marion Hutchins, Nancy Morley, Debby Pare, Jane Reep and Janet Zimmermann.

Joyce is looking for someone who can reupholster the two office guest chairs.

If you can do this, please speak to Joyce. Thank you.

Prayer Chain

Did you know that your church has a prayer chain?

If you or a loved one needs prayer, please do not hesitate to call in your prayer request to Vickie (528-2495) or Joyce (527-1873). You may also call the church directly at 524-3289.

We will spread the concern through the prayer chain as quickly as possible, so praying may begin for your concern.

If you would like to join the prayer chain, give Joyce a call and let her know.

Friday Night Movie and Potluck

November 6

We will be showing “The Visitor”, a PG rated drama with Academy Award nominee Richard Jenkins in his role as the widowed professor Walter Vale. He finds himself no longer interested in his work, his students, or home since his wife passed away. A strange encounter with two undocumented refugees in New York give him the opportunity to care again. Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), found squatting in his Manhattan flat, go on to introduce him to African drumming. You can’t help but root for this unlikely hero as he surrenders to the joy of African drumming, which is so unlike society’s standards for an older white academic. This movie is about joy in music, movement , and how it brings us to life.

Let this night be your Friday Night out! Bring something to share for the potluck dinner, and join the fellowship as you share a meal at 6:00 PM, or just come to the movie by 7:00 and enjoy your night out. Please keep December 4 open for the next Movie Night.

For more information please call Kathy Smith at 286-3679.

Lakes Region Handbell Festival

On Saturday, November 7^th the 7th Annual Lakes Region Handbell Festival concert will be held at 4:00 PM. This years’ festival will be led by guest conductor Griff Gall. Griff is the Musical Director of the Back Bay Ringers of Boston Area 1 Educational representative to the National AGEHR.

Ringers from the Greater Lakes Region will attend handbell classes and ring with other handbell choirs to prepare for the days’ concert. The music prepared for the days’ concert will give attending choirs a head start on preparing music for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

The concert will feature six Christmas arrangements played by more than one

choir and each individual choir has the opportunity to share one selection during

the concert.

The Hallelujah Ringers of First United Methodist Church, will be attending,

and other known attending choirs include Granite State Ringers, the Hallelujah

Chorus from our church, and ‘A Joyful Noise’ from Good Shepherd Lutheran

Church in Laconia.

The day will end with a massed concert open to the public at 4:00, here in our sanctu-

ary! Come and bring a can of food for the food bank. A free will offering will be taken at the

concert.

Driver Safety Course Offered

Wesley Woods is sponsoring the AARP Driver Safety Program in our Community Room Monday Nov. 9th and Tuesday Nov. 10th from 9 AM - 1 PM.  There is a $12 charge for AARP members, and $14 charge for non-members.  Checks can be made payable to AARP.  Please call Stace @ 528-2555 to register; please leave a message.  Most insurance companies offer a discount on your car insurance when you take this class.

"One day, your life will flash in front of your eyes. Make it worth watching."

Author unknown

2009 Glad Tidings Christmas Fair

November 14th from 9 AM to 2 PM

This year's fair will be upon us in the wink of Santa's eye. Please note the date and plan to come either to work or shop, or both!

Many ways of participation are available—from flea market to snack bar, and many tables to help at, and your help is needed! A little or a lot, all are welcomed and appreciated, be it setting up, crafts, toyland (occupied also by special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus), and more.

Contributions are needed—home made baked goods (especially cookies for the cookie walk), holiday decorations for all holidays for the Holiday Paraphernalia table, books for the book sale (no Reader's Digest condensed books please), toys, special "oldies" or vintage hard-to-part-with items for Attic Treasures, special items (crystal, metals, porcelain, stoneware, woodwork, etc.) or ETC table, varied jewelry items, and anything your willing to part with—but no computers, please! Also needed are shopping bags of plastic and paper.

And please keep your cards of all types coming. Recycled Christmas cards become various beautiful items, including gift tags and bookmarks. Unused cards of all types are for sale at extremely reasonable prices. The ornament basket will soon appear in the Fellowship Hall for your unwanted ornaments.

Look for the sign-up posters. Help in any way, shape or form is very much appreciated.

Congregation Appreciation Days will be November 8 and 15 during coffee hour. Select items will be for sale at this time.

Many thanks, and merry Christmas to all. If you have any questions, please call Jane Reep at 293-8157 or 520-0093.

Look for these folks at our Christmas Fair: "Mac the Knife" for cutlery, Alward's Gourmet Cheese Board, Betty Ann Moore's photo artistry, Judy and Dick Perry's hand-crafted greeting cards and much more, The Hermann's very special children's crafted books, Sue Shattuck's homemade soy candles, soaps, diffusers and more, Lynn Roubo's homemade pickles, relishes, jams, jellies and fudge, Trudy Jordan and Wendy Lindsay's homemade children's toys, throw pillows, handbags and Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls, Kelly and Mariah Cleveland's homemade bath salts, lotions, chocolates and knit items, and the Gold Girls to bring in your old gold items for cash.

Skating Cancer Benefit

Please join with others for the annual Spread Your Wings and Soar Cancer Benefit. Central NH Skating academy is having their annual cancer benefit coming up November 7, 2009 at the Laconia Ice Arena. This is a great cause and donates all proceeds to LRGHealthcare for cancer support and digital mammography equipment.

This year our own Karissa Zackowski, 11, will again skate for this cause. Karissa, at a young age has experienced the joy with her dad surviving cancer and the sadness with her aunt, losing her battle.

Many of our lives have been affected by cancer. Each year the program is dedicated to the courage of those that lost their battle and rejoiced for those survivors. Please join this group of young skaters who have worked so hard to prepare for this benefit.

Dessert with the Carter Mountain Brass Band

Saturday, December 5 – 7:00 PM

Carter Mountain Brass Band will present a Christmas Concert, and dessert will be served during intermission. Tickets will be sold ahead for $ 10.00 donation.

This is often a standing room only crowd, so be sure to get your tickets! (There will be extras at the door.)

Special Events in November

November 21 – Prayer Vigil. Pray for the church and the people it touches.

November 26 – Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day!

November 29 – Advent begins.

Coming up in December

December 6 – Concert Snow Date – just in case.

December 13 – Choir Cantata during worship

December 18 – Lakes Region Singers Christmas Concert in the sanctuary.

December 20 - Children’s Pageant during worship.

December 24 – Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 and 11:00

December 31 – Watch Night Service at 11:30 PM

Devotional Booklet for Advent/Christmas

You do not need to be a professional writer—If you would be interested in writing a devotion for the Advent and Christmas season, please do so! The more input we have the better. Don't be timid—share your Christmas stories, tell about what preparation for Christmas means to you, or how you prepare and get through the season. Although a Bible reference would be appreciated, it is not necessary. We do however, need to try to focus on the Christian element of Christmas; staying away from the insanity of the general idea that Christmas is for shopping and gift giving alone.

The devotions should be something that brings us back to the meaning of what Christmas really is. We will need 25 devotions for days before Christmas, and 12 more for the 12 days of Christmas.

Publication will be done for distribution on November 29th, the First Sunday of Advent. The deadline for the devotions is November 13th. The earlier the better as we are going to be in a busy season when the deadline is here.

Join us for worship every Sunday!

November 1—All Saint's Sunday, Communion

Sermon—"Jumping In With Both Feet" (Psalm 116:12)

November 8—

Sermon—"Pennies in the Fountain" (Matthew 20:28)

November 15—

Sermon—"Offering a Drink" (Colossians 2:6-7)

November 22—Thanksgiving Sunday, Consecration Sunday,

Sermon—"Filling the Bucket to Overflowing"

November 29—First Sunday of Advent

Sermon—"When the Promise is Fulfilled"

All Saint’s Sunday

All Saint’s Sunday is November 1st. At the 10:30 AM service, we will be remembering all those who are important to us who have entered eternal life. Church members who have died in the past 12 months, will be remembered with a candle on the altar. Their candles will be joined with those who have chosen this church as their spiritual home for funerals and memorial services.

Under the altar, which is a traditional place of honor for Christians who have died, everyone can bring votive candles for friends and relatives who are not members of the congergation or are members who have died previously.

White is the traditional color for this, so votive candles should be white and placed in clear containers. Put your name on the bottom of the container so you can take it home.

If you have a votive candle for All Saint's Sunday, please don't forget to pick up your votive after the service or in the church office during the week.

Church Conference

On Nov. 12 at 7:00 PM, all church members are invited to the annual Church Conference. All members have voice and vote. We will be receiving reports, electing officers, and setting goals for the coming year.

Our district superintendent, John Blackadar, will be leading us.

Trustees Report

After four years of talk and study, the Board of Trustees has entered into a project that we really think is going to bring huge changes in the heating of the church. On the seventh of this October we signed a contract for heat delivery changes with Granite State Plumbing and Heating of Gilford. We anticipate the work to start by the second week of November and to be concluded before Advent, November 29th. We agree that we can much more efficiently distribute heat throughout the building by doing the following:

Eliminate the use of the under floor tunnels as a heated air distribution system.

Convert all heat exchanges (in years past these were radiators, todays baseboard convectors)

Switch from blown air to convectors.

Insulate all hot water heating piping.

Install all new controls so that different parts of the building can be temperature controlled separately from others, can be automatically set to warm by timers and be set to shutdown at the end of the heating day.

To accomplish these objectives, the contractor with the Church will do the following: Convert the heating units in the east and west wings (Fireside room and Library, Sunday School rooms and Wesley Woods Community room) to convectors by closing the air flow from the tunnels and adding grillwork to the face of the units, near the floor. Insulate all heating piping in those tunnels.

Remove the present heat distribution units in the Sanctuary, remove the fin tube heat exchange piping in the tunnels then replace the piping with new copper pipe that will connect to new convectors mounted a little higher on the walls than the present units. These convectors will be eggshell color.

Shut down parts of the old distribution system including the big air blower and heat exchange units that heat air in the tunnels as they will no longer be needed.

Install new controls and teach us how to use them.

The two opposite walls in the Sanctuary (the two with the tapered windows) are exterior concrete with some insulation in the sandwich that makes up those wall panels. Before we install the new convectors, we need to further insulate these walls. That means 31/2” steel studs will be mounted on the inside of these walls, it will then be insulated with spray-in foam, then the surface covered with sheetrock. We will paint the walls a light egg shell. To have a consistent look, the other two Sanctuary walls (two that taper from 8' 8” to 14') will also be studded and covered with sheetrock. The entrance wall that has the two double doors will also be covered with sheetrock but not studded. A cadre of church persons will do this job with the exception of the foam insulation which will be contracted out.

The Sanctuary only, will be without heat during this work so for one Sunday, services will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Work will start when the new convectors arrive. When we know the actual work dates, everyone will be informed. David Witham

Are you gluten intolerant?

Because we have several church members who cannot have gluten, we have some communion wafers that are gluten-free. If you need one of these on communion Sunday, please call the church office so we can put you on the “gluten-free” list.

Calendar Notes

We have started a new calendar layout that you can find on the back of the cover page of this newsletter. Please let us know what you think.

Please be aware that changes in the calendar occur. If you make a change, or need to know if one has been made, contact the church office.

For those who make the dates for meetings and events - please inform the church office. The calendar on the wall outside the office is for dates that should already be on the church calendar that is in the secretary's office. To avoid scheduling conflicts, please write on the outside calendar after confirming it with the office first. Thank you.

Announcement from Bishop Peter D. Weaver

This month Bishop Weaver announced that The Rev. John Blackadar, Superintendent of the New Hampshire District, has requested to retire as of June 30, 2010.    "Reluctantly, I have accepted his request with great thanks to God for his joyful spirit, creative mind, gift of music, and sacrificial love for Christ," said Bishop Weaver. "For over forty years, John has been engaged in transforming ministry in countless ways including as a pastor, Conference Secretary, Conference Administrative Coordinator, VIM Team Leader, District Superintendent, and friend of all. I'm sure John will find wonderful ways to serve Christ in the next chapter of his life and ministry."  

John has served faithfully in a variety of local churches in New Hampshire, and one in Massachusetts, from 1971 to 1998. In 1999, John brought his significant gifts to serve at the Conference level as Administrative Coordinator, where he served for six years. Appointed to superintendency by Bishop Weaver in 2005, John currently serves as the Superintendent of the New Hampshire District, where he will continue to serve until his retirement on June 30, 2010.

September Finance Report

We are 79% of the way through the budget year.

We have received 73% of our anticipated income for the year. The previous five-year average received by this date is 75 %.

We have expended 66% of our anticipated expenses for the year because we did not pay mission shares for six months. However, we have started paying them again and hope to catch up by the end of the year.

Church Family

Locations are needed for the following members of our congregation. If you know where they are, please give the complete address to Joyce in the office. Thank you.

Marcos Ramos

Jane Warren

Carey Pierce

Christopher Choquette

Roberta Choquette

Deepest Condolences

Sympathy to the family of Charles "Chuck" Browning who died on September 22nd.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Ethel "Lu" Browning in 2006.

"In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with."

Brian Tracy, Apple Seeds

Via the Joyful Noiseletter

Happy November Birthdays

1 Dottie Chapman

2 Brian Blanchette

Nathaniel Lamprey

4 Veronica Hurd

5 Marlene Heiligmann

10 Julie Auld

13 Marilyn Miller

Kathy Smith

14 Scott Danby

Margaret Witham

15 Marlene Witham

16 Cassidy Demo

17 Wendy Hurd

Evan Hankins-Hull

20 Patti Bogert

21 Josie Nichols

22 Richard Heiligmann

25 Karl Kimball

27 Tom Corbin

30 Jayda Lynn Glines

Happy November Anniversaries

22 Tom & Lela Corbin

24 Dick & Sharon Walden

Please Provide Information

This is your church family!

If you have news to share—births, deaths, graduations, marriages, etc., please inform Joyce Keyser so that it can be included in the next newsletter.

If you or your family are not on the list for birthdays or anniversaries, but would like to be, please inform Joyce in the church office.

Sooner or later, you’ll discover it.

It’s not some new math, some twisted form of algebra, or even a modified version of addition and subtraction; Instead, it’s often described as “God math,” and it defies all sorts of human logic.

It works like this: You give money to the church or to someone in need, even though you don’t really have it to give. You make a sacrifice. God then does a miraculous thing: Since you’ve done his business, he takes care of yours. You find that your own need is satisfied, sometimes in a surprising way.

Anne Frank summed it up in one of the lessons from Treasures of the Transformed Life: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Did you ever wonder why?

It could be that being generous with our finances allows us to be rich in faith. The more we see “God math” in our own lives, the more confident we become that God really will meet all of our needs.

Besides all that, though, giving a regular tithe demonstrates to God that we consider him more important than we consider money. It keeps us from allowing money to become an idol in our lives. Have you ever thought about it that way?

The truth is, God doesn’t just want our cash—even if does help fund church programs and ministries. What he really wants is our hearts. He wants us to turn to him and say, “Whatever I have, it’s yours.”

Consider the Scripture verse presented in the Sunday school/small group meeting: “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Ps. 116:12 NLT).

It reminds us that we can never pay back God for his great gifts to us. One thing we can do, however, is cheerfully start with the tithe, the very least he asks of us. Set aside that 10 percent every week as soon as you get a paycheck, and you’ll never miss it. It will show God that you’re serious about putting him first—and it will continue to give him opportunities to supply your every need, just as he promised he would.

Youth Fellowship

Sixth grade through high school….

We have started meeting every Sunday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 PM! If you're in town every other week – come! If you are around every week – come! We are planning a trip and service projects, plus we play games, watch movies, and visit other peoples’ houses for meetings... Come with your ideas!

Lectionary

The Lectionary is a list of Bible readings used in many Christian churches. It is set up in a format that after three years it has covered most of the Bible. Often the pastor refers to the lectionary for the readings to be used during worship for that week.

November 1—22nd Sunday after Pentecost, All Saints Day

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11: 32-44

November 8—23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17; Psalm 127 or Psalm 42; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

November 15—24th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 113; Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18),

19-25; Mark 13:1-8

November 22—Last Sunday after Pentecost

2 Samuel 23;1-7; Psalm 132:1-12; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37

November 29—First Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

All About Angels

"When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to 10. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado." - Daniel, 7

"Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, and angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter." - Sara, 6

"My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science." - Harry, 7

"Angels don't eat, but they do drink milk from Holy Cows." - Jerri, 5

Missions

Bhutanese Refugees

As many of you know, our church has become very active in helping refugees from the country of Bhutan, who began arriving in Laconia about a year and a half ago.  Here is a little background about them, and an update on all our church is doing.

Bhutan is a small, independent country located in south-central Asia between India and China.  It was settled long ago by Tibetans, who make up the majority of the population.  However, descendents of people from Nepal, another country close to Bhutan, were also, living there.  Bhutan has a government headed by a hereditary monarch, with the State religion being Buddhism.  During the 1980's, the King decided that he wanted to unify his country to give it a stronger identity.  Following a policy of ethnic cleansing, his government forced the Nepali descendents, who practice Hinduism, to leave the country.  These people fled to India and Nepal, most of them living in a United Nations refugee camp in Nepal, estimated at 100,000 at one time.  Efforts were made to work things out peacefully with Nepal and Bhutan; but there was major difficulty, and during the process, the US agreed to bring 60,000 of the refugees to our country. Canada is taking an additional 5000, and others are going to additional countries. 

At the present time, there are at least 117 refugees from Nepal living in Laconia.  Our church congregation is doing many things to help:  Eight members are providing auto transportation to and from supermarkets, once a week or more.  Two members have provided driving lessons, and as a result, at least 4 refugees have received drivers licenses.  One of these has a full time job, and has recently bought a car.  One member of our congregation is providing ESL (English as a second language) classes twice a week.  In addition to these personal services, three church computers we no longer needed, have been donated, and will be upgraded (for free) for refugees to use on the internet.  Many people have donated furniture: three bureaus, two couches, two mattresses with box springs, a washer & dryer, a TV, bicycles, and more.  Many items of clothing and incidentals have been donated, and funds from our Winter Warmth program have provided additional items. 

In addition, our Missions Committee has voted to contribute monthly to a dental fund for refugees, and to send one Bhutanese child to a summer program, Project Extra, in Laconia.  We are purchasing incidentals, such as toothpaste and shampoo, for one extended family of 17.  And, we are providing fuel assistance to Open Arms, a non profit agency helping the refugees, and located in a large Lakeport apartment building, where many refugees are living.  Also, we have provided new bicycle tires and tubes for some bikes that were donated, but needed repair. 

If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Jack or Shirley Woodward, or, Carl or Lorraine Gebhardt. 

United Methodist Student Day

United Methodist Student Day offering awards loans and scholarships to students who attend United Methodist and other accredited colleges and universities. We are called to support the student as they prepare for a life in united faith with knowledge. Each year the United Methodist Student Day funds are returned to annual conferences for merit scholarship awards to students of their choosing. Applications are available online at www.gbhem.org, Please give prayerfully on November 29th.

Here I am Lord—Missionaries of the United Methodist Church

"How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them.! I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you."

Psalm 139:17-18

What does it mean to have God in one's life? The courage and persistent faith of my congregation have incarnated this teaching in ways once unimaginable to me.

Philips, a university student from Ghana, was on his way to serve meals in a church soup kitchen when he was violently attacked by a gang of skinheads. Ethiopian refugees Taddele and Kebede were chased and beaten by nationalist youth as they returned home from a church-council meeting. And Patrick, a law student and refugee from Sierra Leone, was hit, shoved and kicked brutally by skinheads while exiting the metro station on his way to church.

Few of us face physical persecution on the basis of our skin color, ethnicity or religious identity. Yet persons of color in Moscow live under constant threat of violent assault and police harassment. The Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy ministry with refugees provides shelter, financial aid and spiritual support to persons suffering from the evil of racism.

Philips, Taddele and countless others have taught me that to be a disciple of Jesus means taking risks—trusting in God's mercy, forgiving those who hurt me, not compromising my values and beliefs, and not living in fear. I thank God for the privilege of serving with such faithful cross-bearers of Christ and for your gifts to this ministry through the Advance for Christ and His Church. Thank you!

God, give us courage to listen to your Son and to take up the cross and follow Christ, even if it means taking risks. In your name we pray. Amen.

Aid to Refugees, Russia, #250145 Calhoun, John #13970Z

Rev. John A. Calhoun, Moscow [Rus.] Protestant Chaplaincy, and clergy member, NY Conf.

I Am Thankful

· For the teenager who is not doing dishes but is watching TV, because that means he is at home and not on the streets.

· For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

· For the mess to clean up after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

· For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

· For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

· For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

· For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

· For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

· For the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

· For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

· For the clothes that fit a bit too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

· For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive. Via the Joyful Noiseletter

Serving in November

If those signed up change weeks of service, please contact the church

office (524-3289) so that the correct information can be placed in the bulletin each week. Thank you.

Ushers

Nov. 1 Rob & Vicki Stewart

8 Festus & Annah Kavale

15 Carl & Lorraine Gebhardt

22 Charles French & Cindi Swan

29 Jack & Shirley Woodward

Counters

Nov. 1 Gail Tapply & Charles Kellogg

8 Ray Bowie & David Witham

15 Don Nelson & Roger Shelton

22 Joel Young & Dick Walden

29 Don Nelson & Roger Shelton

Greeters

Nov. 1 Stephen Read

8 Marion Hutchins & Jerri Dean

15 Jerri Dean

22 Barbara & Tom Madden

29 Betty Ann Moore & Dick Kincaid

Flowers

Nov. 1 Evelyn Cronin

8

15 Dick & Marilyn Miller

22 Donna Lee Fowlie

29 Betty Ann Moore

Liturgists

Nov. 1 Alice Beyrent

8 Jessica Alward

15 Betty Ann Moore

22 Richard Swan

29 Rita Polhemus

Nursery

Nov. 1 Nancy Thomason

8 Vi Adrignola

15 Barbara French

22 Trudy Jordan

29 Rita Polhemus

Coffee Fellowship

Nov. 1 Evelyn Cronin & Diane Bigl

8 Marilyn Miller & Donna Ying

15 Josie Nichols & Martha Lou Wood

22

29 Heather & Savannah Hickey

Wesley Arts Seeking New Members

Wesley Arts is a small committee in our church that arranges and promotes creative events such as art shows, plays, and musical performances. The committee meets on the second Sunday every month following worship and fellowship time.

You are invited to join them in the church library. If you are curious, please contact Jessica Alward (527-0152), Peter Ayer (536-4202), Jeanne Porter (569-5575), or Dick and Sharon Walden (528-6485) for more details.

Winter Concert Schedule

Mark your calendar now for these concerts at the church….

Saturday, December 5 – 7:00 PM Dessert with Carter Mountain Brass Band

This is often a standing room only crowd, so be sure to get your tickets! (there will be extras at the door.) Come to the Christmas Concert and have a special dessert to start the season! Donation - $ 10.00.

Friday, December 18 – 7:30 PM Lakes Region Singers

It wouldn’t be Christmas without this concert! (We hope for no blizzard this year…) Always outstanding, this is a concert that can’t be missed. Free will offering.

Volunteers

Thanks to all the folks who signed up for mowing the lawn this summer. Also, thanks to the folks who watered our trees and plants, planted flowers, and generally took care of the outdoors. The mowers who signed up were: Alger Conger, John Gill, George Hetherington, Charlie Kellogg, Lois & Wally, Kathy Smith, Paul Stickney, Jack & Shirley Woodward and Joel and Rachel Young.

The list for snow plowing is up in the Fellowship Hall. We invite you to sign up. Sign up with someone else to help as well—many hands make light work.

Volunteers are always needed in a variety of ways—

· Ushering

· Liturgist

· Greeting

· Nursery care

· Snow plowing

· Helping assemble the newsletter

· Special jobs for the Trustees

· Shepherding in Sunday school

· Helping serve a meal

· Cooking for the fair

· Doing coffee hour

· Flowers for Sunday

And much more.

From the Joyful Noiseletter

A Publication from the Fellowship of Merry Christians

Sophia

This poem was found in Sophia, a Melkite Greek catholic journal in West Roxbury, MA.

"Now I sit me down in school,

Where praying is against the rule.

For this great nation under god,

Finds mention of Him very odd.

"If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow,

Becomes a Federal matter now.

"Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise,

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

"For praying in a public hall,

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

"We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such 'judgments'

do not belong.

The Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

Live for something. Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year, and you will never be forgotten."

Thomas Chalmers

"Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys, he becomes addicted to carnal pleasures."

St. Thomas Aquinas

A young student was kicked out of parochial school for swearing; then he was kicked out of a public school for praying.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."

Indian Proverb

"It is not how much of your money you are going to give to God, but how much of God's money you are going to keep for yourself."

Rev. Dr. Karl R. Kraft

"An optimist is a person who starts a diet on Thanksgiving day."

Rev. Dale Schoening

"The average man's idea of a good sermon is one that goes over his head—and hits one of his neighbors." Author unknown

Mark Twain noted that a hypocritical businessman once told Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a trip to the Holy Land. I will climb to the top of Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud."

"I have a better idea," Twain replied. "Why don't you stay right at home in Boston and keep them."

"There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort."

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre