Meadowlark

D E C E M B E R, 2016

The official newsletter of Middletown United Methodist Church

Middletown United Methodist Church, 924 Middletown ‐Lincroft Road, Middletown, NJ 07748

Of ice: (732) 671 ‐0707 * Parsonage: (732) 671 ‐0489

Pastor Derrick L. Doherty * Email : derrick@middletownumcnj .org

Jeanne Turro, Church Of ice * Email : jeanne@middletownumcnj .org

H T I

2 The Pastor’s Message 3 Christmas From The Backside 4 Did You Know…??? 5 Save The Dates! 6 Learning Path Preschool Update 7 Advent Worhip 8 Announcements/Prayer Concerns

WorshipServices&InternetResources 

ContemporaryWorshipService  ‐  9:00am 

SundaySchool  ‐  9:15am 

TraditionalWorshipService  ‐  10:30am 

ChurchWebSite  ‐  www.middletownumcnj.org 

ChurchFacebookPage  ‐  www.facebook.com/mumcnj 

 

 

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The Pastor’s Message

   

Hello Friends,

On the morning of, Wednesday, November 9, 2016, the morning after the General Election, I posted the following message on my personal Facebook page:

This morning I woke up to curse words, praises to God, pics of people crying and of people celebrating uncontrollably on FB, and this is all before I turned on the news. What is up with that? Friends, the sky is not falling, and Manna is not falling from DC. The election is over. We are all Americans. Through “our process” the “people” have spoken. If you want to get truly excited about something: --go hug your child --go help someone less fortunate than you --ask me and I will gladly share with you about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords --if none of that works for you, go look at the sky . . . the same moon and sun have been rising and falling for a very long time and will continue to do so. Peace and God's blessings, friends. Time to play nicely in the sandbox.

We are entering the Christmas season, one of the holiest seasons of the Christian calendar. As followers of Jesus, we have so much to celebrate throughout the Advent and Christmas season. God, the Creator of all things, has come and made dwelling with us (John 1.14). Immanuel, God with us, was born on Christmas Day and is still with us today in a very special way.

Yes, our nation is entering into “new times” about which many feel uncertain and for good reasons.

That does not change the fact that God is still God. He is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.” (Romans 14.11) The bent knees will include Democrats, Independents, Undecideds, Republicans, and any other political group that exists. God is God, and we are not. Breathe in the Spirit of God, and start to pray for our nation and its leaders. Then prepare yourself for the celebration of the birth of Jesus--an event, celebrated far more than the General Election; an event, which has changed more lives than any other event in history. Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Rev. Derrick L. Doherty, Pastor Middletown United Methodist Church

Needed ASAP!

AV Operators for Both Services:

No experience necessary, as training will be provided. The goal is to have a rotating volunteer schedule. Please speak with Joyce or Warren Johnson.

Still Looking For A Family Promise Meal Coordinator

Needed: Someone willing to oversee the menu planning and stock our kitchen with milk, fruit, bread, lunch meats, etc., for the Family Promise guests when they stay at our church. Several people have expressed willingness to do the shopping, but we need someone willing to be the coordinator. The expense for the shopping can be reimbursed or can be documented as your contribution to the church. More information as well as “training” will be provided by Joyce Johnson, Maria Welch or Dianne Thompson.

 

 

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In Our Church Ministries…    

Thank you to all who came out to the Fall Cleanup Day! Walls were painted, windows washed, mulch spread, bulbs planted, screens cleaned, ceiling tiles replaced, vents

winterized and much, much more. Thanks for the record turnout and for your service to our church. --The Trustee Committee

The Women’s Retreat is in the beginning stages of planning but we need to know if you’re coming. The weekend is planned for March 3rd, 4th and 5th of 2017 and will be held at Grove Hall in Ocean Grove as always. We will need a $50.00 deposit when you sign up. Check should be made to MUMC and handed to me, Carolyn Hooper. If you have questions about the weekend, please don’t hesitate to ask me or anyone who has attended in the past.

In preparation for Christmas, Pastor Derrick is leading a Bible Study on Tuesdays (11am and 7.30pm). Our study is entitled “Christmas from the Backside” based off the book by the same title written by Rev. Dr. J Ellsworth Kalas. A book, containing the study guide, can be purchased for only $12. Please let the church office

know if you plan on attending and if you would like a copy of the book.

We need your help! The Annual Church Family Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 4th. The evening will begin at 5:00 when we will decorate our church for the Christmas season. Once we have finished you will be able to sit and enjoy some pizza and wonderful fellowship with your church family.

We are asking everyone attending to bring your favorite dessert to share with the families attending. We had great attendance last year and completed the decorating in about 1 hour with all the hands helping. We hope you will join us for this festive evening. We have to know how many will be coming so be sure to sign the sheet to so are able to order enough pizza!

Holy Lands Bible Study Wednesdays, 7:30pm

In conjunction with the Holy Land Pilgrimage, Pastor Derrick will be coordinating a Bible Study that will travel through the Lands of the bible for 7 weeks. We will be gathering on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm on the following dates: 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, & 1/25. This study is open to everyone connected to Middletown UMC. You do not have to be participating in the Holy Land Pilgrimage to attend this study. Study Guides will be provided for free. Please let the church office know if you plan on attending.

Order Your Christmas Poinsettias!

Order forms for Christmas poinsettias are available now in the Narthex. As we did last year you have the opportunity to order and have your poinsettias delivered early, Sunday, December 4th. But also know we will be decorating our sanctuary with poinsettias ordered. The very last day orders can be accepted is Sunday, December 4th. Any questions, please contact Carolyn Hooper.

 

 

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Did You Know…???    

“Can you imagine a job description any better than one that asks you to talk to people about God? It is just the most awesome part of what I do, “says our Pastor Derrick Doherty. His enthusiasm for his calling began at the early age of 5 years old when he told his grandmother not to worry if the pastor was ever sick, because he could fill in for him. Although Derrick at times wrestled with the call, by the time he was in middle school he had accepted Christ as his Saviour and knew the path he was on to become a Methodist minister was the right one.

Our pastor grew up in Forked River, Southern Ocean County. Although there are some Lutheran influences in the family, his parents raised him and his brother and two sisters in the Methodist church. While growing up, he had a strong interest in the teachings of our religion and spent time exploring the tenants of the church through reading and conversing with friends and religious leaders.

By the time Derrick was ready for college he knew he wanted get a good foundation in the study of the Bible. He chose Cedarville University, which he described as, “a non-denominational Baptist school” in Ohio, which had the curriculum he felt he needed. At the same time, guess who had chosen to enter Cedarville University’s teaching program . . .yes, it was Kerri. Derrick and Kerri met the first week of class and they each immediately decided they would never date the other. Luckily, after sharing the same group of friends and being in each other’s company for two years, they began dating in their Junior year. They married on Dec. 15, 2001 and over the years have had two beautiful daughters, Summer and Molly.

Pastor Derrick came to Middletown United Methodist Church in 2012 after serving in Neptune City and Waretown. Our Staff Parish Relations Committee, which met with him, helped him decide to come to our church when they told him they were open to new ideas on how to build our church. He was surprised and excited that our parish was so ready for something new. The congregation has enjoyed many innovative changes from video screens to emailed weekly newsletters. The church has become much more involved with the community, especially through Pastor’s work as Middletown’s Fire Department’s Chaplin.

Being a firefighter has been part of Derrick’s life even longer than being a pastor has been. He answered a poster plea for volunteers to help the fire fighters when he was in college and has held that interest all through his career. His enthusiasm for the work of first responders even guided his time while on Sabbatical to explore the path that his doctorate would take. He decided his doctoral thesis would be concerned with faith in the life of the first responder after witnessing first-hand the effects of emergency situations on fire fighters, police and medics. He is very concerned that a greater percentage of first responders suffer Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) than did our Vietnam Veterans. “Now I have a topic, but there are many more decisions to be made regarding the pursuit of

my doctorate, and every answer brings new questions,” said Pastor Derrick.

Some philosophical questions answered by Pastor Derrick may be ones his parishioners have such as why he never uses a pronoun when referring to God or the Holy Spirit. For example, he will say, “God asked and then God replied,” rather than, “God asked and He replied.” Derrick has found that some people have had unhealthy experiences with fathers and men and there may be a transference. Referring to God is very personal and should be

 

 

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In Our Church Family…    

beyond gender roles. Another was regarding how we should think of the Holy Spirit. Derrick’s answer was that the Holy Spirit is in us; the Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and dwells in us. When questioned as to why we celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday and not Saturday as the Jews do, Derrick relied that Jesus rose on Sunday and so every Sunday is celebrated as a mini Easter. When questioned regarding life after death Pastor Derrick sees it as being in the presence of God, so wonderful, all questions answered as in Revelation Chapter 20.

When dealing with questions directly regarding Methodism and why we can’t profit from games of chance he explained that our church stands with those addicted to things such as drugs, gambolling and tobacco. We try to give them support in ridding themselves of those addictions.

In closing our interview, Pastor Derrick reiterated his hope that all parishioners would meet with him any way they are comfortable. He loves to meet in an informal setting, have open discussions and share in fellowship.

LPP Bible Story Readers

Do you enjoy reading? How about reading Bible-based stories to our children, watching their eager eyes and learning minds absorb your words? Reading to children is a very rewarding experience and vital to their learning process. Experience it for yourself … give us one hour of your time on Tuesdays. The children would need you only 5-6 times during the school year. You can make a difference in their lives! For more information or to sign up as a reader, please contact Nanci Illingworth at nanci210@verizon.net or 732-671-8382.

2017 Stewardship Update!

Our Stewardship Campaign focused on gratitude. We thank the 38 families (as of Nov. 20) who have shown their gratitude to God by making a financial commitment to MUMC for the coming year. We hope to have 100 families make commitments — and there is still time for you to do so! Cards are available at church, or you can call (732.706.8039) or email (webmaster@middletownumcnj.org) Mel Hooper and he will prepare one for you. While all gifts to our church are very much appreciated,

commitment cards are vital for planning the church budget, since those gifts are “committed.”

Please remember the other ways to show gratitude to God that you promised to do when you became a church member — by your prayers for our church and church family, by your presence at worship and other activities, by your gifts of TIME and TALENT (see the back of your card) in the choir, church clean-ups, etc., and by your witness to others of the saving grace of our Lord and Savior!

Dianne Thompson for the Stewardship Committee

11/22/2016

Sunday, December 4, 2016 Church Family Christmas & Decorating 5:00 - 7:00pm

Thursday, December 8, 2016 Bishop’s Day on the Central Region Aldersgate UMC, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 - 7:00pm. See article on Page 8.

Sunday, December 18, 2016 - 7:00pm Blue Christmas Worship Service

Saturday, December 24, 2016 Christmas Eve Worship Services 5:00pm and 11:00pm

Sunday, December 25, 2016 Christmas Day Worship (In your pajamas!) Combined Worship Service, 10:00am

Sunday, January 1, 2017 - New Year’s Day A New Year In Christ Combined Worship Service, 10:00am

Saturday, January 21, 2017 - 10:00am Learning Path Preschool Open House See article on Page 6.

Friday-Sunday, January 27-29, 2017 2017 Midwinter Advance Youth Retreat Watch for more information

January 31, 2017 - Ten Days Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands

(Continued on Page 8.)

 

 

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Learning Path Preschool Open House

Our preschool is planning an Open House for Saturday, January 21st, and again on Tuesday, January 24th, 2017. The Open House will run from 10:00am-12:00pm. Please join us for a tour of our school and a chance to meet the staff. For more information please contact the Director, Liz Hill, at: liz@mdomiddletown.org or call 732-671-7028.

Nanci Illingworth

10/24/2016

Learning Path Preschool Thankfulness Tree: Following the MUMC Path of Gratitude Miss Sandy came in to our classrooms and related a Bible story on the importance of thanking God.

We followed with a lesson on gratitude and practiced situations where we say, "Thank You!" We recorded the children's responses on leaves and hung them on our tree in the hallway. Please stop by and have a look.

Our Thanksgiving Feast...God is Great, God is Good. Let us thank Him for our food and...for Thanksgiving. Amen!

 

 

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In Our Church Community…    

Sunday, November 27th   1st Sunday of Advent    9 & 10.30AM      Luke 2.8‐20                                         Jesus Reconciles                             5:00PM        Advent Wreath Workshop  

Sunday, December 4th   2nd Sunday of Advent   9 & 10.30AM      Luke 4.16‐19                                         Jesus Sets Us Free                             5:00PM        Church Family Christmas  

Sunday, December 11th   3rd Sunday of Advent    9 & 10.30AM      Ma hew 1.18‐25                                         Jesus is God with Us  

Sunday, December 18th   4th Sunday of Advent    9 & 10.30AM      Ezekiel 37.1‐14                                         Jesus Brings New Life                             7:00PM        Blue Christmas  

Saturday, December 24th  Christmas Eve        5PM & 11PM      Gala ans 4.4                                         Jesus Changes Everything  

Sunday, December 25th  Christmas Day       10:00AM        Luke 2.1‐7                                         Christmas In Pajamas  

Sunday, January 1st    New Year’s Day      10:00AM        2nd Corinthians 5.16‐21                                         A New Year In Christ 

 

 

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In Our Church Family…    

Saturday, February 25, 2017 - 5:00pm Annual Chili Cook-Off Watch for more information

Friday-Sunday, March 3-5, 2017 Women’s Retreat, Ocean Grove, NJ See article on Page 3.

Saturday, March 25, 2017 - 9:00am MUMC Annual Rummage Sale Watch for more information

Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 11:00am Easter Egg Hunt Watch for more information

Sunday, April 16, 2017 - 9 & 10:30am Easter Sunday Worship Watch for more information

Bishop’s Day Coming Up! Thursday, December 8, 2016

Open invitation for all members to join in celebrating the Bishop’s Day on the Central Region. The Event will begin at 7pm at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 568 Ryders Lane in E. Brunswick.

We are hoping that a group of at least 3-5 people will attend and represent MUMC. Here’s an opportunity for you to connect, share, and meet with Bishop Schol and others in our Conference district. Please let Pastor Derrick or the church office know if you are able to attend. Thank you!

Middletown UMC Prayer List As of November 30, 2016

Healing Connie, cancer, (Barbara Lombardi) Wayne and Lynn, kidney transplant, (Barbara Lombardi) Kyleigh Noble, healing from surgery, (Kathy Glandt)

Audrey Henne, (Kathy Glandt) Roslyn Majewski, ovarian cancer, (Linda Patterson)

Blanche, heart problems, anonymous

Joan Andersen, loss of loved one, (Eleanor Collier)

In Hospital or Rehab Joe Zita, heart surgery, (Carolyn Hooper)

Connie, meningitis, (Barbara Lombardi)

Ed Errickson, tests, (Carolyn Hooper)

Cancer & Other Diseases Genovese family, son, end stage cancer, (Linda Patterson)

Xiomara Pena, recurring cancer, (Nancy Wagner)

Carol Kelly, breast cancer, (Kathy Glandt)

Art, Alzheimers, (Barbara Meyer) Rosemarie's husband, major stroke, (Linda Bardell)

Dealing with Loss Great Aunt Rose Smith, passing, (Amy Jengo)

Family of Agnes Cahill, passing, (Linda Patterson)

Student's mother , passing, (Linda Bardell)

Strength and Courage Annette Zelinsky, eyes (Carolyn Hooper)

Carolyn's friend, hysterectomy, (Carolyn Hooper) Friend Rosemarie, husband had stroke, (Linda Bardell)

Kathy Noble, upcoming surgery, (Kathy Glandt)