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Pastoral Reflection

Minnie Haskins wrote a poem entitled, "God Knows:”

"I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, 'Give me a light

that I may tread safely into the unknown,' and he replied, 'Go out into

the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be

better than light, and safer than a known way.'"

As we begin a new year, the poem speaks to our situation of not knowing what lies

ahead. For some of us, we are entering 2018 with some anxiety because of a health issue, a

family matter, personal finances, or the political scene. Whatever has us anxious, let us place

our hand in the hand of the One whose love is steadfast and whose mercy knows no bounds.

Though we may not know the future, we do know who holds the future. That should give us hope

as we move forward knowing God is by our side empowering us with the faith and fortitude to

meet whatever challenges lie ahead.

As the psalmist reminds us, God doesn't promise to protect us from life's adversities,

but God does promise God's unending support and that is all that we truly need.

May God's blessings be with you as we move into an unknown future knowing we go not

alone.

Blessings on the journey,

Steve

THE CHURCH MOUSE January 2018

961 Valley St. Manchester, NH 03103 603-622-8863

www.fumcmanchester.org

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A New Year’s Resolution: New Life!

First United Methodist Church

961 Valley St., Manchester NH

5:30-8:00 PM on January 19, 2018

Based on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16

Join us for an evening of fun for the entire family. “Messy Church” will be full of activities, music, crafts, dinner and worship. It is a FREE event for

children and adults of all ages. For more information, contact John Young (Family Ministry Coordinator) or the Church Office at 622-8863 or email

office@fumcmanchester.

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Poinsettia Dedications December 2016

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Donald Still, Mr. & Mrs. Camille Chevalier & Jennifer Roy. & In celebration of Austin Joseph True Given by Chevalier & True Families In memory of Lillian White & Brian White, Given by Coleen Coffey In memory if Catherine King Given by Bill Tate In memory of Harold & Mary Puchacz Given by her nephew In memory of Laura Knowles

In memory of Dot & Dick Gilmore Given by Dan & Pam Brisson In memory of Harry & Julia Novosad & Charles & Mary Chagaris Given by Pam & Dan Brisson In memory of Art Johnson & Charles Puccio Given by Chris & Cindi Chagaris In memory of Donald & Peggy Dunbar Given by their nephew In memory of my husband Jim King, mother Betty White & brother Kenneth Coffey Given by Karen King

Given by their Son In memory of our parents and Alex Given Pastor Steve & Sandy In memory of Betty Byrd Given by Dotty & Anita In memory of Scott Carreau & all our family that has gone to be with God. Given by Susie & Donald Carreau In memory of loved ones. Given by the Chalbecks

In memory of Gordon Thorpe Sr & Albert and Vivian Giguere Given by Rick & Debbie Thorpe In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Norbert Viau & Mr. & Mrs. Hector Levesque & in celebration of the birth of Cole Levesque Given by Auntie Michele In celebration of our twin grandsons, Connor & Camden & Amy, Mike & Colleen! Given by Richard & Karen Cassidy In memory of Carolyn Freese Given by the Sunshine Group

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Sunday, December 17th

“What’s So Special?”

Christmas Pageant at First UMC!

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Messy Church December – “Christingle”

Many thanks to all who made “Messy Church-Christingle” such a special time of song, fellowship, food, joy & the light of Christ! We hope to see everyone in January for “Messy Church-New Life!”

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To all who planned, organized, cooked, prepared, served &

cleaned for First UMC’s Annual Christmas Dinner!

To Activa-Tree’s Secret Angel!

To Coleen, Harold, & Karen for painting the cabinet at the preschool~it’s beautiful!

To Rick Thorpe for fixing the heat in the sanctuary!

&

To all who serve others within the ministries of First United Methodist Church!

Coming February 11,2018 DISCIPLE Fast Track The New Testament

Sunday evenings at 6pm on the stage with Karen Cassidy All are invited!

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A Special Invitation

Activa-Tree Christian Preschool is looking for volunteers who would like to read a story to the

children, share a song, tell a story, or work on an arts & crafts project. To RSVP please call Ms.

Michele at

603.622.6654

Activa-Tree Christian Preschool

December Preschool News

December was an exciting time at the preschool! A Christmas angel left gifts of arts & crafts and games and so much more! The children had fun opening the special gifts and playing with them. We also made our special “Christmas Mix” which was shared with families and friends!

Blessings in the New Year from

Ms. Michele & Ms. Christine

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Activa-Tree Christian Preschool

962 Valley St.

Manchester NH

Are you or someone you know looking for a developmental, Christian preschool that has plenty of socialization, play, learning and the love of Jesus rolled into one?

Activa-Tree Christian Preschool is now accepting new friends. We take children that are toilet trained and of the ages of 3, 4, and 5. We have both full and part time openings. Our hours of operation are 8:00-12: 00 or 8:00-3:00/3:30. We have a flexible program and can open at 7:30 and stay later if need be for an additional fee.

Our rates are very reasonable. We have scholarships for families in need of assistance. Please call to speak to Michele Levesque, Preschool Director, at 622-6654, or Karen Cassidy at the First United Methodist Church at 622-8863. Check us out on Facebook!!!

Activa-Tree Christian Preschool is a ministry of First United Methodist Church

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FIRST UMC MINISTRIESActiva-Tree Christian Preschool Director: Michele Levesque – 622.6654 Email: activatree@fumcmanchester.org Food Pantry/Clothing Ministry/Parish Nurse Coordinator: Scott Camire Open every Tuesday – 9am to 11:30am Contact Church Office – 622.8863 Breakfast with Jesus! Every Saturday morning @ 6:30am Contact Wade Ewing, Pastor Steve 622.8863 Visiting Team If you know someone in need of visitation, a card, call, etc. contact the Church Office – 622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.org Prayer Chain In need of prayer? Contact Pastor Steve or Karen Cassidy Church Office 622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.org Sunshine Group Coordinator: Dotty P. 624.4483 or contact the Church Office@622.8863

Choir Director: Rev. Dr. Joe Borden Meets every Wednesday evening @ 7pm All are welcomed! Adult Sacred Dance Director: Deb Frederick Rehearses every Thursday evening @7pm All are welcomed! Mission Team For more information contact Betty Mitcheltree or Phyllis Bartlett at the Church Office@ 622-8863 Media Ministry Coordinator: Carl Chalbeck For more information contact the Church Office @622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.org Sunday School Coordinator – Stephanie Chalbeck Sunday School for all ages – preschool through adult. Every Sunday – 9am Family Ministry Program Coordinator: John Young For more information contact the Church Office@622.8863 or office@fumcmanchester.

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January 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

2 Food Pantry/Clothing – 9am -11:30am

3 Choir – 6:30pm

4 Sacred Dance-7PM

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7 Sunday School-9am Worship 10:30am

8 Trustees – 7pm

9 Food Pantry/Clothing – 9am -11:30am

10 Choir – 6:30pm Finance Com. Mtg. 6:30pm

11 Sacred Dance-7PM

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14 Sunday School-9am Worship 10:30am Goal setting session following luncheon

15 16 Food Pantry/Clothing – 9am -11:30am

17 Choir – 6:30pm

18 Sacred Dance-7PM

19 Messy Church 5:30pm to 8pm

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21 Sunday School-9am Worship 10:30am

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23 Food Pantry/Clothing – 9am -11:30am

24 Choir – 6:30pm

25 Sacred Dance-7PM

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28 Sunday School-9am Worship 10:30am

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30 Food Pantry/Clothing – 9am -11:30am

31 Choir – 6:30pm

Sunday – January 14th – Church members invited to a Luncheon/Goal Setting Session following worship. Sign-up sheet in sanctuary. Messy Church – “A New Year’s Resolution: New Life”