1. education
2. school

 WEST CHELMSFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
242 Main Street, North Chelmsford, MA 01863
email: [email protected]
Church website: wcumc.us
Tele. # 978-251-4834
WCUMC Faith, Family, and Future are the
Cornerstones of this nurturing community.
OCTOBER 2014
NEWSLETTER
From the Pastor’s Desk
In the fall of the year we hear a lot about giving. Strange as it may seem, some retail stores are
already putting up Christmas displays, hoping to capture some of our holiday spending dollars a few weeks
earlier this year. I suppose with the growth of our consumer culture, that is no big surprise. Around the church the
fall brings our annual emphasis on giving to the church in connection with our pledge drive. We know it’s
coming each year, yet each year we hear it in a new way. The times are different, we are different, and sometimes
our financial circumstances are different.
The process we are using this year to make our pledges is the Consecration Sunday program. (Please see a
separate letter in the newsletter on this subject from David Troughton, who chairs our Administrative Board.)
Like last year, we are inviting everyone in our church to come to worship on Sunday, Nov. 16. On that day,
which we are calling Celebration Sunday, we will have only one worship service at 10:00 a.m., and no Sunday
School that day. It is our goal to gather our entire church family for that worship service and for a catered meal
afterwards. At the worship service we will have as our guest speaker Rev. Jim Mentzer, a dynamic speaker and
leader, who will preach and lead us in making our pledges all together that day. Afterwards we will enjoy a meal
together and hear the results of our pledging.
All of us can grow in this area. Giving is primarily a spiritual issue, not a financial issue. It is about what
we share out of what we have – not about how much we have.
During late October and early November we will hear during worship about the importance of setting
aside a percentage of your income to give to the work of God through your church. We are asking you to make
reservations for Sunday, Nov. 16 so that we know how many will be there for the meal. On Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 in
worship you will have an opportunity to make your reservation. Please make every effort to be present on this
special Sunday.
Reverend Mack
1
Worship Services in October
Sunday Oct. 5th – World Communion Sunday
9:30 & 11:00am Worship services & nursery care
9:30am – Sunday school & Adult class
Sunday Oct. 12th – 2nd graders receive Bible
9:30am - Worship service & nursery care
(One service)
Sunday Oct. 19th
9:30 & 11:00am Worship services & nursery care
9:30am – Sunday school
Sunday Oct. 26th
9:30& 11:00am – Worship Services & nursery care
9:30am – Sunday school & Adult class
Every Sunday - Coffee/fellowship following the
9:30am worship service
~~~~~~
Church Office Information
The Church Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (978-2514834)
• We have 4 e-mail addresses:
[email protected] – for general church business
[email protected] for Rev Mack only
[email protected] – for Karen Leonard, Music
Minister
[email protected] – for Sarah
Laflamme, Christian Ed Director
• Our Website is wcumc.us
• Items for the church bulletin insert are due in the church office by Wednesday morning.
• Items for the monthly Newsletter are due in the church office on the third Monday of each month. All articles
must be signed
•
2
Consecration Sunday Is Coming
November 16th
Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians
give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a
way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and
ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
Our congregation’s finance committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way
to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.
New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own
spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of
a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give
unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and
systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”
During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their
financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and
around the world.
Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning
worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The
procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a
card.
We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will
conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a
confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and
governing board members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will
make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.
David Troughton
Chair, Administrative Council, WCUMC
3
WCUMC’s Fourth Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser
The Missions Committee is selling pumpkins. Our efforts will be toward feeding the hungry. Proceeds will go to
support WCUMC missions: Greater Lowell Open Food Pantry, St. Paul’s Meals and the Lowell Transitional
Living Shelter.
On Saturday September 27th the delivery of pumpkins arrived. The Pumpkin Patch is open! Hours will be:
Weekdays 3:30pm to dusk and 11:00am to dusk on Saturdays – Sundays 12-5:00 p.m. The Pumpkin patch will
close on October 30th. We need volunteers to help man our Pumpkin Patch. See the sign-up sheets in the
entryway to the Education Building.
Any questions, please call Robin Orford, 978-692-1087
Come visit and buy your pumpkins!
Missions Committee
~~~~~
It’s That Time! - Rummage Sale
It’s HERE! The sale is Friday October 24th - 10:00am-2:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm and Saturday, October 25th
10:00am-2:00pm. On Saturday - Everything you can put in a brown paper grocery bag is $2.00. If it doesn’t fit in
a bag – make an offer.
We accept all donations of clean gently used clothes, linens, curtains, table clothes. We also accept dishes, bric a
brac, small appliances, lamps, and toys in clean, working useable condition. You may start to bring in your items
on Sunday, October 19th, through Wednesday evening October 22nd.
Please No: skis, paint, tires, TV’s, computers, text books, magazines, exercise equipment, large furniture and
appliances, and over worn/unclean clothes. If you have a large item, make up a flyer for us to post. If you have
questions contact, Sarah Laflamme – 603-888-1003, Andi Hoff – 978-455-3005, or Elsie Wilson – 978-6928939.
Want to get involved? Help is always needed and welcomed to sort, display, price and even bake. No need to
attend lots of meetings. Just your time and hard work the week before the sale. Sign up sheets will be posted in
multiple places in the church for day and night times for volunteering. If you have questions contact, Sarah
Laflamme – 603-888-1003, Andi Hoff – 978-455-3005, or the church office, 978-251-4834.
~~~~~~
4
The 2014 Holiday Fair is underway!!!!! Save the date - Saturday, December 6thh,
9:00am – 3:00pm
This year's fair will host professional craft vendors offering great handmade gifts! We will also have the
WCUMC craft table, food and candy tables, plants and white elephant table. We will have a breakfast bistro
featuring hot specialty coffees and pastries, and offer a yummy lunch buffet. The kid’s room will offer crafts and
entertainment for your children while you shop.
As always, we need lots of help to make it all come together. Please join us and help to make this a great
fundraiser!
Holiday Fair, December 6th 9am – 3 pm
If you can help, please drop this form in the offering plate or email [email protected]. Thank you!
Kitchen help: Lunch preparers & servers needed between 10 am and 2 pm.
Set up: Friday Dec 5th anytime between 8:30 am and 1 pm. The more hands we have, the faster it will go!
Sales help: Throughout the day from 9 am until 3 pm, help is especially needed between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 pm
for lunches.
Breakfast: From 8:00 am until 11:00 am we need cheerful faces to serve coffee & pastries
Clean up: From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Please consider helping us out at the end of the fair to clean up the hall
and put away tables/chairs. This is when we are tired and could use some reinforcements!
Name__________________________
Email__________________________
Phone______________________
Willing to help with ______________
Times available _________________
If you're ready to sign up, or just want more information, call Heidi Vaughan at 392-2229,
[email protected]
Vendors at the Church Fair
Please contact Nola Burhard if you want to reserve a space as a vendor for our Church Fair on December 6th. The
spaces start at $40 and fill up very quickly. If you are not on my email list from the past year or two and would
like to receive the Vendor information (I send out an email to all past vendors around the 15th of September)
please contact me at: [email protected] or 978-392-8670. If I am not there to take the telephone call, please
leave your name and email address along with a phone number where you can be reached.
Also, I am looking for someone to replace me for the Vendor Chair after this year's Fair. Most of what I do
involves sending out forms to vendors and picking up their registrations from the church office. There is some
phone work involved as the date draws closer. Organizing where everyone's space will be is quite easy as we
have many returning vendors each year. The morning of the day before the fair you would need to be at the
church to help clear the classrooms and set up the tables and chairs for the vendors. The day of the fair you
would need to be at the church just before 8 a.m. to help show the vendors where their space is. Check in with
them from time to time during the Fair and then help with getting the classrooms back to the way they were so
they are ready for Sunday School the next morning. It can be quite hectic the week before the Fair, but other then
that it's mostly sending emails and answering phone call questions. This position could easily be shared between
two people. Please see Nola Burkhard if interested.
5
Christian Education News
October 2014
Happy Fall!
As the cool weather starts to take over I am happy to say that Sunday School is
off and running. I join all of the children, youth and volunteers in the excitement
about the upcoming year. If you have not been able to join us yet, we invite you
to join us when you are able. I want to remind everyone that we have Sunday
school classes for all ages including an adult Sunday school class that will meet
this month on October 5th and 26th at 9:30 am.
We are continuing our fellowship time between 9:15 and 9:35 on Sunday mornings for children in
preschool through fifth grade. Parents are asked to bring their children to the “Children’s Fellowship
Room” when they come into church on Sunday mornings. The “Children’s Fellowship Room” is the
first room on the left as you walk down the education wing hallway.
Do you ever have a hard time remembering to pray? Are you ever distracted when you do remember
to pray? On October 8th at 7:30pm, I will start a study called “A Bead and A Prayer.” We will make a
set of protestant prayer beads that we will use in our daily prayer. Then on October 15th, October 22nd,
October 29th, and November 5th, we will meet to share our experiences. Please let me know if you
would like to participate.
During the 9:30am service on October 12th, I will be presenting bibles to this year’s class of
second graders. If you know of an older child/youth that is part of our church family and
has not received a bible, please let me know so I can make plans for them to receive one
on that day.
On October 18th the Christian Education Committee invites everyone to celebrate the fall season with
our Fall Festival in the Pumpkin Patch from 3 - 5 pm. We are planning arts and crafts, games, and a
costume parade. We are also hoping to have hayrides around the church property and a photography
area set up for pictures with the pumpkins. Hope to see you there!
Finally, we have selected three Sundays to “Bring a Friend” to Sunday school. We hope that this will
encourage everyone to share their church experiences with friends. The first “Bring a Friend” Sunday
is October 26th. As always if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact me at
603-888-1003 or [email protected].
See you soon!!
Sarah
6
Evangelism Committee
Please let Debbie Allen know, either by e-mail at [email protected] or 978-251-4511 if you know of
someone who needs a Card of Caring.
Look for sign up information for our group dinners in early October.
The Evangelism Committee is
organizing some small group dinners for early November. We need hosts and guests! Hosts will hold the dinner
at their home and provide an entrée. Guests will bring all other food that is requested by the host for the meal.
An agreeable time will be set by the group. Groups will be small – 4, 5, or 6 people.
Debbie Allen, Chairperson
~~~~~~
Thursday’s Women’s Group - The Morning Glories
The Morning Glories will meet at 10:00am in the vestry on October 16th. All women 18-108 are welcome.
Come and join us!
Any questions please call Elsie Wilson, 978-692-8939.
~~~~~~
Men – The Sunshine Breakfast Club
The Men’s Breakfast Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at Comets
Restaurant, 22 Westford Road, Tyngsboro - 9:00am on October 14th.
We enjoy the food and friendly conversation. All men who are retired, semi-retired
or just have a morning off are invited to join us. All Welcome!
If you have any questions please call Bill Palmer, 978-256-7029. See you on Tuesday, October 14th.
~~~~
Trustees Fall Clean-up Day
Please join the Trustees on Saturday, November 1st, as we remove the leaves and prepare the church grounds for
winter. Our fall clean-up day will be held from 9:00am until noon. So bring a rake and join in the fun of moving
the leaves to the back of the church. We will hold this event unless it is snowing or raining that day.
Also, this is the heating season, so please keep classroom doors and hallway doors closed. Thank you.
Trustees Committee
~~~~~
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Cards of Caring
The cards that we sign for Get Well, Sympathy, Baptisms and more are made by our church family. We welcome
all who would like to make them to attend our card making nights. No experience is necessary, and anyone over
15 is welcome to attend. If you have paper craft items to donate, we are happy to use them, but it is not
necessary. We meet from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. the 1st Tuesday of most months in the homes listed below.
October 7 - Nola Burkhard's home - 21 Almeria Circle, Westford
November 4 - Margaret Wilkinson home - 181 Littleton Road, WoodCrest Unit 414, Chelmsford
December 2 - Nola Burkhard's home - 21 Almeria Circle, Westford
Please contact Nola to RSVP or to get more information - [email protected]
~~~~
Prayer List
In the Sunday bulletin under “Let us remember these people in our prayers,” we list those with more acute needs.
Our Monthly Newsletter carries a list of more “on-going” concerns to bring to God in Prayer.
We will keep the description you provide as general or specific as you indicate. Please let us know what you
would like included. We also encourage you to clip out these names and keep them in your prayers.
If you would like your name to be added or removed from any of the prayer lists, please contact the church
office.
It’s never too late for a note, a card, or a call.
Judi Hill, in New England Rehab at D’Youville, Lowell
Condolences to: The Rienstra family on the loss of Dick Rienstra
David Troughton on the loss of his mother
Charles Cormier on the loss of his father
Those who are at home or in nursing homes:
Edna Macpherson – At home
Carol & Kenneth Hiers – D’Youville Nursing Home, Lowell
Lenore Reynolds – Sunny Acres, Chelmsford
Prayer list for on-going health needs:
Ken Weinbeck
Judi Hill
Amy Connell’s cousin
Jen Weinbeck’s friends, Mike and Sarah
Margaret Wilkinson’s niece, Julie
Rebecca Markey’s brother, Dennis Woodruff
Larry Estelle’s brother, Jay
Judi Harris’s brother, Rob
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We Need Acolytes!
If your child is in the second grade or older and would like to be an acolyte, please call the church
office (978-251-4834 or let Rev. Mack know.
~~~~~~
Open Pantry Donations
Remember to bring a food donation for the Open Pantry. Also you can sign up on the poster in the church for the
next meal at St. Paul’s Meal at Eliot Presbyterian Church in Lowell, on Wednesday October 22nd .
~~~~~~
Thank You
To West Chelmsford UM Church:
I would like to express my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rev. Mack and Rev. Luke for the beautiful service for
my mom, Christina Buretta. The ladies of the church out did themselves with the huge crowds! The entire
congregation has been so supportive of my mom and dad over the years, and mom truly appreciated all the
visitors she had during her ordeal.
With much appreciation, Julie Perkins
~~~~~
Dear WCUMC,
Thank you so much for the scholarship from last June! The money went towards buying textbooks for all my
classes this semester at the University of Vermont! I can’t wait to be back with my church family next summer!
Thanks for all you’ve done for me these past few years!
With Love, Ashley Archangelo
~~~~~
Church Family,
I want to thank all the people of the church for all the prayers and cards and a lot of love at this time in my life.
To watch my sister dying was very hard, but I know that she is in a better place and with the one she loves.
Thank you all again,
Joyce Abbott
~~~~~
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Need College Student Addresses!!
Parents: Have you sent your son or daughter’s college address into the church
office? We also need to know if there has been any change of address from last year. We are also asking for
their email address – please send both.
Either call or e-mail their addresses to us. The church E-mail is: [email protected]
Thank You!
~~~~
Invitation from the Christian Education Committee
On October 18th the Christian Education Committee invites everyone to
celebrate the fall season with
our Fall Festival in the Pumpkin Patch from 3:00pm – 5:00 pm. We are planning arts and crafts, games, and a
costume parade. We are also hoping to have hayrides around the church property and a photography area set up
for pictures with the pumpkins. Come and enjoy this wonderful event!
Submission Deadline For the November 2014 Newsletter is: October 24, 2014 You can’t just sit there
And Wait for people to
Give you that
G OL D E N
D R E A M,
You’ve got to get out there
And make it happen
Yourself!
Diana Ross
10
OCTOBER 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
7:00pm – Boy Scouts
7:30pm – Christian Ed
Meeting
Pack Meeting
6:30pm-Children Choir 4pm-Girl Scouts
7:30pm-Sr. Choir
8
7:00pm – Missions
Committee
7:30pm-Cards of
Caring
7:30pm-Festival
Ringers
7:30pm-Study
7pm-Cub Scout leaders
12
13 5pm-Girl Scouts
14 9:00am-Men’s
15 7pm-Boy Scouts
16 10am- Morning
9:30am -Worship
2nd graders receive
Bibles
10:30am-fellowship
6:45pm-Sr. MYF
7:30pm-Finance Com
7:30pm-Trustees
Breakfast at Comets
Restaurant
7:30pm-Festival
Ringers
7:30pm-Study
Glories
6:30pm-Children Choir
7:30pm-Sr. Choir
19 9:30&11am –
20 5pm-Girl Scouts
21
22
23 4:15pm –Girl Scouts 24
25
Worship services
& nursery care
6:30pm-Webelos
7:30pm –
Administrative Board
7:30pm-A.A.
7:30pm-Festival
Ringers
7:30pm-Study
St. Paul’s Meal
6:30pm-Children Choir Rummage Sale
7:30pm-Sr. Choir
10am-2:00pm
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Rummage Sale
10am-2:00pm
$2.00 a Bag
29 7pm-Boy Scouts
30
10:30am-fellowship
1pm-MVR
7:30pm - A.A.
26 9:30 & 11am –
27
Worship services
& nursery care
9:30am- Sunday
School & Adult Class
10:30am-fellowship
5pm-Girl Scouts
28
10
4
7
7:00pm – Boy Scouts
9 4:15pm –Girl Scouts
3 7pm- Cub Scouts
Saturday
School & Adult Class 5pm-Girl Scouts
9:30&11am-Worship 7:30pm - Evangelism
& nursery care
7:30pm-A.A.
10:30am-fellowship
1pm-MVR
4:30pm-Boy Sct. Com.
9:30am-Sunday School
6
Friday
1
7:30pm-Festival
Ringers
5 9:30am-Sunday
Thursday
11
5-9:00PM –
2nd grade
Bible Night
6:30pm-Children Choir
7:30pm-Sr. Choir
17
4pm-Girl Scouts
31
7:30pm-Study
7:30pm-A.A.
Choir Rehearsals on Sunday, October 5, 12, 19 – 4:30pm - Celebration Ringers , 5:45pm – Celebration Singers
18
3-5:00pm –
Fall Festival