Greetings, my brothers and sisters:
“The Last Word” by Paul Hovey
(Illustrations
Unlimited,
page
166)
The simplest meaning of Easter is that we
are living in a world in which God
has the last word. On Friday night it
appeared as if evil were the master of life.
The holiest and most lovable One who had
ever lived was dead and in His tomb,
crucified by the order of a tyrant without
either scruples or regrets. He who had
raised the highest hopes among men had
died by the most shameful means. A cross,
two nails, a jeering mob of debauched
souls, and a quick thrust of a spear had
ended
it all. Those hours when His voice was
stilled and His hands were quiet were the
blackest through which the race ever lived.
If Caesar could put an end to Jesus, then
no man could ever dare aspire or hope
again. Hope, in such a world, could be
nothing better than mockery. Then came
Easter morning and the glorious word ”He
is risen!” And Evil’s triumph was at an
end. Since that hour when Mary in the
garden first discovered the staggering fact
of victory, no man whose heart was pure
and whose labors were honest has ever had
reason to fear or despair if he believed in
the Resurrection.
As we continue to journey through this
Lenten season may we continue to pray for
our churches as we follow the guidance
and direction of our Lord as he leads us
into the future ministry and mission of both
the Townsend and Pepperell United
Methodist Churches. We heard on Sunday,
March 16th many of your thoughts and
ideas during our time of worship and we
have included them in this newsletter for
you to see.
In Pepperell we had an opportunity to
discuss many of our ideas with the District
Superintendent, Rev. Rene Perez and plan
a future meeting in order to plan and
prepare the way of putting many of those
thoughts and ideas into action as we move
forward in the ministry and mission of this
household of faith.
In Townsend we will be discussing the
direction of those results on Sunday, April
6th during our Pot Luck luncheon following
our time of worship. We hope that you
will come and be part of this conversation.
Also on that Sunday, April 6th we will be
welcoming into the membership of the
Townsend UMC a very special woman
who has decided to become part of our
church family – Jean Krikorian. We are
blessed!
During the next few weeks, I will be
asking for folks to sign up for the
dramatic reading of the Passion Story on
Palm Sunday, April 13th at both churches.
Thank you for responding to this call.
I will also be asking folks from both
churches to sign up for the Biblical
readings of the Lord’s Last Supper to be
held at the Townsend UMC on Maundy
Thursday, April 17th. This service will
take place in the Fellowship Hall at 7pm
and will include the Townsend UCC and
other guests.
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Together
with
the
Townsend
Congregational Church we have put
together a flier with the Holy Week
Journey April 10 – 20, 2014:
April 11th – 7:00pm Storytelling - TCC
13th – 9:30 Passion Play LMUMC; 11:00
TUMC
14th – 6:30pm Jesus Christ Superstar (movie)
TCC
17th – 7:00pm Maundy Thursday TUMC
18th – Thresholds of Good Friday 3-7pm TCC
20th – Easter Worship 5:45am Sunrise
Townsend Harbor Cooperage; 9:30 am
LMUMC; 11:00am TUMC
The Lord be with you and your family as
you journey through this holy Lenten and
Easter Season.
Rev. Joan-Anne
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 12:20-36
Wednesday, April 16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Hebrews 12:1-3
Psalm 70
John 13:21-32
Holy Thursday, April 17
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday, April 18
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
Holy Saturday, April 19
Job 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
1 Peter 4:1-8
Matthew 27:57-66
_____________________________________________________________
APRIL SCRIPTURES
Sunday, April 6
5th Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Romans 8:6-11
Psalm 130
John 11:1-45
Sunday, April 13 - Palm Sunday
6th Sunday in Lent
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66
or 27:11-54
Holy Week
Monday, April 14
Isaiah 42:1-9
Hebrews 9:11-15
Psalm 36:5-11
John 12:1-11
Tuesday, April 15
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 71:1-14
Sunday, April 20
Easter
Acts 10:34-43
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
John 20:1-18 or
Sunday, April 27
2nd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
_____________________________________________________________
hank you to Chris & Linda Jones for
sponsoring this month’s edition of
The Hilltops newsletter. Both are
active members of TUMC. Chris is one of
our Lay Speakers and member of the
PPRC. Chris & Linda have both led small
book groups recently.
T
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PEPPERELL NEWS
April Greeters
Apr. 6
Apr. 20
Neena Williams
Richard Vance
April Liturgists
Apr. 6
Apr. 13
Apr. 20
Jean Whitman
Margie Wilson
Richard Vance
_____________________________________________________________
Margie Wilson, Apr. 9
Emma Ermel, Apr. 16
Lynn Grymes, Apr. 20
Brian Goyette, Sr., Apr. 22
_____________________________________________________________
PEPPERELL
PRAYER REQUESTS
Marguerite Ferschke (MS); Richard Simmons;
Margie Wilson’s brother Edward (cancer); Terry
Quinn; Lance Osborne, Jean Stringer; Chrissy
Green (friend of Lynn Grymes, immune
deficiency); Shaunna Marie Durno (Gale’s
granddaughter); Heather Lorden; Steven (Ann
Goebel’s brother, cancer); Patrick and Collette
Burns; Keith Edmonds (cancer and heart
problems); Heidi Bouchard; Jack Adams
(alzheimer’s); Lauren Poehler; Scott Williams;
Matt Olssen; Robert Newton; Bob Grogg; Kathy
Harris; Edna Roensch; Rev. Joan-Anne; Stacey
Poehler; Fay McChristian’s son who is recovering
from heart surgery and her grandson who needs
multiple heart surgeries; Lucky and Penny Howie;
Charlotte Bennett; Sharon Durno; Joe Recco
(leukemia);
Donna
Rae
Bertrum;
Fay
McChristian; Dick & Judie Moore; Bonnie
Wozniak; Louis Ezzio; Tiffany Smith (breast
cancer); Jimmy Harnish (cancer); Frank Martin
(long term illness); George Tillberg; Ray
Levesque; Sheila Wick; the Drouart family;
Robert Withee; Emma Ermel; the Shepherd
family; Christine & Roy Walker; Sue McCarthy;
Neveah Wilder (13 months old, cancer); Neena
Williams; DJ Parker (pancreatitis/coma); Dana
Parker (triple bypass); Thelma Vance (dislocated
shoulder/fracture); Velma Klatka; Kim & Ethan
(Rev. Joan-Anne’s daughter & grandson); the
victims of natural disasters all over the world.
________________________________________
Inspired list of Pepperell’s thoughts and
ideas as we look into the future ministry
and mission of the Lawrence Memorial
United Methodist Church:
- My prayer for our church is to continue to serve
our members and any new members who come to
us. I have been blessed by friendship, wonderful
music and all the traditions of the United
Methodist Church. My spirit is filled when I am
there and I see the good that comes from serving
God.
- Praying and thinking about our churches: It just
makes me so sad that we have lost long time
members. I miss our monthly suppers, we had
good energetic fellowship and the profits went to
the church. Bob would push himself to help when
he could. Keep praying for the people and the
church.
- We need something to attract children and
families – young and old.
- We can do the same things only in a different
way.
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- We can’t be “what’s in it for me people”, don’t
stray from God’s word but stay true to it and
become a place more of praise and worship.
- Maybe hire a consultant for Sunday school and
get ready to receive many children.
- We may get the big screen with all the words and
music displayed.
- We might be able to attract families with things
for children to do – maybe after we have spring
cleaning – we could invite children and families to
come plant something on the church property.
- Hire Dennis from the senior center to oversee the
suppers. He is certified and needs only helpers.
We can help.
- Join the two churches together, Townsend and
Pepperell- then alternate.
- Find a need in the local community: a need that
touches our hearts. Then work together to fulfill
that need.
- Have a neighborhood White Elephant/Yard Sale.
- A meet and greet: raise awareness of your
presence in the neighborhood and invite them to
Sunday services .
- Alternate a 4:00pm Saturday service at both
churches.
- Maybe opening Thrift Shop one evening a week.
- Community: Help family within our church or
town that is having a difficult time getting by.
- At Christmas adopt a needy family: purchase
gifts, food for them.
- Churches might have to combine to save on costs
of running the church (fuel, electric, etc.).
- Praise God for all that is good and right. May
we find more ways to be pleasing in your sight.
Unpacking “stuff” has led me to believe Bill and I
have much more to share of material things then
we need. Is the Thrift store still going? I love to
cook and Bill is a natural speaker and a take
charge kind of guy. How can we help?
April Liturgists
Apr. 6
Apr. 13
Apr. 20
Apr. 27
Cassi Danzl
Passion Sunday
Susan Gerken
Linda Jones
April Sunday School
Apr. 6
Kelli Brown
Apr. 13
Kelli Brown
Apr. 20
Easter
Apr. 27
Marcia MacMaster
April Kinder Room
Apr. 6
Krissy Miner
Apr. 13
Carol Roberts
Apr. 20
Marcia MacMaster
Apr. 27
Linda Oakley
_____________________________________________________________
Wendy Ashe, Apr. 8
Conner Lavery, Apr.19
Ken Gerken, Apr. 24
Albert Upham, Apr. 27
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
TOWNSEND NEWS
April Greeters
Apr. 6
Apr. 13
Apr. 20
Apr. 27
Denise Batchelder
Nancy Krikorian
The Schuster’s
The Fallon’s
Rick & Linda Oakley, Apr. 12
Chuck & Betsy Raymond, Apr. 20
David & Alberta Dearborn, Apr. 24
George & Pat Freeman, Apr. 25
_____________________________________________________________
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List of Townsend’s congregational
transformation suggestions:
Transforming How We Present Ourselves:
TOWNSEND
PRAYER REQUESTS
Thomas and Diane Jones (friends of Shirley Coit,
cancer); Jimmy Tompkinson; Eric Walker (kidney
transplant, heart problems); Dondi LaRue; Richard
Beachard (painful legs); Patty Thorpe (MS and
graves disease); Jean Krikorian; Rita Signoretti
(Krissy Miner’s mother, surgery); Joe Signoretti
(Krissy’s
father,
alzheimers);
Debby
Maciorowski; Tommy Maciorowski; Judy Wilson
(Lynne Connor’s friend); Emma Whitman;
Wallace Powers (cancer); Shawn Beachard; Sandy
Freeman; Kathy Gammel; Noelle Skidmore; Ray
Duval (cancer); Rev. Joan-Anne; Don Waye
(cancer); Catherine Looker (Lynn White’s
mother); Shawn Thorpe (brain tumor); John Barry;
Connor Nichols (brain injury); Anne White;
Cassidy Fallon (lyme disease); Joe Recco
(leukemia); Chris Gatchell (assisted living); Rick
Oakley (myasthenia gravis); Al St. Croix
(Pepperell Music Center, cancer); Bob Eckard
(friend of Judy Bureau, cancer); Frank Martin
(long term illness); Kelly Parker; Walter Schuster;
Bill Stevenson; Dick Johnson; Gail Bessette;
Michele Kelley; Judy Concemi; Andy Gustafson;
Betty Conley; Kim & Ethan (Rev. Joan-Anne’s
daughter & grandson); Michael Signoretti
(Krissy’s brother, cancer); Sally Greig (Krissy’s
friend, lung disease); Madison (10 years old,
cancer); Ed Chastian (cancer); Marion Foley (lung
cancer); Bill Roberts; Brenda Lawrence (Judy’s
friend, cancer); the family of Marie Oakley; Gyla
& Clara Parker; Nancy O’Brien; Sandi Schmacke
(blood cancer); the victims of natural disasters all
over the world; all those unemployed.
Homebound: Bill and Gail Felton.
_____________________________________________________________
- We need to be more kid friendly.
- Have a midweek evening service.
- I believe we ask too much of Joan-Anne. We
need to remove some of the burden by having
each church be responsible for one or two services
a month-sermon and all. (Or step up for the
children’s message.)
- Another service, not on Sunday morning.
- Rethink Sunday School.
-My idea is having “Sanctuary meetings” Right
after services on Sunday, once a month to discuss
church “goings on” to keep everyone informed.
- I pray for both churches to work together as one
and each support each other.
-We are a historic church that stands out in the
town and we need to stay where we are.
- Focus on families.
- Rethink the music.
- More small groups.
- A small church can have highly interactive
services.
- We need young people to teach young people.
- Be sure all newcomers and visitors feel welcome
and feel the love of God in the people of the
church.
Transforming our Community Service:
- We need a guiding principle. (such as “Love thy
neighbor.”)
- Look out to serve the community rather than in
to serve ourselves.
- Serve free meals.
- Publicize the shop more.
- Give to community.
- Contact old/non-attending members.
- Support the public schools.
- We need to fling open our doors. We should not
hold on but give away. Free access to church. Free
suppers, continual community giving to all. For
the glory of God.
- Celebrate with other churches in town. Do a
fundraiser on the common.
- Hawthorne Brook has a jazz band-have them
come and play and charge.
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- Give classes in fellowship hall. Ask members to
share their talents: sewing, crafting, painting,
during spring and summer.
- Have a group yard sale in driveway-people bring
their own stuff and take away what doesn't sellproceeds go to the church.
- Show a movie in the hall, serve refreshments,
collect donations for food.
- Love your neighbor. Service works: rake yards,
trash pick up, repairs, food.
- Animals.
- Support the Arts.
- New sign in front of church to advertise servicesspecial services-VBS-Everything that goes on in
church.
_____________________________________________________________
IRISH DINNER UPDATE
big thank you to everyone who
helped make our Irish dinner a
success! We had a wonderful group
of helpers who gave their time and talents
to create this delicious dinner. Some helped
by giving monetary donations & food
items. Some of you set up and cleaned up.
Some helped with the cooking. Some
served, and some came to eat! These are all
gifts and blessings for TUMC – thank you!
A
Judy & Lynne
_____________________________________________________________
COZY CORNER SPRING OPEN
HOUSE: SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH
10:00am-2:00pm
ome join us as we celebrate the
arrival of spring and the beginning
of our second year here at the Cozy
Corner! Light refreshments will be served.
Recently, we added some new cards and
more will be coming in. Check out our
chocolates and pralines, Easter baskets,
soaps, lotions, herbs & spices, vintage
items, fresh flowers and herbs, and some
surprises too! We want to thank everyone
who supported us last year. From the 2013
proceeds we are donating $1000.00 to be
split between 4 charitable groups: TEO,
UMCOR, Sylvia’s Haven (a women’s
shelter) and the local Cancer Society. This
year’s profits will be given to our church,
with a portion given out to charities. Thank
you for all your support!
C
Paula, Judy & Lynne
_____________________________________________________________
Irish Blessing
May God grant you always
A Sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
And a sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you
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