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Join us for Worship!Worship on Zoom for All Ages Sundays at 10 a.m. Zoom Link Passcode 002367 Office Hours Office closed until further notice 48 West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 908-725-1473 fumcsomerville@verizon.net Reverend Dr. David C. Lehmkuhl, Senior Pastor Dr. Janet Stafford, Dir. of Christian Education |
First United Methodist Church of Somerville, New Jersey
August 2, 2020
Dear Church,
Peace and grace to you all! I hope and pray that you are doing well this week.
This Sunday is the last Sunday that I will be preaching and leading worship. Dave will
return on August 9 and it will be my turn to “go on vacation,” whatever that means these
days.
Leading worship during a pandemic has been quite an adventure. Basically, we have
been doing things that we’ve never done before. Who would have thought that we
would go online via Zoom? That Regina would give us pre-recording music on the organ
for our hymns, and that we eventually would have live music thanks to Kevin, our
substitute organist? That Danny would serve as our “cantor” for hymn singing? And, of
course, that we would experience “technical difficulties” when my computer lost the Wi-
Fi signal last week! (That was almost too much of an adventure for me.)
But it is worth all the energy and anxiety and “I don’t knows” when we see each other
face to face, or “face to phone” for those of you who call in on Sundays.
I can’t help but think of our Christian ancestors who out of need worshipped in new and
different ways, too. Our earliest spiritual ancestors hid in catacombs for fear of the
Roman government. In the USA, when slavery was legal, our enslaved ancestors
worshipped in fields, away from the plantation house so they wouldn’t be heard. I was
friends with a Catholic woman who told me that her German family before and during
World War II opened their home to the priest so he could hold catechism classes. They
did this because the church had been forbidden by law to do so. And I remember
contemporary Chinese Christians and other Christians today who must go
“underground” during times of persecution.
My point is this: it doesn’t matter where or how we gather to worship. What matters is
that we do it, that we come together as a community to praise our God, to be
strengthened as followers of Jesus Christ, and to pray with the Holy Spirit.
And so, I thank you for walking with me through these last three weeks. As the hymn
goes, “surely the presence of the Lord is in this place” – even if “this place” happens to
be online.
Blessings!
Janet R. Stafford, assistant pastor
Computer link for this Zoom service**
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/986500515?pwd=aC80MTNPOXA2UUFnaTNJYjVaRmVVUT09
Passcode: 002367
Phone-in instructions**
If you are not internet connected, you may dial in to our Sunday service using a land line or any cell phone. You will be able to listen and participate in the service with audio. (Others, using their computers or smart phones will also have video.) **
At 9:45 AM Sunday:
Dial +1 (929) 436-286
You will be prompted to enter a Meeting ID followed by the pound sign (#)
Enter 986 500 515 and then #
You will be prompted to enter a Participant ID or enter the pound sign (#)
Enter #
Lastly, you will be asked to enter a password
Enter 002367
You have joined the meeting.
**Please note, the Zoom link, Meeting ID and password will change next week.
August 2, 2020
Dear Church,
Peace and grace to you all! I hope and pray that you are doing well this week.
This Sunday is the last Sunday that I will be preaching and leading worship. Dave will
return on August 9 and it will be my turn to “go on vacation,” whatever that means these
days.
Leading worship during a pandemic has been quite an adventure. Basically, we have
been doing things that we’ve never done before. Who would have thought that we
would go online via Zoom? That Regina would give us pre-recording music on the organ
for our hymns, and that we eventually would have live music thanks to Kevin, our
substitute organist? That Danny would serve as our “cantor” for hymn singing? And, of
course, that we would experience “technical difficulties” when my computer lost the Wi-
Fi signal last week! (That was almost too much of an adventure for me.)
But it is worth all the energy and anxiety and “I don’t knows” when we see each other
face to face, or “face to phone” for those of you who call in on Sundays.
I can’t help but think of our Christian ancestors who out of need worshipped in new and
different ways, too. Our earliest spiritual ancestors hid in catacombs for fear of the
Roman government. In the USA, when slavery was legal, our enslaved ancestors
worshipped in fields, away from the plantation house so they wouldn’t be heard. I was
friends with a Catholic woman who told me that her German family before and during
World War II opened their home to the priest so he could hold catechism classes. They
did this because the church had been forbidden by law to do so. And I remember
contemporary Chinese Christians and other Christians today who must go
“underground” during times of persecution.
My point is this: it doesn’t matter where or how we gather to worship. What matters is
that we do it, that we come together as a community to praise our God, to be
strengthened as followers of Jesus Christ, and to pray with the Holy Spirit.
And so, I thank you for walking with me through these last three weeks. As the hymn
goes, “surely the presence of the Lord is in this place” – even if “this place” happens to
be online.
Blessings!
Janet R. Stafford, assistant pastor
Computer link for this Zoom service**
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/986500515?pwd=aC80MTNPOXA2UUFnaTNJYjVaRmVVUT09
Passcode: 002367
Phone-in instructions**
If you are not internet connected, you may dial in to our Sunday service using a land line or any cell phone. You will be able to listen and participate in the service with audio. (Others, using their computers or smart phones will also have video.) **
At 9:45 AM Sunday:
Dial +1 (929) 436-286
You will be prompted to enter a Meeting ID followed by the pound sign (#)
Enter 986 500 515 and then #
You will be prompted to enter a Participant ID or enter the pound sign (#)
Enter #
Lastly, you will be asked to enter a password
Enter 002367
You have joined the meeting.
**Please note, the Zoom link, Meeting ID and password will change next week.
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WORSHIP SERVICE BULLETIN SPIRITLINES DEVOTIONAL FOR FAMILIES |
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THE JULY/AUGUST EDITION OF THE UPPER ROOM IS IN! Just visit the church parking lot. To the left of the door, you’ll see a large white container that looks like a cooler. Open it up. Next to our mac’n’cheese donations, you’ll see a smaller plastic box containing the Upper Room, both the original style and large print. Go ahead and take one or a few. They’re free. However, if you want to donate to support the purchase of the magazines you may add it to your Sunday offering. Please do not leave money in the box. Thanks! |
Our church's expenses continue even though the building in not open. Learn how to contribute. Click Here.
Looking for an Online 12-Step Group?
No groups are meeting at our building during the current crisis.
However, you may find online, phone, and other remote meetings at these links:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
No groups are meeting at our building during the current crisis.
However, you may find online, phone, and other remote meetings at these links:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Try Faith 5What would you give to improve communication and grow spiritually with your kids, spouse, or friends? How about 10-15 min. a day?
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