Happy Mothers Day
Happy almost Mother’s day to those who have ever mothered a child which I’m guessing is most of you who will be reading this. Mothering is very different than giving birth. It is helping a child walk from infancy to adulthood and everywhere/anywhere in between. I thank all of those who have mothered me throughout my life – teachers, pastors, friends, my sister, colleagues,…Thank You and Happy Mother’s Day! MUMC was going to have an ice cream social tomorrow night for all mothering people but they must be watching their weight as there were no takers so it has been cancelled.
Another reminder of the soon to be Spring Concert. Do NOT miss this! Sunday May 21, 2017, at 7 p.m.
The theme: “Is That a Hymn I Hear?” based on hymns of faith. The MUMC Band, Praise Band, Bell Choir, Grace Notes Ensemble and the Chancel Choir, are participating sharing arrangements of familiar hymn tunes. There will also be time for an audience sing along! Plan to join in, inviting family and friends filling the sanctuary with music and enjoying refreshments and fellowship afterwards.
The YAAARD sale is around the corner! Drop offs are May 27 and June 10 and the sale on June 17, another don’t miss! And it’s not too early to be thinking about the Christmas Craft fair. join in the fun the following Saturday, May 20! – no experience necessary. For questions about the Yard Sale or Craft making check in with Pat Rafter. All volunteers are welcome!
Have a wonderful joy-filled day. See you Sunday. Casey
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Holy Hilarity Sunday
I hope you’re all planning on attending worship tomorrow! Tomorrow is Holy Hilarity Sunday, always held on the Sunday following Easter. It is a time honored day from the 1700’s when the church has celebrated the cosmic joke God played on the devil raising Jesus from the dead. The day has been brought back to the Christian church in the last 25 years and is used in many denominations and throughout the world. It has been called many names – Holy Humor Sunday, Bright Sunday and others. It is a worshipful service enveloped by laughter, jokes and fun.
And a reminder that on Tuesday, at 6 p.m. we will start out the evening with a supper of soup and bread followed by a presentation and conversation allowing Veterans’ Voices be heard, their needs, difficulties and what might be done to assist those who served this country so well. The head of the Veterans’ Liberty House in Manchester will be giving a brief talk and answering questions for us. We would love to have a head count so there is enough food so please rsvp to this email if you plan to attend. MUMC’s new group, VOICES (formerly the Welcoming Task Force) is hosting this needed conversation.
Blessings on you and this day that God has given to us.
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Holy Week
It seems impossible that Easter is just over a week away. How often have you contemplated during this season of Lent exactly why we celebrate Easter? It’s a far greater gift than chocolate Easter eggs! Jesus gave his life. What have you done for him? One thing we can do is attend services during Holy Week to remember the journey Jesus was on that last week of his life. Too many of us go from the celebration of Palms with Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem to the celebration of Easter without witnessing the week Jesus experienced in between. On Sunday (April 9) we will take that walk with Jesus as we journey with him through each day of the week. A moving service reminding us of God’s great gift to the world. On Maundy Thursday at 7:00 join some of Jesus’ closest friends as we see their reactions at the Last Supper and contemplate his death. And then Easter Sunday, Jesus lives! Easter will be celebrated with the UCC congregation at 6:30 a.m. followed by breakfast. Then make your way back to MUMC at either 8:30 or 10:30. Glorious Day!
What TOMORROW MORNING holds is the PROM Shop! Know anyone wanting to go to their Prom but cannot afford the clothes appropriate for the gala? Send them to MUMC tomorrow from 9-noon to pick from a large assortment of beautiful outfits.
This Saturday (tomorrow) there is a Spaghetti Dinner beginning at 5 p.m. come for a Spaghetti Dinner in support the Youth Group’s summer mission trip!
The RED CROSS blood drive is on Thursday, April 13 from 9-2
Lots going on at MUMC. I hope you’ll be there.
Blessings. Casey
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Support the Youth
Centering Prayer
Good morning!
Some opportunities for you:
Tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at MUMC we’ll be watching the highly rated film “13th” which shows what happened after the 13th amendment was passed. I hope you can join in.
If you are interested in MUMC kids and their future with God please consider attending a Tri-State District resource day a week from tomorrow, March 11 from 9:30-2:30 with presenters skilled in developing and maintaining an effective youth ministry. There are 4 of us going and we’d love to add to that number. Interested? Please let me know to carpool to Eliot, Maine which is about an hour’s drive. Our Mission Shares have paid for this event.
As we are now on our Lenten journey, especially in that spirit, I invite you to spend extra time in conversation with God, getting to know Jesus better and what it means to have him love you so very much. At 12:15 on Sunday Kathy Wood will be leading the topic of “Centering Prayer,” one way to do that. The following Sunday at 12:15 will begin a 5 week study on the Prodigal Son. I hope these are on your calendar as a way to delve into a more spiritual life.
Blessings. Casey
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Service of Ashes
What awesome weather we’ve been having! Hope you’ve been able to enjoy it.
A reminder that Lent begins this coming Wednesday, March 1. There will be a Service of Ashes that evening at 7:00 beginning the journey with Jesus toward the cross. There is a Lenten Meditation Calendar for you to pick up at church. It looks like a child’s coloring page with a lily in the midst of it but when you read the directions underneath the picture you’ll see it is much more than that, a way to get closer to Jesus as you make your way to Easter.
At 12:15 this Sunday, Steve Rafter will be leading us in how to incorporate Breath Prayer in our daily lives, what it is and how to use it. I hope you can join in for that. The following Sunday Kathy Wood will lead us through Contemplative Prayer. So many have said they want to “grow spiritually”. This is one of any opportunities MUMC offers to do that.
Tomorrow, Saturday from 10-1 join with the CRAFTERS preparing for the next Christmas fair. It truly does have to start this early to insure the wonderful success the fair always is. It’s a fun group and they would love to have YOU there for all or part of that time. No experience necessary!
And just a reminder that there is an AP for your smart phone or ipad or similar device that you can download for free with an abundance of information about MUMC including the calendar, the church newsletter, prayer requests, a way to donate online and much more. Check it out! Search for Milford UMC at the ap store. See Rudy if you have any questions.
Blessings on your day!
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Will you be ready to walk that road with him?
Meaningful Time
Good Saturday morning before a snow storm to you! I hope you will all be in a safe place, warm and comfortable for its duration, and while I’m hoping, I hope the roads and driveways are all clear by early tomorrow morning so there’s no struggle getting to worship God together!
Thanks to all who made Christmas such a meaningful time; the music, the fair, worship, food, the good wishes and joy of the season. May you take this Christmas spirit with you throughout the New Year. Thanks as well for appreciated Christmas gifts, I treasure each one. My church gift will be used as a deposit on a week long quilting workshop next September. Registration opens on Monday and there’s only room for 15 so I’ll be one of the first to hold a place. It most always fills up quickly. I went to the same one this past September and am excited to take it to another level! Thank you thank you for helping make this possible.
There are many activities coming up at MUMC in the near future. Beginning Saturday, January 14 for 6 weeks from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will be a study on White Privilege. To many these words sound accusatory, yet they are not meant to be. The time together will open eyes to what brothers and sisters of color experience and what we all do to even subconsciously take part, no matter how inclusive we might be. If you’re not certain this would be meaningful, try it out for the first week or two and see.
There will be a Bible study taking place after second service beginning near the end of January. Stay tuned for more information about that one. On February 18, if you are the parent/s of a young child, MUMC will be hosting a Parent’s Night out from 5-7 p.m. giving parents a dinner time alone in honor of Valentine’s Day. Rumor has it that the kids will be viewing Finding Dory and being fed fun food.
Worship tomorrow and the following Sunday will focus on different aspects of Jesus’ baptism. I hope you can be there.
Blessings. Casey
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
Salvation Army Bell Ringing 2016
Only a few days left before we usher in Christmas. Are you ready for Jesus to be reborn into your life?
A reminder that on Sunday, Christmas Day there will be only one service at 10:30. Christmas Eve will see services at 5, 7 and 11 p.m.
Tami asked that I forward the following information. Please be in touch with her asap if you can lend a hand!
Salvation Army Bell Ringing 2016 ………… So far this year we have only collected a fraction of what we’ve been able to collect in past years. This is primarily due to the number of ringers that we’ve had participate this year. With 80 percent of the monies collected staying local, this is a great way for us to support needs in our community. If you are able to ring for 1 hour either tomorrow or Christmas Eve please e-mail Tami Davis-Betelak (martin.betelak@comcast.net) or text/call Tami at 801-5256.
Current Needs:
Friday at Shaws … 12-1p, 1-2p, 2-3p, 3-4p, 4-5p, 5-6p
Market Basket … 12-1p, 3-4p, 4-5p, 5-6p
Saturday at Shaws … 9-10a
Market Basket … 11a-12n, 12-1p, 1-2p, 2-3p, 3-4p
(The temperature tomorrow is forcasted at 43* high and Saturday 40*)
Wishes for a blessed Christmas
Rev. Casey Collins
Milford United Methodist Church
327 North River Road
PO Box 476
Milford, NH 03055
603-673-2669
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