Traces of Grace
Thoughts from Pastor Scott
"God sets the lonely in families"
Psalm 68:6
Dear First Methodist family,
This Sunday we celebrate Mother's Day. As we do, I find myself thankful for several things:
- My mother and the legacy of faith she passed down to me.
- My wife, and the mother of my children, and the opportunity to partner with her in raising up our little men.
- And the family of God, through which I have been mothered by other women with whom I have no biological connection.
I recognize that on a day when many are celebrating, there are also many who are grieving for a variety of reasons. For every joyful celebration, there are at least that many hearts that are full of sorrow. Whether it is from the loss of a mother, the difficulty of infertility, the grief of losing a child, the pain of an abusive or absent mother, or something else; there is grief that many carry on Mother's Day in particular.
I think one of the beautiful realities of our Christian faith is not just that there is a legal justification that takes place, but that we are adopted into the family of God. That adoption reorganizes all of our relationships and gives us the opportunity to influence and be influenced by so many others.
I was speaking with someone from our congregation this week and she said, "I may not have grandchildren of my own right now, but there are children in our church family that I can invest in today." And I thought, "That's it. That's what we're called to." This is the privilege, and the responsibility, of all of us who have been brought into the family "from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name." (Eph. 3:15)
So whether you are celebrating this Mother's Day or grieving, or some combination of the two, you are in my prayers.
Grace & Peace,
-Pastor Scott
Current Sermon Series
Normally, when people think about dominos, they think about one domino knocking into the next which knocks into the next, etc., etc. But there's another domino effect, similar to the butterfly effect, that exists because one domino can knock over a second domino that is one-and-a-half times larger than the preceding domino. That means a 2-inch domino can knock over a 3-inch domino which can knock over a 4.5-inch domino, etc. At that rate of increase,
- Domino #23 is taller than the Eiffel Tower,
- #42 is taller than Mt. Everest,
- and #63 could reach to the moon!
The book of Colossians is full of spiritual truths that, when taken together cumulatively, are able to topple spiritual strongholds that loom large in the world. From Easter, through Ascension day, until Pentecost we are going to look at what it means for Jesus Christ to be at the core of who we are and all that we do.
May Fair Volunteers Needed
The Borough of Collingswood has reached out to FUMC looking for volunteers who are willing to serve on May 28th, from 6am-10am. They are in need of people to serve as Zone Captains (directing set up) and on the Set Up Crew. If you are able to help us serve our community, sign up on the events page or talk to Pastor Scott.
Rev. Dr. William B. Wilson is retiring!
We have all been blessed to journey with Pastor Wilson throughout his life of service and dedication. He has served the Lord faithfully for the past 45 years. Chews United Methodist Church has invited the churches Pastor Wilson has previously served to join them as they celebrate his ministry together. "THIS IS A SURPRISE"
Sunday, June 5, 2022 - 2:00-5:00PM
Haddonfield United Methodist Church
29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
PLEASE RESERVE BY MAY 27TH and specify name(s), address, phone number, the total of adults @ $20.00 each, the total number of children (5-12) @ $10.00 each, # of vegetarian adults and # of children under 5 (free).
Please contact Marie in the FUMC office if you are interested in registering for this event by phone (856) 858-1186 or email office@fumccollingswood.org. Thank you.
2022-2023 Scholarship Applications
Applications to apply for a small FUMC Scholarship are currently available online through the FUMC website or in the church office. All students who are currently attending a college or university and are a part of our church family are welcome to apply. The application deadline is Sunday, June 5th and applications can be sent via email (office@fumccollingswood.org), regular mail (201 Dayton Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108), or dropped off in the church office.
Recognizing our Graduates
On June 12th, we will be recognizing our graduates. If there is someone in your family that is graduating from 8th thru 12th grade or college and beyond, let us know on the connect card in the Sunday bulletin or by contacting the church office @ 856-858-1186 or office@fumccollingswood.org. Thank you.
Celebrating the Zook's Ministry
Save the Date! Also, on June 12th, there will be a celebration of the Faithful Ministry of Shawn, Nicole, and family; 10am service, lunch reception to follow.
Vacation Bible School
Mark your calendar for 9:30-11:30am on the following VBS days:
- Thursday, June 30
- Wednesday, July 13
- Wednesday, July 27
- Thursday, August 4
- Thursday, August 25
We're back on track this year to do a form of Vacation Bible School. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pat Gunning by email at pagunning@yahoo.com or note your interest on the Connect Card attached to the Sunday bulletin. Thank you.
Get to know Jeremy & Rebecca Andrade
Jeremy Andrade will officially begin his role as our new Assistant Pastor on July 1st, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait until then to get to know one another. Please feel free to email him at jeremy@fumccollingswood.org and introduce yourself. You could even include a photo so Jeremy and Rebecca can continue to put names and faces together. This will be a great help to them as they transition into their role as part of the First Methodist family.
Baby Bottle Benefit
Baby bottle collection will benefit Options for Women in Cherry Hill. The bottles will be given out on Mother's Day and collected on Father's Day. Since change is short and filled bottles are heavy,
you can place a check in an envelope and return it, or you can make an on line donation at optionsnj.org and go to donation options. Contact is Judy Boswell. Thank you!
Baby Shower for Expectant Mothers - Neighborhood Center
Please consider donating items for expectant mothers in our neighborhood with much needed items such as: diapers, diaper rash cream, blankets, bottles, sleep sacks, pacifiers, board books, baby bath care, baby bottles, baby wipes, infant toys, onesies, teething rings, burp and wash cloths, baby safety items, bibs, socks, nursing pads, receiving blankets and nursing covers. You can call or email val@ncicamden.com at The Neighborhood Center, 278 Kaighns Ave., Camden, NJ 08103 (856) 365-5295. Contact is Sharyn Bailey. Thank you!
"David" - Sight & Sound - May 10th
Well it's almost here! The bus trip for "David" at the Sight and Sound Theatre, on May 10th, will leave the church at 8am. Please be prompt. Thanks so much!
Semi Annual Chicken Barbecue - Soul Cafe
The Semi Annual Chicken Barbecue takes place on May 14th from 11am to sell-out. Preorders are encouraged. Platter includes 1/4 chicken and 2 sides (choice of Mac n Cheese, Green Beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad and Collard Greens. Payments can be made through Venmo(soulcafenj) or mail a check to the facility (please indicate how many platters and what sides). You can also donate a platter to the homeless. We have partnered with/2 local charities to deliver all donated platters to Camden and Gloucester City that weekend. Curbside pick-up AND limited outdoor seating available. We are located @ 300 Evesham, Magnolia (red brick building behind Royal Farms, just follow the smell of the BBQ! All proceeds go towards the ministries of Soul Cafe.
Upcoming Events
Our Traditional Sunday Morning Worship Service begins at 9am in our sanctuary. This service incorporates the great hymns of our faith, creeds, responsive readings, prayers, Scripture readings, and a sermon, among other things.
During the 9:00 hour, we also have Sunday school available for children, youth, and adults.
Access our Digital Bulletin - Online Giving -
Our Contemporary Sunday Morning Worship Service begins at 10:30am in our sanctuary. This service incorporates new and old songs, most often led on guitar, as well as Scripture readings, prayers, and other worship elements. Nursery is available during the 10:30 service for children birth-Kindergarten and all children are welcome in the worship service.
There is also an adult Sunday school class that meets in the parlor during the 10:30 time slot.
Our 10:30 service will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in-person. Anyone can access this livestream, but if you'd like to chat with others throughout the service, you must have a Faithlife account and become of member of our Faithlife Group. If you aren't already a member of our group, and would like to become one, please email the church office at office@fumccollingswood.org and we will reply with an invitation.
Here are all the links you'll need for the full Sunday Morning experience...
Join our Live Stream Service - https://www.faithlife.com/fumccollingswood/livestream
Access our Digital Bulletin - https://fumccollingswood.org/bulletins
Online Giving - https://fumccollingswood.org/giving
All of our past morning worship services can be viewed on our website by visiting https://fumccollingswood.org. You can also view the services on our YouTube Channel.
Verse of the Month
Praises!
We praise God and thank Him for all the prayers that have been answered throughout this challenging time and also:
- For all God is doing, even in the smallest of details!
- For our freedom to worship together in person.
- For members of our church family who have recovered from surgeries, treatments and illnesses.
Prayer Requests
-Mark 11:24
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
"Prayers in the Parlor" is a time to gather and pray over the requests of our congregation and happens every Monday through Thursday, beginning at 9:00am. Feel free to come and join us!
Please continue to pray for...our homebound members; our church members who are in need of spiritual, emotional and financial care; any families and relationships that have been strained during this time, our Troops and our Missionaries. The list is long, but God is BIG!
Please pray for the following:
- Pastor Scott & Meg - for the Lord's guidance & direction in all matters and decisions.
- The Zook Family as they look for a home and prepare for their new ministry.
- Gary and Kathy McGuarn - daughter Jenny DePaul - medical issues
- Kathy McGaurn - Medical issues
- Sherry Rappe - Medical tests
- Joyce Cluelow - Mom is sick with Covid
- Carol Harding - home from the hospital
- Merry MacGlaughlin's sister Dean - hospitalized with seizures
- Dotti Escuti's friend Peggy Imms & family - family is going through many serious issues
- Linda Adam's sister Lois - Medical issues
- Connie Cline's longtime friend has cancer/is steps from eternity and needs to get into a relationship with God.
- Joan Stecher's friends Denise Young and Danielle Catling
- Karen Kline and family in the passing of her son Craig
- The Berryhill's friend Melinda Johnson
- The Cluelow's friend Liz
- Mike Molloy's mother Lila & caregiver
- Dave Cahilly - health issues
- Kay Shannon - recovering from foot surgery
- Dave Hammond - recovering at home
- Ella Patterson's brother - seizures
- Dick, Peggy and Janel Esher
- Jaime Frost, daughter of Harry & Linda Rameriz - serious health issues
- Mary Emily Cameron - recovering from a broken bone in her neck
- Dick McCloy - permanent remission from 6 months of chemo treatments
- Mary Ann McCloy - double vision and extreme dizziness
- Gus Mondatsos - recovering from successful hip surgery
- Dave Schmid - Retired Missionary
- Our Missionaries
If you have any other prayer concerns or ways we can serve you please let us know. We desire to journey with you.
Remember, you are loved!
In His Grace,
The FUMC Staff
