Messenger 10/24/24
23rd Sunday after Pentecost & 2nd Annual Pie Sing
For Sunday service, Susan Melvin will be serving as our Worship Leader and leading us through the Opening Prayer and the Call To Worship.
This week’s scripture reading will be Mark 10:46-52
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So, throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Thank you to all of you of the Garden Street United Methodist Church who contributed in many ways, to completing 700 postcards! We were both humbled and heartened to write postcards to voters in Ohio and Georgia, encouraging them to participate in this critical election. We are also grateful for those from our congregation who committed to writing letters to voters. The organization who coordinated this postcarding effort is recognized for its award-winning research which proves that postcards increase voter turnout up to 1.3%.
In the 2022 midterms, the organization’s postcards added 22,500 votes in key races across the nation. This impact is roughly equivalent to 45,000 hours of door-to-door canvassing! You were among the 296,000 generous volunteers across the country who helped write postcards this year.
We were especially excited about the group participation and the enthusiastic community that grew around this Garden Street United Methodist Church effort to “Turn Out the Vote”. God, we pray that you will provide each postcard recipient with your guiding wisdom as they decide and vote. May their votes make a difference!
A special thanks to this week’s Ushers, Buzz & Mary Ostlund.
To view the entire bulletin, click the link below.
Looking To Help Out?
We are currently looking for help for our Coffee Hour after Service.
Some of the ways you can help is by:
Assisting in the set up of coffee hour prior to worship starting
Bringing snacks, goodies, dessert to share
Assisting in clean up after coffee hour
The Coffee Hour is a great time for everyone to come together as a community and share their thoughts, ideas, and make a connection with other members at Church. To sign up or learn more, email Holly at office@gardenstreetumc.org or stop by the desk before/after service. You can also check out other volunteer opportunities such as Ushering and Flowers for Sanctuary.
Celebrating Advent
Advent begins December 1st. As usual, we have chosen a devotional guide: On the Way to Bethlehem by Rob Fuquay. This year, in addition to Christmas as our destination, we will pay attention to the places along the journey that led to that starry night when a Child was born who would change the world: Rome (a place of longing); Jerusalem (a place of waiting); Nazareth (a place of simplicity); Bethlehem (a place of humility); and Persia (a place of return).
In each, we will ponder our own milestones – the progress and potholes on the way and what we gain, which will be different for each person. God speaks to us where we are. Consider sharing this trip by joining a small group. Journeys are more impactful (and richer!) when we travel with others.
In addition to the groups already in place, we hope one of the following options will fit your schedule!
Sunday afternoon, before or after worship
Tuesday afternoon, 2:00 – 3:30 at the church
Virtual gathering online (Zoom), TBD
RSVP: To help us plan, please let Holly know your preference by responding on the back of the attendance slip during worship, in the chat for those of you who attend online, or by emailing her (office@gardenstreetumc.org). We will also have an “in-person” group gathering following worship on October 20th if you’d like to meet others who might be joining you.
You can also fill out the google form here to mark your preference.
Intergenerational Orchestra looking for members to join!
Come share music in worship on December 8th. All instruments and abilities are welcome. Music is easy/medium. No orchestra experience necessary.
Rehearsals will be:
Wed, Nov 20 at 5:00 - 6:00pm Strings and Bells
Wed, Dec 4: 5:00-6:00pm winds/percussion
Dress rehearsal Dec 7th at 10:00 a.m.
Directed by Sharon Camblin. Contact Dallas at dallas@gardenstreetumc.org to join or for more information and the music!!
Coming up next week we have:
No Choir on 10/27
Sunday (10/27)
2nd Annual Pie Sing starting at 3:30pm!
Wednesday (10/30)
Men’s Breakfast - 7:00 am at Avenue Bread on James St.
Generations of Pride - 5:00pm at Bellingham Senior Activity Center
Sunday (11/03)
Christian Book Club - 10:30 am via zoom - “Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths,” by Karen Armstrong. Email office@gardenstreetumc.org to join
Handbells - 11:15 am at 2401 Cornwall Ave
Sunday Worship - 2:30 pm at 2401 Cornwall Ave.
Further Down The Road:
Annual Charge Conference - November 10th @ 3:30pm
Prayers
Please Pray for:
For Sarah, one of the Coffee Hour helpers who is sick.
Healing and Peace for Karen.
For Ruth who is ill with a stubborn bronchial infection.
for Daniel's friends, that they may reunite on blue skies and have job opportunities safe from AI.
Can’t make it in person? View the live on YouTube!
