Good people can be possessed by  powers greater than themselves that drive them to insanity, and death. In Jesus' time, people saw these powers as demons. Today, we are afraid to call out the demons that affect our loved ones - until, sometimes, it is too late. Addiction to prescription drugs, especially opioid painkillers, is sweeping through our community like wildfire, and leading people to cheaper and more dangerous "street drugs" such as impure heroin.

What does Jesus have to do with opioid abuse? It is up to us to answer the Gerasene demonaic's question to Jesus through faith, for today's people in need. On Wednesday, June 14th, at 6.30PM in the Elks Lodge Crystal Ballroom, First United Methodist Church Middletown is hosting Ginger Katz, a renowned national speaker on the effects of drug overdoses on everyday families like hers.

The death of her son by drug overdose is repeated again and again in our community, and has touched families in our church. Our hospitals, schools, social programs and law enforcement can do only so much to help these people in need. We can help through letting people who we know hear Ginger Katz' words of love and hope, to refer people who hear her to appropriate support, and to pray with them for healing and hope.

HOW TO HELP
Please join our Brighter Visions ministry team in spreading the word about this event. You can print the poster below to give to friends and family, or email it to them. You can pray for the success of this event. You can attend the event, and let people know that you're attending on Facebook. You can share this link to the event summary/

The power of God in Jesus released the Gerasene demonaic from his demons. Though faith and devoted service to our community, we can help God do the same, today.

May 28, 2017
Seventh Sunday of Easter 
​
Sermon
"Becoming One, The Real Deal"

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

 at

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

~
Scripture:

John 17: 1-5
 &
John 17: 6-11

Announcements
“The Lesson That Could Save Your Child’s Life” – will be Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the Elks Club at 6:30pm.  This event is being sponsored by the First United Methodist Church and the Elks Club, and being presented by The Courage to Speak Foundation. We would like everyone to participate in any way possible, Greeters, Prayer Partners, Bakers, Set up/take down. ALL are needed.
 
Welcome Patricia “Patty” Hurlburt as our new Music Director! – Patricia is a pianist, vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Her experience stems from working in the church and school setting with adults and children. She enjoys mentoring individuals and teams, and facilitating music to enhance worship services. She directs and arranges for choral and instrumental ensembles. She excels in creativity, freedom of expression, and appreciates various musical styles. She enjoys communicating and networking with other musicians in the area. We look forward to sharing the gift of music with her!
 
Getting to Know Jesus – Tres Dias weekends are coming up!  Women’s weekend June 1-4. Many of our members have participated and it has changed their lives. See Pastor Barbara for information.
 
 
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, June 3rd, and the first Saturday of each month. And they will be hosting coffee hour on June 4th.  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.  And they will be hosting coffee hour June 21st.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Finance Committee - will meet Wednesday, June 14th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  Please see Warren Western for more information.
 
Amazing Grace Donations – are extremely grateful for our donations.  Our congregation’s donations so far in 2017 total 189 pounds of food.  All 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.
​

Catherine "Cassie" Wilson has been our much beloved music director for only a short time, but in that time she won over our hearts with her passion for music and her willingness to explore the music of our faith traditions together. Our choir was especially thankful for her willingness to work with them at convenient times. We thank Cassie especially for her beautiful trio acapella rendition of "Long Time Traveler" on Sunday with her Wesleyan University friends Torie and Maddie (The Wailin' Jennys version below). We will miss having Wesleyan students in our weekly music mix, and we hope that we will have more in the future through our #FirstMusic guest musicians program.

Now, Cassie is off to the post-graduate world of music, and so we bid farewell to her here in Connecticut. Best of luck, Cassie, our prayers are with you for a bright and fulfilling future, with God's grace upon you! Please visit us when you're in the area again.

May 14, 2017
Fifth Sunday of Easter 
​
Sermon
"Who knows?"

by
Rev. David Gilmore
 
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  

 at

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

~
Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1-3, 12:1-3
 &
Esther 4:13-16

Announcements

 
It is with great joy I announce The Rev David Gilmore will be our guest preacher TODAY, Mother’s Day.  Rev Gilmore was the keynote speaker for the Laity Convocation in the fall, and he has accepted our invitation to look at how the Middletown UMC might grow.  Please welcome him, and ask him any questions you might have, on church growth. 
 
God Bless You Cassie as you journey away from us. You have been a blessing and we know that God has a special plan and purpose for you! Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and gift of music. God be with you!
 
Getting to Know Jesus – Tres Dias weekends are coming up! Men’s weekend May 18-21 and Women’s weekend June 1-4. Many of our members have participated and it has changed their lives. See Pastor Barbara for information.
 
Prayer Circle – will meet TODAY, following coffee hour for 15 minutes.  Dianne Bayley-Clark and John Blossom will be having a prayer circle each week following coffee hour, for 15 minutes.  All are welcome and encouraged to come!
 
SPPR Committee – Will meet Wednesday, May 24th at 7pm, at the Parsonage.  And will be hosting coffee hour on May 28th.  Please see Sharon Riley for more information.
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  And they will be hosting coffee hour May 21st.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Congratulations Church!! – What an outstanding effort you have put forth for Days for Girls ($552) and Raise the Roof Orphanage Project ($150).  Good Job.  What does it mean?  It means that you have kept 26 girls in school for 3 years.  You have also contributed 3 sheets of tin roofing (with a matching 3) of the 80 sheets needed to complete the roof to house orphans.  What a blessing!
 
Days for Girls –is an organization that provides quality sustainable feminine hygiene kits and education to girls and women in over 75 countries to help reverse the cycle of poverty.  Activities include sewing, ironing, folding, snapping, prepping, etc. Fabric donations are also appreciated. There are no requirements to participate, besides a desire to do so. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please contact Megan Camp for more information via email at megmariecamp@gmail.com, or in person at Sunday service!
 
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.

This Sunday, May 14th, will be a very special day in the life of our church. Our 10AM worship service will be blessed with the preaching and inspiring leadership of Rev. David Gilmore. Reverend Gilmore is appointed to the cabinet of the New York Conference as the Director of Church Development and Revitalization.  In this role he is responsible for planting new churches; identifying, equipping and empowering emerging leaders (clergy and laity); supporting and nurturing the creation of new ministries; offering one-on-one consultations with churches; and, providing consultations and recommendations for churches seeking to become vital.

Rev. Gilmore is excited to be meeting us, and will be seeking an understanding of our church's commitment to dynamic new growth. We encourage everyone who if a member or friend of the church to hear and to speak to Rev. Gimore, so that the good work that we have started in bringing new life to our church may come to full fruit!

May 7, 2017
Fourth Sunday of Easter 
​
Sermon
"Who's Voice Is That?"

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

 at

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

~
Scripture:

Acts 2:42-47
 &
John 10:1-10

Announcements
 
 
It is with great joy I announce The Rev David Gilmore – will be our guest preacher on Mother’s Day, May 14th.  Rev Gilmore was the keynote speaker for the Laity Convocation in the fall and I have invited him here to take a look at how the Middletown UMC might grow.  Please welcome him, and ask him any questions you might have, on church growth. 
 
Church Council – will meet TODAY, following worship services.  Update on Land Purchase and Community Service Event.  All are welcome and encouraged to come!
 
Prayer Circle – will meet next week, following coffee hour for 15 minutes.  Dianne Bayley-Clark and John Blossom will be having a prayer circle each week following coffee hour, for 15 minutes.  All are welcome and encouraged to come!
 
The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Heritage Commons.  And they will be hosting coffee hour May 21st.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information. 
 
Finance & Trustee Committees’ - will have a combine meeting on Wednesday, May 10th starting at 6:30pm, at the Parsonage.  There will be a guest speaker.  Please see Warren Western or Bill Collins for more information. 
 
Congratulations Church!! – What an outstanding effort you have put forth for Days for Girls ($552) and Raise the Roof Orphanage Project ($150).  Good Job.  What does it mean?  It means that you have kept 26 girls in school for 3 years.  You have also contributed 3 sheets of tin roofing (with a matching 3) of the 80 sheets needed to complete the roof to house orphans.  What a blessing!
 
Days for Girls –is an organization that provides quality sustainable feminine hygiene kits and education to girls and women in over 75 countries to help reverse the cycle of poverty.  Activities include sewing, ironing, folding, snapping, prepping, etc. Fabric donations are also appreciated. There are no requirements to participate, besides a desire to do so. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please contact Megan Camp for more information via email at megmariecamp@gmail.com, or in person at Sunday service!
​