Wednesday, October 31, 2018


4 November Sunday 
Worship Service 
10:30 am 
“Even Jesus Weeps” 

All Saints Sunday
"I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true, who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew."
This Sunday, November 4, is All Saints Sunday. During the 10:30 service, we will remember those members and friends of our church who have died in this past year in a special way, and then offer an opportunity to remember other loved ones who have gone before. All are invited to recognize loved ones by name and participate in a special remembrance to honor their memory. 

New Small Group Study
Starting Tuesday  November 13
10:30 am & 6:30 PM
All are welcome.
“Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality & the United Methodist Church”
Three Week Study November 13-27. We will continue to meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm for November. See Pastor Pat to get a copy of the book ($12.00 each). 
Read chapter 1 for November 13th.
"There is a lot of concern about where the United Methodist Church stands when it comes to homosexuality, same-gender marriage, and the ordination of LGBTQ persons, and what will result from the upcoming General Conference in February. Living Faithfully, a small-group study was created especially for United Methodists, to guide discussions in a way that encourages openness, humility, a spirit of grace, and above all, love for fellow United Methodists who may disagree with you. Offering multiple lenses through which to consider different perspectives, the study is based on Scripture from start to finish."
  
Stewardship Moment
The choir has sung Offertory by John Beck on many occasions.  It is taken from the book of Micah.

With what shall I come before the Lord,
And bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
Shall I come before Him with yearling calves?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
With ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my transgressions,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O man,
He has shown you what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice and to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Too often we focus on what shall I give?  How much money?  What can I afford?  How shall I give is the more critical question. Our most precious gift is our love.  How can we share that love?

Do you love this church?  Is it worthy of your time, your service, your money, your prayers, your love?  This special community of faith and friendship at WUMC is at risk.  Risk of financial insolvency.  Risk of declining membership.  Risk of losing that special sense of community that binds us together, that brings people here, and that has kept Sally and me coming back each week over the years. 

We have been members of WUMC for almost 40 years.  People here have welcomed us since the day we first walked in the door.  This community has loved us.  The church has celebrated the birth and maturation of our sons and people here have been like their grandparents, as both Sally’s and my parents lived far away.  It is where we have come to celebrate and to grieve, to give praise and receive kindness.  This special community of faith has been supported over the years by many ‘saints’ who have generously given of their time and witness.  We each have the opportunity to follow their example, to be an integral part of this community, to help the congregation grow and thrive.


And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice and to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

As members of this church, each of us pledged to support it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.  How we give has everything to do with our presence, our service and our witness.  It’s not just about money.  Do you give of your time to the church?  Do you serve WUMC and the church community?  Do you witness about WUMC to friends and family?  As part of this year’s Stewardship effort, I hope you will generously renew your pledge to give of your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness to this United Methodist Church.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

FORGIVE OUR CHURCH LEADERS, O LORD
Forgive our Church leaders, O Lord, if we have said it wrong.
Help us to state clearly that our Church wants something FOR its members much more than something FROM its members all year long, not just in a Stewardship Campaign.
Poor stewardship is dangerous. Some financially-able church attenders give nothing or next to nothing. This is not a financial problem but a spiritual one. God is a giver. Our willingness to share meaningfully in return reveals our relationship to God.
Examples can be found throughout Scripture, but two of the most helpful are found in Luke 12 and Revelation 3.
In Luke 12:15–21, we see a rich farmer blessed with an abundant crop. He gives no credit to God, nor does he give thought to being a steward. He thinks only about himself. Jesus calls him a “fool,” not because he had a great many possessions, but because his possessions had him.
In Revelation 3:14–17, we get to eavesdrop on the letter to the church in Laodicea. The people in the church believed their material blessings indicated they were right with God. But God exposed the error of their lukewarm church life.
In both cases, a harmful relationship with wealth became the root of spiritual blindness.
Our church wants FOR every member a strong relationship with God, with meaningful worship, a place of meaningful service for kingdom work, and meaningful stewardship of the blessings given by God.
Stewardship includes time, talents, and money. Stewardship includes learning how to be a stronger follower of and worker for Jesus.

Annual Dinner
Justice for our Neighbors
providing legal services, advocacy & education for immigrants

Saturday, November 3, 2018; 5:30 pm

St. John’s Korean UMC/MBH District Office

2600 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02421
R Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) will hold its annual dinner on Nov. 3 in Lexington. Our church has been an active supporter of JFON. JFON is a national Methodist affiliated organization that provides free legal representation to those caught up in the immigration legal process; especially unaccompanied children. Just within eastern Massachusetts, there are JFON clinics in Woburn and Lowell, and another is scheduled to open soon in Lawrence. 
Please see either Richard or Hyo Choon to purchase the remaining seats. Have fun, enjoy a good meal with great company while supporting a great, timely cause.

Blessing of the Animals
A number of our four-legged friends assembled with their 2 legged companions for a blessing service at 2:00 pm on Sunday October 28.



Wednesday, October 24, 2018


28 October  Sunday
First informal Last Sunday Coffee and Conversation with the Pastor” in the Parlor
9:15 am – 10:00 am
This is a great opportunity to get to know our wonderful new pastor on a more personal level and to connect as a community! All are welcome! 
Traditional coffee hour will also take place after the worship service.
Worship Service
10:30 am
“Extending the Table”
Blessing of the Animals
2:00 PM
Bring your furry, feathered, and scaly friends for a blessing, fellowship and fun.
Humans also welcome!
(Please have all pets on a leash or in a carrier)

Stewardship Moment
DO YOU REALIZE YOUR BLESSINGS?
St. Paul said, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:5-6) So, do you feel thankful?
Are you somewhat healthy this morning? If YES, you are better off than 1,050,000 who died around the world today. 
Have you personal experience in war, imprisonment, torture, or starvation?  If NO, you are better off than 9% of God’s people. 
Can you read the BEAMS articles?  If YES, you are better off than 37% of God’s people.
Are you free to attend worship without fear?  If YES, you are better off than 56% of God’s people.
Do you have some food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep?  If YES, you are better off than 75% of God’s people.
Do you have some money in savings and some in your wallet?  If YES, you are better off than 92% of God’s people.
Real stewardship of our resources (time, talent, and money) does not begin with giving. It really begins when we recognize our bounty under God’s care and can envision how we, trusting in
God’s continued provision for us, can gratefully share with others who are less fortunate and have never learned of God.
Upcoming Meetings
Thursday 10/25 – Outreach Committee 6:30 pm
Sunday 10/28 at Sudbury UMC
3:00 pm Listening Session - LGBTQ issues in the UMC
for the February 2019 General Conference
5:00 pm Discussion of Mission Shares concerns

Weston CROP Walk
October 21

In last Sunday's Weston CROP Hunger Walk, thirteen walkers from churches in Weston (see attached photo) and many more contributors and lots of prayers all came together to support Church World Service's Zero Hunger Initiative in West Timor, Indonesia, as well as Bristol Lodge, in its work with the homeless in Waltham, and the Council on Aging in Weston.
We are just $80 short of reaching the goal of raising $1,000. If you haven't contributed yet and would like to help achieve this goal to feed our hungry sisters and brothers in Indonesia and our local community, please donate a check payable to CWS/CROP to Bob Hout or one of the other walkers, or make a donation online  
(choose "General donation") at: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/westonma/Donate


Amazing Grace

Wednesday, October 17, 2018


Worship Serviee
October 21 is Laity Sunday
Come to worship together and celebrate the ministry of the laity!  Lay Leader Jen Hall is leading this service, and she would appreciate hearing from anyone who would be willing to speak for 3 or 4 minutes about the gift of service – how has serving in God’s work been a gift to you as you serve? We will also be receiving a new member to the church.

Healing Service
October 21, 2018, 3:00 pm

Is any one of you in trouble?  They should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let them sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick? They should call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 
James 5:13-15

All persons are welcome to these services of healing prayer, to be held generally on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00 pm. Prayers for healing and laying on of hands will be a part of these special services, sometimes accompanied with anointing with oil, and Holy Communion.

Guest Preacher for October 21st:
Robert Grindley of Branch Ministries.
Branch Ministries is the Missionary work of Robert and Mary Grindley in Botswana, Africa. Their work includes Church planting, Bible training, and several community programs reaching thousands of youth and children inside and outside the public-school systems annually. Currently they are constructing Children of Promise Orphan Center with their vision being to provide full-time care for over 200 orphaned children, including Christian Education and Vocational Training. The Grindleys travel in Africa and the United States teaching the Word of God and conducting seminars on Marriage and Parenting as well as Healing upon request.

From the United Methodist Book of Worship: “A Service of Healing is not necessarily a service of curing, but it provides an atmosphere in which healing can happen. The greatest healing of all is the reunion or reconciliation of a human being with God. When this happens, physical healing sometimes occurs, mental and emotional balance is often restored, spiritual health is enhanced, and relationships are healed. For the Christian the basic purpose of spiritual healing is to renew and strengthen one's relationship with the living Christ.”

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

Monday 10/22 – Finance Committee 7:00 pm
Wednesday 10/24 – Knitting 10:00 am
Thursday 10/25 – Outreach Committee 6:30 pm
Sunday 10/28 events:
First informal “Last Sunday Coffee and Conversation with the Pastor” – 9:15 a.m.
All are welcome
Blessing of the Animals 2:00 pm – bring your dogs, cats, ponies, etc. to the front lawn
Listening Session 3:00 pm for the February 2019 General Conference on the LGBTQ issues in
the UMC at Sudbury UMC
Discussion of Mission Shares concerns 5:00 pm at Sudbury UMC

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

October 7  Sunday Worship
10:30 am
"Biblical Guidance"
Joe Kerr preaching

Dinner for Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen
Monday  October 8, 5:00 pm
Our hungry brothers and sisters come to the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, held daily in the basement of Grace Vision (formerly Immanuel) UMC, at the corner of 545 Moody Street and Cherry Street in Waltham. They are so grateful that GOD and YOU care about them!

After worship on Sunday, please sign up on the two signup clipboards in the church parlor / Parish Hall to share Christ's love by playing YOUR part in this ministry. You can contribute one or more food items for our next serving day and/or assist with reheating or serving the meal. Our next serving day is Monday, October 8th at 5 pm (the second Monday of every month). As always, please keep in your prayers this ministry of love and everyone who it touches.

(5) Sloppy Joes, 4 lbs. from each contributor, prepared
(4) Hamburger Buns, 2 dozen from each contributor
(4) Potato Chips, 2 large bags
(2) Brownies or Cookies, each portion to serve 24
(2) Orange Juice and (3) Milk, 1 gallon each

Thank you again to all those who contributed to the September meal.

Tuesday  October 9 Small Group Study
10:30 am
No evening Study this week

October 14   World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday is a celebration that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation.

Annual Dinner
Justice for our Neighbors
providing legal services, advocacy & education for immigrants
Saturday, November 3, 2018; 5:30 pm
St. John’s Korean UMC/MBH District Office
2600 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02421


Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) will hold its annual dinner on Nov. 3 in Lexington. Our church has been an active supporter of JFON. JFON is a national Methodist affiliated organization that provides free legal representation to those caught up in the immigration legal process; especially unaccompanied children. Just within eastern Massachusetts, there are JFON clinics in Woburn and Lowell, and another is scheduled to open soon in Lawrence. 

WUMC has purchased two tables for this dinner. Each table seats eight people. One table is already sold. Eight seats at $25 per seat are still available.

Please see either Richard or Hyo Choon to purchase the remaining seats. Have fun, enjoy a good meal with great company while supporting a great, timely cause.

Online Directory Photo
Please send a family picture or head shot to the church by email for the online directory being developed.  A 150 dpi JPG format file is preferred.
If you need a new photo, touch base with Richard Lee to have your picture taken at church.

Continuing Prayer Requests 
Jason Duane, Louise R., Taj M., Bill B., Gail M.
Olive – Joe & Carole Kerr’s niece