Acts 2:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to given than to receive’.” Amen to that!

I was born and grew up in a little town called Argentine, Kansas. I’m sure you have all heard of it. (: >) The first Sunday after Mom and I left the hospital, I was baptized, just as my four siblings before me were, at the Brown Road Methodist Church, where my Mom taught Adult Sunday School for 49 years never missing a Sunday. Twenty years later I was married in that same church.

It was a basement building filled with both love and discipline. You had a whole church filled with adults that were watching over you at all times. It was hard to get by with anything with that many eyes on you. Not always appreciated as a child. As an adult I realize how blessed I was.

On Thursdays I walked from school (2nd grade) to church where the ladies group was always working on a quilt. I would sit under the quilt and watch the hands at work. (I know…just like the American Quilt movie!!) Those, of course, were the days when children were to be seen but not heard. The ladies, however, would “sneak” little bits of the left-over lunch under the quilt for me. Do you think mom knew!???

When you were old enough to start attending Sunday School classes 2nd or 3rd grade, you received a pin for the first year of perfect attendance and a metal bar each year following. I had 14 years of perfect attendance. I was really proud of myself! For the first few years Mom (1st _ 7th grade) let me know that she was proud but didn’t make a big deal out of out of it.

Now to the point of my story! Yes there really is a point to all of this history!!!

I was showing off my “medals” to a friend one day when my mother sat me down and asked me what I had done to earn those medals. I said I came to church all these years without missing a Sunday.

Mom’s response to that was, “Just showing up at church just isn’t enough and it’s not about what you get from the church as much as it is about what you have given back to the church and the church family to earn that pin. Have you made any of the new people, especially the new families with kids your age, feel welcome by asking them to come to MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship)? Have you gone to some of the elders in the church offering to do some chores to make their load lighter?” And she went on and on.

I finally got her point and I went on to become a student missionary with a group of about 16 of my peers and a minister traveling on an old school bus to Mexico to work at a Methodist Mission for a summer…..but that is a whole other story!!!!!.
Judy Larson

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FROM THE TRUSTEES - After the rush of the Christmas season, it’s nice to not have too many building issues going in January. The carpet in the sanctuary and the narthex was thoroughly cleaned, and the wax on the carpet from the candelabra was removed. We now have the new waxless candles in use which are beautiful as well as functional.

A new AED (defibrillator), which was a gift from a very generous anonymous donor, has been installed just outside the Fellowship Hall. After-church sessions will be scheduled soon for anyone interested in learning to operate this life-saving device. Our goal is for people to feel comfortable with this device should the time ever come when it is needed. The most important thing to know about the AED is that you CANNOT hurt anyone by using it. If they do not need it used on them, the machine will not work.

Each year the trustees must present a proposed budget to the Stewardship committee for the coming year. This budget is the amount of money needed by the church to cover our expenses. Much like a household budget, we have many expenses that we have no control over, i.e. heat, insurance, UCC dues of $16 per person, etc. that continually seem to be rising. The Stewardship Committee’s job is to then reach out to the congregation asking for monetary pledges to the church to help us pay our bills. This year, once again, the Stewardship committee will be conducting a pony express style stewardship campaign. Once you receive the pony express bag at your home, your involvement will be to read the materials in the bag, give thoughtful and prayerful consideration to your pledge, and then deliver the bag to the next person on the list. Last year’s campaign proved to be quite successful and with some tweaking, we hope that this year’s campaign will be even better. Be on the lookout for the pony express bags beginning in March.

Now that we have a beautiful newly renovated part of the church, it is important to remember that the main church building itself is getting on is years. The trustees are in the process of identifying areas of the main church that are in need of repair and/or replacement. Some of these may be accomplished with volunteers while others will require hiring professionals. Areas of immediate concern are the condition of pews and adding additional insulation in the attic space of the sanctuary. If you have any suggestions for areas of the church that need some attention, please feel free to speak to any of the trustees.

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Lenten Spiritual Journey Choices

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, Jossey Bass, 2011 is sub-titled, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life but his primary focus is on the gift to humankind of the second half of life and the realization of spiritual maturity it offers. I’ve been reading this book with a group of friends and it continues to stimulate deep, vulnerable, sustaining conversation and spiritual growth as he takes us through chapters with titles such as “Necessary Suffering”, “A Second Simplicity” and “A Bright Sadness.” Growing from the inevitable losses involved in a life time crowns rather than condemns aging.

Mehmet Oz, host of the “Dr. Oz Show” has a blurb on the dust jacket that speaks for me. “Understanding the spiritual aspects of aging is as important as appreciating the systems and biological processes that age us. Rohr has given us a perfect guide to what he calls the ‘further journey,’ a voyage into the mystery and beauty of healthy spiritual maturity. This books works as an individual and as a group read. Bill Gregory

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At the last Music Committee meeting, Jeri Erickson explained the upcoming Lenten Book Swap organized by the Library Committee. We excitedly discussed the possibility of expanding this to music. What pieces of music inspire, move, or touch you spiritually? There are so many great master works that inspire me, but sometimes it’s the simplest songs that touch me.
Composer Z. Randall Stroope arranged a stunning choral piece called “Inscription of Hope,” which quotes a Russian folk song. The lyrics are taken from a text found written on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany during World War II. The poem is believed to have been written by a child hiding from the Nazis.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.
And I believe in love even when there's no one there.
And I believe in God even when He is silent
I believe through any trial there is always a way.

But sometimes in this suffering and hopeless despair
My heart cries for shelter to know someone's there
But a voice rises within me saying 'hold on my child'
I'll give you strength, I'll give you hope
Just stay a little while

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining
And I believe in love even when there's no one there
And I believe in God even when He is silent
I believe through any trial There is always a way

May there someday be sunshine
May there someday be happiness
May there someday be love
May there someday be peace.

We ask you, music lovers of First Parish, to share with us the music that speaks to you. We’ll compile a list to share among parishioners, and perhaps perform a few of the shared songs during worship. Becca Green

YARMOUTH CLAM FESTIVAL 2009

First Parish Church invites you to become involved in the life of the church family. There are many opportunities to share your time and talents or to make new friends-just take a look! Call the church office (846-3773) if you have questions.