Update September 11th 2025

This Sunday will be the 14th Sunday of Pentecost

In light of the recent events, September 11th should remind us that violence in all of its forms is unacceptable. Neither as Christians nor as a society, should we be okay with resorting to any violence. This includes our words, our actions, our belief systems, our church or government policies and our politics. If we have learned anything at all is that all of these have the power to incite violence against those we disagree with, those we hate or dislike, and those we consider less than ourselves. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus, the Prince of peace who died on a cross because of violence, and who calls us to be peacemakers, to forgive those who have sinned against us, and to lift up the lowly. Let us be better and let us not forget where we’ve been and who we are. 

Dinner and Discussion is back this Saturday Sept. 13th at 5:30 PM!

Join the Spiritual Growth Team for their monthly Dinner and Discussion on the second Saturday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to share and enjoy a relaxed potluck around a big family table. Each month features a different topic to spark meaningful conversation, deepen faith, and build community. All ages welcome—including kids!

This month's topic topic is: "Do we truly love ourselves as god loves us?"



Amongst our battles we face, do we give ourselves love and hard work through god to overcome? During times of meeting triumph do we give ourselves credit and not just to god? Lead by Elizabeth Martins

New Book Study starting THIS WEEK: 

Ephesians with N.T. Wright

 Discover the bigger story behind Paul's letter to the Ephesians and your place in God's grand narrative! Join one of our 11-session studies using N.T. Wright’s Ephesians guide: 

Tuesdays at 10:30 AM (Fitz Room)

Thursdays at 2:30pm (JW Library)

and

Wednesdays at 2 PM (The Local Grounds, Cataumet)

Books are $8 in the Office or available online.

We are having the September birthday lunch at Sweet Rice

on Tuesday, September 16 at 12:30pm.

All people celebrating a birthday in September are welcome plus anyone who would like to join us.

Thrift Shop Committee Meeting – You’re Invited!

Mark your calendars! The next Thrift Shop Committee Meeting will take place on: Tuesday, September 16 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel!

We’re looking forward to gathering with our amazing team of volunteers and supporters to share updates, brainstorm new ideas, and plan for the exciting months ahead. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the committee, your voice and input are always valued!

Come be part of the conversation as we continue to grow, improve, and serve our community through the thrift shop. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Men’s Breakfast returns!

Come join us for an informative presentation by Ron Nunes of Farming Falmouth on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. The group’s purpose is, “To revitalize our local food system by cultivating an informed and engaged food community. With some of the best soils on Cape Cod, and miles of waterfront, our coastal town has the potential to produce a diversity of food and seafood, and do it in thoughtful, fair and sustainable ways.” If you have questions or would like to help with the breakfast, please contact Matt O’Connor.

Pastor Rene is looking for people who might be interested in joining him for the meeting of the Cape Cod Council of Churches on September 25th at 5:30pm. The meeting will take place at the Brewster Baptist Church. If you are interested, please let him know. 

Next Sunday, Sunday September 21st, we will gather immediately after fellowship hour to share the results of the worship time survey, and to discuss if we need to change the time. 

On Saturday October 18th, at 9:00 AM the John Wesley Social Justice team will be hosting an Interfaith Summit on Homelessness. We have invited faith-based and non-profit organizations to join us to dialogue about the current local crisis of homelessness and how we can form a network that can effectively respond to this need. The John Wesley congregation is invited to join us. 

Grief and Loss 4-day Seminar

Retired clergy Rev. Nancy Strickland will be facilitating a 4-week “grief and loss” seminar at John Wesley. It will be on Tuesdays: Nov 11, 18, 25 and Dec 2 at 3:00pm. Whether you are grieving a recent loss, walking alongside someone who is ill, or carrying an older sorrow, this seminar will be a safe and compassionate space for you. In this seminar, we’ll explore healthy ways to honor our losses, share stories if we wish, and discover practices that can help us find meaning, healing, and resilience. You can sign up for it at the connection desk in the fellowship hall or at the table in front of the church office. You can also decide to come to some and not others. 

(Rev. Strickland is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She holds a B.A. in Psychology,  an MA in Elementary Education and an M.Div.  from Andover Newton Theological School. She completed the Spiritual Directors Certification at the Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C., and a year- long Practicum learning to give the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in daily life through St Raphaela Spiritual Life Center in PA.) 

Our Church conference will be Sunday, November 30th.  We will be welcoming our new district Superintendent Byung Moo Lee, who will be presiding.

We have a Spotify Account!! Listen to past sermons and scripture readings anytime, anywhere!

Click here to view our podcast!

CHANGING OUR WORLD for September is Belonging to Each Other (BTEO). 

Donations will be used to open two houses in Falmouth during the winter months to house homeless in our community. BTEO supports our Falmouth neighbors experiencing homelessness in their transition to stable housing by providing temporary cold-weather housing and year-round compassionate, supportive services. BTEO owns a residential house for which we continually raise funds to support ongoing operations that allows us to keep the lights on, doors open, and provide vital services that are part of our mission. Related to this ongoing need, we now operate the  Monthly Giving Program of Community Builders and include planned giving vehicle options Please review the bulletin board and learn how your Mission Dollars are spent.

If you would like an updated copy of the church’s directory, please email the church office. If you would like to update your information in the directory or be added please contact the church office at 508-548-3050 or email us at jwumcfalmouth@comcast.net