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JANUARY 2018
January 2018"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters" - Isaiah 55:1
Happy New Year and New Season!Not only are we ringing in a new year but also a new season. We are now in the Season after Epiphany. We ended our Advent/Christmas worship series, Angels Among Us, using the phrase "Get Up and Go!" Now our UMC lectionary calendar is urging us to "Rise Up." So how do we rise to the occasion especially when there are so many occasions in the month of January?On the first Sunday in January the church recognizes the Baptism of the Lord. On this Sunday we reaffirm or recognize the meaning of baptism specifically the baptism of Jesus by John. How will we rise from the baptismal waters alive with the Spirit and spread the good news this year? What will that look like and how is it different from last year?On the second Sunday we will take up a special offering when we observe Human Relations Day. United Methodists typically observe this special day on the Sunday before the national observance of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday and thought behind why we do is "to recognize the right of all God’s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with one another (umcgiving.org)." We can rise to the occasion here by not only giving our treasure but our time and talents as well, for example participating in things like our Community Breakfast.
Then the third Sunday in January is Ecumenical Sunday and it is part of the week-long observance known as Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer (18-25th) "gives Christians an annual opportunity to continue their quest for the unity they already share in Christ and also invites those who participate to use it as an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the ecumenical movement in seeking to end the divisions among Christians" (geii.org). When we rise up, united together, as followers of Christ focusing on the commandments he emphasized – stay in love with God and love your neighbor as yourself – then that which divides us should fall to the wayside. It is a new year and a new season so let us begin anew by asking ourselves a few questions. Can I hear God speaking to me? Am I listening? How can I focus on what I need to do in order to move myself forward in my journey so that I might answer God's call? Godspeed in your quest.
In Christ’s Love, Pastor Margaret Currier518-372-9575 – church518-688-9515 – [email protected]
Scotia UMC
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Wesley’s Wisdom "Inward holiness involves total commitment to God, singleness of intention, centering one’s life completely on God. It includes believing in, trusting, loving, worshiping, imitating, and obeying God. It consists of constant reliance on God’s grace and using the gifts God gives to become what God intends us to be.” (John Wesley, Holiness of Heart & Life, page 37)
Worship Schedule
Liturgists Sound
1/7 Dean Goodell Mark Cieslak 1/14 Sean Flansburg Dave Read 1/21 Steve Wesley Bob Hatt 1/28 Deb Elliott Jim Coburn
Ushers Counters 1/7 Mary & Sean Connors Steve Wesley, Dean Goodell 1/14 Deb & Mark Cieslak 1/21 Sue Sykes, Deb Cieslak 1/28 Sue Sykes, Irene Coburn
Greeters Social 1/7 RoyAnn Rogerson, Sue Sykes Steve Long, Zach Long 1/14 Jill & Steve Wesley 1/21 June Pelham 1/28 Mark Cieslak
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The Women's Group will be gathering on Sunday, January 14, immediately following church at the Scotia Diner on Mohawk Avenue. We will meet in the Elvis Room, order whatever you would like off the menu & we will each be provided with separate checks. This is always an enjoyable gathering after the holidays; come and bring a friend! This will be our last meeting until April 9, 2018
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SUMC IN MISSIONS
In honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,The Capital Area Urban League & The Albany African American Clergy United for Em-powerment invite you to attend:The First Annual VALUES–VOICE–VIGILANCE CONFERENCE Theme: “Rebuild Community. Build the Coalition.” Saturday, January 13, 2018 8:30 – 6 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 26 Wilson Ave, Al-bany, NY 12205 To register, visit https://vvvconference.odoo.com or call 518-227-0706.
Regional Food Bank – We will be meeting in the church parking lot at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16th at 2:00 pm to volunteer at the Food Bank.
-Jill Dunster-Wesley (cell) 423-3546 (home) 372-4047 [email protected]
The Children of SUMC had a very busy, fun month of December 2017. On 12/9 they gathered together with some of SUMC's best singers and sang carols for the residents of HolyRood House. Cookies were also delivered (& eaten) with the Loomis Room Children's Christmas Tree decorated for the holidays afterwards.
The Christmas Pageant presented by the children at the 10:00 am Christmas Eve service was a rousing success! We had many wonderful actors and narrators and a special thank you to the star of the production in the role of Baby Jesus - Everett Cieslak :)
The new year will bring lots of exciting lessons on the Women Disciples of Jesus. Looking forward to a wonderful 2018!
A Thank You Card to SUMC
To the children of the Scotia United Methodist Church:
The residents of HolyRood House would like to thank you for coming to sing to us. It makes Christmas more meaningful. The cookies you brought to us were so good. We are
looking forward to you coming back next year. Thanks again!
Carol Jean Noyes, Secretary of HolyRood House
January Calendar
1/8 Trustees Meeting 7 pm
1/8 Youth Group 6:30 – 8:00 pm
1/9 Theology on Tap – Mohawk Grill 7 pm
1/14 Women’s Group at Scotia Diner after service
1/16 Regional Food Bank 2:00 pm
1/18 Choir Practice 7:30 pm
1/27 Pastor Margaret leading Safe Sanctuaries Training at Rotterdam UMC 9 am-12 pm
1/28 SPRC after Sunday Service
1/29 Admin. Council 7 pm
The Tuesday Bible Study will continue to meet at 9:30 am on Tuesdays in the Fireside Room.
Next Newsletter deadline is JANUARY 20th.Please email any announcements or upcoming events to [email protected]
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