A weekly newsletter from United Methodist Church of Lenox
A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Today’s prayer
God -
More than ever, we strain to hear your message: Love builds up.
More than ever, we struggle to understand your message: Love builds up.
More than ever, we strive to live out your message: Love builds up.
Thank you for your love - our guiding light.
Amen.
By Allyson Printz, Commonwealth East District Administrative Assistant 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
United Methodist Bishops congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris
January 20, 2021
On behalf of the more than 12 million United Methodists throughout the world, the Bishops of The United Methodist Church congratulate former Vice President Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States.
We also offer our congratulations
to Senator Kamala Harris on her historic swearing in as the first female and first woman of color to the office of Vice President of the United States.
We pray that President Biden and Vice President Harris will embrace the core values of their election to serve all people regardless of their political views.
We thank all who faithfully participated in the election process at all levels in order to sustain the democratic process. May God continue to bless all local, national, and world leaders with wisdom and sober judgment as they fulfill the trust and obligations afforded to them by the people of the world.
Celebrating worship of Infant Baptism on Jan 31st
We will celebrate the naming ceremony and infant Baptism this Sunday worship service, for Philip Asante and Augustina Akwetey's baby girl "Adelyn Owusua Asante." It will bring lots of joy and gratitude to the congregation to be a witness of their special moment. I encourage us to express our care and love towards Asante's family although we're far apart. If you can send the celebrating card to the church or small gifts for them, we will put them together in the basket and give it to them during the worship service. If you visit the link below or dial this number by your phone, you can join the worship service at 10am Sunday
Philip and Tina welcomed their baby girl, Adelyn Owusua Asante into the world on October 8, 2020. Her middle name Owusua is named after Tina's mother.
As it is in their custom, there is a baby's naming ceremony at the Church during infancy. The ceremony of naming a baby in their culture is to dedicate the child into the hands of God. Baptism can be done later either during infancy or when the baby gets old enough to understand the ceremony of baptism. Adelyn's older brother Gilbert Asante was named after Philip's Dad. Gilbert is still in Ghana but everyone hopes and prays he can be reunited with Philip and Tina sometime this year. In the meantime, they talk daily and he is with Philip's mom and Tina's sister.
Please continue to pray for this family and especially we look forward to meeting Gilbert in person soon.
Virtual Coffee Hour
Are you missing time with your UMC of Lenox community where you can chat and catch-up with them? We are too! That is why we are starting a Virtual Coffee Hour on Sundays at 9:30am and 11:00am through Zoom Video/Audio Conferencing!
Before and after the worship service, you can join the virtual coffee hour via zoom to check in folks from church. Let’s catch up with newcomers and friends. Bring your coffee for time to chat and check-in!!
From this room, people will be grouped into smaller groups, if we have many folks at once.
The zoom link will be the same with the worship service.
We usually collect items for the homeless for Valentines day. We feel this year is even harder on the homeless. so we like to do our best as much as we can do.
Please put items in a 2 gallon bag or paper bag and leave on the bench in the entrance way at church by February 10th. Suggested items are soap, face cloth/towel, lotions, dry deodorant, tissues, chapstick, razors/shaving cream, snacks, cough drops. Label the bags for man or woman and feel free to add any of your own touches:decorations, cards, etc.
Thanks from the Missions Team; Pam, Lisa, Charlene, & Shirley
Feed My Sheep on Feb 1st.
We are looking for volunteers to make sandwiches for Feed My Sheep like we did last time.
If we can make around 40-50 sandwiches that would help a lot and drop off to the church. 10-15 people doing that will make it work. Thank you, as this is a very important ministry. If you are interested in making the lunch bag, please let John Allen know. (jjamericanhouse@gmail.com, 770-1108) you may drop it off the church Monday afternoon. Thanks
Weekly Church Calendar ( All held via Zoom)
* Wed 10am - Bible Study ( Gospel of Mark for the Lent )
* Sunday 10am - Morning Worship service
* Office Hours
. Pastor Nami working from home ( Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm) - available to reach out phone call (442-6314) or email ( lenoxumc@gmail.com)
.Kathy, Administration Assistant working in the church office ( only twice a week, Tue and Fri usually 11am-2pm, it can be flexible week by week, call o church office (445-5918, umcl@verizon.net) to make sure her working hours
Pledge envelope is ready to pick up
Pledge Envelope for the new year is ready to pick up at the church. It’s placed at the pew between the inside door and outside door at church entry. You can come anytime to pick it up. If you are not able to pick up at the church, please contact Diane Chicoine (chicseney@gmail.com / 358-2520) so we will be better to deliver it to you in person since the mailing cost is more expensive than its purchasing price. and also if you prefer using your own envelope rather than the church pledge envelope, please let us know. Thanks
Looking for altar helper
Laurie K, a chair of the worship committee, is looking for the volunteer who will help with the altar. Although we have a worship service via Zoom, still we need to take care of candles and clothes for the altar since the worship is zooming from the church. If you are able to help her, please let her know. ( 518-461-9259)
Volunteers needed
One of our congregation, Nancy Olson who is a nurse at Berkshire Allergy Care asks me to share this information with you.
Her employer Dr. Edwards has offered his office to give covid-19 vaccine on Friday and Saturday if they can find volunteers for 5 hours each day. That would be 50 vaccines administered each day.
They would need volunteers to book the appointments a week in advance. They would need 2 medical professionals each day familiar with administering vaccines. They would need two PA's, or NP's, or Doctors each day.
People can get the vaccine, they need people to volunteer.
Currently anyone 75 and older are priority, then 65 and older. Then anyone with one health issue.
If you are able to help them, please call Dr. Edwards office Monday through Thursday and ask to leave a message for Nancy Olson about volunteering. The number is 413 443 4826. She will return your call.
