http://hamiltonumc.org/news/ en-us Nucleus CMS v3.24 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://hamiltonumc.org/news//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://hamiltonumc.org/news/ http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=17 In addition, we will learn about God's Creation, Promises and Blessings and learn how we can be a blessing to others. We will also be reviewing the Lord's Prayer by doing a simple project to help remember the words and their meaning.
It promises to be a delicious, colorful, joyful year full of songs and praise.
]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=17 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:18:21 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=16 We have developed three goals that we believe will help in this effort: to offer a variety of worship experiences; to involve more people in spiritual formation (Sunday School, Bible study, short-term studies, retreats); and to make every decision in our church's life only after asking the question, "What what Jesus do?"
We would like to get your input on how you think we can accomplish these goals. This month we are particularly focusing on variety in worship experience. The bulletin board in the narthex is a place where you can let your voice be heard. The question is, "What would add to your worship experience?" There are index cards for you to write suggestions, comments, etc., and then place them on the board. Please be as specific as possible.
In coming months, we will provide other opportunities for you to give feedback. In order for real change to occur in our congregation, we need everyone to get involved in the process. Please be in prayer for our church and for our leaders as we seek to become all that God has created and intended us to be.]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=16 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:15:52 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=15 We are also looking ahead to All Saints' Sunday on November 2. This is the day when we remember all those who have died in the faith, particularly in the past year. If you would like to have the name of a loved one printed in the bulletin and read aloud during the service, please contact the church office.]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=15 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:11:19 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=14 Thanks, too, to those lending a hand to get the Thrift Shop set up and running again. It's looking spiffy ... and ready for your donations.
The shop schedule is in the works ... you may have already been called, and if not, you will be. If there's a special Saturday you'd prefer, give Beverly Coose a call, 978-468-5633.
The "Bag Ladies"]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=14 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:08:47 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=13 Parsonage:
a. New roof and gutters installed.
b. New windows: storm windows will be installed on the front bay window.
c. New exterior doors installed.
d. New fence on side of parsonage
e. New exterior electrical outlets installed
f. Trees and limbs removed.
g. Items to be done: new furnace and emergency key box to be installed by Fire Dept.
Church:
a. Electrical concerns with old circuit breakers, replaced.
b. Small plumbing problems
c. New insulated windows will be installed
d. We will be trimming the trees that are against the church on the driveway.
e. Voted to buy out the copier to save money for the church.
f. We will also be installing an emergency key box at the church.

Dave Cooper, Chairman of Trustees]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=13 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:06:50 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=2 Sometimes I wish I had a different nature, too. I want to love unconditionally, but sometimes it is hard to love. I want to do the right things, but sometimes I make the wrong decisions. I want to forgive those who hurt me, but the desire to hurt them in return springs so quickly to the surface. It is a constant struggle to be the kind of person God wants me to be. And I have a feeling I am not the only one who wrestles with myself on a daily basis to live up to the example set by Jesus.
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate ... I know that good does not live in me - that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it."
The only way to change this pattern is to adopt a new nature, a nature controlled by the Holy Spirit. Paul continued in his letter, "Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace."
Our Natural Church Development task force has put the challenge before us to return God to the center of our church's life. The only way for that to happen is for each one of us individually to make God the center of our lives, to put God first. That requires commitment, prayer, and perseverance, but the end result - life and peace - is worth the effort.
What can we do to make God the center of our lives, to put God first? Spend time reading and reflecting on the Bible. Go to God daily in prayer. Attend worship and some kind of spiritual formation group, like Sunday School or Bible Study. And practice the spiritual disciplines. Know that we are all in this together. When we put God first, everything else will fall into place.
Peace, Pastor Elisabeth
]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=2 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:40:00 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=9 The Discipline of Simplicity
"What Do You Really Need?" Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:10-13
October 12 - The Discipline of Submission
"Who's in Charge Here?" Mark 8:34; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
October 19 - Laity Sunday - Lay Leader Ed Wolkin to preach
The Discipline of Service John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11
October 26 - The Discipline of Solitude
"The Sound of Silence" Mark 6:30-32; 1 Kings 19:9-13
]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=9 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:14:00 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=8 Ongoing Concerns: Eleanor Anderson, Albert and Elizabeth Berryhill (alzheimers), Debbie Blackmon (cancer), Martha Bromley, Charlie Coose, Nick Dadonna, Janet Cramphorn Duarte (cancer), Martha Fenwick, Lois Finochhiaro, Alice Horne, Jenna Ingalls, Jim Leyendecker, Oakie Lockard, Amy McRae, Bessie Salem, Kristen Scaduto, Betty Sevigney (alzheimers), Della Smith, Marguerite Soderblom, Debbie Stevens (cancer), Bob Stinson, Mary Taylor, David Thompson, Bob and Mary Weagle
Military: Max Boucher, Dominic Galini, Ryan Jones, Michael Mozdziez, Adrian O'Neill, Keven Preston, Jake Ramsdell
Others: Hughes Amero, Mona Barry, Tanya Bonagura, Ginny Comaeu, Elinor Cramphorn, Ian Cramphorn, Scott Cramphorn, Richard Hinson, Debbie and Leann Lane, Stuart Merry, Margaret Nelson's granddaughter Nancy, Susan Scaduto, Kevin Small, Mary Stacy, Milton Tuff, Eleanor Washburn, Roger Washburn Karen Zagorski

]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=8 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:13:00 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=7 2 Debbie Cordeiro
3 Madison Rennie, Samantha Rennie, Marjorie Nelson
4 Pat Johnson
5 Laura Wood
6 Lisa Heitz
8 Oakie Lockard, Charlie Coose, Ian Hambelton
9 Bill Tyack, Harrison Lounsbury, Mimi Jean Lounsbury
10 Courtney Perkins
14 Jeff Walsh, Ashley Billington
15 Gerald Schrock
18 Tracey Heitz, Chris Schrock
19 Nancy Murdoch
21 Jennie Cronin, Dianne Pollard Mammola, Karen Tyner
22 Alberta Sheppard, Rebecca Moffat
28 Jennifer Campbell, Sandy Meade, Barbara Tobyne, Arthur Towne
30 Thomas Cooper, Stephen Gonsiorowski
31 Kelly Herlihy

October Anniversaries
7 Cindy & Tom Marquis
14 Claire & Neville Samson
15 Diane & Rich Stinson
20 Elaine & Bud Whipple
23 Sandy & Chuck Barton
27 Barbara & John Davis
28 Jean & Arthur Towne, Effie & Walter Andrews]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=7 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:09:00 -0400 http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=6 October 5 In memory of Belle, Robert & Dorothy Caverly
Given by Marguerite Sweeney
October 12 In memory of Wayne & Eva McRae
Given by Bob & Shirley McRae
October 19 In memory of Loved Ones
Given by Elaine & Bud Whipple
October 26 In memory of Jack Kirby and Anne J. Benson
Given by Carol Kirby

Ecumenical Choir Concert
The 44th annual Ecumenical Choir Concert will be held on Sunday, October 26 at 4:00 PM at Gordon College. This event includes choirs from all over New England and from all different denominations. The theme of this year's program is "Spirit of God, Be Our Song." Those who want to attend could plan to go to supper together after the concert at a restaurant to be determined by the group.

Spiritual Formation Opportunities
Our Wednesday morning Bible study group is continuing its discussion of James W. Moore's, "Attitude is Your Paintbrush." We meet at 9:30 AM and anyone is welcome to join us.
Our Wednesday evening Bible study group is reading the book, "Seizing the Moments: Making the Most of Life's Opportunities" by James W. Moore. We meet at 6:00 PM and would love to have new members.
The Disciple Bible Study is continuing with the New Testament on Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM.
Our adult Sunday School class is using the Adult Bible Studies series, which is covering the formation of the early church. We meet at 9:00 AM.
]]> General http://hamiltonumc.org/news/index.php?itemid=6 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:03:00 -0400