Traces of Grace
Thoughts from Pastor Scott
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
Psalm 77:1-2
One of the criticism regularly leveled against contemporary worship is that it uses first person pronouns too much; too many "I"s and "Me"s. Or that there is too much focus on us and not enough on God. To this, one of my seminary professors would respond, "Well, if you think that's bad, don't read the Psalms." At which point the conversation would usually shift to another topic.
And of course, not all Psalms sound like this just like all contemporary worship songs don't sound like this and not all hymns sound like this. But in their diversity of themes and emotions, they reflect the diversity of experience we face in this thing called life. But the seed of the gospel has to be planted in the soil of each generation and that is going to result in different styles of worship music, just as it should result in fresh ways of expressing the timeless truth of Scripture to address the needs of each context.
As long as we keep the revealed Word of God, both the person of Jesus and the Holy Scriptures, as the foundation of our thinking, acting, and loving, then it is okay for the expressions of those truths to look different than it did 10, 50, 100, or even 1,000 years ago. Some people enjoy singing hymns with an organ. Others enjoy modern songs on guitar or piano. Still others think we should sing everything "acapella," because the New Testament doesn't mention instruments.
The point is, times change, but God doesn't. We worship the God who has revealed Himself to us in Jesus, through Scripture, and by His Holy Spirit. So, "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:19)
Grace & Peace,
-Pastor Scott
Music is a big part of life. And not just playing music or singing, I mean the music that we listen to and which becomes the soundtrack to our lives. Somehow, maybe because our rhythm of life changes, or because we take more road trips or day trips, but somehow, summer in particular seem to be marked by certain songs. Maybe that's true for you too.
This summer, from July 1 through September 4, our sermon series will be "The Songs of Summer: A study in the Psalms." In this series we'll be look at a selection of Psalms, which were the songs and poetry of the people of Israel. We're going to look at how these Psalms arose from the experience of the Israelites, how they shaped their faith, and how they express things that are common to all of us.
You can read through Psalms along with us this summer here.
Summer Schedule:
9:00am Sunday School (GSC will be back in September)
10:00am Combined Worship Service
Check out our conversation with Will about his sermon, "Who is Your Shepherd?"
Early in July we launched our new First Methodist podcast, "Beyond the Sermon." This will be a new avenue for us to not only distribute our sermons, but also to engage in conversations about what we're learning related to those sermons. Our hope is that this podcast will be an opportunity for you to connect with what God is doing in our church and to give you a glimpse of the conversations that happen behind the curtain.
You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on:
We would really love for you to be a part of this conversation, so email your questions to scott@fumccollingswood.org or jeremy@fumccollingswood.org. We'll do our absolute best to answer those questions or, if we can't answer it, we'll at least have a conversation about it.
Kids Church is happening!
Kids from 1st-5th grades will be dismissed from the worship service prior to the sermon to participate in Kid's Church. This program will take place in the Great Room.
Vacation Bible School is here!
Mark your calendar for the remaining Vacation Bible School day: Thursday August 25th. The theme is “Heroes of the Faith.” You may enter the side entrance on Dayton Avenue. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Caring Ministry - Stuffed Animals
Please feel free to take one of the stuffed animals in the Narthex (back of church) to give to anyone who is sick or needs some
T.L.C.. They have been prayed over and tagged by the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
For the summer, all of our Sunday school classes will meet at 9:00am. Kids, youth, young adults, God's Special Children (9:15am), an adult discussion class, and an adult Bible study class.
Hymns, Worship Songs, Creeds, Prayers, a Sermon; a truly blended service. Communion will continue to be served on the first Sunday of each month. Kids will be dismissed for 'Kids Church' before the sermon.
Our combined 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.
Karen Alexander's Mom's passing
August 2, 2022 Carol Jean Mawby went home to be with her Lord. We will miss her immensely.
Her love of Jesus, music, singing, people, animals, and so much more continues while she is with the Lord.
Please join the family to celebrate her life and legacy. We want to honor Carol with memories and blessings she shared with you, colorful attire, and a cheerful spirit. Come to rejoice with us.
Arrangements are as follows:
*Saturday, August 6, 2022, 6 - 8 PM: Viewing & Family Visitation at Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ
*Sunday, August 7, 2022,11 AM - 1 PM: Viewing & Family Visitation at Embury United Methodist Church, 49 Church St, Little Silver, NJ
*Sunday, August 7, 2022, 1:30 PM Celebration of Life at Embury United Methodist Church, 49 Church St, Little Silver, NJ
*Internment to Follow: Evergreen Cemetary (adjacent to Embury)
*Repast TBD
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.
- Pastor Jeremy & Rebecca as they begin serving at FUMC.
- The Zook Family as they transition into their new home and ministry.
- Linda Adam's sister Lois - recovery from surgery
- John Adeboye - needs room to rent in Collingswood
- Bob Alber- recovering from recent hospitalization and Barb Alber is recovering from recent surgery - missionary
- Karen Alexander (& family) - in the passing of her Mom, Carol
- The Berryhill's friend Melinda Johnson diagnosed with brain cancer
- Kathy & Phil Boswell (Phil - recovery from surgery) health problems & medical concerns
- Dave Cahilly - health issues
- Mary Emily Cameron - recovering from a broken bone in her neck
- Connie Cline's longtime friend has cancer/is steps from eternity and needs to get into a relationship with God.
- Joyce Cluelow - Mom is sick with Covid
- The Cluelow's friend Liz for keeping the house & new job
- Shauna Coffey - ongoing medical tests and medical issues
- Jim Craig - broken collarbone and Parkinson complications
- Susan Dallegro - friend Jennifer sick on ventilator and her mother Maryann
- The Edwards Family
- Harry Ellis - Blood Pressure
- The Imm's Family, friends of Dotti Escuti
- Dick, Peggy and Janel Esher
- Maria Gianfrancesco - continued recovery from knee surgery
- Dave Hammond - for continued recovery
- Carol Harding - home from the hospital
- James Jungclaus (& family) in the passing of his wife Donna
- Karen Kline and family in the passing of her son Craig
- Brent MacGlaughlin - health issues
- Dick McCloy - permanent remission from 6 months of chemo treatments
- Mary Ann McCloy - shortness of breath and autoimmune condition Myasthenia Gravis which has caused eye lid drooping
- David & Katie McDevitt's son
- Kathy McGuarn's son Greg's wedding on 8/19 and daughter Jenny DePaul's upcoming surgery September 12th
- Dawn Molly's lifelong friend Ellen - recovery from a serious long surgery - long road ahead.
- Gus Mondatsos - second hip surgery July 7th
- Ella Patterson's brother - seizures
- Jaime Frost, daughter of Harry & Linda Rameriz - serious health issues
- Rameriz's - move to South Carolina
- Sherry Rappe - Medical tests
- Sherry Rappe - prayers for the Poljenka family in the loss of their mother - (Sherry Rappe's daughter's mother-in-law)
- Dave Schmid - Retired missionary
- Kay Shannon's husband's cousin Lynne - in the hospital with cancer and pneumonia
- Joan Stecher's friends Denise Young and Danielle Catling
- Michael Zee
- 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
