Catch up on the happenings of this past Sunday!
January 10, 2021
Worship This Past Sunday
Morning Virtual Worship with Hopkins & South Monterey UMCs
Baptism of our Lord Sunday
Focus Scriptures: Mark 1:4-11
Download this week's bulletin and inserts below!
This week's bulletin includes an insert with information about the Food Pantry Thanksgiving basket needs & distribution. Check it out!
Sunday's Message!
This week we remained on Zoom. Below is a video of the sermon, songs, and prayers that were a part of the service and below that is a script of the sermon.
Here is a text manuscript of the message:
Announcements
We have felt it necessary to make the call to keep our buildings closed through the end of December based on the guidance from our Bishop and state leadership. The full Worship Plan Update, including the announcement from the Bishop, is below.
The Ad Board will be meeting on January 11 and will make a complete decision for how we will meet going forward (for the foreseeable future). We will remain on Zoom until that meeting.
“Souper” Bowl
It’s almost time for the annual SOUPer Bowl Challenge between Hopkins UMC, South Monterey UMC, Burnips UMC and Monterey Center UMC!
Our challenge runs from January 3 through Super Bowl Sunday, February 7.
We’re collecting: soup, crackers, chili ingredients (beans, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, chili spice packets, etc). Bring your items to HUM Hall anytime between now and February 7th!
Get excited for our Souper Bowl!!!
Our challenge runs from January 3 through Super Bowl Sunday, February 7.
We’re collecting: soup, crackers, chili ingredients (beans, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, chili spice packets, etc). Bring your items to HUM Hall anytime between now and February 7th!
Get excited for our Souper Bowl!!!
Food Pantry Donation Needs
Thank you so much for your faithful donations!
The needs right now are: Instant Potatoes, Canned Soup (any kind), Canned Pasta, Canned Fruit, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Ketchup, Mustard, and Baking Mixes (brownies, cake mix and frosting). Toothpaste. Drop off Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm. Bring them to church or contact Mitzi or Pastor Linda about a drop off time.
The needs right now are: Instant Potatoes, Canned Soup (any kind), Canned Pasta, Canned Fruit, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Ketchup, Mustard, and Baking Mixes (brownies, cake mix and frosting). Toothpaste. Drop off Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm. Bring them to church or contact Mitzi or Pastor Linda about a drop off time.
Addressing Violence at the Capitol
Pastor Kelsey addressed the violence at the Capitol as part of the Sermon time on Sunday. You can read the transcript in the pdf of the Sermon above or listen to it as part of the worship video above (or on Youtube).
Bishop Bard sent out a response letter as well. You can read it here.
The National Council of Churches, which the United Methodist Denomination belongs to, also wrote a letter in response calling Pence, members of the congress, and the cabinet to action. You can read it, and sign it if you would like, HERE.
If you need someone to process what happened on Wednesday or figuring out how you feel called to respond, reach out to Pastor Kelsey!
Upcoming Dates
Jan 3-Feb 7 - Souper Bowl Collection
Jan 10 - Worship on Zoom at 10am
Jan 11 - Ad Board Meeting on Zoom at 6:30pm
Jan 17 - Worship Service, Location TBD by Ad Board Meeting
Jan 24 - Worship Service, Location TBD by Ad Board Meeting
Advent Worship Plan
As numbers began to rise into this second wave, we received this guidance from our Bishop, David Bard.
Highlights:
"Today, I am asking you in the strongest way possible to refrain from in-person indoor worship for the Advent and Christmas seasons."
"Remember, the Christmas story is about a God who arrives in surprising places and in surprising ways. When there is no room in the inn, a manger will have to do. When being together inside is not safe, good news of great joy still arrives."
If you would rather read the Bishop's statement you can read it here. I strongly recommend reading it as the Bishop's words have brought me some needed peace and comfort as we have had to have some tough discussions.
Taking the Bishop and the recent Governor's/State Health Department's recommendations seriously, the Ad Boards of Hopkins and South Monterey have come to the tough decision to remain virtual through the end of December. This means that Advent through Christmas will be held on Zoom. This is disappointing for all of us. I know how much we would all love to be back to normal inside worshiping like we are used to. Zoom worship is not the same and does not spark the same joy and comfort, but we are working to bring some joy, cheer, and advent feelings to you at home and during our Zoom services. We will try some new things and find Christ's peace in new and important ways during this year of ongoing upheaval.
As we will remain on Zoom for the next few weeks please let Pastor Kelsey know if you need any help figuring out the technology. We would love to have you with us on Sunday morning whenever you can. It feels more like home the more of us that are together.
How to Join Zoom
If you've never used Zoom before and want to participate on your desktop or laptop, simply click the join link below, and you will be prompted to download and install a quick software package. The software is safe and helps ensure that your connection is as stable and reliable as possible. You can download and install Zoom at any time before the gathering begins. You should not need to create an account to do so. See the 60-second video above for additional instructions.
Joining Worship on a Smartphone
Download the Zoom mobile apps (iOS, Google Play) and click the join link above after installation has finished. Or, join worship by using the instructions below
Joining Worship from Any Phone
Call (312) 626-6799.
Enter meeting ID 768 555 3158 followed by #
If asked for a participant ID, just enter # again.
If asked for a password, enter 2697937323 followed by #.
In the event that you encounter a busy signal, try these alternative phone numbers:
1-646-558-8656 or 1-301-715-8592.
The Meeting ID, password, and joining process will be exactly the same.