A weekly newsletter from United Methodist Church of Lenox
Rev. Nami Yu, Pastor
Notes from the Pastor
*What is the United Methodist stance on immigration reform?
The United Methodist Church recognizes, embraces, and affirms all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We urge society to "recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all."
We invite United Methodist congregations to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering the journey of forced migration.
Prayer for the Immigrant and Refugee
O One who hears the cries of your people in bondage;
The One who feels the terrors of the oppressed;
You sent your beloved children out to seek freedom as refugees.
The nations through which they traveled were full of fear.
Those nations lost your favor when they showed no compassion
and closed they borders to Your people in need.
You would not let their holy prophets speak a curse upon them only blessings,
causing rulers to rage.
We join our prayers with Yours most Compassionate and Merciful
for immigrants and Refugees seeking a land of promise and peace.
Jesus, Refugee and Immigrant, hear our prayers for those like You:
For the children who cling tightly to their mothers for safety;
For the children who see the fear and determination in their father’s eyes as they seek for safety;
For the parents who watch their children suffer, hungry and cold.
You found a refuge where you could stay until the threat ended,
grant these others the same mercy from us.
Forgive our fears.
Forgive our prejudices.
Forgive the hardness of our hearts.
Show us how to repent.
Keep us from sharing in fate of the rich young ruler,
when we turn slowly away from You, our richest blessing.
Refugee and Immigrant God, who came wanting to dwell among us.
Hear our prayers. Amen.
* How can United Methodists support immigrant families?
People of faith have been shocked and moved by reports of immigrant parents and children separated after detention at the borders of the United States. Despite an order to stop the family separations, many concerns remain. Parents still might not know where their children are, nor when they will be reunited. In some cases, mothers were told their children were being taken for a bath, only to discover those children were taken to a separate detention facility.
Such situations may cause United Methodists to wrestle with their reactions. How can we respond with a sense of empathy and compassion? How can we represent mercy? What are the ways we can offer relief to all of those who seek release from circumstances that have spurred them to leave their homes in search of life somewhere else?
If you are interested in reading the UMC news related to the immigrant, you may go to these links.
Churchwide Picnic at Richmond Pond after Sunday Worship Service, 11a.m.-2 p.m Everyone will be welcomed. We want you to invite your friends and family!!
Next Sunday (August 25th) - Contemporary worship
To share various experiences in worship, I've started conducting a contemporary worship service once a month, led by the worship band team. Instead of having traditional liturgy such as the call to worship, hymns, and responsive reading, the worship band team offers modern hymns for about 20 minutes. You may learn a new Gospel song during this worship. Please come and be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Church Supper featuring our new cookbook: Saturday, September 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All meals will be made from recipes in the cookbook.
Apple Squeeze 2019: Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fall Tag Sale: October 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., October 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and October19, 9 a.m. to noon.
The Holiday Craft Fair at UMCL: Saturday, November 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Church Schedule
Sunday, August 18
Summer Worship Hour 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.
Church-wide Picnic at Richmond Pondhosted by the Perkins Family 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Monday, August 19
"Feed My Sheep" Dinner at First Baptist Church
Meal prep at UMCL 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Help with Serving at First Baptist Church 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
"Thyme to Eat" Dinner
Saturday, September 7 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The menu will be featuring recipes from our new cookbook
If you contributed a recipe (dessert, cookies, salad, appetizer) to the cookbook and would like to prepare it to be served at the upcoming dinner on September 7, please let us know by signing up in fellowship hall or contacting Judy Upton at 201-394-8331.
If you are interested in helping with serving or setup/cleanup for the dinner please sign-up in fellowship hall or contact Judy Upton or Shirley Perkins.
Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, is pleased to offer a preventive health event at United Methodist Church of Lenox on 9/17/2019. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call toll-free 1-888-653-6441 or visit http://lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979
Do you have an event to share? Email details to box1655@yahoo.com; deadline is
Tuesday at 5 p.m. All art work, flyers and photos must be submitted in jpeg format.
