The Messenger

The Messenger

First United Methodist Church of Mexico

November, 2011

From the pastor…

Living in Mexico, NY is a wonderful experience year-round but the fall is an especially wonderful time: foliage, (sometimes) clear blue skies, and apples. Apples, by the bushel and in so many varieties!

I want to share a story about apples, but I need to do a bit of pre-story telling first. I have been for many years fascinated by the community of believers called “Shakers”. The disappearing little band live today in a place called Sabbathday Lake in Maine, and continue as best they can to work for and worship God. I would be thrilled to talk to anyone interested about the Shakers sometime, but this newsletter needs to be finished today so I need to get back to the apple story.

The founder of the Shakers in America was a woman named Ann Lee. One day “Mother Ann (as she became known), was walking with a friend and came to an apple tree in full blossom. Mother looked at it and said, ‘How beautiful this tree is now! But some of the apples will soon fall off; some will hold on longer; some will hold on till they are full half grown, and then fall off; and some will get ripe. So it is with souls who set out in the way of God. Many will set out very fair, and soon fall away; some will go further, and then fall off; some will go further still, and then fall; and some will go through.’”

OK, you caught me. The apple story isn’t about apples. My affection for Mexico, and for the Shakers is very genuine, and the “apple story” is real but I tell it to make this simple point: the life of faith is not a straight line, at least for most of us. The simple truth is that our faith-life can be sometimes a bit shaky, with the winds and weathers of the world sometimes encouraging us, but sometimes threatening to shake us loose. Greater than my affection for old stories is my affection-my Christian love-for each one of you. So, I need to tell you all that our faith-life is intertwined, yours and mine, and that we need each others’ “stories” of struggle and of success to (in Ann Lee’s words) “go through”.

Dear friends in Christ, our goal in this life seems to me today to be that we “go through”, that we persevere together as faithful witnesses to Christ’s saving grace in our lives. None of us lives this life perfectly, but all of us have the opportunity to share with our fellow travelers the highs and lows of the journey.

And, I can’t think of a place better suited to share our faith stories than the place we call “church”. Can you? Hope to see you there.

Sincerely, Bill

What Is Advent?

The word 'advent' is Latin for 'a coming or arrival'. The idea behind it is that God came to earthly life and lived among us, which is news to stop the presses for. It's something to celebrate, rejoice, because just by being in it, God was giving the supreme blessing to the created world. But this birth led to an execution of this same God, by us on behalf of us- and then the greatest news that death will not end it all. So it's not something you just go rushing into. We need to take stock of what that baby Jesus was here for.

Advent is a season of preparation. In Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming, prepare for his final coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit. God loved us and wanted to share that love. But this existence isn't well-suited for a god; it's too broken, evil, painful, unjust. So, to rescue the created world from this evil, God chose to come here and walk the earth, to grow up, to live the truth, and to die. The only way to start such a thing is as a baby, and the only way to be a baby is to be born. Hence Christmas. Because Christmas is centered in the new hope brought by a baby, it's very much a holiday for children, and became all the more so with the development of toys as Christmas gifts. Because Advent leads us up to that baby, Advent is also child-oriented.

In 2011, Advent starts on Sunday, November 27.

There's a time to get ready by rejoicing that our God is not far away and unfamiliar with the struggles of human life, that Christ is here right now among His followers, that God has already begun to bring in the Kingdom, and that Christ will come again to make it clear who really runs the place. That's Advent.

A common Advent tradition is that of the Advent wreath. The wreath is made of evergreen branches with four candleholders and candles. Since in Advent we're waiting for the Christ child, there needs to be a ceremonial way to mark the time and make us aware of the wait. Lighting a candle reminds us of Christ as light of the world. As the candle is lit, it's customary to sing a verse or two of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". One candle is lit for each Sunday in Advent: one on the first Sunday, two on the second, and so on.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, TO…

~ those who sponsored our four walkers in this year’s CROP Walk on October 2.

~ the Auction Committee for a super job.

~ our lively auctioneers.

~ all who baked for the Anything Apple Bake Sale on October 22, 2011.

~ all who cooked, worked, and served at the UMMen’s Roast Pork Dinner on

October 22, 2011.

~ the Behlings for donating apple cider and pumpkins to the Senior High Youth Group.

~ Carol and John Aldrich for opening their home for the six week Bible study.

~ those who work to keep Monday’s Meal operating each week and to those who come in for a bowl of soup and fellowship.

~ Chuck Parker for the new microphones in the sanctuary. He and Mike Freihofer installed them.

Where is our Church Organist?

Carolyn Hiler is now in rehab at

The Manor at Seneca Hill

20 Manor Drive Room #221

Oswego, New York 13126

Carolyn’s home address for cards

PO Box 717

Mexico, NY 13114

Our Sympathies to…

The families of:
Verna Backus
who passed on October 11, 2011

And

Dorothy Rude
who passed on October 13, 2011

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza!

Five years ago Carolyn Hiler, music director and organist at Mexico First United Methodist Church, started Pedals, Pipes and Pizza as a free annual educational event at our church. The initial purpose was to introduce the pipe organ to the audience in an informal setting in order to attract more attention to the pipe organ and hopefully inspire more people to learn about, listen to, and be drawn to want to learn to play this marvelous musical instrument. This still holds today. The sixth annual Pedals, Pipes and Pizza event, to be held Saturday, November 5, at 11:00 am, will once again feature organist Abel Searor, and for the third consecutive year, his student, Elliot Ringwald.

Pizza and apple cider will be served following the organ presentation.

IMPORTANT DATES

Oct. 30: Celebration Sunday, with covered dish
lunch following the worship service.

Church Nursery & Lullaby Room Open-
Houses following the worship service.

Nov. 5: Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza, 11am

Nov. 6: Shoebox Packing Party in Fellowship Hall, 11am.

Senior High Youth Group Thanksgiving Dinner, begins at 2pm.

Junior High Youth Group Meeting, 6:30pm.

Nov. 10: Church Newsletter Deadline

Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day

Nov. 13: Pulpit Exchange

Nov. 15: Fall Outreach Meeting, 6:30pm.

Nov. 17: Trustees Meeting, 6pm

Nov. 18: Women Within, 7pm, Creating Shoeboxes.

Nov. 19: UMMen’s Breakfast Meeting, 8am.

Nov. 20: All shoeboxes filled for Operation Christmas
Child delivered to church.

Senior High Youth Group, Movie, 6-8pm.

Nov. 22: Community-wide Thanksgiving Service,

Episcopal Church, 7pm.

Nov. 24: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

Nov. 27: First Sunday in Advent

Nov. 29: Church Growth Meeting

Dec. 3: Christmas in Mexico- Craft/Bake Sale,
Fellowship Hall 9-3pm.

Dec. 4: Community Choir to Sing at Christmas
Concert, at Presbyterian Church, 3pm.

Live Nativity at Freihofer’s Barn, 5-6:30pm.

CONGRATULATIONS

Hunter Stinson

was born on October 8, 2011

He is the son of

Rae Marie (Smith) & Scott Stinson,

and grandson of Jim & Mary Smith

WATCH FOR EXCITING HAPPENINGS IN NOVEMBER!

Update on the elevator: By the end of November the contractors will begin installing the elevator shaft in the church. This is the first of the three phases that will take place to install the new elevator.

Notice the pew cushions: Sunday morning worship services are soon to become more comfortable! On November 14, 2011 the Pad a Pew Company will begin installation of seat and back cushions on all the pews.

Thank you to John and Carol Aldrich and the committees for all the leg-work on these two projects.

A Thankful Prayer

The following is a prayer from Agusta Tubbs, now late – but longtime member of the church. It is shared by Marjorie Perth who recites it every morning.

Dear Lord: thank you for the night’s rest which you gave me. I am grateful for the renewed energy and enthusiasm it has brought. I accept it as a precious gift from you. May I use it minute by minute to do Thy will. Guide me in every problem I will face this day. Help me to treat everyone kindly and be fair and just. And if I should forget Thee, please do not forget me. All this I asked in Jesus’ name. Amen

ADDRESSES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS CONNECTED TO OUR CHURCH:

Zachary Earl               Elizabeth Emery                     Molly Freihofer                      Alyssa Sprague
Regis College              Sarah Lawrence College         CPO 918                                  Sarah Lawrence College
235 Wellesley St         1 Mead Way                            Houghton College                 1 Mead Way
Weston, MA 02473 Bronxville, NY 10708           One Willard Avenue              Bronxville, NY 10708
                                                                                    PO Box 128
                                                                                    Houghton, NY 14744

Volunteer Writer Needed:

The Church Growth Committee is seeking a writer to write a monthly column with our church happenings, past and upcoming, for the Mexico Independent Mirror. Please contact the church office at 963-3066.

CROP WALK REPORT

Four members from our church walked in the Crop Walk in Pulaski on Sunday, October 2. The walkers raised almost $300 to help stop hunger both locally and far-away. The walkers also received a certificate for the church having 100% more participation than in last year’s Crop Walk! Go walkers!

Hands 4 NY

Over 500 “Blizzard Bags” were packaged at our church on October 15, 2011. The bags are for the Senior Nutrition Meals on Wheels program to distribute to be used when the winter weather is too dangerous for drivers to deliver meals.

ANNUAL ROAST PORK DINNER REPORT

The United Methodist Men thank everyone for supporting their Annual Roast Pork Dinner on Saturday, October 22. It was a grand success with a profit of over $850. These funds will help support church camp scholarships, the Unity Acres cook-out, the summer worship and cook-out at Mexico Point, and other UMMen missions and projects. Thank you.

Our Church Nursery is Open for Business!!

The members of the Friendship Unit extend an invitation to everyone to an Open-Houses in the Church Nursery and the Lullaby Room on Sunday, October 30, following the worship service. Please attend to preview the newly refurbished nursery room and lullaby room. A gleaming newly refinished hardwood floor, several rocking chairs, a new pack & play, selected toys, puzzles, and books will greet infants through five year old children in the nursery each Sunday. An adult nursery attendant and assistant will supervise the children while parents are worshipping in the sanctuary. The lullaby room in the balcony area of the sanctuary has also been remodeled and is ready for parents to take infants, if they desire, during the worship service. Two rocking chairs, and a changing table equip this room. A window overlooking the sanctuary enables a parent to still see the service while walking a fussy baby. All parents and grandparents are invited and encouraged to use these rooms on Sundays – while bringing their young children to be a part of our church family.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.

Matthew 19:14

ANNUAL AUCTION A SUCCESS

Thanks to all who helped, whether donating items to the auction, attending and bidding, buying, baking for the bake sale or in any way - it was so very much appreciated. The 19th Annual Auction was a success, raising over $6,100.00. This will help to pay the end of the year bills and start out 2012 in the black.

Sincerely, The Auction Committee

Christmas in Mexico, Saturday, December 3^rd

Our church will again be hosting a craft show with 20 vendors, a bake sale, a pie sale table and lunch will be available. Helpers and bakers are needed. Please see Sue Morton or Bonnie Loforte for further information or to volunteer to help. Thank you.

Church Camp Scholarships on the Way…

The total money earned from the candy and pizza sales for church camp scholarships was $1269.50. These scholarships are soon to be distributed. Many thanks to all who supported the sales and to

Melissa Maciejko.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING PROJECT

Let your Christmas spirit shine with candles in our church windows during Advent and the Christmas Season. Sponsor a candle in one of our church windows in honor or memory of a loved one. The candles will be lit for the first time on Sunday, November 27, the first Sunday of Advent. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the ASAP Elevator Project. A listing of all the sponsored candles will be included in the December newsletter. Please have your response, using the form below, in to the church office by November 20. The cost of sponsoring is $15.00 per candle. Thank you for letting your Christmas spirit shine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Candle in Memory of _____________________________or Candle in Honor of______________________________

Candle Sponsored by_____________________________ Total Number of Candles @ $15.00 each_______________

Please make check payable to Mexico United Methodist Church with memo: ASAP Candle Project. Mail to PO Box 255, Mexico, NY 13114, or place check and this form in the collection using an ASAP envelope from the pew pockets.

CHIRSTMAS SHOEBOXES

The Shoe Box Mission Project continues at our church until November 20th. You may bring in your filled shoe- boxes any time until then. In addition to filling our own boxes at home, there will be a Packing Party on November 6, in the fellowship hall after the worship service. Everyone is invited to join the party, filling boxes that day with items we have collected. You may also bring in articles you may have picked up. On November 20, we will count the boxes, load up a van and take them to a site where the boxes will be transported to North Carolina to be processed for shipment to children in need all over the world.

********

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX MISSION TRIP

Ten members and friends of our church will be traveling to North Carolina from December 5 – 10, to help at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center. While there, we will inspect and prepare millions of shoebox gifts collected across the country. These shoeboxes will be distributed to needy children around the world. As well as toys and gifts for children, each shoe box will contain a Gospel booklet entitled “The Greatest Gift of All” in the child’s language. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, President. For additional info go to: www.samaritanspurse.org.
On Sat. October 22 a fundraising bake sale was held at Mexico Big M and $319 was raised to help in expenses for the mission group trip. Please pray for our team and our mission work. Thank you.

Monday’s Meal Cooks: Coffee Hours: Sanctuary Angels:

Nov. 7:    Kelly Freihofer and…                                    Nov. 6: Outreach Committee                               Nov: Sue M. and Diane Tupper
Nov. 14: Keitha Gayne and…                                      Nov. 13:                                                               Dec: Madelyn S. and Zenola B.
Nov. 21: Sue Morton and                                            Nov. 20:                                                               Jan:   Esther G. and Barb L.
Nov. 28: Dotty Parker and…                                       Nov. 27:

If you are available to cook or serve in any of these capacities, please sign up in the church kitchen or, for the Sanctuary Angels service, just outside the sanctuary door. Otherwise, please call the church office to have your name added to a list.

Recipe Corner: This recipe is from our Treasures from Heaven Cookbook, page 25. It is Ann Wolcott’s recipe and includes a note saying that it is great for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Cranberry Crunch Salad

2 Small Packages Cherry Gelatin 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1 ½ Cups Boiling Water 1 Can Jellied Cranberry Sauce

1 Cup Pineapple Juice from 1 Can Crushed Pineapple

Crushed Pineapple (Use water 1 Cup Celery, Finely Diced

to make a cup.) ½ Cup Finely Chopped Walnuts

Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Stir in pineapple juice and lemon juice. Chill until slightly thickened. Mix in cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, celery, and nuts. Pour into large cake pan. Chill until firm.

Need to Contact our Church??
Our Church Phone Number: 315-963-3066
Our Church Website: www.mex1umc.com
Our Church email address: fumcmexico@verizon.net

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