Good afternoon parish,
“Most of us wait until we are in trouble, and then we pray like the dickens. Wonder what would happen if, some morning, we’d wake up and say, “Anything I can do for You today, Lord?” – Burton Hillis
As we reflect on Jesus’ parable of the ‘talents’ at worship on Sunday, we have an opportunity to consider the gifts, skills, resources, imaginings and capacities God has given which can heal the world through our agency. We may very well be the angel, miracle or healer in the life of one of God’s children. What a privilege it is to be the hands and heart of God blessing a hurting soul! Last Sunday, when I placed my hands on an afghan crafted by Avis Baird to consecrate it for God’s purpose, I thought of this. The troubled soul who finds shelter or comfort in its embrace will feel the love of God stitched within by one of God’s faithful saints. How cool is that?
We will offer two ‘in person’ worship services on Sunday (8:15 & 10 am), with CDC protocols, but I urge you to use your discretion apropos of whether you feel it is safe to gather with social distancing. Our 10 am service will also livestream on the church facebook page and later post to our website at www.auburnmethodist.org. Len Lednum, our technician, has worked hard to perfect the quality of our livestream broadcast, and I think all who attend will appreciate his skill. There will not be a coffee fellowship meeting Sunday afternoon, but any who wish to attend are invited to a zoom Many Waters District gathering with our bishop, Sudarshana Devadhar, from 2 to 3:30 pm. I will send the invitation link shortly, so that you may join in if you wish.
I have attached the Worship Guide for Sunday’s services, a copy of last week’s message, and a Missions Opportunity update to the weekly greeting email. Helen McKinley has offered her talents for crafting reversible, cloth masks as a benefit for UMC of Auburn. They are available for purchase, $5 per mask, with all funds going to the church. I believe she is planning to make 100 masks available for purchase. Feel free to send an email response if you wish to purchase one, or two, or more, and I will pass the word on to Helen. (Bless you Helen!)
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES:
Women’s winter coats, hats, mittens, scarves and boots for Center of Women’s Wisdom, Tuesdays, UMCA parking lot entrance.
Thanksgiving Baskets, families will receive $40 Hannaford gift cards. If donating by check, please write: UM Women (memo: Thanksgiving Baskets/needed by 11/16).
Giving Tree Christmas Program, each child will receive $40-50.00/families will be given a Walmart gift card for each child for the purchase of gifts. If you donate by gift card, please indicate the amount on the card (needed by 12/7). In 2019: 165 kids, 12 and under, received gifts through this program. Check donations: UM Women (memo: Giving Tree).
TALENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Greeting cards – Caroline Coffin (carolinecoffin@hotmail.com)
Rada knives and products – Donna Manson (Mansondonna@aol.com)
Handmade Cloth Masks – Helen McKinley (mckinley717@roadrunner.com)
By now, you have hopefully received an invitation to participate in the ongoing support of the UMC of Auburn with a pledge card for 2021 (additional cards are available on the worship guide table as folks enter the sanctuary). I am deeply grateful to all of you who make a commitment to be partners with us in supporting God’s work through the parish. Bless you! On Sunday, we will gather outstanding pledge cards and offer them to God with gratitude for all with which God has blessed us.
Thank you to all who joined us for our annual church conference this past Sunday, and to Susan and Bob Allison for their beautiful cornucopia arrangement on the altar.
May God bless your week-end with peace and joy,
Pastor Steve Bascom