Subject: This Week at Medford UMC -- May 13, 2022


This week at Medford UMC for {today}.

A Word from the Pastor

Dear Friends,

Today's my birthday! Yes, my birthday is on Friday the 13th (just like the day I was born!) I guess it's easy to say I'm not particularly superstitious.

This Sunday, we'll be starting a new series branching off of the thoughts of the last few weeks. Our new series is called, "The Works of the Spirit" and will lead us through Confirmation Sunday (June 12th) when we'll also celebrate Pentecost!

We will be journeying through the Book of Acts and dissecting the many facets of the Holy Spirit. This Sunday, we will be looking at Acts 11 where a group questions Peter and he basically defends himself by contextualizing what he's doing and why he's there. This changes the perception of him and how God is at work. We'll talk about the way that the Spirit acts in our lives to break down our preconceived notions of who God is.

I'm looking forward to worshipping with you all this Sunday! If you need me, I'll be eating birthday cake!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rachel 

 



 

United Methodist Men Reorganization

All men are invited to a re-organizational meeting of the Medford United Methodist Men's Group (UMM) on Saturday, May 14 at 8:30 am in Bowker Hall. Bagels and coffee will be served; please RSVP with your choice of bagel flavor to Milt Eisenhardt

 

Gifts for the Pastors

We are sure you will have heard the exciting news that not just one, but both of our pastors will be getting married later this year. Our Staff Parish Relations Committee is offering an opportunity for us to join together in wishing our pastors every happiness in the future by giving to a special offering during the month of May. The funds will be split between the two happy couples and presented at a celebration held for each of them in their honor. You should receive a letter in the mail which contains an envelope which can be used to make a gift (either by mail or in the offering plate). Alternatively, to donate electronically, visit medfordumc.org/give, text “medfordgive” to 833/700-2226, or give through our app using the tag "Pastors Wedding Gift.” 

Join us in Bowker Hall on Sunday, May 22 at noon to celebrate Pastor Rachel's ordination and her upcoming wedding! 

 

Recognition of Graduates

On June 5, Medford UMC will be celebrating those students who are graduating high school or college in 2022. In order to include your graduate, we need your information! Click here to provide the information needed for the presentation. Email Bethany Carl or call Lisa in the church office with any questions. The deadline for submitting information is Monday, May 30. 

 



 

Opportunities to Serve & Give

 
Red Cross Blood Drive: Join us on Thursday, May 26 from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the Family Life Center. It takes less than an hour to do this simple act of kindness that helps patients get back to the things that they are missing. Donating blood is a profound act of kindness providing hope to patients and their families. In January our blood drive collected 22 pints of blood. This month I challenge the congregation of MUMC to help fill all 42 donation slots (33 pints of blood)! There are still donation slots available. Sign up at www.redcrossblood.org or download the Blood Donor app. Contact Danielle Adams with questions. Thanks for your help!
 

All Things Bright and Beautiful: The Trustees and the Pinelands Garden Club invite you to admire their recent work in front of the Family Life Center!  If you are Interested in lending a hand, we welcome your participation in pulling a weed, planting a flower, fellowshipping with nature-loving people, and beautifying our property. Upcoming work days are on Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 beginning at 11:00 am. Come have fun with us!  Stay tuned to learn of future dates and times when you are able to join us as we progress toward "All Things Bright and Beautiful!" To express your interest, please contact Barbara Gardner.

 

Scholarship Funds Needed: For many years, Medford UMC has been proud to offer scholarships to our active and participating graduating high school seniors. Please help us continue this tradition by making a contribution to the Scholarship Fund. You may contribute through, push pay, the church app or by check. Simply note "Scholarship" as the donation fund. 

You may also purchase a $10 coupon book as part of the Food Book Fundraiser. You can see details about participating merchants here. Pre-payments for coupon books can be made via the church app.

Bethany will be availlable in Bowker Hall on Sundays following the 8:15 and 9:30 services and in the Narthex (the lobby area outside the Sanctuary) after the 11:00 am service. Those purchasing in person from Bethany may also pay by cash or check.

If you aren't around on Sunday mornnings, you can fill out this form to place an order to be picked up from the church office. These orders must be prepaid via the app 24 hours before visiting the church office.

 

Thank You for Your Financial Support: One of the ways that the church helps serve the community is through partnerships, like the one recently established with the Pinelands Garden Club of Medford. We are so excited to host this group who does so much to serve our local area. Our partnership is mutually beneficial - the church provides space, and they provide help in maintaining our landscapes. It's a win-win! Check out the note in this newsletter for ways in which you can become involved. It's only through your support that the church can pursue these kinds of opportunities. To make a gift to Medford UMC, open our app (download it by texting "medfordapp" to 833/700-2226), visit us on the web (medfordumc.org/give), or mail a check to 2 Hartford Road, Medford NJ 08055. Thank you! 

 



 

Small Groups & Spiritual Growth

We are now welcoming small groups to meet indoors. If your small group would like to gather indoors, please contact Pastor Rachel for details and training on protocols.
 
Book Club News: Join the MUMC Book Club when we meet again on Wednesday, May 25 to discuss The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine by Janice P. Nimura. We will meet at MUMC at 6:30 pm. Looking ahead, our June selection will be Sold On a Monday by Kristina McMorris. We are always welcoming new readers. Questions? Contact Patty Rosvold or the church office.
 
Pizza and Painting: Join us on Friday evening, May 20 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to have a wonderful pizza dinner and to experience the mindfulness of spiritual-based art. Bob Walczak will lead us through painting The Tree of Life using alcohol ink. The cost will be $10 per person or $20 per family. For more information, you can watch this instructional video or email Bob. To reserve your spot, please sign up using this link. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Pastor's Discretionary fund.
 
Handbell Concert: We are pleased to announce the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble will be presenting a concert from their spring concert series, "Songs of Strength" in the Family Life Center on Saturday, May 21 at 4:00 pm. One of our bell choir members, Gina Matthews, is a member of this ensemble. Everyone is welcome!
 

Children & Youth Ministries: Details for May programming can be found in the most recent CYM Newsletter email. As always, email Bethany Carl with any questions or if you would like to receive programming updates via email.   

 



 

 

 

Weekly Calendar
 
Date Event / Registration Link Time Place
Sat May 14 United Methodist Men 8:30 am Bowker Hall
Pickle Ball 10:00 am FLC / Lot
Sun May 15 Traditional Worship 8:15 am Sanctuary
  Contemporary Worship 9:30 am FLC
  Traditional Worship 11:00 am Sanctuary
New Members Class 12:00 pm FLC Mtg Rm
Mon May 16 Prayer Shawl Group 1:00 pm FLC
Healthy Living 4.0 5:30 pm FLC Mtg Rm
Tues May 17 Pickle Ball 3:00 pm FLC / Lot
  Jubilation Ringers 6:45 pm  Sanctuary
  Wesley Choir 7:45 pm Sanctuary
Wed May 18 Garden Club Work Day 11:00 pm  
Nurture  7:00 pm Bowker Hall
Band Rehearsal 7:30 pm FLC
Thurs May 19 Women's Bible Study 10:00 am  
Garden Club Work Day 11:00 am
Youth Bells 6:00 pm Sanctuary
  Celebration Ringers 6:45 pm Sanctuary
Finance Committee 7:30 pm Zoom
  Garwood Choir 7:45 pm Sanctuary

 



 

Get our app for easy access to worship videos, daily devotionals, giving, and all the latest news! Text "medfordapp" to 833/700-2226 to download.

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

 

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