Blog Archives

This week at First UMC Middletown

12/30/2016

January 1, 2017
Epiphany Sunday

Sermon
"The Dream Continues..."
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:

Hebrews 2:10-18
&
Matthew 2:13-23
~
Announcements:

THANK YOU! Sue & Ken Paulsen for a wonderful Spirit filled worship service, at the parsonage, on Christmas morning. The "homily" was written by Ken and featured interaction by the congregation. All contributed in singing Carols. My favorite heartfelt music message was sung in a duet by Sue & Ken. Thank you for making our Christmas special!

Charge Conference Reports-are DUE! Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm. If your reports are NOT received you will be getting a call from Becky this week.

Church Conference - will be January 15, 2016. 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.

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, January 7th, 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.

Finance Committee - will meet Wednesday, January 18th 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.

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.

0 Comments

This week at First UMC Middletown

12/23/2016

0 Comments

December 24, 2016
Christmas Eve Service
Please join us for worship at 5pm

**********************************

December 25, 2016
Christmas Sunday

Homily
"Elizabeth, Zechariah and John"
{A Christmas Tale}
by
Pastor Barbara Marks

Please join us for worship
Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

at

The First UMC Middletown Parsonage
221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT

~
Scripture:

Titus 2:11-14
&
Luke 2:1-20
~
Announcements:

New Year’s Day service will be held at the Elks, in the ballroom at 10am…

Save the DATE –Charge Conference will be January 15, 2016 following Worship services.

Stewardship Sunday -Thank you for prayerfully considering the many gifts God has given you, as you in turn, share your gifts with the Church. We are encouraged through scripture to “have faith the size of the mustard seed.” As we commit to God to grow the Kingdom won’t you consider increasing your pledge. Your pledge helps us to set our budget for 2017.

Charge Conference Reports-are DUE. Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm.

Christmas Sunday Service – Will be held on December 25th at 9am, at the Parsonage. 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457 – Come in and enter the story!

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, January 7th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western 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.

0 Comments

Celebrate a Simple and Joyful Christmas in our "Manger"...

12/17/2016

0 Comments

Do you feel that your Christmas HAS to be fancy and glitzy? Do you feel the pressure to go all out, and prove things to God, to your family...to yourself? Do you want a real Christmas spirit in your heart, if you could just - somehow - keep things simple?

When Jesus was born, God and Jesus' parents kept things simple. In the midst of political turmoil, violence, and the rush of people to places they normally didn't go, the newborn Son of God was wrapped in simple, warm cloths and laid in a bed of straw in the first thing that was at hand - a manger, a place where animals ate.

At First United Methodist Church Middletown, we celebrate the joyful arrival of Jesus at Christmas in very simple borrowed places - like Jesus and his parents did that first Christmas. There is no pressure to perform, to be someone you aren't. The first Christmas was the simplest of all Christmases. Yours can be, too.

Please join us for worship Christmas Eve, 5 PM, at the Elks Club ballroom, 44 Maynard Street in Middletown. Celebrate with carols, a warm and special Christmas message, and joy for the whole family. Then, on Christmas Day, please join us at our 221 Ridge Road parsonage, at 9AM, for a simple and heartfelt Christmas worship service.

Christmas can be simple, real...and from the heart. Join us as we celebrate God on earth just as we are!

0 Comments

This week at First UMC Middletown

12/17/2016

0 Comments

December 18, 2016
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sermon
"... and if you tell the story of Mary, others will find out about Jesus"
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
Children's Sermon by John Blossom

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

at

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

~
Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-16
&
Luke 1:22-38
~
Announcements:

New Members – TODAY! – Please join us in welcoming Bill Collins and Rossana Barnaby as they join our church family. What a blessing! Bill has been on our Board of Trustees and Rossana has brought great depth to our Sunday studies. Praise God!.

Be the Hands and Feet of Christ - Can you, your committee, church friends, or family members, chip in together and purchase a coat or boots for needy parents that put their children first? Please sign up today! Delivery appreciated to the parsonage no later than December 19th.

Stewardship Sunday -Thank you for prayerfully considering the many gifts God has given you, as you in turn, share your gifts with the Church. We are encouraged through scripture to “have faith the size of the mustard seed.” As we commit to God to grow the Kingdom won’t you consider increasing your pledge. Your pledge helps us to set our budget for 2017.

Charge Conference Reports-are DUE. Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm.

Christmas Eve Service – Will be held on December 24th at 5pm, at the Elks Ballroom 44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 06457

Christmas Sunday Service – Will be held on December 25th at 9am, at the Parsonage. 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457 – Come in and enter the story!

Advent Study- Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam- Christmas or confusion, Bethlehem or Bedlam . . . Which will you choose this year? The truth is, we don’t have to choose, because Christmas always happens right in the midst of our chaos. God breaks into our noisy disorder and is made known in Jesus Christ. Christmas and confusion—weren’t they intimately related at the first Christmas when Jesus was born? Sometimes we forget that. That’s what this study is about—how Christ breaks into our chaos and confusion and brings Christmas—Studies will be held on Sundays/Thursdays at the parsonage.

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, January 7th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western 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.

0 Comments

Christmas Concert this Sunday at the Parsonage, 3PM

12/9/2016

0 Comments

A joyful Christmas Concert from "A Wrinkle in Time" will warm the First UMC Middletown 221 Ridge Road parsonage on December 11th, at 3pm. The concert will be the trio of Marsha Judson, Jerry Jacques and Nancy Fightlin. Please come and join in this festive time of year. Please see Marsha Judson for more information.

0 Comments

This week at First UMC Middletown

12/9/2016

0 Comments

December 11, 2016
Third Sunday of Advent

Sermon
"I Must Be Dreaming"
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
Children's Sermon by John Blossom

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

at

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

~
Scripture:

Isaiah 35:1-10
&
Matthew 1:18-25
~
Announcements:

Christmas Concert – TODAY – please bring a friend and celebrate the music of Marsha Judson, Jerry Jacques and Nancy Fightlin.

Be the Hands and Feet of Christ - Can you, your committee, church friends, or family members, chip in together and purchase a coat or boots for needy parents that put their children first? Please sign up today! Delivery appreciated to the parsonage no later than December 19th.

Stewardship Sunday -Thank you for prayerfully considering the many gifts God has given you, as you in turn, share your gifts with the Church. We are encouraged through scripture to “have faith the size of the mustard seed.” As we commit to God to grow the Kingdom won’t you consider increasing your pledge. Your pledge helps us to set our budget for 2017.

Gift Giving- St. Vincent De Paul is looking for the following hygiene items: deodorant, shampoo, razor, tooth paste, and toothbrushes. Please drop off in box on front table TODAY!

Charge Conference Reports-are due TODAY. Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm.

The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet Tuesday, December 13th at 12pm at the Green Room for lunch. Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information.

Finance Committee - will meet Wednesday, December 14th at 7pm, at the Parsonage. Please see Warren Western for more information.

Trustees’ - will meet Thursday, December 15th at 7pm, at the Parsonage. Please see Bill Collins for more information.

New Members/Transfers- will be accepted into Church Membership on Dec 18. Please see Pastor Barbara for information.

Christmas Eve Service – Will be held on December 24th at 5pm, at the Elks Ballroom 44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 06457

Christmas Sunday Service – Will be held on December 25th at 9pm, at the Parsonage. 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457

Advent Study- Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam- Christmas or confusion, Bethlehem or Bedlam . . . Which will you choose this year? The truth is, we don’t have to choose, because Christmas always happens right in the midst of our chaos. God breaks into our noisy disorder and is made known in Jesus Christ. Christmas and confusion—weren’t they intimately related at the first Christmas when Jesus was born? Sometimes we forget that. That’s what this study is about—how Christ breaks into our chaos and confusion and brings Christmas—Studies will be held on Sundays/Thursdays at the parsonage.

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, January 7th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western 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.

0 Comments

This week at First UMC Middletown

12/2/2016

0 Comments

December 4, 2016
Second Sunday of Advent

Sermon
"Cry In The Wilderness"
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
Children's Sermon by John Blossom

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

at

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

~
Scripture:

Isaiah 11:1-10
&
Matthew 3:1-12
~
Announcements:

Stewardship Sunday is today! Thank you for prayerfully considering the many gifts God has given you, as you in turn, share your gifts with the Church. We are encouraged through scripture to “have faith the size of the mustard seed.” As we commit to God to grow the Kingdom won’t you consider increasing your pledge. Your pledge helps us to set our budget for 2017.

Gift Giving- St. Vincent De Paul is looking for the following hygiene items: deodorant, shampoo, razor, tooth paste, and toothbrushes. Please drop off in box on front table TODAY!

Xmas Concert - will be at the parsonage on December 11th, at 3pm. The concert will be the trio of Marsha Judson, Jerry Jacques and Nancy Fightlin. Please come and join in this festive time of year. Please see Marsha Judson for more information.

Charge Conference Reports- are due on December 11th. Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm.

The Sew ‘n’ Sew’s - will meet Tuesday, December 13th at 12pm at the Green Room for lunch. Please see Barbara Hendershot for more information.

New Members/Transfers- will be accepted into Church Membership on Dec 18. Please see Pastor Barbara for information.

Advent Study- Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam- Christmas or confusion, Bethlehem or Bedlam . . . Which will you choose this year? The truth is, we don’t have to choose, because Christmas always happens right in the midst of our chaos. God breaks into our noisy disorder and is made known in Jesus Christ. Christmas and confusion—weren’t they intimately related at the first Christmas when Jesus was born? Sometimes we forget that. That’s what this study is about—how Christ breaks into our chaos and confusion and brings Christmas—Studies will be held on Sundays/Thursdays at the parsonage.

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, December 3rd, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western 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.

0 Comments

This week at First UMC Middletown

This week at First UMC Middletown

Celebrate a Simple and Joyful Christmas in our "Manger"...

This week at First UMC Middletown

Christmas Concert this Sunday at the Parsonage, 3PM

This week at First UMC Middletown

This week at First UMC Middletown

News topics

Archives

How we help

What we do

Get Connected