HERE IS GOOD NEWS!

from the First UMC of Blairstown

for the week of September 6, 2024

This week’s messages: “Choosing How We Shall Live

This Sunday, we will listen for Uncommon Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs and learn about how we can orient ourselves around the compass of God’s Word.

Join us this Sunday as Pastor Pedro preaches on “Choosing How We Shall Live”

Pastor’s Office Hours

Monday: Pastor’s Sabbath
Tuesday-Saturday: 9AM-4PM by appointment

Prayer Chain

If you have a urgent prayer request that you would like to share, please contact the church office at 908-362-6693, #2 for Pastor Pedro or by email.  We will send an email blast to get the word out for prayers asap.

Weekly Communion

We will be celebrating communion during the service every week.  If you are joining us online, please have bread/crackers and juice/water

during this time.

Upper Room Devotional

The September/October edition of the Upper Room Devotional is available in the narthex.  You can start your day with a bible verse, brief reading, thought for the day, and prayer.

Food Pantry Wish List

Our monthly food pantry will be held on Saturday, September 7.  If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Claire Smith.

The food pantry has been very busy providing over 70 families with food and paper products this month.  With feeding as many folks as we can, we are in need of some items.  You can leave items in the shopping cart in the fellowship hall or in the cabinet outside the kitchen door.  Thank you for your support of this much needed ministry.

  • Canned Mushrooms
  • Manwich
  • Hamburger helper
  • Mayonnaise
  • Ketchup
  • Pickles
  • Cream Soups
  • Tea Bags (regular & flavored)
  • Knorr Seasoned Rice
  • Knorr Seasoned Pasta
  • Cake Frosting
  • Beef & Vegetable Broth
  • Canned Apricots
  • Canned Peaches
  • Tissues
  • Body Wash
  • Conditioner

United Women in Faith

The September meeting for the United Women in Faith has been cancelled.

Our next meeting will be held on October 13.

Concert

Alison Bolshoi and her students will be hosting a concert on Sunday, September 8 from 5-7pm here in the sanctuary.  Enjoy an evening of song with styles ranging from Opera and Oratorio to Pop, Broadway and Cabaret.

The cost is $10 for adults, under 18 are free.

New Bishop Welcome

A service will be held on Saturday, September 14 to welcome our new

Bishop, Cynthia Moore-Koikoi.  The service will be held at Calvary UMC,

572 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick at 10:30am.

2024 Member Guide

The 2024 member guide is finally here!  You can find a copy on the credenza in the hallway or you can download your copy here,

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVJ-Iv4wzlDK6dHttks6BwJCAF98Tk-s/view?usp=sharing.

If your contact information has changed, please contact the church office.

Fall Craft and Vendor Fair Cancelled

The fall craft fair has been postponed until 2025.

Looking for Volunteers

Do you like to bake bread?  Do you want to volunteer for a Sunday Service?

We have a spot for you.  We are looking for volunteers to prepare and clean up for communion.  This would take place weekly.

We are also looking for readers and prayer leaders for the Sunday service and greeters to welcome members and guests before service.

Would you like to host fellowship time?  There is a sign up sheet on the fellowship bulletin board to pick the date that works for you.

Please reach out to Pastor Pedro to inquire.

Sunday School Update

Sunday School will take place every week at 9:00am in the fellowship hall.

We have established the First UMC’s new Safe Sanctuaries Policy, an abuse-prevention policy. We have volunteers who have done the training and background checks.  If you would like to have your children participate or you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Pastor Pedro.

You can more about Safe Sanctuaries policies in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church here

Enrich Your Faith!

Our adult enrichment program exploring the life of Jesus the Christ through the video series “The Chosen” by Dallas Jenkins will take a break for the summer and resume in the fall.  Designed to enrich your personal relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Scripture, each session will be packed with meaningful guided discussions to help you deepen your understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus. All of the episodes can be watched for free online at https://new.thechosen.tv/. For more information, contact Tim Gill at timothydgill@yahoo.com. Let’s dive deeper into our faith and discover Jesus in a whole new way!

Bible Study, every Thurs. 1pm and 7pm

For the 1pm online-only session click here.

For the 7pm hybrid (in-person & online) session here.

To catch up later watch the class anytime on our Facebook page

This Week at Blairstown UMC

  • Al-Anon Fri 7:30p
  • Food Pantry 9/7 9:30-11:30a
  • Worship Team Rehearsal Sun 8:30a
  • Sunday School 9a
  • Sunday Worship Service Sun 10:00a
  • United Women in Faith mtg 9/8 cancelled
  • Alison Bolshoi Concert 9/8 5-7p
  • Gentle Yoga 9/9 5:30p
  • Boy Scouts 9/9 7p
  • Chair Yoga 9/10 1p
  • SPRC mtg 9/10 7p
  • Bible Study 9/12 1 & 7p
  • Parkinson’s Support Group 9/12 6p
  • Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi Welcome 9/14 10:30a

Looking Ahead

  • Forest Manor Service 9/15 2p
  • Gentle Yoga 9/16 5:30p
  • Boy Scouts 9/16 7p
  • Chair Yoga 9/17 1p
  • UMM mtg 9/17 7p
  • MOM’s club 9/18 9a-12p
  • Bible Study 9/19 1 & 7p
  • Gentle Yoga 9/23 5:30p
  • Boy Scouts 9/23 7p
  • Chair Yoga 9/24 1p
  • Missions & Ministry mtg 9/24 7p
  • Bible Study 9/26 1 & 7p
  • Fall Craft & Vendor Fair 9/28 cancelled
  • Gentle Yoga 9/3 5:30p
  • Boy Scouts 9/30 7p

To learn more about our events or add something to our calendar, please contact the church office at 908-362-6693 or info@firstumcblairstown.com