First United Methodist Church  40 Tuttle Rd  Middletown, CT  06457    203-410-3221         Worship 10:00 AM Sundays
First United Methodist Church, Middletown, CT
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  • What to Expect
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In Loving Memory of Rev. Al Scholten

1/28/2017

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​Rev. Albert Henry Scholten, Jr., First United Methodist Church's beloved pastor of thirty years, passed away on Sunday, January 22, at his home. He lived 93 very full and fulfilling years. His uplifting into eternal perfection gives us cause to celebrate God's everlasting love, and to remember with tender and open hearts the love that he so willingly gave to his family and to so many in our church and in the world.

Our hearts and prayers go out at this time to Rev. Scholten's family, being especially mindful of John Parent's wife Dara, Rev, Scholten's daughter. May we pray as a church family for God to surround them all with the wholeness of God's loving presence, and may we offer them that presence ourselves in God's loving image.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm at South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant Street, Middletown with Pastor Barbara Marks officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rev. Scholten's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457

The husband of the late Nila (Clark ) Scholten, Born in Minneapolis, MN, he was the son of the late Albert, Sr. and Agnes (Hedlund) Scholten. Rev. Scholten attended schools in Minnesota graduating Pine City High School, Class of 1941. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving from 1944 to 1946 earning the rank of Corporal and participating in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands and the occupation of China. In 1946, he and Nila were married. He went on to graduate University of Minnesota in 1950 and Drew Theological Seminary in 1954.

Rev. Scholten served as pastor of Methodist churches in Westhampton and Amityville, Long Island and First United Methodist in Middletown CT for thirty years. He served as program director of the Methodist Church Camp on Shelter Island, NY one week per summer for seventeen years and was a member of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for forty-four years. He served on other various committees including the Board of the Ministry, Town and Country Committee, Central District Nominating Committee, District Committee on the Superintendency, Interchurch Chaplaincy Program of Connecticut as treasurer and was a co-chair and member of the Hark L. Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund.

After retirement from First United Methodist Church in Middletown, he served as a minister of visitation for twelve years at Prospect United Methodist Church in Bristol, CT. Rev. Scholten is survived by two sons, James Scholten and his wife, Debra of New Britain and John Scholten and his wife, Laura of Durham; two daughters, Mary Tew and her husband, Everett of Barkhamsted and Dara Parent and her husband, John of Middletown; seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.Along with his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brother, James Scholten and a grandson, Alin Clark Tew. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. -

See more at Legacy.com: 
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This week at First UMC Middletown

1/27/2017

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January 29, 2017
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany 
​
 Sermon

by
Pastor Barbara Marks
 
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  

 at

The Elk’s Lodge
44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 

~
Scripture:


1 Corinthians 1:18-31
 &
Matthew 5: 1-12 


Announcements:
 
Are we “GO”ing to Grow?  Who’s turn is it to invite? EVERYONE’S!
 
District Resource Days – TODAY -will be January 29, 2017 at the Prospect UMC, in Bristol, CT, from 2pm to 4:45pm and on February 4, 2017 at the Golden Hill UMC, in Bridgeport, CT, from 9 am to 11:45am.    There are several workshops to that may interest you.  Please contact Debbie Camp at (860) 638-9323 with any questions or concerns.
 
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, February 4th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western for more information.
 
Souper Sunday Feb 5th – Pre-game with us following worship at the parsonage.  Come join the fellowship and vote for your favorite soup!  This is a free-will offering lunch.  Proceeds will benefit “Days for Girls”.  You will be home in plenty of time to see the game.
 
Finance Committee - will meet Wednesday, February 8th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Warren Western for more information. 
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Trustee Committee - will meet Wednesday, February 15th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Bill Collins for more information. 
 
SPPR Committee - will meet Wednesday, February 22th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Sharon Riley for more information. 
 
UMCOR Updates-  Hurricane Matthew- When disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) mobilizes to respond to the most pressing human needs and then stays until recovery is complete. Through local United Methodist churches and trained disaster response workers, UMCOR provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma. 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts. Donate online @UMCOR.org
 
Amazing Grace Donations – can now be brought to church any Sunday.  In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup.    Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at (860) 346-0005.

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This week at First UMC Middletown

1/20/2017

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January 22, 2017
Third Sunday After Epiphany 
​
 Sermon
"Fishing AGAIN?!" 
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
 
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  

 at

The Elk’s Lodge
44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 

~
Scripture:


Isaiah 9:1-4
 &
Matthew 4:12-23

 ~
Announcements:
 Are we “GO”ing to Grow?  Who’s turn is it to invite? EVERYONE’S!
 
SPPR Committee - will meet Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Sharon Riley for more information. 
 
District Resource Days - will be January 29, 2017 at the Prospect UMC, in Bristol, CT, from 2pm to 4:45pm and on February 4, 2017 at the Golden Hill UMC, in Bridgeport, CT, from 9 am to 11:45am.    There are several workshops to that may interest you.  Registration ENDS January 26, 2017.  Please contact Debbie Camp at (860) 638-9323 with any questions or concerns.
 
UMCOR Updates-  Hurricane Matthew- When disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) mobilizes to respond to the most pressing human needs and then stays until recovery is complete. Through local United Methodist churches and trained disaster response workers, UMCOR provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma. 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts. Donate online @UMCOR.org
 
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, February 4th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western for more information.
 
Souper Sunday Feb 5th – Pre-game with us following worship at the parsonage.  Come join the fellowship and vote for your favorite soup!  This is a free-will offering lunch.  Proceeds will benefit “Days for Girls”.  You will e home in plenty of time to see the game.
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Amazing Grace Donations – can now be brought to church any Sunday.  In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup.    Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at (860) 346-0005.
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A Sunday of Celebrating the Life of our Church! [PHOTOS]

1/15/2017

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PHOTO SLIDESHOW AT BOTTOM OF POST
​
First UMC Middletown had a very special worship celebration this Sunday, as our guest Rev. Ken Kieffer, our outgoing NYAC CT District Superintendent, offered a powerful sermon on Jesus' conversation with a Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42) which Rev. Ken titled "Trauma Queen." His sermon was a remarkable testimony to the experiences of his own life that invite us to put our own lives' traumas into perspective through faith. A beautiful themed altarscape graced our worship space, and wonderful music and witnesses to grace completed a vibrant morning of faith. Rev. Ken got a sense of what worship is like at "that church at the Elks Club," and he was duly impressed!

After worship, we hopped over to our parsonage for our annual Church Conference chaired by Rev. Ken, which celebrated the life of the church as we conducted our annual business. We lifted up our successful ministries, new ministries being led by Sharon Riley, Jill Bennett, and Rossana Barnaby, our new members, our improved fiscal outlook, and our progress towards purchasing land for a new worship center. We also discussed new global mission projects that we can support that offer God's hope around the world. We have much to be grateful for as we enter the new year, having crossed through the "desert" of transition from our old worship space, and as we prepare to cross the Jordan into a new promised land of growing faith in Middletown. May our horns blow loud and clear at the city's walls! We wish Rev. Ken all the best in his new upcoming assignment, and we thank him for his heartfelt support.
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This week at First UMC Middletown

1/13/2017

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Picture
January 15, 2017
Second Sunday After Epiphany 
​
 Sermon
"Trauma Queen" 
by
Rev. Kenneth Kieffer
 
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  

 at

The Elk’s Lodge
44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 

~
Scripture:


Jeremiah 2:9-13
 &
John 4:5-18

 ~
Announcements:
 
​Sunday Worship service for January 15, 2017 WILL BE meeting upstairs at the Elks.
 
Church Conference - TODAY.  The Rev Ken Kieffer will be preaching at this mornings Worship Service.  Following Worship the church conference will take place at the parsonage and will include LUNCH… Please be prompt!
 
Human Relations Day – is TODAY.  Gifts to Human Relations Day Sunday support the Community Developers Program and community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services, related to the General Board of Global Ministries, and at-risk teens through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation program, General Board of Church and Society.
 
Are we “GO”ing to Grow?  Who’s turn is it to invite? EVERYONE”S!
 
Trustees’ - will meet Wednesday, January 18th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Bill Collins for more information. 
 
SPPR Committee - will meet Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Sharon Riley for more information. 
 
UMCOR Updates-  Hurricane Matthew- When disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) mobilizes to respond to the most pressing human needs and then stays until recovery is complete. Through local United Methodist churches and trained disaster response workers, UMCOR provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma. 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts. Donate online @UMCOR.org
 
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, February 4th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western for more information.
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Amazing Grace Donations – can now be brought to church any Sunday.  In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup.    Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at (860) 346-0005.
 

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New Year, New Faith - Get a Fresh Start with God!

1/8/2017

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Welcome to 2017! To you, it might be just another year in your life. Well, God is here to tell us that it can be a year of fresh starts, through a relationship with God and faith-filled people who can give you new energy, new hope, and brighter visions. Whatever is frustrating, filled with loss, and seemingly hopeless, God is ready to plunge us into a fresh new outlook on life - and eternal life.

Recently, our church remembered of our baptism vows in our Sunday worship. Just like Jesus went to the Jordan River for John's baptism to confirm God's promises for salvation to the world, we put everything that should be dead in our life behind us, and allowed God's waters to wash over us for a new start. We are offered one baptism from God for the forgiveness of sins, but God encourages us to reconnect with God's baptism promises whenever we need it.

Are YOU ready for a new start this year? If you're new to our church, we welcome you, your friends, and your family to experience a church community that is deeply committed to helping people experience the God who never gives up on us. We don't force any ideas or commitments on you - we offer you the love of God freely and willingly, and invite you to experience what it's like to be a part of a community of Christians dedicated to second chances.

Are you already a member of our church community? We remind you to rejoice in the renewal of your baptism, and to keep it holy by offering God's love to everyone in our community who needs it. Let everyone know who much our church excites you. Get involved in our mission projects. Wear your church name tag around town when you shop. Invite people who need to be touched by God into God's presence in our worship services.

Everyone in our community needs and deserves a fresh start. We hope that we can find it together, with God's help!
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This week at First UMC Middletown

1/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
January 8, 2017
First Sunday After Epiphany 
​
 Sermon
"How Do I Get in the Hourse?" 
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
 
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  

 at

The Elk’s Lodge
44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 

~
Scripture:


Isaiah 42:1-9
 &
Matthew 3:13-17

 ~
Announcements:
 
Human Relations Day – will be January 15, 2017.  Gifts to Human Relations Day Sunday support the Community Developers Program and community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services, related to the General Board of Global Ministries, and at-risk teens through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation program, General Board of Church and Society.
 
Church Conference - will be January 15, 2017.  The Rev Ken Kieffer will be preaching at the Sunday Morning Worship Service.  Following the morning Worship Service the meeting will take place at the parsonage.  Will include LUNCH… Please sign up so we know you are coming.
 
Finance Committee - will meet Wednesday, January 11th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Warren Western for more information. 
 
Trustees’ - will meet Wednesday, January 18th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Bill Collins for more information. 
 
SPPR Committee - will meet Wednesday, January 25th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Sharon Riley for more information. 
 
UMCOR Updates-  Hurricane Matthew- When disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) mobilizes to respond to the most pressing human needs and then stays until recovery is complete. Through local United Methodist churches and trained disaster response workers, UMCOR provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma. 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts. Donate online @UMCOR.org
 
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, Febuary 4th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western for more information.
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Amazing Grace Donations – can now be brought to church any Sunday.  In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup.    Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at (860) 346-0005.
 
***Pastor Marks will be out of the office from January 10th through January 12th.  Please contact John Blossom if you need assistance at (203) 293-8511.

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