Subject: This Week at Medford UMC -- July 31, 2020


This week at Medford UMC for {today}.

We celebrate Communion this Sunday! Please have your elements (bread/crackers, juice/water) ready as we gather online at 9:30 am.

A Word from the Pastor

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are enjoying the warm weather before next week's thunderstorms. It’s hard to believe that it’s already August!

This Sunday, we are blessed to have Bruce Main, the President and Founder of UrbanPromise, as our guest preacher. The mission of UrbanPromise, to “equip Camden's children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership” has been near and dear to the heart of our community for some time now. If you want to learn more about the amazing work they do, I encourage you to check out their website.

Over the past month, we’ve talked about mission and God’s work happening while we journey through life, so it’s a perfect fit to continue this thought by hearing from someone living out this work in the world. He will be preaching on a beautiful text about hope from Isaiah 40. In this text, it talks about how even the strongest get tired, but everyone can find renewal in God – very fitting for this season we are in!

This is also a Communion Sunday, and I look forward to once again coming to the Lord’s Table (even if at a distance) with you all! It’s been a real joy getting to know more and more of you!

Be well friends,
Pastor Rachel 

 



 

Don't Miss This Unique Opportunity

How do you get to know a new pastor when we are not able to worship together? The Staff Parish Relations Committee has the answer you may be looking for! Earlier this month you received an email inviting you to sign up for one of several small gatherings. There are options both for meeting via Zoom and for getting together outdoors (appropriate social distancing will be observed). You can read that email again by clicking here. Or, if you're ready to select a time and meeting type, click here to find the available meeting options -- new dates and times have been added! And, if you are new to the Zoom format, don't worry. You will receive step-by-step instructions prior to the day of your meeting -- no technical knowledge is required.

 

Thank You

Ruth Tursi sends her thanks: "Dear Pastor Joe and friends, I would like to thank you for everything you have done over the years for me - your lovely cards, flowers, calls and most of all, your prayers and friendship. My prayer shawl received many years ago has been a great support and comfort to me. I am so grateful to have it. I will keep you in my heart forever. Effective immediately, my new address is Catherine Ruth Tursi, 1802 Persimmon Circle, Edgewater, FL 32132." 

 



 

Opportunities to Serve & Give

 
Join our devotional-writing team! We have a small group of folks who faithfully produce the daily devotional, which is a critical component of our strategy to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of the scriptures. We'd love to welcome some guest writers to add new voices and perspectives. Please reach out to Pastor Joe for more information.
 
Thank You for Your Financial Support: Thank you for supporting our ministry through this unprecedented time. Though we received vital funds through the Payroll Protection program, gifts from our members continue to be what sustains our ministry. You can make a gift online at medfordumc.org/give or through our app (text "medfordapp" to 77977 to download). If you prefer to send a check, our mailing address is 2 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ 08055. Your recurring gifts mean a lot to us. Thanks for your support!
 

Happy Birthday Bertha! One of our long time members, Bertha Pitcavage, enjoys receiving our weekly announcements and keeping up with MUMC's activities. We would like to honor her with a card shower for her 99th birthday on August 14. Please send your cards to Bertha at 1226 Cheetah Trail, Winter Springs, FL 32708. 

 



 

Small Groups & Spiritual Growth

As outlined below, many of our small groups have been able to continue meeting by using the ZOOM videoconferencing app. 
 
How to Be an Antiracist: The book group reading How to Be an Antiracist has begun but it’s not too late to join! We meet on Thursday evenings at 7pm outside the church and next week we will be talking about chapters 3-4. If you would like to register, email Pastor Rachel.
 
August Book Club News: Our August Book Club selection is Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano, a NY Times bestseller and a Read With Jenna Book Club pick. Barb Frame has invited us to meet once more on her lakeside dock, social-distancing and weather permitting. Join us on Wednesday, August 12 at 3:00 pm at 139 Stokes Road, Medford Lakes. Any questions, please contact the church office or Patty Rosvold.
 
Meet with the Pastors: Whether you are seeking individual pastoral care or simply an opportunity to talk, we want to connect with you. Don't hesitate to call, text, email, or request prayer through our website or our app. We have discontinued our weekly Zoom check-ins for the time being but will return again soon with a new small group offering! Alternatively, you can email Pastor Joe to schedule an individual time to talk.
 
Family Game Night: We had so much fun at our first Zoom Family Gathering so we will be holding another Game Night on Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 pm. Mark the date and keep an eye out for a Youth & Families E-Newsletter from Bethany Carl with all the details. You can also email Bethany with any questions you have.
 

Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies: These groups are able to continue their regular meetings through ZOOM formats. Simply click on the group description to be taken directly to the relevant ZOOM link.

Men’s Study – 1st Saturday of the month – 8:00 am
Men’s Study – 3rd Saturday of the month – 8:00 am
Women’s Study – 2nd Thursday of the month – 10:00 am*

 

Using ZOOM for Your Small Group: If you lead a small group or wish to start a small group but need training on how you can use Zoom to connect with your people, please contact the pastors. They will be happy to assist you in setting up your group and share the basics of ZOOM use with you.

 



 

Get our app for easy access to worship videos, daily devotionals, giving, and all the latest news! Text "medfordapp" to 77977 to download.

 
 
 
Medford United Methodist Church
2 Hartford Road, Medford NJ 08055
609/654-8111

 

Image title   Image title
 {unsubscribe} | View email in browser