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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Come and Celebrate The Holy Spirit

5/31/2020

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Thank you to the Swain family for allowing us to display Jim's artwork on our website this week. 
Scripture Verses

Acts 2:1-21

& 

John 7:37-39

Sermon Title

"So, Now That We Have Received The Spirit..."

Pastor Barbara Marks
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A Call to Prayer-Bishop Bickerton
 
I can’t breathe.
 
Those are the last words George Floyd used as four police officers pinned him by his neck on Monday evening, resulting in his death.  They were also the last words spoken by Eric Garner, an unarmed Black man killed in New York City in 2014.  These senseless acts of violence by police officers against unarmed Black men is intolerable and provide clear evidence that the racism I just spoke of over the weekend in relation to Ahmaud Arbery is deep and dangerous and unjust.
 
I can’t breathe.
 
That’s what protesters said last night when the Minneapolis police fired tear gas into innocent crowds who were exercising their right to decry the injustice, violence, and racist behavior they had just witnessed. 
 
I can’t breathe.
 
Anyone with a heart for justice and love in their heart who watches the video of George Floyd’s death has their breath taken away.  To hear cries from bystanders pleading with police officers, those who are entrusted with our care and safety, to stop their violent behavior, makes one gasp at what was recorded for the world to see.  Some who watch this video are frightened.  Others are angered.  Still others shake their head in disbelief.
 
I can’t breathe.
 
Over the last 18 months I have been encouraging members of the New York Annual Conference to “just breathe.” I have distributed bracelets to pastors, written those words in the midst of anxious moments, encouraged everyone to just take a moment to allow emotions to settle, and guided people to breathe out what is evil and breathe in what is good.  But in moments like this one, these pleas and techniques seem less than adequate when anger boils over and intolerance to this kind of behavior must be addressed. Some days it seems impossible to just breathe.
 
As a Christian, when I cannot breathe or find a way to deal with my unanswered dilemmas, I turn to the source of life to bring me hope and perspective and direction. 
 
In response to this latest act of racial violence, I am calling all United Methodist Churches to intentionally call George Floyd’s name in worship this Sunday, May 31st.  Raise the issue.  Name the cruelty.  Address the racism.  Invite reflection. Develop a plan to read more, know more, advocate more.  And pray.  Pray for George Floyd’s family as they grieve.  Pray for anyone who has had their fears heightened or feels their angers raging within.  Pray that we might find courage and wisdom that will lead all of our people to understand that in the name of Jesus we have a responsibility to work tirelessly so that all people are valued and treated with dignity and respect. 
 
And pray that God will help us all find a way to breathe.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.
 
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will,
to do and to endure.
Edwin Hatch, 1878

 May it be so.  Oh, Lord, may it be so.
 
The Journey Continues, . . .


Thomas Bickerton
Resident Bishop

New York Conference of The United Methodist Church
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Pentecost Sunday May 31-Come Celebrate the power of The Holy Spirit!  
Council Meeting-Wednesday June 3rd-Zoom pm. Opening our new Church Building. How can YOU help?
St Vincent DePaul & Amazing Grace - Please continue to support these ministries in Middletown. So many are in need. Can you donate food, sandwiches, money...please see our home page and give any way you can.

​Bishop Bickerton Guidelines on Opening - 
is available on NYAC.com. It is strongly suggested that you read this letter. The Trutees will be in strict compliance with every item as we await the opening of our building. 
Prayers With Social Distancing and Nature- Consider taking a  walk around our new church building and surrounding neighborhoods or trails in prayer, thanking God for this building God has entrusted us with, and asking God how we will mission together with our neighbors as a community of faith. 
Monday Evening Conversation-7m  will resume June 1. 




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This Week at First United Methodist Church

5/24/2020

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Scripture Readings

John 1:6-9
&
Matthew 5:14-16

Sermon

"How to Fulfill Mathew 5:14-16"

​Rev Ron Cox
​10am Zoom
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Thank you Rev Ron Cox for leading our Sunday worship you are sure to be an inspiration. Ron has asked that you have your Bible and a notepad ready.
St Vincent DePaul & Amazing Grace - Please continue to support these ministries in Middletown. So many are in need. Can you donate food, sandwiches, money...please see our home page and give any way you can.
Bishop Bickerton Guidelines on Opening - is available on NYAC.com. It is strongly suggested that you read this letter. The Trutees will be in strict compliance with every item as we await the opening of our building. 
Bishop/Laity webinar, Tuesday May 26, at 5pm, for Q&A on reopening guidelines. Link will be on the NYAC website. 
Prayers With Social Distancing and Nature- Consider taking a  walk around our new church building and surrounding neighborhoods or trails in prayer, thanking God for this building God has entrusted us with, and asking God how we will mission together with our neighbors as a community of faith. 
Monday Evening Conversation-7pm will not meet but will resume June 1. 
Council Meeting-Changed to Wednesday June 3rd-Zoom pm. Opening our new Church Building. How can YOU help?

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This Week at First United Methodist Church Middletown

5/17/2020

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Scripture Reading-Acts 17:22-31              

Gospel Reading- John 14:15-21               

Sermon     
           
    “Taking It To The Street ”

Pastor Barbara Marks
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St Vincent DePaul & Amazing Grace - Please continue to support these ministries in Middletown. So much is in need. Can you donate food, sandwiches, money...please see our home page and give any way you can.
Bishop Bickerton Message of May 8th is available at NYAC.com, please view the heartfelt message or read the letter  as we proceed forward with God and in prayer during these uncertain times of the Corona virus.
Prayers With Social Distancing and Nature- Consider taking a  walk around our new church building and surrounding neighborhoods or trails in prayer, thanking God for this building God has entrusted us with, and asking God how we will mission together with our neighbors as a community of faith. 

Monday Evening Conversation-7pm We will discuss the scripture passages (above) the sermon and the music presented for this weeks worship. 
 Trustees Meeting-Wednesday May 20 7pm through Zoom. Please submit items that need to be completed to open our building to John Scholten by Monday May 18.
Sunday May 24th-Rev Ron Cox will be preaching. Have your Bible and notepad ready. 
Council Meeting-Wednesday May 27-Zoom pm. Opening our new Church Building. How can YOU help?
Save the Date May 30th 11am - TBA

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May 08th, 2020

5/8/2020

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Fifth Sunday of Easter

Scriptures

1Peter 2:2-10
&
John 14:1-14

Sermon Title
"Where Are You Going?"
​Pastor Barbara Marks
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​            Mother’s Day Prayer
God of grace, thank you for the gift of motherhood:
for the joy of giving birth, for the delight of loving a child,
for the unfolding of relationship that comes with time.
From mothers cradling babies, to adults caregiving for aging parents,
the relationship of mother and son or daughter is a gift from you!
Thank you for all who mother us,
biological or adoptive mothers, caregivers, relatives and friends;
women who have been there for us, who have made us who we are.
Thank you God that even though mothers may fail us, you never fail us
and that you mother us through your love.
We are not perfect people, and in our intimate relationships, we are imperfect.
For all the ways we have as mothers, disappointed or failed our children, forgive us.
For all the ways we have as children, disappointed or failed our mothers, forgive us.
Give us the grace to say, “I’m sorry,” and the wisdom to make amends.
For mothers today we ask for patience, to allow our children to be children;
we ask for vision to see the long view, and the impact small parenting choices can make;
we ask for self-control,  so that we may model gracefulness in stressful situations.
Above all these we ask for love, pressed down, shaken together, running over!
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who knew the love of a mother,
faithful and true to the end, Amen.
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St Vincent DePaul and Amazing Grace looking for donations - please see information on website under "Our Ministries."
The Case for Christ
-Book or Movie-discussion will take place Monday eve May 11 at 7pm. Zoom link to follow.
Finance Meeting via Zoom- May 13 @ 7pm. 
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May 01st, 2020

5/1/2020

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Communion Sunday 
Let's share it together 
Agape style

Scriptures

Psalm 23

John 10:1-10

Sermon Title
"Beyond the Road"
Pastor Barbara Marks
Monday Evening Conversations-Let's talk about the sermon and  the music and how it relates to moving forward in an uncertain world.

The Case for Christ-The Movie. While we are in place find time to watch this movie either on your TV or on your computer. You should be able to find it free of charge. We will be discussing it next Monday, May 11th!
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