February 2016

Monthly Newsletter

Rev. Geisa Matos-Machuca

961 Valley St, Manchester, NH 03103 Phone: 603-622-8863

WWW.FUMCMANCHESTER.ORG

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A Pastoral Letter As many of you know, Christine Ewing made an amazing cake for my husband Roberto and me. When we cut the cake, we learned that we are having another girl! Lately, my husband is very happy because he will have two daughters who will cook for him! Roberto is not the only one thinking about food. I am hungry most of the time and am starting to have cravings. At first, I was thought that this complicates things for me since the Lenten season is about to begin; I should be thinking about “fasting” not about “eating”. However, Lent is not simply about fasting from food. It is about intentionally seeking to spend time in meditation; it is about getting closer and closer to God every day; it is “about dying to self” in order to experience resurrection with Christ. As John Piper explains in A Godward Life, “Dying to self is part of being born again; the old self dies and the new self comes to life (John 3:3–7). Not only are Christians born again when we come to salvation, but we also continue dying to self as part of the process of sanctification. As such, dying to self is both a one-time event and a lifelong process.” How are you going to seek sanctification this Lenten season? See page #3 for a list of ten things you could do during Lent. If you do not read a daily devotional, I would strongly encourage you to read the Upper Room. You can subscribe online and get a meditation every day for free. Just go to the following website: http://daily.upperroom.org/?page_id=26. You can also get copies of Our Daily Bread Devotional in back of our sanctuary.

First UMC is also offering many events to help you grow spiritually during Lent—from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday (please see our calendar for more information). Most importantly, as you decide how to observe this Holy Season of Lent, I should like to share with you this meditation by author Frank Rogers Jr. Frank and I encourage you to take your spiritual “pulse” by having self-compassion during Lent—beginning today.

In Practicing Compassion, Frank writes:

SELF-COMPASSION RESTORES US to the steady heartbeat of our humanity. As we turn inward, we extend to ourselves the same compassion we would extend to others. Following the essential components of compassion, this essentially entails taking our own PULSE.

P – Paying attention. Cultivate a nonjudgmental, nonreactive awareness of whatever agitation is present within you. U – Understanding empathically. Listen for and be moved by the suffering hidden within the cry of this agitation – the fear, longing, or aching wound in need of tending. L – Loving with connection. As you are moved by the suffering within you, extend tender care toward the need or wound that presents itself. S –Sensing the sacredness. Recognize and savor the expanse of compassion that holds and heals every suffering within you. E – Embodying new life. Notice the gifts and qualities of restored humanity that are being birthed within you. In taking our PULSE, we not only relax the reactivities, repulsions, fears, and drives that distort our natural humanity but also tend to the wounds and needs hidden within them. In so doing, we are restored to ourselves – selves that are naturally compassionate.

What is your spiritual pulse today? -----Pastor Geisa.

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TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON:

10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day every week. (Or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray. Learn about fasting. (Learn more about media fasts.)

9. Start a prayer rhythm. Each day of Lent, go to The Upper Room's prayer wall and pray for another person.

8. Go deeper into the Bible. Take an online course on the "I Am" sayings of Jesus.

7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) Study a book on forgiveness, such as Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey.

6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Let Juliana’s Ice Cream Fast inspire you to give up some food or drink as a way to grow closer to God. Give the money you save to help folks in a different part of the world who are in crisis. Pick a current global issue and help change the world.

5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 10 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Read a daily devotional for the season of Lent. See how it can help you add spiritual practice to your daily life beyond Lent.

4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way. Learn more about spiritual practice of gratitude.

3. Participate in a Lent Photo-a-Day practice and pray each day with your camera in your hand. Start praying.

2. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry. Learn about the global issues and how you can help.

1. Pray for others you see as you walk as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work. Download the Nimbus Prayer app and pray as you go through your day.

About the Author: Rev. Penny Ford is the pastor of a small UMC church in Carrollton, Alabama

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February 10th

TIME: 7:00PM “Why do we begin Lent with such a stark reminder of death as Ash

Wednesday? Precisely because we are, during this season, preparing

ourselves, and some among us, to live out the vows of the baptismal

covenant more faithfully. And baptism is about death first…”

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Lenten Bible Study…

Beginning Wednesday, February 17th at 6pm – 7pm &

every Wednesday evening in Lent. Led by Pastor Geisa.

Remember you are dust, and to the dust you shall return…

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February 7th Transfiguration Sunday/Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Title: “Take Off Your Veil In The Presence of The Lord”

Theme: It is important to come before the Lord without veils in order to shine before our neighbors. Let’s come before God just as we are!

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

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February 14th First Sunday in Lent

24 Hours that Changed the World: A Sermon Series!!!

Our Lenten sermon series begins this day. Based on the book “24 Hours that Changed the World” by Rev. Hamilton Adam. No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this Lenten journey, we will be guided through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. Each sermon is designed to help you experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you have never done before. Join us every Sunday in retracing the last 24 hours of Jesus' life.

Title: “The Last Supper: Beginning of the Last 24 Hours”

Scripture: Mark 14:12,22-25

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February 21st Second Sunday in Lent

Sermon series continues….

Title: “The Garden of Gethsemane: Thursday, 11pm”

Scripture: Mark 14: 32-41

SATURDAY, February 13, 2016

Meat Loaf Dinner-with peas & roasted potatoes

Cost: $9 – Adults

(Ages 5-13) $5,

Under 5 – Free

Dinner is served at 5:30pm

First UMC Mission Trip

Our Mission Team will be headed to W. Springfield, Ma. to do some painting, installing a drop ceiling and putting down a floor in the Fellowship Hall of the Christ’s Church. This trip is scheduled for April 24th- 30th! If you would like to be a part of this amazing ministry please see Phyllis Bartlett or Betty Mitcheltree.

When: Saturday, May 7th Where: First UMC Time: Spaghetti Dinner@5:30pm followed by the Auction.

Many more items are needed & everyone can help! Just check with your favorite local business! Proceeds to benefit First UMC’s Food Pantry, Activa-Tree Christian Preschool and the church in general!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Donated items from: Jacques Flowers

T-Bones Copper Door Restaurant

Cowabunga’s Walmart

SEE Science Center Common Man Belmont Hall

Vertical Dreams Bertucci’s

Celebration Catering Jean’s Playhouse

On Tuesday, February 2nd the Activa-Tree preschoolers donated boxes of spaghetti to First UMC’s Food Pantry! The families donate boxes of pasta every month to help feed the hungry of Manchester!

Thank you!!

Activa-Tree Christian Preschool Winter 2016

963 Valley Street Manchester, NH 03103 622-6654 Activatree@fumcmanchester.org

Winter Poem: “Snow”

The snow fell softly at night.

It made a blanket soft and white.

It covered houses, flowers and ground,

But did not make a single sound.

-Alice Wilkins

Winter Song: “I’m a Little Snowman”

(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I’m a little snowman,

Short and fat.

Here are my buttons,

Here is my hat.

When the sun comes out,

I cannot stay.

Slowly I just melt away.

Special Days at Preschool

On Thursday and Friday, January 28 and 29 we had pajama days at preschool. Children and teachers arrived at school in pajamas and

enjoyed comparing pajamas and slippers. A special show and tell time featured sleep time toys. Snacks were breakfast foods. On Thursday we made cereal necklaces and snacked on them while watching the original Veggie Tale movie titled “Where’s God When I’m Scared?” Both classes enjoyed giving their stuffed animals rides on the parachute.

On Thursday and Friday, February 4 and 5 Backwards Days are scheduled for preschool. That is the day we wear our shirts backwards, walk backwards, play games backwards, and learn about opposites.

On Thursday and Friday, February 11 and 12 we will be having love parties. Instead of giving valentines, we are going to be focusing on God’s love for us. We will be making some special projects and having special snacks.

On Thursday, February 18 there is a parent meeting scheduled at 3:30 and child care is being provided at preschool---anytime there is extra play time it is special, so it qualifies for a place in this section!

What We are Exploring: Opposites and rhyming. Counting to 30 (and beyond). Dot to dot pictures. Mazes. Samuel, a child who heard God’s voice. God’s love for us. The baptism of Jesus and the call of the disciples.

Thank You

Last year while working in the kitchen, I mentioned seeing food cutters on a television show and how I’d buy them if I saw them in the store. Harold Puchaz was in the kitchen and heard me, found the items online, and donated them to preschool. The children were amazed when they saw their cheese in minion shapes on “M” day! During “S” week we will be eating a variety of shapes of bread. Thank You!

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FIRST UMC MINISTRIESActiva-Tree Christian Preschool Director: Kathleen Steinmetz – 622.6654 Email: activatree@fumcmanchester.org

Food Pantry/Clothing Ministry/Parish Nurse Coordinator: Scott Camire Open every Tuesday – 9am to 11:30am Contact Church Office – 622.8863 Breakfast with Jesus! Every Saturday morning @ 6:30am Contact Wade Ewing, Pastor Geisa 622.8863 Prison Ministry Contact Pastor Geisa 622.8863 Visiting Team If you know someone in need of visitation, a card, call, etc. contact Pastor Geisa or the Church Office – 622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.org Prayer Chain In need of prayer? Contact Pastor Geisa or Karen Cassidy Church Office 622.8863 or pastorgeisa@fumcmanchester.org office@fumcmanchester.org Crafters Group Coordinator: Pam Brisson 669.3274 Meets 1st & 3rd Weds @ 10am & 1 Sat a month to work on craft items for the Oct. Fall Festival. All are welcomed! Sunshine Group Coordinator: Dotty P. 624.4483 or contact the Church Office@622.8863

Choir Director: Pat Ohrt Meets every Wednesday evening @ 7pm All are welcomed! Praise Band Director: Lee R. Soto For more info contact Lee R. Soto – praiseband@fumcmanchester.org All are welcomed! Adult Sacred Dance Director: Deb Frederick Rehearses every Thursday evening @7pm All are welcomed! Children’s Sacred Dance Director: Pastor Geisa Rehearses every Wednesday evening @6:15pm Mission Team For more information contact Betty Mitcheltree or Phyllis Bartlett at the Church Office@ 622-8863 Media Ministry Coordinator: Carl Chalbeck For more information contact the Church Office @622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.org Sunday School Coordinator – Stephanie Chalbeck Sunday School for all ages – preschool through adult Every Sunday – 9am

February 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Food Pantry-9am to 11:30am

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7pm-Choir

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7pm-Trustees

7pm – Sacred Dance

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8:30am-Living Sober

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Sunday School: 9am

Worship:10:30am

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Food Pantry-9am to 11:30am

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Ash Wed Service @ 7pm

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7pm – Sacred Dance

Silent Auction mtg@6:30pm

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8:30am-Living Sober

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Church Supper-5.30pm

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Sunday School: 9am

Worship:10:30am

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Food Pantry-9am to 11:30am

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7pm-Choir

Bible Study 6pm

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7pm – Sacred Dance

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8:30am-Living Sober

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Sunday School:9am

Worship:10:30am

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Food Pantry-9am to 11:30am

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7pm-Choir

Bible Study 6pm

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7pm – Sacred Dance

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8:30am-Living Sober

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GS-10am

Crafters

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Sunday School:9am

Worship:10:30am

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