MASKS REQUIRED FOR WORSHIP SERVICES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
SEE A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR BELOW...
RECORDED ONLINE SERVICES
Online services will continue to be offered on a weekly basis on Tuesdays. Visit www.firstumcrochester.org and look for the link near the bottom of the page - or go to YouTube and search for “First United Methodist Church Rochester, NH.” The link is also posted on our church Facebook page.
In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary -
ONE SERVICE (FOR NOW) @ 9:30 AM SUNDAYS!
Please Note: We understand that, for some, these modified but continued restrictions seem unnecessary while, for others, they do not address concerns enough. We are not all of one mind on these subjects. We are asking for your patience and understanding, if not agreement, as we work through the many issues related to fully and safely reopening as we juggle local, state, national, and denominational requirements and recommendations. Thank you.
Please enter the building via the Welcome Center. All exits are available for use at the end of the service. Sanitizing hands upon entry is recommended.
Masks are required to be worn before, during, and after worship by all attending.
We will continue with our cleaning protocols and social distancing in consideration for those who may still be unvaccinated or immunocompromised.
Restrooms are available, but should be limited to one occupant/family at a time. Please wash/sanitize hands when finished.
THIS WEEK'S ONLINE AND IN PERSON WORSHIP INFO
January 16, 2022 - Second Sunday After the Epiphany, Human Relations Day
Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and John 2:1-11
Title: For the Transformation of the World
Theme: God imparts the miracle of transformation in many ways: turning a jar of water into wine, imparting divine gifts to us, loving us with a steadfast love that never ends, rescuing us from exile, and restoring us with abundant love. The miracle of transformation flows through our lives. Let us share transformation with the world.
A BIG FUMC “THANK YOU” to:
Shirley Wilson and the members of the Finance Committee for their good work in putting together the church budget for 2022, and for "leading the charge" with our fundraising efforts throughout the year!
Estimate of Giving Cards
A HUGE “thank you” to all who have turned in Estimate of Giving Cards for 2022. If you have not had a chance to fill one out, there are extras located in the Welcome Center. This year we are asking everyone to fill out a card, even if you regularly give through VANCO and/or there is no change in the amount. Your cooperation helps the Finance Committee. As always, thank you for the many ways you support the ministries of FUMC!
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
We are looking to add a few more volunteers to our Nursery roster. The time commitment is approximately 9:15-11:15 during Sunday morning worship once per month. On a typical Sunday, we have 1-4 children. We use Sign Up Genius to make scheduling and reminders quick and easy! You do not need any special experience for this job, just a desire to make a safe and nurturing environment for our youngest members! If you are interested in becoming a nursery volunteer or if you have any questions, please email our Nursery Coordinator, Patrice Hunt, at patricehunt72@gmail.com.
N.O.W. NEWS - from Pat Hewitt, N.O.W. Chairperson
JANUARY MISSION OF THE MONTH: UMCOR CLEANING KITS
With the recent rise of natural disasters in the US and around the world, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has issued a call for help from local churches to provide CLEANING KITS. Each kit is comprised of the following:
One five-gallon round bucket with re-sealable lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d)
No screw lids
May be used, but must be free from all residual product
Advertisements on the outside acceptable
One 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
One 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner
No spray cleaners
One 16-34 oz. bottle dish soap
One 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener
One 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent (pack of 10-20 wipes also acceptable)
Pump spray bottles must have protective covers
One scrub brush
With or without handle
18 re-useable cleaning wipes
No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels
Remove from packaging
Five scouring pads
No stainless-steel pads with soap in them
Remove from packaging
36-50 clothespins
One 50-100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)
24 roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45-gallon sizes)
Remove from packaging
Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness)
No surgical masks
Two pairs kitchen gloves
Durable for multiple uses
Remove from packaging
One pair work gloves
Cotton with leather palm or all leather
Place all liquid items in the bucket first.
Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items.
Scouring pads and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all of the items in the bucket.
Clothes pins may also be placed in a small re-sealable bag.
Secure the lid on the filled bucket.
If items are missing, please label the bucket and indicate what is missing so that other donors may supply those items.
Please do not include: sponges, personal notes, money or items not listed. Contents should not include imprints of cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols.
ELECTRONIC GIVING SUPPORTS FUMC -
FUMC is pleased to announce our new and improved online giving page! Vanco, our eGiving provider, has updated their online giving platform to make it easier than ever to make one-time gifts or set up recurring donations to our church.
The new page is live on our site now. Nothing about our online giving has changed except the look of the page. You can adjust existing donations, set up new gifts and update personal information from the new Vanco Online.
How Do You Sign Up with Vanco Online?
It’s easy! If you’re a new giver to FUMC, visit our website at www.firstumcrochester.org to create a Vanco Online account. From there, you can read more about our mission and give to our ministries.
If you already have a Vanco account, you can log in using the same user name and password as before. To do this, visit our online giving page at www.firstumcrochester.org , Click Online Donations on the left side bar and click the link to give. The Secure Vanco website will appear and click the “Log In” button at the top right of your screen. From there you can update scheduled donations or set up new recurring gifts by clicking “Profile” and then “View Scheduled Donations.”
We are thrilled about our online giving page’s new look. Please stop by the church office or call Kate Marcotte at (603) 817-4656 if you have questions or need assistance.
CASSEROLE COMMITTEE - provides meals for people in our church family during difficult times. Anyone who is in need of meals may call one of the two Chairpersons: Diane Marzoli 332-1766 or Dottie Bickford-Longo 664-5552, or contact the office for assistance. Please let us know whether you have any dietary restrictions! We always bring enough food for the whole family. If you can help, either by cooking or buying a meal, we need you! Thanks.
ONLINE PRAYER REQUESTS: may be sent to Pastor Jeff (jjhrev@gmail.com) by 11 AM on Wednesdays for inclusion in the Weekly Prayer List or by noon on Saturday for inclusion in Sunday worship. Please keep us updated so we can keep the list current.
TWO key leadership positions need to be filled! CAN YOU HELP US?
Chairperson for the Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
SPPRC is essentially the human resources committee of the church and is responsible for securing and evaluating the Pastor and paid staff. The chairperson coordinates and leads the committee's meetings and reports to the Administrative Council. Due to the nature of the work, this committee is intentional about confidentiality with regard to personnel matters.
Chairperson of the Altar Guild
The chair may be held by a team or an individual. The primary responsibility is to remind the Guild members when it is their month to handle altar flowers. Beyond that, coordination of holiday flowers, decorations, and other seasonal worship visuals also falls under the bailiwick of the chair or chairs. The chair is a member of the worship committee, meeting monthly with that group for liturgical season planning - particularly related to visuals.
To receive more information or volunteer, please contact Pastor Jeff. Training is provided.
UPCOMING F.U.M.C. EVENTS:
January 15 Messenger Deadline
January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Office Closed
Administrative Council Meeting at 7 PM (Zoom)
January 18 Trustees Meeting at 7 PM (Zoom)
January 24 SPPRC Meeting at 6:30 PM (Zoom)
January 30 Souped-Up Sunday at 10:45 in Hurd Hall
February 6 Sacrament of Holy Communion
February 7 Finance Committee Meeting at 7 PM (Zoom)
February 14 Worship Committee at 6:30 PM (Zoom)
February 15 Messenger Deadline Trustees Meeting at 7 PM (Zoom)
February 21 President's Day - Church Office Closed
Administrative Council Meeting at 7 PM
February 25
February 28 SPPRC Meeting at 6:30 PM (Zoom)
ONGOING WEEKLY FUMC EVENTS/ACTIVITIES Sundays: Worship at 9:30 AM FutureGen at 9:45 AM Weekdays: Office Open 9 AM - 1 PM Mondays: Project Linus at 6-8 PM Tuesdays: Online Worship Services Available Witherell Ringers at 6:30 PM Wednesdays: Project Linus at 9-11 AM Thursdays: Choir Rehearsal at 6:30 PM
A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR ABOUT NEW MASK REQUIREMENT -
Dear Friends,
As we are all aware, local COVID-19 infection rates have increased substantially, along with high numbers of patients exhibiting severe illness, even among those already vaccinated. Every day our office receives prayer requests (both public and private) for people dealing with COVID-19. This reality has forced me to re-evaluate our mask requirements for worship services. As a result and out of an abundance of caution, I have made the decision to reinstate the requirement to wear masks when arriving for, during, and when departing from all FUMC worship services. Masks should be worn the entire time you are in the building, with one exception: mask breaks are acceptable when significantly distanced from others and should be as brief as possible. This being the case, feel free to move during the worship service to exit the sanctuary for a mask break.
It is my hope that this will be a temporary requirement, and we will be able to safely worship again without wearing masks in the near future. While I have consulted members of our Reopening Team prior to sending this message, the decision was all mine. Regarding process, it is now up to the Reopening Team to evaluate the situation on a regular basis. The decision to end the mask mandate will be the team's.
There is no doubt that for some this will be very unpopular news . For others, this will be a welcome relief. We are not all of one mind on this subject, for sure. My prayer is that we may all consider the most vulnerable among us, as Jesus did throughout his ministry. In fact, during this holy time of the year, we remember that Christ's reign began in a manger in Bethlehem. As we prepare to celebrate again the joy and wonder of Christ's birth, let us also remember his life of sacrifice on behalf of others. Certainly we can do no less.
Peace and love,
Pastor Jeff
Help First UMC While You Shop - If you shop Amazon, particularly while remaining socially distant during the COVID-19 crisis, use this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/02-6009459 . When you do, a percentage of what you spend is donated to our church. In addition, AmazonSmile customers can now support First United Methodist Church in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations. -Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device -Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings' -Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app.
Thank you for supporting FUMC!
