L E B A N O N creating a place at the table for everyone UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Through the Red Doors Roll Down, Justice! Sunday School Lenten Reflection Lent is a season of remembering who we are called to be in this world, and renewing our baptismal identity. In the early church, it was a time of preparation for new believers and rededication to the Gospel message. Worship alone is not enough; our prayer, praise, and song must move us to action, seeking transformation in our own lives and the life of the world. Otherwise, our worship becomes empty, and as the prophet Amos reminds us, God will look away from empty offerings and shallow festivals. But if we attune ourselves to God’s calling, then we produce an offering acceptable to God: justice flowing like waterfalls, righteousness rolling like an endless stream. In our worship this Lent, we will hear and be moved by the powerful music of Mark Miller, we will be connected to our identity as God’s claimed and baptized children, and we will be inspired to live so that our lives proclaim God’s justice, righteousness, and love. What prejudices are we challenged to “give up” this Lent? How will we be moved to “give” of ourselves to the world? Where will this journey take you, as the current of God’s love sweeps you along? What’s happening inside, outside, and through Lebanon UMC LENT 2018 Lenten Series: Roll Down, Justice! let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. - Amos 5:24 This study is produced by the United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race. It also will coincide with the worship series that will be done in our church during Lent. GCORR’s Lenten Biblical Reflection, Roll Down, Justice! written by Faye Wilson and featuring the music and reflections of Mark A. Miller, poses the following questions to believers: ▪ What are you prepared to give in order to have a closer walk with God? ▪ What can you give in order to embrace anew the work of justice? continued, page 2 ~ Holy Week & Easter ~ all are welcome as we journey toward Easter! Thurs., March 30, 7 pm: Holy Thursday service of elements - Journey toward the Water Sunday, April 1, dawn: Ecumenical “Sonrise” service, Colburn Park Sunday, April 1, 10:30 am: Easter Service at LUMC - Christ is Risen, no Foolin’!
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L E B A N O N creating a place at the table for everyone
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Through the Red Doors RollDown,Justice!SundaySchoolLentenReflection
Worship alone is not enough; our prayer, praise, andsongmustmoveustoaction,seekingtransformationinourownlivesandthelifeoftheworld.Otherwise,ourworship becomes empty, and as the prophet Amosreminds us, Godwill look away from empty offeringsandshallowfestivals.ButifweattuneourselvestoGod’scalling,thenweproduceanofferingacceptabletoGod:justiceflowinglikewaterfalls,righteousnessrollinglikeanendlessstream.
What prejudices are we challenged to “give up” thisLent?Howwillwebemovedto“give”ofourselvestotheworld?Wherewillthisjourneytakeyou,asthecurrentofGod’slovesweepsyoualong?
What’s happening inside, outside, and through Lebanon UMC
This study is produced by the UnitedMethodist General Commission on Religionand Race. It also will coincide with theworshipseriesthatwillbedoneinourchurchduringLent.GCORR’s Lenten Biblical Reflection, RollDown, Justice! written by Faye Wilson andfeaturingthemusicandreflectionsofMarkA.Miller, poses the following questions tobelievers:
▪ What are you prepared to give inordertohaveacloserwalkwithGod?
So… are youpining for thosedays when youcan soak up thesun in yourshorts and flipflops and swimin the lake?Those days willbe here beforeyouknowit;asofFebruary1stthereare152daysuntil Camp Wanakee opens! The Summer CampScheduleisnowavailableatwanakee.org.Hereareafewthingshappeninguntilcamp:
January25th–wehad8churchfriendshelpattheDartmouth hockey concessions. It is a fundraiserforourCampScholarships,wereceive10%of thesales. Thank you so much to the helpers thatvolunteered!This is anannual fundraiser sowe’llbeworkingtheconcessionsnextyear!
April8th–CampSunday,wearyourcomfycampclothes on this day.Wewill sing camp songs andenjoy all things related to camp, plus a potlucklunch to top it off! More information will bepublishedclosertothedate.
May5th -WorkDayatWanakee from9-3, lunchincluded.It’sagreatwaytofeelempoweredasweallworktowardthesamegoal:gettingcampreadyfor the Summer campers. It’s awonderfulway togiveback,I’dlovetohaveagroupattendWorkDaythisyear.Seemewithquestions,allarewelcome!
June23rd- ExpoCamp&OpenHouse from9-3.ExpoCampisforages4-12toexplorecampatthisannualfreeday,thisdaygivesagoodflavorofcampforfirsttimers.Havefunswimming,playinggames,crafting,hikingthetrails,havinglunchandsingingsongs. Open House is for all ages, bring a picniclunchandenjoyadayatWanakee.Registration isrequiredforExpoorOpenHouseatwanakee.org.
Checkoutthecamp’swebsitetoseealltheofferingsatWanakee. It gives a good sense of this specialplace,a“beautifulspiritualplaceinthehills”.
Seeyouroundthecampfire!-AmyN.
NewsfromtheCampBoosterLentenReflection:JusticeMark Miller has written a collection of songs,lyricsandmusic,whichremindusoftheworkwehavetodo.Wealllearnindifferentwaysandthisstudy calls us to sing to ourselves and to eachother the call thatwe each have to do to “seekjustice, love mercy, and walk humbly with ourGod.” Carry the commitment to care – to bringabout justice inGod’sworld–asa song inyourheart.RollDown,Justice!
GCORR’s Lenten Biblical Reflection, Roll Down,Justice!,isbasedonsixsongsthatareincludedinthebook/CDsetRollDown,Justice!–SacredSongsandSocialJustice.ThesongsinthisLentenseriesareofferedassixvideos,andeachvideoincludesaguideforstudy:
We’llwatchashortvideoateachsession,listentoMarkMiller’ssongsofjustice,referencescripture,and have an open discussion each Sunday. Myopinion is that takingagood lookat justiceandfaithisveryrelevanttoourworldtoday.
Wemeet Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00a.m.intheparlor. Allarewelcome.BillNye,TVcommentatoron science andengineeringwrote“Everyoneyouwillevermeetknowssomethingyoudon’t. “We hope you'll come and share yourknowledgeandperspectivewithus.
-GeorgeA.
S.A.L.T.Luncheonsonthe2ndSaturdayeachmonthatNOONCally L. welcomes volunteers to donate foodand/orattendourmonthlymeal.Eachmonthonthe 2nd Saturday, we share a lunch with oneanotherandwithallinourcommunitywhoareseeking good food and warm fellowship. SALTstandsforSaturdayAfternoonLunchTogether.
LearningTogetherPastorBeccaundertakesDoctorofMinistry-CongregationalLeadership Come join us this year for Vacation Bible
Adventure from Sunday, July 29th throughWednesday,August1st,6:00-7:45pm.Plansare already underway for our adventure inBabylon!During this intergenerational program, allagesofadultsandchildrenwillvisitancientBabylon and learn the story of Daniel'scourage—afromhiscaptureinJerusalemtohisrescuefromadenoflions.You'llbeabletoexperiencetheexoticsounds,sights, smells, and drama as you enter theMarketplace.SampletidbitsofitemstypicallyeatenduringthattimeperiodfromtheFoodCourt.Andyou’llencounterdailyvisitswithDanielandAshpenaz,theking'schiefofstaff,thatbringDaniel'sadventurestolifewhileheisheldcaptivebyKingNebuchadnezzar.All are welcome to attend for all fourevenings or just one. This is a fun time foreveryone. Sing, play, learn, and grow asweexploretogether!We are looking for volunteers for thefollowingareas:Shopkeepers,DramaTeam,Costumes, Computer related projects,Photography, Publicity, Posters, Props/setdesign.Formoreinformationorifyou'reinterestedin helping, contact Ruth C. (603-448-6884),orAmyN.SeeyousooninBabylon!
In late January, I began the coursework phase of aDoctoral program through Garrett-EvangelicalTheologicalSeminary.Thisprogramwillconsistoftwoin-person sessions and a handful of mid-weekseminars, online coursework, and a time of projectimplementation and writing. During this time, ourministry and work together continues, and at thecompletion of the program Iwill receive aDoctor ofMinistry degree specializing in Congregational Lead-ership and a certificate of Non-Profit AdministrationfromtheKelloggSchoolofManagement.
I’mexcitedaboutthisprogram,becauseitgivesmetheopportunitytolearnfromthebestwisdomofboththechurchandbusinessworld,tostrengthenourministryandourrelationshipswithoneanother,andtoengagein a project together to improve our church and ourministry.Specifically,Iaminterestedinlearninghowourunderstandingoftheleadershiprolesofthepastorand leaders in the congregation can improve so thateach member and participant in the church has astrongerconnectiontotheirownleadership,ministry,andrelationshipwithGodandothers.Thefirstin-personsessionwasanexcellententryintothisprogram,anditwasmorethanI’dhopedfor!Mymaintake-awaysfromthislearningsofarare:
• Everything we do needs to be alignedwith God’scalling for us, ourwhy. In the case of The UMC, Ibelieve our purpose is to be participants in thetransformationGod isworking inall of creation—including us!Making sure everythingwe do flowsfromthispurposewillmakeourministriesstrongerandmoreeffective.
• Let’s look at how we offer opportunities forleadership and service, and how to make theseopportunitiesmoremeaningful for thosewhotakethemup.Ibelievethathowweservecanstrengthenourfaith.
UMCORSundayisMarch25The United Methodist Committee on Relief(UMCOR)isthereforthepeopleoftheUSAandabroad tohelp comfort, feed, and shelter thepeople who suffer floods, hurricanes, earth-quakes,tsunamis,andwar.YourgiftonMarch25 will underwrite its work so that everydollargiventothesedisasterscangotowardhelping people. In the wake of disasters,UMCOR is present among the devastation toproviderelief andhope.All ofus canmakeadifference in these times of need byparticipatinginUMCORSunday(formerlyOneGreatHourofSharing).
Would you like to greet the congregation orhand out bulletins, light the altar candles andcollect the offering on Sunday mornings?Would you like to be the liturgist and deliverthe call to worship and read scripture? Noexperience is needed for these importantaspects of ourworship service. If youwouldlike to be aworship assistant in any of theserolesplease contact JodyP. at theoffice:603-448-5478, or [email protected]. OfficeHoursareTuesday-Friday9am–1pm.
DipDinnerforLocalMissionsMarch18thafterWorship
ComeforadeliciousmealanddonatetoyourfavoriteUpperValleycharitableorganiza-tionslike The Haven, Headrest, WISE, Listen, TheHumaneSociety,TheFamilyPlace,andDismasHouse.TheUnitedMethodistWomenwillhostthemeal,andprepareallyourfavoritetreats.Youareinvitedtocountthenumberof“dips”youtakeintoyourplate,anddonateperdiptobenefit our local missions (or you can justmake a donation overall). Thank you forsupportingourneighborsthroughthisactivity.Whatatastywaytohelpourcommunity!
CommunicationsTeamNeedsMoreMembers
Do you have news from your LUMC team? JustsendanemailtoBecca([email protected])or Jody ([email protected]) with theannouncementenclosed.Besuretoinclude:Who,What,Where,When,andperhapsWhyandHow.Imagineyouarenewtochurchortothearea:whatwouldyouneedorwanttoknowinordertofeelincludedinevents?
Wouldyouenjoyspreadingthewordaboutourchurch and its activities? Speak to Commun-icationsTeamChairSharonP.tovolunteerorcontactJodyattheofficeduringofficehoursorviaemail([email protected]).Therewillbeoccasionalmeetingsandyoucanworkfromhome.Wearealsolookingforsomeonetokeepour scrapbook up to date with pictures, etc.Pictureswillbeprovided.Let’ssharethegoodnewsofallGodisdoingthroughLUMC!
Our coffee hour after Worship service is animportant part of our fellowship and weappreciateKevin&AngieL.forpickingupandproviding us with the Panera goodies eachweek.WewouldliketobeabletosupplementalongwiththePanerasomeothergoodfoodssuchasfruits,veggies,cheeseandcrackers,etc.Alsowegetthirsty,sojuiceandwheninseasonappleciderarealwaysafavorite.Togoalongwithcoffeeistheneedforhalf&halfandsugar.Andwhodoesn’tlikepeanutbutterandcreamcheesetospreadonallthosedeliciousbagels?IfyouwouldliketohelpwiththeseotheritemspleasecontactAngieL.atchurchorbyemail,or JodyP.at theoffice,and letusknowwhatyou would like to bring to help with coffeehour. We also need helpers with setting upbeforeandcleaningupafterthecoffeehour.Thank you for making our time togetherspecial!
Please join us for a new intergenerationalprogram for dinner for three Wednesdayeveningsthisspring.Wewillgatherfrom5:30-7pmonMarch28th,April25th,andMay23rd.Wewilleattogetherand engage in an intergenerational curriculumentitledAnIllustratedCompassion.On these 3 Wednesday evenings will we befocusingonabiblepassagethathelpsusengagewiththetheme"LivingaCompassionateLife".We have a lot of fun together at intergener-ationalprogramslikeVacationBibleAdventure,and here is another opportunity to buildrelationshipstogether.Wearelooking forwardtoseeingyouthere!Ifyouhaveanyquestions,orifyouwouldliketovolunteerwithhelpingprovidethemealpleasereachouttoSkyeM.
ResponseMagazineisavailableintheNarthexforyoutoborrow.Itisforanyonewholikestoreadaboutwomeninmission.In thismagazine, youwill find the inspiring,truestoriesofwomenhelpingcommunitiesinour nation and around the world. Alsoincluded are Bible studies. Response is themagazine of the United Methodist Women,which will be celebrating 150 years ofexistence in 2019. Just borrow the monthlymagazine and return it to the narthexwhenyouaredone.
submittedbyMarthaS.
RESPONSEMAGAZINE
• Nancy Glynn and Aron DiBacco will behelpingtheEconomicJusticeTeamorganizefor action in the NH legislature and inClaremont.TheyareparttimeasUVIPdoesanationalsearchforaleadorganizer.
• The Aging with Dignity Team continues topromote its curriculum "Useful Tools forAgingwithDignity"aroundtheUpperValley.Twelve participants took the course at ourchurch in JanuaryandFebruary.WatchtheSunday bulletin for other opportunities toexperiencethis5-weekcourse.
• TheImmigrationNetworkcontinuestoholdprayer vigils in Manchester at the ICEbuildingon the1stTuesdayof eachmonthandtoplanfor"sanctuary"forfamiliesandindividuals who seek it. The MeridenCongregational Church recently voted toopenitsfacilitiestosuchfolks.
18 School St., Lebanon NH 03766 – 603-448-5478 – www.lebanonumc.net
GetTogether
18 School St., Lebanon NH 03766 – 603-448-5478 – www.lebanonumc.net
IfIcouldrecommendonebookthatsumsupwhy I am pursuing a Doctoral degree inCongregational Leadership, that bookwouldbeTheAgileChurch: Spirit-Led Innovation inanUncertainAgebyDwightZscheile.In it, theauthordescribeswell the changingface of our culture and the church’s role inthat,andremindsustogoeasyonourselves,becausethedisciplesdidn’talwaysgetthingsrightthefirsttime.Drawingonlessonsfrominnovativebusiness,creativity,andevenjazz,Zscheileencouragesthechurchtotryboldlyand remain open to learning, whilemaintaining our presence and faithfulness.Find this book in a book store, online, orborrowmycopy,and letmeknowwhatyouthink!
The weekend has finally arrived. It’s been a busyweek; lotsofstuffgoingon.Someof it’sprettygoodbuttherealsohavebeensomeissuesyou’dliketogetoffyourchestandsharewithsomeone.There’saget-togetherscheduledatyourhouseandthere’llbefolkstherethatyouhaven’tseeninawhile.It’llbeagreattime for sharing and maybe time to conduct somebusinessthatneedstobedone.You’velaidoutthewelcomematlettingpeopleknowthatyourdoorsareopen:yourheartsandmindsalso.Alotofthepeoplecomingwillbefamily;familiarwithyour home, but just in case others show up you’vereminded yourself to be on the lookout for them.There’sampleroomforallandyou’reconfidentthatyourhomeisattractiveandacomfortableplacetobe.Asthedayproceedsyou’retellingstories,listeningtostories, and exchanging information. You happen tonoticethatthereareacoupleofpeopleinyourhousethat you don’t recognize and ask yourself, should Iinterrupt what I’m doing and welcome them? Yousurmise that someone probably already did that asyou know that a couple of the family are good atwelcomingstrangers,soyoumightaswellletthemdoit.Ontheotherhand,thisisyourhouse,andyouthinkthat maybe, even if you’re shy or preoccupied, youshould welcome them. You could thank them forcoming,non-obtrusivelyaskthemiftheyarevisitingtheUpperValleyorlivehere,andpointoutthattherearerefreshments.I’veheardmanysaythatLebanonUMCfeelslikehometomanyandthattheyalsofeelthattheyarepartofafamily. As part of that family, whether you be amemberoraregularattendee,it’spolitetowelcomestrangers to your house. Sometimes it might beinconvenient or interrupt something you feel isimportantorgratifying.However, welcoming newcomers and strangersshouldbetaskforeveryone,notjustafew.
-GeorgeA.
Inworship, I alsomentioned SimonSinek’s book andTED talk StartWithWhy.Youcansearchforthattalkonlineorborrow the bookfrom me if youwould like toknowmore.-Becca
