Find out what's happening in Sudburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Sudburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything.”
- Thomas Merton
Grace and Peace, Friends, in the Precious Name of Jesus Christ!
It is November, the season of the harvest, when we give thanks for the abundance of gifts we have been given by the earth, of which God has made us stewards. We give thanks.
During October, we focused our worship on celebrating the work of our church and the importance of Sudbury United Methodist Church in the surrounding communities. We concluded with the gift of our pledges for a new year of mission and ministry. We are so grateful for the commitments you have made to the longevity of the church and the immediate needs of the coming year. If you have not yet submitted a pledge card, please submit your pledge this week so we may prepare the 2024 budget. All that is required is a quick email to Mike Greb at Michael@sudbury-umc.org. You can do it right now!
The month of November begins with a shift in our days as we set our clocks back one hour. Mark your calendars for November 19 at 3:00 p.m. when Sudbury United Methodist Church will host the Sudbury Interfaith worship service for the second time since the beginning of the pandemic. Help us to give thanks as a richly diverse and grateful community.
Before we know it, Advent will be here! On December 3rd we will celebrate 200 years of Methodism in Sudbury by welcoming Bishop Peggy Johnson to preach, followed by a luncheon in Hawes Hall. On December 10th we will enjoy the Cantata written by our very own Kevin Murphy, featuring a vast array of musicians. On December 17th the children will present their much-anticipated pageant (it’s not too late to sign up to be in the Christmas Pageant!). Of course, December 24 is Christmas Eve, with three options for worship including 10:00 a.m. Advent service, 6:00 p.m. Family Service and 8:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols. On December 25, you are invited to join Pastor Leigh for Christmas morning breakfast at 10:00 a.m., as we share scriptures and memories from past Christmases.
Wondering what you will do on the Wednesday nights of Advent? This year there are only three, but we have soup suppers planned for each one. Invite a friend to one or all of the Advent soup suppers. Zack will be sharing his vast knowledge of pagan Christmas traditions on December 6. On December 12, Pastor Leigh will be recalling the history of some of our favorite carols. We will prepare for the longest night on December 20 with a Blue Christmas service at 7:00 p.m. following our soup dinner in the chapel.
We will draw the season and the month to a close on New Year’s Eve morning, December 31, with a service of carols, including Christmas Carol communion.
Please try to join us for as many services as you can during this blessed time. The gathered community is a gift.
One more thing…
If you are able, consider this unique way to give to the local food pantries. It’s called “Reverse Advent Calendar.” Here’s how…
Finding Sudbury UMC on SOCial media
Facebook Live and YouTube for Sunday Services!
Sudbury UMC services now can be viewed on Facebook Live each Sunday morning. And, starting on December 3, we will be on Sudbury UMC’s own YouTube channel. We hope these social media platforms will help us reach a larger audience. Please help us grow by utilizing these services. You can also connect with SUMC through (InstagramSUMC) and (TwitterSUMC).
LEARN
Greetings from the SUMC Youth!
There’s a lot to love about the month of November. We had our fourth annual Cardboard Box City, which raised hundreds for Family Promise Metrowest. For those who are tired of being hot, the weather finally cools down for good. There’s the community Thanksgiving service on the 19th, and of course, Thanksgiving day and the ultra-long weekend off of school. But the biggest celebration will, no doubt, be the return of Turkey Bowl!
Turkey Bowl! was a three-year tradition for the SUMC youth back in 2019 that, like many other things, got tragically put on hold by COVID, but it is finally back. On Sunday, November 26 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the youth will not meet at the church, but at the Bowladrome in Acton. After a couple of games, we’ll walk next door to eat at Bueno y Sano, a restaurant that has absolutely no turkey on its menu. Because of this, we call the event Turkey Bowl!, and we are very excited about the long-awaited renewal of this important holiday tradition.
If you are a youth or the parent of a youth and would like to know more about Turkey Bowl! (or anything else going on with the youth, much of which is included in the conveniently-placed calendar of events), contact Zack, who sends weekly updates about all things youth (zack.sumc@gmail.com)
Keep the Faith.
Magnific Moment
Where can you go after bringing your children to Kidbury? We have options! There are two adult education opportunities every Sunday. Our newest class, which meets in Davison Chapel, is called Exploring Topics for Adult Faith Formation. For the months of November and December, this class will be exploring the Bible, with discussions each week focused on questions you might have regarding the history, structure, and message of the Bible. Each week will address a new topic about the Bible, so please feel free to drop in and out of the class as your schedule permits.
The Morning Devotional Group is in its second year and meets in the O'Reilly Room. Each Sunday, the group opens in prayer, then uses a scripture passage or devotional reading to inspire spiritual reflection/discussion. The material is provided by individual volunteers from the group so that each week is a different experience.
Both classes are 9:15-9:45 a.m. If you'd like more information about our Christian Education/Formation programs, contact Caryl Walsh (CarylW@comcast.net) or Zack Moser (zack@sudbury-umc.org).
Kidbury UMC News
Kidbury UMC opens at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday morning with an object lesson and a variety of activities for children of all ages. The theme for November is “Are We There Yet?” because we’re learning about what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness after God freed them from slavery in Egypt, but that’s not all…
The Kidbury UMC Choir is back all November! We will rehearse each Sunday morning from 9:30-9:50 a.m., and it is all leading up to December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, when the children will join the adult choir in worship to sing the morning’s anthem and kick off this holy season of preparation for Christmas. We hope to have many voices singing with us to lead our congregation in worship and praise the Lord!
Spirituality Book Study Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World
The world’s a hot mess. Together we can clean it up. Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis lays out nine practices for breaking through “us” versus “them” using empathy and forgiveness. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, she outlines the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, and our communities.
Rev. Dr. Lewis is the senior minister at Manhattan’s Middle Church, which is co-affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America. She is a graduate of Princeton University and Drew University, and the creator of the MSNBC show Just Faith and the PBS show Faith and Justice. She has been featured in The Washington Post and The New York Times, and appeared on CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, and ABC.
The Spirituality Book Study Group will continue on Thursday evenings through November 16th, at 6:30 p.m. If you plan to attend, please contact John McKinney (John@McKinney.ws) or Karen Lubic (kglubic@gmail.com), so they can send you the Zoom link. Books are available on Amazon.
"Where the World Meets to Pray"
Free copies of The Upper Room may be found in an outdoor Lucite rack next to the O'Reilly Room entrance and in the narthex. Daily readings can also be found online by clicking: https://www.upperroom.org/.
Five minutes, fifteen, or thirty reading Scripture and sitting quietly in God’s presence will set the tone for the whole day.
CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS
Do You Have a Prayer Request for “Concerns and Celebrations”?
How can we pray for you? Share prayer requests at: https://www.facebook.com/SudburyUMC/ and send us a message by clicking on the blue “Send Message” button. Or email (sumc@sudbury-umc.org).
Ron Smith Memorial Fund
The Ron Smith Memorial Fund award is given each year to remember a beloved member of our congregation. Ron was a member for many years and contributed much to the music program with his very talented trumpet playing.
The Fund was established in 2019 after Ron's passing and is given annually
(1) to a young person to encourage and to help pursue their musical goals.
(2) It can also be awarded to cancer patients and loved one who provide care for them.
The Fund awards a monetary gift in May. Please see our Pastors or a member of the Worship and Music Commission for more information and to apply.
Embracing Fall Blessings: A Season of Fellowship, Learning, and Fun!
Dear Friends,
As the vibrant hues of autumn embrace our surroundings, I am excited to bring you an update on the events and activities during the fall. November promises to be a month filled with fellowship, spiritual growth, and joyful celebrations.
Saturday, November 18: First SUMC Christmas Pageant Saturday rehearsal. All children ages 3-22 welcome! Please consider participating! Older children might like to help rehearse younger children; there is a part for everyone, so if you like to sing (or not), like to speak (or not), like to make and move sets and props, or just be part of the shepherd and angel crowd, please email Kristin Murphy (kristinmurphytpt@gmail.com) for more information about registration for this joyful offering, which is presented during the 10:00 a.mm church service on 12/17.
Sunday, November 19: SUMC will host Sudbury’s Interfaith Service of Thanks this year. Come and join in this special service at 300 p.m. Please come and enjoy this traditional ecumenical service, with music led by our own choir!
Sunday, December 3: Our bishop, Peggy Johnson will be visiting SUMC to celebrate 200 years of Methodism in Sudbury. She will participate in the service, and then SUMC will host a luncheon for all following the service, to celebrate her visit and this milestone anniversary. Please consider signing up HERE to bring something to share! (Please input the admin password “1203” in the top right-hand corner, and scroll down to access the list of items needed. Thank you!
Sunday, December 10: Advent Cantata - presented during our 10:00 a.m. service by the choir.!
Sunday, December 17: SUMC’s Christmas Pageant - presented during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday, December 24: Join us in celebrating the birth of Christ at 10:00 a.m., 6;00 p.m. and/or 8:00 p.m.!
May the blessings of this beautiful season fill your hearts with joy, and may our unity and faith continue to shine brightly.
In His Grace,
Kristin Murphy
Council Chair
SEWING SEEDS FOR HOPE – Afghan Women Refugees Sew for Self-Sufficiency
Sewing Seeds for Hope is a locally organized group that helps Afghan women refugees contribute to the self-sufficiency of their families.
The women are from families of Afghan soldiers who fought alongside the US military against the Taliban. Since their husbands typically earn little more than minimum wage, the women strive to supplement their income. These moms have experienced life in conditions that are inconceivable to us, growing up under the repressive Taliban regime and raising families in a never-ending war zone.
Hand crafted items will be on sale November 19th after Worship in Hawes Hall. Your purchases are greatly appreciated and cash, Venmo and checks are all welcomed
Musical Notes
- Pageant Band
Greetings would be band members! The Christmas Pageant will take place during worship on Sunday, 17 December this year. It has been our custom to invite instrumentalists from the SUMC community to accompany the pageant. If you have an interest in playing with us, let us know by signing up here:
URL for strings: https://forms.gle/fwgFoEQTxwMd6Lk97
URL for winds, brass, percussion: https://forms.gle/b1tHTAoBadyeye2K6
We enjoy working with players of all skill levels, so if you have a concern about whether or not you can “keep up”, let us know and we’ll work it out! Hope to see and hear you at this joyful service.
- Cantata Sunday
On Sunday, December 10, 2023, during the proclamation block of service, SUMC musicians will present the Christmas Cantata of Kevin Murphy. This cantata sets passages from the Gospel of Luke in its five movements. The piece was premiered in 2009 here at SUMC, and we are looking forward to sharing it again with the church. It is not too late to join us if you are looking for a challenging choral work to undertake during the holiday season!
- A capella
Our a cappella singers were sidelined during the pandemic, and it has been four long years since we could gather again and sing in a small group. But it appears conditions have returned in which we can organize a “run” of four Wednesdays this coming January, beginning January 10, 2024.
We follow a cappella practice like that in high school, colleges and barbershop groups, using only our voices and mixing reading of notes with rote learning through repetition. We open every rehearsal with a potluck supper in Hawes at 6:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Come try it out! This is a perfect opportunity to get involved with group singing for the first time.
- Organ Crawl
On Sunday, November 26, 2024, immediately after the service postlude, Kevin will offer an “organ crawl”. The term crawl comes from the pipe organ community; when fans of the organ are invited to learn about how the instrument operates, there is sometime the ability to get up into the pipework and “crawl” in the organ chamber. Because of the configuration of the SUMC organ, a literal crawl is not possible; but we always have a good time learning about how the organ works. Everyone is welcome! Please come by and ask questions. The “crawl" takes about 20 minutes.
(rhammerton@charter.net) or (kevin@sudbury-umc.org)
Sunday Greeters Needed
The Church Growth Commission has resumed our custom of welcoming visitors and members to church each Sunday morning. Cindi Bockweg maintains the schedule of Sunday Greeters. She would appreciate hearing from you, if doing this is a way you want to contribute to our time together. Cindi’s email is (cindijb@hotmail.com). She looks forward to hearing from you!
Join the Flower Team!
Do you love flowers? Would you like to join the team that creates the beautiful arrangements on the altar each Sunday? Please contact Kerry Healy to let her know of your interest and she’ll be happy to fill you in about the process. Her email address is healyweeks@gmail.com.
Looking for Coffee Hosts
We need help!!! Coffee and Fellowship Hour has been back for over a year and is being enjoyed by many. Thank you to the few dedicated people who have been serving.
Sherry and Ernie are willing to train those who are willing to join the team. It is a fantastic way to get to know our congregation. Contact Sherry at (sstoneb@aol.com) to offer your help.
Coming to Church? Please Follow Safety Guidelines!
The windows in the sanctuary will remain open for the foreseeable future to improve air flow and enhance public safety. We’re trying to prevent the spread of viruses and COVID. Please be mindful of the outdoor temperature and dress accordingly. Mask wearing is optional; if you need a mask, the ushers have a supply on hand.
Did You Miss a Recent Service of Worship?
Were you away from worship recently? Do you want to recommend a sermon to a friend? We are grateful to Sudbury TV for posting recordings from recent Sunday services. Visit (www. YouTube.com/user/SudburyTV). Worship videos may also be seen online at (https://www.sudburytv.org/). Scroll down and click “Watch Now.” Newly recorded services appear by most Sunday evenings in a line-up of recent programs. Other recordings, going back several weeks, can also be seen and enjoyed. As mentioned above, you can also find the service on SUMC’s (Facebook) page!
GIVE
How to Donate Sunday Morning Altar Flowers
The Flower Team welcomes altar flower donations. To choose a date, visit a user-friendly website: Flower Sign-Up Genius. or email (Kerry Healy). Please use the comment section to note if your gift is intended to be in honor or in memory of someone special. And if you have specific flowers in mind, please share that information also in the comment section. Thanks.
Going Shopping? Pick-up Something for the Food Cart!
Donations to our church’s shopping cart may be left at the O’Reilly Room entrance Monday through Friday. The best canned items to donate include solid white tuna, fruits, and vegetables. Raisins in boxes, dried beans, condensed milk, rice pilaf, pancake mix, syrup, pasta and pasta sauce in jars, macaroni and cheese, instant coffee, laundry detergent, shampoo, soap, feminine care products, and wipes are also appreciated. Whenever you shop – or have groceries delivered to your home – please remember the food cart!
Sudbury United Methodist Church, 251 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
Phones: (978) 443-4351 or (978) 443-6785Fax: (978) 443-3052
Church Office: sumc@sudbury-umc.org Website: http://www. sudbury-umc.org
Church Staff
Pastor: The Rev. Leigh E. Goodrichpastorleigh@sudbury-umc.org
(Pastor Leigh observes Sabbath on Friday)
Youth & Children’s Ministries Director: Zachary Moser zack@sudbury-umc.org
(Zack observes Sabbath on Wednesday)
Organist/Music Director: Kevin Murphy, AAGOkevin@sudbury-umc.org
Sanctuary Choir Director: Rob Hammertonrob@sudbury-umc.org
Business Manager: Michael Grebmichael@sudbury-umc.org
Sunny Hill Director: Kathy Palmerdirector@sunnyhillpreschool.org
Office Manager: Shetal Kaye sumc@sudbury-umc.org
Sexton: Joe Picorellijoe@sudbury-umc.org
We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation
We are a Reconciling and Welcoming Congregation
