Category: Events - First United Methodist Church, Middletown, CT

Epiphany of the Lord

1/12/2020

Baptism of the Lord

Scriptures

Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

"Washed By The Water"
Allison Merrill

First United Methodist Church
11am

Navigating in a changing world we step into the community with faith as Jesus followers.

NYAC-We are grateful! We were taken by surprise by our DS last Sunday during our fellowship hour. As you know we are asking for contribution for matching funds of $250 per pledging unit up to $20,000. The Bishop and Cabinet have matched the funds given by the generosity of Tom and Alice Macy to honor my husband David. Please do not give up on your efforts! We need to continue our capitol campaign for necessary mission and building funds.

Awaken the Spirit Sunday Mornings Study 9:30 beginning January 19th-where will the light of the Lord lead us in mission 2020. What gifts will you bring/share with our neighbors. Grab a coffee and meet in the classroom. All should attend.

Trustees Committee – will be meeting on Wednesday, January 15th, at 6:30pm, Thelma Blake's home. Our priority details will be reviewed.

Human Relations Day – is January 19th. 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.

27th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Celebration-Monday January 20, @ 12:30pm South Congregational Church. Keynote Speaker-Reverend Robert K Hoggard.

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 Rachel or Mel for information.

Are You Searching for a New Spiritual Experience?

5/14/2018

Are you feeling empty and know that life must have a greater meaning?
Do you want to be part of a growing Church where you are family,
and everyone knows your name?
Then come as you are, bring your family, and worship outdoors,
May 20th – 10 am
as we consecrate our new property on the
corner of Tuttle and Newfield Streets-Middletown CT.
(RAIN LOCATION - Elk's Club, Middletown, CT)
First United Methodist Church
something is happening here!

Facing Opioid Abuse: You Can Help to Spread God's Hope

5/31/2017

When [the man possessed by demons] saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" ~ Luke 8:28

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.

Get the Event Poster

First UMC Middletown Hosts National Speaker on Drug Abuse

5/12/2017

Ginger Katz, a renowned national speaker and author, will tell the very moving story of how drug abuse killed her son, and discuss how we can prevent such tragedies, at a community forum in Middletown on Wednesday, June 14th, from 6:30PM. to 8:30PM, in the Elks Lodge Crystal Ballroom, 44 Maynard Street, The event is sponsored by the Brighter Visions community outreach and support program of First United Methodist Church, Middletown, in cooperation with Elks Lodge #771. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to speak with event coordinators afterwards for prayer and referrals.

Prescription painkiller abuse is at record levels today, affecting families in Middletown, Connecticut and elsewhere with overdoses, deaths, and ruined lives as never before. Virginia (“Ginger”) Katz knows the heartbreaking truth behind those statistics - she lost her son Ian to a drug overdose in 1996, and founded The Courage to Speak Foundation, Inc., to spread her personal story of loss and renewed hope to parents, children, teens, and adults of all ages.

Ginger’s story is like the story of so many families. "Ian hid his pain.” she said. “I tell all the kids, "Get it out! Don't bury it! There are people out there able to help. If you can talk to your parents, do so. If not, find three adults you can trust who will help you sort things out". Communication is the key to the solution, she observes, and she offers many practical approaches to courageous conversations in the family that can help to break the cycle of drug abuse and denial.

“Whether you are someone with a loved one who you know is abusing painkillers or other drugs, or whether you are just concerned for them or others in our community, this evening can be a turning point for you,” said Barbara Marks, Pastor of First United Methodist Church Middletown. “People in our own church community have lost loved ones very recently to drug overdoses - it can happen to anyone, at any time. We are here to help people to find the strength for a brighter vision of their future.”

Download Event Poster

"Cassie" Wilson Musical Preview, Saturday, 8 April, 7PM

4/5/2017

Our much appreciated pianist Catherine "Cassie" Wilson will be performing in a reading/performance of a new musical that she was written for her Wesleyan music program with a collaborator. Titled "If Sand Were Stone," the performance should run around an hour and a half. No tickets!

Saturday, April 8th at 7pm in Beckham Hall (in the building Fayerweather) at Wesleyan. 55 Wyllys Ave.

To express your interest in attending, please visit the event page on Facebook for this performance at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1871873489769063/

Congratulations, Cassie!

Restored! Join a Study Group That Can Transform your Life.

2/12/2017

What comes to mind when you hear the word mess? Your home? Your schedule during a particularly busy week at work? Your family? Messes are a part of being human and a part of living in a messy and broken world. The good news is that God is in the mess – not making the mess but working to redeem and restore it.

In Restored: Finding Redemption in Our Mess, author Tom Berlin helps us see our mess through the eyes of Christ to find redemption and restoration. Using Scripture, devotional tools, and the writings of key Christian thinkers, Berlin encourages reflection and meditation through our own brokenness. Only then can we focus on the cross as the place where we truly surrender control, leave our mess, and find redemption.

This book and DVD study will begin Sunday, February 26th, at our 221 Ridge Road parsonage after worship, and Thursday, February 23rd, 7 PM, at the parsonage, and will continue for six weeks. Please sign up below and don’t miss out…..video and table of contents after signup form.

Table of Contents

This Is a Real Mess
Who Left This Mess?
Bless This Mess
No Messing Around
Address This Mess
The Message in the Mess

Christmas Concert this Sunday at the Parsonage, 3PM

12/9/2016

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.

Our Joy-Filled Harvest Fair Celebration

11/12/2016

Our thanks to everyone who made our Fall Harvest Fair a great success! We had many friends of First UMC Middletown helping and stopping by to look at beautiful hand-crafted gifts and foods, as well as many neighbors and old acquaintances from the community. We are grateful for everyone's contributions, and for all of the joy that warmed up our parsonage on a cool November day.

Celebrate Fall! Our Harvest Fair Has Great Gifts, and More

11/6/2016

Looking for great gifts and treats for your holidays? You and your friends can enjoy a wonderful visit to our Fall Harvest Fair, at our 221 Ridge Road parsonage on Saturday, Saturday November 12, 9am-2pm. You will find:

Bake Shoppe, Sweet Shoppe, Country Cheese,
Sew 'n' Sew, Hand Crafted items, Jewelry,
Silent Auction,
Christmas Corner and more

It's an open-house tradition at First UMC Middletown that we hope that you and your friends will enjoy. Stop on by, enjoy the fellowship, and celebrate with us our joy for the fullness of the season that God has brought us!

Training for Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disasters

9/15/2016

When disaster strikes one of our communities, how can the church help to respond to people's needs? Physical help is critical, but so is emotional and spiritual support. The New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is holding training for interested and able people to help church members and staffs to be able to provide this kind of essential presence.

The event will be held at the Simsbury, CT UMC on Saturday, September 24th, 9AM to 4PM. Church members with backgrounds in nursing, mental health, mission team members, and other caring people are encouraged to attend. You will be taught specific skills and procedures that churches can use in disaster response situations, to provide "ministries of presence."

For more information, please refer to this month's District newletter, or contact John Blossom. Details will also be available at the welcoming table at worship this week.