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Letter From the Pastor

The Road to Hope -

Dear John Wesley Family,

May God’s grace and peace be with each of you. Happy summer! Who would’ve thought that when we started out this year, we would be experiencing so much change, from staff changes to tearing up the floor in the fellowship hall, to the planning of starting a new worship service in the fall, and even to the use of our old parsonage (Now “the Wesley House”) by the Seacoast District of the UM Church. A lot has happened. We have kept ourselves busy or maybe God has kept us busy (I don’t know).

In many ways, we could see this as the beginning of a new adventure for us, so that we can look forward towards the future that we have been planning for and begin to live God’s dream for us – of making God’s kingdom more visible in our community and in our homes. Whatever the past has taken and whatever tomorrow brings, there’s no doubt that God has been there with us and God will continue to be present in us, in our church, in our community, and in our world.

I do not doubt that we are all part of what God is doing here in Falmouth. So, here is a big “shout out” to everyone of you who have given so much for this church and faith community. YOU ARE AWESOME! You are “above and beyond” people. God loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it. Thanks to your diligence and commitment we now have a new director of children, youth and young adults, a new treasurer, a new floor in the fellowship hall, a plan to start a new worship service, and a new occupant in “the Wesley House.”

Those are only but a few of the things God has done among us. If I were to tell you everything that happens at church because of you, even you would be amazed; and although as the apostle Paul would say “not that we have already arrived at our goal, but we press on to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of us.” Phil. 3:12. So, I pray that as we reach forward, God will give us the strength to grow closer to Jesus and to one another. I pray for the Holy Spirit to renew and refresh our own spirits with joy, patience, peace and wisdom. I pray that you and I will remain curious to the mysteries of God, and will open our hearts to everything God has in store for us. 

Pastor René

Tasty Tuesdays

Children and Youth

Attention incoming 5-12th grade students: We are kicking off some new events, and are looking forward to seeing you there! 

July 30th - Youth Director Meet and Greet 

We are hosting a youth and parent meet and greet on Sunday, July 30th from 5-8pm in the JWUMC Youth Rec Center. This is a drop-in event, so feel free to show up any time between 5-8pm. This is a great opportunity to meet our new youth director, Bill Dorfner, and for him to get to know you better as well. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

August 6th, 13th, and 20th - Youth Fellowship

We will have a youth fellowship meeting in the JWUMC Youth Rec Center. 

Grades incoming 5-8th graders will meet from 5-7pm. 

Grades 9-12 will meet from 6-8pm. 

We will have food during the overlap. Join us for games, food, and fellowship!

August 27th and September 3rd - There will be no youth meetings on these Sundays as we wrap up the summer and prepare to kick off the new school year in a BIG way! Stay tuned for updates, announcements, and more events. 

Did You Know? Most of our VBS participants are the children and grandchildren of friends and neighbors of JWUMC members. That means that we need YOU to invite the families in your world to our Stellar Vacation Bible School!

New friends • Amazing experiments • Creative games

Super-fun snacks • Surprising adventures • Incredible music

August 14-18   •   9 am – 12 noon

For children entering Kindergarten – Grade 5 this Fall

At Stellar VBS, kids discover what it means to shine Jesus’ light in everyday life. Stellar is filled with awesome Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear and touch!

Parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join us each day at 11:35 at Cosmic Closing, a celebration of Jesus’ light and love!

Click here or call 508-548-3050 to register your children for this out-of this-world adventure!

It’s not too late to volunteer for VBS! We can always use a helping hand on any given day during VBS week (August 14-18). We also need help crafting and building the props and decorations, and setting them up, during the work days listed below. Email jennifer.v.linton@gmail.com with questions, or to sign up to volunteer.

9-noon, Saturday, 7/29

9-noon, Monday, 7/31

1-4 pm, Wednesday, 8/2

9-noon, Saturday, 8/5

9-noon, Monday, 8/7

1-4 pm, Wednesday, 8/9

1-4 pm, Friday, 8/11

VBS Decorating and Set-Up Days

9 am - 3 pm, Saturday, 8/12

1-5 pm, Sunday, 8/13

What is “The Greatest Compliment”? “YOU are the light of the world!” Bishop Peggy Johnson shared this message at both services on July 16^th. If you missed it, you can find the service on our church website, Facebook and YouTube pages. Let’s reflect the light of Jesus in all that we do!

Our 7:30 morning worship services at Surf Drive Beach continue through September 3^rd. It is an awesome experience to worship God in the beauty of His creation! REMEMBER there will be NO worship at the beach on Road Race Sunday, August 20^th.

Speaking of Road Race week-end, we will be worshiping in the sanctuary on SATURDAY, August 19^th at 4:00 PM. On Sunday we will continue our tradition of opening our parking lot to the runners. As an act of hospitality we also welcome them into our building and supply water, bananas, and watermelon. Check with Steve Adams and the Trustees to see how you can help.

September and the start of a new program year are right around the corner! Rehearsals for the chancel choir and handbell choir resume August 30^th. Want to join in? See Paula King for more information. Would you like to serve as a greeter, usher, liturgist, or learn how to prepare the altar for worship? See me or another member of the Worship Ministry Team. If you don’t find us, we’ll be looking for you!

Bill Dorfner and Paula King are looking for more musicians to participate in the new Contemporary Worship Service. See them about rehearsal times and other information. Our plan is for the Contemporary Worship Service to launch mid-September. Stay tuned!

Thank you to everyone that completed a poll or attended the Listening Session on July 30^th. Your input is important and appreciated. A new schedule of worship times will be decided and announced soon. Our aim is to care for our current congregation while reaching others who are still outside our doors and draw all into a closer relationship to Christ.



Matthew 5:13-16. “Be salt and light!”

Falmouth Road Race

August 20, 2023



John Wesley United Methodist Church is once again sharing the love with our Falmouth Community and Visitors during the 51^st running of the Falmouth Road Race. We’ll be parking cars, offering bananas and water before the race, opening our restrooms to the public, and distributing cool watermelon and water at the end of the race. The runners love our hospitality, and the participants make free will donations to our church. It’s a win-win.

All this takes coordinated effort from each of us. The Trustees have traditionally sponsored this event, but everyone is welcome to join in. We’re looking for donations of cases of water in single disposable bottles (that can’t be purchased in Falmouth). We’ll store the water in the last classroom on the right heading toward the playground. On the Friday and Saturday before the race, we’re looking for donations of bananas and watermelons.  On Sunday, we can use some help parking cars and passing out bananas and watermelon slices. Call or email Steve Adams to volunteer, 774-400-6055, steve.greenpond@gmail.com.  

Stewardship Spotlight

“I love to serve this church in any way I can, it has given so much to me over the years!”

This is how Linda Duane described her feelings about stewardship. Linda, whose warm heart shines through her smiling eyes and service, is a wonderful example of stewardship in action. She prepares and serves us communion, lovingly welcomes us as we enter the building, calls, visits, and sends cards…in short, works to keep us connected. She has been supported and transformed by the Monday morning crafters (which she started 15 years ago!). She has been challenged and inspired by bible studies and has always been an active volunteer in the Falmouth Community. When asked to serve, she said yes, serving on many committees which led her to things which spoke to her heart. Linda is graciously living our mission statement of “Love God, Love Others. Serve the World”.

Our Stewardship Campaign 2024 is starting in September and will continue for 4 weeks. Those 4 weeks will allow all of us to reflect on how each of us can best respond to God’s calling to give generously of time, talents and treasures. As we prepare, let’s prayerfully consider the following:

It is a time to personally reflect on our JWUMC vision:

John Wesley will be a strong and vital church in our community where all people know they are invited, loved, and accepted. While putting faith into action we will love God, love others, and serve the world.

It is a time for us to acknowledge and appreciate how each of us is committed to this vision. We see examples all around us of personal commitment to our transformative ministries. We are a strong and vital church!

It is also a time for each of us to decide how we are going to invest in this exciting vision, moving forward as a connected and loving church family, serving God in Christian love. Perhaps it is our time to do more. Maybe we will be asked to strengthen our involvement or commitment. In some ways, this is a challenge…trust God!

It is an exciting time for our church! Let’s be inspired by Linda’s simple statement:

“I love to serve this church in any way I can, it has given so much to me over the years!”

Thanks to your generous donations we were able to raise $2,600 as well as supporting the community with quality clothing at $5.00 a bag. We will be accepting donations for the next sale in August.

Rummage Commitee

Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, August 26th, at 8:45 am in the Fellowship Hall: Men of John Wesley, join us for an hour of food, fellowship, and discussion. Saturday, August 26^th, at 8:45 am in the Fitzgerald Room. (It’s been moved to later in the month so as not to conflict with the Falmouth Walk on the morning of 8/19.) If you have questions or would like to help, contact Matt O’Connor connorscapecod@gmail.com. 

Wednesday Prayer group: 11 am weekly we meet in the Chapel. We pray for our church, for others as well as our country and world situations. Please join us. Take some time from your week to be with God and share your prayers.

Last month I hinted that I would report on the clothing sale. Lots of people showed up one day. They cleared the big hall then setup tables and racks. Then the ladies set out clothing, linens and other stuff on the tables and racks. It took all day to arrange everything. In the front area of the church jewelry and games for kids were set up. They even had books and tapes on the tables in the FitzGerald room. I overheard people talking about filling a bag of clothing for $5.00. A lot of people came the next day and the things disappeared. The workers wore the red shirts so everyone knew they were church people. On Sunday Pastor Rene thanks everyone who worked on the sale and announced that they made $2,600 on the sale. I do not know how much that is but everyone was happy and clapped. Guess this is a good thing. 

One Sunday the Bishop of the Conference attended church and gave the sermon. She was presented with a wooden nativity scene. She was very impressed. It looked like the work of Mark Karsner that I have seen at the fair. She seemed very nice and looked happy to be here at John Wesley. She was pleased to see that Liz was signing to the congregation. I noticed the bishop signing too. After the service everyone moved out the Community Garden for a blessing of the garden. I stayed in the church where it was safe. Too many people.

The beach service started at a place called Surf Drive. I was thinking that maybe I could hitch a ride to the beach one Sunday. But decided it may be too dangerous for a mouse to venture near the water. I may not be able to hitch a ride back to the church.

Meetings continue throughout the summer and the church is always busy with people coming and going. Groups in the morning, afternoon, and evenings. It is a busy place. There is always something to investigate.

This next month the children will be attending Vacation Bible School. I remember this from last year. Children come to the church each morning for a whole week. They sing, dance, play games and of course have a snack. Please do not forget to leave a few crumbs for me on the floor.  

Like I said before the reasons I stay at this church is everyone is so friendly and you all eat a lot and I can find crumbs on the floor occasionally. 

Habitat snacks will be appreciated to have in the church kitchen Friday August 18 and will be delivered the next day. Also looking for someone to deliver to the site. It is easy to find and I can give you directions.

Backpack Collection There is a box in the narthex for the backpack collection. We will collect them until August 27th. I will deliver them to the Service Center. The cost of these backpacks for the school children have risen and have become a hardship for many parents. All ages are welcomed but the need for grades five through seven are in most need.

Changing our World collection will be used to buy backpacks.

Falmouth Service Center - The most NEEDED item is CANNED CHICKEN which has become very difficult to obtain. For August I would like to continue to work to reach a goal of 100 cans. This staple is a very nutritious item, especially for the children. 

Grateful for all you give.

Bonnie Valade

Annual Falmouth Walk The Outreach Ministry Team is sponsoring the 32nd Annual Falmouth Walk which takes place Saturday August 19th. Last year the Falmouth Walk distributed $50,000.00 to 10 Falmouth Charities. They had over 970 registered participants and are looking to go over 1000 walkers this year. We encourage JW congregation to visit the Falmouth Walk Web site at “falmouthwalk.org” and sign up for the walk. It would be great for JWUMC to have a sea of Red Shirts walking the 5k course. We will also be asking volunteers to support the Falmouth Walk on August 19th. If you have any questions please reach out to Brent Finemore, Falmouth Walk Committee Member.

Announcements

A big thank you from Nancy Mars. On Wednesday July 27th, Nancy's daughter and granddaughter were able to visit her at her cousin's home. Nancy is truly feeling the love from the JWUMC community and wanted to let you all know what a blessing this church is and how much it meant to her to see her daughter and granddaughter who live in Maine. Nancy's daughter is still in a wheelchair after a car accident this past winter so travel was a challenge but thanks to the funds raised by the "Go Fund Me" ~ A mother's dying wish ~ and contributions received in other ways, the trip to bring them together happened. Nancy sends her love to her JWUMC family who made this possible.

The Weekly Update will not be sent during August. Please refer to the insert in you bulletin to find current information and reminders. If you are watching livestream, the bulletin and insert will be available on the livestream page (and will continue to be available on the livestream page until the following Friday.)

Office Vacation Support: Thank you so much to Maryellen Geoghan who covered the office for a week so that I could take a peaceful vacation. I truly appreciated Maryellen's time and support of JWUMC. I will be on vacation again the week of August 14th to the 18th. There will be volunteers in the office including Marge Dean (Thank you Marge).~Ruth

August Meetings and Events at JWUMC

Weekly Meetings:

Tuesday ~ Bible Study Group with Tim Cline & Ted Burt 10 am

Wednesday ~ Prayer Meeting 11 am in the Chapel

August Meetings:

Tuesday 8th ~ Stewardship Committee 11am

Tuesday 15th ~ Finance Committee Mtg. 4pm

Thursday 17th ~ Worship Ministry Mtg. 1pm

Tuesday 22 - Stewardship Committee 11am

Wednesday 30th ~ ESL Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday 30th ~ Handbell Rehearsal 5:45pm and Choir Rehearsal at 7pm

Other dates of note:

Monday 14th - 18th 9am to noon - VBS

Saturday 19th ~ Worship Service 4pm

Sunday 20th ~ Road Race Parking - no Sunday Worship Services

Birthday Wishes for August: 

Let us celebrate life among our church family. 1st ~ Brent Finemore, 5th ~ Kim Douglas 7th ~ Bud Tracy

It's a great thing to have a birthday, a gift from God. Please give your birthday information by recording it on the calendar on the Fellowship bulletin board.