Ministry and Worship Update

At PUMC we are launching several new ministries!

• Joan Eaton and her daughters will be making school bags for children in Africa. She asked the church if we are intersted in providing No.2 pencils, pencil sharpeners, large pink erasers, spiral-bound notebooks, construction paper, blunt-nose scissors or rulers (must have metric markings) for the bags. She is also looking for help in stuffing the bags and shipping them. If you'd like to help or provide money, please leave a comment on this posting with your contact information (email or phone). Sewing and packing bags will be planned with the residents of the James Steam Mill.
  
• We are making and distributing Prayer Shawls. If you would like to make a shawl (must be machine washable) or if you know someone who would like a shawl, lap-blanket or stole, please let us know. Prayer shawls can be knitted, crocheted, quilted or any other form of soft material. We dedicate and pray over the shawls before giving them to those in need of warmth and comfort during illness, loss or other difficult time. The prayer shawl ministry group is sharing patterns, and is also considering meeting together to make the shawls with one another. This is a great opportunity for ministry on your own time, at your own pace, that really touches lives. It is also a wonderful way to learn a new craft!
  
• Saturday Evening Worship begins Saturday, October 4 at 4pm. We know that not everyone who would like to join us in worship finds Sunday at 9am to be a convenient or even a feasible time for their schedule. For those who are looking for an alternative, we will be offering this Saturday Worship option. The service will reflect of the gifts of the congregation. Our first service on October 4 will be a healing service with communion.
  

10/1 Bible Study

Our study of the books of Ruth and Esther using Warren W. Wiersbe's book "Be Committed" continues. This week's meeting is at 7pm at Beverly's house at 25 Parker Ridge.

Bible Study on Wednesday September 17

We are studying the books of Ruth and Esther using Warren W. Wiersbe's book "Be Committed". This week's meeting is at 7pm at Beverly's house at 25 Parker Ridge. Come join us for a lively discussion!

Outdoor Worship August 31

Instead of our normal 9am worship at the church, we will be worshiping in Merrimacport at Carey Park on River Road at 10am. This will be a joint worship service with the Merrimacport United Methodist Church. The service will be at the Merrimacport church in case of rain.

Please call the church at 978-465-5145 for directions or for a ride.

Bible Study

The next Bible Study will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 7PM at Jane's house. We will discuss the final chapter, lesson twelve, of Max Lucado's book "James".

On September 10th we will begin a new study on the books of Ruth and Esther using Warren W. Wiersbe's book "Be Committed". Check back for the location!

Music Celebration for Curtis Haley - June 22

Curtis Haley has been our church organist and choir director for many years, and is now retiring to move to North Carolina to be nearer to his family. He has also led the Hoperful Cluster of United Methodist Churches in Lenten and Advent Cantatas for the past 4 years. We have all enjoyed his humor, his stories, his patience, and his musical talents.

To celebrate his musical gifts and leadership, we will have a choir sing-along and reception on June 22 at the church at 4pm. Choirs from the Good Shepherd UMC in Haverhill, First Parish UMC in Salisbury, Amesbury UMC, Merrimacport UMC and Byfield Community UMC are invited to join People's UMC Newburyport by bringing an anthem to sing. We'll also sing a few hymns together and send Curtis off with a song of encouragement and blessing, "Go Ye Into the World."

A reception will be held in Hartson Hall after the musical celebration.

Bible Study - Summer Plans

Bible Study will meet this week (June 4) at Bob and Ardis' home. Please call the church for directions, 978-465-5145.

Bible Study will meet every Wednesday in June. One June 25 the group will enjoy a potluck supper at 6:30pm. For the rest of the summer, the group will meet once a month, on July 16 and August 20. We will resume our weekly fall schedule on September 10. Check back here for postings on where Bible Study will meet.