Newsletter with images in PDF format
BEYOND THE GREEN DOORS
The newsletter of the Peterborough United Methodist Church
43 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH
December 2020
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Events:
Sunday Worship streaming on YouTube Sun 10a http://bit.ly/pumcYouTube
and posted online (after Sunday) http://bit.ly/pumcworshipvideo
Online Fellowship Hour Sun 1p https://bit.ly/pumcfellowship
Daily Morning Devotional daily 7a http://bit.ly/revcardfb
Dec 2 Incarnation Study begins via Zoom 10a
Dec 8 Ad Council meeting via Zoom 6:30 p
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service with the Bishop online
Dec 29 Newsletter submissions due
Dec 29 PUMC Book Group via Zoom 1:30p
Stay Involved:
Digital Welcome Card http://bit.ly/pumcwelcomecard
Bulletins http://bit.ly/pumcbulletin
Children’s Bulletins http://bit.ly/pumckidsbulletin
Sunday School To Go https://bit.ly/sundayschooltogo
Offering http://bit.ly/pumcoffering
Online Giving http://bit.ly/pumconlinegiving
Facebook https://bit.ly/pumcfacebook
YouTube http://bit.ly/pumcYouTube
DEVOTIONAL READINGS FOR ADVENT
From Kathleene Card
As we approach Advent, I thought it would be good to review what the season means. Each week we will light a candle signifying Hope in Jesus Our King; Faith in Jesus Our Savior; Joy with Jesus, Emanual who is always with us; and finally the inbreaking of Peace through Jesus as The One True Light in our world.
I am including the scripture lessons that we will read each Sunday so we can be prepared for our worship. This is a good time to invite people to watch us on YouTube, as we prepare for sacred season of Advent.
During this unusual time of a pandemic and social unrest, I am including this
Bidding Prayer—we all might want to say this prayer during the season to keep us focused on the real celebration.
THE BIDDING PRAYER
Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, we are filled with concern this year. Let, let us prepare ourselves so that we may remember the true meaning of Christmas is the Jesus Incarnation.
Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem the waiting people.
Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns, (without being able to sing with our wonderful choir) that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled.
Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring all peoples and all things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom.
Persons who are blind receive their sight;
Persons who are lame can walk;
Persons who have skin diseases are cleansed;
Persons who are deaf can hear,
Persons who are dead are raised up,
And the and Persons who are poor hear your Good News in the Gospels.
But first, let us pray for the world that God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that the Church and it people may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer to God, in the words that Christ himself taught us. (Finish by praying The Lord’s Prayer)
Scriptures for Advent 2020
November 29, 2020/Week 1: Jesus, Our King, Inspires Hope on Earth!
First reading Matthew 2.1-2: 2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[ from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Second reading Mark 13.24-26: 24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.
December 6, 2020/Week 2: Jesus, Our Savior, Strengthens Our Faith Eternally!
First Reading: Luke 2.8-12: 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Second Reading: Mark 1.1-8: 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
December 13, 2020/Week 3: Jesus, Emanuel, Awakens Our Joy as in Heaven!
First Reading: Hebrews 1.1-3: 1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Second Reading: Matthew 1.20b-23: 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Week 4: Jesus, The Light of the World IS Restoring World Peace!
First readings: John 1.1-5: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Second Reading: Luke 1.26-38: 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[ will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
CHURCH FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays:
Susan Lindquist 12/10
Lena Mark 12/11
Nancy Belletete 12/12
Elias Hipp 12/15
Michael Crowe 12/18
Steve Venning 12/22
Scott Keenan 12/28
Membership Anniversaries:
CarolOwen 12/1
Hether Shulman 12/1
David Ladeau 12/1
SueNorton-Poplin 12/1
Ann Hampson 12/3
Bruce Batten 12/6
Deb Batten 12/6
Richard Clason II 12/6
Richard Clason 12/6
Amy Clason-Gilmet 12/6
Kristel Gatcombe 12/6
Hiel Lindquist 12/6
Susan Lindquist 12/6
Andrew Wallenstein 12/7
Linda Wallenstein 12/7
Leslie Crossmon 12/14
Priscilla Crowe 12/30
Ron Crowe 12/30
ADVENT CALENDAR ON PUMC SITE AND FACEBOOK
Remember the days of having your Advent calendar and opening a little window a day? Well, this year, PUMC will be creating its own on-line Advent calendar. Each day of Advent, there will be a window to explore. It may be a prayer, a picture with a story, a song, a short video clip, a holiday dish with recipe, a fond memory shared. Check in on the website every day to keep building your Christmas spirit!
You can follow along with the hashtag #PUMCAdventCalendar on Facebook and Instagram.
Advent.PeterboroughUMC.org
CHRISTMAS WREATH SALE
Christmas wreaths will arrive at the church the first week of December! Look for a phone call from Priscilla Crowe. She will let you know the final amount for your wreath and bow (if you ordered one) and will arrange a time for you to pick up at the church on December 4th or 5th (Friday or Saturday). Special thanks to Ron and Priscilla for organizing this annual Christmas tradition! And thanks to Cindy Faust for helping Priscilla with the pick-up arrangements!
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
The worship team is hard at work planning the upcoming worship services! This year, our church’s families will have a central spot in celebrating the lighting of the Advent candles, sharing Scripture, and reading the Christmas story. Join in our on-line Sunday services to see the children’s artwork and hear their voices tell the beautiful story of Christ’s birth. On Christmas Eve, Bishop Devedhar and several district volunteers will give our church a beautiful service that will be prefaced and closed with special music and our traditional candle-lighting … so be ready to collect your candles and have them for Christmas Eve! It wouldn’t be Christmas without our voices singing ‘Silent Night’ and our candles raised to bring the light into the world!
PUMC BOOK GROUP
The next meeting of the PUMC Book Group will be a ZOOM on Tuesday, December 29th @ 1:30 PM. December’s book will be an historical novel about the packhorse librarians of the 1930s. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes builds a story around five young women from different walks of life who come together to build a library in the coal country of 1930’s Kentucky.
The author weaves together events that surround coal mining and the burgeoning union movement, the WPA’s programs to build literacy and provide jobs, the changing aspirations of young women during the progressive era, and issues of duty, morality, independence, and courage. The result is a real page-turner. The book is readily available on-line and at local libraries. Any and all are welcome to join the book group. Just look for info on the ZOOM connect as the day for the discussion approaches!
REMINDER
Email “fellowship zoom” to pumcmissions@gmail.com for a reminder with the Zoom details.
GRANDS ADVENT BOOK AVAILABLE
Introduction:
In an effort to stay in touch with my grandkids, and other children, I have created the Grands Advent book. You create a package with a small gift for each of the 25 days before Christmas. The book includes a scripture, action, and prayer for each day. These tokens and their matching poems help show how God’s grace is key in the Advent season.. Books can be shipped.
To order Pray. Act. Pray Again: 25 Days Before Christmas:
email pumcpastor@peterboroughumc.org if you would like a free copy, or send a suggested donation of $10 made payable to “Peterborough United Methodist Church.” Please write Grands Advent book in the memo. Send to 43 Concord St, Peterborough NH 03458.
Grands Book Days:
Day 1 Tree
Day 2 Mirror
Day 3 Magnifying glass
Day 4 Wash cloth
Day 5 St Nick
Day 6 Nutcracker
Day 7 Nativity
Day 8 Light
Day 9 Rudolph
Day 10 Chocolates
Day 11 Cup
Day 12 Messenger
Day 13 Recreation
Day 14 Blanket
Day 15 Toothbrush
Day 16 Angel
Day 17 Timer
Day 18 Wreath
Day 19 Journal
Day 20 Comb
Day 21 Socks
Day 22 Picture frame
Day 23 Candy cane
Day 24 Dove
Day 25 Thank yous
GOOD WORKS WITH THE MISSIONS TEAM
Even during these difficult times our church continues to support our missions. We received thank you letters in November that the missions team would like to share with you. Again, thank you for supporting others in need with your time, talents and treasures.
If you would like to be part of the missions team in 2021 we will be having a planning ZOOM meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 PM. Send a note to Hiel if you are interested. Everyone is welcome.
Missions Team
Want to contact someone and don’t see their info listed? They should be in the church directory, or contact the church office at 924-4294 or email info@PeterboroughUMC.org and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Everyone is invited to contribute to the newsletter! Send in your thank yous, birthdays, photos, events, testimonials, prayer submissions…
Please submit all materials for the next newsletter (January) to our editors by the LAST TUESDAY December 29. This is the newsletter that will be released January 3 and cover until Sunday January 31. Send to Melissa French at 924-4294 or email info@peterboroughumc.org, with the subject “Newsletter submission.” Thanks!
Want to subscribe? You can email or call the office (above) to get a print copy of the newsletter, or visit http://bit.ly/subscribepumc to get it in your email.
PETERBOROUGH UMC COMMUNICATIONS
In addition to “Beyond the Green Doors,” Peterborough UMC offers the following ways you can keep in touch.
We are on the web: https://www.PeterboroughUMC.org
We are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pumcnh/
This newsletter was compiled by Melissa French. Any concerns with content can be addressed with Reverend Card.