This week at First UMC of Middletown

September 2, 2018
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

                                                                                          Sermon                                                                                             
"Lead With Your Ears Then With Your Heart"
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:
James 1:17-27
&
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

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

In Gratitude Rachel – today we celebrate your faithfulness in ministry as you enhance our worship space every Sunday.  We appreciate your many years of service to this congregation.  We recognize your gifts as you now pass on this ministry to our worship team so that they may honor Christ among us.  We are grateful.  Thank you! 
 
Save The Date – Charge Conference will be Wednesday, November 14, 2018.  We are in the Meriden district, so our meeting will be held in that church.  Please complete your reports by the end of October.  Most forms can be downloaded from NYAC.com and click on “Conference Forms & Policies”.  More details to come.  

​Prayer Circle - will meet TODAY following Worship and will continue each Sunday.  Please see Dianne Bayley-Clark for more information. 
 
BUILDING? – Important Council meeting will be September 9th, following Worship.  Come see the plan, hear the updates, and discuss our future. 
 
Holy Habits Church Wide – book study begins next Sunday, I ask you to read the first two chapters.  It is recommended reading by our DS so that we might learn to be disciples of mission in Middletown.  Every person/family is invited to take one book.  Please sign it out.  Some are still on backorder.  The Sunday sermons will include excerpts from the book and we will follow it up with discussion after Worship.  Every person is encouraged to grab a coffee and stay.  If you would prefer to attend an evening study please let Pastor Barbara know. 
 
Connecticut Concerts – featuring Robert & Eleanor Blake, will be presenting music of Vivaldi, Handel, Cècile Chaminade, Nadia Boulanger and Antonin Dvořák.  They will be preforming Sunday, September 9th, at 4pm, at the Somers Congregational Church, 599 Main Street, Somers, CT and Sunday, September 30th, at 3pm, at the Trinity Church, 220 Prospect Street, Torrington, CT.  A suggested donation is $10.00.  Please see Thelma Blake for more information.
 
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers and Helpers! –Thank you to all who have helped in this important ministry.  We are now looking for additional volunteers for the fall and spring.  No experience is required!  We will teach you how to use our resources.  Your commitment would be about one time per month depending on how many of you volunteer.  We will celebrate our renewed effort in Christian education during Rally Day on Sunday, September 16th.  Please see Debbie Camp for more information.
 
FUMC Tag Sale Fundraiser – will be Saturday, September 15th.  Please bring donations to the Parsonage front porch for this event.  They will be organized and tagged for sale over Labor Day weekend.  We are looking for some volunteers to make this a successful event.  Please see Jill Bennett for more information to volunteer and to make donations. 
 
Finance & Trustees Special Meeting – will be Wednesday, September 26th, at the Parsonage.  We will be having a special guest, Susan Ezrati, joining us.  It is encourage that all Finance and Trustee Committee members attend.  Please see Nancy Burton for more information. 
 
Coffee Hour - will be hosted by group John on Sunday, September 9, 2018.  Please see Megan Camp for details.