Blessings to you

This Sunday’s service will focus on I Thessalonians 2:9-13 and Matthew 23:1-12 with a sermon entitled:  ”Losing Weight.”   I was thinking about having pieces of papers in the pews for each person to put their names, addresses contact info and their weight.  We could pass them in and I could read the names and weights out loud and as I do so — someone could tally the total weight of the congregation.  Over the next few weeks we could keep tabs on how we are doing and see if our total weight goes down or up as we move through the holiday season.  Sounds like a real fun time – doesn’t it? I think this could be a reality show.  Talk about someone with vision – WOW.

OK — maybe we won’t do that — maybe we will focus on other things that weigh us down.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

John Sanborn will be ordained this Sunday afternoon in Pawlet.  If you would like to attend you may email him.

In Faith,

Gary

Blessings All,

Today, October 21, 2011 is the 100th birthday of Cora Spaulding.  Please hold her and her very faithful neighbors and caregivers in prayer.

This Sunday’s scriptures are:  Psalm 1, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, I Thessalonians 2:1-8 and Matthew 22:34-40.  The sermon is entitled:  ”Faith Relay.” There is so much in these passages — you may just want to curl up with a cup of tea — or — a glass of something and bask in the glory of scripture.  Just a thought.

This Sunday we will be receiving the Neighbors in Need offering which goes to support UCC ministries extending support to the needy.

The Teaching Teams are up and running.  Last week we had 25 Sunday School students.  There is a lot of wonderful energy around this ministry.  Fell free to invite friends and friends of the children to join in.

Just a reminder that John Sanborn will be ordained on October 30th at the Pawlet Church with the service beginning at 3:00.  If you would like to join in that celebration please email him at revjohnnywheels@gmail.com.  This should be quite a time.

Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you on Sunday

In Christ,

Gary

Blessings All,

Last Sunday we distributed stones which I collected on a beach in PEI last summer.  I had suggested that we use the stones – something like Jacob’s use of a stone – to mark a place where we sensed the “Presence of the Lord.” This coming Sunday I would like to encourage those who had the stones to share what they did with them or how it worked during the week.

We will also focus on two passages:  Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 with a sermon entitled:  ”The Invasive Gospel.”  We will also read from Genesis as the Jacob story continues to unfold (Genesis 29:15-28).

See you on Sunday

In Faith,

Gary

Blessings to you all as we enter a gorgeous summer week-end,

Our lives here have been focused on weddings this week as Betty and I will be involved in two outdoor weddings.  This afternoon Jamie Muzzy (Lou and Kitty’s youngest daughter) will be marrying John Dolle and tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, Cathy O’Daniel will be marrying Chris Fuller at the O’Daniel homestead. Wonderful weather and more importantly – wonderful people celebrating life.

If that was not enough — are you ready?  Sunday is a-comin.  We will focus on Genesis 28:10-19a with maybe a bit of help from Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. The sermon is entitled:  “On The Move.”

It will be great for us to see you again after a couple of weeks away.  All reports are that the church was very very well-served by Christina Del Piero on the 3rd and of course Julia Blocksma — with her creativity offering the Word on the 10th with Mary Jane Washburn playing the piano — We are so blessed with gifts — gifts shared.

Have a blessed week-end and I hope to see you on Sunday.

Peace and Joy in Christ,

Gary

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service: Thursday April 21 at 7:00 PM

Watch Night Vigil: Thursday April 21 at 8pm through the night to 3pm on Friday April 22

Good Friday Ecumenical Service: Friday April 22 at 4:00 PM at the North Ferrisburgh Methodist Church

Easter Sunrise Service: Sunday April 24 @ 6:00 AM on Comfort Hill

Easter Breakfast: follows Easter Sunrise Service

Easter Sunday Worship Service:

Sunday April 24th at 9:30 AM