Grace Notes - April 5, 2020

Palm Sunday Greetings Beloved MTMUMC Community!

Holy Week begins! It begins with a parade on Palm Sunday, moves through the week to the Passover Dinner on Holy Thursday, moves on to the Garden and to the Cross on Good Friday, looms in darkness through Saturday, and resolves in Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

The wheels are in motion! Won't you "come along" to experience Holy Week this year? Of course, it will all happen from your homes, on ZOOM through your electronic devices or on the phone -- but we've got the hang of this now. It doesn't mean we can't be surprised! It doesn't mean we can't be moved. It doesn't mean we can't experience God in a new way!

In fact, it means that this is more likely than ever. Our patterns are broken, and through the brokenness we are more alert and look at things with fresh eyes. From things as mundane as toilet paper and cleaning solutions to those dear to us. We have fresh eyes. So, let's use them! Let's "gather" this week whenever we get the chance!

 Noon Everyday: ZOOM ZOOM at noon each day for a half hour fellowship and prayer. Kristina Hansen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Click the link to join the Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/881422038

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (646) 876-9923 or (312) 626-6799 or (301) 715-8592 or (346) 248-7799

Meeting ID: 881 422 038

 Every Monday, 7 pm, Healing and Wholeness Service Click the link to join the Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/941448482

Join by Telephone @ 312-626-6799 or 646-876-9923 or 408-638-0968 or 669-900-6833 or 253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 941-448-482 #

 Every Wednesday, 11 am, Story Time for the young and young at heart.

Click the link to join the Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/252287054

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (646) 876-9923 or (312) 626-6799 or (301) 715-8592 or (346) 248-7799

Meeting ID: 252287054 Holy Week at a Glance - LINKS AT BOTTOM OF POST  Sunday, April 5, 10 am, Palm Sunday with Pastor Karen Eiler bringing the message.  Thursday, April 9, 7:30 pm, Holy Thursday an Upper Room service of Foot washing/Hand washing and Communion  Friday, April 10, 7:30 pm Good Friday a Tenabrae Service with candles and lights  Sunday, April 12, 6:00 am, Easter Sunrise at 6:19 -- (sunrise; link will start at 6:00 am).  Sunday, April 12, 10 am, Easter Sunday Celebration -- a joyous celebration.

The links for all of this are below. They will also be distributed in numerous other ways: emails, website, Facebook, carrier pigeon, tin cans with strings -- so keep your eyes open. If all of those fail you, call the office and we'll get you set up. We don't want you to miss a minute of it.

Blessings on the journey, PK

"Seize the day! Embrace the present! Plan for the future! At all times, remain in God's presence, seek to follow Christ, and yearn for the direction of the Holy Spirit who will guide your steps all along the way."

HAPPY HOLY WEEK!

April 9 Holy Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Pastor Kristina will lead us in a service remembering Jesus and his disciples together in the Upper Room. Please have a bucket, pot, bowl for foot washing/hand washing, and a piece of bread or cracker and juice (preferably grape) or water for Communion.

Click the link to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/154527009

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (646) 876-9923 or (312) 626-6799 or (301) 715-8592 or (346) 248-7799

Webinar ID: 154 527 009 #

April 10 Good Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Pastor Karen will lead us in a home-based Tenebrae service. Please prepare a candle to use for the Christ candle, along with six other candles or lights.

Click the link to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/453840038

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (646) 876-9923 or (312) 626-6799 or (301) 715-8592 or (346) 248-7799

Webinar ID: 453 840 038 #

April 12 Easter Sunday, 6:19 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Sunrise 6:19 a.m. will be a display of God’s Glory in the form of a sunrise over Long Island Sound from a beach in Milford, CT. The webinar will open at 6:00 a.m. for silent prayer and meditation of your choice listening to the sounds of the sea shore.

Click the link to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/188701286

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (646) 876-9923 or (312) 626-6799 or (301) 715-8592 or (346) 248-7799

Webinar ID: 188 701 286 #

Traditional Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Kristina bringing the Easter message.

Click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/941448482

Or Telephone, dial-in to one of the following (multiple #s provided in case one is busy): (312) 626-6799 or (646) 876-9923 or (408)638-0968 or (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 or (346)248-7799

Webinar ID: 941 448 482 #

Grace Notes - March 22, 2020

Greetings Beloved MTMUMC Community!

As things change week by week, I took a new look at our series Fear less, and decided it might be helpful to interrupt our originally scheduled sermon for one that might be more timely. We have been given tools and knowledge to prepare ourselves physically and psychologically, but how about spiritually? Our reflection this week will offer sustaining and energizing ways to stay spiritually uplifted throughout this difficult time.

As things change day by day, I am now under self-quarantine. I received an email on Friday, March 20, letting me know that I had been in the presence of a colleague on March 10-11, (a two day meeting with the Board of Ordained Ministry), who on March 16 felt unwell, and on March 20 received word that she has the Coronavirus. While it is unclear that she was infected on March 10 or 11, it is time for me to join those working from home. While my contact with folks has been significantly limited since 5/11, I have met with a small number of you since then. If you have any concerns, please call me on my cell phone.

As things change hour by hour, we are limiting access to the MTMUMC Campus by appointment only. Governor Lamont has asked that all "non-essential businesses" remain closed. At this time, Mary Lou will continue to be in the office to field calls and process emails, etc., and Andy will continue to keep our Campus sanitized for minimal but important use. At this hour, we are deeming Community Supper (take out) and 12 Step Programs "essential" -- and they will continue. Please call before coming to the church!

As things change minute to minute, let's be sure that we stay close to the heart of God, express love to all the people we can, and extend kindness as often as we can in these difficult times. Make sure that your actions take into account the welfare of others. Should it all become "too much", remember that you have an entire community to lead on. I am here when you need me.

Blessings on the journey,

PK

"Seize the day! Embrace the present! Plan for the future! At all times, remain in God's presence, seek to follow Christ, and yearn for the direction of the Holy Spirit who will guide your steps all along the way."

Corona Virus: What to Know & Prevent

Worship while you wash. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Turn this into a time of praise. Sing a verse from your favorite hymn; sing a favorite chorus, say the Lord’s Prayer.

When using a hand sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. On average, we touch our faces 90 times a day. Try to be mindful of this and stop touching your face. Don’t shake hands. It’s not about being rude, it’s just being careful. Stay home if you are sick.

AT WORSHIP TODAY

Liturgist: Paul Downing

The flowers on the alter are given to the glory of God and in memory of Sue Pitzpatrick by Edie, Stacey, Christine and Flo.

TODAY’S LITURGY is based on Holy Scripture, The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), and The Faith We Sing (2000), and as noted in the bulletin. SERMON COPIES can be obtained by calling the office and asking for an electronic or paper copy.

NEXT SUNDAY

Lenten Sermon Series! Fear less

5th Sunday of Lent

Pastor Kristina will bring the message, "Run For Your Life: The fear for your life; the fear of death" based on John 11:1-45 and Psalm 130

OUR LIFE IN PRAYER, MINISTRY AND MISSION

BULLETIN NOTICES are due by noon Wednesday for the weekly bulletin.

WE HOST Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, and Recovery from Co-dependency (CODA) WEEKLY. Please call the church office at 203-874-1982 for the schedule or see it posted on the bulletin boards, our Yahoo Groups and on Facebook @mtmumc.

NOTE: The Holocaust presentation scheduled for Sunday April 5th has been cancelled.

HEALING AND WHOLENESS WORSHIP ON MONDAY EVENINGS IS COMING TO YOU ON ZOOM!

Grace Notes - March 15, 2020

Fear less

LENT 3: Don’t Bother Me: The fear of Confrontation

“I’m like a fish in a pool, turning quickly to avoid what challenges it. My only decision is whether to go right or left to sidestep confrontation." ― author, Doug Cooper, Outside In

I would venture to say that the fear of confrontation has made more decisions for some of us than we have made for ourselves!

How often has your life been shaped by avoiding a confrontation that you knew you should face?

What would it be like to live a life without fear of confrontation?

What would that look like?

Let’s talk some more so that we can all Fear less!

Blessings on the journey,

PK

"Seize the day!  Embrace the present!  Plan for the future! At all times, remain in God's presence, seek to follow Christ, and yearn for the direction of the Holy Spirit who will guide your steps all along the way."